Chapter 18 - The Crown Of Seraph...

Cordelia kept looking down at the people with her same amiable smile, but her eyes couldn't hide the indifferent cold glint in them. She slightly flicked her fingers and a female attendant standing beside her, curtsied quickly and went away.

"Attention Ye all, fret not, for the results will not change, Remus of The Dunes, a citizen of our Great Alecia, is an excellent warrior who is worthy of your respect. He used his own strengths to qualify the tests and rightfully won the championship and also the prize that comes with it." The powerful voice of the announcer thundered throughout the hall, which instantly quietened the audience.

"Now, the award for the champion shall be presented." He continued with same velocity.

At this moment, a row of beautiful females who were scantily clad in white strings and cloth, entered the stadium in orderly manner and brought with them a crystal case which was covered with partially transparent black cloth, through which a person can vaguely make out the outline of a shimmering mannequin doll.

The case was moved to the center of the hall by them and together they lifted the cover from the case.

Everyone present in the audience burst into an awed exclamation as their eyes beheld the magnificent pure white jade mannequin which was carved intricately into an enchanting figurine of the goddess of Amor. But the even more fascinating was the crown sitting majestically on her head. The crown was fashioned in the form of long antlers made from an unknown metal, it embellished with precious stones and fine runes were drawn along its surface.

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A lonely figure sat on a bench within the long corridor leading to the giant doorway of stadium, his silver eyes glowed like moon, and he seemed to be gazing into infinity. This person was none other than the afore mentioned Remus Dunes. He opened his mouth and whispered in an unknown language, commanding into distance.

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The shadow which was quietly sitting in corner suddenly rose and took a shape of a man, its body manifested like carving out of a black onyx, a true embodiment of his owner. His long spidery tendrils of hair flowed along his length. He slowly glided towards the mannequin and stopped right in front of it.

"Are you Remus?" questioned Cordelia, while looking at him with interest. The shadow turned to look at Cordelia and gave her curt bow.

"Remus congratulation on your bravery and skill. This is your prize, The Crown of Seraph, keep it well." She said with a dignified smile.

Remus reached out to pick that crown with both of his hands, then, jumped up from the ground and landed before Vincent.

The guards immediately formed a shield in front of Cordelia who was sitting near Vincent, while looking at Remus with vary.

Remus knelt on his one knee before Vincent and offered the crown to Vincent with complete respect. Vincent also received the crown with a sense of ritual. Instantly following that, the shadow vanished into nothing only leaving a trail of shocked gazes of everyone in the stadium. But slowly this shock transformed into dissatisfaction…

"Why does he get this crown…" a dissatisfied voice murmured near him.