The following day, Souta and Alice attended the fighting game at the colosseum. It was a straightforward battle open to individuals below the Shackled Realm, with participants prohibited from utilizing spells or combat arts.
Thousands of spectators gathered to watch the event, some even placing bets on the outcomes of the matches.
Despite the low ranks of the participants, their skills were undeniably impressive. They outmatched Souta's army by a significant margin. Souta aspired for his men to reach a level where they could rival these warriors, but he was aware that achieving this goal would be no small feat.
"Grain Leader Souta!"
Souta and Alice turned to see Grain Leader Carmel approaching them.
"I've heard something intriguing about the last day of the festival. I think you'll find it of interest," Carmel said mysteriously.
"What is it?" Souta inquired, intrigued by Carmel's cryptic words.
"Just wait and see. The Palace Goddess will open its doors," Carmel replied.
"The Palace Goddess?!" Souta exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes," Carmel confirmed with a nod.
Souta felt a little bit of confusion. If the Palace Goddess were to open its doors, it would signify the appearance of Goddess Athena to the public. This was no small matter, especially considering that most of the gods were currently preoccupied, closely monitoring the situation in the Eru Empire to see if Gluttony would make a move.
Souta felt a little bit of confusion. If the Palace Goddess were to open its doors, it would signify the appearance of Goddess Athena to the public. This was no small matter, especially considering that most of the gods were currently preoccupied, closely monitoring the situation in the Eru Empire to see if Gluttony would make a move.
"Do you have any updates from the battlefield?" Souta inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Carmel cast a glance at him before responding, "The conflict is escalating. The Angels are taking it more seriously, deploying several Thrones to the frontline."
"Thrones?! Those fifth-stage monsters exclusive to the Angel's territory?" Souta's surprise was evident. This development was unfolding faster than he had anticipated.
"Yeah, those monsters wreaked havoc on the battlefield upon their descent. They've managed to advance the frontline significantly. There's a rumor circulating that the Angels are planning to dispatch the Virtues battalion to the Fedru Republic, aiming to completely obliterate the Gluttony Army there," Carmel explained.
The situation on the frontline seemed to be favoring the Alliance Army, with the Angel Faction taking proactive measures in the fight.
"Even the Virtues battalion?!" Souta's brow furrowed in concern.
The Virtues were an elite combat unit within the Angel Faction, alongside the Principalities, Dominions, and Powers. Each had their distinct roles, but all were renowned for their formidable fighting capabilities.
"I believe their aim is to ascertain whether Gluttony remains in the Eru Empire. If not, then the gods must remain vigilant, prepared for a potential ambush," Carmel offered his perspective.
"And what of the demons?" Souta inquired.
Carmel's expression darkened as he replied, "The demons... They've fallen ominously silent since Gluttony seized control of the Eru Empire. I suspect they're biding their time, waiting for the conclusion of the battle against Gluttony. Regardless of the outcome, it's advantageous for the demons. That's why some of the Holy Lands are hesitant to engage in warfare."
"I see..." Souta nodded, absorbing the information.
Souta harbored a vague inkling of what lay ahead. Although events were unfolding more rapidly than anticipated, with the Angels dispatching the Thrones, it signaled that the conflict would soon escalate to the next level.
The three theaters were merely the beginning. The true battle was on the horizon.
As Souta and Carmel conversed, some individuals in the audience recognized Souta's presence.
"Hey, look over there! Isn't that Grain Leader Souta talking to Grain Leader Carmel?"
"Grain Leader Souta? Who's that?"
"You must have heard of him! He's the famed Blood Lightning Monster! A true legend!"
"Oh, you mean the one who halted the tragedy in the Hall Plains?!"
"Yes, that's him! This is my first time seeing him in person, but I've seen his illustration before, so I recognize him!"
"I've heard rumors that he's been hailed as the strongest fourth-stage monster. No one seems to refute these claims; it's as if everyone tacitly acknowledges it."
Souta and Carmel paid no heed to the murmurs swirling around them, opting to steer clear of discussing matters pertaining to the war. Instead, they shifted their focus to the fighting game they were spectating.
Afterward, Souta and Alice attended various events, including the Archery Competition. Alice even participated in the spellcasting competition. She progressed through several rounds admirably, though ultimately fell short of victory. Nonetheless, achieving the title of first runner-up was commendable, especially considering that spellcasting wasn't her sole forte. The winner was an expert known for textbook spellcasting, making Alice's defeat understandable.
Souta recognized Alice's strength, considering her one of the most formidable Third Shackle experts. With her demon power, she could hold her own against opponents above her level for a significant duration, thanks to her newfound ability, the Dream Power.
Souta sensed that once Alice broke through her Fourth Shackle, she would undergo a profound transformation. Her strength would likely begin at the apex of the Fourth Shackle, given Souta's familiarity with the techniques of the Heavenly Demon Palace.
