“The First Prince of the Ragna Empire is about to challenge the top candidate of the husband selection competition.”
This news quickly spread, causing a stir among everyone in the royal capital. They immediately rushed towards the palace.
Including those nobles from various countries who had originally wanted to challenge Shien and improve their own evaluations. Upon hearing this news, they immediately rushed towards the palace without hesitation.
“Finally, someone has successfully challenged that Shien Buztout.”
“This is a good opportunity.”
“Hurry up and go.”
These nobles wouldn’t miss this opportunity.
Because this was a great chance for them to observe the strength of this so-called top candidate.
Many had long wanted to see what abilities this top candidate, favored by the Kingdom’s treasure, possessed, and whether they themselves had the ability to challenge him and knock him off the stage.
Therefore, whether they were young nobles, heads of noble families, or even commoners, everyone flocked to the palace, crowding the bridge leading to the island in the center of the lake where the palace was located.
Normally, the bridge to the palace island was only open at noon, and only nobles could freely enter and exit. Commoners weren’t allowed to enter.
But because of the husband selection, during this period, the bridge was open without restrictions during the day and only closed at night, allowing many commoners to see the nobles from all over the world gathered around the stage built for the husband selection, showcasing their talents and competing.
It could be said that at this moment, the most lively place in the royal capital was undoubtedly the huge stage in front of the palace.
Now, people continued to gather, and under the guidance of the knights, they watched in an orderly manner, as lively as a festival.
Naturally, the people in the palace also received this news.
“He accepted the challenge?”
Lia was stunned, but then, without hesitation, she took Charl and left the bedroom, heading towards the stage.
“The First Prince of the Ragna Empire? That Harvis?”
Ancil also received this news, raised an eyebrow, and then left his bedroom with Aldia.
As for Lucy, who was still boredly waiting for Shien, after hearing this news from the Holy Sword Knights, her first reaction was silence, then she muttered,
“Is it so hard to just live peacefully?”
Leaving behind these words that stunned the female knight who reported the news, Lucy got up and rushed towards the stage.
“Haaa~~~”
Under the spotlight, Shien, with everyone’s eyes on him, arrived at the side of the stage and couldn’t help but yawn widely.
Seeing this, many noble sons sneered.
“He’s Shien Buztout?”
“He doesn’t seem that impressive.”
“I really don’t know what the princess sees in him.”
“Perhaps it’s the power behind him.”
“After all, he’s a noble who might have connections with a Demon Lord, tamed a real dragon, and possesses a high-level [Taming] skill.”
These noble sons whispered amongst themselves, the contempt and disdain in their words seemingly deliberate, as if they were trying to suppress their apprehension towards Shien by belittling him.
Although they said they wanted to challenge Shien and prove themselves, it didn’t mean they weren’t wary of him.
After all, the story of Shien’s ennoblement banquet was still circulating in noble circles, letting everyone know that this viscount was not only valued by the royal family and various nobles but also had connections with a Demon Lord.
Coupled with his feat of taming a dragon and his record of annihilating the [Assassination Branch], in noble circles, Shien had already become someone many didn’t want to offend.
Now, the reason why so many people chose to challenge him was out of necessity.
They couldn’t just give up, could they?
This was their only chance to win the hand of the Kingdom’s treasure!
In other words, most of the noble sons were just unwilling to give up so easily, gritting their teeth and stepping forward to challenge Shien.
As the saying goes, everyone had a glimmer of hope.
What if Shien wasn’t actually that strong?
What if they won?
What if the princess suddenly took a liking to them after they put on a good show?
Especially since many believed that the reason Shien could defeat the [Assassination Branch] was because he possessed a Unique Skill that could enhance his level and skills when certain conditions were met, these people couldn’t help but have wild imaginations.
What if Shien couldn’t meet the conditions to activate his Unique Skill?
What if he didn’t perform well?
What if he had some weakness?
All these “what ifs” were based on wishful thinking.
Now, they were here, also driven by a glimmer of hope.
They wanted to see if this rumored Viscount Buztout was truly that powerful, and if they could challenge him.
What if…