"Hey, did you hear? Princess Frost Moon is attending the 'War God Arena' to watch the gladiatorial combat. Heavens, this is a golden opportunity to catch a glimpse of that beautiful princess!"

"What day is it today that she's actually going out? Hahaha, I thought that after the wedding night with Gahr the Great, she wouldn't be able to get out of bed..."

"Heard there's going to be a real spectacle tonight. Those guys from the West Sea sent over a batch of really strong gladiator slaves. All the bookmakers have opened big bets. Seems like that princess is into this sort of thing too."

"Really? Gotta check out this excitement!"

"..."

When Suren left Tani's shack and returned to Gold City, he heard people everywhere talking about the gladiatorial combat that night.

He didn't delay, traveling all the way.

The "War God Arena" was the largest arena in the pirate city, located in the upper city. The venue was large, able to accommodate tens of thousands of gamblers.

By the time Suren arrived, it was already packed.

Probably in order to catch a glimpse of Princess Mafa's appearance, even the normally freely accessible gambling dens had begun to charge admission and limit the flow of people.

Two thousand Riel for a ticket shut out most of the ordinary pirates who came to watch the fun. As a result, the rafters, pipes, water towers... anywhere that offered a high vantage point overlooking the arena was filled with people.

"Damn, I've never seen such a pale woman in my life. This Mafa princess is really fucking hot..."

"That dress is so transparent it's like she's not wearing anything at all. Those peaches are swaying, setting my heart on fire. Gahr the Great is going to be in heaven, hahaha..."

"If I could sleep with a woman like that just once, I'd be willing to shorten my lifespan by ten years!"

"..."

Various vulgar and coarse words, cheers, and whistles filled the air.

This was the atmosphere of the pirate world, and Suren's expression remained unchanged as he listened.

He paid the money and squeezed through the crowd.

...

The arena was packed with people; not only were the seats full, but even the aisles were crammed, leaving no room to put down a foot.

This also eliminated Suren's intention to squeeze through the crowd to meet up with Qian Tiao.

He had just entered when Qian Tiao seemed to have spotted him, and her voice came through the communicator: "Ten o'clock direction, waiting platform."

Suren looked in the direction and saw Qian Tiao's back in a great spot in the front row. This gambling-addicted woman had been staying in the casino these days and naturally chose a good place.

And on the waiting platform at ten o'clock sat a row of gladiators, wearing simple armor full of battle scars, waiting to enter the arena.

Vikings, giants, and even what looked like captured Luying navy officers in tattered military uniforms.

There were slaves, and there were professional gladiators.

In the corner, a burly, bearded middle-aged man sat there silently. It was Kai, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

Kai's neck was fitted with an [Explosive Collar], and his hands and feet were bound by heavy iron chains. His face and body had many scarred wounds, suggesting he had been tortured a lot.

Suren frowned slightly as he watched.

He had a good impression of this taciturn but incomparably brave man.

In the center of the arena, gladiatorial combat was still going on fiercely.

This was a deathmatch. The two gladiators struck with blades, drawing blood with every blow, and their fists packed a punch.

The bloody match also stimulated the nerves of the audience, and waves of cheers louder than the last erupted in the arena.

Thoughts flashed through Suren's mind.

Kai was a member of the Mirror Organization, and they would definitely want to find a way to rescue him.

But the current situation seemed a little complicated.

It definitely wouldn't work to act rashly in the pirate city. He had to think of a way.

...

Suren collected his gaze and looked at another focal point in the arena: the location of "Princess Frost Moon" Skadi Harris.

The pirate city's arena didn't have any VIP boxes. Even Oleg usually watched the matches from the public seats. The pirates liked this lively atmosphere.

At this moment, directly opposite Suren, he saw Princess Mafa for the first time.

Beautiful blonde hair, an impeccable appearance, a slightly plump figure, and skin as white as milk...

Suren had previously heard people in the pirate city tout her beauty, and this first look didn't disappoint.

This Princess Skadi could indeed be considered a very charming beauty.

However, her attire was quite striking.

An almost completely transparent court dress, adorned with sparkling diamonds, made her seem as if she was draped in a summer night's starry sky, dazzling and radiant. The dress outlined her figure incredibly attractively, even more tempting than being naked. The moment she crossed and changed her legs, it revealed a more tantalizing glimpse of spring...