Alice would have experienced a significant power surge upon breaking her Fourth Shackle, much like other members of the Royal Family of the Heavenly Demon Palace who trained in the same techniques.
Souta glanced at Alice and inquired, "Did you receive the reward for being the runner-up?"
"Yeah, it's an orange-grade bracelet called [Serene Mind]. I was actually aiming for that legendary-grade fruit, but unfortunately, I fell short..." Alice sighed.
"Would you like a similar legendary fruit?" Souta offered.
"Yes," Alice replied, lifting her head to gaze at him from the side.
"Alright, I'll exchange one for you. I've accumulated plenty of merits in the Selnes Country, so I can afford it," Souta assured her.
"Really?!" Alice's eyes lit up with anticipation.
"Yes, I recall you expressing your discontent when I gave a legendary fruit to Amanda, so I'll make sure to get one for you today," Souta said with a smile.
"O-Oh, thank you..." Alice stammered, taken aback by his thoughtfulness. She hadn't expected Souta to remember her previous request.
"Don't mention it," Souta waved off her thanks, then asked, "What type would you like?"
"Are you sure you want to give me one? You've worked hard to earn those merits..." Alice expressed her concern, looking at him earnestly.
"Yeah, if you don't want it, then I'll just pick one and give it to Eilish or Yuko," Souta replied casually.
"N-No, I want it," Alice quickly responded, her mind racing as she contemplated her options. She pondered what type of fruit would be most suitable for her current abilities.
Perhaps something to enhance her elemental power? Her elemental abilities were already nearing their peak, so if she could augment them further with the power of a legendary fruit, she might easily reach the Integration Stage upon breaking through the Great Shackle.
Alice considered her options carefully. Perhaps a fruit that could enhance her mana pool, allowing her to sustain prolonged battles, would be beneficial. Alternatively, she could opt for a fruit that would bolster her physical abilities, granting her increased strength and endurance.
With the Athen's Champion being affiliated with a god and backed by the Holy Land Olympus, it was likely to possess a wealth of legendary-grade resources. In contrast, larger countries couldn't afford such extravagance, typically reserving legendary-grade rewards for individuals deemed worthy of investment. However, within the Holy Lands, obtaining legendary-grade items was more straightforward—as long as one had accrued enough merits, acquiring such rewards was feasible.
Souta glanced at her before offering a suggestion. "I think we should go for the Great Breaking Iceborne Potion. It can help you concentrate energy to break your fourth shackle."
The Great Breaking Iceborne Potion was crafted from a legendary-grade fruit and was specifically designed to concentrate energy, aiding in the breaking of a great shackle within an expert's body. Additionally, it offered a slight enhancement to an expert's ice element abilities.
"Great Breaking Iceborne Potion..." Alice repeated thoughtfully. After a moment of contemplation, she agreed to Souta's suggestion.
Breaking a shackle was a pivotal step for her, as it would elevate the limitations of her strength and grant her various benefits. Therefore, prioritizing this advancement was crucial.
"Then, let's go," Souta said with a smile.
He led Alice to the Athen's Champion building, where he engaged in conversation with some of the warriors before exchanging his merits for a Great Breaking Iceborne Potion.
Examining the potion in his hand, Souta noted its appearance resembled that of a standard mana potion. This highlighted one of the advantages humans and demis possessed—they had access to potions and pills crafted from various resources, their physiology being highly compatible with such ingestibles.
In contrast, monsters couldn't fully exploit the benefits of these potions or pills, even if they consumed the same ones. This realization prompted Souta to urge Isabella to develop a potion tailored specifically for monsters, one that would effectively cater to their unique constitution.
"Take this," Souta said, handing the potion to Alice.
Alice accepted the potion, examining it carefully.
Souta observed her eagerness to use it and nodded. "Alright, go ahead and use it. Let's ask some warriors to find a suitable place for you to safely break through."
"I understand," Alice replied, nodding in agreement.
The two swiftly departed and sought out some warriors to locate a suitable space. They arranged for a spacious room equipped with various runes designed to contain energy, ensuring that the breakthrough wouldn't disturb anyone.
Alice positioned herself at the center of the room, with Souta observing from the sidelines. Catching Souta's nod of encouragement, she took a deep breath and then opened the potion. A peculiar fragrance wafted from the bottle as Alice swiftly consumed its contents.
Ohm!
Souta, arms folded, leaned against the wall, maintaining a watchful eye on Alice. He understood the significance of the potion's effects; any excess energy would be channeled into breaking her fourth shackle.
Boom!
A powerful surge of energy emanated from Alice's body, filling the room with an intense pressure. Undeterred, Souta remained unfazed, closely monitoring the fluctuations in her energy as the breakthrough progressed.
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