Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 777: Michael Vs Royal Princess [4]

"I can’t help but wonder if Sir Michael is interested in doing something with me."

For a split second, the expression on Michael’s face changed.

The words from the royal princess felt a bit misleading.

However, when he saw the plain expressions of those around him, he realized he was the only one who had interpreted it that way.

’I need to wash my mind clean.’

Since he could not make the royal princess wait, he answered immediately.

"If it is within my power, and it is something I can do without issue, I might be able to fulfill your request."

Since he was in another realm and was currently conversing with one of the most important people in that realm, Michael remained cautious.

Aeloria smiled.

"There is no need to be cautious," she said gently. "I believe this is something you can do."

If anything, her words only made Michael more wary.

He did not let it show.

Instead, he inclined his head slightly and asked, "May I know what it is you have in mind, Your Royal Highness?"

Her smile widened just a fraction.

"I would like us to have a battle."

The reaction was immediate.

A sharp intake of breath rippled through the field. Several young elves stiffened outright, their eyes widening in disbelief. Even a few instructors lost their composure for a moment, their expressions flickering between shock and confusion.

Aside from ritual duels or formal royal exhibitions, royalty did not fight openly. Certainly not with outsiders, or at least very rarely.

A murmur spread.

Had the human offended her somehow?

Michael himself was taken aback.

He recovered quickly, but his response was honest.

"With all due respect," he said calmly, "that would not be possible."

Aeloria tilted her head slightly, curious.

"You believe so?"

"Yes," Michael replied. "Your Royal Highness has already ascended. You have become one with the universe. Your rank is far above mine. I have only just taken a step toward that realm."

To be honest, Michael himself also thought he might have offended the princess. He believed she was being petty, perhaps trying to save face.

Aeloria shook her head softly.

"That is not what I meant," she said.

"We need not battle one another," she continued evenly. "Our summons will suffice."

Understanding spread through the field almost immediately. Murmurs shifted in tone, surprise giving way to acceptance. Several instructors exchanged looks and nodded to themselves.

"I am a beast tamer," Aeloria added. "And you are still at a stage where testing yourself directly against those who have already ascended would offer little benefit, especially if I am not teaching you anything."

That explained everything.

No wonder she had spoken as though a direct clash was unnecessary. She commanded beasts. Michael commanded undead. A battle between summons was not only appropriate, it was expected. Both sides possessed Rank Three entities, and neither lacked for quality.

Michael inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment.

Outwardly, he remained calm.

Inwardly, however, something sat wrong.

It was not the idea of a summons battle. That was fine. What unsettled him was the way she spoke, as though a battle between them personally had never been a consideration to begin with.

Michael was not a prideful person by nature, but he did have pride.

He did not look down on Rank Three supernaturals. They were above him in rank, yes, but that was all. Rank alone did not define everything. He had already killed many beings at that level.

Did she think his refusal earlier had been fear?

Michael had originally planned to avoid any direct involvement with members of the royal family, especially someone like Aeloria. But as the situation unfolded, he found that the idea no longer felt like a bad thing.

More than that, this would be his first time encountering a true beast tamer of her caliber.

That alone made it worthwhile.

Only Michael knew the truth of his own thoughts.

He lifted his gaze slightly and asked, "How will the battle be conducted?"

Aeloria looked at him for a moment, then replied evenly, "You may decide."

The words were polite. Reasonable.

And yet, the tone carried something else. It was the tone of someone offering a junior the freedom to make a harmless decision.

If age and rank were all that mattered, she was not wrong.

Still, Michael did not like it.

He showed none of that discomfort.

"In that case," he said calmly, "three against three would be suitable. Each of us may field two summons."

The reaction was immediate.

A wave of surprise rippled through the elves below.

The old man beside Michael turned his head slightly, glancing at him from the corner of his eye. He said nothing. After a brief moment of thought, he looked away again. Aeloria’s smile faded.

"Do you understand what you are proposing?" she asked, her voice still calm, but sharper now.

Michael nodded once. "I do."

She studied him for a few seconds longer, then said simply, "Very well."

Around them, the younger elves made no effort to hide their disdain.

To them, this was absurd.

They knew of the other undead under Michael’s control, one that even the instructors and academy higher ups refused to allow the younger elves to face. It was said to be at the peak of Rank Three, yet its true combat capability was believed to touch the higher realm, so long as it did not unleash its unique ability.

That alone was terrifying.

But did he think the princess was less capable than him?

This was a royal princess of the elven realm. Did someone who possessed no personal power, aside from holding many undead and unique ones at that, truly believe the princess would be lacking?

"So that’s the human," one elf muttered, eyes narrowing. "The one hiding behind corpses."

"Hiding is the right word," another replied quietly. "Without those undead, what is he exactly?"

"A necromancer who forgets his place," someone scoffed. "To suggest himself against Her Royal Highness, who does he think he is?"