Chapter 1293: Rules

The experts seated below did not catch Daroias’s attention.

Only those who sat on the same level as him were worthy of his notice.

He could sense a dangerous aura emanating from Nightmare Conjurer.

Although he had never witnessed the monster fight personally, he had heard of its exploits during the campaign against the Tarrant Nation.

Daroias could only conclude that Nightmare Conjurer was an exceedingly dangerous monster.

Then, two more figures appeared in the air.

Sers, Nostior, Tasman, Franklin, and everyone else instinctively turned to look at the new arrivals.

Why?

Because of the overwhelming pressure radiating from their bodies.

There was no doubt about it.

Both were Ninth Shackle Realm experts.

One of them was a man who stood about one and a half meters tall.

He had two tails swaying behind him, four pairs of eyes, and grayish scales covering his entire body.

He was Orszen Dreiri Waterfield, the Clan Leader of the Waterfield Clan, one of the three ruling families of the Tidal Merchant Group.

He was one of the most fearsome experts in the entire Depths of Banquet.

Only a handful of people were capable of facing him head-on in battle.

Orszen glanced at Nightmare Conjurer before giving Daroias a slight nod.

He then walked to his assigned throne and calmly took his seat.

The other newcomer was a woman whose name was known throughout the entire Depths of Banquet.

Her mere presence commanded respect.

She was publicly acknowledged as the strongest woman in the Depths of Banquet, a title that no one had ever successfully challenged.

She was Freida Rulman of the Rulman Household.

A legendary powerhouse.

Only a few weeks earlier, she had slain an Advanced Fifth Stage monster with her own hands, further solidifying her unrivaled reputation.

As she entered the gathering, Sers, Nostoir, Rancur, and the other representatives of the Tarrant Nation instinctively turned toward her.

Complex emotions flickered across their faces.

Shock, disbelief, relief, and confusion were mixing together.

They had once regarded Freida as the pillar of the Tarrant Nation, the expert who would never bow to anyone.

Five days had passed since the battle, and during that time, they had gradually learned more about the Blood Realm and its members.

Yet one revelation still left them unable to comprehend it.

Freida had joined the Blood Realm.

When they first heard the news, they thought it was impossible.

Based on everything they knew about her, Freida was the type of person who would fight until her very last breath.

She would rather die than surrender.

At least...

That was what they had always believed.

Her decision completely overturned their understanding of her.

It also confirmed something else.

When the Realm Lord had declared that the Rulman Household was already under his control...

He hadn’t been bluffing.

Every word had been true.

Even now, Souta’s clone continued to reside within the Rulman Household, quietly overseeing its affairs.

Only a select few were aware of that secret.

The vast majority of the household still believed they were serving Freida alone.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the hall, Erlius silently glanced at Freida from the corner of his eye.

The king’s expression remained calm.

Of course, he knew Freida.

She was the very reason his father had passed the throne of the Bodam Kingdom on to him.

Years ago, Daroias and Freida clashed in a battle that shook both nations.

The outcome was Daroias’s defeat.

He suffered grievous injuries that had nearly claimed his life.

That battle had almost ignited a full-scale war between the two nations.

After defeating him, Freida pursued Daroias all the way to the royal capital, intent on finishing him once and for all.

Fortunately for Daroias, the defensive formation surrounding the capital was powerful. Freida herself had also sustained serious injuries during their battle, so she chose not to risk a desperate fight.

Freida ignored the hostile gazes directed at her.

She descended onto her assigned throne and sat down calmly.

She knew there was no point in fighting now.

There would be a time and place for that.

After all, the Realm Lord had made it clear that, within the Blood Realm, strength and talent were valued above all else.

Murmurs echoed throughout the lower seats as people quietly discussed the Blood Saints gathered above.

However, the conversations came to an abrupt halt.

Another overwhelming aura descended upon the hall.

This time, the pressure was far greater than before.

It bore down on everyone, nearly forcing them to their knees.

