Who designed this underworld dungeon?.

Chapter 594 The Rallying Call of Warriors
"Wait, wait, how many people?"

Even Yuffie was stunned when she first heard the adjective "thousands".

The impact of the number was so strong that she forgot to take the badge from Jellian's hand; he had to pry her hand open and force it in.

"You heard right."

Jeremy didn't seem to intend to explain further, and there was nothing to explain anyway.

To send off General Ratahn, we need many, many people who are worthy of him. Isn't that a very simple and common sense principle?

"This is definitely not normal!"

Yuffie was so excited that her voice rose several octaves, and her body trembled as her carapace began to fall off with a whooshing sound.

Thousands? Are you kidding me?

What kind of dungeon has thousands of players simultaneously engaged in the same boss battle?! This is unprecedented and likely to remain so!

The most clearly recorded and largest-scale battle in the history of dungeons was the hundred-person war that occurred in the Red Fang Dungeon, but it was only a fleeting moment and disappeared after a short time.

"Let me ask you something first." Yuffie's voice trembled; she couldn't tell if it was because she was too badly injured or too shocked, but probably because of surprise.

But when she saw the look in Jeremy's eyes, she swallowed back the question she was about to ask, "Are you serious?"

Because I felt that asking that question would make the other person look at me like I was stupid, I decisively changed my answer:

"With only one badge, how am I supposed to recruit so many people for you?"

“There are other warriors working on this as well, and,” Jellian pointed to the lion emblem, his eyes looking somewhat strange.

Lion Badge

[The token given by Jellian is a certificate of a warrior qualified to participate in the battle festival, summoning the holder at the start of the festival.]

[If the badge is given to another person and imbued with magic, and that person has the strength to participate in the battle festival, the badge will split.]

"what"

Yuffie had completely forgotten about the introduction and immediately felt blush.

When she looked up again, sure enough, Jellian across from her had an expression that said, "You're quite capable, but are you out of your mind? Are you some kind of savage?"

Feeling ashamed, Euphemia ran away on the spot, dashing back to the Blessing Hall and then back to the Round Table Hall.

So much so that she forgot to ask herself what she cared about most—

Why is the Battle Festival a farewell ceremony for Rataen?

------------

The portal flickered, and Yuffie left the dungeon.

She simply found a random passerby, placed the badge in their hand, and then infused it with magic.

However, the badge remained unchanged, without even a tremor, clearly indicating that the person whose arm she was holding and who couldn't break free was not qualified to participate in the battle festival.

"So it really is all about quality, you can't just throw in the numbers. Sorry, did I hurt you? Here, take this gold coin."

She released the bewildered passerby and disappeared into the vicinity in the blink of an eye.

She was absolutely certain that those people were of high quality.

In Blackrock City, in a house where no one disturbs you.

Sword Saint Japar was sitting in a thick pile of books, holding a book in one hand and gesturing in the air with the other.

"It's a very exquisite combat technique. It would be such a pity if it were lost. At least I'll use the recording stone, which has a lifespan of over two hundred years, to record the movements of the technique. In case someone can understand it in the future."

These books are all the teaching materials related to combat skills collected by Count Gerhard, the lord of Blackrock City, and they are all piled up here now.

Besides these books, there were also several unfamiliar figures.

"I never expected to have the opportunity to see the combat techniques of an entire country. I am truly grateful to you."

"You not only avenged our master, but also gave us such a great opportunity."

"I am now proficient in all martial arts!"

Several people of different ages were sitting inside the room, but they all had one thing in common: they were carrying swords.

They are descendants of other sword saints who were killed in the past. Currently, only Japar holds the title of sword saint, but the descendants of those former sword saints still exist and have passed down their swordsmanship.

Japal was a protective father and cared deeply for these younger generation members. He took the opportunity of learning the warriors' kingdom's combat techniques to teach them a lesson.

Although the title of Sword Saint has been removed from their lineage, their strength has not declined. According to Japal's observation, there are even those among them whose strength surpasses that of Yuffie.

The essence of the swordsmanship lineage is now concentrated in this small house.

"Hehe, it's good that you've gained something. I—"

"Whoosh!"

