BPWBD 60

CHAPTER 60……………….

Not long ago, Ijef had been Daniel’s top disciple, so it was better for him not to run into Daniel. But since Asterios had no idea what Gregorian’s real intentions were, he could not guarantee Ijef’s safety.

With no other choice, Asterios warned Ijef to be wary of Gregorian, and they each decided to investigate their designated opponents to uncover Graham’s schemes.

“Hundreds of years old, yet still playing around the same way. Anyway, good luck to you all. I wonder who will be left standing at the end to face me.”

At last, Mephisto—who had been quietly sipping his tea—spoke, releasing his distinct aura.

From the very first word, arrogance dripped from his tone, but it was, in a way, just like him.

“Oh-ho~ We’ll see how long you can keep up that composure. Already cast out of His Majesty’s favor, yet still so confident—are you just not thinking at all?”

Displeased by the sight, Edwin narrowed his eyes at Mephisto and mocked him. After all, Mephisto had kidnapped the princess, which surely cost him points as a candidate.

But Mephisto seemed utterly unaffected.

“Well, perhaps it’s just that I’m confident in my skills? If the Emperor of Dreat were the type of petty man to let the past dictate the tournament, he wouldn’t have sent me an invitation in the first place.”

Everyone had already heard the rumor that Roziana herself had sent him a letter. The fact that the Emperor and the princess had extended such an invitation, and that Mephisto had accepted both the proposal and the competition, caused quite a stir throughout Dreat.

Still, Edwin, who had lingering resentment against him, glared. He fully intended to make Mephisto pay for smashing the tower’s pinnacle and ripping open the cage.

But the fact remained—Mephisto was a strong contender for victory. Some candidates even avoided him or hid when he appeared.

The very fact that Mephisto had taken the central chamber, as if he were serious about the tournament for once, showed just how earnest he was.

The central square housed lounges and rest areas for the candidates. Notices and announcements of each round’s winners would be posted there.

Although attendants would deliver results to each candidate’s quarters, the fastest and most accurate news always appeared first in the square.

Thus, claiming a central room was not only practical but also a statement of dominance.

Candidates chose their rooms in the order they arrived. Mephisto, who arrived first, unpacked in the chamber closest to the square.

And directly opposite him was Edwin’s room. Edwin, who had been waiting impatiently for room assignments, rushed the night before to secure the chamber facing Mephisto’s once he learned the man had taken the first.

The long corridor branched out from the square, lined with spacious guest chambers in pairs. At the far end, past the banquet hall, dining room, training yard, and library, lay the Emperor’s audience hall and the grand ballroom of the central palace.

At that moment, the chief attendant walked out from the corridor of the central palace and called out into the square:

“Candidates, please gather and listen.”

At his words, the competitors flocked toward the square like clouds.

The four men having tea there also turned and paid attention.

“From today, the competition to determine Princess Roziana’s betrothed will begin. The tournament will consist of three rounds. The final victor shall hold an engagement ceremony with Her Highness.”

Many of the candidates flushed, each no doubt picturing himself standing beside the princess at the ceremony.

“All candidates must wear the chokers provided in their rooms. As you have been instructed, only those wearing the choker may participate in the contest. The choker may only be removed upon forfeiture or completion. Please choose carefully before putting it on.”

The attendant’s sharp gaze reinforced the point.

Once worn, the choker could not be removed at will. Any violation of the rules would trigger a burst of magical shock, knocking the wearer unconscious.

The brutal penalty only heightened the tension.

“The first round is a contest chosen by His Majesty, designed to test both combat ability and mental fortitude.”

At the mention of mental fortitude, several candidates’ faces twisted in dismay.

“You must mine the special ore that grows only on the peak of Secret Fog within one day. Gather what you need and prepare. Departure will be right after this evening’s meal.”

The announcement left many stunned, as if struck by lightning.

“Secret Fog?”

“By the heavens, that’s the Mountain of Hallucinations.”

“They want us to go there at night? Isn’t that suicide?”

Secret Fog was a mountain of oblivion, showing illusions of one’s weaknesses until travelers lost their way.

It was the very place where Asterios had once summoned Edwin to deliver the shattered cup, while hiding his true identity.

“Even in broad daylight, people vanish there by the dozens. To set out at night and return by morning—it’s no different from ordering us to risk our lives!”

The square erupted in protest. But if one chose to compete, then stamina, wealth, dragon power, or magic—everything had to be poured into meeting the condition for victory.

Amid the chaos, the four men at the center remained unusually calm.

“Well then, I must deliver this to His Holiness. Let us all do our best.”

Daniel rose, white priest’s robes billowing, and greeted the other three.

Their gazes tangled, each wary of the other.

Daniel glaring at Edwin.
Asterios watching Daniel with sharp eyes.
Mephisto turning to his room, Edwin staring holes into his back.

“Best of luck.”

Mephisto, whose room was closest, muttered a single line before stepping inside. Just before the door shut, his cold gaze pierced Asterios.

‘What was that?’

That man.

Asterios felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Clack!

Inside his chamber, Mephisto donned the prepared choker without hesitation.

With a click, the magic device locked around his neck, tightening with a faint hum until it fit snugly.

The central jewel blinked with light—signifying successful registration.

“Hiii~ Welcome, Master. This Naer’s body has been burning up while waiting for you~”

Naer, his attendant, massaged his shoulders and guided him to a comfortable seat.

Mephisto stretched across the couch, surrendering to her languid touch.

“So, the first round is a trip to Secret Fog, hm? If you need anything, I’ll prepare it for you, haa~”

“There’s no need. I’ll just go. Illusions mean nothing to me.”

The hallucinations of Secret Fog were negligible before the ruler of the Demon Realm. He needed no special preparations.

Naer had expected as much and continued her massage with a pleased hum.

“Was it nice, meeting your friends again, Your Highness?”

The fact that all those “friends” were men pleased Naer immensely. Most of the candidates in the annex were men, as were the majority of attendants.

Everywhere she turned, masculine pheromones filled the air. To her, this place was like a well-prepared buffet—if only she were allowed to feast freely.

‘Ahh, what a pity.’

She licked her lips and looked back at Mephisto.

But his eyes remained shut, a frown furrowing his brow.

“Mmm~ Why does my lord seem so displeased?” she asked sweetly.

“…All I’ve touched is her forehead.”

Though softly muttered, Naer instantly grasped his meaning.

Ahh—jealousy.

Of course, it was because of that wretched Asterios, or rather Tenebres.

That lucky bastard had shared more time with Princess Roziana, even vanishing with her for hours in the cage.

When Mephisto had torn open her pocket dimension, he found her straddling Asterios, pinning him down. How close must they have been in that time?

Just recalling it made Mephisto’s head burn.

Even earlier, he had forced himself to act indifferent while drinking cup after cup of scalding tea, staring at that handsome face.