When Viktor introduced himself, the demi-humans were momentarily stunned.
Although they appeared human-like, these forest dwellers still retained beast-like habits. Due to their isolation and widespread illiteracy, most were cut off from outside information.
Even though Viktor's sea battle had been broadcast across various nations, this naturally didn't reach the demi-humans. Enslaved demi-humans had no access to such news, while those in the forests focused solely on hunting and daily survival.
How could demi-humans in the kingdom possibly know about a mage from the Empire?
Among those who could understand Viktor's words, especially the rescued demi-human slaves, their fur bristled as their pupils dilated in rage, exposing sharp fangs.
Viktor's use of the word "master" reminded them of their past oppression. Even though they had broken free with their comrades' help, those painful memories still filled them with absolute despair.
Demi-humans knew pain well - once they had tasted freedom, they could never again endure captivity.
They bared their fangs, stretched their necks, and howled angrily at the gloomy sky through the pouring rain.
Their prolonged bestial cries mixed with the downpour, making the very air chaotic.
The continuous howling made Viktor slightly furrow his brows.
The surrounding rain seemed to grow more violent with his annoyance, huge droplets swirling wildly with the wind.
The chaotic rainfall nearly blocked everyone's vision, like a waterfall crashing from the heavens onto the golden ground below, exploding into white spray.
Many demi-humans felt a chill at their ankles. Looking down, they found the auction hall's water level had risen significantly, already submerging their ankles.
As the water continued rising, Viktor's cold voice echoed above:
"Make another sound."
"And I'll drown you all."
The howling ceased instantly.
The visible rise in water level made the demi-humans obediently shut their mouths, though their eyes hidden in the rain remained just as angry.
The tiger chief observed the scene with a calm expression. He knew Viktor had the power to threaten all the demi-humans present.
And this wasn't just an empty threat.
Though flooding the place would likely doom the kingdom's nobles as well, Viktor wasn't from the kingdom.
Even if the tiger-man didn't understand nations, he grasped the concept of factions.
Viktor and the kingdom's people weren't even on the same side - why would he care about their lives?
But the tiger chief couldn't be so reckless.
Even if he could escape the flood, his demi-human brethren would perish in the rising waters.
He couldn't gamble against Viktor.
This proud human was undoubtedly the strongest mage he had ever encountered.
Controlling weather, flooding cities.
Even turning himself to flowing water, making the tiger-man's strength useless.
He was likely a mage of the same level as that Duke.
Yet looking at Viktor, the tiger-man felt a surge of extreme excitement in his heart.
He could clearly feel his heart racing, blood rushing to his limbs and brain.
His breathing grew heavy as his muscles slightly bulged.
Even with the feeling of powerlessness throughout his body, he was incredibly excited - the kind of excitement that yearned for battle.
But the male tiger-man also knew that in a real fight, he wasn't sure when or if he could defeat Viktor.
If they fought, he would need to defeat his opponent in the shortest time possible.
But facing such a powerful mage, this was nearly impossible.
If the battle dragged on until the kingdom's reinforcements arrived, regardless of whether he could defeat the mage before him, he would struggle to lead the demi-humans in escaping the royal city.
After careful consideration, the tiger-man suppressed his excitement.
He even clasped his hands respectfully toward Viktor:
"Sir, you're clearly not from this kingdom. There is no grudge between us."
"We only wish to rescue our brethren and teach these shameless kingdom folk a lesson."
"Let's both take a step back. If you don't interfere, we will surely repay you in the future."
Hearing this, the other noble lords felt angry.
But along with their anger came a deep sense of helplessness.
Some even collapsed into their seats, their bodies going limp.
If Viktor didn't help, all the lords present together would likely be no match for this tiger-man.
Among those present, only a few counts could be considered powerful.
Most were viscounts or wealthy merchants with no real strength.
The truly powerful counts and marquises were already too distinguished to attend this auction meant for building noble relationships.
Moreover, this was within the royal city.
No one expected something like this to happen today.
Even King Augustus only brought Hilda, a third-tier guard, as protection.
Given the power difference, they had no hope of defeating that tiger-man.
Not to mention the other demi-humans, who were also quite strong.
If Viktor didn't help, the nobles present, even Augustus, might die under that tiger-man's claws.
Some felt deep regret and anger.
If this were on their own territory, with sufficient forces, how could these demi-humans act so brazenly?
How did these demi-humans pick such a perfectly opportune moment to attack the royal city?
Now, they could only pin their hopes firmly on Viktor.
At this moment, Viktor listened to the tiger-man's words without responding.
He stood with hands in pockets, expression calm, as if weighing the pros and cons.
His azure coat fluttered behind him, crackling in the violent rain.
"Before this, we indeed had no grudge."
Hearing Viktor's words, the nobles and merchants all felt a wave of despair.
But his next words made them overjoyed.
"But you just struck my person, threatened our country's princess, and want to take my maid away."
"Now, we have a grudge."
The tiger-man was momentarily stunned by these words, recalling the knight and cat-girl in the second-floor box.
But threatening the princess?
Had he done that?