Japar was stroking his beard and smiling, about to say something, when the door was suddenly kicked open. A blurry figure flashed quickly in the room, and the next moment it was cut in half by a swordsman who thought it was an enemy attack. No, it didn't even hit him. That guy was too fast!
In the blink of an eye, everyone had a lion badge in their hand. What's this?

“Everyone, and Dad,” a familiar voice came from the doorway. People looked in the direction of the voice and saw Euphemia leaning against the doorway, saying:

"Would you be interested in hearing something from me?"

Also in Blackrock City, inside a luxurious mansion.

Lanler spoke into the recording stone, which was his daily habit. He used to write in his diary, but now that he was too lazy to write, he switched to recording.

"I am amazed by what Edgar has accomplished these days. Can he really have created those amazing techniques? I still can't believe it."

"But thanks to him, the battle qi conversion technology is nearing maturity. For me, as a reformer, this should be considered good news. In this way, Temud and his group will definitely not have a chance of winning at the war festival."

"Although I don't like this younger brother, I don't want to see him lose too badly. I've already written to him explaining the huge gap in strength between us. I believe that after reading it, he will understand that nothing they do can turn the tide of this war festival."

"Furthermore, with the technology pioneered by Edgar, magic in the Sien Dungeon is no longer necessary, so there's no need for me to stay here any longer. After attending the festival in the capital in a few days, I won't be coming back."

"As for the adventurers I recruited, although I don't know what they encountered in the dungeon and they still haven't returned, it's a pity that my cooperation with these talents is about to end before it even began. The victory of the reform is a foregone conclusion."

Lanler was about to say something more when he was suddenly interrupted by the voice of the guard outside the door.

"Your Highness, the Sky Conquest Team is back!"

"what?"

A moment later, Lanler met the returning Skyrim strategy team.

If he hadn't believed in their strength, he would have thought that the group had met with some accident and turned to dust in the underground city.

However, the current situation seems quite different from what he expected, because Luluwo and the others all look radiant and full of energy.

"Did you eat too much oily food?" Lanler couldn't help but ask.

"No, Your Highness, it is the joy of finally being freed from endless torment that is overflowing."

"."

Lanler and Luluwo were completely out of sync, but considering that Luluwo had stayed in the dungeon for so long this time, she must have had a very fruitful trip.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but hum softly and said, "Since you are so happy, you must have gained a lot. Tell me about it, and let me share your joy."

“The biggest gain is actually this.” Luluwo opened her hand, and in the center of her palm lay a lion emblem.

They finally defeated the leader of Red Lion City and obtained the Lion Badge from Jellian.

The moment they defeated the powerful enemy, everyone felt a sense of relief. Looking back at the unique leaders, they thought that this was truly another great work of art from the city of Sien. As a result, even their anger disappeared, leaving only a feeling of exhilaration.

So Luluwo didn't actually do anything like taking off Jellian's hat.

"This is?"

Meeting Lanler's questioning gaze, Luluwo explained everything about the Battle Festival, concluding with:
"Your Highness, are we going to the battle festival? My intuition tells me it will be a grand festival."

Luluwo's ​​voice sounded like a succubus tempting mortals; it was clear she desperately wanted to go.

"."

Lanler didn't rush to speak. Instead, he closed his eyes, rubbed his temples, and leaned back in his chair.

Why does he look so troubled?
Luluwo observed the other person's behavior and thought, "What's there to hesitate about? Just agree!" But she knew the principle of moderation, so after offering a few words of persuasion, she remained silent and waited for the other person to make a decision.

"Ugh"

A short while later, Lanler sighed deeply and said, as if talking to himself:
"A festival gathering a thousand warriors around a demigod is something that only happens in myths and legends."

"Mmm!" Luluwo nodded repeatedly.

"And it was chosen to be a night with a sky full of stars! Oh no, I really love stars and nights, especially a legendary festival held on such a starry night."

"So we are?" Luluwo felt the answer was already clear.

"But, I refuse."

Lanler's words left everyone speechless, and the atmosphere instantly turned cold.

He showed a regretful but not remorseful expression and said:

"The battle festival in Ratahn is really appealing, but I also have a war festival that I can't give up, which concerns the future of the country and my career. So I won't go to the Sien Dungeon."

"But this battle festival seems unusual, and perhaps the Sien Dungeon won't hold a second one anytime soon."

"Then consider it a small regret I missed in my life."

