After the Sword King was defeated and captured by the New King, the New King became the most noteworthy topic in the magical world worldwide.
Although Doni's strength couldn't compare to veteran Campiones like Marquis Voban and Sect Leader Luo Hao, he was by no means weak compared to other Campiones, and could be considered a formidable Demon King.
For such a Campione to be defeated on the spot by the New King, the New King's credentials immediately shot up.
Anyone capable of such feats was definitely no ordinary threat.
As if to confirm everyone's thoughts.
On the very night when Sword King Doni was defeated and captured, the magic association Copper Black Cross, acting on behalf of the New King Ryuga, openly declared war on all Campiones worldwide.
The New King brazenly proclaimed that all Campiones should submit to him.
When this news broke, the entire magical world was in uproar.
Even the Far Eastern island nation, which rarely received visits from Campiones and was almost isolated from the world, was deeply shocked by the New King's arrogance and audacity.
A mere New King, having only defeated the Sword King, wanted to rule the world?
How dare he?!
From the perspective of most people in the magical world, although the New King Ryuga's strength was not weak—becoming a Campione on his first day by consecutively slaying two gods, then defeating the Sword King—he looked like nothing more than a rising star in his prime.
But with just this level of combat power, with merely two Authorities, he wanted to challenge all the Campiones?
This was completely not taking the other Campiones seriously!
Thinking of the peculiar temperaments of each Campione, a great war was absolutely unavoidable.
At this thought, European mages trembled in fear, praying that their cities wouldn't become battlefields.
Otherwise, even if the incredibly arrogant New King was taught a lesson, these battlefields would still suffer.
Among the entire magical world, the most worried were probably the magic associations of Eastern and Southern Europe.
Not only because they had suffered devastation before and had the deepest understanding of Campione power.
But also because they could probably guess who was most likely to respond to the challenge.
"Heh heh~~ To actually dare make me, Voban, submit, these new juniors really are getting more arrogant by the generation!"
In a castle among the Eastern European mountains, under the glow of green lights, the silver-haired old man sitting on the throne revealed a cold smile.
In the darkness, his pupils reflected the same green gleam as a wolf's, looking extremely dangerous.
"Very good, compared to obedient dogs, I prefer rebellious wolves!"
"Since this junior could deal with that fool Doni, it seems he should have the qualifications to be hunted by me!"
When mentioning Sword King Doni, Marquis Voban's gaze seemed somewhat dangerous, apparently not having forgotten the grudge between them.
"Sir Kranjcar, I remember you just reported today that the New King requested divine summoning rituals from you?"
As if suddenly remembering something, Marquis Voban asked the elderly knight at his feet.
"Yes, Marquis! Without your orders, we have not handed over the ritual materials."
The aged knight knelt on the ground, answering nervously.
Even though he had followed Marquis Voban for a long time, he still felt that serving such a master was like accompanying a tiger, not daring to be careless in the slightest.
"Hmph! Since he wants it, organize it and send it over. Consider it a senior's gift."
Saying words that were completely unlike his usual style, Marquis Voban's smile carried a hint of coldness.
"Of course, provided he can withstand a senior's enthusiasm."
"Yes."
Kranjcar immediately accepted the order.
"Good, next prepare my itinerary as quickly as possible. I'm going to educate that newborn kinsman and see if he's qualified to receive a senior's gift."
Tapping his finger on the cold armrest, Marquis Voban issued his next command.
"Marquis, are you planning to battle the New King?"
Kranjcar trembled slightly but still mustered the courage to ask.
If the civilians could be evacuated in advance of a battle between Campiones, many sacrifices could surely be reduced. As a knight, he couldn't pretend not to know this.
"Of course, it's been so long since I've hunted, I'm feeling somewhat bored."
Marquis Voban's smile was sharp and dangerous, clearly not giving anyone a chance to dissuade him.
As the oldest Campione of this era, and also the one most generous with violence, just as everyone had foreseen, he was the first to respond to Ryuga's declaration of war and planned to immediately go to battle. Looking at geography alone, he was indeed the Campione closest to Ryuga's location.
