Meanwhile, Lady Jessica was conducting a pre-competition briefing in the room, explaining to everyone the importance of this competition and various points to be aware of. After some time had passed, Lady Jessica stopped speaking. She walked over to Euphemia's side, bowed, and said: "Lord Euphemia, it's about time — we should set off."
Euphemia nodded and rose to her feet, walking toward the door. Lady Jessica stepped forward, intending to follow Euphemia out of the room, but at that moment Euphemia turned around and said to her: "Lady Jessica, you've worked hard these past few days. Please stay here — I'll handle what comes next myself."
"Then… very well. Lord Euphemia, please do take care of yourself." Tears glistened in Lady Jessica's eyes. She stopped in her tracks, lowered her head, and couldn't help dabbing the corners of her eyes with her hand.
Euphemia then left the room together with the other members who would be participating in the competition and made their way to a large courtyard within the palace. Two disc-shaped aircraft were parked in the courtyard, and roughly thirty or so people stood within it — most of whom had attended the meeting Euphemia had convened a few days prior. When Euphemia and her group arrived in the courtyard, a black-haired middle-aged woman immediately walked toward Euphemia and came to a stop directly in front of her.
The middle-aged woman narrowed her eyes and fixed her gaze on Euphemia's face. A false smile played across her features as she spoke in a tone that sounded warm and enthusiastic: "Oh my, Euphemia, you're here at last — everyone's been waiting for you."
"Princess Sister Meiyu, hello." Euphemia said. Perhaps feeling somewhat uncomfortable under the black-haired middle-aged woman's scrutiny, a look of unease crossed her face.
The 399th Princess Meiyu narrowed her long, slitted eyes and continued staring at Euphemia, speaking in a sorrowful tone: "Euphemia, to be honest, I truly didn't want to see something like this happen today. I really have no desire to compete against you. It would be so much better if we could resolve this in a more peaceful way — don't you think?"
Euphemia said softly: "I don't want this either. But now that things have come to this, there's no changing it."
"Oh dear, what are we to do? If you get hurt during the competition, Euphemia, I would feel terribly guilty. Oh my…" The 399th Princess seemed to be overcome with regret, sighing repeatedly. At this point, Rulu, who was standing behind Euphemia, spoke up: "If Princess Meiyu is so concerned for Euphemia, she might as well surrender and concede defeat right now — then there'd be nothing to worry about."
The 399th Princess's narrow eyes flickered. She darted a glance at Rulu with lightning speed, then her face went blank, and she spoke in a tone of utter helplessness: "Honestly, I'd love to concede and let Euphemia remain as Lord. But since everyone nominated me to be their representative and compete against Euphemia, how could I let them down? Oh, I'm really in a terrible bind."
"If you're in such a bind, then why don't you just drop dead." Rulu gave a cold laugh and muttered under his breath. The 399th Princess couldn't help but turn her head, narrowing her eyes and fixing her gaze on Rulu. With a peculiar smile on her face, she said: "Mr. Qin will be participating in the competition alongside Lord Euphemia, I presume. You must protect your Lord's safety — make absolutely sure she doesn't get hurt."
Rulu tilted his head and scratched his ear with a finger, pretending not to have heard the 399th Princess's words, then spat forcefully on the ground. Several attendants standing behind the 399th Princess, seeing how bold and disrespectful Rulu was being, couldn't help but glare at him with furious eyes. They clenched their fists, looking as though they might charge at him and beat him up at any moment.
The air went rigid. Everyone fell silent. At that moment, a man with light golden hair walked over, smiling, and said: "It seems the two competitors have already met. If both parties are willing, we could hold a brief pre-competition ceremony to give this match a grander occasion."
Euphemia quickly waved her hand and said: "There's no need for that, Prince Brother Shunaizel. Let's just get straight to the competition."
Shunaizel nodded. He looked at the group standing behind Euphemia and said: "Euphemia, are all these people the members you'll be bringing into the competition?"
"Yes," Euphemia said. She glanced behind the 399th Princess and noticed there were only a few people there. Puzzled, she said: "Princess Sister Meiyu, why does your side only have a handful of people? Wasn't it agreed that you could bring up to fifteen members?"
The 399th Princess turned her head to look behind herself, and when she saw that hardly anyone was there, her face went stiff. She spoke with commanding authority: "Where have those wretched servants gone? Euphemia wants to see them!" Her appearance was not particularly attractive to begin with, and the moment she put on that stern expression, she looked positively frightening.
A large-eyed man standing behind the 399th Princess, who appeared to be around thirty years old, answered: "My Lady, they're all on the aircraft — they don't seem to want to come out."
"Those insolent wretches — how dare they! Tell every last one of them to get out here, or I'll have all their heads cut off!" The 399th Princess flew into a rage and berated the large-eyed man in a sharp voice.
"Yes, your servant will see to it at once." The large-eyed man said expressionlessly, then turned and walked toward one of the disc-shaped aircraft. Not wanting to make a scene of this, Euphemia quickly said: "It's alright — they've probably been waiting too long and are a little tired. Let them stay on the aircraft."
"Oh my, how embarrassing." The 399th Princess immediately changed her expression and smiled sweetly at Euphemia.
"Hiding your people on purpose so we can't see them — trying to keep us in the dark about your strength. That's quite a cunning little trick." Rulu said coldly.
The 399th Princess seemed not to have heard Rulu's words, appearing completely indifferent. She turned to Shunaizel beside her and said: "Your Highness Shunaizel, my side is fully prepared — we can begin the competition whenever you're ready."
Shunaizel nodded to the 399th Princess and said: "Very well. Off you go."
The 399th Princess paid no further attention to Euphemia and her companions, and she and her attendants boarded one of the disc-shaped aircraft. Shunaizel said: "Euphemia, I've already verified Princess Meiyu's members just now. Their party is in compliance with the competition rules, and none of them are carrying any weapons or tools. If you're not satisfied, you're welcome to inspect them yourself."
Euphemia said: "No need — I trust you, Brother."
Shunaizel looked again at the group standing behind Euphemia and said: "These are all the members on your side, then. You have exactly fifteen people, and none of you are carrying weapons or tools — that's in compliance with the competition rules."
"Then we'll be off as well." Euphemia said, and started toward the other aircraft. Shunaizel suddenly said: "Oh, by the way, Euphemia — a few days ago I tried to reach your sister Cornelia and informed her of your current situation."
"My sister?" Euphemia stopped in her tracks and looked toward Shunaizel with hopeful eyes.
Shunaizel said: "Your sister Cornelia has not yet returned to the Sanctuary. Her affairs are not yet resolved and she cannot come back to help you. She asked me to pass on a message — that you must be careful and not push yourself too hard."
"I understand. Thank you, Brother Shunaizel."
"There's one more thing I want to caution you about, Euphemia." Shunaizel's expression turned grave. He lowered his voice and said: "The members on Princess Meiyu's side all appear to be very powerful. There are even some non-human creatures among them — monsters I have never seen before. It seems she is absolutely determined to seize the Lord's seat this time. Euphemia, you must be very careful."