"Fight me."

Arvina spoke with a serious look on her face.

"H-Huh?"

Nux didn't know how to react, there were many scenarios that he had played in his mind, however, this was definitely not something he expected.

"Fight me."

Thinking that he didn't hear her clearly, Astaria repeated.

"F-Fight you?"

Nux frowned.

"Yes."

"I-I thought the test was only defeating the Shadow Unit…?"

Nux questioned.

If it was the Shadow Unit, defeating them was simple, however, Astaria was in a completely different league of her own.

Heck, if Nux had what it takes to defeat her, he wouldn't even be here, asking for her permission to go to another Kingdom.

Why would the strongest seek any sort of permission?

It wouldn't make sense.

"It has nothing to do with the test, you already passed it."

Astaria replied to Nux's question.

"If I already passed, then why bother fighting now?" Nux couldn't understand.

"You held back."

Astaria revealed and Phorus and Iria's eyes widened in horror.

They turned towards the battlefield again and seeing so many bodies lying on the ground, their heart skipped a beat.

'T-This was him h-holding back?'

They couldn't believe what Astaria said, and thought of another possibility,

'Could it be that Lady Astaria judged incorrectly?'

"Well, I did hold back a little, but that has nothing to do with this test, does it?"

However, Nux's answer left them even more speechless.

'What the heck!? That bastard was actually holding back!?'

Phorus and Iria turned towards Evane and the others, hoping to see their shocked expressions, however, seeing that proud smile on their faces, they didn't know how to react.

"I want to see how strong actually are."

Astaria replied.

"Hmm, well, you can say I am the strongest King Stage Cultivator in the world. Actually, I am a lot stronger than an average King Stage Cultivator, I may sound arrogant, but I doubt there is a King Stage Cultivator or a team of them who can defeat me.

However, I am still not strong enough to go against an Emperor, so if you are asking about my strength…

Then you can say I stand far higher than the King Stage Cultivators and just behind Emperor Stage Cultivators."

Nux replied with an honest look on his face.

If people here hadn't seen his fight with the Shadow Unit, they would have definitely called him arrogant and would have laughed at him, however, since they had all seen the fight, no one refuted his words.

"You seem to be awfully against the idea of fighting me."

Hearing his answer, a teasing smile appeared on Astaria's face,

"Are you scared?"

She pushed even further.

"Is that even a question, of course I am."

Nux replied.

"H-Huh?"

This time, even Astaria couldn't help but make a dumbstruck expression.

"You are scared?"

She questioned again.

"Oh c'mon, you are an Emperor Stage Cultivator, of course I would be scared if I had to fight you directly. You are the strongest person in the entire world!

It is completely impractical to fight you."

Nux shared his thoughts.

Astaria couldn't believe it.

Well, it was not like she didn't agree with Nux's words, however, to openly admit that he was scared…

Just where is his dignity as a King Stage Cultivator?

Shouldn't he strive to fight stronger opponents in order to improve himself?

Also, why is he acting like he is the right one here?

What's with the look that screams,

'I don't know why everyone fails to understand such a simple thing?'

Astaria didn't know how to react,

She wanted to fight this boy, however, with that attitude of his, there is no way she could do that.

Even if she forces him to fight her, he would simply act weak and run from the situation, he would not fight her seriously.

Astaria needed a way,

A way to make Nux fight without holding back or… being scared.

Suddenly, a small smile appeared on Astaria's face.

She then glanced at Nux and spoke,

"Fight me."

"I told you didn't I? There is no point in testing it, I am weaker th-"

"If you defeat me, I will agree to what you wanted."

"Huh? What I wanted? What are y-"

Nux frowned however, soon, his eyes widened in surprise and a wide smile appeared on his face,

"Are you sure?"

He questioned again.

"Do you think I would lie to you?

Actually, let me clarify it right now,

If you want to get what you want, the only way you can get it is by defeating me."

"So I just need to defeat you, right?"

Nux questioned.

"Heeh? I never thought defeating me was so simple." Astaria teased.

"It doesn't matter,"

Nux's smile widened,

"I just have to do it."

"So? I will ask again, do you want to fight me?"

"You didn't leave me any other option, did you?"

Nux answered and Astaria's smile widened,

The two of them took their battle stance, Astaria then turned towards Iria and Phorus, and,

"You two should step back,"

Nux turned towards his wife and nodded,

His wives nodded back and stepped back,

"W-What just happened?"

Suddenly, Iria questioned with a shocked look on her face.

"Same question, that boy seemed so unwilling to fight her.., just what happened?" Phorus questioned.

"Yes, what were they talking about? What does that boy want? He seems quite motivated to get it." Iria questioned.

Amaya, however, just sighed,

"Just think of it as two of them signing a deal…

A deal Lady Astaria would look back on a lot in the future."

'Hehe~ We should call her Sister Astaria now~'

Skyla was already ready.

Hearing Amaya's answer, Iria frowned,

"Why do I get the feeling that you are insinuating that Lady Astaria would lose? That boy is strong, but do you really think he can defeat her?"

"Who knows? I only know that where he was walking was a dark area without any directions, now he can see a direct path.

A thorny one, but a path is still a path, and if it is him,

He would definitely walk through that path."

"What do you mean?" Iria narrowed her eyes,

"Forget about it,

Just know that you are about to see a remarkable fight today,

A fight where a King Stage Cultivator would go against an Emperor with everything he has."