289 Dekan’s Best Actor Award
In the center of the arena, Dekan’s performance was observed.
The Knight Commander, Aljeer, frowned.
His dissatisfaction seemed less about Dekan’s arrogant attitude and more about his own unwillingness.
Because Aljeer’s goal of winning was also to uncover the identity of the Lord of Misfortune.
But he had never considered, nor did he have the courage, to openly declare war on the Lord of Misfortune like Dekan did.
On the other side.
The Empire Sword Saint, Adair, dressed in white imperial officer attire, smiled lightly and stopped paying attention to Dekan.
“So this is the strongest of the new generation from the Kingdom? Turns out he’s just an ant who can only play tricks.”
Adair murmured lazily as he leaned back on the sofa.
“Please be careful of him,” said the attendant beside him.
Despite wearing butler-like clothing, his aura indicated he was no ordinary person.
He simply wasn’t in his official uniform due to being part of a special unit.
“Don’t worry, all his tricks won’t work on me; your commander has overestimated him,” Adair chuckled lightly, his expression calm and composed.
To him, Dekan’s tactics seemed particularly ridiculous.
As long as there were no mental weaknesses, he wouldn’t be easily defeated by Dekan.
In a one-on-one confrontation, Dekan appeared as weak as an ant in his eyes.
“……”
The attendant hesitated, unsure of what to say.
Some things were futile to mention if the other person couldn’t accept them.
He also didn’t want to upset the Sword Saint.
Although he believed that in a one-on-one duel, the Sword Saint would completely crush Dekan.
The commander’s favoritism made it hard for him to rest easy regarding Dekan.
……
Dekan’s group returned to the mansion.
They sat down on the sofa and began to chat.
“Dekan meow! You!”
Teacher Cat expressed a multitude of emotions but could only convey them through cat-like expressions.
Though it didn’t understand what Dekan meant by acting out in the post-match interview, it knew that Dekan wasn’t the same character as Alice.
To publicly declare war on the Lord of Misfortune must contain some ulterior motives.
“Of course, it’s to deal with that Knight Commander Aljeer,” Dekan replied with a smile.
“Meow?”
It quickly dug out the information on the Knight Commander to look it over.
Dekan casually sipped his cool fruit tea.
In fact, this Knight Commander was of good character, and one could say he was a perfect knight.
But the problem with him was that he was too upright.
After looking over his profile, Dekan’s evaluation was: aloof, straightforward, and a bit of a fool.
No wonder he couldn’t win Judith’s heart.
He probably hadn’t spoken more than a few words to her.
He was even expressionless, to the point that the somewhat slow Judith could read his thoughts, which was quite surreal.
Just as Teacher Cat began to blink and ponder with confusion.
“What are you planning to do about the Empire Sword Saint? He doesn’t have the mental weaknesses that the other three possess, and he’s quite intelligent,” Mia asked, leaning back on the sofa, looking at Dekan.
“Well, indeed, this kind of outside-the-box tactic is unlikely to work on him, and it could backfire…” Dekan put down his teacup.
According to past data, the Sword Saint had shown no obvious desires. One could say that this favored child of heaven was almost indifferent; he could handle anything with ease.
Whether it’s swordsmanship, magic, or even card-making, all he needed was the will to learn and time.
Moreover, he excelled in tactical strategy and had a very deep mind.
Attempting to play cunning tricks against him without sufficient preparation was more likely to result in disaster.
Yet, Dekan’s expression remained calm, and he continued, “However, his weakness is quite obvious.”
Mia asked, “What is it?”
Dekan replied, “He probably thinks that as long as I don’t use tricks, he can easily win against me. That’s his weakness.”
Mia shrugged, resignedly smiling.
Teacher Cat had finished going through the profiles of Dekan’s last two opponents and had listened to the conversation between Dekan and Mia.
It began to understand Dekan’s plan.
He still had one more scheme up his sleeve, and then he was going to show his true skills to teach the Sword Saint a lesson.
“What are you planning to do in the next few days, meow?” Teacher Cat asked.
There were two days until the next match.
Since Dekan intended to use outside-the-box tactics against Aljeer, he must have some preparations to make during these precious two days.
However, Dekan just shook his head.
“I plan to stay home and relax for the next two days. It’s important to rest! Staying at the inn is part of the journey too! No more talk, today I will definitely become the unmatched national hero, like the Nine Lotus Treasure Lantern!”
After he finished, everyone eagerly moved toward the mahjong table Dekan had created.
……
Two days passed swiftly.
On the day of the semi-finals of the 4 into 2 matches.
Compared to the other match, which had a nearly determined outcome without needing to watch, this semi-final—Dekan vs. Aljeer—had ticket prices skyrocketing to outrageous amounts.
The program effect of the Bishop of Pain was widely recognized.
