Chapter 538: I Am the Abyss of Darkness, A Grand Melee
As Morgans fell silent, the contestants present all turned their gazes toward the God Killer Equipment at the center.
At this moment, many began to make their calculations.
Time King Joe Tlian stood tens of meters from the center.
Seeing the Time King move away and the Black Death Dragon King nearby, everyone displayed varied expressions.
In truth, many at the scene had already noticed something peculiar.
Most eyes were fixed on the central treasure.
The abrupt opening of the treasure, along with the sudden appearance of the Black Death Dragon King and the Death Tide Princess near Joe Tlian, felt suspicious.
Given Joe Tlian's title as the Time King, it was obvious to some.
A confrontation might have occurred before they could even sense it.
However, the realization that some could act during a time stop to challenge the Time King made many eyes flicker with intrigue.
It seemed the Time King's time stop was not invincible.
The scene didn't remain quiet for long.
A girlish voice, brimming with madness, broke the silence.
"Since no one wants this God Killer Equipment, I'll take it!"
Saijō, accompanied by Ankleya, approached at this moment.
The Black Death Dragon King extended its claws at the perfect moment to seize the God Killer Equipment nearby.
Clang!
With a sharp sound, Hikari's figure appeared at the center.
Her sword flicked back the Black Death Dragon King's claws.
"Hahaha! Is someone really blocking me?" Saijō asked with a smile.
"Unknown knight! Do you want to face me in a showdown?" she added, her bold demeanor made Hikari feel a bit awkward.
Hikari sensed something familiar in the woman before her.
Though brief, Hikari had once experienced a "dark history."
It was a collection of stories accumulated in Shirokōri's room, a phase she called her "chuunibyou" illness.
Though it didn't last long, Shirokōri had recorded it and occasionally teased her with it.
Even so, Hikari steeled herself and adopted an aggressive stance.
Her resolve was partly due to Jin's words, who mentioned that her father was considering three princesses from the Chaos Realm, potentially giving her three new mothers.
When Jin said this, Hikari was stunned.
So, now she carried herself with authority while facing Saijō.
She hadn't visited the Chaos Realm, but she knew Ruri, who had recently moved there from Daughter Island.
Unlike Shirokōri, the recluse, Ruri often returned to Daughter Island.
Thus, Hikari was more familiar with her from there.
She only knew of the other princesses through newspapers and videos.
This was her first time meeting one in person.
But no matter the circumstances, if Saijō wanted to be her mother, she had to pass Hikari's test.
"It's really impressive! I can feel your fighting spirit." Saijō said.
"In that case, come face the tide of death! Show me your resolve!" she declared.
With Saijō's wild laughter, the Black Death Dragon King rolled its eyes, and a black tide surged around it.
An aura of death flowed toward Hikari.
At that moment, rays of blazing golden light pierced through the surrounding black tide, like sunlight dispelling darkness.
"If you want to harm His Highness, you'll have to face me!" Nozomi said.
Whoosh!
Nozomi stepped on a flower and leaped forward.
Seeing Nozomi's arrival, Ankleya's expression grew more serious.
The knight before them was terrifyingly strong, and with Flower Queen Nozomi in the mix, victory would be challenging.
Of course, to claim the most powerful God Killer Equipment, a battle was inevitable.
They had to fight.
"Your Highness? Since when did the Kingdom of Miracles have an extra Highness?" Ankleya asked.
"You didn't step in when she fought the Golden Crow, but now you show loyalty against us."
"Flower Queen Nozomi, it seems you're quite dedicated." Ankleya said lightly.
Her words pointedly referenced Nozomi's title and her earlier inaction.
This approach would make the fight more effective.
Nozomi's gaze sharpened toward Ankleya.
There was another reason she hadn't helped earlier.
The voice of the God of Holy Light had suddenly instructed her not to interfere, and she had obeyed.
But now wasn't the time to explain to His Highness.
Nozomi wasn't worried, though. Having spent time with Hikari, she knew Hikari's character wouldn't dwell on this.
"Enough talk!"
"Let's enter the carnival of war! Welcome the female doomsday!"
Saijō disliked psychological tactics. She simply wanted the two warriors before her to face her.
She had clearly embraced her role.
"Fearless warriors, I am the dark abyss, the unreachable chasm, the insurmountable sea of death."
"If you truly want this treasure, then come and try to surpass me! Hahaha!"
With Saijō's rising and falling laughter, countless waves of death surged, covering the sky and sun.
It was a spectacular sight, evoking the image of a hero battling a demon.
However, Ankleya, standing beside Saijō, felt the urge to cover her face.
She had heard such lines countless times.
Why wasn't Saijō tired of them? She vowed not to stand with her next time.
Leaving aside Ankleya's inner thoughts, Hikari, opposite them, also found it hard to watch.
What a chuunibyou! How could she say such embarrassing things without flinching?
It was… impressive!
Though Hikari felt awkward, she couldn't help but admire the woman before her.
To be honest, her own thin skin prevented her from doing the same.
Boom!
Huge flowers bloomed rapidly, shimmering with golden light.
Both Ankleya and Hikari felt speechless.
But Nozomi remained unfazed.
She saw nothing wrong with Saijō's words.
Standing before an endless frenzy of death, one wouldn't have room for other thoughts.
A single misstep could be fatal.
Rumble!
As the two princesses from the Chaos Realm clashed with the warriors from the Kingdom of Miracles, others were swept into the death frenzy.
The Death Tide Princess's attack range was vast, and anyone aiming for the strongest God Killer Equipment had to approach the central area.
They would inevitably face the death frenzy.
In this situation, the strong began resisting the death waves while seeking the right moment to seize the God Killer Equipment.
Some aided the effort, while others obstructed it.
Soon, a grand melee erupted around the strongest God Killer Equipment, the Mythical Demon's Return.
(End of this chapter)