Chapter 194: Precautions
House Chen was called onto the stage, so Aegon made his way out with his team in a row. Midway, he also saw Luna, who cheered and congratulated them from a distance. Her smile showed her genuine happiness for their victory.
They waved their hands at her, even shouting about the celebration party. Even if she wasn't part of their team, she would always remain their close friend, so how could they forget her?
After that, they finally entered the main Eternal Sanctum, which instantly welcomed them with bright lights and cheering from everyone.
Dozens upon dozens of gazes fell upon them as the winners made their way toward the central platform, while Aegon's friends simply smiled at everyone.
All of them were used to being the center of attention, so none felt overwhelmed or anything like that.
"Now! Please welcome the winners onto the platform! House Chen!!!!"
Octavia's loud, cheerful voice resounded across the Sanctum as fireworks colored the sky in beautiful hues all over the Empire.
The whole audience gave the winners a standing applause, which certainly made Xavier and Rosa a little nervous, but they didn't let it show on their faces.
Amid all the celebrations, Aegon took the first step onto the central platform, followed by his friends. Once again, fireworks burst outside as the five of them became the center of attention.
Octavia had just jumped onto the central platform when Amon landed beside her and waved his hand casually. Taking the cue, she silently left the stage.
Amon cleared his throat before flashing his annoying smile to the world. "I'm sure you're excited to see dark horses becoming the Supremes, right?"
The audience shouted once again.
"Indeed. I'm also shocked by their performance," Amon said, putting his hands behind his back. "They have beaten all odds to become the Supremes, and as such, they will be rewarded accordingly."
The cheering finally calmed down. Every year, the rewards were the best part of the Supremacy Games for the students. Even if it decided their future, that part was ultimately up to others.
But the rewards were different.
The reason everyone grew so curious was because every year, the rewards were different, decided by everyone's performance and others' decisions.
Seeing everyone's reaction, Amon's smile widened as he said, "We'll announce them, but before that, I have something else to show you and the whole Empire."
He snapped his fingers as a man with a gentle and calm bearing stood up from the audience and walked forward toward the central platform.
Amon adjusted his monocle and explained, "This man right here is Kai, the most knowledgeable person I've ever met in my lifetime, and that says a lot. He's also the Head of the Soul Cultivation Department of our Supreme Apostle Academy."
Standing beside him, Aegon raised an eyebrow upon seeing Kai take the main stage. It was so unlike him, since Kai always preferred to remain far from things that disturbed his peace, like crowds.
'What happened? Did they really find something?'
Aegon had spent quite some time with Amon, Kai, and Samuel before the Supremacy Games. Since they knew the impact it could have, they devised many plans to counter demons if they tried to attack.
A direct attack was an unlikely scenario because of everyone present there, but underhanded tactics were always possible. This was why they spent a long time discussing matters, and most plans came down to Kai using his masterful skills as a RuneMaster.
'Hecte, did you find someone?' Aegon asked.
[A few suspicious individuals in the passages, but they've been neutralized.]
Although he felt apprehensive about her use of the word neutralized, he didn't really have time to think it over. More important things were happening.
'Which method did they use?' he wondered, glancing back at Amon, who was done explaining many things.
"All in all," Amon continued, "what I want to say is that this Supremacy Games has been special, not only because of everyone's performance, but also because it was the first time in centuries, heck, in thousands of years, that a Valeria, a Morningstar, and Elves did something together peacefully."
Amon's voice grew powerful as his smile disappeared.
"It is the beginning of new relationships and peace treaties between our races. But not everyone is happy about this. We know that perfectly well. Hence, we set up many traps for our enemies even after securing the premises. After all, our enemies are cunning and know Dark Arts."
He looked around as everyone fell silent.
"Yes, it's as you've guessed. Some of our enemies managed to sneak in and use underhanded methods to cause trouble and break our peace. They once again wanted to create a wedge between our races so that we can't live in harmony."
His smile returned as he spread his arms and proclaimed.
"But fear not. We have caught all of them and will publicly show the consequences of messing with us. We want peace, yes, but if someone dares to take it away from us, we won't cower. We will show them today."
His fingers snapped together as he ordered, "Bring them in!"
All eyes instantly turned to the eastern side, where the wall shifted, revealing a group of detained humans. Their hands were cuffed before them with thick metal chains, reinforced by various Rune Formations.
A total of twelve individuals were detained as another group of soldiers in golden armor escorted them toward the central platform.
Seeing the faces of those humans, many people gasped in shock and disbelief. They couldn't believe it at first, so they looked again.
They actually recognized a few of them. Especially the short man with a long, strange beard on a large face. His right eye was permanently closed as he observed the world through his left crimson eye.
"Duke Constantine!! How could this be?"
"He's actually a traitor? Unbelievable!"
"Damn sons of cunts! They actually abandoned humanity!"
"They should be executed publicly!"
"No! Torture them for any information we can find on demons. Those cunts need to know the consequences of betraying humanity!"
Similar discussions erupted throughout the enraged crowd as they looked at the bound people with disgust and fury.
There was no sin greater than abandoning one's own kind in their beliefs. No one was more despicable than these people.
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