Lanler waved his hand, indicating that he had made his decision and that people did not need to persuade him anymore.

"My warriors have all set off for the capital. The flames of the war festival have been lit and will begin soon. Should I recall them and abandon the glory of the festival?"

He's right, the war festival of the Warrior Kingdom is indeed about to begin soon.

The beacon fires symbolizing the start of the festival have been lit across the country, and countless warriors are eager to fight, converging on the capital city, the venue of the festival. This is a grand occasion that is not seen once in a century.

The atmosphere throughout the entire Warrior Kingdom is now incredibly vibrant!

However, judging from the timing and the speed at which Euphemia and Luluvo spread the Lion Badge, by the time they have gathered a thousand warriors...
These two festivals might clash!
Therefore, even if Lanler was genuinely interested in the battle festival, he absolutely could not give it up.

"Moreover, my brother's forces will absolutely not give up the war festival, so you don't need to expect anything from them."

Lanler said slowly:

"After all, the traditionalists value war festivals more than anyone else, and they will never give them up."

"But I, in the end, could not give up worldly things."

Blackstone City, Temud's temporary residence.

"I want to participate in the battle festival."

Temud said this to the person in front of him.

He gripped the lion emblem tightly in his hand, and the gloom on his face vanished.

"I knew coming to you would be fine."

The person standing in front of him was Yuffie; it seemed she had already finished her business with Japar and left at lightning speed.

"Before this, I approached many people, and not a single one refused the invitation to the festival. This scale of battle is unprecedented in the Sien Dungeon, and it's hard for everyone to resist the temptation."

"Who did you contact?" he asked curiously.

“Everyone I can contact,” Yuffie counted, “the famous gold-ranked adventurers from the Warrior Kingdom, the reclusive masters, the strongmen in the army, and the brave travelers who have come here.”

She talked a lot.

"And there are some people from the Kingdom of Anor. I gave Leon a badge, and he promised to bring a huge army. I can probably guess who they are."

"Oh, by the way, I heard my apprentice went back to his hometown to gather people to cause trouble in the Sien Dungeon. I guess there will be quite a few dragons involved."

Just listening to Yuffie recite the menu made Temud feel his blood heat up, and when he looked down, he saw that his fists were trembling slightly.

It seems that the people of the Warrior Kingdom have a particular fondness for trembling when they are emotionally agitated.

"I remember you and Lanler were on good terms, so why did you notify him first before coming to me?" he asked.

"Actually, I considered it between you and Lanler, and finally chose to come directly to you."

"Why?" This time it was Temud's turn to be surprised.

Yuffie shrugged and said, "My intuition tells me that this battle festival will definitely come to you, after all, you're one of those so-called traditionalists."

Upon hearing this, Temud couldn't help but laugh out loud, glancing at the letter that Lanler had sent, which he had tossed aside.

To be honest, when he saw that letter, he almost thought that the traditionalists had no chance of winning. Even if they won the festival, the situation of the traditionalists in the country would not improve much in the future.

His pride prevented him from admitting defeat, but reality and reason told him that the warrior tradition could not continue.

His soldiers and the delegation had all set off for the capital to participate in the war festival. He was supposed to join them today, but Lanler's letter made him waver.

It was during this time of intense internal struggle for him.

Euphemia has arrived, bringing news of the Battle Festival.

"Ratan, judging from the information we've gathered so far, is undoubtedly a valiant warrior. He must possess unparalleled charisma, and his spirit must be extraordinary as well."

At this point, the gloom in Temud's eyes vanished.

"If it's about showcasing the spirit and character of warriors, then it doesn't necessarily have to be in the capital, right?"

"What do you mean?" Yuffie vaguely guessed what the other person was thinking.

“I will call everyone back. They should not have arrived in the capital yet. I know they will deliberately dawdle on the way, because quite a few people are wavering like me.”

"We've long questioned whether it was even necessary to participate in this war festival that looked like a publicity stunt."

He stood up, carefully took off his pained clothes and put them away, then raised his hand and put on his favorite heavy armor, exuding a chilling aura.

"If the changing times dictate that traditions cannot continue."

Temud's lips curled slightly upward as he looked up at the sky and said:

"Then let us fight our final battle at this farewell ceremony for a demigod!"

(End of this chapter)