Chapter 1288: Twelve Judges
Chapter 1288: Twelve Judges
Outside the venue of Red Heart Queen's Masquerade, there is neither a starry sky nor Sia's world. It is a empty space where even the concept of the real world is blurred.
The twelve seats are arranged in a clockwise position in this empty space, responding to the Will of Nightmares. They are the Twelve Nightmare Sovereigns chosen as judges for this Red Heart Queen's Masquerade.
The Red Heart Queen's ball is not something that Red Heart Queen Ada can hold on her own. It is more like a mission bestowed upon her by the Will of Nightmares.
Ada is the organizer of the ball, but she cannot decide who to invite. The procession from Nightmare World, the tea cup soldiers, and the gourmet chefs are not her personal belongings.
Chefs who can create legend-ranked dishes are not something Ada can possess. They are a manifestation of the power of nightmares.
"It has begun."
"What kind of performance will we see this time?"
"The participants this time are quite interesting."
"I can't wait to score these cuties."
"This time is different, where did that prince come from?"
Even the rulers at the peak of Nightmare World were surprised by the "White Horse Prince" who appeared before the ball started.
In the past, there was no such character. The gods and fantasy creatures who climbed onto the Red Heart Queen's Masquerade stage, even the evil gods, all had individual performances, and then they were scored by the twelve of them.
The kings born from nightmares each have their unique powers, corresponding to different characteristics in the nightmare.
Each referee is randomly selected by the Will of Nightmares. For the kings who spend most of their time in dreams, the Red Heart Queen's ball is one of the few activities that can make them feel interested.
Ada, who also serves as the ancient god of the abyss and the ruler of nightmares, embodies the concepts of "reality" and "dream." This makes her a very unique presence among all Nightmare Sovereigns.
Her ball, held every time, attracts the attention of the Nightmare Sovereigns. Being chosen as the referee for the ball is a duty that no Nightmare Sovereign would refuse.
This time is no exception. The twelve sovereigns of the Will of Nightmares are already fully assembled by the time Great Witch Flora starts to enter the ball.
"As usual, I'll be the banker. Everyone, start placing your bets."
A figure in the empty void started their usual tradition of the annual Red Heart Ball, which brought together all Twelve Nightmare Kings. This was a very rare opportunity.
"I bet one hundred leaves that Flora will win."
"I bet five leaves, same as you, that Flora will win."
"Six leaves, Flora."
Even in the Nightmare World, precious god-tier catalysts like the World Tree Leaves could be used as equivalent exchange items.
The strongest contender in all previous Red Heart Queen's Masquerades, the Dusk Witch Flora from the domain of the Witch God, instantly became the top favorite.
Except for the year when Flora disrupted the rules with the God Slaying Sky Sword, she hasn't lost any Red Heart Queen's Masquerades she participated in.
At least half of the Nightmare Kings chose to bet on this popular contender.
For the lofty Nightmare Kings, this was one of the few gambling events that brought them pleasure.
Five people, which is about half of the people, chose the popular Great Witch Flora. After that, some people started betting on other participants.
"I bet on Casina the Battle God. She has the potential to break the game, two hundred leaves!"
"I also bet on Casina the Battle God. I have a feeling that she will astonish everyone, fifty leaves."
"No one can predict the strength of something like the Sky Sword. I also bet on Casina the Battle God, sixty leaves."
After witnessing the performance of another Sky Sword who escaped from the Twelve Nightmare Sovereigns, three Nightmare Sovereigns placed their bets on Casina the Battle God.
Well, the bet is not about whether she can win under the rules of the Red Heart Queen's Masquerade, but whether she will go to any lengths to break the rules, just like a certain predecessor Sky Sword.
The Sky Sword from the Sky Sword God's Domain is famous for taking a unique and distinctive approach even among the legend-rankeds in the entire Endless God's Domain.
The Sky Sword that disrupted the mathematical order of the Endless God's Domain, causing countless gods and sages to go crazy, like Yun Hai.
The God Slaying Sky Sword, who didn't even give face to the Nightmare Sovereigns and boldly fought his way out.
And even Shaya Longnis, disguised as a slime, can become an unknown creature called the Sky Sword.
The three Nightmare Sovereigns are gambling on the Sky Sword's rebellion and disregard for rules.
Compared to the other two Sky Swords, Casina the Battle God is clearly much more violent. Casina the Battle God's unbeatable myth is not made up, but is proven through real battles.
In fact, one of the Nightmare Sovereigns here has suffered a great loss at the hands of Casina the Battle God, which has been mocked by other Nightmare Sovereigns for hundreds of years.
After the first and second favorites appeared, the remaining three Nightmare Sovereigns also chose their own favored candidates.
"Lilibet, one hundred leaves."
The Guardian from the Sky Tower chased Shaya Longnis, who was in a sorry state, with the Azure Excalibur. She is even older than the Nightmare Sovereigns here and is known as the oldest Sky Sword.
Those who believe in her clearly know about her glorious past victories.
"Cyber Elf Alpha, one hundred leaves."
Similarly, Cyber Elf Alpha had one hundred leaves.
The new generation deity, Cyber Elf, had an overwhelming advantage on the Starry Sky Chessboard, defeating all other legend-ranked opponents except the mysterious Starry Sky Chess Master.
Hmm, among them, two have experienced the terrifying crushing power of Cyber Elf Alpha and were completely defeated.
"The level of this tournament is really high, so I'll bet on the most unlikely candidate."
"That princess from the fantasy species, she won't lose, right?"
The last person among the twelve, the ruler himself, also placed a bet.
"One hundred and twenty leaves."
This was a polite bet, after all, no one believed that the young princess could win on a stage where ladylike charm was showcased.
The Nightmare Sovereign, who acted as the banker, smirked and placed all twelve rulers' chips on the twisted scale.
Even for the kings of Nightmare World, "Leaves" are a very rare resource, and the games that interest them are few and far between.
The dance of the Red Heart Queen is one of them.
"So let us wait and see who will be the ultimate winner."
"Who will receive the most delicious food and the blessings of nightmares."
Twelve great beings from Nightmare World began to gaze at the now open stage.
They were looking forward to seeing the most magnificent performance on this highly qualified dance stage.