"What the hell!"
"What kind of draw is this? It's only the round of 16, and two championship favorites are already facing off?"
"This is insane! Another spotlight battle!"
"Who drew these teams? I want to thank their entire family!"
"..."
As soon as the official announcer's words fell, the crowd erupted.
No one expected this long-anticipated grudge match to come so early!
It's worth noting that...
In the Free Federation's seating area, the previously arrogant audience grew solemn after hearing the official announcement.
Hmm…
It seems that during the individual competition, this unsportsmanlike Free Federation audience was thoroughly taught a lesson by that non-specialist.
Back then, their arrogance knew no bounds. Every time Norton crushed an opponent in his demon form, they would burst into cheers and jeers.
But then, they met that non-specialist from the Dragon Kingdom and were utterly defeated.
Now, even though Norton's demon bloodline has further evolved, and the Free Federation has provided him with many advanced skill books...
After witnessing firsthand the non-specialist's evolved innate talent and his crushing victories in the previous two matches, the Free Federation audience no longer dared to pop champagne at halftime.
Even Norton, standing on stage facing off against Ling Zhan, had lost his usual arrogance. His demon-marked face was now grim and heavy.
This diminished the audience's fear of Norton even further.
Oh…
So even this Chaos Demon has someone he fears!
In the VIP section...
The powerful and the nobility shared a sense of anticipation and excitement no less than the audience below.
Even Princesses Saint Luni and Saint Lucy had their eyes on that cold and expressionless non-specialist.
"Sister, who do you hope will win?" Saint Lucy suddenly asked.
"I hope the Free Federation wins," Saint Luni calmly replied.
Hearing this, Saint Lucy pouted, "Why? Wouldn't it be better if the Dragon Kingdom wins?"
"Because if the Free Federation team can't defeat that non-specialist, then our Holy Light Empire Royal Team probably can't either."
Saint Lucy: "..."
She suddenly realized...
Her sister had said "can't beat that non-specialist," not "can't beat that Dragon Kingdom team."
This meant that, in her sister's eyes, the rest of the Dragon Kingdom team had weaknesses that could be exploited.
But that ice-cold non-specialist had no weaknesses at all!
"So, do you want to defeat that non-specialist?"
Suddenly, a mature and gentle voice whispered in their ears.
They turned to see the tall, enchanting figure of the Corrupt Witch!
Shlick!
The two princesses, though of noble status, stood up nervously and respectfully greeted, "Teacher Cathy."
All of the Holy Light Empire's magic textbooks were written by this Corrupt Witch.
Even the teachers at the Royal Academy for nobles had studied her books to gain their knowledge.
In fact...
Not just the princesses, but 90% of the spellcasters in the Holy Light Empire had benefited from her teachings.
"No need to be so stiff…"
Cathy gently lifted the chins of the two princesses, a playful smile on her beautiful face, which was no less stunning than Princess Saint Luni's:
"I asked you, do you want to defeat that non-specialist?"
"Of course I do!"
Princess Saint Lucy answered straightforwardly.
She even fantasized about kidnapping that non-specialist to make him her prince consort.
Perhaps defeating him was the only way to catch his attention.
Saint Luni, on the other hand, pursed her lips and softly said, "Yes."
Hearing their answers, Cathy's playful smile grew wider as she leaned in to whisper secretively to the two princesses.
It's worth noting that...
Even though all this was happening in full view of the public, none of the surrounding nobles or powerful figures reacted as if they hadn't seen a thing.
...
"Remember, stick to the plan!"
On the stage...
At this moment, Norton's eyes were fixed solely on that solitary, cold figure.
After hearing Norton's words, his teammates froze for a moment, then nodded heavily.
Their hearts grew heavy because their captain no longer dared to fight 1-on-50!
In the previous two matches, Captain Norton had always dismissed the opposing teams as insignificant.
But now…
Facing the Dragon Kingdom team with the non-specialist, he was choosing to rely on his teammates!
This was almost a sign of weakness, wasn't it?
Of course.
These thoughts could only remain in their heads; they wouldn't dare say them aloud.
Unless they had a death wish.
Still, they all knew…
Once they entered the special realm, if the audience saw Norton no longer daring to take on 50 people alone, they would definitely erupt in mockery.
But that didn't matter.
As long as they could take down that non-specialist, who cares if they were laughed at!
"Both teams, please enter the special realm and prepare for the ten-second countdown!"
Under the referee's guidance...
Both teams quickly entered the familiar, vast plain battlefield.
The Dragon Kingdom's lineup remained the same as before, with no changes.
As for the Free Federation...
They had an all-demon lineup!
Ten demons serving as the frontline included Wall Demons, Magma Demons, and Steel Demons.
Ten ranged damage dealers included Flame Demons, Frost Demons, and Swamp Demons.
Ten melee damage dealers included Shadow Demons, Bloodthirsty Demons, and Giant Demons.
Ten support demons included Healing Demons, Vine Demons, and Cleansing Demons.
The remaining nine positions were taken by Curse Demons instead of Shadow Priests.
Finally, Norton, as the commander, stood at the back.
The reason they didn't choose priests as support but rather demon-type classes...
Is because the priest class comes with inherent 'Holy' effects, which, when used on undead, demonic, or infernal entities, would cause them searing pain instead of boosting them.
So demons or druids had to be used instead.
And when the audience saw the Free Federation team's formation, sure enough, mocking laughter filled the arena.
Everyone could see that Norton, when facing that non-specialist, no longer dared to recklessly challenge 50 people at once.
At this moment...
The countdown timer appeared on the screen!
"Here it comes!"
"It's about to start!"
Under the gaze of millions of expectant eyes…
3!
2!
1!
The match begins!