Chapter 718 - 662: The Theme

"By any chance, you wouldn't mind if I joined you on the plateau, right? I'm eager to watch those energetic youngsters compete. It makes my blood boil just thinking about it!"

Edward Ortberg hugged his arms and smiled, to which Arthur grunted but did not object. He didn't even wait for the mortal, he just teleported back to the plateau, precisely in front of his seat.

The only difference from before is that Elder Nord had left, though Amidel and his children were still sitting there and enjoying the competition. The fourth trial was about to begin, the remaining participants healed from their injuries and recovered their Nether Energy.

Even Lucy was back, with Cristina to her right, her face brighter than before. No more did she look begrudged and wronged, a soft, encouraging smile was displayed on her face as she stared at her team.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's finally time for the fourth stage! I will explain the rules shortly."

As usual, Gutcha brought the remaining teams to where the trial will take place.

"Something the matter? You looked much grumpier."

Isadore noticed Arthur's deep frown, which wasn't present before he had left. The observative young king also saw Elder Nord's empty and was able to piece things together even without hearing any answer.

"Greetings! Greetings! Greetings! Greetings, your Majesty. Greetings, Madam Lucy."

Edward Ortberg appeared a minute after Arthur, as excited as before, greeting every person in his way, even though he knew not their names, only Isadore Malfront and Lucy were the exceptions.

Lucy nodded back at him but did not utter a word, but the King of Green Leaf was different, he sized the mortal up and down, curiosity welling up inside of him.

"Edward Ortberg, Commander of the Undead Army of the MoonStar Sect, I presume?"

"In the flesh, Your Majesty."

"I have heard of your recent achievement. Truly commendable. I've been wanting to talk to you abou-"

Isadore was interrupted by the grumpy Arthur, who signaled the mortal to sit with narrowed eyes.

"There's nothing to talk about, Your Majesty."

"I didn't know you're so protective of your subordinates, O'parasite."

The King grinned unpleasantly and kept his eyes fixated on Ortberg.

"There's no need to pretend, I'm sure you've done a thorough investigation. I see no reason for you to talk to him. For once, mind your own business, Your Majesty."

"Yes yes, sure. I was merely curious."

…

"The fourth trial, my dear participants, is simple and easy."

The pigolo declared with a truly hideous smile, pointing at the misty forest at his front. In response to what he said, three or four youngsters snorted, clearly disliking Gutcha's tasteless humor.

Ever since the beginning, he kept repeating the same words, stating that said trial is simple and whatnot. However, the truth is, literally, the opposite of whatever he says. Whether's passing a bridge, finding a door, or fighting a random monster.

"The goal to pass the fourth Trial is, put simply, crossing the forest. You'll have to pass through the mist and emerge from the other side. I told you, eh? It's easy and direct. No tricks. All teams will begin from the same starting point, they're free to fight each other and whoever gets seriously injured will be disqualified, of course. Cooperation, even between teams, is likewise advised for there are no small amount of dangers lurking here and there. The time limit is two hours and whoever reached the end succeeds the trial."

Eager, Gutcha joyfully clapped his hands and vanished from their sight.

The remaining 8 teams, 32 participants in total, warily looked at each other for an indeterminate amount of time. No one dared to make the first move, fearful to be attacked or followed.

Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, the youth named John, belonging to the Ancient Federation, was the first to step forward. Within but a couple of breaths, his silhouette vanished amidst the dense mist enveloping the entirety of the forest.

The second to tread inside the mist were the five young Imoogis, all-male and with short black hair, long tails, and jet black scales covering parts of their bodies.

"Do we go inside too?"

Bora, the bow-wielding youth as well as Cristina's childhood friend, looking around cautiously, his weapon in hand and an arrow already held by the tip of his outstretched fingers.

"We have no choice. Shu Ru and I at the vanguard, Ho Qing and Bora will take the rear and Rosea in the center."

None disagreed, they quickly got into position, each person guarding a direction. With slow and careful steps, they made their way into the thick mist, which made it impossible to see beyond a couple of meters.

The forest was lush, with thick bushes, tall trees, and the ground riddled with holes and human and animal bones.

"Did you not create that place? Why is there bones?"

Edward turned to the parasite and asked, genuinely confused.

"The sight of bones and cadavers incite fear and worry, even amongst such talented youngsters."

"So it's just decoration? Shame, if you'd let me do it, they'd be pissing their pants already."

"The goal is not to horrify them using the environment, the goal of the Trial is to defy and overcome themselves."

"Overcome themselves? What's that supposed to me?"

"..."-Arthur

"Come on, you know I'm new to all of this. At least offer a good explanation devoid of riddles or philosophies."

"It's not a riddle or a philosophy." Corrected the blonde-haired Isadore. He was intently looking at the wide screen hanging on the sky, his mouth explaining his point of view and what he understood of the trial so far.

"If I'm not wrong- and I don't think I am - each trial has a theme. The first tests the reflexes and how to cope with danger when the ability to fly is absent. The second… hmm, the second is definitely luck. As for the third, clearly, it's cooperation and strength, though it has elements of luck too. How is it, Arthur?"

"Close but not to correct."-Arthur

"The second Trial was not about luck. All teams had an equal probability of succeeding, they just had to obtain the required number from another team to pass through the numbered door."

"What was its theme then? Argh! Those Naga really made me miss the spectacle."

Lucy looked at the serial-killer, her piercing eyes were coupled with a chilling frost, which even made someone like Edward, who's not scared that easily, shiver momentarily and avoid her gaze. He didn't have the chance to meet her a lot but, in his opinion, she's scarier and way more mistrustful than her husband. It's as if her eyes would turn him into an ice

"There was no theme. Basically, it was a battle royal, nothing more."

"I guess I was overthinking it, then."

"What about the fourth trial? Is there a theme, Madam Lucy?"

"There is." She perfunctorily answered, maintaining silence for a few seconds before, unexpectedly, giving a rather detailed explanation for the mortal.

"Each person has a contradicting inner-self, called a demon in this Cloud Sea Universe. It symbolizes their deepest and most twisted desires. It comes in many shapes and forms and is usually a hurdle for cultivation, barring their way into the next Realm. If they manage to defeat it, or accept it, their future cultivational endeavor will become much easier."

"Oh ohh! I understand. Does that mean I have a demon living inside of me?"

"You're the demon." Commented Arthur, giving the man a half-hearted glance.

"That is not true. I have sinned and I paid for my wrongdoings. I regret killing those people and, in my humble opinion, I paid my due."

"Congratulations, mister Edward. You're now a reborn man, liberated from his crimes." Isadore butted in, again, speaking with a half-sarcastic half-serious tone.

"After leaving the prison, I have discovered…" Edward paused, looking at the spectators than at the King and, at last, at the parasite. "That my crimes are nothing compared to the godly beings living in the universe. In comparison, I killed but a few, a minuscule, unnoticeable amount."

"While that may be true, mister Edward. There's a difference between killing out of necessity and killing out of pleasure."

"Nah, don't think so! Killing is killing. The means don't justify the ends. There is no evil in this world, just two parties with different perspectives and beliefs."

"That's debatable. You can kill one person to save a million, and there's killing one person just to feel pleasure. For the trill."

Edward shrugged his shoulders, disagreeing with the King's words.

"By saving that one million, you'll kill even more. One million… that's a big number, Your Majesty. Some of them will kill people - hmm- let's say a thousand of them kills ten each. That's ten thousand. So, keeping the killer alive will give the best result."