The court magician Eustace is responsible for the Aran Court's dragon research. Besides the special silver dragon that was stolen a year ago, there are flying dragons as property.

Some of these flying dragons have also been tamed.

Aran's first prince, Soloren Tartaros, keeps a watchful eye on tonight's situation, knowing that tonight will have a profound impact on Aran's political landscape. That person wants Phoenix to completely replace him.

Soloren, even if he isn't the leader of the anti-imperialists, is still the biggest anti-imperialist. The eldest prince's rebellion is known to all, and its reasons are complex.

Compared to other princes and princesses, it is undoubtedly Soloren who inherited most of the emperor's bravery.

Every winner of the martial arts competition leaves a name, renowned far and wide. Even if they remain silent, there will always be enthusiasts flocking to them.

However, the 13th competition was different; it was the only one where the winner vanished without a trace.

It was also the year Soloren officially broke with his father. He used a disguise technique from the Thief Guild and participated in the continent martial arts competition under an alias. He was the 13th champion.

But the world never knew.

Soloren has been observing everything tonight, especially after Liszt's group sent Zote to him after their victory on Mulong Island.

He could never have imagined such a good opportunity would arise, a chance for him to turn the tide.

He must resolve this matter before that man arrives.

A blood-colored flying dragon, with a wingspan of about twenty meters, swept across the sky at the scene of the continent martial arts competition.

People's eyes simultaneously looked up, seeing that iconic red dragon. Anyone from the Aran Court already knew who had arrived.

Cicero's face was more unsightly than ever, more so than the Emperor himself. Someone who shouldn't be here has arrived.

The expressions of those from the military government varied.

Fafna was no ordinary flying dragon, extremely precious. The only reason it could be delayed repeatedly was that anti-imperialists had deeply rooted support within the court.

Many people were following Soloren.

There were rumors that the eldest prince Soloren could rival the Emperor, who once strangled giant creatures by hand.

Other than during a dragon calamity, when have people at the scene ever seen a dragon?

The dragon corpse that the sect originally transported turned out to be the remnants of the previous dynasty, but now they see a living flying dragon, and all are exclaiming in astonishment.

"Damn! With that, we should be able to take down Liszt, right?"

Gren asked Galen, wondering if the golden dragon in his hands could be sold.

Galen was merely embarrassed; there were two of these at Heaven Port.

But the imposing blood-colored flying dragon was terrifying, stirring up gusts of wind, shaking heaven and earth, scattering layers of flowers and gold foils into the air.

The blood-colored flying dragon circled once in the air.

Finally, it landed steadily on the drill ground.

The giant creature, its scales entirely crimson red, its claws like swords, its scales like armor, seemed to awaken, causing the heavens to collapse and the earth to crack.

Seemingly fully tamed, it obeyed the commands of the person on its back.

Soloren leapt off the flying dragon, patted the red dragon's wings, and the flying dragon immediately spread its wings and soared into the sky.

"You must be this year's martial arts champion, Gedre. The national duel...it is indeed as you said, Lockhart is merely to screen out some unworthy individuals. As the champion, you already have the right to initiate a duel."

Soloren, tall and slender as the first prince of Aran, dressed rather simply, appearing as a common Aran citizen in a gray plain shirt, black straight pants, and tactical boots.

But compared to Phoenix, he bore greater resemblance to the Emperor in his features, his shoulder-length black hair slightly curled, his brows furrowed, his ice-blue eyes commanding authority without anger.

In the drill ground.

All sixteen strong competitors had already withdrawn. The ceremonial band didn't dare to participate in this spectacle and had long since retreated.

As for the Eternal Sect? They couldn't wait for the Emperor to die today.

Gedre was surrounded by a group of military government soldiers, yet he showed no fear.

"And then?"

Gedre remained dismissive, unclear about Soloren's intentions.

Though Soloren was an anti-imperialist, his perspective far exceeded others.

Anti-imperialism was anti-imperialism, Aran was Aran; he had collaborations with Lostra and the Holy Spirit Church, but they were separate matters.

To become a king...one must be a supporter of the current system, not a critic of it.

"The duel you proposed! It is valid!

And the national duel...is not something to be trifled with.

It should not use a substitute fighter.

But...with me, Tartaros, as the substitute fighter, it complies with the Holy Law of Cyrodiil, the tradition of two thousand years on the Western Continent. Am I right, Kai Deng?"

Soloren acted rather boldly, despite not knowing Kai Deng beforehand, but he knew the affair of the Overlord Descendant had to be brought up.

The first prince of Aran, Soloren, as a substitute fighter?

The expressions of those present varied, each one extraordinarily dramatic.

This maneuver temporarily fried Kai Deng's brain.

But members of the Thief Guild maintained their composure, Shadow Messengers instinctively stayed composed in various scenarios, and Kai Deng also kept his cool in this ultimate iconic moment.

"Yes, according to the Holy Law of Cyrodiil, the tradition of two thousand years on the Western Continent, in a duel of equal status, a blood relative can stand as a substitute fighter without condition."

Kai Deng immediately concurred, dazzled, finding Soloren's charisma completely unlike Phoenix's, possessing an...aura of a righteous ruler, her future husband.

"In that case, I shall duel with you fairly as the substitute fighter!"

With Soloren's words.

The entire audience was in shock.

Most people believed that given the recent years of conduct of the Aran Court, someone like the Emperor, at the peak of world power, would never do something so absurd as this.

But no one expected that Gedre...would actually duel the Aran Royal Family's emperor's eldest son for life and death!

Cicero was speechless; Soloren was someone even more unsuitable to be here than the Emperor!

Yet Gedre was not buying any of it.

"Ridiculous, do you have your father's authority? If you lose, could Igphies make me the heir and give the entire Aran Empire to me? You aren't even the heir, can you bear the responsibility?"

Gedre won't duel with Soloren; he does not possess the authority for inheritance.

Just when everyone thought Gedre had cornered Soloren with his questioning.

However...

Soloren proved to be even more arrogantly rebellious.

"Of course!

I am the legitimate heir of the Aran Empire."

Soloren spoke without reserve, adding, "You should understand, even if you kill my father and take the throne as King of Aran, it would only last for a day. Augustus, Cicero, would kill you by the next day.

But I am the legitimate heir of the Aran Empire!

If you kill me here, I will give you my wealth, lands, all attendants, influence, and the title of legitimate heir, granting you justified power. Only then can you truly vie for the imperial throne!

This is the true national duel!

Commander of the Constitutional Army, prepare the document. After my death, all my assets shall be transferred to this person and ensure his safe return to the country."

Soloren clearly had more of a sovereign aura than Phoenix, with a commanding presence that left Phoenix speechless on the special seat.

The Aran Military Police was evidently in Solon's camp.

Fafna...

Had a share with Soloren.

Otherwise, last year's battle at the secret port of Londen City would have been even more difficult.

"Since it is the prince's order."

The Constitutional Army Commander prepared the document.

Gedre wanted to say something else.

"Just as I said, as a fellow Tartaros, I shall duel with you...in a life-and-death battle."

But Soloren had already bitten his thumb, letting the blood drop.

Finally...

The sixteenth continent martial arts competition ushered in the most legendary battle.