At that moment, the Pyro Archon Mavuika stood beneath the enormous torch, scrutinizing the visitors from outside Natlan.
Her gaze, too, was caught by the catgirl's astonishing beauty. Those rose-red eyes surveyed the surroundings with a charming smile, and merely meeting the catgirl's gaze made Mavuika's heart race involuntarily at that breathtaking beauty.
Theresa also noticed that Mavuika seemed to be staring at her in a daze and immediately smiled faintly. She winked at Mavuika and twitched her cat ears, instantly bringing a blush to the face of Natlan's Pyro Archon.
"Ahem, I've noticed that Natlan's tournament has attracted many 'guests' this year. I hope our guests from every nation can coexist peacefully with the people and saurians here. If you encounter any less-than-friendly people or saurians in the wilderness, please don't kill them. Just teach them a lesson and notify the patrolling guards, or hand them over."
"Returning to the Night of the Sacred Flame Pilgrimage, this is a tournament we in Natlan hold to fight the Abyss. There are many requirements for Natlan's people to participate: courage, strength, condition, strategy. Many factors determine who is stronger, but victory and defeat never lie!"
"The Night of the Sacred Flame Pilgrimage isn't merely a trial to select the strongest. It is the finest stage for all you warriors of Natlan to show your worth! And today's victory will mark the beginning of a new legend."
"From this stage, we will select the five strongest warriors, inscribe Ancient Names for them, and then have them participate in the final Night Warden Wars against the Abyss!"
"I declare the tournament open!"
Mavuika raised her hand and roared. As her words rang out, the torch behind her erupted with golden-red flames-the sacred flame formed from will, courage, struggle, resistance, and Phlogiston.
It was