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.

Empress smirked. She wasn't looking at anyone in particular, but

found out that I can resist

their head a little and looked with shame onto the ground. Gravis was the only beast that didn't look

noticed Gravis' situation. Gravis guessed that they, including the white ape, were all concentrating on the Empress

said with a quiet voice that seemed

It was almost like this moment had never happened. Only

than before. Based on how they appeared, Gravis was rather sure that this situation had no impact on them. The Empress probably

level five Lords, 64 level four Lords,

candidates that were present. Gravis had already

fight a King?"

remained silent for a couple of

to have 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 a beast became a King, they received a gift from

could fight two levels above themselves, but none of them dared

can't fight a

couple of seconds passed in

a grey wolf whose whole body shook in rage and fear. It had taken all of

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

looked at the hateful eyes of his chosen

SHING! SHING! BANG! BANG!

penetrated the wolf and the King. Then, their bodies froze, and they exploded into

confidence in your future,"

strong enough to intercept Voice Transmissions. To do that, one needed to be an

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

the reward for finding a powerful beast and ignore the mindset of their candidate. All these beasts fulfill the

moved while they

power while a King that doesn't notice such a flaw dug their own grave.

Red King answered

the Empress continued. "All level five Lords go to the side together with their respective Kings. If there is no outstanding candidate among the other Lords, I will take you