It was said that the Mafa Empire's views were much more open than those of Luying, and women's clothing was very liberal and fashionable. Such sexy attire was normal among the wealthy classes, but it seemed a little out of place in the sloppy pirate circles.

Tens of thousands of people in the arena, countless greedy eyes wandering up and down that exquisite figure, had pretty much seen everything.

The princess didn't seem to mind showing off her beauty and figure, and didn't care in the slightest whether or not she was exposed. She chatted and laughed with a handsome young man beside her with a completely natural expression.

Suren glanced at her and then looked away, his heart without ripples.

In his opinion, that was all there was to it.

Merely flamboyant.

Her princess status had a lot to do with her ability to attract so much attention.

Compared to her attire, Suren was more curious about the fact that the person accompanying Princess Skadi to watch the match wasn't her husband, "Frost Troll" Gahr Popov, but a handsome young man?

This young man's background was also quite remarkable: the son of the notorious great pirate "King of the West Sea" Moloch Bourbon, Figor Bourbon, with a bounty of 799 million Riel. He had a bad reputation in the pirate world for being insidious and ruthless.

Looking at the subtle expressions on their faces, it was more like they were flirting?

Suren's expression was slightly strange.

Although he had also heard that this kind of situation was common in the aristocratic class. The most important thing about political marriages was the union of two forces, for the sake of benefits, not feelings. After marriage, it was normal for both husband and wife to play their own games, having a few lovers, and everyone tacitly understood.

But... they had just gotten married, and this was in broad daylight. Was it really okay?

There was a soundproof barrier, so others couldn't hear what they were saying.

Suren wasn't interested in exploring the princess's romantic affairs. His gaze fell on the guard corps behind the princess, and he thought with emotion: "A fully staffed Royal Mechanical Guard Corps..."

He glanced at the dozens of golden, Saint Seiya-like military officer corps, and his expression was quite solemn.

Naturally, the Royal Princess's appearance would be accompanied by a grand display.

These Mafa escorts also wore the most cutting-edge technological combat armor from Mafa.

"One 'Rear Admiral-class Armor', three 'Commodore-class', twelve 'Colonel-class'... a very bad situation."

Suren calculated silently in his heart.

Looking at the ranks on those armors, he could easily distinguish the levels of these mechs.

He had previously obtained a [Colonel-class Battleship-Slaying Type 9 Mechanical Armor] by chance. Although it had been lost in the Yellow Springs Kingdom, that armor had helped him solve many difficulties.

Naturally, he knew the power of these armors.

The combat power of this Royal Guard Corps would be very terrifying, at least equivalent to a fleet.

...

If he really wanted to save Kai, it was very likely that he would have to face off against the princess's guard corps head-on.

Even though Qian Tiao had now entered the Sword Saint Realm and had great combat power, Suren didn't think they had any chance of winning.

The matches in the arena continued one after another.

Every match was sure to end with a corpse being dragged off the stage.

Suren's gaze grew more and more solemn as he watched.

Rescuing him head-on was definitely impossible.

The only plan he could think of was to create chaos and end tonight's gladiatorial combat. Then, he would find an opportunity to rescue the man.

Just then, as the host hysterically introduced the contestants taking the stage: "The next match, the West Sea has sent 'Doomsday God' Beelzebub, a top gladiator with a 72-match winning streak. He is a descendant of the Dragon Bloodline! And the North Sea has sent an equally strong contestant. Everyone may be a little unfamiliar with him, but... please remember, his name is Kai!"

Kai, with the chains on his hands and feet removed, slowly walked into the combat cage.

Suren narrowed his eyes, looked at the two people facing off, and roughly judged the strength of that "Beelzebub" through soul perception. He was a normal Fifth Order.

Kai's combat power was extraordinary. [B-002-Red Demon] was known as one of the strongest close-combat talents. In Second Awakening state, he had almost no opponents of the same rank.

Even if a Fourth Order faced a Fifth Order, he shouldn't lose in a short time.

But time was running out.

Suren decided to act immediately.

