"What did you say?!"
"Robin sent us someone?"
"What are you waiting for, you fool? Get them in quickly!"
"I'll go get Caesar."
The voices of those present rose one after another, brimming with excitement. Just moments ago, they had already given up hope and were debating withdrawal.
A minute later, two young men entered the hall. One was strikingly handsome, tall with long hair and two daggers at his waist. The other was shorter, masked in black, one-armed, with a light sword strapped to his back.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" Billy asked. He had seen Peon before when visiting Robin, but the mask made it hard to confirm—similar body shape alone wasn't enough.
"I'm Peon, and this is Theo. We are slaves of Master Robin Burton. We were ordered to come here and support Young Master Caesar if he needs us."
"Hehe, so even though he knows Caesar came with a full expedition, that bastard still sent his two slaves. He doesn't trust us at all." One of the elders shook his head.
"I hate to admit it, but wasn't he right? Both of them are at level nine. Still weaker than the level ten followers the other kingdoms brought, but at least we can use them to fill two of the five slots!"
Peon and Theo glanced at each other. They had no idea what the elders were rambling about. They had come to meet Caesar and await his orders, nothing more. Just as Peon was about to interrupt, a familiar voice rang out:
"Peon! Theo! What are you two doing here? And who's protecting Father now?!"
Caesar entered with the elder who had gone to summon him. Seeing the two standing there stunned him. He had entrusted them to Robin for one reason—because he knew Robin could turn them into monsters just as he had turned him. They were supposed to serve and protect in his absence. And now they both left too?
"Young Master Caesar, it was our master Robin who sent us. We are here to support you during your stay in Dolivar. Once you leave, we will return to his side." Peon explained calmly. Though surprised by the word father, he understood Robin was meant. That man was a walking miracle—there was no use trying to make sense of him with common logic. Best to just go with the flow.
"This stubborn old man…" Caesar clenched his teeth. He knew his father cared, though he often hid it behind harshness. But sometimes he wished Robin would look after himself first and forget about him. I'm supposed to protect him, not the other way around… The debt on his heart only grew heavier.
"Whatever. I suppose the follower problem is solved now with you two. Let's get this tournament over with so you can return to Father." Caesar sighed.
"Hmm? I'm afraid the problem isn't solved, boy. We need five, and now we only have three. We're still short by two! Who knows—we might find slaves at the tenth level to replace your friends." One of the elders said with a flicker of hope.
"Send the one you bought to another Black Sun party. I'll only be accompanied by Theo and Peon."
"What did you just say?! You are the hope of the Burton family! If we can't find enough followers, you won't even be allowed to enter!" another elder snapped.
"Hmph. When I was with my father, Theo was learning a heavenly law no less powerful than mine. And Peon being here with him means Father probably gave him one too. In other words, these two are no less powerful than me. Do you still think the three of us aren't enough?" Caesar snorted.
The hall fell silent. Moments ago, everyone dismissed the two as disposable fodder, mere slaves. Now Caesar was claiming they were his equals? Impossible! Yet… if true, then three monsters like Caesar stood before them.
According to their own assessment, Caesar alone could exchange blows with a twelfth-level cultivator and still escape alive. If Theo and Peon were the same…
"We're going to crush this year's tournament!! Hahahaha!"
"Oh heavens… The Burton family might actually win? And in a Hunting Event no less? This is… this is—" an elder clutched his chest, almost fainting.
"Quiet!" Billy barked. He turned to Caesar. "I'm starting to fear your overconfidence. Do you realize how narrow the gap between levels is? Especially before the Saint realm—a single level can be erased in group battles. Six or seven tenth-level cultivators could surround a twelfth-level and kill him.
Even if you are the strongest individually, and will likely dominate the second stage, the Hunting Event carries real risk. Even with these two at your side!"
"Don't worry, Sir Billy. Our master gave us talismans strong enough to protect Young Master Caesar if things escalate. With that and our presence, I can promise he will walk out alive, even if it costs us our lives." Peon answered firmly.
"What? You can't mean the sixth-level talismans. They'd be useless against the beasts and cultivators of this event. Did Robin… did he succeed in creating new talismans? What are they?!" One elder shot to his feet, clutching Peon's shoulder. Every man in the room was high-ranked, and every one of them knew about Robin's explosive talismans.