I Have 10,000 SSS Rank Villains In My System Space - Chapter 313

Chapter 313: Royal Challenge
Finally after winding through the broad avenues of the Royal Sea for what felt like an eternity, Neptunia finally slowed her pace.

Razeal noticed it immediately.

The flow of people thickened, voices rising into a constant roar that rolled through the water like distant thunder. Even before he saw it, he could feel it an overwhelming presence pressing against his senses, vast and heavy, as if the sea itself was leaning forward to watch.

Then the path opened as they walked ahead some more.

Before finally there stood a colossal structure front of them that dwarfed everything around it.

A giant colosseum, carved from deep blue stone that shimmered faintly under the light filtering through the sea. The walls rose impossibly high, layered with ancient and smooth curved architecture that blended artistry with brute scale. Even from miles away, the arena dominated the skyline of the Royal Sea, an unmistakable monument to power, tradition, and spectacle.

Razeal stopped without realizing it.

“This is where the Royal Challenge is being held,” Neptunia said quietly, her voice carrying a weight that hadn’t been there before.

She stood at the edge of the massive entrance plaza, staring at the colosseum with an unreadable expression. The gates titanic slabs of stone reinforced with glowing patterns were wide open. Atlantians streamed in and out freely, their numbers endless.

A handful of water guards stood near the entrances, their humanoid forms rippling softly as currents moved through them. They didn’t block anyone nor questioning anyone. They simply watched silent sentinels ready to act if chaos dared show its face.

Though no one was foolish enough to test that.

After all, the Sea King himself was inside.

Razeal didn’t need Neptunia’s explanation. The atmosphere alone made it obvious this was no ordinary gathering. The air or rather, the water felt charged, vibrating with anticipation, pride, excitement, and tension.

He lifted his gaze, taking in the sheer scale of the structure.

Millions, he thought calmly. Maybe more.

Judging by the size of the colosseum, even tens of millions of spectators wouldn’t be enough to fill it completely. The realization was surprising even to Razeal.

“This way,” Neptunia said, shaking him from his thoughts.

She moved toward the main entrance as others also followed.

They passed beneath the towering gate, the stone arch stretching so high above them that levy and aurora both briefly wondered if it could swallow mountains whole afterall they never saw structures big as this ever… afterall from not very big background. The interior corridors were just as massive, wide enough for entire armies to march through side by side.

Then came the stairs.

Endless stairs.

They climbed in silence at first, the noise of the crowd growing louder with every step. Cheers echoed from above, waves of sound crashing down like tides. Aurora and levy both lost track of time as they ascended ten minutes, twenty, maybe more. Even with their strength, the climb emphasized just how enormous this place truly was.

Finally, light spilled in from above.

They emerged onto the first tier of the colosseum.

Razeal stopped dead.

The view was overwhelming.

Rows upon rows of seats curved endlessly around the arena, filled with Atlantians of every shape and size. Some cheered loudly, others leaned toward their companions in animated discussion, while many stared forward with sharp, focused eyes.

At the center of it all lay the arena itself a vast circular battleground carved deep into the stone. Two figures were currently locked in combat below, their movements fast and explosive, flashes of power rippling outward with every clash.

Even from this distance, the energy of the fight was palpable.

Above the arena, enormous translucent projections floated in the water, displaying close-up views of the battle from multiple angles. These massive screens hovered in different sections of the colosseum, ensuring that even those seated farthest away could see every strike, every spell, every drop of blood.

Razeal’s eyes flicked from screen to screen, taking it all in.

Levy whistled softly, lifting a hand to shade his eyes as he looked around. “It’s… crowded,” he said, awe creeping into his voice. “I mean everywhere I look, it’s just people.”

“Of course it is,” Neptunia replied, a trace of pride slipping into her tone despite herself. “This is the Grand Royal Challenge afterall. You can just get the idea of how big deal it is that anyone who participates.. win or lose earns the title of Royal Challenger.”

She glanced back at them briefly trying to let them realise how big deal it was since they really dont know. “That title alone is respected in every sea of Atlantis. Even outside the Royal Sea.”

Razeal leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms against the cool stone railing as he looked down into the arena.

“Hmmm… looks interesting,” he murmured.

From this height, most spectators could only make out flashes of movement and bursts of power, relying on the floating projections to follow the fight. But Razeal didn’t need them. His vampiric eyes cut cleanly through the distance, the crowd, even the distortion of water itself. To him, the arena below might as well have been only a few steps away.

Two figures were locked in combat.

One was a bulky, bald Atlantian with a massive frame, muscles packed dense and heavy. He wielded a giant hammer, its head larger than a man’s torso, swinging it with terrifying momentum. Each strike sending shockwaves rippling through the stone and water alike. His movements were skilled, disciplined this was no mindless brute. Every swing carried intent, timing, and years of battle-hardened experience.

The other fighter, however…

Royal-blue hair cut short, fluttering slightly with each movement. A lean, athletic build. Calm posture. A spear strapped to his back that he hadn’t even bothered to draw.

