The Royal Capital of "Re-Lent."
Located in the deepest part of the entire Royal Capital, the Royal Capital is built on a hill. From a distance, one can see city walls made of more than twenty circular giant towers connected together.
It separates the Royal Capital's populace from the Royal Capital. Coupled with the height of the hill, it gives the entire Royal Capital a sense of being above everyone else.
To the west, at the base of the hill where the Royal Capital is built, there is a massive arena. All previous "Imperial Contests" have been held in this arena.
Such contests are not only grand events but also a way for the Re-Estize Kingdom to display its military might to outsiders.
Clatter!
Clatter!
Amidst the noisy, clamoring crowd,
Tang Zheng, feeling a bit pained, arrived inside the arena and took a seat in the outermost spectator area.
His gaze was fixed on the massive stage in the center of the arena. From his position, he could only make out the silhouettes of the people on the stage.
This position alone cost him 5 silver coins!
"That's certainly a profitable business."
Tang Zheng's eyes swept over the dense crowd in the surrounding seats, sighing inwardly.
Being a witness to historical events can indeed satisfy a certain curiosity.
But!
If he had known the price was so high, he wouldn't have come. After all, he already knew the outcome.
Tang Zheng thought with a hint of helplessness.
The Warrior Captain and Nail Clipper had not yet appeared. On the stage below, there were several figures, seemingly performing inspection duties.
And positioned directly north of the stage was the only viewing platform in the entire arena that was significantly higher than the others, resembling a round tower.
It was obvious without guessing.
That was likely a viewing platform specially provided for the kingdom's nobles and royalty.
Compared to the almost lively atmosphere in other areas, the area around this round tower viewing platform was excessively quiet.
This situation gradually began to affect other areas, as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown over the fervent atmosphere.
Even the surrounding discussions gradually became much quieter.
Tang Zheng reached out and tugged at the collar of his coarse linen clothes, shrugging his shoulders indifferently, his gaze calmly observing the scene.
Others might not understand the reason for this slightly eerie atmosphere, but he knew a few things.
On the surface, this level of contest was meant to find powerful warriors for the country and proclaim the nation's strength.
But in reality!
From the very beginning, the "Imperial Contest" was a stage for various nobles to show off their subordinates and display their own military power.
All commoner participants were merely stepping stones for these noble lords.
This involved the kingdom's own noble system!
Apart from the eldest son, the other younger sons of the great nobles could not inherit titles. This led to the emergence of another noble title within the noble system: "Knight"!
This title had no fiefdom and was a noble class limited to the individual's generation, yet it was still a goal that the younger sons of nobles eagerly sought to obtain.
This was not only for the noble status but also because once a "Knight" title was obtained, the Royal Family would pay a high salary, meaning one generally wouldn't have to worry about living expenses.
Of course.
This was also the Royal Family's strategy: to make these noble descendants form a new generation of "Royalists"!
The "Imperial Contest" existed for this reason, considered an open and aboveboard strategy. Therefore, excellent noble scions who distinguished themselves in the contest would be granted the title of "Knight."
However, starting several years ago, participating noble members or their subordinates were gradually defeated by some commoner adventurers, which caused dissatisfaction among the nobles.
And now!
The appearance of Gazef and Brain, with their overwhelming momentum, brought them directly to this point.
Turning the "Imperial Contest" into a stage for two commoners to duel!
"Heh."
A smile appeared on Tang Zheng's face. He could now fully imagine that the expressions of those noble lords would certainly not be pleasant at this moment.
After Gazef's victory, he should have received the "Knight" title. The result was the creation of a new position, "Warrior Captain," which emerged under these circumstances.
The reason this duel was known among commoners as "the legendary battle" was because the "Imperial Contest" was abolished after this fight.
Clearly, no noble wanted a second Warrior Captain to appear.
However.
This had nothing to do with Tang Zheng. These matters were ultimately minor skirmishes compared to the future Great Tomb.
No matter how dissatisfied the nobles were, this contest could neither be prevented nor stopped!
After about 10 minutes.
Tang Zheng's expression became serious, and his gaze grew intent as he looked at the future Warrior Captain and Nail Clipper, who were simultaneously walking towards the stage.
After the two ascended the stage, they shook hands, seemingly exchanging a few words.
However.
From Tang Zheng's current spectator seat, he could only clearly see their figures; naturally, he couldn't hear their conversation.
Soon!
The two separated again, turning and moving a certain distance apart before standing face to face.
At this moment!
All the noisy clamor from the audience disappeared, and countless gazes were fixed on the two on the stage, as if fearing to disturb their duel.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Almost in the next instant,
Gazef and Brain moved simultaneously. Although there was a distance of about twenty meters between them, with just a brief charge, the two had already collided.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Two sword-like weapons instantly clashed, erupting in intense sparks.
"So fast."
Tang Zheng's eyes showed astonishment; his gaze could only barely catch their figures. Especially the swords they wielded, he couldn't see them clearly at all.
He could only see the continuous sparks appearing around them.
Tang Zheng tilted his head back.
They were simply not the same kind of beings as ordinary people!
The power displayed during their clash was something that couldn't be fully felt when watching anime.
Witnessing this level of battle firsthand, Tang Zheng truly understood the unbridgeable chasm between ordinary people and these powerhouses!
This was only around level 20?
Suddenly, Tang Zheng inexplicably felt a bit of the despair Nail Clipper must have felt when facing Shalltear.
The title "Nail Clipper" was certainly not a derogatory term!
Whoosh—
On the stage, a faint blue light suddenly flashed around Brain's body.
The next moment!
Brain appeared behind Gazef as if teleporting.
However!
Gazef seemed to have anticipated it, rolling his body and re-establishing a distance.
"Is this a Martial Art?" Tang Zheng's eyes widened a bit.
"Martial Arts" are a unique skill of the New World, not found in the game "YGGDRASIL"; they can be understood as a warrior's magic.
Their use requires consuming something called "Concentration," which is simply mental focus. The more Martial Arts used, the more the brain becomes fatigued.
It's a stat that doesn't exist in the game, but it's closer to reality.
Whether in the anime or the light novel, the power demonstrated by "Martial Arts" is actually not weak.
It's just that the level limitations of humans make Martial Arts seem not as strong.
Suddenly—
Buzz!
Tang Zheng's attribute panel appeared before his eyes.
'Skill "Flow Acceleration" discovered. Requires basic warrior-type profession. Current conditions not met...'
'"Genius" profession activated. Successfully converted, learning conditions met. Consume 1 skill point to learn?'
Tang Zheng saw the information appearing on the attribute panel, and a look of surprise and realization appeared in his eyes. He muttered to himself, "So this is how skill points are used!"