The shackles were also put on, the chains scraping against the stone road, and each scratch they left made Mika's shoulders feel heavier, as if he was carrying the shadow of all deaths.

Mika's face, however, remained expressionless.

Undeniably, he had reached the end of this path, and this was the price to pay for showing off in front of Qili.

Regret was useless.

That one kiss, more exhilarating than a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit by numerous times.

"Truly gutsy."

Lockhart, who was dragging Mika, couldn't help but look at him with admiration. Anyone else would have wet their pants long ago; what was this guy smiling at?

Soon, Mika was escorted by the fully armed Imperial Guard through the passage.

First came a blinding flash of light.

After gradually fading, the whole venue became clear, and the gazes of those eyes, like a frozen lake, carried a chilling coldness that felt like countless transparent garrotes tightening around him.

The top sixteen contestants, nobles from various countries, spectators, members of the Military Government, Church henchmen, Phoenix…

Not a single one wasn't staring at him, eyes fixated.

The imminence of death gradually coalesced, overshadowing the earlier joy.

Yet…

Regret was useless.

The furious joy was bound to bring a furious ending.

As Zote's coffin lid was unveiled, it hadn't even been on display for a few seconds before being urgently closed and dragged backstage by the Holy Knights of the Eternal Sect.

Yet everyone understood the intention behind that sudden news.

This grand gift was sent by the notorious East Sea Bandits.

Now, the Royal Court could no longer play deaf; they had to make a statement immediately!

Liszt and his group took care of Zote. Would this balance out the pros and cons, or would it be an execution regardless?

Liszt also deeply understood that since last year's train incident, all pursuits by the Alan Royal Court were merely projects for the bloated Military Government to profit from, without taking them seriously.

If the high-level of the Royal Court truly took it seriously, not even a hundred Heaven Ports could withstand it. The wise should retreat to advance; the current situation could only be pacified tactically.

Even if that pacification was coffin-delivery intimidation.

Mika, escorted by Lockhart, passed one top sixteen contestant after another.

Louis, Bai Xing… these people were all tongue-tied, sending a coffin to the Emperor, truly the most ruthless person on the Western Continent. To be honest, dying violently on the spot was already the best outcome; being thrown into the Northern Prison, you'd suffer.

Kai Deng's eyes widened, with several "wow" racing through his mind; Liszt's play, she really couldn't handle it, it was too high-end.

She had never taken anyone's nonsense in her life, Diaz was just used to fish out Gold Coins like a sucker; now, she only respected this tattoo-faced dude more than a doctor.

No really, what did Liszt give you, you really put yourself out there?

Passing by Saleret.

It left the taciturn tough guy Saleret dumbfounded. Theoretically, this was the time to explain everything, what was Liszt thinking, reveal it all, and bring Liszt back.

But now everything was in chaos, hadn't you left already, boss?

Saleret stepped forward to say something.

Mika only gave him a look, telling him to do nothing; if even the Continent Martial Arts Competition bronze medalist was wasted, then everything would be wasted.

In the end, Mika was taken to stand in front of Gedre, facing the Royal Family's special seat, Lockhart kicked him, and with the immense force, Mika immediately knelt on the ground.

All sounds retreated to the edge of nothingness, the entire venue was dominated by a cold and stern killing atmosphere, and all flowers and gold foil carried the burning of death.

The scene was eerily quiet; how could a venue of over ten thousand people have such little noise, even whispers were rare.

The situation was completely out of Phoenix's control, he just froze on the throne, gripping the armrests, wanting to stand, but not knowing what to say.

Overlord Descendant, Zote's body, his mind couldn't process it.

The heads of the departments of the Military Government sat in their seats, expressions fascinating, only to say that they had lived to see this.

Cicero was furious, since the founding of New Aran, such a direct affront to the Royal Court was the first; Phoenix couldn't handle it, he had to resolve it personally.

Without waiting for him to speak.

Qiande, quick to respond, to avoid leaving handles, compromising the Church Court's dignity, was going to cut down Mika on the spot!

A swording suddenly erupted, more thunderous than a rumble of thunder.

With a dull clang.

Lockhart parried the blow.

The two-time martial arts champions faced off, and not even the wind dared to form, as chaotic air currents scattered everywhere.

If Mika were to die now, it would cause a huge scandal that could not be contained.

