"Sign me up, I'm fighting tomorrow too!"
"Huh?", Seeing Axel so riled up and full of bravado, even the registrar, who had seen all kinds of people, couldn't help being stunned for a moment.
'Didn't the soldier say this guy is only here to see Lady Diao Chan?'
'How did it turn into him entering the match.'
They'd separated the admirers of Lu Bu and the actual friends of Lu Bu into different lodgings because they believed only Lu Bu's friends might actually step in to help right now.
Cao's army was powerful, and fighting them in the arena meant people could die.
As for the others, the reason they were treated well was simply to avoid harming morale at this crucial time, and to make sure the events here could be spread afterward.
The registrar thought about it over and over, and still couldn't figure out why Axel chose this moment to act.
'Could it be he is lovestruck?'
Thinking about that possibility, the registrar couldn't help nodding.
That would make sense. The Madam was a woman whose beauty could topple cities, so many people in this world wanted a taste of her charm.
Wasn't that exactly why the Cao scoundrel wanted to slaughter the city?
But since Axel was here to help, the registrar didn't dare scold him.
"If you wish to help, of course I welcome it, but this is a serious matter. We need to choose the strongest ten people."
"And more importantly, we don't want a righteous man like you dying for nothing."
Hearing the registrar circle around the matter with a bunch of chatter, Axel suddenly started missing that blunt, straightforward soldier.
"Speak human words."
"Ahem!", The registrar's old face flushed red.
"To avoid a pointless sacrifice from a righteous man like you, our Lord Wang has given instructions."
"If someone wants to step up and help, they must notify him first and meet him in person."
"So basically a test, huh?", Axel understood instantly.
If just anyone could sign up and take one of the slots, then there'd be no point in fighting.
Cao Cao sent nine nobodies, and Diao Chan's side could just smack them around and GG.
They'd obviously investigate the strength and background of these nine candidates carefully.
"Then take me to meet him."
"No need!", Hearing Axel speak so bluntly, the registrar sighed in relief and put on a smile again.
"Our lord said we can't afford to neglect an honored guest. Please enjoy some food and wine here. He will personally come to meet you."
Axel nodded, "That's considerate."
Watching the registrar leave, Axel suddenly understood why ancient times had so many death-defying loyalists.
He had barely arrived, and aside from using Gardevoir's pressure on that soldier, he had never shown real power.
Yet Lord Wang and the registrar treated him with such importance.
If he lived here another ten or twenty years, and one day Lord Wang cried that he was about to die… Wouldn't Axel go blow up every enemy the man ever had?
Lord Wang didn't seem busy, or maybe the people here really didn't plan on acting themselves.
Axel and Gardevoir had just finished eating, and he hadn't even gotten around to cooking Pokemon food when the registrar brought in someone who resembled him a bit.
He wore simple armor and had two Bastiodon behind him, and an Aggron as well.
Judging by their aura, they were all Gym Leader level. Especially that Aggron, its armor gleaming with a black-gold luster, the horn on its head shining with a terrifying sharpness under the sun.
All three Pokemon were clearly frontline types, and their sharp eyes told you they'd grown up through real battles.
"This must be the righteous man Axel?"
Lord Wang's smile was a little stiff, not because he disliked Axel, but simply because he spent most of his time fighting and didn't like smiling much.
Axel showing up at such a critical moment made Lord Wang feel close to him right away.
And as an official of the city, he knew more than the registrar. He knew Axel's Gardevoir had nearly killed a soldier with just its pressure.
Someone with that level of power deserved serious respect, even in these chaotic times.
"Yes, uncle," The registrar quickly introduced them again.
"This righteous man Axel, after hearing about the Cao scoundrel's bullying, bravely decided to help us uphold justice."
"Coincidentally, like Lady Diao Chan, he is also a Gardevoir trainer, and the Gardevoir he raised is exceptional. You'll see when you meet her."
"That's excellent," Lord Wang forced out another smile, looking exactly like one of those modern fake-smiling boys.
"Lord Wang," Axel smiled back.
He wasn't planning on being overly polite. He was only staying here for three days at most.
Even if he warmed up to these people, he'd never see them again.
Better to finish the fight and get some rest.
"So are we fighting now? Or are you going to ask about my background first and then fight?"
"Uh…", Lord Wang was clearly thrown off rhythm by Axel, blinking as he struggled to figure out what to do next.
And based on the intel he got from the soldiers earlier, he could only tell Axel wasn't weak. He still had no clue how strong Axel really was.
Among Psychic-type Pokemon, plenty could interfere with brainwaves. Some could even do it at low levels.
Seeing his uncle's rhythm fall apart, the registrar gave a bitter smile, "How about we spar first?"
"That way we can see whether your Pokemon fighting Cao's troops would be in danger."
"Of course, that's not the only reason."
"You're a Gardevoir trainer, and conveniently our Lady Diao Chan is also a Gardevoir trainer."
"If we can see what resources your Gardevoir needs during this battle, maybe we can help gather some."
Lord Wang nodded. That was his idea too.
Only by actually fighting could they know Axel's level.
If Axel didn't have the real strength for the match, then no need for background checks.
If he did, then while checking his background they could also prepare resources to make Gardevoir even stronger.
———
Very soon, Aggron and the two Bastiodon set up a ring in the courtyard.
All three Pokemon glared at Axel with a murderous air. Over the past few days, they had seen their master, who wasn't good at socializing, forcing himself to smile at people. They were fed up.
And this guy was a male Gardevoir trainer.
Not that they looked down on people, but most guys like that were playboys.
Was it really necessary to treat him this seriously?
"Sir Axel, let me explain tomorrow's battle rules."
As the fight drew near, Lord Wang's expression eased naturally. Standing in the center of the ring, he spoke seriously:
"Tomorrow's match is a 3v3 battle, and the trainers themselves must step onto the field."
"If all three Pokemon are defeated or the trainer is beheaded, that counts as a loss."
"But I must remind you, before tomorrow's battle there is a special battlefield to get through, and your strength might be depleted. If possible, prepare as many Pokemon as you can."
"If you have no objections, we'll begin?"
Axel nodded and reached for Gyarados's Poke Ball at his waist.
"Good!"
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