Hearing that, everybody was amazed. For the Prince of Fiordall to be offering such a thing was definitely incredible. The amount of riches that Fiordall has as a kingdom is boundless, and many can only ever dream of obtaining it.
And yet, here he is, offering such a powerful gift for the one who is powerful enough to win it.
The crowd became even more excited. Now that the stakes of the battle have gone even higher, the level of competitiveness should rise as well.
However, this did not turn out as anyone expected.
SHREG!!!
Next to me, Nyssa stood up without a word. I turned my confused gaze to her and found a shocked expression worn on her face.
"N-Nyssa…?" I tried calling to her because Nyssa seemed odd, and she turned her cold gray eyes to me. Seeing how serious her expression was, I realized right away that the situation was not something to be joked about.
"Tell me… Lily." Nyssa suddenly asked me, and I only became worried as to what she wanted to say to me.
"If you do win it all… you'd probably ask him to be your boyfriend. Right? At most, you'd want him to marry you. Right?" Nyssa asked with such a serious tone, and Ionly opened my eyes widely.
I didn't… even think of that.
"A-And what if I do?"
"Then you'd better forget about it and surrender." Instead of Nyssa, the one who answered was Rejulus who is right next to me.
I turned to him and found that he was also wearing a similar expression to Nyssa. A serious… battle face.
I noticed that the air has completely changed in this seating area for the challengers. Everyone has realized how important the reward is for winning, and they are all resolute to win.
They all… have something they wanted. Even a crown prince like Rejulus.
Nathan's power… is truly mighty. He can easily turn these people who were previously joking around to be like this.
Now, the tournament isn't just a sparring contest anymore. It's no longer just a test to score our performance.
It is a race. A competition. A battle to win, to obtain that wish.
I see… Now I get why everyone became like this.
They all had something they wanted. Even if it's a simple thing, like money, fame, or power. Nathan has said it himself that he will grant anything, even his assistance. We can literally ask him to be our slave if we wanted to.
And certainly… everyone wants to win more than ever.
"Reggie…"
"Yes, Jonah. I know."
At the arena, the auras of the two fighters have turned much heavier and denser. The presence of the two has gotten to a boiling point, where the battle can happen at any given moment.
Both Jonah and Reggie… do not want to lose.
"I'm grateful that you've been a good cousin to me. However, for the sake of everyone in this world… Please step aside." Jonah firmly stated as he formed his fighting stance, but Reggie only smirked.
"What are you saying, Big Bro? As if what you'd wish for is anything that will help anyone." Reggie himself has formed his combat stance, preparing him for what is coming.
Seeing that the two challengers are ready, the announcer realized that it is finally time.
"W-Wow! That was some stakes to be put on the line! Well, in that case, let's not put this match on hold for too long!
Let us begin the match!"
The crowd once again turned loud and excited, and the green light was given. A referee stepped into the arena, and his hand was lifted holding a green flag.
The moment that flag was lowered, the match began.
"Lily." Next to me, Nyssa called once more, and I turned to find her saddened gaze.
"If… we do meet in the semifinals, I need you to promise me something." Nyssa suddenly said to me, and I only turned curious.
"What is it?"
"If you're still going to just wish for nonsensical things like what I mentioned… then please surrender. I'd rather be on my peak form when I face that guy." Nyssa said as she turned her cold glare to Eric, who sat not too far away from us.
Eric seemed rather calm, but he is smirking as if knowing that he will just win it all.
It is my first time seeing Nyssa this serious, so it must be serious as well. I simply let out a sigh while pondering for myself about what I genuinely wanted.
Is my wish… of wanting Nathan to be mine… such a pointless thing? In that case, what does everyone else want? Money? Power? What would they want from Nathan that they'd fight to the end of the world for it?
Can I even… ask them about it?
"Nyssa…"
"Please… Promise me, Lily. I needed this."
"Tell me what your wish is first. Then, I'll genuinely consider it." I said firmly, which made Lily turn her saddened gaze to me.
"Something… embarrassing."
… I see. Everyone had their dark wishes. Nyssa's, for example, might've been something not so normal.
In that case… what is my stance on everything?
"FIGHT!!!" At the arena, the referee announced the battle to begin, and both Jonah and Reggie unleashed their powers at each other.
BLAAMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The two smacked their fists at each other very powerfully at the arena. The shockwave threw a powerful wind force to everyone watching, and it completely silenced the arena.
Everyone… is fighting for their wish. However, I am still quite confused with what my wish is going to be.
If I do win it all… what am I going to wish for? Will I just be asking Nathan to be my boyfriend, like what Nyssa says?
…
In the first place, what is so wrong about it?
I got rejected. It's only natural that he'll just reject me again. And since he has been distancing himself with me, I'm very certain that he will just continue rejecting me again and again.
My wish… is truly impossible. It's not something that can be obtained through normal means.
Besides, what's so wrong with it? Everyone has their own greed. They all wanted something. Even if it's less important, so what?
"Nyssa."
My voice landed onto Nyssa's ears instantly, and she turned to find a soft smile worn on my face.
"I don't care."
My words struck Nyssa like thunder, and I only turned my smile to Rejulus next to me, who is also quite surprised. I returned my gaze to the VIP room on the north, pondering if that guy was genuinely up there.
So, what if that's what I wanted?
I have decided to live for myself. I'll fight for it, if I truly have to.
"Then… we'll be enemies. If we do meet somewhere on the line, then I'll give it my all to face you." Nyssa said to me firmly, and I nodded at her.
"Not a chance. I'll win our battle, and I'll win out." Rejulus suddenly chimed in next to me, and Nyssa only let out a sigh.
"You don't even hold a candle to me. Plus, you're a crown prince. What can you possibly ask from Nathan?"
"For him to become the King of Fiordall." Rejulus answered bluntly, which shocked both me and Nyssa.
A couple others also heard it despite the loud battle happening at the arena, and Rejulus noticed the attention that he had gotten. He only laughed seeing how surprised we were.
"What? In case you don't know… Becoming a king is highly important. Just imagine a kingdom with that bastard as the king." Rejulus muttered with utter annoyance, and we all thought about it deeply.
Nathan's talent and capabilities were beyond the charts. Rejulus is a charismatic leader himself, but Nathan is just on a whole other level.
If the day does come when Nathan becomes the King of Fiordall, that will simply turn Fiordall into the most powerful nation in the whole Avenor. Forget Valkaria, forget the dark republic's greatest glory days. Fiordall under Nathan's thumb can annex the whole Avenor.
"I'm still winning later." Nyssa muttered as she sat back down on her seat, but Rejulus laughed.
"Nah. I'd win."
Looks like everyone really does have their own greed…
So... is it really wrong for me to have my own?