Later that night.Zebron returned to the Foster estate. Edward was waiting for him in the hall while drinking wine.Seeing Zebron’s expression, Edward sighed, “To think so many of the knights together couldn’t catch him… Just who the hell was he?”Zebron sat opposite to Edward. Even though he was Edward’s knight, they were both friends who grew up together. Because there was no one around, Zeborn didn’t care about the formalities.Edward poured some wine to his friend.“Thanks,” Zeborn picked it up and took a couple of sips. “Huh, we couldn’t find a single thing about him. Not his name. Not his motive. Not even how he looks. He’s a complete mystery. All that we know is that he wears a dove mask that covers his eyes. That’s all.”“Dove mask? Isn’t that a famous mask that’s used during the Peace Festival every year in our country?” Edward said.“Yeah, that’s the problem. It’s a common mask,” Zeborn said. He had masculine features and had a combination of black, gray, and white hairs on

Ulmer and Zebron’s gazes met.“So, you’re one of the lions of Syslon, huh,” Ulmer uttered after Dove had clarified to him about who the Ten Lions of Syslon were.“I didn’t think you were an outsider, but it makes sense now,” Zebron said. “You probably used some kind of cheap trick to defeat my son, right?”Ulmer smiled and said, “Why don’t you ask your son about that?”Rever’s shoulders jerked. He was the referee of the match, so he was also standing on the stage. “L-Let’s not talk about the past. Let’s look into the future. That’s what matters.”His words made Mirianne chuckle.“There’s no need for a serious fight,” Edward said. “But do try to put on a show since my beloved wife is watching.”Edward’s wife loved how her husband was respecting her. “Whoever wins, I’ll give them a gift,” she said.“I definitely can’t lose then,” Zebron said.“Winning and losing is not just up to you to decide,” Ulmer stepped forward. “It depends on who your opponent is. Since I am your opponent, you ha

Ulmer spent the next couple of days in Edward’s estate doing nothing much other than meditating and relaxing himself.To most people, that’s what it looked like.However, in truth, Ulmer was practicing and mastering all of his new skills in his mind. And Dove helped him with that.Nobody bothered him because he told them not to. He didn’t even eat food or drink water, for that matter.And then, he stepped out of his room on the day before the Noble Games.The entire Foster family were already leaving for the Games, and he joined them, wearing simple clothing.Even the maids and butlers were wearing pretty attire, but Ulmer was not.“So, how many people will be participating?” Ulmer asked Edward.“In hundreds,” he replied.“Will it be a one-staged battle royale, or… will there be multiple rounds?” Ulmer asked.“Well, who doesn’t like some drama?” Edward said. “The initial rounds will weed out the weak and worthless. The later rounds are where the fun begins.”“Many noble children also

The Foster family, like every other noble family, had reached the Royal Quarters, where the royal family members were staying so that they could greet them.It was like a mini court inside, where the emperor and his family were all sitting in their respective seats.The maids and butlers stayed outside while the Foster family entered. Mirianne brought Ulmer along with her.Edward and others kept their heads lowered as they entered, and they kneeled before the emperor. Ulmer also kneeled, though a bit late.“Why is he wearing a mask?” Neodus asked. He was the son of the emperor.“Let him be,” the emperor, Dylan Vikil Craig, stated. He was an old man in his hundreds. “Do not disrespect the guest of the Foster family.”“Y-Yes, Father,” Neodus didn’t like it, but he couldn’t talk back to his father, the emperor.“Your Majesty,” Edward’s wife voiced her mind, “regarding my daughter’s marriage with your grandson…”“Mm…” Dylan looked at Vincent who remained silent. “I’m not God to know what’

As Ulmer left with the Foster family, Brianna was looking at Ulmer. (Is it just my imagination, or why does he give off a familiar feeling?)Ulmer briefly glanced toward her. When his gaze met with her’s, she felt something stirring in her heart, which made her hand touch her chest.Vincent noticed that. (This bastard… Is he trying to mess with my woman?) He clenched his fists. (I will crush you in the competition.)Vincent’s mom took him to a separate room. Neodus also entered the room. They gave him multiple systems to temporarily boost his level as well as his skills. This wasn’t against the rules in the competition because one would not be able to use any system unless they were accepted by the system. However, compared to the nobles, the systems that the royals had were of another level, so this improved the chances of Vincent reaching the final round very much.“Win the games, and then claim the prize as well as the princess,” Neodus told him. “Then my dad will have no choice bu