Chapter 167 167: An Irrelevant Question
Killian's worst nightmare came alive.
A man had landed on the arena railings, a railing barely wide enough to support a foot yet he stood on it effortlessly.
There were only a few such people whom gravity forgot, especially with his enormous build and being well over seven feet tall.
Black markings resembling ancient tattoos stretched across his neck and disappeared under his clothing.
His chest remained partially exposed under dark robes and long black garments flowed around him. Even his shoes had a block heel common amongst aristocrats.
His presence alone left the arena silent and Killian found it hard to breathe. On the upside, he did not feel the discomfort he felt around a Light User.
Which was odd because this man's aura made it obvious that he was a Ruler. Killian frowned slightly.
'Have I seen him before? He looks familiar.'
The Ruler said nothing, and his gaze settled on Killian.
Killian stared back, but the Ruler didn't look away, his eyes remaining fixed on him.
Killian shifted Keith slightly higher on his shoulders, subtly drawing attention back to the weight that so conveniently still laid on him.
The Match Coordinator finally staggered upright, breathing evenly. He clenched the flags still in his hand as his eyes searched the place.
The moment he spotted the Ruler, he immediately bowed.
"Second Sire. Welcome."
The arena reacted instantly. All the other Coordinators rose from the ground in cue, and lowered their heads. Every warden followed.
Killian wanted to do the same but for the weights on his shoulders, he only managed to bend his neck slightly.
The Ruler remained silent. His gaze shifted toward the Coordinator and the Coordinator immediately started explaining. He pointed toward Keith and Reginald.
"T-These two were having a match but the situation escalated unexpectedly. Neither was willing to lose and they are impressive."
His explanations came quickly and almost desperately. "They dragged everyone else into it."
He gestured towards the damaged arena, a hint of sadness in his his eyes and a regret that he had to watch another arena get damaged.
"Then the Dead Zone, a fatal Wind Skill, was initiated and the match lost control. The boys collapsed just before you arrived."
The Ruler listened even if there wasn't any change in his expression. His eyes returned to Killian.
For the first time, he spoke. "Who is he?"
The question echoed across the quiet arena.
The Coordinator blinked once, before looking at Killian and blinking again. He had never seen him before, after all he only officiated yesterday's match and today's without watching the past contestants.
He awkwardly approached Killian, while wondering why the Ruler enquired about a boy who wasn't involved with the incident but he dared not question the Rulers' curiosity.
"Um..." He lowered his voice. "Who are you?"
Killian shoulders stiffened. Giving his name to a Ruler might not be the best idea since they could be enemies.
There was a chance they'd forget amidst their endless schedules, and not think of paying the questionable young Warden named Killian a visit.
But he didn't want to take chances.
The only path after this place was home back to the Olpha Region and joining his sister's group.
That had been his dream all along anyway.
"I'm from the Olpha Region like him." He gestured towards Keith on his shoulders. "He is my brother but I am a Fire User."
The Coordinator nodded understandably, looking over Killian once as if mentally gauging his abilities to the Lightning brother. The man slowly turned back to the Ruler, hoping that satisfied his curiosity.
The ruler remained expressionless, and for several seconds simply looked at Killian. The heads of the wardens and coordinators still lowered started to rise.
Evelyn peeked from her position but quickly lowered her head when she saw the Ruler staring in her direction, because she stood behind Killian.
Without another word, the Ruler stepped backward and vanished. The crowd collectively blinked.
Several people raised their heads and exchanged confused looks. He left just like that after asking one irrelevant question.
The silence that lasted afterwards was ridiculous because those in the crowd had been conditioned to not expected the end just yet after the last match.
A deep calm voice echoed from above.
"Bring them to me."
Killian jolted but immediately straightened his back. He looked at Keith and Reginald.
'Them.'
That obviously meant the contestants.
'Good.'
It had nothing to do with him.
Without hesitation, he transferred Reginald onto the Coordinator's shoulder and when another official hurried over, Evelyn helped them transfer Keith.
"There." Killian exhaled. "They are yours."
Relief flooded his chest and he looked towards the door. Lady Radiance was there but if he moved with Evelyn, she might block part of the effect.
"Let's go, Evelyn."
"Aren't you coming?" The Match Coordinator asked him, holding Reginald over his shoulder with one arm. "Your brother isn't conscious to answer questions."
"He said 'them'," Killian graciously reminded.
"You too." The deep voice spoke again. "Come."
Killian froze and very slowly looked upwards. Then he looked around himself and upward again.
"Me?"
The arena remained silent. Evelyn made small jumps on one spot, and stretched her left arm behind her head.
"Let's go then." She pulled Killian with her and followed the Coordinators walking towards a wall.
Killian stared at her, wanting to object but not knowing how to go about it without angering a Ruler.
He looked back at the others leaving, and really wanting to be one of them. He noticed Lady Radiance still on the same spot as before.
'Isn't she coming as well?'
She had neither moved close nor spoken while the Ruler was around. She simply stood there and stared.
Killian studied her briefly, trying to decide whether she was truly uncomfortable around him or he was imagining things.
It would make him feel a sense of control if he actually had an effect on her like she did on him.
But as always, there was no visible emotion on her face so he looked away. He wiped the beads of sweat growing on his forehead.