On this day, within Vebel, the atmosphere was even livelier than the previous two days.
One by one, the citizens were heading toward the Vebel arena, chattering excitedly along the way.
Meanwhile, in the arena, the spectator stands were already filled with people.
To watch today's match, many citizens flocked here. Even those who couldn't attend could still see the match.
This was because numerous cameras had been set up around the arena, and massive video walls were installed to display the activity of the representative competitors, allowing the match to be broadcast live not only in Vebel but also to the other floating cities.
In other words, today, the entire world's population was watching this match.
Only on such a stage could it be decided who would hold the title of the world's strongest.
Naturally, once someone claimed the title of strongest here, the winner's name would be spread to everyone in the world.
Thus, it made sense that Annerose and Zeth wanted to turn this match into a proxy war.
If the team representing humanity won here and defeated the team of humanoid Armored Beetles, Annerose would surely take the opportunity to tell the world that humanity had the power to resist the Armored Beetles and should not give up the fight.
If the humanoid Armored Beetles' team won here, defeating all the humans, Zeth would definitely reveal his identity to the entire world and proclaim that they wouldn't harm humanity. As long as humans submitted, the humanoid Armored Beetles would guarantee their safety, and resisting would be nothing but foolishness.
This was the importance of the proxy war.
With coordination between the human faction and the Armored Beetles' faction no longer possible, and with the certainty of a large-scale battle, the result of this match would decide whether humanity would rise and resist or surrender immediately.
This was a battle of morale.
Annerose wanted to unite the human forces to resist the powerful Armored Beetles faction, so losing this match was not an option.
Zeth, who sought to dominate humanity, naturally didn't want to see humans resisting, so he too didn't want to lose.
To some, this match might just be an event, but to the higher-ups of both factions, its importance was self-evident.
Under these circumstances, in the waiting room for the competitors, Rozen and the members of the S128 Special Task Force arrived together.
And here, a team had already arrived ahead of them.
"That's the Korai team," Yuri whispered, identifying the group.
In the corner of the waiting room, the team representing Korai sat there, each of them resting silently with their eyes closed, without a word exchanged among them.
Their presence immediately drew the attention of the S128 Special Task Force.
"There's definitely something off about the atmosphere around them," Chloe frowned.
"The tension... it doesn't feel like they're about to compete in a match," Kanata agreed with Chloe's assessment.
"They seem more like they're preparing for battle than for a competition," Mena added bluntly.
The oppressive, heavy atmosphere surrounding the Korai team was startling, giving off the impression that they weren't here for a match but rather for a life-or-death fight.
"A life-or-death fight, huh…"
Rozen's eyes flickered slightly, and he smirked.
It was as if he wasn't at all surprised by the Korai team's demeanor.
At this moment, one of the members of the Korai team opened their eyes and looked over at them.
That person was none other than…
"Josink…" Yuri gasped, saying his name.
Indeed, it was Josink, the captain of Korai's representative team, hailed as a genius of all trades.
This young man, seen by some as Rozen's replacement, gazed directly at Rozen for a moment before standing up and walking straight over.
"—!"
Kanata, Chloe, Yuri, and Mena all instinctively reacted, almost stepping forward to block Josink from Rozen.
But Rozen stopped them.
"Go rest for now."
Rozen glanced at Josink, as if fully aware of who he had come for and why. He spoke to the members of the S128 Special Task Force.
Hearing this, the group paused, exchanged glances, and without saying anything further, retreated to another area to wait.
Josink approached Rozen.
"This is the first time we've spoken formally, isn't it? Rorelai Arneet."
As soon as they met, Josink spoke these words.
His voice was calm, yet carried an indescribable coldness. Though not entirely emotionless, there was a sense of solemn resolve, like that of someone ready to sacrifice themselves at any moment, akin to a warrior prepared for death.
Rozen looked deeply at Josink, then nodded.
"Yes, this is our first direct conversation."
Rozen said nothing more, merely acknowledging Josink's statement.
Josink, on the other hand, remained expressionless.
"I've been hearing your name for a long time, to the point where I'm sick of it," Josink said. "Everyone says I'm imitating your style, that I'm even imitating you personally."
He spoke without much emotion.
The reason was simple.
"Perhaps others think I can't stand your existence, but honestly, it doesn't matter to me."
Josink made this clear.
But Rozen agreed with him.
"You're the person the Pope relies on to win the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival, aiming to defeat the Armored Beetles faction. Why would you care about me?"
Rozen revealed a secret that no one else knew.
"...You already know?"
Josink was silent for a moment, then coldly asked.
"Of course."
Rozen nodded without hesitation.
As mentioned before, just as Zeth had sent Yamier and the others to win the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival, Annerose had also planted her own people in the competition to secure victory.
These people were the Korai team.
Since Vebel was Zeth's representative city and Mistgun was Rozen's, the remaining cities, Korai and Falcion, had to be accounted for, and they had chosen Korai.
After all, Rozen had interacted with Falcion enough to know that Noel and the others had no such inclination.
On the other hand, the tension, sense of duty, and solemnity surrounding the Korai team made it clear that they were different.
Thus, Rozen could be certain that Josink and his team, representing Korai, were Annerose's people.
"Since you've already figured it out, there's no need to hide it," Josink said directly. "Our goal is to secure humanity's future and crush the Armored Beetles' conspiracy."
"So, I have no interest in you."
"We will win the upcoming match, no matter what."
"Be prepared."
With those words, Josink turned and left.
Rozen watched Josink walk away without hesitation and smiled indifferently before leaving as well.