Chapter 937: Chapter 591, Blossoming Everywhere (Additional chapter for Alliance Hierarch ‘Tracks of Angels’).
The Temple loomed even larger and more majestic than it appeared from below.
Standing on the smooth stone stairs.
Priest ‘Tiktata’ led several Ancient Saint priests, swiftly exiting from within.
A brief ‘purification’ ritual was held in front of the door.
After bowing down and paying their respects before the door,
the Queen and Demitrija, one after another, stepped into the Temple.
...
The grand hall was majestic and splendid.
An aura of ancient solemnity pervaded, imbuing it with a heavy and commanding presence.
The stone pillars of the Temple were engraved with lifelike carvings, with the walls on both sides depicting scenes of the Lizardmen performing sacrifices.
At the center of the Temple stood a grand altar.
Atop the altar, a massive statue sat enthroned.
The statue resembled a Lizardman, but its features were indistinct and unrecognizable.
The Queen and Demitrija knelt and worshipped before the statue.
Meanwhile, a Lizardman priest began to chant softly at the side, reciting in the sacred tongue.
…
The ritual did not last long.
Once everything concluded,
the Queen, accompanied by the upper echelons of the Lizardmen, walked out of the Temple.
Regarding the Lizardman personally escorted by the Queen, although there were no discussions, some guesses could be made.
A few days prior, in the list of potential husbands for the Queen, a stranger’s name had suddenly appeared.
All the clans speculated about the origin of this person, but they could never quite figure it out.
But now, the matter could not have been clearer.
This fourth name was none other than the strange Lizardman now receiving personal hospitality from the Queen.
However, historically, the choice for the Queen’s husband had never included anyone from outside their species.
This time, why was there a foreigner?
Descending the thousand-layer stone stairs.
The extravagant procession began its return to the Royal Palace.
Demitrija wanted to bid farewell to the Queen and return to his own dwelling.
But as the Queen mounted the back of the triceratops, she smiled and said, “I have prepared a midday banquet, it won’t be too late to return afterwards. The guards of your city are heroes, Fang Hao won’t be in any danger.”
Without waiting for Demitrija to reply, the triceratops had already stood up.
Shifting its immense body, it walked toward the direction of the Royal Palace.
Beside them, a Lizardman attendant hurried over, leading a four-legged Giant Lizard by the hand.
“Mr. Demitrija, please take your seat.”
There was a rather well-decorated chair on the back of the Giant Lizard.
Demitrija had no choice but to mount the Giant Lizard, and after sitting down, he followed the procession towards the Royal Palace.
The Lizardmen’s capital city was bustling.
The buildings were predominantly made of earthy yellow stone bricks, with the streets displaying symbols and insignias of the Ancient Saints everywhere.
Along the way, the Lizardmen inhabitants knelt and bowed, shouting long live the Queen.
Unlike other main cities, this capital was inhabited solely by Lizardmen.
Not a single foreigner could be seen, not even the merchants that traveled the world.
The reason was simple: other races simply could not set foot here.
The swamp, the primeval forest.
These formed a life sanctuary engulfed by nature herself.
Upon reaching the Kingdom,
the Queen hosted a grand banquet.
She invited officials and generals who were staying in the capital to join the feast.
All sorts of foods and drinks to the taste of Lizardmen filled the lengthy dining table.
Many officials were somewhat perplexed,
feeling that the Queen was showcasing something, placing exotic foods that could not be found outside but were well-suited to Lizardmen’s tastes on the banquet table.
Soon, the midday banquet concluded.
Amidst the low murmurs of conversation, a Lizardman clad in red armor suddenly stood up.
After saluting the Queen, he turned his gaze toward Demitrija, “Mr. Demitrija, I challenge you.”
He issued his challenge without any preamble.
The bustling hall instantly fell silent.
Everyone looked at the Lizardman general clad in blood-red armor.
‘Red General Leotozan’, a Tier 4 Orange Hero.
He was also one of the four candidates for the Queen’s husband from within the Holy Empire
and one of the competent and powerful individuals among their people.
Born of the same clan as the Queen
he was also highly valued by her; before this, he was even kept at her side as the leader of her guard.
If Demitrija had not appeared, Leotozan would have been the prime choice for the Queen’s consort.
The hall was silent.
The eyes of the assembly shifted from Leotozan to the Queen in the front, who remained silent, seemingly enjoying the spectacle—and then turned to Demitrija.
“On what grounds?” Demitrija put down his utensils and looked directly at Leotozan.
Leotozan didn’t expect this question.
Did he need a reason?
He certainly couldn’t say it was to fight for the right to mate with the Queen.
After a moment of thought, he said, “Just a simple contest, to stretch the limbs after a meal.”
“Don’t you know that strenuous exercise after eating can lead to sagging stomach?” Demitrija continued.
“Ah? What?” Leotozan was taken aback by the response.
What sagging stomach? He’d never heard such terms before.
Then, Leotozan pressed on, “Does that mean you’re afraid?”
As he spoke, he glanced sideways without being too obvious.
After a moment’s consideration, Demitrija finally said, “Fine, a little spar, but let’s stop at the first touch.”
My word.
The crowd of Lizardmen were stunned.
Compared to the straightforward Leotozan, this Demitrija seemed eloquent.
His words were simple, yet they conveyed his meaning clearly.
Clap, clap!
The Queen interrupted the exchange with applause from the side.
Turning to the side, she ordered, “Prepare the dueling grounds.”
“Yes,” the servant replied and withdrew.