[Rank: 2]

[Points: 41,500] 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

[Style: None]

[Martial Rank: High Stage Martial Grandmaster]

[Notes: Nothing]

...

World Seas, somewhere close to the Black Rock Island.

A small ship crashed through the towering walls, and on the deck, dark-suited men in raincoats looked over to the distance at the distant island surrounded by rocks.

In that moment, one of their satellite phones went off, and he answered.

"Hmm? Okay... Good."

It was a brief conversation, and then he said it to everyone else who wasn’t listening to the satellite phone call.

"You two were chosen..."

Wilhelm Kruger leaned against the railing, looking over to the Black Rock Island, and just nodded briefly.

There was never a question whether they would be chosen or not. It only mattered whether the Human Government dared to accept them as representative.

However, to have a greater chance of winning the tournament, the Human Government needed the strength of the Dark Countries.

They had come here with the Dark Council members of the Dark Countries—the Dark Council was a council made of high-status members of the Dark Countries.

Thus, they were basically their very own government outside the Human Government, and made their own "laws" that were applied in the Dark Countries.

There weren’t many laws, so they were basically the war commanders if the Human Government one day decided to wage war against them.

"Shall we head to the Black Rock then? I am tired of these stormy seas, as my seasickness is not really liking it."

Young Helvetti said.

With nods, the ship headed towards the Black Rock and docked at the base of the rocks, where they took off the ship and made their way up to the castle.

When they were approaching the black castle, powerful auras crashed down on them. It was from the Beast Lords, who were keeping watch.

They had noticed their ship a long time ago.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

A long-maned Beast Lord asked with his pupils looking like slits.

"We’ve brought Wilhelm Kruger and Young Helvetti to the location of the tournament. I ask you to stand aside."

In front of the dark-suited man, a white-haired man said—he had a rather young face even though it was older than anyone present.

He was Imperius Rex!

"Imperius Rex... The Pirate Immortal. Why are you here?"

Beast Lords asked in surprise.

While Imperius hadn’t been actually at sea for a couple of hundred years now, after he became Pirate Immortal, he had actually become quite a prominent member in the Dark Countries.

Thus, to make sure that Wilhelm and Helvetti would get safely to the Black Rock Island, he joined to escort them.

"I am human, after all, so what do you think?"

Imperius asked with a smirk.

"You? A human? That’s funny. You’re closer to a demon than human."

Beast Lord said with a scoff.

"Beast King Vladimir would like you to go to him first with these two representatives of yours. That’s non-negotiable."

Another Beast Lord, who looked like a rhino with a bulging broad chest and a horn protruding from his forehead, said

The horn was the length of a sword and could easily pierce through armor.

"Oh? Beast King Vladimir has taken this castle for himself? This Black Rock Island still belongs to humans, so how bold of him."

Imperius said with a scoff.

"Actually... This is part of the neutral ground, right in the middle of the Animal Kingdom territory and human territory. Which is why this place was chosen as the location of the tournament."

A bear Beast Lord said.

"It has been officially recognized as part of human territory since the golden age of humans. I don’t know where this misconception of it being neutral ground came from.

"You, animals, sure like to take territory that isn’t yours and claim it as your own."

Imperius said with a smirk.

The dozen Beast Lords growled. Their auras shot forward. But Imperius’ shield of aura protected them all from their aggression.

"Lord Imperius, it isn’t wise to pick a fight with him."

A dark-suited man whispered into his ear.

"I was just playing around; I would love to meet Beast King Vladimir. I have always been wondering whether he is as stupid as the rumors say."

Imperius said with an innocent smile.

"How dare you insult our King?!"

"You should have your tongue cut out for speaking such blasphemy!"

"Know your place, False Immortal trash!"

"Beast King Vladimir is True Immortal, and he would crush you with one finger!"

Beast Lords’s rageful shouts echoed throughout the dark cloudy sky, and they would’ve already lunged at Imperius if they weren’t under the orders of Beast King.

"Enough... Let them pass!"

In that moment, Beast King Vladimir’s voice came from inside the black castle. It sounded very real. As if he were speaking right next to them.

"Heh~"

Imperius stepped forward and smiled at the Beast Lords, who thought they couldn’t become angrier, but seeing that smile, they realized they were wrong.

’Imperius is the world’s greatest ragebaiter.’

Young Helvetti thought with a smile.

They entered the castle, made their way down the rock hallways, and arrived at the spacious throne room.

On the throne, Beast King Vladimir was sitting lazily with his legs dangling over the edges, and Animal Kingdom’s representatives were also present in the room.

"Beast King Vladimir. What an honor."

Imperius put his hand to his chest and bowed.

"Pirate Immortal... The legendary evil of the seas. I remember my father talking about you. I think you almost killed him during his youth."

Beast King Vladimir said.

"Yes, yes, I probably should’ve after seeing what you became."

Imperius said with a grin.

"Hmph... I was already born before your two’s encounter. If you had killed him, you would’ve just given me greater motivation to grow stronger, and I would’ve already hunted you down and killed you."

Beast King Vladimir said.

There was no falsehood in his tone.

In another alternative reality, where Imperius killed his father, he would’ve already met his demise in the hands of the Beast King Vladimir.

"How lucky of me then."

Imperius said.