Chapter 207: Nox, a Coward?

All ten towns, including the Armstrong Duchy, had arrived with their team of ten members, and the air was electric. The crowd's roars were deafening, and some of the kids, not used to such attention, shifted nervously.Each town stood some meters apart, and just behind them were their supporters, who had traveled all the way from their hometowns. The crowds pointed at the participants and whispered excitedly.

"Damn, five fucking years! I waited for this for five years! The tension—finally, we're here!" a woman from the Armstrong Duchy exclaimed.

"Hahaha, I can't wait for Young Master Felix to destroy them all! I wonder how long they'll last against him."

"True, though this tournament will be a one-sided massacre with our barony on top, it'll still be exciting to watch."

In the Landon Barony, Jared, with his green hair, shifted uncomfortably. He was only a few meters away from Nyx, but the girl's attention was focused on the front, not even acknowledging him—unlike the others who had dubbed him the "Mountain of Ascension" during the class awakening some years back.

"Sigh, she's really unreachable, just like the others said," Jared thought, slightly depressed as he moved his gaze to the front. However, he quickly turned back to the group when he noticed something strange.

"Three... Why are they only three?" A confused light shone in Jared's green eyes. All the other teams had ten competitors, so why did the Cromwell Barony only have five? Were they that confident about winning?

A grim expression appeared on Jared's face as a sudden realization washed over him. "They'll be the first eliminated... This is bad... I thought I'd fight them, but..."

While Jared was lost in thought, someone from the crowd pointed out the obvious.

"Why does the Cromwell Barony only have three participants? This isn't right," someone from a neighboring town whispered.

"Now that you mention it, I don't see the one called the anomaly anywhere," another person added with a nod. "According to the rumors, they said he has black hair and... but except for that girl, I don't see anyone like him."

"Could it be he... chickened out?" another person said, incredulous, though their words didn't sound too far-fetched.

"Hahaha! All that hype, and for what? A coward?" Someone from the Armstrong Duchy burst out in hysterical laughter, clutching their stomach. "And that backwater Cromwell Barony actually dared to compare him to Young Master Hendrix. How disrespectful!"

"Hahaha! Who would've thought the mad dog's grandson would be so cowardly? This is a disgrace, not just to the Cromwell family, but to the entire barony!"

The harsh words stabbed the hearts of the Cromwell Barony's citizens, who tried to hide their faces in shame. All eyes were on them, and every town that bore a grudge against Cromwell didn't miss the chance to ridicule them.

The other competitors, noticing Cromwell's small numbers, couldn't help but smirk. Their eyes gleamed with predatory intent. Though no words were exchanged, they had already made the Cromwell Barony their number one target. With such a disadvantage, they were no different from walking points.

Among the Armstrong Duchy, the gaze of a masked boy lingered on the Cromwell group. "He really did chicken out," Hendrix thought. Suddenly, the tournament felt exciting again—there was only one person he found pleasure in defeating. Sure, Nyx was here, but she wouldn't evoke the same satisfaction.

"It's not like him... Those determined eyes..." Nox's bloodied face from a few years ago resurfaced in his mind.

"No, he wouldn't back out just like that," Hendrix muttered, shaking his head in denial. At that moment, his gaze met Nyx's, and he saw the burning determination for revenge gleaming in her eyes. His belief was reinforced—Nox was up to something, and the thought sent a thrill of excitement through Hendrix.

A stern-looking officiator approached the Cromwell Barony and inquired, "You're short two participants. There are only a few minutes left before the tournament officially begins. I advise you to fix the issue with your team, or you'll be forced to compete as is."

The man didn't wait for a response and walked away without a second glance. Nathan watched him go, his gaze drifting to the crowd and settling on Serena, who wore an anxious expression.

"Should I use her to replace one of them?" he pondered, recalling Serena's rigorous training over the past years, even though she hadn't qualified for the tournament. However, Nathan hesitated—what if Nox and Wendy showed up right after he replaced one of his key players?

Deep down, Nathan still hoped they would arrive. "Just a little more... Let's wait a little longer," he told himself.

At that moment, a man stepped onto the fighting platform, drawing everyone's attention. Behind him, a swirling portal appeared, immediately captivating the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, nobles and commoners, welcome to the grand event you've all been waiting for—the Western Region Overlord Tournament!" the man announced into an amplifying crystal. The crowd erupted in cheers, waving banners with enthusiasm. S~eaʀᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The commentator let the noise swell before raising a hand to signal for silence.

"My name is Klein Dante, and I'll be your host for today's event. This is no ordinary tournament. Today, ten teams, each representing their proud homes, will step into the mysterious Realm together—a realm filled with danger and fierce combat. Only one team will emerge victorious—the rest may not be so lucky."

He paused for dramatic effect, lowering his voice slightly. "Now, for the rules—listen closely, competitors, because your lives depend on it."

The crystal amplified his voice even further, ensuring no one missed a single word.

"First, all ten teams will enter the Shadow Realm simultaneously! No delays, no staggered starts! It's going to be chaos from the moment they step inside."

"The goal? Simple! Be the last team standing! Eliminate your opponents by any means necessary. When all other teams are wiped out, victory is yours."

The crowd exploded into cheers once more, the arena vibrating with their excitement. They had expected one-on-one fights, but the organizers had delivered something far more thrilling.

Klein grinned as the cheers subsided. He raised his hand again, capturing everyone's attention.

"Now, let's introduce our esteemed judges for this special event!"

The large magical screen above the arena flickered to life, displaying images of the judges with their names beneath them.

"First up, representing the prestigious Vermilion Royal Academy—someone known for her intellect and discipline—let's welcome Bridget of the Vermilion Royal Academy!"

Bridget's beautiful figure appeared on the giant magical screen, constructed by tunesmiths. Seated at the judges' table, her elegant features and purple eyes captivated the audience. Her crimson robes, embroidered with intricate gold patterns, made her even more stunning. Bridget nodded with an enchanting smile that made hearts race across the arena.

"She has overseen countless tournaments and examinations at the Royal Academy," Klein continued. "Competitors, impressing her might just earn you a chance to attend the Academy, which has nurtured many prodigies."

The competitors glanced at her and sucked in a deep breath, realizing the opportunity before them.

"And next, representing one of the most powerful noble families in the region—Zarek of the Silver Family!"

The screen shifted to a man seated next to Bridget. His silver hair fell neatly to his shoulders, matching the shining armor he wore. However, what unsettled everyone was the black blindfold covering his eyes.

The audience knew the Silver family was among the strongest in the Vermilion Kingdom, but it was the first time many had seen this man.

Nyx shifted uncomfortably.

"This man again..." she thought, recalling the unsettling grin he had given her in the capital. She wasn't sure if making him a judge was a wise decision.