Chapter 352: 352

A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd at the Emperor’s decree. Ariana let out a shaky breath, relief mixing with the sharp sting in her shoulder.

The words were final and with this Elara’s loss was sealed, and Vale’s desperate attempt had only stained his name further.

Kael gave a small nod, his expression calm, though his eyes glinted with something far colder. He turned his head slowly toward Vale, his words deliberate and cutting through the air like a blade.

"You are next," Kael said, his voice calm yet heavy with challenge.

The tension in the arena grew thick, pressing down on everyone present. Ariana clenched her sword tighter, her breath steadying as the pain in her shoulder dulled beneath the weight of the moment. She could feel the shift in the air. The first battle was over, but the true storm was only beginning.

Ariana’s chest rose and fell as she tried to steady herself, her thoughts drifting to the strike that had nearly cut her down. Her body ached, yet her spirit burned stronger. Kael’s presence at her side reminded her that even in chaos, some lines could not be crossed.

Kael’s cold smile remained, his eyes locked firmly on Vale. There was no need for more words. The next match was already decided, and everyone in the arena knew it would be one of blood, fury, and final judgment.

Kael turned toward Ariana and patted her shoulder. "You did well. I am quite satisfied with it," he said with a calm voice. Ariana only shook her head and clicked her tongue. "I wasn’t able to finish what I started," she muttered, her frustration clear.

She wanted to crush Elara completely, but Vale stepped in and interrupted.

"Tsk... tsk..." Vale carried Elara in his arms, glaring hatefully at Kael and Ariana before stepping back. Kael noticed Ariana’s displeasure and spoke softly.

"Do not worry. I will deal with that bastard on your behalf." Ariana’s eyes still burned, but she remained quiet as Vale disappeared from sight.

......

Martin clenched his fists tight as he watched his daughter injured and humiliated. The armrest beneath his grip cracked from the force of his anger. No matter how much he disliked her behavior, she was still his daughter, and seeing her like this tore at him.

"Your daughter is strong," Duke Serpentine spoke with a low chuckle, glancing at Martin then at Salvatore.

"But that other woman... I did not know there was someone even more terrifying. Having such in-laws is really good, isn’t it?" Duke Salvatore raised his brows at Serpentine’s words, his face calm but his eyes sharp.

"As expected from snaky eyes," Salvatore thought before giving only a short snort.

Serpentine, seeing no response, shut his mouth but wore a smug smile.

......

Adele’s eyes narrowed sharply as she sat high above the stadium.

Her calm posture could not hide the way her fingers dug into the armrest, trembling with a mix of shock and confusion. Below, the roaring crowd filled the arena with deafening cheers as Ariana pummeled Elara without a shred of mercy. The sound of fists striking echoed through the open space, making the entire stand vibrate.

"How is she so strong..." Adele whispered to herself, her voice low and tight.

She had reached A rank long ago, defeating many S rankers to climb to the very top of the Continental list.

Yet now, sitting here, a sense of danger crept into her bones as she watched the red-haired woman dominate the stage. Her lips pressed together, and she bit down until a faint sting spread across them, leaving her uneasy as if her very skin was crawling.

"Where did he find her?" Adele thought bitterly.

"How can there be such a talented woman hidden in the shadows all this time?" Her chest tightened, and her heart thudded as a strange emptiness filled her. "And why... why do I feel like I’ve lost something so precious? What is this feeling?" She lowered her gaze for a moment, trying to calm herself, but her hands refused to let go of the chair.

The crack of another blow rang across the arena.

Ariana had sent Elara sprawling across the dirt, her strikes unrelenting, her eyes blazing with fire. Dust rose with each clash, and the crowd shouted louder, their voices rising in waves that seemed to shake the walls. It was a brutal scene, one no one could turn away from.

Suddenly, a loud clap echoed near Adele. Ramos slapped his palms together, his grin wide, unable to contain his thrill.

"Damn! I knew this girl was packed with some crazy firepower, but to actually slam that woman and humiliate her in this place..." His laughter erupted in bursts, rough and unrestrained.

"Ahahahah! I like it!" He stood up in excitement, his voice carrying above the crowd. "Go! Go! Pummel that girl!" His arms swung as if he was cheering in a brawl of his own.

"Enough!"

The cold voice cut through the air like a blade, silencing even some of the crowd nearby. Ramos froze for a moment, his smile stiffening. Adele turned her head quickly, her eyes meeting Ruth. He stood with a hard gaze fixed on Ramos, his stare carrying the weight of a command that allowed no refusal.

Ramos frowned, clearly displeased. "What the hell? Can’t I even enjoy myself to my heart’s content?" His voice had a frustrated edge, but there was still fire burning in his tone.

"You are being too much," Ruth said firmly. His voice echoed like iron, and even the nearby knights and nobles fell quiet at his words.

Ramos’s jaw tightened, and he was about to sit back down when another voice drifted across the stands.

Ramos’s head turned slowly toward the source. His sharp eyes locked onto Duke Serpentine, who had been leaning back with a satisfied look only a moment ago. The duke froze instantly, every muscle in his body turning rigid. He had been laughing at the fight, enjoying the spectacle like the rest, but now all that vanished.

Ramos’s stare was not casual. It was sharp, dark, and heavy, like the gaze of a predator ready to kill. His presence alone made the duke’s chest tighten painfully. Duke Serpentine’s eyes widened, and his throat went dry.

"..."

’What the fuck did I do now?’ he thought in panic, his hand gripping the edge of his seat as if that alone could hold him steady.

The noise of the crowd carried on, Ariana’s blows landing like thunder, but for Duke Serpentine, all sound drowned under the weight of Ramos’s glare.