aircannonsinc Chapter 448 The Challenger's Identity
Chapter 448 The Challenger's Identity
Chapter 448 The Challenger's Identity
"Lord Broly, you intend to travel to Lycaris City to meet the Undying Demon Lord Atofi, right?"
Broly was gnawing on the roasted meat of the Red Armored Serpent when the Three-Eyed Demon Notos came over and struck up a conversation.
How did you know?
"This is the main reason why non-demon powerhouses travel to the Carlos region with a specific purpose."
"oh."
"Lord Broly, I staked my entire fortune on this traveling merchant expedition. If it weren't for your help, even if I had survived the attack by the Red-Armored Serpent, my goods would have suffered heavy losses. I am extremely grateful to you, so..."
Leader Notos lowered his voice and leaned close to the boy's ear before continuing, "I want to tell you that you should give up the idea of meeting Lady Artofi or challenging her."
"Um?"
Broly made a questioning sound from his nose and looked at the three-eyed demon next to him with some doubt.
"The rumor that the immortal demon lord Atofi will grant even greater power to those who meet her is actually a lie."
I have an older sister who works in Lord Artofi's castle. According to her, anyone who goes to see Lord Artofi and is deemed strong will be recruited into his personal guard.
Those who challenge Lady Artofi and are defeated will also be forced to sign a magical contract to obey her, becoming puppets unable to disobey her commands.
The three-eyed demon whispered these secrets, and saying such things here, near the Carlos region, was actually a bit dangerous.
"Is Atofi very strong?"
"Of course, few can defeat that lord."
"Then we could challenge her to a duel."
"Hey, Lord Broly, didn't you hear what I just said?"
"Don't worry, I'm very capable. Besides, I know their grandson; we're friends."
"Well……"
Upon hearing this, the three-eyed demon looked astonished.
"You wouldn't tell Lord Atofi what I said, would you?"
"Are you trying to show your face in front of that immortal demon king?"
"No, no, no, that's not what I meant. Please, Lord Broly, do not let that person know of my existence or that I said anything I shouldn't have."
Nottos asked for help, and only after receiving Broly's agreement did he breathe a sigh of relief and leave.
"Was Randolph's grandmother really that scary?"
Broly asked the little god beside him.
"It's less about being scary and more about being an idiot."
"Fool?"
"Well, you'll know when you arrive in Lycaris City and meet them tomorrow."
The little god kept Broly in suspense for a moment, then disappeared from Broly's sight.
. . . . .
The next day, Broly followed the traveling merchant caravan into the main city of Lycaris in the Carlos region. Guided by the little god, he went straight to the towering castle made of black iron ore that stood in the center of the town.
After explaining his purpose for wanting to see Artofi Latofi to the two black-armored guards standing at the castle gate, the two guards looked at him with pity.
One of them told him which room to wait in after entering the castle, and then let him in, but no one followed him.
Following the directions, Broly arrived at a not-so-spacious room. Directly opposite the doorway was an Iron Throne, which looked quite majestic and solemn.
"So you're the outsider who's here to meet Lord Atofi? You certainly exude the aura of a powerful being!"
After he entered the room, a soldier dressed in more refined black armor came to greet him. Muya looked Broly up and down and gave his assessment. He did not underestimate Broly because he looked younger.
After all, there are similar races on the Demon Continent, where even when they are adults, they still look young.
That's right, this is talking about the Migrudia race. Even after they reach adulthood, they still look like middle school students who are still three years away from adulthood.
"However, if you wish to meet Lord Artofi, you will have to pass the test of our Royal Guard."
"What kind of test?"
"Prove your strength, outsider. Lord Atofi never meets with the weak easily."
Muya drew his longsword from his waist, and the black-armored soldiers standing on either side did the same. This was the entrance examination for the Atofi Guard.
As for why it's an entry-level assessment, it's probably because those who pass the assessment will be granted power by Lord Atofi.
That is, signing a magical contract that cannot be disobeyed from Lord Artofi, joining Artofi's Royal Guard and undergoing the rigorous training of the immortal demon king Artofi.
However, if those who pass the test are not there to obtain the power bestowed by Atofi, but rather to gain the honor of being a hero by defeating the immortal demon king Atofi, then the result will still be the same.
