Terra Nova Online: Rise of The Strongest Player

Chapter 807 Challenge Accepted

Chapter 807  Challenge Accepted

Leo knew, long before he sent the declaration of war, that Anos had no choice but to accept.

Just like him, the Demon King had built his reign on the same principle—"Fake it till you make it."

Both ruled not just with power, but with perception, fully aware that the moment even the slightest crack appeared in that perception, the illusion of invincibility would shatter.

And when that illusion crumbled, so would everything they had built.

Anos wasn't invincible. He wasn't overwhelmingly stronger than the Demon Counts who served under him.

In reality, his position was as precarious as it was prestigious.

Currently, his name was spoken with fear and reverence, whispered in awe as the warrior who had once tamed a Black Dragon as a mere boy.

But in truth, he was not some untouchable deity.

If fought on fair terms, he could very well lose to one of the Demon Counts beneath him.

Yet, his power remained unchallenged for one reason—no one dared to test him.

The aura of absolute dominance he projected kept his subjects in check, forcing them to kneel not because they had to, but because they believed they must.

And as long as that belief persisted, his rule remained unshaken.

But should doubt creep in… should even one whisper of his mortality reach the wrong ears, the fragile balance of fear and loyalty that sustained his rule would begin to collapse.

That was why Leo knew Anos would never refuse his challenge.

The Demon King couldn't afford to.

To reject a duel against the human emperor would be to admit weakness.

And in a kingdom where strength was the only currency, weakness was a death sentence.

By denying the fight, Anos would open the floodgates for the Demon Counts to question his power.

"If he fears a mere human, what else is he hiding?"

"If he refuses battle, then is he even worthy of being king?"

"If he won't fight for his throne, perhaps someone else should take it."

Once those questions took root, his entire kingdom would descend into chaos.

That was why, from the very moment Leo sent his challenge—

The fight had already been decided.

Yet, when the words of the human emperor's declaration finished echoing through the grand Demon Court, the hall erupted into chaos.

Fury.

The air was thick with it.

Angry murmurs turned into open outrage, and soon, the chamber trembled under the roars of high-ranking demons.

"The audacity of these humans!" one noble spat, his claws digging into the stone bench.

"They insult the Great Demon King with such disrespect! Who do they think they are? Let me fight the Human Emperor first, if he survives he can face the King–" another snarled.

"To think they would even dare propose such an absurdity—"

The council was in uproar, demons slamming their fists onto tables, their magic flaring as they spoke over one another in outrage.

Only one figure remained utterly still.

Anos.

The Demon King sat on his throne, unmoving. His eyes, crimson as burning coals, remained locked onto the scroll in the messenger's trembling hands.

Then, he rose.

And the throne room fell deathly silent in an instant.

Not because Anos demanded it.

Because the sheer weight of his presence commanded it.

Slowly, he stepped forward, each footfall a measured, deliberate movement, his gaze never leaving the envoys.

Then, at last, he spoke.

"A duel?" His voice was calm—too calm. Deceptively so.

"A single duel to decide the fate of empires?" He asked, his voice conveying just how absurd he found this whole situation to be.

Eren and Daemonacles tensed as Anos's lips curled into something that was neither a smirk nor a snarl—but something in between.

"Do these humans truly believe that I require a duel to claim their lands?"

His voice was quiet now, but it carried across the vast chamber like a blade pressed against the throat of every soul present.

"Do they think I need to accept such a ridiculous offer to conquer them?"

His presence swelled, magic crackling in the air. Some of the weaker demons in the chamber instinctively flinched, lowering their gazes.

"I do not need a duel to lay waste to the Unity Empire. I could march my legions into their lands and burn their cities to the ground before their so-called emperor even had a chance to beg for mercy.

And that's already me being merciful. For if I march myself, then nothing but ashes shall remain where human cities once stood."

A wave of approval surged through the court, the demons nodding fiercely, some even growling in agreement.

Anos let them have their moment.

Then, just as quickly, he silenced them again with a single gesture.

"However..."

His tone shifted, the amusement creeping into it now, a slow, predatory smirk forming.

"If their new emperor seeks to entertain me with such an offer..." He tilted his head slightly. "Then who am I to deny the humans a lesson in power?"

A ripple of confusion spread through the room.

"Your Majesty?" one of the Demon Counts hesitantly asked.

Anos turned back to the envoys, eyes glinting with something between mockery and intrigue.

"Very well. I accept his challenge. But let us make one thing clear—"

The air thickened, as if reality itself was bending under his next words.

"I shall not fight alone."

Gasps rang through the chamber.

Even the human envoys stiffened.

Anos's smirk deepened.

"If we are to make this a spectacle, let us do it properly."

"I shall fight alongside Drogo, the Black Dragon."

The weight of those words crushed the remaining murmurs into stunned silence.

"Let the humans see with their own eyes what it means to stand before the Demon King in his full glory"

His voice turned sharp.

"Let them watch as their so-called emperor is reduced to nothing but ash beneath my feet."

He turned to Count Vaugn.

"Inform them. The duel shall take place at the eastern border. There will be witnesses from both sides. This shall not be a mere duel."

His eyes burned.

"This shall be a lesson in respect."