Chapter 1178: New Landscape, Harmonious Competition

Seventon, the Great Arena.

As the final group of personnel arrived and the representatives of the four parties took their respective seats, what surprised Xia Duo was that the person sitting in the main seat representing Netheril was actually Badijiaer.

However, this was also within reason; after the Princess's Ascension to Godhood, the Nether Family had effectively died out, and for such a formal occasion, who to send as a representative only required the Seven Towers to deliberate.

The representatives of the four parties in the main seats, from left to right, were Ambassador Lucien of Illefarn, Badijiaer, Ambassador Ifuyalisi of Eaerlann, and Ambassador Atelan of Cormanthyr.

Seeing this seating arrangement, Xia Duo even suspected that the Seven Towers were worried the Ambassador of Illefarn and the Ambassador of Cormanthyr would start fighting on the spot, which was why they were separated like this.

In addition to the four representatives in the main seats, the secondary seats on both sides were occupied by the other six Great Arcanists of the Seven Towers, Iolum, the three High Mages of the three Elf nations, and the Holy Hammer Warrior of the Dwarves.

It is particularly worth noting that in the introduction by the host Elkamon, the true identity of this Holy Hammer Warrior from the Danzo Kingdom was actually the second son of King Baside of Danzo.

In Elkamon's introduction, he was referred to as "Prince Baside"!

And the person closest to Prince Baside was Iolum; the two seemed to be discussing something in low voices, and the remaining Great Arcanists also wore smiles.

Only those three Elf High Mages, especially the High Mage of Illefarn, had cold expressions and did not communicate with anyone else, only glancing from time to time at the High Mage of Cormanthyr opposite them, as if waiting only to hear the order to launch an attack.

The High Mage of Cormanthyr, meanwhile, frowned as if thinking about something.

And that High Mage of Eaerlann would occasionally and deliberately strike up a conversation with the High Mage of Illefarn beside them, and even though they never received a response, they still did not give up;

At other times, they would gaze at the High Mage of Cormanthyr opposite them, revealing a polite smile.

Because Xia Duo was quite concerned about the establishment of the Northland Alliance, he paid closer attention to the attitudes and performances of those Elf High Mages.

Almost without needing to observe or ponder carefully, he discovered that Eaerlann seemed to have a tendency to lean toward Illefarn, and Cormanthyr seemed to have already tacitly accepted this situation.

Xia Duo had previously learned from Iolum that the Northland Alliance would very likely be established before the end of this year; although it was already May, judging from the performance of those High Mages above, it really seemed possible.

Cormanthyr was certainly unhappy with the Northland Alliance pushed by Illefarn, but if they did not join, facing the Drow forces that had just birthed a new god and whose power had greatly increased, they would have to shoulder it alone.

Even if just to drag someone down with them, they had to form an alliance, and for this, they would not hesitate even if it meant paying a certain price.

Among the Northland nations, Illefarn, Netheril, Danzo, Eaerlann, and Cormanthyr were the most powerful, with the first three supporting the establishment of the Northland Alliance.

Now that Eaerlann had defected and agreed to establish the Northland Alliance, if Cormanthyr did not join, they would almost be excluded from the mainstream world of the Northland.

Of course, the current Northland Alliance was somewhat different from the one previously proposed by Illefarn, mainly due to the variable of the new Drow god.

In fact, regarding the attitude toward the Drow, in the current Northland Alliance, perhaps Danzo was the simplest ally for Cormanthyr.

After all, the majority of Danzo was underground.

Although the Drow did not necessarily hate Dwarves, regarding a potential enemy and source of slaves right on their doorstep, based on Xia Duo's understanding of the Drow, they would certainly not let Danzo develop freely.

Thinking this way, as Xia Duo looked again at Prince Baside, who had never come to Netheril before, a few more insights into the current situation arose in his heart.

……

Soon, with an announcement from Elkamon, the Snow Melting Competition of Netherese Calendar 837 was officially considered to have begun.

"Snow Melting Competition 【Spell Duel】 first match, Illefarn versus Netheril!"

In the first match, the one representing Illefarn was a young Gold Elf Mage; of course, whether it was the ambassadors, the contestants, or the spectators that Illefarn had brought over this time, they were all Gold Elves.

Other Elves, such as Moon Elves and Wood Elves, were extremely rare; if one judged heritage solely by bloodline, Illefarn was more qualified than Cormanthyr to inherit the "glory" of Aryvandaar.

It was just that Illefarn did not care for it.

……

After the Gold Elf Mage walked slowly onto the dueling platform, they casually pointed at one of the Netheril contestants and, with the help of a spell, said loudly:

"I invite that human friend to come up to the stage for an exchange!"

The person pointed at happened to be Angelin from Gustav Tower, whom Xia Duo knew and had cooperated with in the Green Field Plane.

Facing the challenge from the Elite Mage of Illefarn, Angelin showed a full fighting spirit; after clenching their fists and standing up from the seating area, they cast a spell to fly directly to the dueling platform and entered the Semi-plane space.

After passing the one-minute preparation time, the duel officially began.

……

At the same time, in the area where the Mages of Giles Tower were located.

After the battle between Angelin and the Elf began, Xia Duo only watched for two glances before turning his attention to the Semi-plane itself.

It was not that the battle between the two was completely unworthy of his eyes, but the rhythm of the battle was truly too slow, and the style of the battle was also very refined; the one human and one Elf did not seem to be fighting, but rather—exchanging?

Illefarn said it was an exchange at the beginning, could it be that they were really just exchanging?

If it continued like this, then Xia Duo could basically conclude that the Northland Alliance would definitely be established this year; it was so harmonious, wouldn't it be a pity if the alliance wasn't established!

One must know that the Snow Melting Competition last year had resulted in deaths, and more than one!

Now, the battle in the dueling platform space was far below Xia Duo's expectations, but for ordinary Arcanists and High Mages, it was a rare practical demonstration.

Niya stared at the dueling platform space without even blinking, and after a moment, she reached out to nudge Xia Duo and asked, "Who do you think will win between the two of them?"

"Angelin has rich combat experience, clear thinking, and is skilled in Spellcasting, while the Elf Mage opposite him is indeed proficient in spells, but their response is rigid; if nothing unexpected happens, in at most a few rounds, all their Protection will be broken. As for who will win—"

Xia Duo did not give a clear answer; after all, he also did not know if, in such a harmonious duel, Angelin would eventually concede a match to their opponent from the allied nation of Illefarn.

Or perhaps a draw or something, it was not impossible.

Of course, the greater possibility was still a victory, just as Niya said—"The tradition of Gustav Tower will not let Angelin voluntarily admit defeat!"

After a not-so-intense battle, the result was indeed as Niya said; Angelin did not voluntarily admit defeat, but instead stopped attacking after breaking all of the opponent's Protective Spells.

And the Gold Elf Mage of Illefarn immediately understood and sent a signal of defeat to Elkamon.

This was actually still very harmonious!