"Is this the place?"
Empress Yekana walked down the magic station and stood in front of the Hearthstone Tavern.
The Empress did not dislike taverns. There were also taverns in the Iron Nation, but they were also divided into levels.
The most luxurious taverns in the Iron Nation were not inferior to the manors built by the nobles, so she was looking forward to the tavern built by the great creator of the Weave.
In the end, reality gave the Empress an answer. It was no different from the taverns that could be seen everywhere on the streets.
From time to time, a few dwarves covered in ash pushed open the door and walked into the tavern, which made Empress Yekana feel a physical resistance.
"Hearthstone Tavern. I know it is hard for you to accept, but the duel will be held here."
General Fred was not as pretentious as Empress Yekana. He directly pushed open the door and walked in.
The Empress followed General Fred into the tavern without saying a word.
The scenery in the tavern was much better than she expected. At least it was not as messy as she expected. It was just as noisy as always.
"Welcome to the Hearthstone Tavern, Mr. Klaus."
"Your acquaintance?"
Queen Yekana glanced at the 'female attendant' in the tavern. She always felt that 'her' appearance was very familiar. The 'female attendant's' gentle blue eyes were like a lake that calmed people's mind, but after staring at them for a long time, there was an inexplicable impulse to possess them.
This strange temperament made Empress Yekana sure that if this' girl 'dressed up properly, she would be able to subdue many men.
"Y-yes."
Prince Klaus paced back and forth in front of the guillotine. Of course, he did not dare to lie to this executioner.
"My name is Ino … I am a student of the Ruhrsk Elementary Magic Academy. Mr. Klaus has helped me a lot in the past."
This young succubus Ino had been in the tavern for so many years, but she still had not learned the skill to 'read people'.
Ino did not notice Klaus' embarrassed expression at all. She only greeted the guest with the courtesy of a servant.
"You are a demon?"
Empress Yekana looked at Ino again and instantly recognized the fact that this' girl 'was not human.
"That … That … Lady … I …"
At this moment, Ino entered a vigilant state. This succubus was still very concerned about her race … This made Ino's speech somewhat incoherent.
"Welcome, contestants."
While Ino was trying to explain herself, someone patted her shoulder. When she turned her head, Josiah was already standing beside her.
"Yi Nuo, the customer over there needs a refill."
Josiah gave Ino an order, and the Succubus obediently took the tray and left.
"Are you the owner of the tavern?" Empress Yekana stared at Josiah.
Josiah could feel powerful mana fluctuations coming from this woman. The last time Josiah felt this way, it was the purple-clothed woman.
"That's right. I'm the owner of this tavern and the creator of the Weave. I'm also the youngest recipient of the Skjerona Prize. Alright … I've said all the praiseworthy titles, so please get straight to the point."
Josiah did not intend to waste time on this aristocratic exchange.
"The competition venue is this way. Please follow me."
Josiah led General Fred and the others into the depths of the tavern.
Empress Yekana slowly followed behind Josiah. She had to admit that her impression of the tavern was still terrible after entering, but it was indeed changing.
The specific change was … it felt like a secret underground organization.
This was because the customers in the tavern were not simple fellows. Even the dwarf who was shouting at the side looked like a powerful Warrior. Not to mention, Empress Yekana could vaguely feel a mana aura that was not inferior to her own.
All of this made the Empress a little excited about the competition venue that Josiah had prepared.
Could it be that there was a secret door under the tavern that led to a secret gladiator arena?
It was normal for this kind of tavern to secretly run some shady business.
But reality was cruel.
"Uh … The competition venue is here. The audience area is here … right?"
Josiah brought General Fred and the others to a corner of the Hearthstone Tavern.
Everything here was telling the meaning of the word "shabby" to Queen Yekana.
"These two wooden tables are the competition venue?"
Empress Yekana finally could not stand it anymore. She looked at the two shabby wooden tables in front of her that had been temporarily put together. There seemed to be some dust on them.
"To be precise, it's one. Considering efficiency, each team has a wooden table. I found it in the warehouse behind the tavern yesterday. There's some dust on it, so please don't mind …"
After introducing the competition area, Josiah walked to the other side.
"These are the vacated chairs. I suggest you find one to sit down. Otherwise, you won't be able to get one when there are more people watching."
Not long after Josiah introduced the audience area, Empress Yekana's face showed an ashen expression.
Josiah could understand why she showed such an expression.
Gladiator matches were very popular in the Iron Nation. It was also the fastest shortcut for a commoner to win glory. The venues where the matches were held were about the size of a football field, and the audience seats could accommodate more than 10,000 people …
Now, Empress Yekana's situation was like watching a duel between two knights in the back garden, and now she had to watch two boorish men fight in the mud.
"It's just as General Fred said. It's a … small match."
Empress Yekana was not as pretentious as other noble women. Although her servants had brought the best chair in the venue, the Empress did not sit down. Instead, she stared at Josiah.
"Mr. Josiah Yanorod, if we win, we can get the World Tree Crystal from you, right?"
"What a terrifying perceptive ability."
Josiah took out the World Tree Crystal.
"This is the winner's reward, Madam … If you want this crystal, you must first defeat the challengers from other countries."
"What about the other challengers?"
Empress Yekana did not have the patience to continue this farce. She still had a lot of things to deal with, such as Prince Klaus's future development plan.
"Some people have not arrived yet, and the others are over there." Josiah pointed to the other side of the Hearthstone Tavern.
Empress Yekana looked in the direction Josiah pointed. After seeing the competitors from other countries, she admitted that she was amused by Josiah.
"Those commoners who don't even have magic power?" Empress Yekana was not stingy with her sarcasm.
Humans in this world all had the ability to use magic, but not everyone could be called a spellcaster.
Even if there were a few contestants from other countries who had passed the spellcaster test, in the eyes of a terrifying spellcaster like Empress Yekana, they were no different from fledglings that had just hatched.
On the other hand, the candidate chosen by General Fred seemed to be much more reliable. At least, he seemed to be able to fight.
"Josiah Yanorod, can you give me an accurate bargaining chip?" Empress Yekana wanted to buy the crystal in Josiah's hands.
However, before Josh had a chance to say anything, her suggestion was completely cut off by another voice.
"Your Highness Yekana, the rules of this competition have been set. Even you may not be able to stop it."
"Longan Karshilov, do you still remember who it was who showed you mercy by allowing you to live to see me here?"
The Empress's expression did not change, but after hearing her words, the fox-like man only bowed slightly.
"Please don't be angry about Prince Klaus's crushing defeat yesterday. After all, he may lose to us today."
Although he bowed respectfully, he still had no intention of showing any mercy when he spoke.
The Empress was unexpectedly restrained. Josiah believed that if he was faced with this kind of provocation that stabbed at his heart, he would directly pick up a chair and throw it at the other side's head.
On the contrary, their subordinates had already begun to put their hands on their staffs and longswords.
"Sophia …"
Prince Klaus immediately saw the chief disciple of the yellow-clothed man among the Land of Frost's team.
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