He told Qian Tiao his plan, quietly left the black crow, and prepared to leave the arena to create chaos outside.

"I'll go outside and throw a few bombs first, but to affect the duel, I'm afraid I'll have to make a bigger commotion..."

Suren calculated in his heart, just as he was about to leave.

But at that moment, his face suddenly changed.

Because at this moment, he sensed a very special soul fire approaching!

"So strong!"

Suren turned his head and saw a strange man in a suit, holding a drawing board, walking over. He had messy flaxen hair and looked slightly effeminate.

"I wanted to paint you into the painting, but it seems I failed..."

As he walked, the man painted on the unfinished painting with the paintbrush in his hand. His eyes met Suren's, and he showed an interested expression: "Tsk tsk, in this world, there aren't many people I can't paint. You're very special."

Hearing this, Suren felt like he was facing a formidable enemy. The hair on his back stood on end like a frightened cat, and he instantly made preparations for battle.

This person...

Was strong!

Very strong!

But the next second, after appraisal with the All-Seeing Eye, Suren immediately guessed the strange man's identity.

The canvas in this guy's hand was a famous Sealed Artifact called [God's Canvas], which had rumored curse characteristics.

And the owner of this Sealed Artifact also had a great background. He belonged to "God's Painter" Vincent F. van Gogh, one of the "Top Ten Bounty Hunters!"

How could such a great bounty hunter appear in the pirate city?

Recognizing his identity, Suren also breathed a sigh of relief.

At least he wasn't in the pirate camp.

This guy had a good reputation and was very arrogant. It was said that he would only actively kill those heinous great pirates with bounties of over 100 million.

Suren didn't think that this guy was here for a nobody like him.

Having been targeted, he couldn't leave either.

Suren said solemnly: "Do you need something, sir?"

Van Gogh also seemed to be here to test him. Seeing Suren's reaction, the tense aura suddenly disappeared.

Shaking his head, he focused on his painting again, muttering: "I originally thought you were that princess's secret guard. But it seems we're not enemies."

After a pause, he added: "Oh, don't be so nervous. The aura of sin on you is very faint. I won't have any malice towards you. Just a reminder, if you have the chance, go further away, or you'll be affected later."

Hearing these inexplicable words, Suren's pupils shrank slightly. He didn't understand the purpose of this guy's appearance here.

In the blink of an eye, his gaze unconsciously fell on the painting Van Gogh was drawing.

The painting was very abstract and depicted the scene in the arena. The tens of thousands of spectators didn't have faces, and only some colors depicted the outlines. But the amazing thing was that if you looked closely, it seemed that the painting had come to life. The viewers in the picture were cheering and shouting excitedly. It was very blurry and very weird.

But the most eye-catching thing in the painting was the charming "Princess Frost Moon" Skadi in the center.

Everyone else was blurred, but only this woman's facial features were clearly visible!

At this moment, the pen in Van Gogh's hand had completely drawn the person. He seemed very satisfied with his work, and the corners of his mouth raised in a smile.

He glanced at Suren and even asked, "What do you think of the painting, sir?"

Suren responded with a blank expression: "Very good."

Although he didn't understand what this guy was going to do, from an artistic point of view, this painting was indeed top-notch. The artistic conception and skills were impeccable.

Van Gogh heard this and seemed to have met a kindred spirit. He smiled and said: "Sure enough, you are someone who knows how to appreciate art."

Suren suddenly understood something.

Those who worked in art, more or less... were a bit mentally ill.

This guy simply felt that he was too sophisticated for the masses and wanted to find someone to share his work with.

Suren suddenly felt that although they had only exchanged a few words, this guy was a bit to his liking.

Moreover, he also guessed what this person was here to do.

He was going to make a move.

...

As expected.

Just as Suren expected.

At this moment, Van Gogh muttered a sentence that sounded like a curse: "I used colorful colors to paint a painting for you, praising your peerless beauty. But after I started writing, I found that your soul was so dirty. I angrily picked up the pen, blood stained the canvas, and sentenced you... to be beheaded!"

The words were clearly like a recitation, but they made Suren's hair stand on end.

The warm, sunny artistic temperament of this guy suddenly became devilishly cold.

