Chapter 546

The empress stood from her throne, fixing her eyes on the main entrance to the arena. And even this reaction of hers spoke volumes. Someone’s presence was felt in the air more and more clearly… Someone extraordinary was approaching.

The uninvited guests had not yet entered inside, but everyone already felt the aura emanating from them. It seemed so elegant and noble, so incredibly pure, as if it belonged to the saints. This aura was awe-inspiring. Whoever appears now, he definitely can’t be an ordinary person!

There was absolute silence when the two guests entered.

One of them was an old man with snow-white hair and a long mustache, as well as strict, but pleasing features. His gaze seemed friendly, like the gaze of a kind wise grandfather, and at the same time extremely attentive and piercing, like the gaze of a great martial artist. He wore ordinary gray pants and a tight black sweater.

Although the old man looked about 70 years old, everyone would envy his athletic, powerful body. The developed muscles emerged from under the tight sweater. It seemed that he had devoted his whole life to training. The old man walked slowly with his arms crossed behind his back, slightly hunched over.

«The legendary archmaster Felix!» – someone from the audience wheezed, recognizing the guest.

There are only 10 archmasters in the whole world – those who are capable of fighting with 6 fighting fists, and the first of them arrived at the palace today. The whole world is built in such a way that strength is everything, and the skill of fighting is one of the most important indicators of strength. That is why the authority of the archmasters cannot be overstated. One can safely say that even the emperor of Saturn – Magnus Walder – will gladly receive such a famous and respected person as a guest.

Next to Felix was his disciple, a brunette about 17 years old. She looked like an elegant flower, unstained by the dirty world. Just looking at her caused a slight dizziness, like after a glass of quality whiskey. To say that she’s beautiful is an understatement. She is incomparable! Everything, every detail, from her snow-white and silk-soft skin to her bottomless eyes, seemed perfect, which made some people who stared at her even doubt whether they were asleep or awake…

The black evening dress perfectly fitted and emphasized the amazing figure of the beauty even more. Gorgeous slender legs were shod in miniature patent leather shoes. There was a patterned bracelet on her right forearm, a necklace glittered on her long delicate neck, small earrings sparkled in her ears, and artificial blossoms were put in her hair. All accessories were matched in the same color scheme, and the gems inlaid in them set off the girl’s large and clear eyes, the color of which varied from dark violet to purple depending on the lighting. The lady’s eyes were framed by delightful luxuriant eyelashes, and perfectly arched thin eyebrows were above them.

Such a luxurious outfit was clearly supposed to demonstrate that the stranger had come to the empress on some important matter.

The girl, holding a perfectly even posture, characteristic of a noble one, walked to the right hand of the master. There was a hint of arrogance in her beautiful eyes. She looked fearlessly at Lanatelle, as if letting her know that she was not afraid of her.

«It’s Valkyrie Torres!» – one of the onlookers squealed in amazement.

Valkyrie Torres was widely known for her incredible martial arts talent. At the age of 12, she defeated all the archmasters’ disciples, thereby confirming that she owns 6 combat fists. Now people say that she has no equal at all, but for some reason neither the girl, nor the archmasters challenge each other. Among other things, she is also an unsurpassed genius in terms of development, as well as the granddaughter of the patriarch. The firebird visited the chicken coop – that’s what everyone present felt.

«Greetings to the empress Rosarrio!» – Valkyrie said with a slight bow. Her gentle voice, like playing a silver violin, charmed and bewitched. It seemed to belong to a real angel. Someone even fell in love with her.

«Hello, your majesty. Did we come at the wrong time?» – Felix asked kindly, looking around the arena and half a thousand people sitting in the stands.

And although the words of the old man sounded polite and respectful, it was easy to understand from his confident look that the title of the woman meant little to him. It looked like he was just following the formalities.

«That’s right. You are a day late.» – Lanatelle agreed coldly. It wasn’t even the appearance of the guests that seemed strange to her, but the fact that for some reason no one had notified her about anything. It looks like heads will roll in the near future.

