Chapter 177: Tournament Arc: White Egg (9)

As [The Silver Elf] gracefully maneuvered through the Tournament, [The Merchant] observed her every move with keen interest. He saw the potential for a mutually beneficial partnership, one where he could leverage her unique abilities for his own gain. But he also understood the risks that came with such power—a power that could just as easily turn against him if not handled with care.

And, last but not least, there was the [Crimson Death], a dragonborn from the Draconic Valley. There was no value in the [Merchant]'s knowledge of the Crimson Death, because anything he knew about the hatchling with the blood of the Dragon God, everyone else knew. That's just how strong she was. There were too many achievements to pick out but the most remarkable one would be how she'd eaten a god's flesh, an arm of the Metal God, and ever since, anything metal - she was completely immune to. And, she was still but a hatchling, at least  in draconian term.

If he had to be honest, if a dark horse didn't appear, most likely, the [Crimson Death] would be the one winning this whole Tournament, but in his experience, a dark horse always appeared. After all, that's how the current [God-King] came to be in the first place.

Although these contestants showed promise, [The Merchant]'s instincts told him that an even more intriguing seedling would emerge. Someone who could captivate him beyond measure, perhaps challenging his very understanding of the world. It was a rarity for [The Merchant] to be genuinely enthralled, considering the vast experiences he had amassed over the years. But he relished the possibility that this tournament might uncover such a prodigy.

Each competitor had their unique strengths and stories, but the one who would truly stand out, the one who would leave [The Merchant] on the edge of his seat, was yet to be revealed.

In the realm of gods and demons, where power and influence dictated destinies, [The Merchant] thrived. But for him, the ultimate currency was potential—the promise of greatness yet to be fully realized. He saw the seeds of greatness in these contestants, and he was ready to nurture and exploit them to their fullest potential.

The anticipation in [The Merchant]'s heart grew as the tournament progressed. He knew that beyond the cheers and clashes, a diamond in the rough awaited his discerning eye. And when that moment came, when he found that one seedling who could take the world by storm, [The Merchant] would be there, ready to offer his trade and elevate them to heights they had never dreamed possible.

"Is this seat still available?"

In the midst of [The Merchant]'s musings, he was suddenly greeted by the charismatic host of the Tournament himself—[Duke Aryan], the Crownless King and younger brother of the current King of Valterra. Despite his public exile, everyone in the know understood that Duke Aryan still wielded significant power and influence.

"Ah, [The Merchant], my esteemed guest," Duke Aryan said, his voice carrying a hint of charm and intrigue. "I trust you're enjoying the spectacle so far?"

[The Merchant] offered a knowing smile. "Indeed, Duke Aryan," he replied.

Duke Aryan's eyes gleamed with interest as he glanced over the contestants. "I see," he said, his tone low and enigmatic. "Well, whatever the case, I hope that nothing ill befalls you if you are plotting else-things for my Tournament."

There it was. Even for [The Merchant], he didn't expect that Duke Aryan was as power-hungry as the stories make him out to be. The story of Duke Aryan was one of scandal and intrigue, a tale whispered in hushed tones among the powerful elite. He had once been hailed as a prodigy, with extraordinary talents and potential, but his ambition had led him down a dark path. The rumors spoke of unspeakable deeds, including of how the exile was only to cover up for his prodigious stunt of raping his and the current King's mother, cuckolding his father, before killing his father which allowed for his older brother to take the mantle and crown of King.

The enigmatic Duke's exile had been a carefully orchestrated charade, a cover-up for the shocking events that had transpired in the past. Yet, despite his fall from grace, Duke Aryan still wielded tremendous influence behind the scenes, pulling strings and manipulating events from the shadows.

As the host of the Tournament, [Duke Aryan] carried himself with an air of confidence and authority. His once-youthful features now bore the weight of experience and secrets, making him a compelling figure to behold. Behind his charming facade lay a cunning mind, always calculating and scheming.

[The Merchant] chuckled. "Trust me, Duke Aryan, I'm no stranger to the intricacies of power and intrigue," he said. "In fact, that's what makes this Tournament all the more thrilling."