Advent of the Three Calamities

Chapter 733: Start of the Rite [3]

While the setting of the Rite was the forest of the territory, right on the outskirts of the woods, a crowd had already formed. Several tall platforms were set up, all of which levitated in the air as runes shimmered around them, allowing spectators to overlook the distant forest, alongside several swirling projections that depicted different areas within it.

The terrain chosen for the Rite was quite large, and the projections barely managed to capture most of it.

A sea of people had also gathered beneath the platforms, all waiting for the Rite to begin.

At that moment, several people were already seated on the platforms, staring curiously at the forest below.

“What do you think, sister…? Who do you think will win?” A black-haired figure in a certain seat asked, his smile warm as his yellow eyes glimmered under the sun.

As he spoke, his gaze shifted toward the woman seated beside him. Aoife sat gracefully, one leg crossed over the other, her long, flowing red hair cascading over her shoulder. She wore a crisp, formal white uniform that accentuated her poised and composed demeanor.

She sat silently, staring at the forest entrance where several figures had already gathered, their armours glimmering under the hot sun.

Propping her elbow on her chair and leaning her cheek against her fist, she pursed her lips before finally replying.

“I’m not quite sure. Those from the Marquis family look rather strong. I recognize quite a few of them.”

“I do too. It looks like the Marquis didn’t spare any expense on this Rite.”

“…Yes.”

Although Aoife’s eyes narrowed slightly, she kept her expression carefully guarded, revealing little beyond that. She knew the truth. How all of this was just a façade orchestrated by her brother, and how he had been the one secretly funding the Marquis’s endeavor.

‘But it’s not like I didn’t offer Julien the same thing. He just left me on read.’

Just thinking about it made her want to gnash her teeth. She just barely held herself back while thinking about all the punches she had thrown at him back then.

That…

Just thinking about it felt satisfying.

But with that being said,

Aoife still felt a sliver of worry as she paused her gaze on several people below.

Aside from Captain Albas, there were several renowned figures she had heard of before. The Twins of Ronald, infamous for their incredible synchronized attacks and teamwork, and the Madhound of Presepe, a notorious mercenary who had once taken the head of a noble who provoked him, an act that led to him destroying the entire Household.

‘Last time I recalled, the Royal Guards had been chasing after him. It looks like he’s struck a deal with my brother…’

Looking at the lineup, she could tell it was a tough one to beat.

She did her best to push aside her worries, and for a time, she genuinely felt calm. She knew Julien well and trusted that there wouldn’t be any problems with him.

‘I also heard that Leon, Kiera, and Evelyn will participate. I can rest more easily knowing they’re involved.’

Aoife was well aware of all their abilities and had experienced multiple fights with them. She knew that there was more that met the eye with them.

Aoife was about to lean back in her seat when her gaze fell on another platform, and her eyes paused on several familiar figures.

Familiar figures…

Wait!

Aoife sat up as her eyes squinted to get a better look. She thought she was seeing things, but as she blinked her eyes, Aoife watched as Leon, Aoife, and Kiera sat down and made themselves comfortable.

At the same time, as if noticing her gaze, they all looked in her direction before waving at her.

“….”

Aoife’s lips parted, opening and closing like a fish out of the water. She was struggling to grasp the situation.

As if noticing them too, her brother chimed in.

“Aren’t those your schoolmates?”

“…They are,” Aoife replied with a frown, trying to keep calm. ‘Right, they could just be messing with me. I know them well. Right, right… Kiera and Evelyn especially are doing this to give me a heart attack.’

But then—

All the surrounding noise faded as a figure calmly approached the forest entrance.

Julien moved in slow yet steady steps, dressed in a sleek, all-black ensemble accented by silver clasps and intricate details. His high-collared coat, trimmed with thick, dark fur, billowed with each step, lending him an imposing yet refined presence.

Clad in fitted trousers and gloves, his attire blended elegance with a hint of arrogance. Draped across his shoulder was a small black cat as it curled around the fur, its eyes closed as though it were sleeping.

Julien’s gait was straight, his expression calm, and each step felt purposeful.

He looked like the embodiment of the word ‘noble’ — untarnished and above the commoner’s reach.

For a moment, the noise died down.

All eyes were trained on him.

But… After a few seconds and seeing he was the only one standing in his own area, the place exploded with whispers as Aoife’s heart began to sink.

Don’t tell me…

Swoosh!

Out of nowhere, a figure with long white hair and youthful features emerged from the grass, stepping between the two groups. He smiled warmly, his charm instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

He glanced at both sides flanking him. When his eyes landed on Julien, his expression shifted oddly. He then looked behind Julien before asking him something. The audience tried to make out their conversation, but they were simply too far away to overhear.

