Lightning Is the Only Way

Gravis thought about this whole thing for a couple more seconds but couldn't find a long-term solution. Yet, he found a short-term solution.

"Sorry for disturbing you," Gravis transmitted to the white ape. "Forget what I said. I found a different solution. Thanks, anyway."

The white ape became more confused when he heard Gravis' answer. On top of that, it also felt a little weird to have a Lord speak to him this casually. Every Lord and King always talked to him in a very subservient manner. The white ape didn't know if he preferred this method of talking or the other.

"Okay," the white ape answered. "We can talk more later," he said.

"Sure," Gravis answered.

Then, Gravis simply flew back to the arena without talking to anyone else. His short-term solution was to ask the referrer of his future opponent to keep watch over the ore. They would surely accept when Gravis gave them the possibility to kill him and protect their candidate if he came close to the ore. After all, it was in their interest.

"I'm ready," Gravis shouted.

Most beasts still looked at the mountain of ore in surprise and shock. They had just never seen anything even remotely like this.

The Empress nodded and turned to the level five Lords. "Anyone willing to fight him, step forward," she said.

Silence.

No level five Lord was willing to take a step forward. Gravis' first display had already somewhat intimidated them, and the second one was obviously even worse. Right now, none of the candidates were ready to fight Gravis. There were simply just too many variables.

quite happy when she saw that. She wanted this whole thing to be over as quickly as possible. There was no longer any reason to test Gravis, and if there were an even more outstanding beast, they would have already stepped forward

Step!

decided to show its guts now. Obviously, she was annoyed, but that didn't mean that she would suppress this whole event. It was just a bit more time that needed to be

wolf stepped forward. He was "only" 500-meters-long, but his fur stood up like it had been electrified. Judging by his color, he was

sigh. Hopefully, this time, nothing went wrong. She didn't know if she could allow Gravis to ask for a fourth opponent. At some point,

can't fight that one," Gravis suddenly shouted from the

As soon as Gravis got involved, this whole thing devolved into some weird one-beast-show starring Gravis. Could

Empress asked with obvious annoyance in her voice.

how do I put this?" Gravis said with embarrassment. "Beasts with

beasts were surprised again when they heard that. How could Gravis know that this beast wasn't even his opponent if he hadn't

more annoyance. Watching Gravis enrage

on his face. "I kind of… don't want to explain why," Gravis said, surprising the beasts even more. Being casual was

Empress was a little taken aback when she heard

show you?" Gravis said suddenly before the Empress could react.

no idea what Gravis was doing. Why was he pointing at his

panic and terror. Then, he quickly stepped back and even buried himself in the

to be described or explained. It happened so often on

ape and the Empress were also surprised. They had seen the genuine battle-intent inside the wolf's eyes. He, obviously, had been ready to put his life on the line.

too weak to fake something like this in front of two Emperors. Emperors had far superior senses and could see the

felt genuine terror as soon as

which could be easily regenerated. The feeling of losing