The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 421: A Challenge Under the Spotlight

“The First Prince of the Ragna Empire is about to challenge the top candidate of the husband selection competition.”

This news quickly spread, causing a stir among everyone in the royal capital. They immediately rushed towards the palace.

Including those nobles from various countries who had originally wanted to challenge Shien and improve their own evaluations. Upon hearing this news, they immediately rushed towards the palace without hesitation.

“Finally, someone has successfully challenged that Shien Buztout.”

“This is a good opportunity.”

“Hurry up and go.”

These nobles wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

Because this was a great chance for them to observe the strength of this so-called top candidate.

Many had long wanted to see what abilities this top candidate, favored by the Kingdom’s treasure, possessed, and whether they themselves had the ability to challenge him and knock him off the stage.

Therefore, whether they were young nobles, heads of noble families, or even commoners, everyone flocked to the palace, crowding the bridge leading to the island in the center of the lake where the palace was located.

Normally, the bridge to the palace island was only open at noon, and only nobles could freely enter and exit. Commoners weren’t allowed to enter.

But because of the husband selection, during this period, the bridge was open without restrictions during the day and only closed at night, allowing many commoners to see the nobles from all over the world gathered around the stage built for the husband selection, showcasing their talents and competing.

It could be said that at this moment, the most lively place in the royal capital was undoubtedly the huge stage in front of the palace.

Now, people continued to gather, and under the guidance of the knights, they watched in an orderly manner, as lively as a festival.

Naturally, the people in the palace also received this news.

“He accepted the challenge?”

Lia was stunned, but then, without hesitation, she took Charl and left the bedroom, heading towards the stage.

“The First Prince of the Ragna Empire? That Harvis?”

Ancil also received this news, raised an eyebrow, and then left his bedroom with Aldia.

As for Lucy, who was still boredly waiting for Shien, after hearing this news from the Holy Sword Knights, her first reaction was silence, then she muttered, ꞦаＮổ𝐛ЕŚ

“Is it so hard to just live peacefully?”

Leaving behind these words that stunned the female knight who reported the news, Lucy got up and rushed towards the stage.

“Haaa~~~”

Under the spotlight, Shien, with everyone’s eyes on him, arrived at the side of the stage and couldn’t help but yawn widely.

Seeing this, many noble sons sneered.

“He’s Shien Buztout?”

“He doesn’t seem that impressive.”

“I really don’t know what the princess sees in him.”

“Perhaps it’s the power behind him.”

“After all, he’s a noble who might have connections with a Demon Lord, tamed a real dragon, and possesses a high-level [Taming] skill.”

These noble sons whispered amongst themselves, the contempt and disdain in their words seemingly deliberate, as if they were trying to suppress their apprehension towards Shien by belittling him.

Although they said they wanted to challenge Shien and prove themselves, it didn’t mean they weren’t wary of him.

After all, the story of Shien’s ennoblement banquet was still circulating in noble circles, letting everyone know that this viscount was not only valued by the royal family and various nobles but also had connections with a Demon Lord.

Coupled with his feat of taming a dragon and his record of annihilating the [Assassination Branch], in noble circles, Shien had already become someone many didn’t want to offend.

Now, the reason why so many people chose to challenge him was out of necessity.

They couldn’t just give up, could they?

This was their only chance to win the hand of the Kingdom’s treasure!

In other words, most of the noble sons were just unwilling to give up so easily, gritting their teeth and stepping forward to challenge Shien.

As the saying goes, everyone had a glimmer of hope.

What if Shien wasn’t actually that strong?

What if they won?

What if the princess suddenly took a liking to them after they put on a good show?

Especially since many believed that the reason Shien could defeat the [Assassination Branch] was because he possessed a Unique Skill that could enhance his level and skills when certain conditions were met, these people couldn’t help but have wild imaginations.

What if Shien couldn’t meet the conditions to activate his Unique Skill?

What if he didn’t perform well?

What if he had some weakness?

All these “what ifs” were based on wishful thinking.

Now, they were here, also driven by a glimmer of hope.

They wanted to see if this rumored Viscount Buztout was truly that powerful, and if they could challenge him.

What if…

The noble sons continued to think this way.

Under such circumstances, the fact that the prince of the Ragna Empire was willing to challenge Shien was undoubtedly a good thing for them.