"Your will."
Kranjcar deeply lowered his head and asked no more questions.
Meanwhile, at Mount Lu.
"Bang!"
With a loud crash, Sect Leader Luo Hao's direct disciple Lu Yinghua was, as usual, sent flying with a palm strike, bursting through the door and slamming into the wall.
"Master, please calm your anger!"
Despite the pain that felt like his internal organs had shifted, he chose to endure it forcibly and continued to kneel in salute.
"That New King must be ignorant, angering Master by actually daring to demand Master's surrender."
Skilled at reading expressions, he tried to flatter his master.
However—
"Bang!"
Another distant palm strike, invisible palm force sent him rolling dozens of meters away.
Yet Luo Hao's voice remained as clear as if she were right beside him.
"Hmph! No matter how arrogant, he is still my kinsman. How dare you insignificant juniors have any room to comment or judge?"
A cold and proud young girl's voice came from within the house.
"Then what does Master mean?"
Lu Yinghua nearly wanted to vomit blood.
"If he's someone with real talent and learning, just with low vision speaking such rebellious words, that could still be forgiven."
"But if he's completely ignorant of his place, just relying on some strange Authorities through trickery—a heretical practitioner—then don't blame me for not showing kinship!"
Luo Hao's attitude was quite simple: if the opponent truly had strength, she didn't mind their attitude.
"But how do we judge which type the New King is?"
Lu Yinghua still didn't quite understand.
Could it be that Master planned to personally test him?
Only Luo Hao had this intention; mastering Divine Foot-Speed, she could definitely arrive in Southern Europe before Marquis Voban.
"Foolish!"
Luo Hao mercilessly scolded.
"With my status, how could I possibly go knocking on doors because of some troublesome child's mere words? If people knew, wouldn't they mock me, Luo Hao, for having no tolerance?"
"As for the New King's quality, leave it to those beasts who can't control their instincts. If he can survive under that wolf's claws, then he'll be qualified for me, Luo Hao, to take another look!"
Obviously, she also anticipated that Marquis Voban definitely couldn't restrain himself, so she had no intention of responding.
Are you sure it's not because you're a shut-in?
Thinking this in his heart, Lu Yinghua immediately began flattering with his mouth.
"Worthy of Master, strategizing from within the tent, deciding victory from a thousand li away. Just like the War God reborn, Zhuge Liang resurrected!"
"Bang!"
Once again the familiar sound, Lu Yinghua was sent flying again.
Luo Hao's voice came with the wind.
"When did I, Luo Hao, ever teach you the skill of brown-nosing? Truly shameless, withdraw!"
"..."
Lu Yinghua sighed but still breathed a sigh of relief.
No matter what, this trial was passed.
He just didn't know what kind of result it would be on the New King's side.
Facing the same news, different people reacted differently.
When Marquis Voban had already set out, North American Campione Annie Charlton only just received the message.
"The New King is so arrogant, but what does this have to do with me, a corporate slave?"
She chose to slack off.
"Interesting."
The Campione Black Prince Alec, who happened to be touring North Africa, showed no signs of getting worked up after receiving the news, as if the target of the declaration of war wasn't himself at all.
As for the final Campione—Madam Aisha, who was traveling through time and space, didn't receive the message at all.
The scene before them perfectly verified what Ryuga had said: even if war was declared, these Campione creatures probably wouldn't all show up.
And besides these Campiones, there was one more existence whose reaction to this news was quite special.
"Great opportunity, Uncle! The New King is so arrogant, he'll definitely clash with the Nordic Wolf King. Then we'll have a chance to fish in troubled waters and investigate King Arthur."
"Reasonable."
Lancelot nodded slightly.
Although being unable to have an exhilarating battle was indeed somewhat regrettable, in his heart, Guinevere's long-cherished wish was more important.
Simple words set the entire world into turmoil.
With Marquis Voban's approach, Rome quickly became a huge vortex.
All forces nervously watched the situation about to unfold here, with conflict ready to erupt at any moment.
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