Roy continued, "Anyone who dares to challenge my decision will face my wrath, unmitigated and absolute."
His declaration still sent chills down the spine of the onlookers who were ignorant of his might.
An icy silence hung over the coliseum as his words sunk into the mind of the onlookers. The power he had displayed earlier in the day, his brutal annihilation of the Nether Realm's 3rd Legion, was fresh in the minds of the people who had participated in the same tests as him.
They were vividly reminded that this was a man who could butcher legions of the undead as easily as slicing through butter. In the face of such an intimidating force, they felt insignificant, like ants before a giant.
No one dared to utter a retort in response. They just kept quiet.
However, a feminine voice cut through the chilling silence, bold and defiant, "You may be powerful, but I won't give up without a fight! And I trust everyone else shares my sentiment."
Heads turned towards Rose Charlotte as her challenge echoed through the air. Due to her placement in a different group, she had not experienced Roy's devastating power firsthand. Moreover, she was unaware that the striking man with deep, abyss-like eyes and a chiseled jawline was indeed Roy, her ex-fiance. That's why, despite being engaged to the young prince of the Achyls, she harbored a longing for Roy's attention.
What a disgusting two-faced bitch!
The audacious proclamation drew a wave of disbelief from the crowd.
"Don't listen to that dumb bitch!"
"We dare not vie for the King's Throne or any other throne," they admitted, their voices trembling.
"The Divine Executioner can have them all. Just don't go after us in the battle royale, please!"
"Hmm… I won't." Roy nodded at them, making peace.
Rose's face contorted into a mask of disdain as she observed the submissive demeanor of the Kendricks. "You guys are supposed to be noble. How can you be such cowards?" she spat, her eyes flaring with a clear contempt for them.
Roy merely scoffed at her bravado, rolling his eyes dismissively. His voice was cold and mocking as he retorted, "Dumbass."
The sharp rebuke echoed in the eerily silent coliseum, causing a hushed gasp to ripple through the spectators. Rose's face flushed a brilliant scarlet, her initial bravado giving way to embarrassment. However, being quick on her feet, she quickly regained her composure.
Feigning a hurt expression, she put on her best attempt at a cute pout, cooing in an innocent tone, "You... you're so mean!"
Her attempt to appear charming and wronged might have worked on a different audience, or against a different adversary. But in the face of Roy's cool indifference, it seemed futile and even more amusing. His impassive expression didn't change, making it clear that he wasn't swayed by her theatrics in the least.
The private stands, a space reserved for the Empire's most esteemed figures, were filled with soft murmurs and subtle chuckles. These people, regardless of their rank and status, were clearly intrigued by the bold display they had just witnessed.
Arlo, one of the respected individuals in the private stands, observed thoughtfully, "Rose Charlotte... she's certainly got guts, I'll give her that. To challenge my nephew, known as the Divine Executioner, in such a brazen manner."
His comment was met with a nod of agreement from Sun, who couldn't help but smile at the audacity of the young lady. "She certainly made a spectacle of herself," he commented dryly. "And did you see how casually Roy reacted? He simply dismissed her challenge as if it were a minor inconvenience, a child's tantrum."
The Northern Duke, a man known for his quiet observance, chimed in, "One has to admire the strength required to display such confidence in front of a crowd this size. It's not just physical prowess we're talking about, but mental fortitude. Roy is truly in a league of his own."
At this, the Eastern Duke, a man whose strength lay more in politics than in sensing power, chuckled lightly, "I don't possess your sharp senses or understanding of power, so I can't quite tell what this Roy is capable of. But given that you all seem to hold him in such high regard, I suppose I'll have to believe that he's as formidable as you suggest."
A few seats away, their children were engaged in their own animated discussion.
"Did you guys catch wind of the King Throne's legend?" one of them piped up excitedly. "It's said that whoever manages to claim it will awaken the strongest class! This is completely unheard of!"
The announcement sent a wave of excitement through the group. "It's a risky bet, but with a prize like that? Totally worth the risk," another child chimed in. "The real question though is, who will dare to challenge Brother Roy for it? I heard he is as strong as a Realm Lord. I heard he defeated an entire legion of the Nether Realm and saved Brother Victor and countless others."
"Well after Damien, he is the second hero material of our hero. He can't be defeated. Only a fool would dare to challenge him."
A fourth shrugged, grinning widely. "Either way, we're in for quite the show!"
Meanwhile, Prince Victor watched silently as Rose Charlotte flaunted herself before Roy in an attempt to charm him.
He couldn't help but shake his head in amusement, muttering under his breath, "Ignorance indeed is bliss."
His gaze then drifted to his future sister-in-law, Lyra, who stood quietly beside her husband.
Compared to Rose's brash display, Lyra was the epitome of grace and dignity. In Victor's eyes, she was far superior to Rose in every way.
Furthermore, It was evident to him, and everyone else, how devoted Roy was to his wife, and no amount of antics from Rose could divert his attention. Although eccentric by nature, Victor held a deep respect for his brother-in-law. Regardless of whether Roy acknowledged him as a brother or not, Victor considered him one as he was his Savior.
Lyra, standing elegantly beside Roy, was a sight to behold. Her unparalleled beauty drew the gaze of many spectators, inciting lustful and envious stares. However, it took only a single glare from Roy for them to quickly avert their eyes. His overwhelming aura of killing intent washed over the crowd for just a split second, but it was enough to instill a sense of terror in their hearts.
The crowd quickly understood the unspoken warning, a clear line drawn by Roy. It was not a kill order, but it was enough to send shivers down their spines, their backs slick with cold sweat.
Roy withdrew his aura, his eyes still locked onto the crowd, a silent promise that he was not someone to be trifled with and will not stand his wife being eye raped. If they dared to act like beasts again, then he would show them hell!
The entire coliseum was thrown into an uneasy silence as the impact of the threat sank in. No one dared to oggle at Lyria again.
