The Stonehearted Knight-Chapter 452: Team of three

The names of the teams appeared in the order of their wins. It didn’t have any ranking attached to it. But it was in such cases being on top helped with gaining fame.

Alliance of Cursed Ones

Heaven’s Army

Eye of the Sky

Tyrannical Trident

Divine Servants

Wrixian Heroes

Touch of Life

Shifting Sands

Hex realized everyone would always check the first name on the leaf. Maybe the second. But after that, it would depend on the spectator’s preference.

Come to think about them, where were they? Hex looked around. But the only people he saw nearby were either participants, helpers of the participants, or organizers.

Wasn’t the purpose name, fame, and distraction from the impending doom?

"I see some of you are looking around for your fans." The representative chuckled on the raised leaf, just as Hex was about to voice his question to Sterling.

"Don’t worry. They aren’t here but I can assure you, they are watching us. You. They are watching you, of course."

From where? Hex spread his senses out but didn’t pick many people around. The few he noticed were servants doing their jobs.

"Everyone. Please. There is no need to look around. Like I said. They aren’t near. For this round we have installed runes on the branches and leaves that will pick up your presence and broadcast to everyone.

This way we will have a sense of who is where without displaying your strengths, weaknesses, or embarrassing moments in front of everyone.

Feel free to relieve yourself if needed."

He laughed at his own words. For some reason. No one joined him, aside from his underlings. That too after one second he had started to laugh.

’So that’s how it is.’ Understanding dawned upon Hex.

The clans and nations wouldn’t allow their secrets to be laid bare for just a competition.

"Now. The rules," the representative continued. "The way to win this round is simple. Win the race."

The crowd buzzed in whispers.

"Yes. You heard me. This round the eight teams will be racing each other. A race to the top."

He pointed above him.

Interesting. It sounded fun. He was sure things couldn’t be so simple.

This round would determine the top four. And potentially yield some extraordinary rewards.

No way they would just test their climbing speed.

Sure enough. The representative cackled in delight as he disclosed the finer details.

"Each of the main branches going up are labeled. The numbers start from one, that’s the one right above us, all the way up to thirteen. That one is just below the peak.

On each branch you have to gather a flag. There are four colors. Red, yellow, blue, and green.

Red gives you two points, yellow, three points, blue four, and green five.

The duration of the round is twelve hours. At the end of the twelfth hour, irrespective whether someone has reached the thirteenth branch or not, the points will be tallied. The four teams with the most points go to the next round.

Oh, and one more thing. Everything goes.

And I mean everything.

You can attack each other.

You can gather treasures on your way.

You can capture or kill a beast you find.

They can attack you.

One person could be the sole survivor. Or everyone. It’s up to you.

Each team can field three members. No substitutes.

Even if a team is wiped out but somehow their flags remain with their...remains, those points will count.

Am I clear?"

For a while no one spoke. They had to process all the information they received.

Hex shook his head. What a sadistic, blood thirsty round this one would end up to be.

It didn’t need to be as dire as he imagined. But he knew it would. Without even officially hearing the list of rewards, the teams would go beyond their usual limits. Just to win. To prove they were better than the others.

"So, who is it going to be?" Sterling asked, gathering the team around him.

They all looked eager to continue. But no one raised their hands. They could tell the difficulty of this round. Even the twins remained silent.

This round required speed, strength, and endurance. Not everyone had it.

Too much rode on this tournament for the cursed team. Their entire future hung in the balance.

Without Sterling securing the post of heir, they would be left homeless and helpless. So, no one spoke.

"I think it’s better if I list the people I think should go?" Sterling said with a sigh. Hex knew why he was hesitating. His people wouldn’t be pleased with the list.

"I propose a team of Hex, Gronke, and...Elron."

As Hex had thought, after a second of stunned silence, the group erupted.

They had expected Hex to be on the list. A boy who outlived Heaven’s Vault interest and a Sin’s attack was the best for such a round.

They even counted on him.

Gronke. Okay. They hadn’t seen much of him but the boar-like man had lived up to every task assigned to him so far. Plus, he was a warlord. And they had paid him.

Elron. That was the problem. No one trusted the sly helper of Ella. He had proven to be a follower of the Divine Lord, through and through.

Merchants would rather trust a killer or a conman than a devoted psycho. Those people never acted according to logic.

"Don’t worry. I am devoted. And I have zero interest in you guys. All true." Elron had joined them at some point. Only Hex had noticed him. He remained quiet, however.

Hex didn’t trust Elron either. He had been a Dawnbringer. He harmed Grindeston maybe the most. But it was Sterling’s call. And Hex agreed with it.

Elron’s smile infuriated the crowd more than they had been.

"Listen. Please. I have no interest in helping you. But orders of my lord. I need something up there. And Ella has other orders. So. Please?"

He smiled innocently. A dangerous sign. They all knew it.

"Let him join," Hex said before they could argue again. "If he tries something funny, I will take care of it. Remember, everything goes." Hex met Elron’s gaze. "Even friendly fire."