Chapter 333: Mandatory Elegance

“This reminds me of Venus.” Michael mused, surveying the surroundings.

Flowing lava stretched endlessly in every direction. The heat radiating from it was palpable. Normally, such vast expanses of volcanic terrain couldn’t exist on Earth’s surface, but in this designed battlefield, pretty much anything was possible.

Glancing backwards, Michael observed the castle assigned to him. Although this was going to be a duel, it still played out like the other fights, each faction having been given a formidable structure.

With a sigh, Michael dashed forward, leaping from one stone slab to the next, crossing the sea of lava.

Due to the temperature, sweat began to form faster than normal across his body, but it wasn’t a cause for concern.

At least, not yet. However, the live spectators, particularly the women in the crowd, began to feel an intense heat as his attire clung to his physique, highlighting every muscle.

It was a trade secret, but every time Michael’s faction fought… And especially when he made an appearance on screen, the female viewership would spike, growing by more than 30%.

Eventually he halted, his eyes landing on a silhouette on the other side.

A man with blonde hair and menacing emerald eyes, the Twilight Hell’s leader, Dominic.

The moment Dominic spotted Michael, a maniacal smile stretched across his face.

“Finally! You have no idea how long I have been waiting for this!” Dominic bellowed, ready to pounce at any second.

“Before that.” Michael interrupted, clearing his throat.

“The inspection drones are too far away to record our conversation. I want to know why you challenged me to a duel. Are you truly this confident in defeating me one-on-one? Twilight Hell outnumbers my faction, after all.”

Dominic blinked slowly. Then he tilted his head back, letting out hysterical laughter.

“This is exactly what I was hoping for! Despite being a Peak Grandmaster, you face me, a Transcendent Lord, without a hint of hesitation!”

He paused briefly.

“Tell me, do I really need a reason?” Dominic grinned. “Would it be wrong if I simply enjoyed battle? The sensation of pulsing pain across my body… my heart racing in anticipation of the challenge to come?”

“I see…” Michael nodded thoughtfully. “So this man is simply a masochist.”

In hindsight, it made sense. After all, Michael had developed the habit of smiling the more he was hurt, using it to intimidate his enemies. To an outsider, it might have seemed like he actually enjoyed the pain.

Suddenly, everything clicked into place. It became clear why people had branded him a Demon, even though he refrained from killing humans. This must have been one of the reasons. Surely, Dominic wasn’t the only one to label Michael a masochist. Others must have gotten the wrong impression as well.

It seemed Michael would need to have a long talk with Skylar and Luis about how to alter his public persona… If that were possible to begin with.

“Well, whatever. At least this misunderstanding will give my comrades a bit more time to rest.” Michael concluded, summoning Devil and pointing it at Dominic.

“You want a battle? Sure, I’ll humor you!” Michael declared.

’Dominic got something wrong in the head, but he doesn’t seem like a bad person.’ Michael thought. ’At least, I haven’t seen anything to suggest that yet.’

In that moment, Devil’s voice echoed, dripping with sarcasm.

’Oh, God… I’ve seen everything by now! You, calling someone else wrong in the head? Oh, the irony!’ The soul weapon remarked.

Michael frowned.

’Shut up. Less talking, more cutting.’

Before Devil could retort, Dominic seized the opportunity Michael had given him.

“So you do understand me!” The man charged forward, unleashing the full extent of his aura. “Our battle shall be legendary!”

A second later, the two clashed. The stone slab beneath them shattered into fragments, forcing them to move backward lest they fall into the searing liquid. The lava responded in kind, sending a roaring wave rising around them.

“Exquisite!” Dominic roared. “That’s how men, true warriors, should fight!”

While Dominic was lost in his own ecstatic frenzy, Michael didn’t linger.

Heaven’s Judgment’s hook drove into the man’s shoulder. In a flash, Michael crossed the distance separating them and swung.

Dominic barely managed to twist his head, narrowly avoiding the strike. However, a thin crimson line marred his face.

Reacting quickly, the Lord twisted his body and kicked, sending Michael flying.

To the surprise of everyone watching, Michael used Psychokinesis before landing. He hovered just above the molten surface, making it seem as though he were walking on the lava itself.

“…”

Dominic blinked slowly, the gears in his head turning.

“I wasn’t familiar with your game…” He admitted.

Then, forsaking any sense of self-preservation, he did the same. However, in his case, he actually stepped into the lava, and the searing liquid began to melt his feet.

“Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?!” Dominic reached enlightenment. “There’s no need for others to inflict pain on me! I can simply do it myself!”

It wasn’t every day that Michael was so stunned he was left utterly speechless. In the end, he shook his head, unable to come up with a response.

Their clash continued, wounds of all kinds gradually starting to appear on their bodies. Though, in Dominic’s case, he seemed driven to let every one of Michael’s strikes land, as long as they weren’t going to end his life on the spot.

At a certain point, it began to feel as though the Lord was fighting himself while Michael was merely giving him the last push. Regardless of how much they were hurting, it wouldn’t affect their real bodies, so Dominic was determined to take full advantage of that.

Ultimately, the clash concluded. The accumulated wounds Dominic had withstood slowed him down too much, allowing Michael to deliver the final strike.

In all actuality, this battle had been far easier than facing Astra. Perhaps it had turned out this way because Dominic, and by extension, Twilight Hell, didn’t care enough for the tournament to truly try winning the round.

Once back at the arena, Dominic was back to his usual self. Despite experiencing simulated death, his demeanor didn’t seem to have changed in the slightest.

“That was definitely an eye-opener.” Dominic praised as the two shook hands.

“If you’re ever in need of a sparring partner, I’ll gladly take that role.”

Michael nodded. “Sure… perhaps, one very destined and faraway day…”

He didn’t have the heart to straight up refuse the man. After all, if the two fought for real, the risk of the Lord dying a meaningless death was tremendously high.

Although, the way the tournament’s fourth round had concluded came as a surprise to everyone. The Indomitable Alliance had officially made it to the quarter-finals. Out of the 128 participating factions, only 8 remained.

Of course, part of this was because some of the strongest factions had already clashed. Nevertheless, the Indomitable Alliance had made it into the top ten.

Exhausted, Michael made his way toward the base, only to be met by Francesca waiting at the entrance. Her attire was as classy as ever.

Conversing with the woman was sure to be a draining experience. But considering she answered directly to the Emperor, he at least had to pretend to be respectful.

“Lady Francesca, why do we have the pleasure of your visit?” Michael asked with a warm smile.

Turning to face him, Francesca adjusted the golden monocle over her right eye.

“First and foremost, I must, with a certain reluctance, admit that you have shattered even my boldest expectations. Though I daresay fortune may have, in her mysterious ways, lent you her favor… You, along with your esteemed faction, have, nonetheless, secured your rightful place in the quarter-finals.”

Halting for a moment, she lowered her head into the most minuscule bow, almost impossible to perceive. Before continuing to speak in her usual, difficult-to-understand tongue.

“And so, in recognition of your unparalleled diligence, His Majesty himself has issued a decree to all remaining factions in the esteemed tournament. Rejoice! For you, humble and somewhat unremarkable servants of His Excellency, have been graced with the extraordinary privilege of attending the most extravagant ball ever to grace this Earth!”

Translated to human language, as Richard liked to call it. The remaining factions were set to participate in a ball in the presence of the Emperor.

Francesca waited for Michael’s response. Observing the clear suspicion in his gaze, she added.

“Oh, how remiss of me! I almost neglected to mention… Participation, of course, is absolutely mandatory.”

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