The Invincible Full-Moon System

Chapter 1982: Rules and Conditions of the Duel (1)

A wave of the Cluster Custodian’s hand swept the guests aside like leaves scattered by a sudden gust.

All of them were placed on marble white seats arranged in a cavea.

Rex and the others were also swept away, leaving only High Lord Rashal and High Lord Ursa standing face to face with the Cluster Custodian between them. Not a single soul among them had lived through the ancient days when the Purgation Duel was still common.

Nobody knows what to expect.

It also includes High Lord Rashal, who made use of the law.

Only the Cluster Custodian, who was older than anyone but the Overseer, knew how this worked.

Since the law was created to settle blood-bound disputes, the process is usually private, with only a few witnesses to see what actually happened. And there are no records of how many times this law was used in the past, likely due to not wanting to disgrace the losing side.

And this mystery made the tension within this white void space even higher.

Blank Realm? Not a pocket dimension?

Rex couldn’t help but gasp as the Cluster Custodian had a realm of his own.

Not that he had any right to be shocked in any way, considering he also had the Silverstar Genesis, which was a realm of his own. However, based on the notification, the Cluster Custodian didn’t teleport them to this white void.

He had created this Blank Realm on top of High Lord Ursa’s pocket dimension, which was otherworldly.

”A Purgation Duel bound two individuals—who hated one another in an inescapable duel.” The Cluster Custodian stated. His high-pitched voice was light, but it somehow reached every corner. ”But it is still under the Overseer’s reign of power, which means there are rules.

”Break even one of the rules, you die. Finding loopholes in the rules, you die. Display contempt to the rules, you die. The rules applied to everyone, not only the participants. I sincerely hope you all heed my words carefully.”

Concern and fear swept across the guests.

Most of them had brought family members, thinking that this would be purely social, as High Lord Ursa’s plan was only to humiliate High Lord Rashal. But they should have known that High Lord Rashal—the hot-headed youngblood wouldn’t go down easily.

And now, they were forced to take risks that they didn’t want to take simply for witnessing this duel.

Then, the Cluster Custodian explained to them the rules in place.

First and foremost, the Purgation Duel wouldn’t be told to anyone after it was over. This duel would be solely for them and only them. Even if eons passed, what happened during the Purgation Duel wouldn’t be spoken of to anyone.

Second, nobody can help the participants. No matter how small, no helping hands are allowed.

And lastly, once the Purgation Duel was over, the history between the two sides would be restarted.

Meaning, High Lord Rashal and High Lord Ursa must return to strangers who didn’t know one another.

And this included his people.

Any lingering bias or spite would be punishable by death and a heavy penalty.

”Since I am the one overseeing this Purgation Duel, I naturally have the power to exact the penalty as I see fit.” The Cluster Custodian’s lips curled into a devious smirk. ”And among my peers—I’m probably the most rough-handed when it comes to giving penalties, so I don’t recommend breaking this rule.

”Does anyone have a question?”

Nobody has a question, or perhaps too scared to ask theirs.

Regardless, the Cluster Custodian nodded and moved on with the Purgation Duel.

Snap—!

Once again, the Cluster Custodian snapped his fingers.

The sound was a crisp, almost delicate click, but the shockwave that followed was absolute.

It breezed through the Blank Realm in a silent, invisible tide. None of the guests felt it on their skin, but it could be seen clearly passing them. High Lord Ursa didn’t flinch. High Lord Rashal didn’t blink. Yet the impact could be seen.

Around, the entire Blank Realm flickered as if its owner was playing with the light.

And then above them, the white began to churn. A vortex of impossible immortal energy—spiraled into existence, vast and silent, pulling on the fabric of space like a forming black hole. Stars and other kinds of celestial bodies formed inside the black hole.

Before it could even form properly, a second vortex bloomed beside the first.

It’s a twin in scale and force.

Soon, these two vortexes began to collapse inward, folding upon themselves—with the slow, deliberate grace of cosmic origami. From that collapse, everyone bore witness as celestial cards began to form, the product of something they couldn’t understand.

Each card swallowed its respective vortex like a revelation.

Each one was the size of a person, framed in blue metal that gleamed with an otherworldly polish, a glowing trim of bright blue traced their edges, and their bodies were dark blue, deep as the robe that the Cluster Custodian was wearing.

No matter which angle one observed them from, the card’s surfaces revealed nothing.

Only a blur of shifting azure.

A mystery that declined to be solved.

Each card hovered in the air above High Lord Rashal and High Lord Ursa—like verdicts waiting to be delivered. The Cluster Custodian waved his hand, a casual gestured it might’ve been mistaken for his cold indifference, and the two cards descended, drifting downward until they hung suspended above.

Then, his eyes settled on High Lord Rashal.

Those eyes were not cruel or unkind. Just unreadable, which made them unnerving.

On High Lord Rashal’s face, confusion warred with nervousness. His brow was furrowed, and for the first time, his composure showed a hairline crack. He did not know what the cards meant, and that made it harder to remain calm.