And yet, the difference between them was painfully obvious.

The blue-haired man wasn’t fighting.

He was playing.

He stepped aside from the hammer swings with casual ease, movements precise and economical. No wasted motion. No panic. Sometimes he didn’t even fully dodge just shifted enough for the weapon to miss by inches. His hands were often behind his back, his expression neutral, almost bored.

The crowd roared at every exchange, but Razeal’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Totally different levels, he thought.

The bulky man was fighting with everything he had strength, skill, desperation. The blue-haired man was barely exerting himself, as if he were gauging how much effort would be polite to use.

Razeal tilted his head slightly.

“Is that blue-haired guy the examiner?” he asked calmly, eyes still fixed on the fight.

Beside him, Neptunia was startled.

“…You noticed?” she said, genuine surprise slipping into her voice before she could hide it.

She hadn’t explained the rules yet or even pointed the man out. And yet Razeal had identified him instantly.

Her gaze followed his, dropping to the arena below as if she could see everything clearly too.. Even from that distance.

“He’s far stronger than the other guy,” Razeal replied simply. “There’s no reason to fight like that unless he’s testing him. Or judging him.”

Neptunia studied his face for a moment, then gave a faint nod.

“You have a good eye,” she admitted.

Her attention returned to the arena. Below, the bulky man roared and charged again, hammer raised high, muscles bulging as he poured everything into one final swing. The blue-haired man sidestepped, placed two fingers lightly against the man’s wrist, and twisted.

There was a sharp crack.

The hammer slipped from the Atlantian’s grip and crashed into the stone floor. The man stumbled forward, completely off balance, and the blue-haired fighter tapped him lightly on the chest.

Just a tap.

Yet the force sent the bulky Atlantian skidding backward across the arena, leaving a deep groove in the stone.

But that bald man still stoof up from there as directly launched back at guy for more fight.

The crowd erupted.

Neptunia spoke again, her voice quieter now, almost reverent.

“That blue-haired man is the examiner for the first stage,” she said. “And yeah beleive me… he is a prince of Atlantis.”

Razeal’s brow lifted slightly.

“He’s a prince? Now thats unusual.”

That genuinely caught his interest.

His gaze sharpened, re-evaluating the man below not just as a fighter, but as someone born into power and authority. The way he carried himself made more sense now. There was confidence there, but not arrogance. Control, not dominance for its own sake.. Man just looked bothered or more like bored.

“Yeah,” Neptunia continued. “Prince Arthur.”

“He’s one of the greatest warriors of his generation,” Neptunia said. “They say that among those of his age, no one in Atlantis can match him in pure combat skill Without relicas, divine blessings or borrowed power ofcourse.. Just his strength and skill wise.”

Razeal watched as Prince Arthur fighting again.

“He isn’t even using his weapon,” Razeal noted.

Neptunia didn’t said anything just shrugged.

Razeal hummed thoughtfully, eyes never leaving the arena. “How many stages are there in this competition? And what exactly do you have to do to win?”

Neptunia inhaled slowly, as if organizing her thoughts.

“There are three stages,” she said. “All of them judged through combat.”

Razeal finally glanced at her, a faint frown forming.

“All through combat?” he repeated. “That’s… barbaric. I expected something more… elaborate.”

Neptunia gave him a sideways look. “This is Atlantis,” she replied flatly. “Strength isn’t just respected here.. it’s trusted.”

She gestured toward the arena.

“The first stage is Proving. Your skills, instincts, adaptability, and will are tested in direct combat. Prince Arthur will judge whether you win or lose through how you fight.”

Razeal nodded slowly, absorbing her words.

“If he deems you worthy,” Neptunia continued, “you pass to the second stage.”

“And that is?” Razeal asked.

“Yeah and then you’ll be fighting.. Second examiner.. The Guardian of the Sea,” she said her voice going little lower.

“He’s strong opponent.. he has protected the Royal Sea for over four thousand years,” Neptunia said. Should you survive and earn his approval then you will move on to the third and final phase.”

“And then he third phase is a battle among all the participants who managed to reach it. Every survivor fights the others. From there, the King himself will observe and judge. In the end, only three positions will be declared the three who performed the best.”

“Just passing and all..?” He looked at her again, confusion giving way to doubt. The whole thing suddenly felt far too easy.

“Passing… if passing means defeating the examiners?” Neptunia as if noticing judgement in his tone as she replied back. “That’s impossible.”

“Defeating the Prince alone is already difficult. He may look lousy, but he’s far from easy to beat.” her eyes darkened. “And even if someone somehow.. defeated him…”

“The second-stage examiner?” she shook her head slowly. “That’s beyond impossible.” Neptunia’s expression remained blank as she said, her tone flat, almost merciless.

“He is the guardian of this sea. He has stood watch for the last four thousand years. There is no way anyone can defeat him.. So yeah.”

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