Chapter 963 This Isn't a Competition, It's a War

The members of the Thalrex Order's organizing committee and representatives from the seven participating regions all stood up and walked out of the conference room.

Surman, the captain of the Peacock Kingdom Special Forces, still felt unhappy after being knocked down by a single strike from Robin earlier.

As he passed by Robin and his team, Surman extended his hand. "Young man, among all the teams I've seen in past tournaments, you're the youngest commander I've ever encountered. Are you planning to forfeit this year's competition?" Robin gave a faint, indifferent smile and clasped Surman's strong, powerful hand.

"You're overthinking it. It's just a game. If you take it too seriously, you've already lost."

Suddenly, Surman felt an overwhelming and terrifying force surging straight into his palm.

The energy coursed through his arm, spreading rapidly across his entire body.

An intense, suffocating pressure made him feel as though his entire body was about to explode.

After trembling uncontrollably for a moment, Surman finally collapsed to the ground.

Jethro walked up to the pale-faced Surman and chuckled. "Captain Middleton, what's this now? Are you putting on another one of your comedy routines?"

The attendees who were in the process of leaving the conference room turned to look at Surman curled up on the floor, unsure of what kind of nonsense he was up to this time.

Robin shook his head and said, "Captain Middleton, do you really enjoy treating life as just a game this much?

"I hope that once you enter the preliminary mystic realm, you'll warn your team in advance not to joke around like this with my subordinates.

"Otherwise, they'll ensure to give you a good beating.

"Unlike me, they're not as forgiving. My subordinates never strike unless it's to take their opponent's life."

Surman sprang to his feet in fury, his face dark and menacing as he glared at Robin. "Hmph, just wait."

"Oh?" Robin wiped his palm with a look of disdain, shaking his head indifferently.

"It seems like your team is in for a major setback in today's preliminaries. Whether all ten of your members will make it out is still a big question mark."

Surman was about to fire back angrily when Pierre, who had just walked up, cut him off with a cold tone.

"Captain Middleton, are you looking to get beaten up?"

Surman shrugged nonchalantly. "I was just joking around with them."

Pierre let out a cold snort. "Just a friendly reminder. If you keep this up, you might find yourself tossed into the ocean to feed the sharks."

"Let's go, Captain Middleton. Pierre might be right this time," Simmond said as he wrapped an arm around Surman's shoulder, guiding him toward the exit while speaking in a low voice. "Here's some advice. Don't openly provoke that Robin. He doesn't seem like a particularly friendly guy."

Surman froze in shock for a moment.

Pierre and Simmond-both top-tier powerhouses-showing this level of respect toward Robin?

Surman didn't press the issue further and followed Simmond out of the conference room without protest.

Once the representatives from the participating nations and the committee members had all left, Cyril called out to Robin.

"Mr. Ramsey, please wait a moment."

After closing the conference room door, Cyril offered an apologetic smile. "Mr. Ramsey, I apologize for the abruptness of keeping you behind, but I had to do this."

Robin studied Cyril with an impassive expression. "Go ahead. What is it?"

"Mr. Ramsey," Cyril began cautiously, "I'd like to ask a question I probably shouldn't. This question has been bothering me for days."

Robin raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is it about Young Lord Dragon?"

Cyril nodded. "Mr. Ramsey, do you two share some kind of blood relationship?"

Robin stared into Cyril's eyes for a long moment, making him feel unnerved. "What relationship I have with Young Lord Dragon is none of your concern.

"But I'd like to know why, after Young Lord Dragon attended the Thalrex Order's Qacalisle Summit Meeting back then, he mysteriously disappeared upon returning back to his home country. You should have some idea about that, shouldn't you?" Cyril froze, a flicker of panic flashing through his eyes. "Mr. Ramsey, I... I'm not really sure about that..."

Robin firmly placed a hand on Cyril's shoulder.

Cyril's legs buckled, and he collapsed into the chair, visibly shaken. "Mr. Ramsey, this matter... I can't say. You'll understand after you experience it yourself."

"I understand!" Robin replied with a cold smile. "But there's one more thing you have to answer.

"Twenty years ago, when the Thalrex Order hosted its first military martial tournament, you participated as a special envoy assistant.

"That year, the envoy was Sergio Curnow, and both he and his wife are astronomers.

"During the conference, Sergio and his wife, Jenna Curnow, gifted Young Lord Dragon a pair of Emberleaf Fan.

"As far as I know, that afternoon, Sergio and Jenna had a private conversation with the Young Lord for the entire afternoon.

"What exactly did they discuss?"

Cyril broke into a cold sweat, visibly nervous. "Mr. Ramsey, I know what you're talking about. However, that afternoon, I wasn't qualified to be involved in their private discussion.

"I remember that three elite guards were stationed outside the private meeting room, and even the staff who brought in tea were not allowed to approach.

"What exactly they talked about, I truly don't know."

Robin patted Cyril's shoulder gently. "Relax, Mr. Higgins.

"Now, what is the current situation with Sergio and Jenna?"

Cyril shrugged his shoulders.

"They've been leading the core

research projects for the Thalrex Order. The design of this Mystic Realm War Game Base, for instance, is a masterpiece from their first laboratory. noveldrama

"If you want to know the true content of that private discussion from 20 years ago, or what really happened to Young Lord Dragon, you'll need to get yourself an entry ticket to the Qaealisle Summit Meeting

"Then, Sergio and Jenna will explain all your questions, including where Young Lord Dragon actually went."

...

At 8:10 a.m.

L2 Mystic Realm War Game Base parade ground, Duskhaven.

Military elites from 80 countries and regions around the world stood in orderly rows, entering one after another.

After listening to the briefing on the competition rules from the judges, each team waited for their respective commanders to deliver their speeches.

During the preliminary phase, the team commanders would not enter the mystic realm.

Outside the Mystic Realm War Game Base, dedicated command platforms were set up for each representative team.

The commanders of each team would give on-site instructions via wireless communication.

Robin approached the Draconia team.

For this competition, Draconia selected its elite participants under the direct training and evaluation of the Twelve Great Warriors of Dragon Soul, choosing ten outstanding team members.

They were: Gavin, Freya, Talia, Catherine, Bill, George, Maverick, Brendon, Elliott, and Ernest.

"Fellow warriors, congratulations on passing the evaluation of the Twelve Great Warriors of Dragon Soul and making it to the Qacalisle Island tournament base. "However, the real test is only just beginning.

"The subjects of this military martial tournament are all brand new, or you could say, unknown.

"In my opinion, this is the true martial tournament!

"Because all wars are not just a repetition of training exercises. They are filled with surprises, accidents, and the unpredictable.

"This demands that we push ourselves to the limit, tapping into all of our skills and abilities to face the unknowns that we fear. "Comrades, this is not just a competition-this is a war.

"Only by fighting with everything we have, with no room for retreat, will we be able to exit the mystic realm and claim victory in this preliminary round!"