Chapter 31: Pressure

“Respected monarch, thank you for your kind intentions, but we only need that crystal…”

Before he could finish speaking, an intimidating atmosphere appeared, letting Su Chen know that he should not continue speaking.

“You mean… My daughter, my country, and serving Marhaz is so insignificant to you?”

Su Chen was at a loss for words. At this moment, Lotte actually spoke.

“Your Majesty, I’d like to volunteer myself to participate in the duel in the arena. I’ll definitely win the championship and stay in Marhaz to serve you. They still have things that they need to accomplish. Please, grant them their wish, Your Majesty.”

Lotte’s words made Su Chen and Yousi very surprised. If he went to the duel in the arena, would he not be courting his own death?

Marl did not answer. He just watched them calmly. Minida suddenly said, “His Majesty thinks highly of the three of you. What else is more important than Marhaz?”

After Minida finished speaking, Marl followed in a soft voice, “It’s not nice to force things. I don’t have to stay here any longer than you do, but I’m glad that this warrior can express his willingness to pledge his loyalty. I’ve decided that you can take the crystal, but only one of you can take it apart from him. The other two have to participate in the arena. If not, the three of you can stay and I’ll find a suitable position for each of you.”

After that, the three of them could not say anything else. Marl did not let them make a decision right away. Instead, he let them return to their rooms to think about it for a day.

After returning to their rooms, Su Chen and Yousi spoke almost at the same time.

“I’ll go!”

After they finished speaking, they looked at each other and nodded. Su Chen said, “Lotte, I’ll go with Yousi. I’ll have to trouble you to bring this crystal to Haiping Village. You must be quick!”

Lotte shook his head and disagreed.

“I know you think I don’t have the ability to protect myself. If I go, I’ll definitely die. How can you guarantee a hundred percent that you’ll be able to survive? Damn, this is one of my wishes, do you know that? I’ve been under your protection since the beginning of the concentration camp until the end. You should give me a chance to show off, right?”

“But!”

Youse patted Su Chen. Su Chen also saw the determination in Lotte’s eyes. He did not know what had happened that made Lotte so determined. He knew that no matter what, Lotte would not change his mind.

“Su Chen, let me go with Lotte, then. Haven’t you always wanted to return to the real world? I’m used to this game world. It’s the same for me anywhere. I’m really grateful for everything you’ve done for me and you’ve already paid what you owe me. Take the crystal back to Haiping Village. After saving Youli, you can go back.”

Su Chen did not say anything. To be honest, it was impossible for him to say that he did not want to go back. He also did not want to die here for no reason. Although he had the Broken Steel Sword, he still could not use it skillfully.

The next day, Marl summoned them again, probably to ask them about their decision. Initially, Marl did not expect that they were unafraid of death. He was sure that all three of them would choose to stay.

In the end, when they arrived at the hall, he announced the candidates for the duel in the arena—Su Chen and Lotte.

Yousi, who was at the side, had an incredulous expression. Although Su Chen wanted to return, he could not stand by and watch. Due to the feelings he had accumulated for himself and his brothers, he went to Marl at night and chose to fight on his own.

“Su Chen’s also a warrior that I’ve been paying attention to for a long time. I can still vividly remember his outstanding performance. If he can win the duel and bring Marz a wonderful duel, it’d be our honor.”

After this matter was decided, the three of them returned to the room. Yousi had been silent from the beginning until he suddenly became furious.

“Su Chen, what’s the meaning of this?! You decided on your own! Do you know, I suspect the monsters we met on the road and the steps we took to get here were all arranged by him, step by step?! If you really stayed and you’re lucky enough to survive, you still may not be able to go back! Do you know that?!”

Su Chen nodded.

“We’ve been through all this together. Take the crystal back to Youli. You know how to use it. I might not be able to do anything if I go. Hence, it’s most suitable for you to go. I’ll control my own fate. Since I can not escape from all of this, I’ll choose to face him. Leave it to me. I won’t let this place trap me. Moreover, I’ve also thought it through. Whether in the game or in the real world, since I can’t escape being eaten by a monster, I have to master it myself!”

Yousi wanted to say something, but Su Chen only patted him on the shoulder.

The day of the duel in the arena soon arrived. On the day Yousi headed back to Haiping Village with the crystal, Su Chen stood backstage in the arena. It was not his turn yet. It was the time for the warm-up.

The fight in the arena was nearing its end. A warrior lifted an ax and chopped off the opponent’s head. Hearing the cheers from both the participants and the audience in the arena, the name that they had been shouting was engraved in their hearts. However, he did not expect that he would be the one on the stage.

Originally, the warrior on the stage could still fight a few more rounds. However, facing this person, he did not dare to challenge her.

Even though that woman did not look very eye-catching, her hundred-wins reputation was still not something that anyone could fight. The hands holding the huge ax were shaking slightly. Should he bravely challenge her or leave the stage under the boos?

He did not think about it for too long. He just wanted to temper himself. He did not want to die yet. He decisively gave up on defending himself in the arena. The boos were less than he had imagined.

He walked toward the participant’s seat and fixed his gaze on the seat that was directly and unceremoniously seated.

“Hello, hundred-win streak.” This greeting was a little strange.

In the combat arena, there was a proud expression between her brows. However, for someone who took the initiative to come over and greet her politely, she still restrained her gaze and replied, “Hello, you’ve made a wise decision.”

“Is that so?” Although she appeared to be very polite, these words still did not sound very comfortable in his ears.

After the arena was cleaned up, Lotte stood up and walked toward the arena. What a coward. Was he scared just like that? The warrior took his seat, but a young man walked up behind him. He curled his lips in disdain and looked at Lotte.

“You’re really young.” After saying this, he strode toward the arena. Clearly, he was the next challenger.

He turned his head away without any care. Young and frivolous people often paid a painful price, and this person had to pay with his life..