On the outside of the stadium.

Marcus and his squad were currently patrolling the outside of the stadium suddenly a wave of pressure exploded from the inside.

“Was that the ‘Sovereignty?”. Marcus was shocked, something was happening inside the stadium.

“The princess wouldn't do that for no simple reason at all.” Marcus then looked to one of his subordinates.

“Private go inside and check what's going on. If you see the captain tell him to come back outside.”

“Yes sir” The soldier then made a salute and ran towards the entrance, wherein he found himself blocked by a crowd.

There was a lot of shouting and complaining.

“Why arent you letting anyone in!”

“We want to see the princess!”

“Let us in!” They all shouted in unison.

The private made his way to the entrance by cutting into the people however when he arrived, the guards barred the entrance using their spear and the other guard made a stopping gesture.

“Please stand back everyone!” the guards shouted.

“We are no longer allowing anyone to come inside, its a directive of General Escariot”

The private was taken aback but quickly responded. “I'm currently under the orders of Searg0ent Marcus to come inside and check the situation inside.”

“Yes we know, that's exactly why we were ordered to not let anyone go inside, its for her royal highness’s protection, no one is exempt.”

The private was feeling helpless when he heard this as such he returned to Seargent Marcus and relayed the current situation on the entrance.

“What?! I understand barring entries to the civilians but not us soldiers. We’re under Captain Cygnus, are they aware of this?”. Realizing that the private wasn't in any position to protest he decided to go there himself.

As he was walking, one of his subordinates called him out.

“Sir our sensors are detecting space magic signatures currently flowing throughout the area.”

“What is this?” Suddenly multiple lights balls shot up from the ground and flickered in the air, one of them even came from near Marcus’ area.

A translucent light blue film spread out from each of the glowing lights and begun connecting.

Seargent Marcus’ became wide-eyed when he witnessed this. “That's a geometric barrier!!”

There are many types of barriers, however, the most basic type is a Geometric Barrier. Although it's the most basic it also has the highest potential to be the strongest type of barrier. It all depends on the degree of complexity and cohesion of the nodes.

“Hazel, Amira, Dan, the three of you are with me, we’ll try to go inside and breakthrough before the barrier fully forms. Judging from the number of lights there are up in the air, I doubt we can enter after it forms.”

“What about the General Escariot’s orders?”

“Do you think that's important right now? Let the captain handle the general.”

It was more or less a known fact among the military that Cygnus’ squad always got in trouble without any harsh repercussion. Cygnus abused his status most of the time.

The three soldiers all nodded in unison and got ready for battle.

“Let’s go”

Marcus felt the seriousness of the situation. He circulated his mana, then he made his way towards the entrance together with his subordinates. As they were approaching Marcus felt killing intent.

A blaring attack slammed.

“Who dares obstruct us!” Marcus shouted, he then looked to his subordinates and saw that Hazel was planted on the ground and was heavily injured.

A person wearing a mask attacked and hit Hazel head-on. In a few moments, more people surrounded Marcus and his subordinates.

“Are you a bunch of traitors or you guys were in disguise in the first place? What exactly is your goal?” Marcus interrogated.

Marcus analyzed the situation. Most likely the guards at the entrance were not part of the military, they were in cohorts with these people.

Upon closer inspection all 6 people were all wearing the standard private level Empire military uniform, the only difference is the non-standard weapons they were using. Usually, privates only use Standard issue weapons.

They did not answer, instead, they all drew their weapons.

“Not gonna talk are you?” Seargent Marcus pulled out 2 tonfas and signaled to his two subordinates that he wanted to take four people.

“The two of you secure Hazel, once an opening presents itself, make sure you attack and incapacitate them. If it's not possible you are allowed to kill them. We only need one after all.”

They were both surprised when they heard their orders.

Among the six people, one of them stepped in front and smirked. “You want to capture us? Your dreaming!”

“Try approaching the entrance again and we’ll kill you, you can just pretend you didn't see us. This is beyond your pay-grade.”

“It's unavoidable, Captain, I hope the situation inside isn't so bad.”

________________________

A few minutes before the barrier went up.

Princess Hildegard stood in the middle of the arena and looked upon the crowd.

“Citizens of Regraud, In the name of Emperius, I beseech you all to accept my apologies, for exerting excessive force, putting you all in harm's way. Youth has clouded my judgment. I know you all took time from your busy lives for this event, only to be greeted by such immature display however this was the only way I thought to make sure that no one dies.”

“If there is anyone among you who has any injuries please talk to any of the military officers so our medical team can take a look at you.”

It was a moving speech, she instantly was able to calm and gained the favor of the crowd. Although it was certainly harmful to the civilians, everyone thought that there were no long-lasting effects.

She then pulled both Thanatos and Phaeton and spoke softly.

“Since your match is already decided, I’m going to have to ask you for one more favor.”

She forced them to make a half-bow with her and was planning to leave.

Clap, clap, clap.

Cheers resounded throughout the stadium. The match might have started grimly but the princess was certainly able to turn around the situation.

________________________

A person in the audience stands noticed that a black-hooded person jumped down towards the arena.

