I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 80

Chapter 77: The Griffin Trial

This morning, the King and a bunch of nobility from the palace strutted down to the foot of Griffin Ridge, sitting down on an elegantly crafted temporary grandstand made of sandalwood.

Above them loomed a steep mountain.

The terrain was complex, featuring long ravines, deep canyons, and massive stone walls. Not to mention, the mountain had sparse vegetation, with hardly any bushes or grass for hiding. Even from below, it was almost an open book.

At the top of the mountain, the cave entrance was already partially occupied by griffins peeking out, soaring into the sky.

Magical crystal projectors set up on the mountain would aptly capture the trial’s proceedings, broadcasting them into the air and even projecting them in the square of Lionheart City, visible to all the citizens.

No matter the age or status, be it nobles or commoners, everyone gazing at the magnificent beasts swirling in the sky couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement.

Not a single Lionheart citizen lacked a yearning for this symbol of glory and bravery.

The Griffin Trial was one of the most special events among a series of activities surrounding the founding ceremony.

This trial was open not only to nobles but also welcomed adventurers, mercenaries, and even foreign nobles—any young daring souls brave enough to challenge the griffins.

The only restriction was age.

Griffins would acknowledge only those of a similar youth. Old griffins had either lost faith in humanity or already found their place and wouldn’t take part in the trial.

Griffins remembered the scent of challengers. If they failed to gain acknowledgment this time, they’d never have a second chance.

Regardless, everyone only got one shot in their lifetime.

This year, however, discussions about the already attention-grabbing grand trial were even hotter than usual.

While the details of Roy and Leo’s bet weren’t made public, the incident itself had already spread throughout the capital, even commoners were chatting about it.

“Have you all heard? The young master of the Ainbrad family threw a fit and boldly proposed to the princess, challenging the prince!”

“Oh, what a touching romance!”

“The princess finally has someone she fancies?”

“Must be some dashing knight!”

“But I heard he’s just a useless scoundrel?”

“Old Mike, we’re in the Fourth Era! Still calling him a scoundrel?! He’s turned over a new leaf and is seen with the princess!”

Entertainment in Veszyra is limited, and the Griffin Trial is a massive event, coupled with the buzz surrounding the ‘Princess’, the topic couldn’t be hotter!

But compared to the half-informed commoners, the nobles knew much more.

“Ridiculous, the Griffin Trial ain’t that simple!”

“Challenging the prince is pure folly!”

“Seems like there’s no chance for him with the princess.”

“Should we say the youth is a bit too cocky? Roy’s probably in for a rough ride!”

Public opinion was almost completely against Roy.

From a standpoint, compared to Roy and Charlotte, Leo was already well-established, hunting down various cults while quietly nurturing loyalty among his followers.

Objectively, the trial itself was dauntingly difficult. Each griffin in the trial equated to an extraordinary creature of rank 8 or 9, with injuries and even fatalities occurring every year.

There were supporters for Roy in the audience, but whenever they spoke up, their voices were drowned out by laughter and ridicule.

At the highest seats, a gathering of royal family members.

“Leo, you’ve gone too far this time. This matter concerning your sister shouldn’t be your burden.” Rarely did Leisha frown, her tone a mix of annoyance and helplessness.

Leo smirked, his cold demeanor responding, “Mother, you taught us nobles to bear the weight of responsibility. Shouldn’t Charlotte, as a woman, be allowed to whimsically associate with a useless scoundrel without considering her royal duties?”

“You little brat…”

“Enough.” Robur gruffly interrupted them.

Then he shifted his tone to serious, “Talking about this now is pointless!”

The Lionheart King looked back and forth at Leo and Charlotte: “The king’s word is law, and a promise is sacred! I won’t interfere in your private matters, but a bet is a bet. No matter the outcome, it’s not to be broken!”

“That’s only natural.” Leo replied with a casual smile.

“Roy has no chance of losing.” Charlotte shot a defiant glare at Leo.

At that moment, Robur let out a barely audible sigh.

As a father, he naturally didn’t want to see his daughter married off. But he did have a few good feelings toward Roy, especially since he was the son of his close friend. He didn’t want to see Roy’s head get clouded by the bet and end up getting hurt.

His feelings toward Roy were eternally conflicted.

The participants of the trial gradually gathered at the foot of the mountain, and the elections were finally about to kick off.

Upon gaining acknowledgment from the griffins, the king personally would confer titles, promoting them to Griffin Knights. A Griffin Knight could at least hold the rank of a Baron and could either choose to join the royal affiliated 【Tempest Knights】 to serve the kingdom or to select their territory and title, or even venture out while enjoying a salary equivalent to their rank.

Once approved by the griffins through the trial, commoners would ascend in rank, adventurers would gain the mightiest of partners, and knights might receive what could be the greatest honor of their lives. Each participant was filled with ambition, ready for action.

But for Roy, there were only two vital matters.

First, the bet. This issue was not only about his relationship with Charlotte but also central to a critical fate point. He didn’t want to recklessly test what might happen if a fate point was left incomplete.

If it involved some punishment mechanism, fine. But what if he dropped dead on the spot? He wouldn’t even get a chance to start over.

Moreover, Charlotte had repeatedly placed her trust in him; how could he not repay it?

Second was the griffins themselves.

Roy had a serious itching for griffins!

After riding on the 【Cake】 with Charlotte before, his griffin obsession only intensified!

Now that he was in Veszyra, who wouldn’t want a flashy mount?!

Even without Leo’s bet and the fate point, Roy initially intended to join the trial.

For that, he had invested a ton of goodwill points and made ample preparations!

High above, the host of this trial, the glorious Griffin Knight Duke Raymond, rode his griffin 【Iron Bite】 and bellowed aloud.

“Brave heroes, it is time to prove your courage and claim the glory that you deserve!”

“The Griffin Trial has now officially begun!”

With that booming declaration, hundreds of nobles, knights, and adventurers surged up the towering Griffin Ridge!

From the caves atop the ridge, countless griffins soared forth, swirling through the clouds, observing the humans from above.

Then, a multitude of griffins plummeted down like meteors!

The griffin’s claws could shred iron sheets, and their beaks could pierce steel. Once upon a time, griffins had served as military mounts, active on the frontline of two wars against dragons, never something mere humans could contend with!

The trial had only just begun, and the crowd was instantly torn apart by the griffins, with a river of blood spilling across the sheer cliffs.