Chapter 46: Please be more careful. This floor is slippery.

  Amidst the gaze of hundreds of powerful figures, Nitaan remained expressionless. His composure impressed many.

  At such a young age, this kid was able to withstand the overwhelming pressure from the situation he had been dragged into. Admirable, Nil secretly assessed.

  While his calm demeanor impressed many, in reality, Nitaan's heart was full of annoyance. He wanted nothing to do with this troublesome mess. His brief encounter with the princess had made him admire her, but not enough to entrust his future to her faction.

  It was true that Colonel Lalanta had dragged him into this against his will, but it was also true that if he were to rise to a higher position, involvement with powerful factions was essential. The support from behind the scenes was something Nitaan had never had.

  He considered many pros and cons. Although he lacked experience in politics, he was certain that this treacherous abyss was too deep for him to handle.

  Perhaps the provocation and Colonel Lalanta's involvement were all part of someone's plan. Without knowing anything, he became a pawn for others to attack Princess Pailin’s faction.

  He tried to calm himself. Once he had made his decision, his deep blue eyes cleared.

  Nitaan smiled faintly, his gentle expression softening with humility. His eyes lowered in an apologetic gesture.

  “Colonel Lalanta merely brought me to this party as a mere attendant. I am not worthy to duel in the name of the prestigious City Guard unit.”

  “If I accept the challenge, it would be no different from being an arrogant fool. I am far from being capable enough to demonstrate my abilities as a representative of City Guard unit.”

  “I apologize that I will disappoint you all. I am too weak, lacking both the qualifications and abilities to represent City Guard unit.” Nitaan bowed respectfully, his face full of humility and deference.

  “Hmph, clever words. Just a few words, yet you are claiming you are unworthy by uplifting your own factions.” Banphot sneered.

  “Little one, you don’t need to worry about such trivial matters. Even if you lose, no one here can deny the achievements and strength of City Guard. You don’t need to compete as a representative or anything, simply demonstrating your abilities as a member of City Guard unit is more than enough.” Salika smiled faintly. Her eyes remained like those of a fox unwilling to let its prey escape.

  Princess Pailin clenched her fists. Nitaan's handling of the situation was excellent. He chose to elevate her side and devalue himself, creating a situation where, if he chose to fight, he would be nothing more than an arrogant fool.

  But she wasn't happy! A person she had never met before had to cowardly bow his head for her side!

  She trusted Colonel Lalanta. Colonel wouldn't bring someone useless. Even though fighting a First word Engraver was hopeless, if another party’s power was sealed, he should at least be able to produce some admirable feats.

  She didn’t know why this man before her had made this decision. Did he think he couldn't win? Did he not want to fight? Did he not want to get too involved with her side? Or did he simply not want to humiliate her if he were to lose?

  The only thing she knows at this moment… is that she is useless. Speaking up now would only reinforce her own weakness. She couldn’t do anything at all.

  Princess Pailin clenched her fists. How many times did she have to endure and watch others sacrificing themselves for her?

  Just to protect her useless pride.

  Because she had no talent like her brothers. No matter what she does, she will be labeled as incapable.

  "What a pity," Qianbao Yue sighed.

  "I thought I'd have a chance to test my skills against the promising members of City Guard unit. But I understand; bearing such a heavy burden isn't easy." Qianbao Yue revealed a faint smile, speaking softly as if he didn't want to compete either.

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  "As for myself, besides being a part of the powerful and prestigious Kodchasan Family, I also deeply respect Qianbao family of Qianbao Trading Group who nurtured me. Therefore, if I were to be given the opportunity, I would be ready to sacrifice my life to prove the greatness of my family," Qianbao Yue puffed out his chest, proudly displaying the golden Qianbao Family symbol.

  Anyone with common sense would understand the implied meaning of his words.

  If you don't have the courage to uphold your faction's reputation, then get lost!

  Nil frowned. Everything was going beyond his expectations. He had anticipated that this banquet would involve political maneuvering as always, and he had prepared himself. However, Colonel Lalanta had brought a young man with her. More importantly, they entered the event together.

  Colonel Lalanta's actions were no different from pointing the finger at Nitaan and telling them to target him.

  Nil had expected Colonel Lalanta to have some kind of plan in mind. However, the current situation was strangely peculiar. Colonel Lalanta said nothing, simply standing and watching with an indifferent expression.

  Enlightened Sun Avatar Lalanta, who had slain thousands of enemies in war, had no plan at all? Was she seriously just introducing him to a faction? Nil was puzzled.

  He didn't believe it, yet the situation was making him increasingly uneasy.

  He wouldn't mind if Nitaan chose to fight and lose or chose not to fight at all. Either way, it was just a competition between the younger generation. It wouldn’t have significant consequences for the future or the reputation of his faction. Perhaps just ridicule or sarcasm.

  What exactly was Lalanta thinking?

  "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Qianbao Yue. It's truly regrettable. City Guard unit still has many stronger members than me, a mere Learner. Therefore, I have no right to accept such an honor." Nitaan smiles apologetically.