Anyone who challenges Lord Artofi will be knocked unconscious by him, forced to sign a magical contract, and will also become a member of Artofi's personal guard, undergoing training from Lord Artofi.
Broly looked at the group of black-armored soldiers who were at most Saint-level strength and was not very interested. The leader was a guy with a stronger aura, but he was nothing special.
"Broly, you can tell them about your relationship with Randolph."
The little god offered his advice from the side.
"Wait, Randolph and I are friends."
Broly accepted the advice of the little god.
"Randolph?"
Muya frowned, then, as if remembering something, asked, "Is it Randolph Marian, the Grim Reaper?"
"right."
Broly nodded.
"Sheathe your swords."
Muya turned to the other guards and said.
"Lord Muya?"
The other guards looked over with some confusion.
"This is a friend of Lord Kalman's son."
The leading black-armored soldier removed his helmet, revealing the face of an elderly man.
"Excuse me, the soldiers guarding the castle gate may have misunderstood your purpose. This way, please."
Muya led Broly out of the Iron Throne Palace and, after escorting him to the castle's back garden and instructing some maids to serve the guest refreshments and tea, inquired about Broly's purpose: "Is it Lord Kalman, or perhaps Young Master Randolph, who has a letter for you to bring?"
Meanwhile, in the room behind the Iron Throne, the immortal demon king Artophy Latofi, upon hearing that someone had come to see him again, excitedly changed into his majestic and solemn black demon armor, picked up his two-handed greatsword, and walked in from behind the Iron Throne.
She sat upright on the Iron Throne, head held high, adopting the posture of a powerful, gate-guarding demon.
"So slow. Wasn't someone else supposed to be coming to see me?"
This immortal demon king, with deep purple skin, snow-white hair, crimson eyes, a huge horn on her head, and a pair of demonic bat wings on her back, exuding a girlish charm, sat on the Iron Throne for three minutes without anyone coming over. Then, in frustration, she stomped her feet and began to complain loudly.
"Uh, Lord Artofi, the person has already come."
The guards, who had been standing in the background, were now somewhat embarrassed and reminded their Demon Lord.
"What?"
The Demon Queen stood up, and, as if remembering something, asked angrily, "Is this another incompetent fellow?"
"Uh, no, the other party looks pretty strong."
"Where is that person?"
"I was taken to the courtyard by Lord Muya and entertained. Lord Muya said the visitor was Kalman..."
Before the guard could finish speaking, Atofi charged out, carrying his two-handed greatsword.
. . . .
"So, you only came to see Lord Atofi because you were curious about what kind of demon lord he was, and you didn't have any letters from Lord Kalman or Young Master Randolph to deliver?"
"Um."
Broly nodded, and then explained that he only knew Randolph the Grim Reaper, and not Randolph's father, Atofi's son, Kalman II the Northern God.
"Sigh~"
Muya had a headache. This kid knew nothing about anything, yet he dared to meet Lord Atofi out of curiosity. It was simply reckless.
However, if we leave it unattended, it will definitely cause big problems.
After thinking for a moment, Muya took Broly's hand and said, "Lord Broly, I'm afraid you'll have to leave here."
"What's wrong?"
Broly's mouth was bulging; the snacks here are quite delicious.
"Lady Artofi has been living a dramatic life of a hero fighting a demon king all these years. If you are discovered, she might mistake you for a hero who has come to challenge her."
Such rudeness towards guests would bring shame upon the name of Lady Atofi's husband, Rebek, and as Lady Atofi's subject, I cannot bear to see this happen.
"My lord Broly, please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality."
Muya apologized, and just as he was about to pull Broly away, an angry roar came from behind.
"Muya, you bastard..."
Following closely behind was a figure with deep purple skin rushing towards them.
"Bang!"
The moment Broly took the snacks and teapot from the table, Muya, the captain of Atofi's personal guard, was kicked flying.
With a loud crash, the other party smashed the table, embedding it directly into the wall not far away, forming a large, human-shaped "X" shape.
"You actually want to let the guy who came to challenge me escape?!"
Broly glanced to the side and saw the demon girl who had rushed over and kicked the old man away, looking furious.
"This is the immortal demon king Artofe Latofi."
The little god said.
