Supreme Paragon Reborn: Humanity's Rise To Galactic Supremacy-Chapter 372: Answering Heaven’s Call

Every King and Queen was capable of manifesting territory ruled by their own authority. Although Supreme Lord Noctis was inexperienced and flawed in the subject, his accomplishments were still remarkable, considering that he was still technically a mere Lord.

The entirety of the Indomitable Alliance was rendered motionless, utterly stunned by the abrupt change in their surroundings.

Hovering over white clouds, they stood before a majestic palace. Its towering walls stretched far beyond what they could see. A colossal gate decorated in gold and silver denied entry into what seemed Heaven itself.

At this very moment, they had been drawn into Noctis’ Authority Manifestation, White Heaven. Inside the Lord’s territory, time flowed far faster than in the outside world.

Even if a battle raged for hours within, to an outsider it would appear as nothing more than a blinding flash of light lasting only a few seconds.

That was one of the Lord’s limitations. Not yet being a King meant his authority could not fully govern the world according to his will. More accurately, it would be better to say that it bent it... a mere imitation at best.

"By partaking in the tournament, he had hoped someone of equal standing would clash with the manifestation of his authority, bringing them closer to enlightenment." Michael deduced why the man had been so disappointed before the battle began. Since the Indomitable Alliance lacked a Supreme Lord, no one would have been able to challenge Noctis.

It was an eye-opener in a way. While their rivals, the Golden Vanguard, had used the contest to sharpen the skills of their troops, the Immortal Legion had participated solely for the benefit of their strongest Lord.

"Fear not." Noctis spoke in a soothing voice. "This shall be over before you know it."

A heartbeat later, figures began to emerge beyond the pristine clouds. Bearing human-like silhouettes, with wings sprouting from their backs and halos glowing faintly above their heads.

Although their faces were blurred, clearly due to the lack of power from their Lord, it was apparent they were meant to represent angels, straight from fiery tales.

"Perish!" Noctis bellowed, causing the numerous angels to lunge at the Indomitable Alliance.

Understandably, the Indomitable Alliance retaliated with everything they had, only to arrive at a horrifying realization.

Each of these angels not only rivaled their strongest Lords in one-on-one combat but was essentially immortal. Even if one of these divine creatures took a fatal wound, they would simply dissolve into a cloud-like form, mend the damage within seconds, and resume their relentless onslaught.

Finding the nature of Noctis’ territory overwhelming, they began to fall like flies, one by one.

Though curiously enough, if one were paying attention... Which Noctis was not. Due to the blind confidence in his own victory, Michael was nowhere to be found.

Having instructed his comrades to keep the angel-like beings at bay, he used his Fade technique to inch closer to his target, all while significantly boosting his speed with Lightning Surge to creep beneath the floating Noctis.

A fatal consequence of the Lord’s limitation, of being unable to fully govern the world but merely bend it, was that it created the possibility for others to intervene within his domain.

"Wasn’t this everyone?" Noctis murmured, seeing that not a single soldier was left standing, yet the clash was still ongoing.

The real reason no Kings and Queens were permitted to participate in the tournament was that, when they manifested their authority, they would have overwhelmed the carefully controlled space of the contest, leading to unwanted deaths among the participants.

Though, since Noctis wielded only an imitation of territorial authority, there was no danger of actual death.

Guessing that someone must have evaded his senses, Noctis was about to search the area when the hook of Heaven’s Judgment pierced his leg.

"NO!"

The man roared in panic, too late to react. When Michael made physical contact with Noctis, it caused an authority of his own to manifest within White Heaven.

Being merely a Lord wielding a power meant for a King, Noctis lacked the knowledge to counter Michael effectively.

One moment, Noctis was surrounded by the divine embrace of his White Heaven. Next, the sky turned crimson, and the clouds vanished, replaced by countless corpses stretching farther than the eye could see.

"What the hell?"

By its very nature, an Authority Manifestation resonated with the very depths of a cultivator’s soul.

As if Noctis had challenged Michael to a soul duel, his mind wasn’t able to withstand the pressure. Given in just like any alien before.

Therefore, once his consciousness surrendered to the overstimulation, it led to his demise. Supreme Lord Noctis was declared dead, bringing the tournament to its ultimate conclusion. From an outsider perspective, the fight didn’t pass the thirty-second mark.

"..."

Blinking slowly, Noctis stared at his palms in utter disbelief.

"What just happened?" He murmured in a daze. Against all expectation, he had found what he had been searching for. His Authority Manifestation had not only been invaded, but he had also been bested in less than the span of a heartbeat.

Noctis couldn’t care about how, what, why, or any other superficial questions. Only one thought echoed in his mind... His eyes had been opened! Even if the experience had been brief, he had a lingering feeling that he could achieve enlightenment and become a King!

Naturally, the Indomitable Alliance were even more confused. One moment, they had been in a field. Next, they were on a battlefield with angels. Only to win?

Michael, the only one who had fully grasped the situation, allowed his shoulders to relax, tension lifting.

[Quest Earning Glory: Completed!]

[Distributing Reward]

[Upgrade Kit (Epic → Legendary) gained, 4,000 Skill Points gained]

Although rather anticlimactic, Michael wouldn’t have had it any other way. Had Noctis not made the mistake of deploying his authority but instead simply fought, victory would not have been possible.

At least the whole tournament fiasco was over, bringing with it monumental gains.

Gripping Heaven’s Judgment in his left hand, he realized the Upgrade Kit had been used automatically, elevating the weapon to Legendary rank.

The shotgun looked immaculate, gleaming in flawless perfection, its barrel and hook whiter than snow. Even more remarkable, two golden wings protruded from its sides.

The pristine condition of the shotgun sharply contrasted with Devil in his sword form, radiating a menacing presence.

’Finally! The whole thing is over!’ Devil’s ragged voice echoed in Michael’s head. ’Brat, hopefully you haven’t forgotten what you promised me! It’s time we go kill aliens!’

Michael sighed, about to respond...

Only for a soft, feminine voice to echo, interrupting him.

’How dare you, vile creature! This is no way to regard your master, on whom your existence solely relies!’

Instantly, Michael’s expression began to mimic the confusion of the members from his faction. He stared at Devil in disbelief, wondering if he had finally gone insane, with more than one voice ranging out in his head.

Devil’s attention snapped to the flawless shotgun.

’Did you just—’

’Of course I did!’ Heaven’s Judgment bellowed, her feminine voice soft, yet laced with undeniable authority. ’It’s high time you face repercussions for your actions, you disgraceful fiend!’