  "If other Engravers from my unit were standing here in my place, they certainly wouldn't refuse the invitation. If you have time, you can visit City Guard unit and meet with those exceptional individuals anytime." Nitaan softly laughed.

  Qianbao Yue's eyebrow twitched slightly. The implication of this sentence was also clear.

  There are many Engraver in City Guard unit, yet you choose to fight me, a mere Learner? If you're so skilled, why not come over and fight other Engraver?!

  Colonel Lalanta let out a soft laugh, drawing malevolent glares from Banphot and Salika.

  “Alright, stop this nonsensical charade. The Second Prince hasn't even arrived yet, but these servants keep barking. My subordinate won't fight anyone.” Colonel Lalanta grinned, but her words were sharp and cutting.

  Is this her plan? Nil's eyebrow twitched.

  Banphot frowned, but in an instant, his face turned into a laugh.

  “Sharp and fiery tongue, befitting the nickname ‘The Sun Avatar that scorched thousands.’ But you're talking nonsense. We only want to strengthen our bond and exchange pointers. We have no ulterior motives.” Banphot sneered.

  “What a pity. I was hoping to entertain the other guests with a competition from our younger generation while we wait for the Second Prince," Salika smiled faintly.

  Even though it was just a small competition with no significant consequences, the other side's refusal to accept the challenge was tantamount to declaring their victory in this small battle.

  Nil's face remained expressionless. A man of his caliber wouldn't care about such trivial matters. However, he was more puzzled by Colonel Lalanta's decision.

  "It's a real pity. I was hoping to fight the genius Beast tamer from City Guard unit. Although I'm surprised that his companion isn't even a Devil beast, just an ordinary wild animal.” Qianbao Yue shakes his head with disappointment.

  “It's probably fitting for an organization like City Guard unit. Training Devil beasts is difficult after all. A dirty wild animal is much easier to train," Qianbao Yue smiled faintly.

  A faint smile appeared at the corner of Colonel Lalanta’s mouth, as if she had been waiting for this. She didn't focus on Qianbao Yue who tried to be sarcastic, but focused on Nitaan.

  Colonel Lalanta smiled brightly as she saw Nitaan's smile was unusually wide now.

  Nitaan’s ‘I don’t really care’ mask is about to come off.

  Nitaan maintained his cheerful expression and didn’t fight back with any words. However, the atmosphere around him suddenly changed. Princess Pailin, standing nearby, noticed the unusual unease in the otherwise innocent smile.

  In the wink of an eye, spiritual energy erupts. Yet it was gone before many even felt anything.

  The moment Qianbao Yue turned his back, the usual gentle breeze that had been refreshing the building suddenly intensified. It wasn't wondrously strong, just a slightly stronger, pleasant breeze.

  But this gentle breeze pushes the golden crest depicting a mountain of stacked treasures off Qianbao Yue's chest. The crest that securely pinned to Qianbao Yue’s chest fell easily. One side of the iron pin bent slightly, as if the weight on both sides was unbalanced.

  Qianbao Yue raised an eyebrow slightly. He noticed the fallen crest and reached out to grab it. At this moment, his hind legs were wierdly stuck on the ground.

  Qianbao Yue, sensing the abnormality, prepared to unleash his spiritual energy to fight, but everything happened in an instant.

  Banphot and Nil quickly glanced at Qianbao Yue's weird behavior. They scanned the area but didn’t find any sign of spiritual energy attacking him.

  Before Qianbao Yue could react, he suddenly felt his shoulders become incredibly heavy, as if an entire house were weighing him down. He heard his bones crackle. A split second later, his body arched backward from the weight. He began to release his power in retaliation, but the weight vanished in an instant, and a weak force pushed his head backward.

  Banphot frowned, glaring at Nitaan with malice. However, he couldn't sense any spiritual energy from him.

  Qianbao Yue’s back slammed to the ground. Lying face up helplessly from the impact of falling. He tries to angrily shout and stand up, only to find his body firmly stuck on the ground. Even his mouth couldn't open for a second. His lip was stuck together all the same.

  The scene unfolding before everyone's eyes was as if Qianbao Yue's crest had slipped from his chest. As he turned to grab it, he stumbled on his own foot, lost balance, and fell down backward.

  Salika simply watched as Qianbao Yue fell, finding the event rather bizarre.

  Like Lakiz is mocking him, Qianbao family crest rolled perfectly into Kiita's feet.

  "Are you alright? Kiita, return it to him. He must be hurt from falling," Nitaan sneered, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

  "Woof!"

  Alright!

  Kiita slowly picked up Qianbao Yue's luxurious, gleaming gold crest with his mouth and placed it on the chest of the angry Qianbao Yue, who struggled to get up.

  Kiita's large frame towered over Qianbao Yue as he returned the crest. Instead of walking around to the side to place it properly, Kiita chose to straddle Qianbao Yue's body directly, as if about to pounce on weak prey.

  "Please be more careful. This floor is slippery," Nitaan said with a faint smile.