Just like how they treated the Chief of the Witch Hunting Secret Department in the past, such a big matter must be publicly tried to set an example.

A group of Imperial Guards, Royal Knights, and Royal City Army members intervened to protect Mika. Until Phoenix or Cicero Augustus gave the order, this person must not die.

Qiande's face was ashen, and behind him, the Holy Knight, the Time Sword, and the Judgement Court all swarmed forward.

The scene was like a powder keg ready to explode.

But the High Priest in the church's special seat gestured to Qiande not to act rashly, thinking it was just as well. For so many years, despite the Royal Court's relentless pursuit, they couldn't catch the person, yet he was killed by a group of pirates. Let's see how the Royal Court handles this.

Qiande looked at Lockhart with contempt, sheathed his sword, and a cold smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

The twists and turns left Ben, dressed in court attire, stunned as if his heart was on a roller-coaster ride. Mr. Mai, you're not dead yet?

"Everyone, halt. This diversion brought by the East Sea Bandits to the Continent Martial Arts Competition is indeed surprising. Now, tell us how you did it, how you deceived everyone."

Cicero suppressed his anger, standing on the high platform, questioning Mika.

Qili also rushed out from the dressing room, but only stood at the edge of the viewing seats, her hands resting on the railing, watching the man in the arena.

The coffin needs to be explained by the person who placed it inside.

The execution-like atmosphere pressed down like a mountain. Mika was extremely uneasy, cold sweat dripping from his forehead, his tongue tied.

This is not the end! I must survive.

I must think of the most meticulous, watertight rhetoric, yet after nearly ten seconds, not a word could come out.

But with so many people watching, this mess had to be cleared up quickly, even a mute had to speak.

Lockhart kicked again with such force that Mika's internal organs quivered, causing him to vomit a mouthful of clear water, forcing him to say whatever came to mind.

Saleret stared intently.

"I... we killed Zote in Mulong, solving a great calamity of Old Aran, hoping to atone for our sins..."

Mika hadn't finished speaking.

Cicero wasn't interested in hearing this. He raised his hand to stop him. He didn't want to hear whether Liszt's group wanted to assert dominance or show weakness and submit. The Royal Court's stance couldn't be manipulated by a group of insignificant pirates; its dignity must not be challenged. He thumbed down, signaling Lockhart to kill him.

A cracking sound.

A sword swung through the air, and Mika's head flew more than ten meters away, with blood gushing from the severed neck along with strange black iron shards.

The Dark Magic Rune tattoos burst open from his body, forming a passage for Calirabos's Annihilation Domain to reach the present world.

Ghost Eye foresaw this uncontrollable scene.

Mika was kicked to vomit a mouthful of clear water, forcing him to say whatever came to mind.

"I... we..."

Before Mika could finish speaking.

Though Saleret wasn't skilled in scheming, he roughly guessed what was going on. Since Cicero wanted Mika to speak, he only wanted to hear the course of events, disregarding anything else. The Royal Court couldn't be influenced by Liszt, a pirate leader, offering both threats and rewards.

The underlying logic was like this.

But actually...

The Royal Court was already put in an awkward position by Liszt's move. Aiming to atone for sins only further complicated the situation for the Royal Court; it was hard to discuss even a bit. The imperialists in the audience, foreign guests, how many were laughing at them?

Cicero now was representing Aran, and there was no room for Mika's insolence, only the objective facts could be spoken, not the stance nor intent.

Instead, now Cicero wanted... Mika to give him a way out!

Among all the foreseen possibilities, there was only this one solution.

Saleret stepped forward.

The gloomy manic atmosphere on the scene was eerily intimidating, with everyone craving a tumultuous conclusion.

Liszt still held Saleret's blood relative as a hostage, so he had no choice but to step forward and speak under tremendous pressure.

"I have a deep-seated grudge against Liszt and his men, so I participated in the Continent Martial Arts Competition, hoping to gain a minor official position and lead troops to attack Heaven Port. Nothing Liszt wants to do can change the fact that they are a band of desperadoes; you'd better recount the events in full detail."

Saleret reminded Mika.

Mika's back was drenched with sweat, desperately trying to understand the meaning behind Saleret's words.

Black Sword Netherflame gestured with a throat-slicing motion towards Saleret, telling him to stop speaking recklessly, or else, whether he was a champion or not, it would make no difference.

Mika's throat moved as he swallowed, having to reorganize his words and speak them out.