The clock now read 4:00 AM.
It had been four hours since the first "friendly" duel began.
And for the first time,
Frey felt a faint burn in the muscles of his arms .. just a touch of strain.
’It seems I’m starting to grow weary.’
He sighed, turning toward the crowd that still surrounded him.
Despite all the time that had passed,
the number of spectators hadn’t decreased in the slightest.
There were over seventy thousand soldiers stationed at the camp.
But Frey saw no point in continuing this any further.
"That’s enough for today, everyone.
The next one will be the last."
He announced with finality.
The crowd instantly erupted into protest.
"Wait! My turn’s still far off! I’ve been waiting forever!"
"Please, Lord Starlight .. we need your insight!"
One after another, they pleaded,
and Frey frowned reflexively.
’Are these really the Empire’s strongest soldiers?
Because it feels like I’m surrounded by a bunch of kids.’
He didn’t understand it.
But what Frey didn’t realize was that he had already earned their admiration.
He hadn’t seen himself fight.
He didn’t know how mesmerizing his combat style looked to others.
Thanks to Shadow Adaptation, Frey had become immune to most combat styles in the world ..
especially now that he had nearly mastered the first phase of the ability.
He might still struggle against truly complex techniques, but the soldiers before him were far too basic.
Dealing with them had been effortless.
Despite their insistence, Frey had already made up his mind.
One more match, then this was over.
Because if he gave in to their demands now, he’d be here until sunrise.
Faced with his firm stance, the soldiers could only accept it.
and the lucky challenger was just about to step into the ring...
But at the last moment,
someone unexpected stepped forward,
his voice ringing out loud and clear:
"Would you allow me the honor, Lord Starlight?"
It was a voice most had never heard before .. but to Frey... it felt familiar.
The surrounding soldiers turned in frustration, wondering who this arrogant newcomer was that dared to cut in.
And then they saw him.
His presence alone ..along with the escorts that flanked him ..caused the air around them to grow colder.
A stunning young man stood there ..
with long, sky-blue hair, a light beard that hinted at maturity, and a body that radiated crushing pressure.
Many recognized him instantly ..he was one of the commanders selected to lead the Empire’s massive army.
All eyes were now fixed on him ..and on the entourage that followed.
He hadn’t come alone. Dozens of beautiful women accompanied him.
Frey showed little reaction, but it was clear from the look in his eyes—
He wasn’t pleased to see this man.
The current Lord of House Moonlight, accompanied by several sons and daughters of his bloodline.
Beside him walked Seris Moonlight as well.
It seemed the Church had restored her severed arm.
Unlike Frost ..who had refused such intervention and continued to live with one arm since the tragedy that struck House Moonlight two years ago.
Seris looked far more stunning than she once had ..
maturity now graced her features.
"It’s been a while, Frey... I see you’re still as radiant as ever."
She initiated the conversation herself ..
something highly uncharacteristic of her.
Frey responded with a calm smile.
"I’m nothing compared to you. Your beauty alone has stolen the spotlight from me."
He motioned toward the soldiers whose jaws had collectively dropped at the sight of her.
He realized he was no longer the star of the show.
The soldiers instantly caught on that he was referring to them, and many of them straightened up awkwardly ..
prompting a round of unexpected laughter from both Frost and Seris.
House Moonlight, once known for its icy detachment, suddenly seemed... warmer.
That surprised Frey more than anything.
Turning his attention back to Frost—who had been staring at him since the beginning—Frey finally gave his answer.
"I don’t mind dueling you, Lord Frost.
But the decision isn’t mine to make ..it belongs to the soldier whose turn you’re trying to steal."
Frey gestured toward a middle-aged man standing in line ..a commoner with no known background ..
a man who had been waiting patiently for his long-awaited chance to face him.
If Frost wanted to fight Frey,
he would have to ask that man for permission.
Frey had no intention of yielding ..
even to the lord of a great noble house.
It might have seemed disrespectful,
but Frey didn’t care much for titles or noble lineage.
Surprisingly, his words didn’t provoke any offense from Lord Frost Moonlight.
Instead, the man nodded with a faint smile and walked straight up to the waiting soldier.
Then, without hesitation, he bowed his head.
"Forgive me, brave warrior.
Would you allow me to take this duel in your place?
Do me this favor, and I will never forget your kindness."
Frost’s words ..his tone ..his humility in addressing a mere foot soldier...
left the crowd stunned.
Even Frey’s expression shifted slightly.
The arrogant lord of noble blood ..Frost Moonlight ..bowing to a nameless commoner?
Frey never imagined he’d witness such a thing in his lifetime.
The only ones who didn’t look surprised were Frost’s family members.
They had known for a long time that something inside him had changed.
With her eyes closed, Seris nodded softly,
a satisfied smile on her face at her cousin’s gesture.
As for the soldier, he could only nod repeatedly in flustered agreement,
still overwhelmed by the situation.
Frost expressed his gratitude before turning back to face Frey.
"Will this do, Frey Starlight?"
He asked, meeting his eyes.
Frey nodded and gestured for him to step forward.
"Then let’s begin, Lord Frost Moonlight."
Frost returned the gesture with solemn weight ..
then took his first step into the arena.
"You won’t be able to beat him."
Those were the words Seris spoke as he passed by her.
Frost didn’t deny it.
He simply kept walking... with a soft smile.
The Frey standing before him now...
was nothing like the reckless boy he had once faced two years ago.
Back then, Frey had been immature. Powerless. Insignificant.
But now... when he looked into those black eyes, deep and hollow like an abyss ..
Frost realized he was facing a monster.
A beast powerful enough to shake the world.
"Come to me... Spear of Ice—Reimshard."
Summoning his radiant weapon, Frost’s body erupted with a terrifying aura of frozen power ..
so cold that the air around them began to freeze over.
The current Lord of House Moonlight had become far stronger than before.
Frey could sense it clearly ..
his opponent’s strength had reached the peak of S+ class.
He had climbed two full ranks since their last encounter.
Facing an opponent unleashing his full might, Frey raised his hand as well.
"Come to me... Demon-Slayer—Dark Sister."
Gripping the black katana in his right hand,
Frey responded to Frost’s freezing aura with one of his own ..
then pointed the blade toward him.