Ryuuka then saw the plates of food on the table. "Daddy, Mommies I'm hungry, can we eat now?" at the princess' command, the parents on the table started fussing over who would be the first to give their plate to the young dragonkin.
Tsugumi sent a wisp of Spirit to call the barmaid. The woman comically had her jaw drop at the new arrivals. On top of a fairy-like beauty, three marvelous hunks with handsome faces stood like guards around her.
"Hi, Can you please get us seven more sets of this meal and three pitchers of lemonade? My family is starving." As Tsugumi made a dazzling smile, the barmaid just made exaggerated head bangs before abruptly leaving. The grace and beauty of the dominant of Sword Dynasty caused even Alan to stare.
After the sounds of a lightning-fast slap once again resounded Hiro's party began to partake in their meal. Ryuuka beaned in happiness as she saw the large table.
Gone were the days she ate alone, now people who loved her always she had what she needed. Knowing the adults would be talking soon she focused on her food and tried to listen in.
Contrary to what Alan and Xing originally said, they joined their allies as they ate. Alan didn't allow any time to be wasted, thus he started to fill in the group on the events that occurred not just in Partisan but Valorious in general.
After getting the latest news, Lene opened up discussions on the elephant in the room.
"Alan, I thought the Battle Harem Royale would be held in Valor City, why is Partisan now part of the qualifiers?"
The merchant quickly drank a glass of lemonade and began to explain. "You are correct my lady, originally the Battle Harem Royale or BHR would be only for Battle harems belonging to the nobility.
"However word quickly spread of the stakes in this battle. With both Starfall and Gae-bolg joining, hardly anyone beyond the factions of the royalty expressed their intent to participate."
"Due to the lack of participants, the organizers decided to open up the competition to all battle harems. This means so long as you are a dominant, you may join regardless if you even belong to the nobility or the Dominii empire." Xing added.
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Alan nodded and continued. "Right, that's where it got complicated. With various kingdoms intending to use this event to test their own groups, the number of interested parties ballooned. Xing told me even underground battle harems intend to join."
The madam of Arcus Kiss wiped her mouth with a napkin as she answered. "Yes, Redeemed intercepted a lot of chatter about the hidden battle harems intent on using this event to increase their strength. Those weakened from the battle are all going through procedures to grant themselves clean identities."
Vanessa who couldn't follow the logic asked in confusion. "What do you mean? Why would this event allow increases in strength? Wasn't it just an exhibition match?"
Alan then frowned as he explained the matter. "When the BHR got opened to foreign kingdoms many said that this could be used to assassinate them. Thus many requested a new rule that allows the termination of opponents."
"Termination? They are allowing competitors to kill each other?" Jei asked incredulously.
Xing elaborated for her lover. "Yes, lady Jei Prince Dylan believes Princess Rhyne intentionally prevented local nobles from joining. This one action caused the event to be opened to others. With this, the one who raised the possibility of legalized assassination is not her but other people."
"That is insane! The bloodshed to come would be unimaginable! Why would they even agree? If royalty of a foreign country dies in the BHR wouldn't that equate to a diplomatic issue!" Tsugumi who found the whole thing lacking any sanity chastised the event.
"This event is to weaken humanity even further. With the death of multiple dominants, a new owner of the continent would arise. Yet everyone would need to agree all because of the implications." Hiro said.
"Indeed. They already lost the option to decline when the event was opened to the public." Answered Jei.
Raylene shook her head as she commented. "Wait, wait. Can someone please explain? Why don't they just close the event then? If this is dangerous why not just avoid participating in it?"I think you should take a look at
Hiro then expounded for all to hear. "Even if they do not participate those that wish to conquer other kingdoms would. Right now, wars are fought by battle harems, not armies.
"If those that compete die, their own kingdoms would be open to attack. But the ones that survive and win will increase in power significantly due to the EXP."
Jei continued in a bored voice. "Husband is correct. If a kingdom does not participate, those around you may level up significantly. Regardless of the battle harem origin, royalty, nobility, or even criminals.
"The power dynamics would shift to those that join. To alleviate this, the kingdom must also participate and level up as much as possible. "
"The weaker ones would aim to create alliances just so they do not die, or protect their allies that compete. If your biggest supporters all die at the event. You and your country will get eradicated by your enemies.
"They need to join to have the power to resist, even if they are scared of losing." Vanessa further explained.
"Then why don't the kingdoms form a pact of not joining? That way if no one appears then that bitches plan goes up in smoke!" Tsugumi reasoned.
"Lady Tsugumi, enforcing such a deal is close to impossible. The aggressive kingdoms like the Arma kingdom, the Zeta kingdom, and the Flarestar kingdom already expressed their desire to join.
"Their battle harems are in the top 50, if they increase their levels the kingdoms around them would not survive."
Upon hearing Alan's explanation, the nature of Rhyne's trap lay wide for all to see. Using EXP as the prize, the battle harems would begin to bet their very lives on the fight.
Choosing between passively waiting for the results or joining to try and level up both had their stakes. Yet with thousands of lives hung on their decisions none of the kingdoms could choose to wait.
"How many kingdoms have already decided to join?" asked Raylene.
Alan answered after looking at a scroll in his jacket. "Over 150 kingdoms my lady. The number of battle harems participating would be in the thousands. Thus the Dominii empire opened all ten cities and prepared for the qualifiers to the event. The top 50 battle harems would fight in Valor City. In the real event."
"And how long would the preliminaries last here?"
"About a week my lady. With the type of matches, in a week only ten battle harems would qualify for the spots in Partisan."
Tsugumi then asked in concern. "Is Sword Dynasty registered as a solo battle harem or a sub? I don't want to take more risk than necessary."
"You are registered together lady Tsugumi, the party representing the flag of three swords would be Master, lady Raylene, lady Jade, lady Vanessa, lady Tsugumi, Aurum, Geo, and Lars. For a total of eight."
After Xing counted out the participants for Three Swords, a hand was raised out of the blue. The owner of the hand the young dragonkin stuffing food in her cheeks like a squirrel. In confusion, Xing asked the child what she wanted.
"Is something the manner lady Ryuuka? Do you want dessert?"
"Ryuuka is joining. Let me fight. I will not let anyone harm my family."
