The great northern nation of Beilclark (Bearfang Country).
Five days of escort south.
An additional five days were spent on the minimum courtesies and measures to prevent any outbursts before presenting them to the King.
Three days of escort to the central region.
Half a day in the anteroom of the Royal Castle, followed by training to prevent any outbursts in the Throne Room.
Like me, other strong individuals were subjected to earplugs and blindfolds.
We were nudged in the back and made to walk step by step with commands to advance and walk.
Soldiers with spears and swords drawn flanked us on both sides.
*Thump* *Clang*
“Tch. Get up already, you slowpoke.”
*Thud* *Whack*
Blindfolded, I couldn’t see where I was stepping.
Bracing myself for death, I stumbled on the carpet and fell.
I was fine, being an Astral Body.
The others who tripped were roughly pulled to their feet, and as soldiers punched their heads and bellies, I sighed and followed them into the Throne Room.
*Creak…*
“Before His Majesty! We have brought the strong individuals gathered from various regions!”
“Indeed. Bring them before His Majesty.”
“Haa.”
One of the soldiers accompanying us reported, and we were granted permission to approach by a handsome old man standing beside the King.
This handsome old man was a term used for good-looking, cool, or attractive older gentlemen.
His sharp eyes appraised our bodies. We were unarmed and equipped with magic tools that disrupted our possessed magic power. Nevertheless, they remained vigilant, anticipating the possibility of us attacking the King.
Isn’t that the job of the nobles and Royal Guards flanking them?
Rayos showed no signs of tension.
He observed the unfolding events from a high vantage point.
It mattered not if his body died; as long as his soul, his Astral Body, remained alive, there was no problem.
The King and the important figures were intrigued by this anomaly named Rayos.
“We wish to see how strong they truly are.”
“As His Majesty commands, prepare yourselves swiftly.”
“Haa. We will showcase their deadly battles in the training grounds.”
Inside the Royal Castle, in the courtyard.
What a magnificent training facility.
Ah, I wonder if Rikan and the others are safe.
My defeat came when I fought until my magic power was depleted.
Or rather, I hope I didn’t kill them…
“Listen up! You will now engage in deadly combat with those we have prepared, in front of His Majesty and the esteemed officials! If you wish to survive, kill your opponents with all your might!”
The earplugs were removed, and a soldier delivered the explanation, or rather, the mandatory order, for the upcoming deadly battle.
Someone complained loudly, saying, “This is ridiculous!”
“Oh, shut up!”
“Guh, gaf…”
“Hey, that’s enough.”
“But still…”
Whispers.
If you make it so that deadly combat cannot happen here, you will be held responsible, they were told, and the soldier stopped beating the one who had complained the most.
*Rustle* *Rustle*
“…Hoh, are those them…”
From the VIP and spectator seats, they looked down and chattered incessantly about how many of us would survive.
Try being dragged into this for your own amusement!! I’ll sleep with your wives!!
“Huh?! ? ? ?”
Perhaps my killing intent reached them.
Some of the ruffians were looking around frequently.
Feeling the killing intent but calmed by the voices of those chatting leisurely, they resumed discussing how many of us would survive.
“Hey, hurry up and move.”
“Whoa.”
I was pushed from behind with a stick to advance into the training grounds; it was my turn.
“Heh heh heh, I can kill this guy♪”
Is this hulking man, bigger than me, my opponent?
Apparently, he also has the condition that if he survives, he might become free.
“Begin the match!”
“Uooohhh, die quicklyyyy!”
“No way♪ Yosh, ho, arawawa- ♪”
“Don’t run around so much! Seriously, dieeeeeeee.”
A barrage of blows, capable of shattering even rocks, was launched to crush me, but if they miss, it’s no big deal.
When he’s tired, I’ll finish him off with a swift blow♪
“Nuuuuuuuuuuuuu!”
“Hahahaha…”
I defeated the hulking man and stood aside, waiting for all the matches to end. The King offered words of praise and asked if we would serve the country. Refuse, and it meant death. We agreed to serve the country, vowing to escape at the first opportunity.
“This concludes the dissolution!”
“Haa.”
Information that Rayos and a few others would serve as war slaves in Bearfang Country reached the ears of kings in various lands through intelligence officers from each nation. The great eastern and western nations, thinking they must crush the north, further reinforced their armies. Regardless of the quality of their equipment or the lack of training of their soldiers, they sent their armies without hesitation, lest Bearfang Country tame the war slaves first.
“Gahahaha, strike them down!”
“Haa.”
The generals of the eastern, western, and central armies immediately dealt with the approaching forces. Rayos and other war slaves were incorporated into these forces. From the west to the center, and then to the eastern battlefield. After that, it was the reverse, from the center to the western battlefield. This went on for several months.
“…Absolutely… I will.”
The war slaves, killing their masters, their eyes burned with a dark flame. Rayos and the others began to move towards their next battlefield.
