Chapter 465 - The Blade in the Stands
Chapter 465 of "Exploring Technology in a Wizard World" opens presenting: Two days later, in the capital of the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom, Williams City.Williams City... Donāt stop now!
Two days later, in the capital of the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom, Williams City.Williams City was a majestic metropolis with sturdy walls, grand gates, and crisscrossing streets adorned with tall buildings and bustling shops teeming with pedestrians in a scene of prosperity.
To the north of the city center, there was a Duel Arena usually buzzing with excitement, a favorite spot for many locals. However, it was sealed off today, accessible only to the elite of the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom and the Embassy from the Luobu Kingdom.
Both parties had already arrived.
In the center of the Duel Arena was a wooden platform where two brawny men, bare-chested, were engaged in a ferocious fight. On the stands, representatives from the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom and the Luobu Kingdom Embassy were watching the contest and conversing with each other, occasionally bursting into laughter, which seemed "friendly."
The representative from the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom was named Winston, a fat man with a big belly and a shiny bald head, always wearing a smile. Despite looking harmless, he was the cunning Foreign Minister of the entire Black Holy Mountain Kingdom.
The representative from the Luobu Kingdom Embassy was a skinny man named Feiāer, with a somewhat pale complexion as if suffering from malnourishment. However, his eyes were incredibly sharp, like blades honed on a whetstone, ready to stab anyone at any time. He was incessantly "prodding" Winston.
"Mr. Winston!" called out Feiāer.
"Hm?" Winston, upon being addressed, smiled in his usual manner. "Ambassador Feiāer, what amusing thought has occurred to you this time?"
"Well, I did have one."
"What is it?"
"You should know that our Kingdom is very poor."
"I have heard as much."
"So in our Kingdom, people often go hungry and thus, canāt get fat. Being skinny is the norm there while being fat is seen as abnormal. That got me thinking, someone of Mr. Winstonās stature would probably be so undesirable that not even a prostitute would entertain his business."
"Hm, that really is a shame."
"Indeed, it is," said Feiāer. "If I ever became as large as you, Mr. Winston, I believe I would be so ashamed Iād contemplate suicide."
"Suicide? And how would you prefer to do it?" Winston asked, still with a smile.
"What difference does the method of suicide make?"
"There certainly is a difference," Winston said somberly, "If, as Ambassador Feiāer said, one were so ashamed of being fat that they decided to end their life, then hanging would clearly be the best option, as you wouldnāt even have to look for a rope. After all, people in your Kingdom are so skinny that if you call a few individuals from the street, twist them together, and tie them to a rooftop, they could be used as a rope."
"Er..."
After a brief silence, both Winston and Feiāer laughed together, "Haha, hahaha!" Yet their eyes remained cold.
The laughter soon faded, and Feiāer, who failed to gain an advantage, assumed a serious expression and turned to Winston, "Mr. Winston, you must have heard that we have come for a friendly exchange.
Our Kingdoms both rely heavily on Wizard Power, and while Wizards may not change the tide of entire wars, in certain battles, their impact cannot be ignored.
We have some conflicts now, but I am optimistic they can be resolved.
And one prerequisite for that resolution is for us to both show sincerity and get to know each other better. This time, I have brought with me a young man from the Luobu Kingdom, representing the next generation of Wizard Power in our Kingdom. I wonder, how will the next generation of your Kingdomās Wizard Power fare? Perhaps a friendly contest would allow for a deeper exchange, wouldnāt you agree?"
"Of course, that would be acceptable. In fact, that wooden platform below was built specifically for this purpose," Winston said with a smile, gesturing downwards before giving an order, "Clear the platform!"
"Yes," responded an official from the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom, quickly running down from the stands to convey the command. Soon enough, the two bloodied fighters were pulled off the platform, which was then tidied up.
"Kelly, go ahead," said the slender Feiāer, nodding his head to the side.
Standing behind Feiāer was a young man, who looked about seventeen or eighteen years old, with gray hair and brown eyes, dressed in a green tight-fitting outfit, carrying an air of pride and looking down on everyone with disdain. Upon hearing Feiāer, he simply nodded without a word and stepped down from the stands into the arena.
Feiāer seemed unperturbed by this, instead, he looked somewhat smug as he spoke to Winston, "Mr. Winston, this Kelly is one of the most outstanding young Wizard Apprentices in the Luobu Kingdom, well, one of them. He comes from a side branch of the Royal Family, with ancestors who once held the title of Earl. However, his line fell into decline, and by his generation, they had become Civilians.
He possesses a great deal of Wizard Talent, becoming a Third-level Wizard Apprentice before the age of twenty, and could become a Wizard at any moment. Itās highly likely that he could restore his ancestorsā title and perhaps even achieve greater things.
Of course, he does have a few minor flaws, such as being overly proud, but thatās not entirely unacceptable. After all... with his level of exceptional talent, he has every right to be proud. Wouldnāt you agree, Mr. Winston?"
"Yes, yes, Ambassador Feiāer speaks the truth," Winston maintained his smile in response.
Feiāer continued, "Iām glad Mr. Winston agrees. Itās just that I am uncertain about the person your Kingdom has chosen for the contest. Iāve heard rumors that it is Princess Rose.
I think that might be a bit inappropriate. Although Princess Rose has studied at the White Stone Tower and certainly has broader perspectives and, presumably, strength higher than Kellyās, her high status concerns me. She is the Kingās favorite daughter, and any mishap would be most unfortunate.
I believe it would be better for someone else to represent your Kingdom in her stead. Uh, Mr. Winston, why the frown? Surely your Kingdom has others besides the Princess? Donāt deceive me, I wouldnāt believe you.
After all, your Kingdomās performance on the battlefield has been dismal enough, the conduct of your Soldiers clear for all to see. Or is it the same with your Wizard Power?"
Winstonās frown deepened more and more until his entire face seemed exaggeratedly contorted.
Just when Feiāer was about to continue, suddenlyā
"Achoo!"
Winston burst out violently, spraying saliva and showering Feiāerās face.
Feiāerās expression froze: "Mr. Winston, what is this...?"
"Ah, my apologies, I havenāt been feeling well lately. Forgive me for that, Ambassador Feiāer." Winstonās voice was full of contrition as he pulled out a white handkerchief and started wiping his face, and, upon finishing, he even attempted to wipe Feiāerās face, "Iām truly sorry, Ambassador Feiāer, let me help you clean that off."