Lyanna fixed her eyes on the mountain of documents in front of her.

Before the arrival of the teams from the other worlds, Lyanna had made an odd request to her assistant: Bring everything we have on anyone of importance in the city to me.

Though bewildered, she had obeyed and gathered everything. It was odd, with mana contracts, one shouldn't have to worry about betrayal anymore.

Even the leaders of other worlds were under contract. Planting spies in their ranks would breach this; hence, it was simply impossible for there to be enemy spies.

'He's done it before.'

Lyanna could recall the scene like it was yesterday. Though she hadn't been strong enough to attend, she had watched the meeting between Atticus, Magnus, and leaders of the other races.

During it, they had forced him to sign a mana contract binding him to the alliance. However, during the attack on the military camp, he'd simply breached the contract without any repercussions.

'They're not absolute.'

Lyanna was operating under this basis and wouldn't rest until all stones were left unturned.

She opened the first document and began reading.

Despite the sheer size, Lyanna was able to finish everything in only a few minutes. The power of a Paragon was still hard to fathom.

'Hmm.' She took another ball from her desk and began throwing it against the wall.

The list consisted of every figure of importance in Novareth, from council members to even ordinary desk staff. She had focused on key areas and looked into anyone whose betrayal could mean anything.

'Eighty inconsistencies in total.'

They could be as simple as a guard's patrol shift being changed without record, an order taking longer than expected to be followed, or a staffer accessing files outside their department.

They were minor things that didn't necessarily make them traitors, but Lyanna held them all.

She rose from her seat and wore her coat.

"It's been a while since I've gone hunting," she said, fastening the coat.

"Let's see if I've gone soft."

…

The next day came swiftly, marking the true start of the competition. Once more, millions gathered at the grand coliseum to witness the epic battles to come!

The cheers were wild, and the colossal arena trembled beneath the thunder of their roars and stamping feet.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

A booming voice echoed, followed by an explosion of light above the coliseum. From the depth of the smoke, a massive Stellaris figure emerged, his armor gleaming under the sun. The crowd erupted.

"Are you ready for the battle of your lives!"

"Whoaaaa!"

"I can't hear you!" He screamed, "I said, are you ready for the battle of your lives!?"

"WHOAAAAAAA!"

"Now that's more like it." The Stellaris grinned and raised his arms wide. "I welcome you all, to the start of the Concord Games!"

The entire coliseum shook again as fireworks spiraled into the sky.

…

"Who do you think we'll fight first?" Caldor asked with a grin.

"No clue. But I hope it's those bastards." Aurora's eyes flicked toward the Khelzar team entering the hall.

Unlike at the banquet, they now wore full battle gear, weapons gleaming at their sides. The Concord Games would begin in minutes, and the tension was thick in the air as teams gathered to see the first matchups.

"Damn, you can really hold a grudge, huh." Caldor chuckled, then scanned the crowd. "As for me, I wouldn't mind someone else…"

'There she is…'

His gaze landed on the Surnix Hold team, more precisely, on one particular girl. Their abrupt departure last night had robbed him of any chance to talk to her.

' I have to find a way to approach her.'

He suddenly felt eyes on him and turned to find Ember staring straight at him. She blinked once, glanced at the girl, then back at Caldor with a blank expression.

"Old."

Caldor nearly choked. He'd almost forgotten how damn perceptive his sister was.

"Ahem. She's not even that old…"

"Old."

Before the argument could escalate, the final team arrived, and the room darkened as a massive holographic display flickered to life on the wall, revealing the fixed matchups.

"Yes!"

All eyes turned toward Caldor, who'd shouted before he could stop himself.

"…My bad," he muttered, clearing his throat.

"Weirdo," Aurora sighed, turning away along with the others, leaving only Ember, who kept staring.

As Caldor slowly looked her way, she simply shook her head.

…

In one section of the grand coliseum, Sirius, along with the other worlds' leaders, were gathered. Compared to other seats of the coliseum, theirs were akin to thrones, clearly highclass.

Though they were all gathered together, there was nothing but silence. In just a few minutes, their worlds would be pitted against each other and forced to fight until only one stood victorious.

Each leader wore a cold, unflinching expression. Few cared for the rewards; pride was the true stake here. To lose was to kneel before another world, and that, none of them would allow.

'Let's get this show started,' Sirius thought. He nodded to the towering Stellaris hovering in the sky.

The man grinned, and he turned to address the crowd.

"The theme for today… is Attack and Defend!"

A wave of cheers and excitement rolled through the audience.

"There are a total of six teams," he continued. "Each match will be a two versus two team battle. We'll take turns watching these epic clashes until only the victors remain!"

He lifted his hand. "I ask you again, are you ready?"

The coliseum exploded. Roars thundered through the stands as banners waved and energy surged through the air.

"Now," the Stellaris shouted, turning toward one side of the arena, "for the first contenders, I give you… the Surnix Hold team!"

The massive doors rumbled open, and the champions of Surnix Hold strode into the arena with calm, deliberate steps. Their eyes were sharp and every motion exuded confidence.

"And facing them…" The Stellaris swung his arm toward the opposite gate, grinning. "Our one and only, the Ravensteins!"

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