I, Yuhaka, am hungry!

Hearing Lian's question, Restia smiled and said:

"Everything is normal. I think... by the time we reach the final round, that [thing] will be able to grant your wish, Lian."

Chapter 743 [A Declaration of War from the Four Gods]

At the stronghold where Yuhaka and the others were, Claire and the others frowned as they looked at the number of magic stones in their hands.

Although several spirit summoner teams were eliminated, the number of magic stones obtained was not very large, because those teams showed signs of missing members. It can be seen that those teams were probably attacked by other teams, resulting in the elimination of members and a reduction in the number of members in the team.

This meant that Claire and her friends didn't receive many magic stones. Adding to that the magic stones they had to share with Mira, the actual number of magic stones they received was quite small.

While Yuhaka was chewing on his big tail, Claire crossed her arms and looked at the hastily drawn tactical map on the table, saying:

"The number of teams using spirit summons is decreasing; it's estimated that by the sixth day, there will probably only be four teams left..."

Alice, who had been secretly glancing at Yuhaka who was gnawing on his tail, snapped out of her daze and quickly nodded, saying:

"Yes, that's true. If it's a team as strong as the Purgatory Apostles, they might just eliminate all the other teams."

Lindsay denied Alice's statement, saying:

"I don't think the other side needs to do this, since the teams advancing in this competition are determined by the number of magic stones they acquire."

As long as enough magic stones are collected, there's no need to worry about advancing. All that's left is to stay firmly within the stronghold; there's no need to risk eliminating other teams.

Although Linslet's words made a lot of sense, unfortunately, the Purgatory Apostles' team did not follow the usual path and continued to eliminate other teams.

At that moment, Yuhaka suddenly raised his head, his cat ears perked up, and gazed into the distance. Fiana, standing beside him, also sensed something. The others present, seeing the reactions of Yuhaka and Fiana, looked somewhat excited and said:

"What's wrong?! Fiana, has another group of spirit users arrived?!"

Hearing Claire and the others' excited tone, as if they wished a team of elf users would come knocking on their door, made Fiana feel a little embarrassed. After a few light coughs, Fiana explained to everyone:

"I just sensed that some elves threw something down outside."

Fiana's words puzzled Claire and the others, who clearly did not understand why the elf would throw something. Then, Yuhaka ran to get the thing.

When Yuhaka returned, she put what she was carrying on the table, and Claire and the others gathered around to look at the thing on the table.

On the table in front of them lay a scroll made of animal hide.

Upon seeing the letter in animal hide, everyone wore expressions of confusion.

"Judging from the letter... it seems to be from another group of spirit envoys..."

Claire looked at Fiana and Mira standing to the side and said:

“Fiana, Mira, is there a problem with this animal hide letter?”

After Fiana and Mira checked it briefly and found nothing wrong, they told Claire:

"Hmm, no problem. It seems to be an ordinary letter, not some kind of trap or anything like that."

After hearing Fiana's words, Claire nodded in understanding, and then Claire opened the animal skin letter on the table.

After Claire opened the letter, the others around her were also curious about its contents. However, they soon encountered a problem: they couldn't understand the letter's contents...

Looking at the crooked, snake-like characters on the letter, Alice and the others were completely bewildered.

Lindsay's lips twitched as she looked at the words on the letter and said:

"What...what country's script is this?!"

Alice, who was standing nearby, looked puzzled when she saw the words on the animal skin letter. She scratched her head and said:

"Hmm...I don't really understand either..."

Hearing Alice and Linslet's words, Claire, who had her arms crossed, sighed helplessly and shook her head, saying:

"This is a script widely used in Eastern cultural spheres. You should have learned it in the basic courses at the academy, right?"

Alice blushed slightly after hearing Claire's words and said somewhat awkwardly:

"Uh... I... I'm not very good at linguistics..."

Seeing Alice's embarrassed expression, Claire's lips twitched slightly. To be honest, Claire hadn't expected that a top student like Alice wouldn't be good at linguistics or anything like that... But Claire didn't care about that right now.

Claire read the contents of the animal hide letter fluently. After she finished reading, a serious expression appeared on her face. Yuhaka, who was standing nearby, craned his neck to look at the animal hide letter in Claire's hand and asked:

"Claire, what does it say on it? OwO"

Regarding the issue of Yhaka, Claire also offered her own explanation:

"This is a declaration of war, and it's from those [Four Gods]!"

Upon hearing Claire's words, everyone gasped, except for Yuhaka, who had a completely bewildered expression.

Claire and the others were very clear about the Four Gods. The Four Gods were the strongest team of spirit users from the Kuna Empire, a great power in the eastern part of the continent. Moreover, the Kuna Empire not only had a longer history than the Audisia Empire, but also had won many victories in the Spirit Sword Dance Festival.

It can be said that, apart from the Purgatory Apostles, this is an elf squad whose strength is comparable to that of the Dragon Emperor Knights and the Holy Spirit Knights.

Anna, who was unaware of what was happening, raised her little hand and looked at Claire, asking:

What did that declaration of war refer to?

In response to Anna's question, Claire explained to Anna:

"A duel in a place far from their respective strongholds, just like a duel between knights."

