Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1724 1724: Unhappy Judge

SLAP!

Kelya's palm slammed into Batar's broad back, causing him to stumble forward.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing! I'm injured and carrying Narha, do you really have to be so unbearable all the time?" Batar said menacingly, though a warm smile played on his face.

In response, Kelya kicked a random rock. She was still furious that they had lost to Zin.

"Do you think we should be happy with this result? Hell! We're supposed to be enemies, but we had to team up because that bastard is so strong!"

Batar smirked as he looked up.

"Well, we're alive, right? That's what matters most. And… maybe it's for the best."

"Argh? What the hell are you talking about!" Kelya shouted, shaking her fist. "What could be good about losing?!"

Suddenly, Batar's expression changed, shifting from playful to much more serious.

"Because Zin wouldn't have killed us under any scenario. Even if we wanted to kill him, he would have found a way to wear us down and take us out. But, at the Grim Court, things will be different."

"What are you talking about?" Kelya raised an eyebrow, confused. "At the Grim Court, you can't kill anyone. The judge simply won't let that happen."

Batar turned slowly, his green eyes meeting her amber ones.

"Is that right? As far as I know, the judge can easily change his decision if the spectators demand it."

Kelya gulped.

In the Hollow Lands, there were many rules, but there was no single power here that enforced them.

The Dome Eclipse and Blade Eclipse were equal factions possessing equal strength and influence. The difference between them was negligible and shifted only slightly from time to time.

If the majority of the monsters decide that the death of one of the fighters is acceptable in this battle, then that is what will happen.

"Do you think Zin or Adam Vinter might die?" Kelya grew wary.

However, Batar merely waved his hand.

"Don't think about it too much. These are just my guesses. I'm sure someone will want to get rid of that Phantom, and others will want the same for Zin because of how strange he is, but... It's unlikely my theory will ever come to pass."

Batar paused, staring at a spot with a pensive look.

"You do know who Zin's leader is, right?"

Kelya nodded. "Of course, it's Ms. Es'aha."

"Yeah, what about Adam Vinter?"

Kelya knew the answer. She wanted to say something quickly, but stopped mid-sentence.

"K-Kaerno… That Phantom stopped at Kaerno's pillar."

"Exactly." Batar nodded. "Considering those two are backing Zin and Adam Vinter, it's unlikely anything will happen to them. As for what I said..."

Batar smiled bitterly. "Better to lose here, to Zin, than at the Grim Court to a Phantom. That would be a great disgrace, wouldn't it?"

"Pfffft! What makes you think I'd lose to him?" Kelya snorted.

With a knowing look, Batar shrugged. "Because Es'aha and Kaerno set this up. Only they had the power to force Zin to fight at the Grim Court. If they did this, it means they're confident Adam can give Zin a worthy fight."

Kelya stared at Batar, blinking.

"Tsk, have you always been this smart? You wouldn't know it to look at you."

"Hahaha, thanks!" Batar laughed out loud as he fell silent.

A few moments later, he sighed as his gaze turned toward the northern Hail Passage.

"The fight will start in an hour and a half. Do you want to take a seat?"

Kelya swept her hand haughtily through her hair. "If that's what you want, then you can do it."

"Good. Then we'll watch the battle together. One defeat a day is enough for me. I'm not ready for more."

Kelya said nothing, but her gaze betrayed both interest in the upcoming battle and regret that she would be merely a spectator rather than a fighter.

'Well, maybe next time? Agh… I guess the boss was right. I need to participate in battles and become a Lord as soon as possible. That's the best path to power.'

…

And so, everyone was in their places. Zin strode calmly toward the northern Hail Passage, just like the many spectators eager to see Phantom fight.

None of them knew yet who Adam's opponent would be, and even the judge of this arena was no exception.

Tap.

The woman with short, light hair set a cup of coffee on the table. Hot steam wafted before her eyes.

She was dressed in a long white robe with unusual blue pointed tips on her shoulders that rose high up. This was not the usual robe that the Fingers wore in their pillar. It was the outfit they were required to wear when performing their duties as judges.

Across from the woman, reflected in her deep green eyes, sat Es'aha.

"You've come a long way back here from the depths of the Pit, haven't you?" the woman said with a hint of haughtiness in her voice.

"Leerna, spare me. You know that was my only choice to bring Zin back. I couldn't have done otherwise."

A cold gleam flashed across Es'aha's eyes.

"I had to take that chance. I had no other choice."

Leerna leaned on her hand, looking mocking.

"Huh, is it? Maybe you should have ignored Kaerno? I don't know how he manages it every time, but he planned all of this, and now you've all become my headache."

Es'aha shrugged before taking a sip of coffee.

"It wasn't up to me. Adam Vinter is the first fighter, so he's the one who has the right to choose which Hail Passage to hold the Grim Court in. He chose your arena. It was just a coincidence."

Adam was an outsider. He couldn't have known much about the Hail Passages, so it was logical to assume he chose at random.

However, for some reason, Leerna didn't believe that, though she couldn't explain why either.

"Agh, anyway, it'll all start soon." She turned away.

Through the tall panoramic windows of red glass, a view of the arena and the spectator seats opened up. The Grim Court resembled an underground colosseum, just as massive and majestic.

"However, even though the spectators are already arriving, I haven't met a single fighter yet."

Step.

At that very moment, a muffled footstep sounded from the aisle, causing Es'aha and Leerna to turn around.

Their eyes widened as they looked at Zin, who had somehow already made his way here.

"I am ready to take part in the Grim Court."

He stated calmly, making their hearts race with anticipation.