As a result, even princes from other countries appeared in various corners, watching the scene unfold.

“Do you think Harvis can win?”

“I think his chances are high.”

“So what if that adventurer-turned-viscount has the strength to defeat the [Assassination Branch]?”

“The Ragna royal family is also descended from the Hero, just like the Mitra royal family. Although Harvis didn’t inherit the Empire’s replica Holy Sword, and his talent isn’t as good as his missing sister’s, he’s already twenty-four years old. In terms of level alone, he shouldn’t be lower than his seventeen-year-old Valkyrie sister.”

“I remember last year, when he participated in the Empire’s hunting competition, his level was already seventy-five, right?”

“No, it’s said that his level had already reached seventy-seven at that time.”

“He was only twenty-three years old then, right?”

“As expected of a direct descendant of the Hero.”

“Yes, although there’s a gap between him and the Kingdom’s treasure and the Empire’s Valkyrie, he’s still much stronger than some random adventurer-turned-noble, right?”

“Let’s see. Let Harvis test that viscount’s strength.”

“That’s right.”

These princes discussed among themselves, showing their interest in this duel.

Harvis, without taking off his ceremonial attire, carried a very eye-catching broadsword, looking quite imposing.

Wolram was egging him on from the side.

“Teach him a lesson, Your Highness.” Wolram said, as if he couldn’t wait to take the stage himself. “Let him know that there are people in this world he can’t compare to. Compared to Your Highness, a true descendant of the Hero, his strength is nothing.”

Wolram acted very supportive of Harvis.

However, Harvis glanced at Wolram.

“You don’t have to instigate me.” Harvis said with a smirk. “I know you want me to suppress that viscount so you can use the Raifurut family’s influence to pressure him into handing over the genius you’re interested in.”

The smile on Wolram’s face froze, but he quickly recovered.

“Nothing can escape Your Highness’s notice.” Wolram shrugged and said frivolously, “Those old geezers in the Empire keep saying that you’re not as good as Princess Capeline, but in my opinion, in terms of intelligence and mental fortitude, you’re much better than Princess Capeline, who only has fighting Princess Lucy on her mind.”

This was the truth.

Unlike Lucy, who was always thought to be the heir to the throne, Capeline didn’t have as many supporters in the Empire as people imagined.

Firstly, Capeline’s style was too strong and upright, which wasn’t something many nobles appreciated, and it was difficult for her to gain their favor. Therefore, in the Empire, many people only saw Capeline as a powerful expert, not as the future empress.

Secondly, Capeline didn’t spend time on interpersonal relationships, valuing only her own strength, and her only goal was to defeat Lucy, making many people think that the Empire’s Valkyrie was difficult to approach.

Compared to Capeline, Harvis was not only intelligent, but also humble and approachable, like a spring breeze. He had good relationships with many nobles in the Empire, and his own strength wasn’t bad either. Even if he wasn’t as good as Capeline, he was still much stronger than ordinary noble sons.

Therefore, almost everyone in the Imperial royal family regarded Harvis as the next emperor. He was also the rightful first in line to the throne. In terms of supporters and influence, he was much stronger than Capeline within the Empire.

This time, it was Harvis’s own decision to participate in the Kingdom’s husband selection competition.

His purpose wasn’t necessarily to marry Lucy.

Or rather, he knew very well that with the gap between the Kingdom and the Empire, his chances of being chosen by Lucy were almost zero.

Therefore, this time, Harvis was just using this opportunity to come to the Kingdom.

No one knew his true purpose except himself.

However, one thing was certain.

That was, he was here for Shien.

“Let me test Shien Buztout’s strength first.” Harvis, ignoring Wolram’s flattery, said seriously, “As for other matters, we’ll talk about them after I’ve tested this rumored viscount.”

Wolram hadn’t yet expressed his thoughts when Rockto, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

“Be careful.” Rockto said abruptly. “He might be more complicated than we think.”

Rockto’s words stunned both Harvis and Wolram.

However, Harvis’s surprise was mixed with contemplation, while Wolram was disdainful.

“What’s so complicated? Isn’t he just an adventurer-turned-viscount?”

Wolram seemed to truly look down on Shien.

Harvis, on the other hand, became cautious and nodded.

“I’ll be careful.”

Hearing this, Rockto’s expression softened, and he also nodded.

Harvis smiled and turned around, walking onto the stage.