SWNOVELXO Chapter 655: They're cheering for you
"Alright, I have no objections!"
Grand Duke Richard didn't react strongly. He had private dealings with the other three races; they were all partners.
As long as it wasn't a matter of principle, uniting shouldn't be a problem.
"I always feel like something big is going to happen with the dragon race. They want to drag us into a trap they've set."
"Do you think it's possible they found some clues about what happened last time?"
No one spoke. Grand Duke William's suspicion wasn't entirely impossible.
"Don't be overly suspicious. See the situation clearly, figure out the dragon race's objective, and only then can we make the correct judgment."
"Besides, so what if they've seen some clues?"
At this moment, the usually gentle King Harold became incomparably domineering. An aura of looking down on the world with disdain emanated from him, dispelling the doubts in the hearts of Grand Duke Richard and Grand Duke William.
"The southern continent is almost saturated with powerful races it can accommodate. If the dragon race wants to develop, they can only set their sights on the sea regions."
"They want to deter us, reclaim some sea territories, and then in turn encroach upon human lands."
"The premise for the dragon race doing this must be that they have a trump card we don't know about."
"Invading the sea regions is a risky move; the dragon race must have some backing."
"Let's go take a look first, figure out the dragon race's objective, and then decide."
Richard and William nodded. This was King Harold's extraordinariness, and also one of the reasons His Majesty could keep them in check.
...
Giant territory, Stoneheart City.
Orion was stationed here. Lilith also teleported over from Blackstone City with Pallas, allowing the giant father and son to see more of each other.
The VIP box at the Colosseum. This place used to be a conference room, but Nico and Kadir later renovated it, making it much more magnificent, raising its class by several levels.
After the defense of Lysinthia City ended, Nico and Kadir were sent back to Stoneheart City, took over the Colosseum, and became its proprietors, specifically responsible for making money for Orion.
In the box were not only Orion and Lilith, but also Sylvana.
Lilith and Sylvana sat together, one speaking, one listening; at a glance, their relationship seemed very harmonious.
Orion paid them no mind, instead holding the few-months-old Pallas in his palm, walking around following the little fellow's curious gaze.
"Lord, your subordinate has arranged three matches for you this morning."
"One duel between slaves, one duel against lizardfolk, and the final one is a duel against dark creatures."
Nico, sticking out his plump body, followed behind Orion, explaining any perplexities for the latter.
This fellow, after returning from the defensive battle, not only hadn't slimmed down but had actually gotten a bit fatter.
"Yiyaya..."
Reaching the window, Pallas was attracted by the view of the colosseum, pointing at the audience and gladiators outside, babbling incessantly.
"Nico, His Highness the Prince of the Stoneheart Horde commands: today's winners in the Colosseum will have their rewards increased fivefold."
"Give every spectator in the Colosseum a token."
"Tell them, this is a gift from Pallas. His Highness the Prince of the Stoneheart Horde is a generous fellow."
Orion brought Pallas before Nico's eyes, letting the little one see Nico's ugly and pained expression.
"As you command, Your Highness the Prince! Your subordinate will arrange it at once!"
Orion was very satisfied with Nico's form of address.
A moment later, overwhelming cheers erupted from the Colosseum's spectator stands.
"Praise His Highness the Prince!"
"Praise His Highness the Prince!"
"..."
He gently bounced Pallas in his hands and said with a laugh.
"Pallas, see that? They're cheering for you."
"Yiyayo ya..."
Orion came to the open-air platform, held Pallas high; the latter, facing the cheers and shouts of the audience, responded with babbles and waved his little hands randomly.
The Colosseum, after this wave of excitement, directly entered its climax.
"Godfrey, did you see? It's the Giant King and His Highness the Prince! They're watching the duels, just like us."
Brundar the giant waved while introducing this to Knight Godfrey beside him.
Brundar's tone, rather than an introduction, was more like showing off.
"I saw!"
Knight Godfrey had long since averted his gaze. He leaned against the railing, his expression slightly unusual.
In fact, he had also seen the giant prince and had glanced at the Giant King out of the corner of his eye.
Godfrey didn't dare to stare at Orion; he knew very well that with a Legendary level powerhouse like Orion, even a slightly prolonged gaze would attract their attention.
"They're out! It's the Colosseum's gladiators, an orc and a boarfolk."
"Godfrey, who do you think will win?"
Brundar the giant was very serious; he greatly trusted Godfrey's judgment.
"Hard to say!"
Godfrey glanced at the two gladiators entering the colosseum; both were battle-hardened, their strength at the early hero level.
"Ah... then who should I bet on?"
Brundar stared at the two gladiators, finding it hard to choose.
"Bet on the boarfolk. Their life recovery is a bit more formidable."
"Help me place a bet too!"
Godfrey handed out the token in his hand; it was the one the Colosseum had just gifted.
"Alright, I'll listen to you!"
The Colosseum duel began after a horn blast.
Orion handed Pallas back to Lilith, then leaned back in a leather chair, his eyes slightly hazy, lost in thought.
Survivor's Platform, Champions Alliance public channel.
Hulk: "I've got something holding me up here. The time to descend into the Emerald Dream Realm is set for three months later. Any problems?"
Alexander: "No problem. Three months is enough for Isabella to prepare."
Orion didn't respond to Alexander immediately. Besides the dragon race suddenly proposing the Five-Race Conference, giving the allies enough preparation time was also necessary.
Especially Isabella; her gains from killing fungal creatures in the Valkorath Realm needed some time to be digested.
Three months was neither long nor short.
Leonidas: "Still have to wait three months? That's enough time for me to take a nap!"
Edward: "Three months is about right. The void passage just closed, so it's not suitable for teleporting and descending recently anyway."
Deputy Commander Edward was a mage; he had a higher understanding of void passages. His words were truth to everyone.
Kraken: "I don't care about anything else. Big Bosses, after you descend, help me look for some sea areas."
Seeing no objections, Orion raised another question.
Hulk: "Do we need to transfer all our forces over?"
Orion had already moved the cave spiders race to Red Moon Valley's Lorelia City. Since it was a large-scale invasion, that bit of military strength wasn't enough.
According to Orion's thinking, transferring Soraya and her small scorpions over as well would provide more assurance.
Also Vexis and Rumbold; Orion was preparing to get them over there too.
Edward: "Not necessary. In the initial stage, maintain your military strength within the normal range for a lord, so as not to attract too much attention."