URBAN VILLAIN SYSTEM-Chapter 34: I challenge you

The servant Kelvin didn’t step back after his first remark. Instead, he straightened his posture and spoke louder, making sure everyone nearby could hear him.

"Some people really don’t understand their place," Kelvin said, looking directly at Tony. "Standing in front of restricted weapons like this... do you even know what kind of strength is required to use them?"

A few people nearby slowed down, their attention shifting.

Kelvin continued without pause. "Or maybe you think wealth is enough. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way here."

Tony didn’t react. His eyes were still on the gauntlets behind the barrier.

"Rightly said, Kelvin," a voice suddenly echoed across the hall, loud and clear.

Footsteps followed.

Edward walked in openly this time, no longer hiding his presence. His tone carried across the entire weapon hall, drawing attention from every corner.

"Sometimes even the richest people can’t get what they want... without proper strength."

The hall shifted instantly.

"It’s the Ninth Prince...!"

"Edward Smith...!"

"I didn’t expect him here..."

"So that servant belongs to the imperial family..."

The whispers grew louder as more people gathered. What had started as a small exchange was now turning into a spectacle.

Edward stopped a few steps away, his gaze fixed on Tony. There was no attempt to hide his intention anymore.

"Edward, control your servant," Lily said directly.

Edward let out a short breath, almost amused. "Control? He’s just speaking facts."

He looked at Lily, then back at Tony. "What surprises me more is something else. The Frost family... falling this low."

The words landed heavily.

"How did it come to this?" Edward continued, voice steady but loud enough for everyone. "A talent like you, Lady Lily... forced into a marriage with someone like him."

The crowd reacted immediately.

"What?!"

"Did he just say that openly?"

"That’s a direct insult..."

The whispers spread faster now, feeding the moment.

Tony remained silent, watching.

He wasn’t ignoring Edward. He was studying him.

The imperial family didn’t move without reason. That was the first thought that crossed his mind. This wasn’t random. This was deliberate.

Edward took a step forward. "Honestly, I didn’t expect this from the Frost clan. I thought they had standards."

"Edward, shut your mouth," Lily said, her voice sharp now. "You have no right to speak about my marriage or my family."

Edward smiled slightly. "No right? Maybe. But someone has to say it."

He gestured lightly toward Tony. "Do you really think this is acceptable? Everyone here knows the truth. You’re being forced into this."

"That’s enough," Lily said.

"Miss Lily," Edward continued, ignoring her warning, "you don’t need to protect him. We all know what he is. A man with no talent, no standing in the martial world. You deserve better."

The crowd murmured louder.

Tony finally smiled... At that moment, everything became clear.

First the servant... Then the public insult... Now the pressure on Lily.

Edward wasn’t here just to mock... He was here to make a show.

Tony took a step forward, closing the distance between them.

"At first your dog, now you... since when did the Imperial family start worrying about my marriage?" Tony asked calmly.

The hall went silent.

Edward smiled as he prepared for this. "I’m simply speaking for what everyone is thinking... You don’t deserve Lily Frost. None of us want to see her life wasted." Edward replied.

"Also, If needed, I can even help you find someone more suitable, Tony. A girl from my servants would match your level perfectly." Edward added with a mocking smile.

A few people in the crowd laughed quietly.

Tony nodded slightly. "So now you’ve become a marriage broker."

Edward’s smile widened. "If it saves the life of the talented Lily Frost, why not?"

Tony’s expression didn’t change. "Forget my marriage for a moment. Tell me something." He looked directly into Edward’s eyes. "Who do you think is worthy of Lily Frost?"

Edward didn’t hesitate. "Me," he said clearly.

The word spread through the hall like fire.

"I am stronger, more capable, and from a better position," Edward continued. "A woman like her deserves someone who can stand beside her properly."

He turned slightly toward Lily. "Say the word, Lady Lily. You’ll become part of the imperial family. I’ll make sure you’re treated the way you deserve."

The entire hall waited... Even the attendants had stopped moving.

Julie stared at Edward with disbelief, but didn’t interrupt.

Tony said nothing... He wanted to hear Lily’s answer.

Lily looked at Edward for a moment, then smiled faintly.

"You’re thinking too highly of yourself... My strength is far beyond yours. Even in a direct fight, you wouldn’t last more than three moves." Lily replied in a belittling tone.

Her reply felt like a loud slap to Edwards’s face.

The crowd exchanged looks... Edward didn’t expect Lily to support Tony so directly.

"If you want to try... let’s fight here..." Lily added calmly.

Edward’s face turned ugly... The memory was still fresh. Inside the academy, he had already lost to her more than once.

"Maybe I can’t defeat you directly... But compared to him..." He pointed at Tony. "I’m a hundred times better." Edward said in a confident tone.

The words carried frustration now.

If he couldn’t win against Lily, he would push against Tony instead. That was always the easier path.

"Tony Clark," Edward continued, voice rising again, "you’re nothing but a disappointment. An evil boy with no place in the martial world."

More people gathered with interest.

"You don’t belong here," he said. "And you definitely don’t deserve to stand beside her."

Tony listened without interruption.

Edward stepped closer, his tone sharper now. "You’ll only ruin her life. Ruin both families’ reputation. So let’s end this properly."

He stood directly in front of Tony now.

"I challenge you."

He sounded loud with a righteous look.

"If you think you’re worthy, prove it," Edward said. "If you win, I’ll accept your place beside Lily Frost."

He held Tony’s gaze. "But if I win... This engagement ends here."

The hall went completely silent with great-interest.

"Lily Frost will be free to choose someone who actually deserves her."

No one spoke... No one moved... All eyes were on Tony.