"I knew it, you're never right even once."
The Crystal Palace didn't give any notification sound, which made Broly complain.
"Lord Atofei..."
Muya pulled herself off the wall, fell to the ground with a thud, then quickly got up and knelt on one knee in front of the girl-like Atofi.
"This Lord Broly is not a hero who has come to challenge you; he is a friend of Randolph Marian."
Muya quickly explained.
"Who is Randolph Marian? What do I care about his friends? Any outsider who sets foot in my castle is either my follower or my challenger!"
Atofi glanced at Broly, who was still munching on cookies, drinking tea, and watching the show. Anyone who could eat so calmly under these circumstances was no ordinary person, and she was quite pleased with the little guy.
"Lord Artofie, Randolph Marian is Lord Kalman's son."
Muya quickly replied.
"Huh? When did my husband, who died many years ago, have a child out of wedlock?"
Atofi raised an eyebrow, exuding a terrifying aura, and began to question.
"Not your husband, I'm referring to your son, His Majesty Kalman II."
Muya corrected himself.
"Oh, is that so?"
The terrifying aura emanating from Atofi dissipated, and the next moment, his fist slammed into the back of Muya's head.
"It's all your fault, you didn't explain yourself clearly."
The Undying Demon King snorted coldly, then said with some emotion, "That guy Kalman never expected that he'd have a son now?"
"Don't you know?"
Broly asked out of curiosity.
"It has been more than seventy years since I last saw him."
Atofi answered that question.
"All immortal demon kings are like this: they have no lifespan limit, have terrible memories, and are all a bunch of idiots and fools."
The little god was explaining things from the side.
"Lord Artofi, although Lord Kalman has not returned, he occasionally writes letters. I once reported to you about Randolph's affairs."
Muya, whose head was bleeding from the blow but who looked completely unharmed, provided this additional explanation.
"Well, who would remember such a small thing? But I did receive some good news today."
Artofi looked at Broly.
"Speak, outsider who brought me news of my grandson, what reward do you desire?"
Muya's heart sank; the situation had indeed turned out this way. He looked in Broly's direction and shook his head at the boy.
"Do you desire greater power, or the honor of being a hero?"
Atofi pressed further.
"I have my own strength, and I don't need the honor of a hero. But if you're going to give me something in return, I'd like you to help me gather all the women in this city so I can have a look at them."
Broly put forward his demands.
Upon hearing this, Muya slapped his forehead, realizing he was doomed.
If you politely decline, you might still be able to get through the ordeal of Lord Atofi's reward.
"You don't want power, you don't want fame, you only want women? Are you looking down on me, Artofe Latofi Rebek?"
The immortal demon king, who appeared as a young girl, flew into a rage, but the next moment, she changed the subject and said, "However, beauties are indeed an embellishment for the strong. I don't dislike guys like you who follow their own desires."
However, the prerequisite for me, Atofi, to work for you is that you must defeat me. Once you defeat me, the money and women of the Carlos region are yours to take. How about it, do you want to try challenging me?
"OK."
Broly nodded in agreement; he had wanted to challenge the other party to a duel ever since he heard about them yesterday.
Now, after the fight, you can even get the other person to help you with your own things—it's perfect.
"Very good, as expected of someone with the courage to challenge me, Muya."
"Yes, Lord Artofi."
"How can the arena be opened without spectators when heroes challenge the Demon King?!"
Artofi turned and walked away, carrying his two-handed greatsword.
"Sigh~"
Muya looked at the boy and said, "Lord Broly, please come with me to the arena."
Broly didn't refuse, but he didn't understand what this person meant by sighing and complaining to him.
"After marrying Kalman I, the founder of the Northern God School, his wife, Artofe Latofi, mastered the Northern God School and created new secret techniques of the Northern God School, manually expanding the power of friendly forces."
Artofi Latofi, the immortal demon king, now has a penchant for collecting and nurturing powerful individuals.
She has taken a liking to you now. If you lose the fight later, she will capture you and force you to become her subordinate.
It is very impolite to kidnap your grandson or friend and force him to be your subordinate.
That demon was sighing over the shameful behavior his lord was currently committing.
"You think I'll lose?"
"I don't think so, but other people do."
(End of this chapter)