The archmaster said guiltily: «I have to admit that we did it on purpose… Today, empress Lanatelle will have a direct disciple! Understand that I, as a master who devoted half his life to finding a worthy successor, could not pass by such a grandiose event. After all, a direct disciple is the pride and dignity of a master, and in your case, he will also become the property of the entire empire!»

Stein swallowed hard in anticipation.

A gambling sparkle was born in the Valkyrie’s beautiful eyes.

The audience instinctively nodded in agreement with the words of the important guest.

«I understand your curiosity. I won’t mind if you take the places of honor in the stands and capture the result yourself.» – Lanatelle replied in a colorless tone.

Felix smiled kindly: «Forgive my arrogance, but I, like no one else, can appreciate the strength, talent and potential of a practitioner. How about your senior disciples fight my beautiful disciple? I, in turn, will give you an assessment of their abilities, and you, based on my recommendations, will unmistakably choose the best of the best for the role of your successor.»

Surprised oohs were heard. People couldn’t believe their ears.

The archmaster’s words sounded as if he intended to endear the empress to himself by doing her a favor in order to contribute to the further smooth course of their affairs. However, the truth is that he was saying exactly what Valkyrie asked him to. Although Felix is her master, today he acts as her bodyguard. That is, she makes all the decisions, and he has to obey her.

The old man knew his disciple too well not to understand why she decided to get into this particular tournament, and why she asked him to offer the empress the above-mentioned “service”. Her cunning plans make his head spin. Of course, he did not approve of her hidden intent, but he did not stop her either. After all, the responsible task was given to her. If she fails it, she will finally get a life lesson, of which she already has negligibly few. However, the girl was nicknamed “lady luck” for a reason. Sometimes even the most stupid and absurd plans of hers miraculously worked.

Lanatelle thought about the archmaster’s proposal, glanced at Valkyrie, at the senior disciples, in particular Baker, and, having thought of something, made a decision: «I am interested in your proposal.» – with these words, she majestically sank into her seat.

«Valkyrie will participate in the tournament?!» … «Oh goddess, how is this possible?!» – the audience could not believe what they heard, after all, Valkyrie is a high-flying bird. She is incredibly popular even in Saturn, the empire of the 1st rank. The most important people of the empire are always happy to see her. She’s in Rosarrio now… Even if it is a tournament for the title of a direct disciple of the empress, the girl alone raises its prestige. This news, reaching the masses, will cause furor.

And only Lovr did not share the delight. From the very first seconds he realized that Valkyrie was the cause of all his failures. She looks like Kyon, in addition, they are probably also the same age. There is a high probability that she is his twin sister!

Did his sister steal all his luck and rob him of his talent while they were still in the womb, and their parents got rid of the mediocre child who was a disgrace to the family? Did they send the baby to a distant, run-down empire to be raised by beggars? Now that bitch had come here to prevent him from getting the coveted title?!

Kyon was seized with an unprecedented rage because of the overplayed imagination. While she lived like in a fairy tale, not knowing grief and worries, he lived in poverty and without friends… While she splashed merrily in the boundless ocean of possibilities, his heart was warmed by only one dream – to become an architect. However, it was not destined to come true, because the devil CURSED him.

{I have to calm down…} – Lovr reminded himself, pulling himself together by force of will.

Even if the parents did such a piggish thing to their child, what is the sister’s fault? That she was born? It’s stupid to blame her. She didn’t intentionally suck all the luck out of him. Nevertheless, Kyon’s chest was bubbling with rage at the sight of Valkyrie.

That recent look of Lanatelle made Lovr understand that she expected him to win. It seems that the woman agreed to Felix’s proposal precisely because of him. She was up to something, and it would obviously be directed against the guests, which could not fail to interest him.

{I will become a direct disciple at any cost. You won’t stop me from doing it.} – Kyon promised himself.

«Well, let’s not postpone it.» – Felix smiled broadly and nodded to the disciple.

Valkyrie pressed her wrist, and a green mist enveloped her body. A second later, when it dissipated, the beauty’s clothes completely changed. Now she was wearing practical shorts and a tight jacket, and strong boots on her feet. All black. In this combat outfit, the lady looked not as elegant as before, but no less stunning. Several others present gave their hearts to her.

