— This world?

Everyone began murmuring at once.

“This world” — what did that mean? Division of territory? A restructuring of society? These two words could be interpreted in far too many ways.

The subjects behind Villard all had red-rimmed eyes.

One of them could barely contain their excitement. “Can we… can we obtain it too? The King promised — if we win, the reward would be transferred to us!”

Tu Shenshi gave a gentle nod. “Of course, provided the King enters into a contract.”

Every one of Villard’s subjects turned to look at him, eyes filled with longing and something that bordered on madness.

Bai Youwei was certain — if Villard refused to enter the contract right now, his subjects would abandon him without hesitation. Because the people he had recruited were, from the start, the kind who only acted in their own interest.

Villard raised his right hand and said slowly, “I am willing to enter a contract to distribute my reward equally among the subjects who survive to the end.”

Bai Youwei didn’t hold back her scorn. “A very cleverly worded contract — as long as the King eliminates all of his own subjects at the very end, he can neatly sidestep the risk of having the reward split.”

Villard’s expression darkened slightly.

The forty-five subjects behind him were not fools either. They immediately began to murmur: “Then add another clause! The King may not harm his own subjects!… And naturally, subjects won’t harm the King, because if the King dies, the battle is lost!”

Tu Shenshi tilted its head politely and asked Villard, “Would you like to add a clause to the contract?”

At this point, refusing would mean throwing everything away.

The corner of Villard’s mouth curved into a cold smirk. “Since everyone has concerns, then let’s add it… I am willing to enter a contract to distribute my reward equally among the subjects who survive to the end, and I will not actively harm my own subjects.”

The subjects were finally satisfied.

Bai Youwei let out a quiet, dismissive laugh.

The inspector spoke again. “If there are no objections from either side, I will now announce the game rules.

As you have already heard, there are four main rules governing Kings in this game——

One: the King must draw the sword from the scabbard and attack the opponent.

Two: valid attack targets are the chest, abdomen, right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg.

Three: the King will receive one invisible shield, which can protect any one of the listed body parts.

Four: if the opponent strikes the shield, the shield count automatically increases by one. Shields can only increase a maximum of two times.

And now — the rules for subjects.”

Bai Youwei was mildly startled. The rules for King and subjects were separate?

She was still processing this when several columns of light suddenly appeared beside her!

Three columns on the left.

Three on the right.

“Subjects must retrieve the King’s sword,” Tu Shenshi explained slowly. “Only when the King has a sword can an attack be made.

As you can see, there are six swords scattered throughout the remaining games. You must enter through these temporary passages, enter the remaining games, and fight for your respective King.

If you succeed, a sword will appear in the scabbard — one that only your King can draw.”

The color drained gradually from Bai Youwei’s face…

She was accustomed to holding a commanding position in the games, but this kind of rule — a rule where subjects took the lead — left her completely at a loss!

She only had four subjects!

The other side had forty-five!

She bit down hard on her lower lip, her body trembling slightly. If she had known it would come to this… Shen Mo and Tan Xiao and the others really should not have come. They really, truly should not have come!

They would lose their lives!

“The ruby throne has only four subjects. It seems you will miss at least two of the swords,” Tu Shenshi said.

Shen Mo’s gaze swept rapidly over each of the six light columns in turn.

To avoid being at a disadvantage, they would need to win at least three swords for Bai Youwei. But with only four people, even pairing up two to a game would make little difference against so many opponents.

Better to go all-in.

“One person per game,” Shen Mo said in a low voice.

“Shen Mo!” Bai Youwei looked at him urgently. “The risk is too great! Go back, all of you!”

—