Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2800: 1535: Winds and Clouds Surging at the Banquet (Part 2)

Lila’s lazy smirk held a subtle, dangerous edge as she gave a slight signal with her hand.

Witnessing this, the Stone Giant elites, fronted by Grand Elder Kira and Second Elder Payton, arrayed themselves into battle formation and transitioned into a slow advance toward our position.

In a heartbeat, the suppressing pressure radiating from the three to four hundred Tier 6 combatants completely enveloped our hundred-man squad.

“Taking us prisoner won't be a simple task!”

Confronted by such imposing rivals, Loris, Sina, old Gary, and the specialists under Leo Ray’s command unsheathed their weapons without the slightest intention of backing down.

Leo Ray himself remained perfectly composed, keeping 200 Tier 6 Alchemical Golems and a stockpile of summoning scrolls in reserve, clearly signaling that these hidden assets allowed our side to stand firm against their combined forces.

“Hold your movement!”

Just as Leo Ray was calculating how to unleash his strength to deal maximum damage to his adversaries while suffering minimal losses, a sharp, urgent voice echoed through the hall.

Administrator I materialized between the two factions alongside a hundred Market Guards, his tone bordering on a plea. “Distinguished guests, I beg you to suppress your fury; this is far from an arena.”

With the scrutiny of four administrators watching, Administrator I could not remain passive while Leo Ray and his people faced imminent threat.

Furthermore, given the presence of eight half-step Tier 7 experts and hundreds of Tier 6 fighters within a banquet hall protected by a fragile defensive magic array, any skirmish would jeopardize not just the venue, but the entire Shadow Market. His culpability for such an event would far outweigh his previous transgressions regarding the Stone Giants and Half-Titans.

After all, he had clearly bypassed the Bazaar Brotherhood’s strict regulations on the number of elite combatants allowed inside the Shadow Market by admitting so many Half-Titan and Stone Giant experts.

“Administrator, what is the meaning of this?”

Watching Administrator I, who had been so compliant mere moments ago, consistently shielding Leo Ray, Lila narrowed her eyes in skepticism. “Have you been bought off by the Emperor of the Human Race?”

“Administrator, regardless of the price offered by the Human Emperor, we Half-Titans will match double it.”

Hollis II’s face, etched with rage and confusion, furrowed as he growled, “Do not worry, we will rectify these insignificant irritants shortly.”

“You are mistaken; the reality is not so simple!”

Administrator I, appearing as frustrated as a man trapped in a trap of his own making, gestured frantically. “Regardless of your grievances, you must take this struggle outside. Please, do not initiate any violence within these walls.”

“This…”

Lila and Hollis II exchanged a wary glance.

They had baited Leo Ray and his entourage to this location specifically to force their submission within the safe confines of the Shadow Market.

Although the combined might of the Half-Titans and Stone Giants could surely crush third-rate powers, their current alliance was tenuous. If Leo Ray’s team fought to the bitter end, high attrition was inevitable.

Even if they eventually succeeded, if one faction suffered heavy losses, the other would inevitably exploit that disadvantage. Neither group wanted to be the one to pay the blood price.

Since Leo Ray had shown them no deference, resolving the conflict right here was their preferred outcome.

However, the sudden interference of Administrator I, who had initially facilitated their plot, forced a strategic reconsideration.

While the Shadow Market itself lacked true offensive threat, the governing body—the Bazaar Brotherhood—was an immense entity capable of rivaling peak-level powers. This reality kept both leaders hesitating.

“Administrator, you understand the danger of allowing a tiger to return to the mountain; now that the lines are drawn, there is no way we are letting the Emperor of the Human Race depart.”

Hollis II deliberated briefly but ultimately rejected the proposal, brow furrowed in annoyance. “Please, stand aside.”

“It seems the Administrator truly is burdened by deep concerns.”

Lila, always the more diplomatic one, arched an elegant eyebrow. “You understand we cannot let them leave, so what course of action do you suggest?”

While they debated, our group remained vigilant, though Leo Ray wore an air of indifference, likely contemplating how to further fracture their precarious alliance.

Since they were determined to capture us while avoiding unnecessary overhead, their mutual suspicion was palpable; they were each other’s true inhibitors.

For now, waiting for the situation to evolve was the superior strategy; the objective remained to defeat one’s foes with minimal expenditure, turning the survivors to one’s cause to rise into the tier of second-rate powers.

“Perhaps both sides could field half-step Tier 7 combatants for a duel to determine the outcome. The losers will surrender to the victors, and if either party reneges on this commitment, I will back the other side with the full weight of the Market.”

Administrator I pitched his solution with a professional, practiced smile. “This path provides a fair and just resolution.”

Clearing his throat, he cast a cryptic look toward Leo Ray before continuing, “Understand, this is not a death match; it is merely a display of power within defined boundaries. Once you move outside the Market’s jurisdiction, that is outside my concern.”

Though they remained baffled by the Administrator’s continued insistence on keeping Leo Ray safe within the Market, both Lila and Hollis II eventually consented to the proposal.

For them, it achieved their ends while mitigating their own losses—a transaction they were willing to make.

“Administrator, do you show favoritism? The Half-Titans and Stone Giants field six top-tier experts against us. How is this remotely fair?”

Sina glared, her face pale with mounting indignation.

“That is correct; we dissent!”

Loris joined in, blurting out, “This battle is far too dangerous for the Emperor of the Human Race!”

“Leaders, the disparity in strength between you and the Stone Giant-Half-Titan coalition is an objective fact. If this wager is unreasonable, would the alternative of full-scale warfare be more agreeable?”

Administrator I answered with cold indifference, clearly weary of the petty protests.

The administrator knew this middle-ground approach was the only way to preserve order—he couldn't afford to offend the powerful coalition, yet he had to ensure Leo Ray’s safe passage to uphold the spirit of his duty.

As for the victor, the outcome seemed predetermined. Even if the coalition utilized four half-step Tier 7 experts, they would obliterate Leo Ray and Loris in a short display of force.

“This is…”

Sina and Loris tried to retort, but Leo Ray’s stillness silenced them instantly.

“So, does the bold Emperor of the Human Race intend to accept this challenge?”

Noting Leo Ray’s composure, Lila leaned her chin on her hand, clearly intrigued.

“Do we truly have any other option?”

Leo Ray shrugged, locking eyes with the administrator. “If we agree, the winners are free to do as they please with the losers, is that the arrangement?”

“Indeed, I pledge it on my honor as an administrator of the Shadow Market.”

Administrator I nodded resolutely, adding, “The condition being, of course, that you are the victors.”

“What a pathetic joke! You truly think a lowly wretch can defeat us?”

Hollis II scoffed, thumping his golden scepter against the stone floor in impatience. “In that case, let us commence at once.”

As he spoke, Rax and Bruce soared forward, zeroing in on Leo Ray.

Across the hall, Payton and Kira, acting on Lila’s command, charged with massive, crushing impetus.

In seconds, the atmosphere of the banquet hall shattered, descending into a zone of extreme volatility.