While Konrad's hands bathed in the blood of the third level's Monstrous Beasts, the other contestants were not staying idle.

　　The weaker n.o.bles at the low and mid-level Grand Knight Ranks formed Extermination Teams to slaughter all the beasts at the first level while those of the high-level Grand Knight Ranks did the same at the second level. All clung on the hope that they could replace quality with quant.i.ty and at least send one of them to the compet.i.tion's next step.

　　However, among the Arch Knights of the margrave and duke-level houses, many chose to try their luck within the third level.

　　As for the imperial family's team, they, of course, did the same.

　　The fifth prince had just returned from dealing with a low-level Monstrous Beast when he realized someone was missing within the team.

　　"Where is Nils?!"

　　His bark almost caused his subordinates to jump from fright.

　　"Huh…he was here not long ago…"

　　"…we…don't know when he left…"

　　"Imbeciles!"

　　The two who'd just spoken were sent cras.h.i.+ng onto the ground by two violent slaps that left burning red marks on their cheeks.

　　Holger's eyes were bloodshot, and veins beat on his temple.

　　"You better find and bring him back within the next hour. Otherwise, should anything befall him, none of you can escape with your lives!"

　　The seriousness of his threat was evident. Therefore, they didn't dare delay and scattered in two groups to look for the ninth prince's whereabouts.

　　...

　　Meanwhile, Nils had decided to test her skills in a solo hunt. Although she still was at the Grand Rank, she was confident in her ability to defeat low-level Monstrous Beasts and avoid coming across stronger ones.

　　However, she knew her overprotective brother would never grant her the opportunity to truly test herself. So, she could only sneak out!

　　At the moment, she was lost in a fierce battle against a Nether Leopard, unaware that from the shadows, several gazes were locked on her.

　　...

　　"Koloman, do you really want to do this?"

　　Asked one of the Arch Knights among Koloman's teammates.

　　They'd unwittingly come across the scene of the ninth prince fighting a Monstrous Beast and initially planned to ignore it and carry on with their business. However, who would have thought that Koloman would order them to stop and observe the scene from the shadows, then wait for an opportunity to strike the ninth prince down!

　　"What? Afraid?"

　　The coldness within Koloman's tone made it clear that if they showed hesitation, their future was in jeopardy.

　　"Before the paragon spirits appeared, we winged-serpents ruled this land! However, a hundred thousand years ago they appeared out of nowhere and with their false holy church leading them, slaughtered us en ma.s.se and forced all the n.o.ble serpent clans into submission!

　　But not content of taking away our lands, they had the audacity to take the 'tamed winged-serpent' as the symbol of their house!"

　　Koloman snapped with deep rancor, his words causing fury to suppress the apprehension within his fellows' hearts.