The Elf Sword Dance Festival is not simply a martial arts competition to test skills and strength, but a stage for noble elf envoys, as priestesses, to present sword dances to the five great elf kings.

Therefore, when teams intend to devote all their energy to a sword dance, they will send each other letters that signify a declaration of war.

After hearing Claire's explanation, Anna nodded to indicate that she understood. Then, Anna looked at Claire and asked:

"So, Miss Claire, what is your decision?"

Claire also smiled and said:

"Of course we'll accept the duel. After all, we don't need to worry about the Four Gods team's challenge now, and we have the advantage in numbers, plus we have Yu-Yu."

"Yoyo! OwO"

Chapter 744 [The Snake's Shadow]

As Yuhaka and her companions prepared to accept the declaration of war from the Four Gods Spirit Squad, deep within a felled forest far from their base, stood a magnificent temple in the style of Eastern architecture.

That was the stronghold of the Four Divine Spirits Envoys of the Kuna Empire, and now... a royal meeting centered on the princess was being held in front of that temple.

"Then... give your opinions."

A solemn voice drifted through the thin curtains. It was the voice of Princess Linfu Qing Kuina, the third princess of the Kuna Empire and the commander of the Four Gods.

Meanwhile, in front of the temple, three girls dressed in oriental-style clothing were waiting. These three were the users of the divine beast spirits of the Four Gods Squad: [Lao Lin], [Bai Ya], [Xiao], and [Xiao], respectively.

"I humbly offer my advice, Lady Lin Fu."

The first person to voice their opinion was Law Lin.

"I apologize for daring to voice my objections to the current battle with the Scarlett squad."

Hearing Lau Lin's words, Lin Fu, behind the curtain, asked in confusion:

"What is the explanation? Please tell me the reason."

"Admittedly, even with Lady Lin Fu's and our Four Gods' power, defeating the squad that the Dragon Emperor's Knights refer to as the Holy Dragon Maiden will not be an easy task. Moreover, if, during our battle, the Infernal Apostles led by that unidentified masked girl were to take the opportunity to attack—"

Lau Lin didn't continue speaking, because it was obvious to everyone present that she meant it. As she said, if they were to fight against Yuhaka and her team, there was a high chance that the Purgatory Apostles would ambush them, resulting in a "winner-takes-all" scenario, which would be extremely disadvantageous.

Lin Fu was also taken aback when she heard what Lau Lin said.

"Hmm... Baiya, Xiao, do you share the same opinion?"

Regarding their captain's question, Baiya and Xiao also gave their opinions:

"Since that's what Lao said, Baiya thinks that's fine."

"All I need is to fight strong guys."

Hearing Bai Ya and Xiao's opinions, Lin Fu also sighed and said:

"Ha... your two opinions are barely worth mentioning."

Meanwhile, Laurin, who was standing nearby, continued to persuade him:

"I implore Lady Lin Fu to reconsider. Although the opposing team is an unknown force, they are capable of defeating the Dragon Emperor Knights and should not be underestimated."

"Besides, even if we want to obtain magic stones, we don't necessarily have to use a declaration of war!"

Hearing Laurin's words, Lin Fu also looked very troubled and said:

"Well... actually, I've already sent out the declaration of war..."

"........"

As soon as Lin Fu finished speaking, everyone present fell silent. After Laurin reacted, she looked at Lin Fu with disbelief and said:

"W-what?! It's been sent out?! Why, why did you do something so arbitrary and domineering?! You have to consult with us before making important decisions! How many times have I told you?!"

Lin Fu, who had been yelled at, was also startled by Lau Lin's voice, and then said somewhat guiltily:

"Well, well...aren't we discussing this with you right now...?"

"So please discuss it with us before making a decision!"

At this point, Laurin, enraged, no longer cared about showing respect to the princess. If Lin Fu were not a princess, Laurin would probably have already rushed up and spanked Lin Fu's bottom.

"Send the elven messenger back right now!"

"No way! Once a declaration of war is issued, it can't be easily withdrawn!"

Hearing Lin Fu's words left Lau Lin speechless. Indeed, just as Lin Fu said, once a declaration of war was issued, there was no way to take it back.

Xiao, who was standing to the side, patted Laurin, who had a headache, and said:

"Come on, don't be so angry. Anyway, whether it's the Scarlett Squad or the Purgatory Apostle Squad, as long as we defeat them all, that's fine, right?"

As for Xiao's words, Laurin rubbed her forehead, looking like she had a headache, and said:

"It's not that simple. Scarlett's squad has someone who could repel the entire Dragon Emperor Knights squad! Even if they don't lose, it will definitely be a tough battle. And most importantly, there was that attack last night that was like a strategic military elf."

Hearing Lau Lin's words, Lin Fu and the others fell silent. The attack that night, which resembled a falling meteor, had filled them with dread. If they had been hit by that attack while inside the stronghold, they didn't think the barrier could have defended against it.

They might be wiped out without leaving anything behind. Well, although... the Elf Sword Dance Festival can't kill people.

At this moment, the red-haired girl, who should have been dressed in bright red, returned. This girl was the wielder of the divine beast spirit, Suzaku, named Rinne Sharma.

"Rinne, you're back. How's the reconnaissance mission with the Purgatory Apostles going?"