However, the audience at the venue noticed something.
In the competitors’ waiting area, Dekan’s face didn’t look good.
While many spectators speculated that Dekan was about to start playing tactics again, his lethargic state seemed genuine and not a performance.
He had apparently suffered some injury.
“Did you hear Dekan was cursed by the Lord of Misfortune?”
“I heard that Dekan hasn’t gone out for days, and someone saw a priest from the Sun God Church visiting Dekan’s mansion.”
Many spectators began to discuss among themselves.
In fact, rumors had long been circulating that Dekan had become a new target for the Lord of Misfortune.
He had begun to face intense torment.
“Publicly declaring war, how could the Lord of Misfortune not target him?! Are they supposed to let him win the championship?”
“From the Lord of Misfortune’s standpoint, he should stop Dekan from continuing to win, helping the Empire Sword Saint to claim victory, as the Sword Saint’s divination issue surely wouldn’t be associated with the Lord of Misfortune’s identity.”
The audience continued to reason, finding it increasingly plausible.
At the entrance of the Man-made Shadow World activation device.
“Do you need time to adjust your state?” Aljeer said with a frown.
Although he knew Dekan was despicable, he didn’t want to win unethically.
Dekan in this state wasn’t pretending; he was genuinely in poor condition.
The priest from the Sun God Church who went to Dekan’s mansion confirmed that Dekan had indeed been cursed by the Lord of Misfortune.
It was exactly like the curses suffered by the two kings that were murdered back then.
Dekan would likely not have a good time in the past couple of days.
Dekan seemed a bit surprised by Aljeer’s words, turned to look at him, and then revealed a genuine smile, saying, “Didn’t expect you to be not so bad after all… It’s fine, let’s start the match, this time I will give it my all to crush you.”
“……”
Aljeer fell silent for a moment. He wasn’t used to dealing with someone as cheerful as Dekan.
But after speaking with Dekan, he found it wasn’t as irritating as he had imagined.
“Then let’s go.”
Aljeer said, turning without looking back as he walked into the entrance to Phantom Canyon.
Dekan also walked forward with a smile.
However, just as Dekan was about to enter the Shadow World, he seemed to stumble slightly.
Compared to Aljeer, who stepped steadily into the Void Gate, Dekan appeared as if his body had lost strength, and he fell forward.
As the Phantom Canyon displayed on the screen, Aljeer found himself on a mountain plain.
Opposite him, Dekan was painfully collapsed on the ground.
Not only did he look as pale as a sheet, but blood was also oozing from the corner of his mouth.
……
“Damned Lord of Misfortune! Despicable and shameless!!”
“The Lord of Misfortune actually cursed Dekan right when he entered the Shadow World!”
The audience outside quickly understood what had just happened.
The previously cursed Dekan was merely a warning and a threat.
But this pre-match curse truly aimed to completely cut off Dekan’s path to victory!
At the same time, it was a threat to Aljeer!
If Aljeer won today, he would be the next to face the same fate as Dekan!
On the screen, the preparation time had long passed.
Dekan attempted several times to push himself up with his elbows but ultimately fell back down to the ground as if he couldn’t muster the strength.
Aljeer, who had initially prepared to enter battle with his magic cards, stored them away.
He approached Dekan and cast his own holy spells.
He didn’t choose to attack Dekan but instead used purification and healing magic on him.
First, he used purification on Dekan, followed by healing.
“I’ll wait for you to recover before we start fighting,” Aljeer said while healing Dekan.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll ambush you from this close distance?”
Dekan finally managed to sit up from his position on the ground, looking at Aljeer with the expression of someone incredulous.
“……While I personally don’t like you, you defeated Fahim, and if you truly were in danger, I would save you.”
Aljeer had considered the possibility Dekan might attempt deception.
After all, for Dekan, it was indeed possible to scheme.
For example, using poison at close range or employing mental magic.
However, Aljeer had felt no such intent from Dekan just now.
This was his accurate judgment as an eighth-level martial artist.
Or perhaps, even if Dekan did want to ambush him, Aljeer would accept it.
After all, in Dekan’s current condition, even if he managed to land one blow on him, it would just be bringing the match back to a fair starting line, insufficient for a real knockout.
“Heh, having you as my last opponent is quite nice.”
Dekan appeared relieved and shook his head with a smile.
“Knight Commander Aljeer, please don’t waste your magic anymore, this match is yours to win.”
Dekan looked at Aljeer.
Aljeer did not stop his healing magic, looking at Dekan with a slight expression of confusion.
Dekan did not elaborate further but took out a magic card glowing with a faint red light to show Aljeer.
