Chapter 1019

""Is there no one daring to step forward? Don't you wish to stake your honor and burn your lives in the radiance of Xuanfeng?""

As the registration official's words fell, the man who had previously greeted Xiaodie strode forward and said in a low voice: "…Let me pass."

""It's you again! You inarticulate fool! You have no weapon, yet you dare to join the Xuanfeng Festival? This is disrespect to the Heaven's Punishment Spear!" the registration official shouted, "I've already emphasized—this is a trial that tests three people at once! If you can't even find a companion willing to live and die with you, you might as well go home and tend your flock!""

""…Let me pass." The man ignored him, simply repeating it over and over."

""It seems you're not just tongue-tied; your hearing isn't great either… If you keep causing trouble, don't blame us for being rude."

Upon hearing that teams of three were required, Xiaodie keenly sensed an opportunity, and Xing promptly declared that they would be the two teammates of that man.

The registration official was greatly surprised: "Huh? You're… heh, heh, I think I get it now."

""No problem! Since you've found comrades willing to die together, step forward, fool! The spectacle of bursting veins is already tiresome; joining a vastly mismatched 'interlude' is also a nice change of pace."

""Come on—'survival' is the only rule! As long as you still have a breath, either overcome all obstacles and win this world's glory, or leave your souls in Xuanfeng City to become nourishment for 【Strife】!"

——

Marvel Universe.

""A huge difference in strength? Haha, that's true—Xing could probably shove the Heaven's Punishment Vanguard's sword into the rear of those stone monsters, like this——"

Wade's finger traced an arc in the air, fell from above, paused at a point, then he jabbed hard, all the while making a disgusting "huk-huk" imitation sound.

""——Go in from the back, come out the front. Then those stone monsters will lower their heads to look at the hole in their stomachs; when they fall, Xing will straighten up and shout 'Avenger'—no… wait, it should be 'Train crew, assemble!' Wow, that line is totally badass, what do you think?""

""I think you're annoying as hell." Logan couldn't help but roll his eyes, holding a limp Mexican wrap in his hand, "Can you not discuss this disgusting topic while I'm eating?""

""Fine, it seems our tolerance for disgust differs." Wade shifted gears, "But seriously, that helmet‑wearing guy who looks like a Spartan—could he really not be a cameo from a movie set? He's just too much like it."

Logan: "Don't underestimate him; if he dares to sign up alone for a trial that requires three people, his strength is certainly not trivial."

""That wouldn't help either." Wade put his hands behind his head and sank back into the sofa, "Following Xing and Xiaodie on this trip, this guy's basically got a free ride. As long as he just tags along behind them, he ought to be able to meet that O‑something king without lifting a finger."

——

The man's name was Gnaeus; although he became a comrade-in-arms after teaming up, he was very quiet and reserved.

He seemed unfamiliar with the various mechanisms and prophecy steles scattered across Ophyrus, knowing only how to fight and kill. His steps only hesitated when he saw devices that could utilize the Oulonis prayer.

""Oulonis…""

Xiaodie felt it odd: "What's the matter, sir?"

Gnaeus remarked sharply: "Weakness made it humanity's slave."

Although I didn't quite grasp why he said that, before entering the next area Xiaodie kindly reminded him: "Sir Gnaeus, before we go on… there's something I must tell you."

""…I understand; you're not here for this foolish competition."

Xiaodie stared for a moment: "How…?"

Gnaeus stated bluntly: "All along you've been suppressing the dark surge within you… I can't be fooled. You have no interest in the false glory fabricated by that mediocre king. I don't mean to pry into your aims, as long as you don't get in my way…

"""Then what is your purpose?"

Gnaeus replied coldly: "I've already said it once—smash the foolishness entrenched deep within Xuanfeng City."

——

Dungeon Meal.

""What a riddle, this guy—but his skill isn't bad." Zirchak couldn't help but eye the sturdy, agile man a few more times, "He said he'd smash the foolishness entrenched deep in Xuanfeng City… could he be planning to kill the old king, Oulipang?"

According to the true history previously referenced, King Oulipang was slain by Wandi, so it's easy to infer that this man ultimately failed as well. Evidently, more than just Wandi wanted to kill King Oulipang.

""No, this man's target is likely not King Oulipang but Nicadoli." Marusil frowned slightly, "Ordinary people can't sense the anomaly within Xiaodie's body, yet he spots it at a glance. This strongly suggests he is probably also a Golden Descendant, sharing Aglaea's goal—to come and slay the Strife Titan."

Zirchak chuckled and shook his head: "But the Strife Titan is immortal—even Wandi, who likewise has an undying body, can't defeat it, so what can he do?"

This is history from the tail end of the Golden War; this man was likely already slain by the Strife Titan, and he failed……

Saying this, Marusil's face also darkened with a hint of sorrow as she softly sighed: "…History cannot be changed; if Xing and Xiaodie continue to trace this past, they will probably witness Gnaeus's death firsthand. For a Golden Descendant without an immortal body, challenging Nicadoli is no different from a moth flying into a flame."

——

The three pressed on, when suddenly faint voices drifted from the corridor ahead.

""These guys are far stronger than they look…… What great luck, what great luck!"

""Nice weapon! Really a fine weapon…… After a quick clean you can't tell it's secondhand, ha……hahaha!"

Gnaeus was the first to hear the voices; upon reaching the front he suddenly halted, blocking the two behind him.

""…Wait." Gnaeus pressed his ear to the wall, "Shh… listen."

When the surroundings quieted, the voices in the corridor became clearer: "Hey, hehe…… This time we've got something to profit from."

""After this trip, we probably won't need to scavenge leftovers to fill our stomachs for the next few days, right? Hehe… I really hope this festival lasts a bit longer."