But he understood that the mage's words were clearly just an excuse.
The other party simply wanted a reason to keep him here.
"Moreover—"
Viktor continued slowly.
"I've already paid."
"As merchandise I've purchased, you're just leaving like this."
"Who will compensate me for the hundred million I've lost?"
Hearing Viktor speak this way, the nobles present became instantly irritated, their previous joy turning to dissatisfaction.
He had just told the auctioneer that the merchant association should compensate for that batch, but now he was going after this tiger-man.
Clearly trying to profit from both sides.
But their lives were still in Viktor's hands, so they had to suppress their discontent.
The tiger chief looked at Viktor, gradually lowering his clasped hands, his eyes flickering with dangerous light.
His gaze was incredibly sharp, as if trying to pierce through Viktor's body.
Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure swept through the entire auction hall, heavy energy swirling around him.
The tiger-man's breathing gradually steadied, each inhale and exhale seemingly filled with rhythm.
His frame slightly bulged, appearing even more massive than before.
"It seems, sir, that you're determined to fight."
"Well, that suits me just fine."
His expression became extremely serious, a sharp aura continuously bursting forth from between his brows.
The tiger-man raised his head, expression grave, issuing commands to the harpy bird-people in the sky:
"Take our brethren and leave this place."
Hearing the tiger-man's words, all the half-woman eagles in the sky beat their wings, nodding heavily.
Then, they circled several times in the air, flew out through the dome, and let out a shriek toward the sky.
Screech——!!!
The sharp cry echoed in the vast night sky, traveling far and wide.
As if receiving some command, all the demi-humans in the hall turned around in unison.
The dozen or so minotaurs turned back, charging toward the already broken and damaged golden walls.
They marched with heavy steps, leading the demi-human forces, breaking through buildings to clear a path.
Now, they had to leave at full speed.
Though they currently held the advantage, that was only because the kingdom's defenses were thin with many nobles gathered at the auction venue.
Once the kingdom reacted and armies converged on the royal city from all directions,
These few thousand demi-humans could never resist that steel army like a flood of beasts.
They had to retreat before the kingdom's reinforcements arrived.
The chaotic footsteps made the entire ground tremble slightly. Under the magnificent shock, countless demi-humans hurriedly left this place.
Watching their former captive demi-humans gradually leave, these noble lords' eyes were filled with distress.
After all, these demi-human slaves had stayed in their homes for a long time.
Every meal they had eaten translated into heavy gold coins!
They hoped Viktor would stop these demi-humans, but Viktor just stood there, his gaze completely calm.
He simply watched as those demi-humans gradually dispersed.
Until looking into the distance, their silhouettes could no longer be seen.
The tiger chief once again fixed his sharp, terrifying gaze on Viktor.
His eyes were filled with heavy fighting spirit.
"Now, it's just us."
Viktor's expression remained blank as he raised one hand slightly.
Immediately, the female tiger-man who had been pressed deep into the cracked high platform felt her body lighten.
The moment she broke free from the restraint, the female tiger-man instantly left the ground.
She flipped over, stood up, and immediately took position behind the tiger chief.
Her orange fur was already soaked by the standing water, dripping into puddles, creating ripples.
Only after she shook the water from her body and recovered her condition did Viktor speak:
"It seems your comrades trust you greatly."
"Even to the point of abandoning you two."
Hearing these words, the tiger chief's previously relaxed pupils instantly contracted.
Compared to before, he was now more ferocious, his tone grim:
"In their eyes, I am their invincible king."
"King against king, general against general - isn't this the rule your humans have always followed?"
Viktor's expression remained blank as he calmly responded:
"But it seems two against one is somewhat unfair to me."
"However, it doesn't matter."
As his words fell, emerald natural elements formed vines that gradually crept up his arm.
In his palm, brown vines slowly extended, intertwining together.
Finally, they transformed into a sharp wooden blade.
The noble lords watched Viktor draw out a sword from thin air, their mouths hanging open in confusion.
Augustus also stared wide-eyed as Viktor produced the wooden sword.
What was Viktor thinking?
As a mage, was he planning to engage in close combat with two demi-humans?
He couldn't help turning to look at Aurelianne.
Yet he found this princess from the Empire showed no surprise at Viktor's behavior.
As if it were completely natural.
Suddenly, he vividly recalled Aurelianne's brilliant close combat performance last time, and remembered Viktor's identity.
This Councilor Viktor was...
Aurelianne's teacher, wasn't he?
Similarly, seeing the wooden sword in Viktor's hand, both tiger-people showed surprise.
Along with surprise, there was also some anger.
He was clearly a powerful mage with proficient magic at his disposal, yet he chose to use a wooden sword for close combat with them?
At this moment, the flames in the tiger-man's heart fully ignited, desperately wanting to burn that wooden sword in Viktor's hand to ashes.
"Sir, are you looking down on us?"
Viktor exhaled slowly, gradually raising the wooden sword before his eyes.
His expression remained calm, his gaze like ice as it firmly enveloped the two tiger-people:
"I'm simply giving you a chance to challenge me."
"In the fairest way possible."
"""
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