Chapter 20: The Fated Colosseum

“Lord Hero, do you require anything else?”

Qiaolun remained impassive despite Vivi’s polite smile. He busied himself wrapping white strips of cloth around his arm, these inscribed bands, etched with magic arrays, would automatically activate ice-elemental magic upon encountering high temperatures, thereby lowering the surrounding temperature.

“Lord Hero?”

“Oh? Ah… my apologies.”

‘Was this human contemplating strategies for battling the Demon Lord? Unless he possessed a robust physique like the Demon Lord, or perhaps specialized in fire-elemental magic, he wouldn’t be wearing these ice-enchanted strips. They must be intended to prevent him from being harmed by the intense heat generated during battle.’

Observing Qiaolun’s distracted demeanor, Vivi found herself speculating about his thoughts. Judging by his characteristics and movements, it seemed he might excel in close-quarters combat.

‘It’s futile. He couldn’t possibly overpower the Demon Lord. As for using magic, that would depend entirely on the Demon Lord’s mood.’

“Could I trouble you for a glass of ice water? I’m not skilled in ice magic.”

This was the Fated Colosseum, the hallowed ground where Demon Kings of old were chosen. When a previous Demon Lord was dethroned by an irresistible force, the Upper Demons born through natural means gained the right to contend for the title. Even though such naturally born demons were scarce, by Yunajin’s generation, she was the sole traditional heir to the Demon Lord’s mantle within the entire demonic race, yet the ancient rules still held sway.

Nearly every demon who had once fought here possessed the innate qualities to become a Demon Lord. While their battles might not have shaken the heavens as one might imagine, they were nonetheless spectacular and captivating, drawing in numerous residents of Demon Lord City and Upper Demons to witness them.

Qiaolun currently resided in a private chamber, specifically designed for Upper Demons to rest and observe. It was fully equipped with amenities, food, and drinks, and boasted a remarkably soft and comfortable sofa. Before him, a colossal crystal orb offered a clear, panoramic view of the colosseum.

Due to its prolonged sealed state, most of the magic arrays here had deliberately ceased to function, including the ice-elemental arrays designed for rapid cooling. Their shelf life, it seemed, was far shorter than that of food.

Upon hearing his request, Vivi presented Qiaolun with a cup that gradually became coated in a layer of frost.

“Such adept use of magic… As the Demon Lord’s personal attendant, her strength is undoubtedly considerable.” Qiaolun, half-lidded, swirled the cup, gazing at his reflection in the liquid. The tension coiling within him eased somewhat.

‘The final battle with the Demon Lord, which he had yearned for, was about to commence here. There would be no grand pronouncements like “staking the fate of all humanity” or “saving this world.” It felt more like a meaningless discord inserted into the Demon Lord’s busy, monotonous life; at least, to her, it must be a novel experience.’

Qiaolun understood the immense disparity in strength between himself and the Demon Lord. Even a newly born Demon Lord was a force few in the United Kingdom could openly defeat. What kind of being, then, would the Demon Lord become once she fully matured?

The cold water slid down his throat, finally pulling Qiaolun from his reverie of the future.

Qiaolun approached every endeavor with seriousness and unwavering dedication; facing the impending battle, he would give nothing less than his absolute best.

“This place is called the ‘Fated Colosseum,’ isn’t it?” Qiaolun inquired.

“Indeed, it is the ancient battleground of Demon Kings, a place where destinies turn.”

‘Is this fate’s decree? Then let it come.’

Qiaolun secured his sword, rose, and proceeded down the corridor leading to the colosseum. The white light from the exit slowly expanded before his eyes, and the clamorous din of the crowd grew increasingly distinct in his ears.

“Demon Lord, Demon Lord, Demon Lord!”

‘This… this is truly magnificent!’

Qiaolun was not only astonished by the thousands of demons seated all around him, but also by the colossal portraits of the Demon Lord hung high on every side, complemented by banners proclaiming “The Demon Lord is Peerless” and “The Demon Lord is Invincible.” It was clear that his opponent had leveraged the home-field advantage to its absolute fullest.

The confidence he had painstakingly built up, Qiaolun could distinctly feel it crumbling.

‘What a joke, Qiaolun! You are representing humanity, confronting the Demon Lord. You cannot let them look down on you!’