At the same time that these words were chanted, a colorful eight-pointed star alchemical array lit up under Van Gogh's feet. The paintbrush in his hand seemed to be stained with blood-red paint. He drew a stroke on the long-skirted woman in the painting, like a sharp knife, cutting at her neck.

Suren watched and felt a twitch in the corner of his eye, because he felt death!

Immediately afterwards, a bizarre scene appeared.

A hundred or two meters away, a blood line appeared on Princess Skadi's slender neck without warning.

It was exactly the same as the scene in the oil painting.

"Poof~"

Blood spurted wildly, splashing several feet!

It looked like her head was about to fall off.

Unfortunately, just as Skadi's neck was about to be cut off by that "invisible blade," another mysterious force suddenly surged out, turning into dazzling milky white light and visibly healing the wound.

Seeing this, Van Gogh didn't seem surprised and raised an eyebrow: "Sure enough, she has a protective treasure."

However, apart from being slightly regretful, he didn't seem to care much and muttered to himself: "Anyway, I made my move. It's not my fault if I can't kill her."

It was like he owed someone a favor and paid it back with a single move.

Suren watched, and the corner of his eye twitched.

This guy really came to assassinate "Princess Frost Moon."

He made a move so lightly. Sure enough, strong strength was the greatest reliance.

This method was as evil as the legends said!

...

The sudden assassination made the guards around Skadi instantly nervous.

"There's an assassin!"

"Protect the princess!"

"..."

One by one, magic shields appeared, instantly surrounding Skadi tightly.

The tens of thousands of spectators in the arena hadn't understood what was happening and were dumbfounded.

When he made a move, it was as if he had lit the fuse of a powder keg. Just as the assassination began, a group of unidentified assassins also emerged one after another and frantically attacked Princess Frost Moon and her party.

The huge arena seemed to boil over, and in the blink of an eye, it became a mess, with screams and wails everywhere.

No one knew how many assassins there were, nor who the assassins were...

Almost at the same time, experts discovered Van Gogh on the stands. Their methods of attack didn't care about the innocent pirates and came with a barrage of explosions.

Van Gogh waved his paintbrush in front of him, and the bullets turned into colorful spots like paint splashed on a canvas.

He didn't seem to plan to stay any longer. He put away his drawing board, glanced at Suren, and still had an easy smile on his face: "It's rare to meet someone who knows how to appreciate art. I hope to see you again."

Suren's eyes were full of black lines, and he complained in his heart: Are you afraid that people won't misunderstand that we are accomplices when you talk to me at this critical moment?

He understood now.

This was a premeditated political assassination.

The Royal Family of Luying was the most uneasy about the marriage between the Mafa Empire and the North Sea.

These guys were probably sent by Luying.

If this woman died, the ambiguous relationship between the North Sea and Mafa would probably immediately fall into a freeze.

But that was fine. Anyway, he was also preparing to make a scene to end the gladiatorial combat.

The commotion caused by these professional assassins was much more perfect than Suren had expected.

Now no one was in the mood to watch the match, and no one would suspect that someone had the motive to save people, and it wouldn't cause trouble for himself. It was already the most ideal situation.

Suren helplessly watched Van Gogh leave calmly, mixing into the crowd.

At this time, Qian Tiao also found an opportunity to come over.

She looked at Suren with a puzzled expression and said in surprise: "Suren, when did you find such an expert to work with? Why didn't you tell me in advance?"

She was prepared for a big battle, but she didn't expect another group of people to suddenly break out.

Suren's eyes were deep: "I didn't arrange it. I just happened to encounter an assassination."

"Oh?"

Qian Tiao listened, her eyes showing realization.

Thinking about it, even if he wanted to make a commotion, Suren had no reason to assassinate that princess.

The battle in the arena was becoming more and more intense, but the cage had been piled up with heavy troops. Kai had also been detained, and there was no chance to save him.

Qian Tiao frowned and asked, "Then what do we do now?"

Although the person hadn't been rescued, the goal had been achieved.

Suren glanced at the chaotic situation and said with a deep gaze: "Let's retreat first. We'll find a chance to save him later."

Qian Tiao: "Okay!"

With that, the two of them mixed into the crowd and withdrew from the arena.