Supreme Paragon Reborn: Humanity's Rise To Galactic Supremacy-Chapter 366: Perfect Match Made In Hell
For better or worse, the surroundings didn’t boast any unique characteristics. A vast, mostly plain field with rather thin vegetation and even fewer trees.
Perhaps because this was the semifinals of the tournament, the Emperor had made sure to minimize the potential ways the broadcast view could be obscured, be it by sand, debris, or thick forests.
As a consequence, deploying guerrilla warfare tactics was made nearly impossible. At the very least, the Indomitable Alliance would not be easily flanked due to the lack of cover.
"Listen well!" Victoria’s voice echoed across the vicinity, drawing the attention of everybody present.
She was but a mere Peak Grandmaster, yet the fact that Michael had placed her in command spoke volumes about his belief in her abilities.
Her piercing gaze did not waver, even in the presence of the mighty Lords, making her determination unmistakably clear.
"Today, we stand before the Golden Vanguard, widely believed to be the strongest faction in existence! Yet not only is their King absent, prohibited from joining, but even their Supreme Lords have not bothered to attend this clash!" She roared.
"For the sin of underestimating us, they shall pay dearly! Let them learn the terror the aliens experience when faced with the edge of our blades! Ingrain the pure dread of defeat in their spirits! Demonstrate the effort of your training and our synchronized harmony! Follow me to victory!"
Regardless of the level of the clash, whether it was rookies facing their first real battle or veterans embarking on a mission from which most would not return alive, one truth held for all human soldiers.
Morale was one of the most powerful weapons a large army could wield.
"Glory to Mankind!" Eager to obey her command, the soldiers shouted in unison.
The scene reminded Michael of the time he first returned to the base on Triton. Even then, Victoria carried the inextinguishable flame of leadership embedded in her very soul.
Michael had simply helped her stoke that inferno, allowing her to reach new heights.
Facing the Golden Vanguard was proof of Victoria’s long journey as a granddaughter, a soldier, a leader, and above all... a human.
Still in the midst of finding their bearings, five lightning bolts soared high into the sky from the direction of the Golden Vanguard’s castle.
Unwilling to prolong the battle, the five Absolute Lords, wielding the power to shift the scales of combat in their favor, advanced eagerly, intent on destroying the Indomitable Alliance.
"This is our cue." Michael mused out loud.
Before he and the others chosen to face them departed, Victoria clasped his hand softly.
"Once again, thank you. You will not regret giving me the command."
"I know." He flashed her a warm smile. "I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t trust you."
Blushing slightly, with a faint smile, she let go.
Immediately, he soared to meet the Absolute Lords.
Of course, unable to underestimate even a single of his enemies, Michael was not alone. Alongside him were the Transcendent Lords Robert, Cayson, Astra, and Sirius.
Five versus five, the numbers of the troops had been even out. Yet the Indomitable Alliance still faced a massive disadvantage. A single Transcendent Lord was simply no match for an Absolute Lord.
However, diverting any Radiant Lords from the central clash would have severely weakened the Indomitable Alliance while providing little to no benefit.
A Lord couldn’t possibly face a cultivator two full stages above their own.
With the sole exception of Michael, that is.
So, they had no choice but to make do.
Anticipating the most spectacular clash, the majority of the drones were hot on Michael’s tail, ready to broadcast the battle to the whole world.
Given the vast battlefield, it took some time for Michael’s squad to reach the main forces of the Golden Vanguard around the center.
"Mister Michael." Eliza shocked everybody as she gave a small bow.
"A part of me regrets that we must meet each other in battle, yet another part of me is delighted that I have the chance to face the most promising rising star of the cultivation world." She admitted.
Having been assigned to watch over Michael’s family while he was on Triton and later on Neptune, there were truly no hard feelings between them. Only mutual respect.
The same could be said about Lord Elina, having secretly observed Michael’s movements on Neptune. Found that the best way to describe her feelings toward him would be intrigued.
"It seems we feel the same way." He exclaimed with a warm smile. The drones were too far away to record their conversation, leaving the live viewers to suspect that they were taunting each other.
"You might possess a certain charm, but don’t think we’re going to hold back!" A mischievous smile spread across Elina’s face.
Michael shook his head. "On the contrary, I hope you give me the best you’ve got."
The four Transcendent Lords behind him split up in pairs of two.
Astra and Sirius, once the leader and the second-in-command of the Flawless Starlight, shared a strong bond. They were to face one of the male Absolute Lords.
Though Robert and Cayson hadn’t shared a faction in the past, their teamwork proved satisfactory enough to hopefully stall the other male Absolute Lord.
That left Michael standing before Eliza, Elina, and Freya simultaneously.
"Oh, goddess gracious!" Freya gasped dramatically, putting a hand over her mouth. "You intend to face all three by yourself? Are you one of those masochists who secretly enjoy being dominated by women?"
She licked her lips seductively.
"If that’s the case, we might just turn out to be a perfect match~"
Michael chuckled with an apologetic grin. "Forgive me, but even if I appear suicidal, I’m not that foolish. Facing the three of you at once would hardly end well for me."
Summoning Devil into his sword form, he dropped it to the ground. "I trust you won’t object if I rely on the assistance of my partner? Fear not, Lady Freya... I wholeheartedly believe he will be your perfect match."
Under the stunned gazes of everyone present, Michael’s sword trembled, shapeshifting into a two-and-a-half-meter humanoid form. Bearing a muscular frame and a single black pupil that scanned the world in inhumane cruelty.
"Ah...!" A wide feral smile spread across Devil’s face as he stretched his massive arms out to the sides.
This was it! He was no longer hiding. Finally, the truth of his existence was revealed.
No longer would he act like a coward, striking only from the shadows before his enemies could sense him.
Relying on assassinations and sneaking around was a tactic for the powerless and timid wimps... it did not suit him at all!
"HAHAHAHA!" He erupted into monstrous laughter, glaring at the enemies before him.
"What the hell is this?" The Lords found themselves momentarily frozen under Devil’s gaze, murmuring the same question that was on everyone’s mind.
Ultimately, his gaze settled on Freya. Destiny itself seemed to have forged them as a perfect match made in hell. Her tastelessly provocative clothing, which clung to her body, leaving little to the imagination, revealed the full extent of her filthy nature. Hollow leeches like her had to be outrageous, for they possessed neither true elegance nor any hint of subtle allure!
"Sadly, I have yet to regain my colossal manhood." Devil flexed his arms in declaration. "So you will have to settle for choking on my claws instead!"
