Lightning Is the Only Way

It was currently dusk, and the last light of the sun appeared behind the massive throne of the Empress. The seat itself was relatively small, only about two meters wide, but the throne itself stretched over 100 meters into the sky.

On top of this throne sat the Empress. She had a long, snake-like body with ocean-blue scales covering it. Her lower body had no legs, which wasn't surprising for such a snake-like body, but her upper body was completely different from what Gravis had expected.

The Empress had a very human-like upper body, which surprised him. Her upper body had two arms, shoulders, a waist, and a chest. Yet, in comparison to human women, she lacked the additional weight on the chest. That was probably because the additional weight would only serve as a hindrance in a fight.

Her face also looked similar to a human's, but she had no hair. Instead, she had some black spines going along her head, which stretched nearly all the way to her tail.

Gravis was so surprised about her appearance because a human body generally wasn't seen as very effective regarding combat. Yes, she had her two arms that could help her use weapons and tools, but they could be longer for combat efficiency. All in all, Gravis found several things that could be improved.

Yet, exactly that was what surprised him. Someone as powerful as the Empress should be able to see these deficiencies. So, why did she choose this particular body? Gravis saw no advantage in having a human-like upper body if it wasn't paired with the other strengths of a human, like powerful legs for acceleration.

A human-like upper body with a snake-like lower body created several problems in regards to speed and acceleration. Sure, a snake body was flexible, but if one weren't fast enough to make use of this flexibility, it would all be wasted.

'There must be a reason for her to choose this kind of human-like appearance,' Gravis thought. 'This can't be pure coincidence.'

Right now, the Empress had her eyes closed, but not for long. Soon after everyone stopped moving around, the Empress opened her snake-like eyes and looked upon her visitors.

WHOOOOOOM!

Gravis felt an incredible feeling of pride wash over him, and it became incredibly hard for him to remain rational. His feelings told him that she was superior. His feelings told him that nothing could possibly kill such a powerful being.

WHOOOOM!

Gravis activated his Will-Aura but kept it only around his body. Like this, no one else would be able to know what he was doing.

'This was close,' Gravis thought with some nervousness. 'Her pride has nearly infected me. It almost made me believe that I would never be able to reach her level. Luckily, for once, my Will-Aura can fight against this feeling.'

Gravis' eyes narrowed.

'This is different from the inherent superiority of a beast. Her feeling of power and pride has manifested and can manipulate the world around her. This is probably the effect of the Law of Pride that she has comprehended,' Gravis thought.

particular, but Gravis felt like she

insides shake a little. 'Has she found out that I can resist her?

had lowered their head a little and looked with shame onto the

they, including the white ape, were all concentrating

the Empress said with a quiet voice that seemed to stretch over

everything was back to normal again. It was almost like this moment had never happened. Only the white ape and Gravis remembered the moment while everyone else completely forgot the last

Gravis was rather sure that this situation had no impact on

level four Lords, and 147 level three Lords,"

were all the candidates that were present. Gravis had already

five Lord can fight a King?"

remained silent for a couple

expected this. Theoretically, the power difference between a level five Lord and a level one King were two levels. Sadly, that only considered the power of the body. As soon as

that could fight two levels above themselves, but none

Lord that can't fight a Half-Step

of seconds passed in

grey wolf whose whole body

his world crumble. This couldn't be real! This was a nightmare! He knew for a fact that his candidate could win against a Half-Step

of his chosen candidate. The King lost his control and shouted. "Why are you

SHING! SHING! BANG! BANG!

and penetrated the wolf and the King. Then, their

have confidence in your future," the Red King

enough to intercept Voice Transmissions. To do that, one needed to be an Immortal, at least. That's

wolf was forced into this scenario and wanted to take revenge?"

All these beasts fulfill the Battle-Strength requirement, which was why this other King was so shocked when he heard the wolf's words. The wolf was obviously lying about his

moved

value true power while a King that doesn't notice such a flaw dug their own grave. Therefore, the Empress killed both of

King answered with

with their respective Kings. If there is no outstanding candidate among the other Lords, I