leonardwarren Chapter 191 Father and Daughter
Chapter 191 Father and Daughter
Chapter 191 Father and Daughter
Eric's expression turned grave. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I understand. You must be careful."
After the strategic meeting, everyone returned to their rooms to prepare for tomorrow's challenge.
As soon as Li Ang returned to his room, Nelson rushed up to him nervously and handed him a folded note.
"Sir, this afternoon while you were away, someone slipped this under the door. I checked it; it wasn't signed, only said 'For you.'" Nelson's voice was trembling with unease.
Li Ang took the note, unfolded it, and found only one line of simple handwriting:
[Midnight, entrance to the abandoned No. 7 mine underground, a matter concerning tomorrow.] Besides the handwriting, the note also had an abstract sun symbol stamped on it.
Li Ang recognized it as the mark of a court astrologer who had been disbanded.
He stared at the line of text, his eyes narrowing slightly.
After a moment's hesitation, Li Ang put away the note, turned around, and went out.
He first found Celia and spoke to her in a low voice. A knowing look flashed in Celia's golden eyes, and she nodded gently.
Then, he summoned Gwen, and a moment later, in a secluded, shadowy corner on the third floor, Gwen cast Shadow Teleport, and the three of them silently blended into the darkness, disappearing without a trace from the inn.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the simulated skylight system in the Ironforge dome.
Sandramea stood in front of the Honey and Wine Inn, facing the dwarven crowd that had rushed to the scene and blocked the street, and raised her left hand high.
Wisdom, strength, and courage—three holy marks, each radiating a different luster and imbued with the grace of the Titans, clearly appeared on the back of her hand, forming a complete ring that shone brightly in the morning light.
"Stigmata! Three complete Stigmata!"
"The prophecy is true; Your Majesty will lead us to glory."
"Your Majesty Sandramea."
After a brief silence, a wave of frenzied cheers erupted, like a volcanic eruption. The crowd's emotions were completely ignited, and countless arms waved in the direction of Maya, their eyes filled with hope and fervor.
Listening to the cheers of the people around him, Li Ang was somewhat puzzled. Didn't the prophecy say that Maya would become king and lead everyone to fight against the end?
Despite her confusion, she remained steadfast in her mission. Under the protection of Li Ang and others, Meiya walked step by step toward the palace amidst the deafening roar of the crowd.
The crowds on both sides of the road spontaneously parted to make way, their figures following the scorching sunlight.
Inside the royal palace, the atmosphere was completely different from the lively atmosphere outside; it was cold and oppressive.
Seated beside the throne was still the regent, Groon Maxwell.
His single eye swept over the holy mark on the back of Maya's hand, his pupil contracting almost imperceptibly, but his face remained expressionless.
"Sandramaya, even if you pass the trial, my brother is unwell and unable to receive guests or engage in duels."
Gron's voice carried its usual coldness and hardness.
"However, according to the law, if a challenger with a holy mark issues a duel and the king does not respond within seven days, the challenger automatically becomes the new king after seven days. You may return now, and the coronation ceremony will be held in seven days."
Upon hearing this, a hint of urgency flashed in Maya's emerald eyes, and she was about to speak.
"Who says I can't fight?"
A strong, resonant voice came from the inner hall.
Immediately afterwards, the figure of the dwarf king Frostheart Maxwell, accompanied by two guards, slowly walked out.
His face was an unhealthy pale, his eyes were sunken, but his back was ramrod straight.
"Brother! You—" Gelong suddenly stood up, his single eye filled with disbelief and astonishment.
"You also—" He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence, but the doubt on his face was almost overflowing.
When he met the king yesterday, Shuangxin still looked terminally ill and even had difficulty speaking.
Moreover, his eyes were no longer cloudy as before; instead, they were unusually clear, even radiant.
How come you've changed so much overnight?
Shuangxin waved her hand, interrupting Gron, and her gaze fell on Maya: "My body is fine. Now that my daughter has returned with the Titans' approval, according to tradition, how can I avoid battle?"
Gron frowned, observing the king's demeanor, so different from his pale face. His unease grew stronger, but under the watchful eyes of everyone, he could say nothing more. He could only say in a deep voice, "Since Your Majesty has decided to accept the challenge, then, according to tradition, the duel will take place in the Grand Martial Arts Arena!"
As news of the duel officially spread, the palace guards received orders to lift the restrictions on the palace gates.
Countless people who had been waiting outside poured into the palace like a tide, gathering around the grand and ancient arena. The scene was bustling with noise and the atmosphere was extremely enthusiastic.
Under the watchful eyes of thousands, before the duelists even entered the arena, the two regents appeared first on the main stands.
Gron's expression was solemn, and beside him stood a handsome man with deep-set features and a pair of bright blue eyes, wearing an expensive black fur coat.
Li Ang's gaze instantly locked onto this person from the stands.
Ernesto.
Or rather, the Dark Wizard Loki.
If Li Ang hadn't already known his true identity and the bloody conspiracy behind it, judging solely from his approachable and friendly demeanor, he might have genuinely believed him to be a trustworthy regent.
Loki seemed to sense Li Ang's gaze, his azure eyes shifting slightly as their gazes briefly met in the air.
The smile on his lips seemed to deepen slightly, carrying an indescribable playfulness and profundity, before he casually moved away and began to speak quietly with Groon beside him.
At Ernesto's signal, the dueling master announced the start of the duel.
Sandramea Maxwell and Frostheart Maxwell, father and daughter, walked into the center of the huge circular arena from opposite ends of the fighting arena.
Maya held a heavy tower shield engraved with her family crest in her left hand, and gripped her warhammer tightly in her right.
King Frostheart, on the other hand, wielded a slightly shorter warhammer in each hand, but one that was clearly more conducive to rapid attacks.
The battle broke out suddenly after a bell rang.
Maya, taking advantage of her height and reach, attempted to defend with her shield while her warhammer sought an opportunity to strike.
King Frostheart displayed far superior martial arts skills and combat experience compared to his daughter. He wielded his twin hammers with the speed of the wind, launching attacks like a sudden storm. His movements were agile, constantly seeking gaps in Maya's defenses.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The sounds of warhammers clashing against shields and against each other were deafening, and sparks flew everywhere.
The father and daughter did not exchange a single word throughout the entire process.
The entire arena was filled with the sounds of intense fighting, the gasps of the spectators in the stands, and the cheers of encouragement for Maya.