【Heart of Pain Shattering】
【Category: Equipment Card】
【Grade: Crimson Light Epic】
【Level: 5】
【Effect: After equipping, the recipient’s next sensation of pain will be amplified 5 times and returned at 500%; this effect is not influenced by any other magic cards and has a cooldown time of 100 days.】
【Note: Is it really possible to create such a perverse card?!】
At the moment this card appeared, a wave of gasps erupted from the audience!
“Crimson Light Epic?”
“Could it be a fake card?!”
“No way! I’ve seen Lord Avalon’s Crimson Light Epic! This grade surpassing common understanding cannot be forged! Dekan must have personally created the Crimson Light Epic as a card maker!”
“Dekan’s card-making skills have reached this level?”
Within the entire Card Maker Association, only the top two special-level card makers had produced cards of such grade.
If Dekan could create a fifth-level Crimson Light Epic, it would indicate that he could rank among the top three card makers of the present day based on this creation!
Inside the Phantom Canyon, Aljeer stared vacantly at the card in Dekan’s hand.
He forgot to stop his healing magic.
“So you……”
Aljeer tried to say something but fell silent as he merely met Dekan’s gaze.
As he saw the look in Dekan’s eyes, his brows slowly relaxed, followed by an expression that suggested he had figured everything out.
Dekan’s trump card had been used up.
He could no longer defeat the Empire Sword Saint.
It wasn’t until this moment that Aljeer understood why Dekan, despite being strong, had been avoiding direct confrontation.
It turned out Dekan’s purpose at the Heroic Festival from the beginning was not to inquire about the Lord of Misfortune’s identity by winning the championship.
But to eliminate the Lord of Misfortune directly!
The previously calculated plans were all to prove to the Lord of Misfortune—without revealing his trump card—that Dekan had the ability to threaten him.
Then, at the perfect opportunity, provoke the Lord of Misfortune to seize the chance and deliver a full-strength curse before Dekan’s next match!
However, what the Lord of Misfortune didn’t know was that Dekan had already prepared this ace, waiting for the Lord of Misfortune to take the bait.
A pain feedback that ignored pain, multiply it by 25.
Dekan, who endured the cursed pain once, had now been robbed of his combat ability.
Returning it 25-fold, even if the Lord of Misfortune didn’t die, he would likely become a cripple.
“Knight Commander, defeating the Empire Sword Saint is your mission now.”
Dekan revealed a relieved smile, as if the shadows that had lingered from the earlier two matches had finally dispersed, bringing back his usual sunny optimism.
He looked particularly weak at this moment, clearly no longer able to fight.
“I promise, I will do my utmost to defeat the Empire person,” Aljeer said, halting his healing, focusing intently on Dekan, speaking each word deliberately.
“Okay, good, it’s a promise,” Dekan said with a reassuring smile, extending his fist towards Aljeer.
Aljeer hesitated briefly, yet still reached out and lightly tapped fists with Dekan.
Then, Dekan chose to surrender.
His figure gradually faded away.
And above, the victory text appeared: 【Winner: Aljeer!】.
“……”
Aljeer looked up to the sky, unable to hide his regret.
Although he won the match this way, he felt himself as if he had truly lost, defeated utterly.
He exited the Phantom Canyon.
……
“The Lord of Misfortune probably never imagined that Dekan wasn’t here to compete at all, but to hunt him down.”
“What a touching duel!!”
“Although Dekan didn’t fight a single match, I think he is undoubtedly the best player of this tournament.”
Many spectators felt that the moment the two of them fist-bumped in respect would become the most unforgettable scene of this Heroic Festival.
This truly symbolized the hero spirit of the Kingdom!
However.
“Wait.”
“Something seems off……”
The audience began to realize something as they noticed the screen.
That is, why after Aljeer exited the Phantom Canyon, was the screen still showing an empty Phantom Canyon?
Hadn’t the match already concluded?
“I※!!!”
In the next second, the audience exclaimed in shock.
They saw.
In the position where Dekan had previously vanished, his figure reappeared mysteriously.
The text in the sky that read 【Winner: Aljeer!】 gradually disappeared.
Replaced by 【Winner: Dekan!】.
“What is going on?!”
“Is there a malfunction?!”
“※！！！Just now, Dekan’s exit effect and the opponent’s victory prompt must have been created by him using 【Illusion Barrier】, right?!”
“Does this scoundrel have no shame at all! Give back the touching moment to me!!”
Instantly, the audience, who had been uplifted and moved, turned into shouts of cursing.
Meanwhile, in the current world, Aljeer.
With eyes wide open, looking back at the screen with a bewildered expression.
On the screen, Dekan was even laughing heartily with his hands on his hips.
“Hahaha! Defeating the Lord of Misfortune! Taking the championship! I want it all!!”
Though Dekan’s complexion was still somewhat pale.
He appeared to have been mostly healed by Aljeer.
He effortlessly sent off another opponent!
Successfully advancing to the finals!