‘Don’t be a coward, don’t be a coward!’

Qiaolun tightened his expression, adjusted his attire, and strode forward with purpose.

“Lord Hero!”

Several childish voices echoed beside him.

“What?” Qiaolun responded, turning to see two small fox-like demi-humans approaching, carrying a wreath woven from roses.

“Lord Hero, we’re rooting for you!”

“You look so, so cool when you fight!” the demi-human boy declared, his face alight with admiration.

He accepted the wreath that the demi-human girl placed upon him, then smugly stroked his nose. ‘It seems my charm is enough to sway them. Demon Lord, your subjects are quite discerning.’

“Mmm, fragrant roses. Thank you, children.” Qiaolun smiled, gently stroking their heads. The moment he straightened up, a solid wooden board slipped and fell.

“Ah, a signature board, this…” As Qiaolun inadvertently flipped the board over, a familiar portrait of the Demon Lord met his gaze. He froze in place, rigid as a weathered rock.

Beneath the portrait, a line of small text read: “To the Beautiful and Noble Demon Lord.”

“Oh dear, it seems we got the wrong one.”

“But the person up there gave us this exact one, didn’t they?”

Seeing the situation sour, the two demi-human children, who had been entrusted with the task, scurried away.

‘Alright, alright, so this is how we’re playing, huh? Well, I couldn’t care less!’

“Why isn’t she here yet? I’m going to cleave her with my sword!”

Just as Qiaolun drew his sword, looking around with a sense of bewilderment, someone in the arena shouted—

“The Demon Lord has arrived!”

Immediately, a dark silhouette descended from the heavens.

Boom—

The ground trembled, and dust billowed upwards. Witnessing this, Qiaolun’s expression turned stern.

“So, she’s finally here!”

With a wave of the newcomer’s hand, a gust of wind dispersed the lingering dust. Pink hair fluttered, and a dark red cape billowed as a young Upper Demon maiden stood majestically in the colosseum.

Instantly, a wave of cheers erupted from the populace throughout the arena.

“The Demon Lord is invincible!”

“The Demon Lord is truly captivating!”

“I want to be the Demon Lord’s dog!”

“I want to lick the Demon Lord’s feet!”

“Uh… what?”

Perhaps the fervent fanaticism of the demonic populace was momentarily too much for Yunajin to process. She could only manage a strained, awkward smile as she waved to the spectators in the stands.

‘What are they thinking? I don’t even like puppies; kittens are more my style. But if Lord Hero ever comes to his senses and desires *that*, well, it wouldn’t be entirely out of the question.’

Yunajin observed Qiaolun, who stood motionless opposite her, seemingly dumbfounded by the crowd’s words, his worldview shattered.

‘Ultimately, this battle is somewhat unfair to Lord Hero. I hope the people and gifts I arranged will soothe his emotions. How thoughtful I am…’

‘With such profound deliberation, foresight, strength, and gentleness, a perfect Demon Lord like me truly deserves the support of her people.’

“Well then, Hero from Aldelit, I grant you the right to face me. Do not disappoint this King.”

Qiaolun drew his silver-white blade, “Dawn’s Hymn.” Assuming the same stance he had taken back in the Steelhoof Tribe, he vowed that this time, he would not fail.

According to its smith, Moore Ironmountain, “Dawn’s Hymn” amplified the wielder’s various physical attributes. Furthermore, in addition to its original ability to store light magic, it now possessed the capacity to absorb demonic energy and convert it into light magic.

Initially, Qiaolun had not been accustomed to the sudden enhancement of his body when he first acquired the sword. Otherwise, with his normal physique, he would have been unable to achieve such speed or withstand such impacts.

A heavy, earth-shattering thud resounded as the jet-black sword struck the ground.

In stark contrast to the ethereal, almost weightless “Dawn’s Hymn,” the sword, revered as one that “only the current Demon Lord possessed the strength to wield,” held the power to effortlessly cleave the very earth.

If the Hero’s sword represented precision, power, and skill, then the Demon Lord’s sword was wielded with unadulterated brute force.

With an unstoppable momentum, Qiaolun, the first human Hero in the history of humankind to reach Demon Lord City, swung his sword of defiance at the Demon Lord.