“Hey who’s that?”. More and more people noticed including the guards at the arena.

They immediately ran in his direction and shouted. “Stay where you are and don't move any further! You’re not allowed here.”

The princess grew suspicious at this development.

In a few moments, the guards have surrounded the black-hooded person. They drew their weapons and pointed them at him.

“Get back! Get back to the audience stands!”

The black-hooded person raised his arms as if surrendering and smiled.

In an instant, his figure turned in a warping blur, the sound of successive strikes booming at the air exploded and all the guards that surrounded him were sent flying.

Silence filled the air up until it was cut down by the shouting voice of General Escariot.

“He’s after the Princess!!! Protect her Highness”

________________________

The black-hooded man walked slowly towards the princess and started clapping.

”That was a touching speech princess, well aside from the fact that you’re allowed to inflict pain on others as long as it is justified. It is for the Empire after all.”

General Escariot looked at Demetrius and said. “Why aren't you going to her Highness’s aid?”

Demetrius was unmoving, despite what was happening. “I was told not to interfere. I follow her orders”

The generals were shocked, especially Zarathos. Usually, King’s Guards will ensure the safety of the royals by any means necessary, it is their only purpose as such they go through great lengths to protect.

The black-hooded man finally stepped into the arena and continued walking.

“Halt! Identify yourself! Move any further and I will not hesitate to pass judgment on you.” The princess looked at her with blaring eyes, an influx of mana was gathering around her.

The black-hooded man stopped and made a respectful bow.

“As expected of your family.” He raised his left foot as if starting a walking motion.

‘Step’

The moment the sound of his feet touched the ground princess exerted her power. “How dare you.”

‘Sovereignty’

It was a focused target. Weakening energy descended on the black-hooded man, the energy made him kneel which worn off his hood. The man had a shaved sides with a distinct sideburn and moderately long tied-up hair.

There was a distinct mark on his neck that caught the princess’ attention, it was a coiling snake which was topped by which could be seen as a tattoo.

It's as if you were looking at a compass but at the same time, it's not. The arrows have different sizes and proportions. Some have bigger arrowheads and some have longer shafts. But they all have crossed each other forming a center point. My attention was instantly drawn to the arrowhead pointing East as it's bigger than the others. The arrowheads pointing North, West, and Southwest are almost the same size yet they don't have the same length.

The same goes for North West and North East arrow but the latter is longer and has reached past the snake. The one with the shortest shaft points South East but the one with the smallest arrowhead points South. “That symbol… I wonder what that means.”

The black-hooded man had a pained expression. “Ah. Vincent wasn't kidding, experiencing this first hand compared to a while ago is worlds apart.”

Princess Hildegard stomped her foot and the oppressive power exerted on the man increase. “State your name intruder and for what purpose have you come here! This is your last chance.”

The kneeling man looked up, then laughed. “My name is irrelevant princess, but if it is that important to you I’ll tell you. I Harken! have come to take you, princess!”

Suddenly flares of light were shot up from multiple directions especially from the crowd at the same time, a low-pitched hum sounded from the pillars. The oppressive power of the princess was gradually dissipating.

Screams resounded from the crowd as they witnessed the guards stationed in the different sections of the stadium butchered each other. Bodies began piling up.

“About time you guys.”

Harken slowly got up and patted his clothes. “I'm sorry about this your Highness, but you’ll have to come with us, else people will start dying, and we both know how hard of a mess that is to clean up.”

The princess was in internal turmoil, she never deactivated her ‘Sovereignty’ yet Harken was able to stand up. “Why isn't my ability working”

Harken made a mocking smile as he spoke. “You look confused princess. A pity I don't have time to cater to your needs.”

Harken dashed for the Princess.

In the Observatory.

Demetrius noticed that the princess had a weird expression when the Harken stood up. One couldn't discern it but Demetrius had a grave expression.

“I made a blunder”. Mana exploded from Demetrius and he catapulted to the arena with the intent of intercepting Harken.

Princess Hildegard was in a state of panic, the place was in total chaos. She was

although she was of royal blood, she was not much of a fighter. Harken almost got to the princess when a blunt force hit him, this was accompanied by a searing pain on his side.

As he tried to make sense of what happened a slashing flame greeted his vision. Harken was forced multiple steps back.

“Fuck! Who did that?!”

It didn't injure him whatsoever however this small pause and delay allowed Demetrius to come to the princess’ aid in time.

“I apologize for misreading the situation, your Highness.”

Princess Hildegard recovered herself and replied. “It was my mistake in the first place.”

The smoke was beginning to clear, and a figure from a distance became visible, it turned out to be Azrael.

Phaeton smiled raggedly. “Thanks for the assistance brother. I didn't have enough power to push him back.”

Azrael then hopped to Phaeton’s side. “I was lucky to have gotten out in time.”

“Gotten out of what?” Phaeton asked.

“Look.”

The group then directed their eyes at the direction Azrael was pointing, and their expressions turned grave.

Barriers everywhere including the observatory area where Demetrius and the princess were staying.

The stadium was locked down.