Anyone even slightly weaker would have been crushed to death by the pressure alone.

Ohm!!

A colossal creature appeared above them.

Its immense shadow enveloped the entire platform and every throne below.

Everyone looked up and saw an enormous nine-headed hydra.

Its body was covered in pitch-black scales, and every casual beat of its wings radiated an overwhelming pressure. Black smoke billowed from its scales every second, corroding flesh and metal alike.

The nine heads gazed down upon the assembly.

Their eyes carried the illusion of death itself, sending chills through everyone present.

The next moment, the colossal hydra began to shrink.

Its massive body transformed into a woman with long black hair.

She was Kessa, the Lernaean Hydra.

Her mere presence was enough to shake everyone in the Eternal Blood Space.

Kessa walked to her throne and sat down before glancing to her left and right.

Eventually, she spotted Yuko and Franklin among the lower seats.

She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Where’s Souta?"

Franklin simply shrugged.

"Soon."

The experts seated in both the lower and upper seats glanced toward Kessa.

From the overwhelming pressure she had released earlier, they could tell she was no ordinary Advanced Fifth Stage Monster.

As for those who had witnessed her rampage through the Tarrant Nation, they knew exactly what she was capable of.

Although Kessa was not particularly proficient in dream power like Nightmare Conjurer, her raw combat strength was terrifying.

She stood at the pinnacle of the Advanced Fifth Stage.

Those occupying the upper seats, all of whom had encountered Advanced Fifth Stage Monsters before, understood just how frightening she truly was.

She was only a step away from reaching the Peak Fifth Stage.

Ordinary Ninth Shackle Realm experts were no longer a match for her.

Kessa, the Nine-Headed Hydra, the strongest monster under the Realm Lord’s command.

"SILENCE!!"

A thunderous voice imbued with immense power echoed throughout the entire Eternal Blood Space.

Everyone felt their minds tremble as the deafening voice rang in their ears.

Instinctively, they all looked up.

They saw a lone figure standing before the majestic throne that towered above all the others.

"The Realm Lord is here..." someone muttered.

Souta stood in the air, his gaze sweeping over the assembled experts.

After confirming that the hall had fallen completely silent, he slowly descended onto his throne.

Resting one elbow on his knee, he leaned forward and closed his eyes.

Everyone was present.

The entire Eternal Blood Space fell into complete silence as every gaze focused on the figure seated above them all.

Those who had never met Souta before couldn’t hide their nervousness, especially those occupying the lower seats.

After a brief moment, Souta opened his eyes.

"It seems everyone is here, so I’ll begin."

Everyone listened to his words.

"As you all know, everyone gathered here belongs to the upper echelon of the Blood Realm. Naturally, there is a hierarchy. Although most of you already know it, I will explain it once more."

"Those seated in the lower seats shall bear the titles Light Oracle and Dark Oracle."

"Experts of the Seventh Shackle Realm and Initial Fifth Stage Monsters shall be known as Light Oracles, while those of the Eighth Shackle Realm and Intermediate Fifth Stage shall bear the title Dark Oracle."

As he spoke, Souta swept his gaze across the experts occupying the lower seats.

"As for the upper seats, they are reserved for Ninth Shackle Realm experts and Advanced Fifth Stage Monsters. They shall bear the title of Blood Saint. Respect their strength, for they stand above you."

"Those who possess a Seat will also be granted territory within the Blood Realm. Of course, the number of Seats is limited. You should expect others to challenge you for your position. You are free to challenge one another, but killing each other is strictly forbidden."

"Every one of you is an important asset to me. You will have your roles to play in the future, and I will not allow you to kill one another under my rule."

A faint smile appeared on Souta’s face before he continued his explanation.

"You are free to challenge anyone who holds a Seat, including me. If any one of you manages to defeat me, then the Blood Realm will be yours to rule. You may govern it however you wish. You may even kill me, if that is what you desire. Of course..." A faint smile appeared on Souta’s face. "That is, if you can defeat me."

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