Chapter 55: Request [2/3]
"I want to give them an opportunity to reclaim their lost pride," he started, staring at his opponents with a provocative expression.
"Earlier you mentioned that external artifacts would not be allowed. I do not want to completely erase this rule, but I would like to make a brief change — allow us to obtain resources and equipment to boost our strength, like newer weapons, aether crystals, and the like. However, to avoid unfairness, each side would analyze the new addition, and only if they agreed would they be allowed," his voice rang out.
Everyone fell silent, absorbing his words, and then gradually, concerned looks began to appear on the faces of a few people.
Lyra’s face, which had been relieved earlier after seeing that Marlon would not be hurt in the fight, was now filled with worry as she wondered why he would make such a suggestion.
Gigaman and the other hunters looked at him with the same concerned expressions and tiny hints of confusion, as his decision did not sit well with them.
But the Lunaris were different.
"We agree to this suggestion!"
The noble who had stood up earlier to argue with Norian Sterling was the first to stand up and accept the proposal, drawing all attention towards him.
His composure did not falter, seeing all eyes directed at him as he continued speaking. "You humans should be proud of having such a star among you. Not only is he strong and confident, unlike the rest of you hairless apes, he is also considerate about his opponents. I say we give his suggestion a go. My representatives are already weakened from inhaling your planet’s weak oxygen supply, so they would need some resources to help."
The noble’s voice was loud and clear, but the malice and dark intention behind his words were even clearer. Everyone could tell he had something up his sleeve that he wanted to try out in the battle — something that would place Marlon in a dangerous position.
"Don’t agree to this, brother." Crimson immediately grabbed Norian’s hands and shook her head with worry.
"Do not worry, Crimson, Marlon will be fine. He is not someone who would make a suggestion that wouldn’t benefit him. I am sure he has something up his sleeve as well," Norian said to her with a smile, calming her worries.
But it did not fully wash them away, as her concern only grew — this time not just for Marlon but for her brother, who had now begun placing all his hopes on him.
The older brother she knew would always think through every decision. This aspect of his character was widely known; it was even established in media that he had never made a wrong decision. But now she feared that he was making devastating ones.
Norian walked up to the edge of his VIP area to meet the public’s eyes before announcing his acceptance.
"Since the Lunaris have agreed, we too will agree to this," he announced, his tone dripping with confidence — the tone of a man who believed he would never lose.
"Pathetic," the Lunaris nobles chuckled and muttered lowly to themselves. Clearly, their pride had been rekindled, and now they felt like the humans no longer stood any chance.
Norian observed the smirks on the nobles’ faces and smiled softly. I can’t wait to see this pride wash off your faces once again, he thought.
He turned to Gigaman and sent a telepathic message of what he should announce next, and the eight-foot-tall gigantic hunter, now playing the role of commentator, raised his voice and announced:
"There will be a twenty-minute break. Everyone, stay tuned and prepare yourselves for another round of interesting interplanetary competition!"
And with this, the tension in the crowd settled for a tiny bit.
Discussions arose amongst the spectators in the arena who strolled outward.
Lyra, using her stealth and agility as an assassin, ran towards Marlon. She stood in front of him, fuming with her hands crossed. She looked angry — and most of all, worried.
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
"What are you talking about?" Marlon responded, feigning confusion even though he knew exactly what she was referring to.
"Your suggestion. Do you not know how advanced the Lunaris are in terms of resources and technology?"
"I know about that."
"Then why did you make that suggestion? Do you like making me worried?" she fumed. Stepping closer, she lifted herself on her feet to grab his collar and draw his face closer, anger and worry brimming from her red eyes.
Marlon remained unfazed, with the same unwavering confidence on his face. Normally, she wouldn’t be able to pull him down so easily, but he allowed her.
And when their faces were a little bit closer, he flashed her a smile and asked, "So you were worried about me? Makes me wonder if you’re into me."
Lyra realized the closeness immediately and stepped back, her face reddening with embarrassment as she realized they were in public and that their encounter would be broadcast on television everywhere across the world.
Marlon arranged his collar with ease while gazing at her flustered self with a satisfied smile.
"Relax, Lyra. I will not allow those ugly things to touch me. When all this is over, I will make it up to you for making you worried," he said.
But it only seemed to make everything worse for Lyra. She was rendered speechless and unable to respond, and once again, she began to pray that the ground would open up and swallow her.
Unfortunately, two saviors arrived at the heated moment.
Logan and Ashton ran past her and tossed themselves at Marlon like two pets who had not seen their owner for a long time.
"Big brother, you’re so awesome!" Logan barked, rubbing his face against Marlon’s arm.
"Take me as your disciple, bro. I want to be just as strong and cool as you," Ashton added, engaging in the same action as his friend.
Marlon’s expression immediately turned from satisfaction to a blank one as he stared down at his two friends rubbing against him.
His hands moved at once. Two knocking sounds emerged, and the next second, Ashton and Logan were kneeling on the ground, rubbing their swollen heads.
Marlon turned his attention away from the two of them to look for Lyra, who should have been standing behind them, but she was already gone.
"You two chased her away." He shot Logan and Ashton a disappointed glare. "That is the first rule of the bro code, and you two have broken it."
"Come on, man, bros before love..." Ashton responded with a small frown, still massaging his swollen head.
"You mean bros before ho—" Logan corrected, but he was quickly interrupted by the appearance of someone behind Marlon.
His words halted, and his expression froze. Ashton followed afterward after spotting who was now standing behind Marlon.
Marlon was unaware. "What the heck are you two bonzos looking at like that?"
"I would never have thought the golden child is not only good with the ladies but also the men."
Then a sweet voice came from behind him, followed by the soft gust of wind that seemed to appear as a result of the angelic voice.