Nonetheless, the subtle yet evident change in Orson’s face was enough to tell them all what was happening.

He took a couple of seconds to recompose himself before looking back at the audience.

“…Both sides are prepared. The people present will be all the people participating in the Rite!”

Boom—!

It felt like an explosion echoed inside Aoife’s mind as her hands slowly rose to clutch her hair tightly.

‘No, no, no, no, no…’

Aoife cursed silently while staring at Julien.

She…

She was dangerously close to ripping her own hair out.

That… That lunatic!

***

The entire place was in chaos.

It was hard to ignore the chaos as I stood at its focal point, from whispers to shouts of despair.

‘Seems like some people have bet on me.’

I almost wanted to smack myself for forgetting to bet on myself.

But then again…

Even I didn’t have that much confidence in myself, so perhaps it was for the best that I didn’t get to bet.

“Calm down, everyone. Let me explain the situation.”

Orson started speaking, doing his best to calm the crowd. But his words barely quelled the crowd as everyone kept murmuring, their eyes locked on me. I felt like a monkey trapped in a zoo exhibit.

This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened, so I was able to ignore it.

I kept a straight face and stared at the forest entrance.

At the same time, I slowly circulated my mana, warming my body for the inevitable fight.

My joints cracked, and my heart steadily quickened.

“On my left side, there will be eight participants representing the Wilshire March. I’m sure you’re all well aware of them, but I’ll still introduce you to all of them.”

Orson started introducing each member of the opposing side, but I barely listened. I had already studied them beforehand and had a good idea of who I was up against.

Right now, my main focus was to steady my mind and prepare myself for the upcoming battle.

This was going to be far from easy.

In fact, it was going to be an incredibly difficult one. Not because I couldn’t beat them, but because of what I was planning on doing.

‘Why do I always do this to myself?’

I sighed silently while staring at the cat next to me.

In the end, this was all for progress…

As Orson introduced everyone, adding a few jokes here and there, his attention turned back to me. His expression became complicated as our gazes met.

The surroundings fell silent a few moments later.

And eventually, with what could only be described as a silent sigh, he introduced me.

“On the other side are the participants from the Evenus Household: Julien Dacre Evenus, and…” He paused, staring at the cat nestled over my shoulder. “…His pet.”

Boom—

Chaos erupted once more as all eyes fell on Pebble, who sat lazily on my shoulder.

Some protested, shouting things like, “Pet? What…? Is that even allowed? How is that allowed?”

“Quiet for a moment.”

Orson’s voice drifted softly through the venue. This time, the entire place fell completely silent, every sound fading away.

It was as if all noise had been stripped away from the surroundings for a brief moment.

I felt subtle chills run down my spine.

‘As expected, he’s really strong.’

Good thing he was my father-in-law.

Clearing his throat, Orson directed his attention towards one of the platforms.

“This was arranged in agreement with the Marquis present. He’s seen the cat himself and agreed to allow it to participate. In fact, the cat can’t even be considered a real pet, but we’ll leave those details for later.”

The noise returned after Orson’s explanation, but it wasn’t as loud due to his previous actions.

Nonetheless, it was present.

I couldn’t blame them; this was the first time something like this had happened, but I was technically participating alone, so what else could they say?

The Marquis had also checked Pebble in advance. He was the one who had said it was okay. In that regard, there was really nothing left to say.

“Enough of that. The Rite will begin any minute now. If everyone can calm down, I’ll try to initiate it.”

Gradually, the noise faded as all sound ceased. A strange tension lingered as all attention was fixed on Orson.

Then—

“Let the Rite begin.”

For a moment, my vision blurred as I was whisked away in a sudden, random teleportation.

When my senses cleared, I found myself in a clearing deep within the forest. A ring of towering trees encircled me, while a soft breeze stirred the air. The rich scent of wood and earth filled my nostrils as I calmly took in my surroundings.

‘Everyone should have been teleported to different places around the area. Nevertheless, I’m pretty certain everyone has a way to communicate. They’ll start grouping together any second now. In that case, the best strategy is to strike immediately.’

The situation didn’t allow me to stay still and wait for them to come at me.

I needed to be the one who went to them.

And as such—

“Hoo…”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, feeling the gentle rustle of leaves around me. Suddenly, the mana within my body began to drain rapidly.

When I opened my eyes, the world around me was woven with threads. They drifted slowly in the air before shooting downward and suddenly snapping outward in every direction.

Not long after,

Swoosh!

Pebble leapt off my shoulder, stretched leisurely, and vanished into the depths of the forest.

I massaged my neck as I watched the cat fade before my eyes.

‘Time to get started.’

…For my torture to get started.