Silent Crown

Chapter 327 Retreat When Difficult?

Chapter 327 Retreat When Difficult?

The camp outside Auschwitz was under the same thunderstorm that night. The high gray walls were covered by dark clouds. There was only darkness in the world; there were no stars or moonlight. Only darkness and rain.

One could see countless raindrops falling from the sky and the dim lights of the grouping area through the city gate that was ajar. The city gate was dozens of meters high and seemed to be made of iron. It was rusted from years of wind and rain. Without maintenance, it was practically impossible to push now. They could only manage a crack a meter in width for people to pass through.

The lights were dim under the rain but illuminated the figures standing before the gate. Their clothing was all different. They had come from all over the world; the only similarity was the almost tangible aether waves and animosity exuding from them.

Even if they had a truce, sparks practically flew from their eyes when they stood together. It was obvious that if someone made a move, the others would break out without any hesitation. However, they were restraining themselves now and no one shattered the truce.

They were all participants in the Auschwitz trial—the strong ones who survived the journey here. The others had all died, retreated, or escaped. Those who could remain here were the next generation of elites and prodigies from each school. They represented the dignity and pride of their schools. If one overlooked the musicians who had already become accomplished, the musicians present would be the mainstay of the next generation in twenty years. They represented the future of each school. This was why they forced themselves to be calm and…'unite' to some extent. This would lessen the problems later in the trial.

According to the proposer Colt Flagg, the journey here was difficult for everyone so why create new enemies?

Many of the hot picks of the trial were moved by his words and came here so they could keep all variables outside Auschwitz before the deadline. Simply put, they would make the unqualified ones give up after finding out how difficult it was.

The participants included Colt Flagg, Revelations musician and representative of the Rock Institute; Choir musician Paul Bunyan from the archipelago; the Hauser brothers, Summoning musicians from Burgundy; Ariana, a Mind Musician; Rebecca, representative of the School of Illusion Voodoo Crypt; and more.

Most people would be smart and turn around as soon as they saw this group. Even if they didn't, it was okay. They would just be invited into a friendly duel before entering Auschwitz. Private battles were not allowed inside the city so was it better to create the winner beforehand? Of course, they did not go overboard. Unlike the secret fatal attacks in the wilderness, they would stop once the point was across.

"After all, the Sacred City is watching." Someone looked up into the sky with a half-smile.

-

Thunder clapped amongst the pure black clouds. The rain poured in sheets. Occasionally, lightning would streak across, illuminating the figures flying in the air.

They had strange postures and seemed to come from different places. However, they all radiated with strong aether waves that slightly distorted the material world, changing it into the aether realm. This was a Scepter's power. They were all of the Scepter level! But in this solemn atmosphere, someone suddenly sneezed and pathetically took out a handkerchief to blow his nose.

"Sorry, this stupid place is too cold. I should've worn more." With that, he looked down at the grouping area. "It's almost eleven and it's still not over? These kids don't know how to sleep. What are they doing at midnight? A nude party?"

Someone beside him glared. "The deadline is midnight. After the clock strikes twelve, no other musicians will be able to enter the trial."

"Yes, yes, I understand. You've all worked hard." The guy who had appeared in Maxwell's office blew his nose and complained, "I'm so sad. I was just messing around and then I was sent to this place to be a babysitter. Look at these kids! Each one is more troublesome than the last and they add even more trouble at night. What if we just let them be and go sleep?"

Everyone ignored him.

Amongst them, a man in Eastern clothing comforted him, "Great burdens come to those with great abilities. Why don't you wait a bit more? After all, your representative from Anglo hasn't arrived yet."

"Mr. Hu, are you talking about that white-haired kid?" The mysterious man stuffed his handkerchief into his pocket and sighed. "He's probably lying dead in a ditch somewhere if he's still not here."

"I think highly of him." Mr. Hu chuckled.

"Then what about your kids? They must be sad if they hear your words."

Mr. Hu continued to smile. "The Imperial College had me bring them here to open their eyes. We're just here for the fun."

Someone glanced over and shook his head coldly. "Undisciplined."

Mr. Hu just chuckled and started singing, "Oh, I'm the undisciplined of Wollongong…" The mood became so awkward that everyone looked away, pretending they heard nothing.

In the long silence, someone finally looked up. "Someone's here."

-

"Someone's here!" Under the heavy rain, Colt Flagg suddenly opened his eyes. The mark he had buried at the end of the road had been activated. He sensed that someone was crashing through the rain on horseback.

The apparition of a giant whale appeared beside him. Rather than stopping it, the torrential rain became the whale's aid and helped it fly. The huge shadow floated across the sky with a mournful song. The whale song shattered the sheets of rain, transforming the world into an ocean.

Sensing the animosity from the city gates, the musician on the horse sneered and sped up. The whale sang loudly, creating rolling echoes.

"Summoning?" Colt distinguished the musician's beastly nature. "Seems to have great attainments too."

"It's just for looks," someone replied huskily. "It's not the bigger the better. Enlarging the whale to such a laughable size without caring about its limits is just…shallow."

The one who spoke stood at the end of the crowd. He looked like a twin with two people joined at the shoulder. Only one spoke while the other stayed silent. They were the Hauser brothers from Burgundy.

The one who spoke was Terry, the elder brother. He looked down and said something to his brother Kasper, who nodded. Under the hood of the heavy raincoat, he opened his mouth, took a deep breath, and screamed.

Thunder clapped in the sky.

Boom!

The giant whale apparition wailed. The pouring rain curled back and the whale broke apart abruptly. The musician on horseback was lifted up from the backlash. He fell off the horse and rolled in the mud. In the end, blood spewed from his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Convulsing, he could barely climb up. His sound of heart had been disrupted.

He struggled in the mud. In the end, his energy spent, he stopped moving. He looked up with difficulty and saw a traveler in the distance. Another person had come.

Seeing the musician's pathetic state, the newcomer was stunned. He looked toward the city gates and felt the tangible animosity even across more than a thousand miles.

Then…he grew excited! He stepped forward.

Boom! An earth-shattering boom exploded under his feet. He advanced forward, drummed his sound of heart, awakened his instrument, and…the mountains shook!

"Copper mountain?" Many of the musicians recognized the instrument. One man's expression changed. "Someone can actually receive recognition from a saint's relic of this level?"

The rumbles got closer. Immense amounts of aether crashed, creating sparks. Practically all the rain had evaporated; the figure grew blurry as well. Each step he took was like a copper mountain and steel drum banging against each other. Ear-splitting thunder rumbled.

However, the large amount of aether and wild changes were restricted inside the formula. They raged with furious fire but could not break free. It was unbelievable that this immense power was controlled by one person.

"Interesting." A Modifications musician at the gate looked up. He slammed down and a roar shot out from his fingers. A majestic melody resounded and collided with the earth-moving sound in the air.

The sheets of rain shook; a vast amount of rain evaporated, turning to steam. However, the heavy footsteps continued forward. The attacker at the gate stumbled back. He panted heavily and even coughed out blood. His face was stark white. He was completely defeated before an actual round. It had just been a virtual test!

Everyone's expression changed.

"No sign of borrowing power from the saint," Colt Flagg said hoarsely. "I can't believe he had used his will to break through the Barrier of Knowledge and received recognition from a saint's relic."

"Finally someone's here to challenge me!" Amidst the approaching thunder, the newcomer was enthusiastic. His eyes flashed. "Does someone want to fight? Come on, come on."

"Sam?" Colt was stunned and his eyes darkened. "How come you…aren't you still practicing asceticism in the Lava Dungeon?"

Why was he here?

Colt had a headache.