Instant dressing up in the center of a huge crowd did not leave anyone indifferent. So that’s what the Torres formations are capable of? Stunningly! Many of those present were seized with a feeling of inferiority, as if they all lived in a remote village…

«My disciple is ready. Please tell your senior disciples to enter the arena.» – Felix asked with the same polite and at the same time confident look, crossing his arms behind his back.

Elsa, Asagi, Stein and Dick, hearing an icy voice in their heads, entered the arena.

Valkyrie looked at the beautiful girl with interest, nodding for some reason. She seemed to see something in her. Her intent and tenacious gaze, with which goods are usually evaluated on the market, was very embarrassing for the blonde.

After that, Torres shifted her gaze to the blond man with a short beard, but she did not hold her gaze on him even for a second, which somewhat offended the patriarch of the Hunters.

Shifting her gaze to Stein, she chuckled approvingly: «An imperial phaser at the seventh stage… Not bad, not bad. What a pity that taking the medicine you know will have unpleasant consequences for you.»

«Is Stein already at the seventh stage?!» – the audience was amazed. He is so young, but already an imperial phaser at the finishing stage? Valentine’s talent was amazing!

Stein frowned in displeasure. How did she know he had taken breakthrough medicine?

When Valkyrie shifted her gaze to the last senior disciple, her still serene face twisted sharply, as if a cobblestone had fallen into the lake. She even took a step back, which vividly spoke of how much she was shocked by the appearance of the fat man. Nevertheless, the girl hid all inappropriate emotions with commendable speed and looked away.

Felix also fell into a stupor for a while. However, the appearance of the young man worried him much less than the development. He didn’t understand what the noble phaser at the finishing stage was doing here.

An unprecedented interest suddenly arose in the hearts of the audience. And how will the archmaster and his disciple react when they find out that Dick is not as weak as he looks?

Lanatelle calmly said: «The citizens of Rosarrio desire to see the full strength of my senior disciples. After all, we don’t have training matches here. However, it will be extremely unfair if your disciple fights at full strength.»

«Madame Lanatelle, you are quite right!» – Felix exclaimed joyfully. – «My disciple is the most gifted practitioner of the younger generation of the Torres. Of course, she must deliberately allow her opponent to win, otherwise her victory will be shameful and even humiliating…»

«I completely agree with my master.» – Valkyrie suddenly intervened in the conversation. – «Your disciples should have at least a small chance to prove themselves, so I will reduce the development to…» – a light, slightly arrogant smile appeared on her delicate lips. – «An imperial phaser at the first stage!»

The audience caught their breath: «F-first stage?!» … «Stein is at the seventh stage!» … «Is she so confident of her victory?!» – obviously, the Valkyrie will not allow anyone to humiliate herself with defeat even with such a handicap, therefore, she is confident in her victory over the opponent who surpasses her by 6 stages!

Stein frowned. He had a bad feeling. Does she despise him? To lose to a practitioner who is inferior by 6 stages is extremely humiliating! However, it doesn’t matter. The main thing is to get the title by showing that he is better than others.

«Your majesty, how about a little deal with this modest lady?» – pointing at herself with a finger, Valkyrie asked with a sweet charming smile on her lips, which captivated a dozen more people.

At that moment, Felix suddenly began to look anywhere but at his disciple. To complete the image of an uninvolved old man, he only needed to start whistling.

«I’m ready to listen to your offer.» – Lanatelle seemed to expect these words.

«If one of your senior disciples defeats me in a fair fight, then he will become your direct disciple, and we…» – there was a short pause. Apparently, the girl sent a telepathic message to the empress.

«If I defeat everyone, then none of them will become a direct disciple. Besides, you’ll be doing me a little favor. Nothing impossible. Just a few words addressed to everyone present.»

Lanatelle tilted her head thoughtfully. It is not known what she was thinking about, but soon she made a decision and nodded: «It will be your way, girl. I agree.»

(Author’s note. this is how, according to the author, Valkyrie looks like: https://ibb.co/cLv1KHC )

***

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