At first, as it pierced through the cloud, it looked no bigger than a dot. However, as it started drawing closer, one could see the true size of the thing.
The spectators all had their eyes glued to the sky. Finally, when the thing was only a few hundred meters above the coliseum, could they make out what it actually was.
Wide outstretched wings that could seemingly blot out the sun, a majestic body, and sharp beak and talons. With each beat of its wings, it sent wild gusts into the surrounding forcing everyone to hold onto their items and stirring dust in the arena.
The thing that appeared was a Gryffin.
"It’s a Gryffin!!" Someone shouted out, providing information to those who knew nothing about the beast.
FLAP... FLAP... At this moment, the majestic beast slowly landed on the arena, its sheer size and magnitude taking away the breath of the spectators.
What was a Gryffin, a beast that was designated as [S] rank monster, doing here?
Some of the ignorant knights who knew nothing immediately drew out their weapons. However, when they looked who it was that was riding on top of such a majestic beast, they came to an understanding.
Standing on the wide back of the beast, holding onto the reins was a knight decked out in an obsidian black armor with a sleek design and grace that was fitted to allow swift movement and precision. Flowing behind her was a half-cloak that trails like a shadow in flight.
The one who appeared was none other than the Vice Commander of the Black Gryffin Legion. She stood there on top of the mighty beast, perfectly balanced and with effortless grace even while it moved.
For a second there, the audience where all mesmerised by the scene in front of them.
So this is a Knight from the Black Gryffin Legion, what presence!! They all thought inside their heads.
After landing, the vice commander of the Black Gryffin Legion dropped down from her mount and walked towards her opponent with poise and power.
"As I thought, it was a Black Gryffin after all."
Seated on his seat, Reinhardt muttered to himself, his eyes narrowed. He could see those feathers and fur shimmering with a dark, metallic sheen, black as midnight, but edged with streaks of violet and silver, like storm clouds lit by lightning.
The magnificent beast’s eyes glowed with a cold, intelligent fire, and its talons looked sharp enough to tear through anything. If a fully grown adult Gryffin is considered [S] rank, then the one in front of him would very well be beyond that.
With the two participants present in the scene, the stage was all set. The Queen officially initiated the match. Her declaration caused the crowd to be speechless.
How could the Exhibition match start with that demi human still standing on the stage? The platform that she was standing on was where the knights, the sworn protectors of the realm, display their skill and enduring will.
More importantly, each knight standing on that stage represented one’s Kingdom, its values and culture.
Obviously, the Vice Commander represented her Kingdom of Aetherion. Then does that mean... that demi human was representing their Kingdom of Solaris? Impossible!!
Many who came to the same realisation shook their heads in disbelief. What was the queen thinking, setting up a match like this? What was the Order of the Temple of Light, one of the Seven Great Orders, and led by none other than that Reinhardt, thinking?
"Haha, look at all of their faces," Vaerion laughe,d seeing the ugly expressions of the nobles sitting in their lofty seats.
"What the Queen of Solaris and Divine Paladin is trying to achieve is inconceivable and unprecedented. Things are only bound to get more complicated from this point on," Diana glanced at the two participants on the stage.
"You are right. Now that things have come to this point, there is no stopping this tide. After all, the Vice Commander of my legion is also a demi human" the Dark Knight grinned.
At this moment, the vice commander of the Black Gryffin Legion slowly took off her helm and allowed everyone to see her appearance. A beautiful, elegant face, her eyes were of dark gold colour.
Skin like bourbon, she had angular crescent eyebrows that contained an inborn tenaciousness and willpower. She had long silver hair braided tightly along he sides with the rest cascading freely down her back, interwoven with black gryffin feathers.
Given her appearance, anyone could see that she was an extremely beautiful woman, though she had that serious and intimidating aura about her, it only added to her charm.
It was all fine up until this point. However, when others laid their eyes on the side of her hair, they were shocked to see a sight that made them dumbfounded.
Long pointy ears, an inborn feature of a particular race, the elves. Dark skin, silver hair and those ears... There was no doubt, she was a dark elf.
The Vice Commander of the Black Griffin Legion was a demi human!!
When the audience became aware of this very fact, they became speechless once again. What is going on? What is the meaning of this?
The Exhibition Match is a sacred trial in every kingdom, and only knights who are famous or are recognised by the people are allowed to participate in it. Yet in this exhibition match, the notion was toppled in its head entirely.
Madness, this was utter madness.
Up on the elevated platform where the King and Queen were, multiple noblemen were currently crowding the place, protesting.
"You Majesties, please consider again. This place, the likes of demi humans cannot be allowed to stand, much less fight in this match".
One of them was even a high noble.
"It is rare to see you all band together on a single issue. You say that something like this cannot be allowed? However, I recall that there are no rules specifically stating that the demi humans cannot participate in the Exhibition Match. The rules only state that the other party must be a knight."
The Queen slowly rested her face on her hand and smiled playfully. Of course, her face, hidden by the veil, couldn’t be seen.