The number of Awakened from the tribal factions approaching me increased at a rapid pace, deepening the frown on my face. Azrael stood silently beside me, his brows narrowed as though deep in thought.
"Kid." A Nerman warrior called out, his cold gaze lingering on me with a subtle hint of condescension. I raised my head, meeting his gaze as he spoke.
"How about you join the Nerman tribe?"
’Join the Nermans?’ I raised a brow. I don’t think so.
Even if I did want to join a tribal faction within the pits, the Nermans would be the last I’d consider. Just like the idiot before me, the Nermans were known for being notoriously arrogant, always viewing others as lesser beings. The funny thing was, in this war-torn age where the Nerman Empire had fallen from its former glory, they simply weren’t in a position to act so overbearing. Besides, their allegiance to the Roman nobles made that all the more impossible.
If anything, I was only curious about which noble family they worked for.
Eventually, I raised a brow. "And if I don’t?"
The Nerman warrior scoffed, folding his arms. "It would be a shame if you were to be found dead tomorrow, don’t you think?"
A cold glint flashed in my eyes, my voice deepening. "Are you threatening me?"
I stepped forward, a terrifying presence spreading outward as I took a second step toward him.
The other tribal factions simply watched on, making no attempt to intervene. After all, regardless of how things played out, they could always bring in their respective offers later. If anything, watching the confrontation unfold might even work in their favor. Should the Nermans fail to recruit me, they could approach me afterward, perhaps with an even greater emphasis on the benefits — and safety — they could provide.
For now, they had no reason to interfere. They were more than content to watch a good show unfold.
Despite knowing what was running through their scheming minds, I knew I had to be as overbearing as possible.
I took another step forward.
Backing away now would only make me seem... weak. A trait I couldn’t afford to be labeled with.
Not in this hellhole.
The Nerman warrior stepped forward in turn, his aura flaring as he spoke:
"What if I am?"
I was about to speak, the coldness in my eyes deepening, when a voice resounded through the hall:
"The young prince of the Gracian Empire isn’t allowed to join any tribal faction, regardless of the offers or benefits presented."
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice. Valerius calmly stepped off the podium, paying no heed to the curious looks from the Awakened. Taking measured steps forward, he soon arrived before me.
My heart pounded as a flurry of thoughts raced through my mind.
I knew he wasn’t the one who had given the order. He wouldn’t dare do such a thing. Not when the noble families within Racpurnia city would have him eliminated with but a single word.
The only explanation was that the order had come from a more powerful family. Possibly one of the Great families. Or perhaps, an even more frightening possibility: it had come from a single figure.
Who — or which family — could that be? And why give such an order?
"Although I don’t know why the higher-ups don’t want you dead, I’d be more than glad to be the one to end you once you’re eventually deemed useless," Valerius leaned forward, his voice soft.
"Hah..." I exhaled, a forced smile gracing my lips. "I’ll also be looking forward to such a day."
Valerius smiled, saying nothing to my words as he stepped away and slowly returned to the podium.
"The evolutionary stat assessment shall continue," he stated. "Those who have had their stats assessed shall be escorted by the pit soldiers to their respective pits, and handed their share of Atium shards. And like any other day, the distribution of shards shall be based on the grade of their assessment."
With that, he ended his announcement, the tribal factions slowly pulling away from me.
They weren’t fools.
No fool could survive long enough in the pits.
They knew the only reason Lucius would dare say such words was if the order had come from a noble family of higher standing than any noble family within Racpurnia city, or, even more terrifying, from a figure of immense influence within the Roman Empire.
They shuddered at the thought, their pitying gazes lingering on me.
Unbothered by their gazes, I exhaled softly, the tension within me slowly ebbing away.
Although I wasn’t deeply bothered by the turn of events... maybe. After all, from a certain point of view, it was actually to my advantage. Not only did I no longer have to fear further evolutionary stat assessment from the noble families, but it also ensured that few families would dare go against me, lest they risk opposing the interests of the Great family pulling the strings behind the scenes.
However, like all other noble families within the Roman Empire, I knew that whatever reason the Great family had for doing this was because it was more or less beneficial to them in ways I couldn’t understand. And the day I eventually lost my value to them... would be the day I was killed.
The thought sent a cold chill down my spine, my clenched hands trembling slightly.
Step. Step.
The Roman soldiers walked to and fro, each clad in fully armored uniforms as they escorted us back into the pits.
The young Terrisman was unusually quiet along the way. He seemed lost in thought. If anything, the deep frown on his features gave him away. Eventually, he let out a deep sigh.
Glancing at me, he said, "Well... at least on the bright side of things, you will get to earn more Atium shards, and gain access to far better resources than most Awakened."
I knew he was trying to lighten the tense atmosphere, so I simply laughed at his words. "More Atium shards will also do."
We both laughed hysterically, the numerous warriors and Awakened surrounding us gradually moving farther away.
Somehow... they probably thought we were both lunatics. I mean... who else could be so carefree about their possible death?
But then, why wouldn’t I be when I had no intention of dying?
Step. Step.
The more steps I took forward, the stronger the sense of resolve within me became.
’No matter what happens, I am going to stay alive, and...’
Clench~!
A deep, fiery glint ignited within my pupils, a dark presence slowly rising within them.
’I am going to reduce the Great Roman Empire to ruins.’