”In every duel, there should be a winning condition.” The Cluster Custodian gestured towards the cards. ”Choose yours, High Lord Rashal.”

High Lord Rashal nodded and stared at the two cards before him.

And decisively, he pointed at the right one.

Even though he didn’t know what the duel would be like, he knew that he couldn’t show weakness to the enemy, especially when the enemy was staring at him closely. A duel didn’t start when they started clashing but from before the fighting.

”I choose the right one.”

”Let’s see what you got.”

Swish—!

Slowly but surely, the vortex within the chasm of the card resurfaced and formed into a shape.

A skull.

”Oh,” the Cluster Custodian smirked at the sight. ”Death. Your winning condition is death—High Lord Rashal. You will continue to fight until High Lord Ursa dies. Isn’t that wonderful? You can kill such a big shot without any consequences.”

Next was High Lord Ursa’s turn.

He was told to pick the cards after it was shuffled, and he chose the left card.

Perhaps he chose the left one out of spite, to make sure that he remained the opposite of the young High Lord across from him. And to his surprise, the shape that formed on the card was also a skull. He, too, would need to kill High Lord Rashal in order to win the Purgation Duel.

”The winning condition for both sides is the death of their enemies.” The Cluster Custodian nodded and then flicked his fingers again. But this time, the cards shattered and formed more cards. Ten total cards now hung above them. ”Now, let’s determine the number of participants.”

”Participants?” High Lord Rashal blurted out in confusion.

”Yes, participants.”

”...”

”I know this is a duel—but that does not mean you two are going to duke it out like that. That’ll not be fair for the side with the stronger overall force.”

High Lord Rashal’s brows furrowed together.

Heat coiled up from the pit of his stomach and climbed his throat as he took in the smug smirk on High Lord Ursa’s face. In a direct battle—just the two of them—he was certain he had a high chance of defeating High Lord Ursa, but now, that certainty was gone.

Unlike the other High Lords, his strength was tested.

It was the reason why he became a High Lord in the first place, because of his military exploits.

On the contrary, though High Lord Ursa was way older, it had been countless years since he was directly involved in a battle. Most of his battles were fought by his subordinates, a vast number of them. Some of them were even almost on par with him.

Manvac is a strong High Millinar, but not the strongest High Millinar in High Lord Ursa’s force.

As for Alexander, he’s almost the strongest in High Lord Rashal’s force.

Since there are going to be participants, it would be significantly harder to defeat High Lord Ursa.

Not a good situation for him.

”High Lord Ursa, this time, you’re going to pick first.” The Cluster Custodian gestured his hand toward the ten floating cards above. Ten cards that would determine the number of participants, thus increasing the chance for survival.

For a good moment, High Lord Ursa deliberated.

And finally, he chose the card on the upper row, second from the right.

It hovered down from the sky and levitated before High Lord Ursa.

Just like the card from earlier, the vortex within it began to swirl and formed a shape. Formed a number.

Once the number was formed, High Lord Ursa’s lips curled.

”Seven.”

The Cluster Custodian announced, and almost instantly, High Lord Rasha’s face twitched.

Since there are ten cards, which means the number goes from one to ten, seven is a high number. And though it would be good to get that number, it would be hard to fill that many people of similar strength. High Lord Rashal didn’t have that kind of manpower.

Even if he got a high number, a few of them would probably be almost useless in the battle.

But that was different for High Lord Ursa.

If he got a high number, with his vast force, he could easily keep the average strength similar.

”That’s tough luck—High Lord Rashal.” The Cluster Custodian’s smirk widened. ”A card higher than seven? Thirty percent chance. The least favorable number? The same. So let’s see whether fortune favors you tonight or whether fate has marked you for a very difficult path.”

”I choose that card.” High Lord Rashal pointed at the leftmost card on the lower row.

His voice was decisive.

Strong even.

However, his heart was pounding inside.

Just the thought of getting a number three or below would be devastating.

He would most certainly be the strongest one, so he’d be fighting more opponents if he got a very low number. Time slowed down around him as he watched the card descend and hover before him. And his heart pounded even harder when the vortex churned.

Rex, Vadyn, Henry, and the others were also on the edge of their seats.

Even though High Lord Rashal bore the greatest risk, defeat would devastate them all. Vadyn—would lose her only family. Henry, the most competent superior he had ever served. And Rex—Rex would lose his direct path to the Blood Moon Realm, a ticket only High Lord Rashal could provide.

Soon, the number formed.

The Cluster Custodian rubbed his chin at the sight, ”Four.”

High Lord Ursa’s lips curled into a devious smile at the number.

The other guests snickered, almost certain of High Lord Ursa’s triumph in this Purgation Duel.

Henry and Vadyn reclined in their seats, devastated by the number.

And High Lord Rashal, he stood there staring at the number four that seemed to glare back at him. Three participants fewer than High Lord Ursa. Winning is going to be hard. He would need to take on three or maybe four at the same time.

”Not the worst.” The Cluster Custodian waved his hand dismissively. ”And don’t worry, there are still plenty more to balance out the duel. But for now, choose the warriors that would help you in this duel.”