Damn, I Have to Marry the Strongest Antagonist at the Start? - Chapter 160

Chapter 160: Chapter160-Arrival at Kyrik
As dusk settled, Owen’s team, after traveling for more than an hour, was nearing the location of the Kyrik teleportation array!

Upon arrival, the group suddenly became restless.

Owen glanced at the Slave Chain in his hand, then stowed it away before shifting his gaze to the distance ahead.

In front of him stretched an endless grassland, lush and green, with scattered cattle and sheep grazing peacefully.

The animals occasionally swished their tails, letting out lowing sounds.

Above the cattle, the sky was a clear, unblemished blue, with massive clouds slowly drifting by, resembling pure white reflections on a pristine water surface.

The serenity was only shattered by a hawk’s flapping wings.

Kyrik was a prairie empire, known for its prowess in warfare and penchant for raiding. Many of the kingdoms surrounding Kyrik had, to varying extents, suffered from their invasions.

At this moment, in the near distance, there stood a massive arena on the grassland. The arena was grand, constructed from various bleached bones, with occasional flickers of eerie blue flames that added a sinister touch to the ancestral teleportation platform.

This teleportation array, capable of sending people to Middle Earth, was a rare gathering place for powerful individuals on the prairie.

After all, Middle Earth was a place that most powerful beings dreamed of entering. Even if they couldn’t make it in, many people planned to wait here, hoping to seize an opportunity to ascend to greatness.

So, as Owen and his group continued to approach, the once vast and desolate grassland gradually became bustling.

Numerous white linen tents were set up here, with groups of mages coming and going, creating a lively scene akin to a bustling marketplace.

At this moment, the mages already gathered here turned their heads to look at the extraordinary Owen and his party, their faces showing some surprise.

Although mages were constantly coming and going here, most of them weren’t particularly powerful and usually traveled in small groups.

However, it was extremely rare to see such a large group of mages, as was the case now.

After all, the leading mages were surrounded by an extremely pure mana, and as they walked, the elements moved with them.

Just a glance made the onlookers’ hearts surge with fear and dread.

This was a feeling that could only come from being absolutely suppressed by a higher tier!

However, the mages who dared to gather here were mostly platinum-tier or diamond-tier mages, considered top-tier, if not elite, in Kyrik and the surrounding kingdoms.

Yet, the oppressive aura radiating from each member of this seemingly endless procession made them feel stifled, even suffocated!

The terrifying thought flashed through their minds that every single person in this massive, grand team was stronger than they were!

This unsettling notion made them focus even more intently on the actions of this team.

After all, their personal perceptions could be wrong, but when they looked around, they saw the same shock on the faces of others.

Clearly, they were all stunned by the arrival of this formidable team.

Under their scrutinizing gaze, Owen was also surveying them.

The number of mages gathered here was much larger than Owen had anticipated, and their strength was quite exceptional—mostly platinum-tier and diamond-tier mages.

But it made sense; after all, this place had a teleportation array leading to Middle Earth.

For many mages eager to advance further or even enter Middle Earth, this was an irresistible lure.

“Master Owen, should we clear the area?”

Noticing Owen’s sweeping gaze over the many mages ahead, Henry quickly stepped forward and whispered.

To Henry, apart from Owen, the others who weren’t from Middle Earth were no different from grass and flowers—killing them wouldn’t matter, and they weren’t worth caring about.

The other Middle Earth prodigies also looked at Owen.

To them, being scrutinized by these lowly natives was the greatest insult. If not for Owen’s presence, they would have already taken action.

Moreover, the most important reason was that Owen’s strength and talent had won them over. They were eager to find an opportunity to prove themselves, and these lowly people were the perfect stepping stones!

“Clear the area?”

Owen glanced at the eager Henry. The “clearing” Henry mentioned probably wasn’t as simple as making them leave—it likely involved a swift, bloody massacre of those present.

For Middle Earth prodigies, this was nothing out of the ordinary.

After all, these prodigies’ strength was enough to let them dominate here, and there wasn’t just one prodigy among them.

Owen had no grudges against the mages here, so he simply shook his head and said, “Just keep your distance from them.”

As soon as Owen finished speaking, the killing intent surging from Henry and the others immediately subsided.

At that moment, one of the prodigies seemed to hear something and suddenly whispered, “Master Owen, there’s a large rift not far from here where someone accidentally discovered an ancient ruin. Many people are seeking opportunities there…”

Owen nodded, finally understanding why there were more mages here than he had expected.

As Owen and the others drew closer, the mages here felt the pressure on them increase, causing the crowd to grow even more agitated.

“Such intense mana… What kind of team is this? Why do I feel like they’re tens of times stronger than the Kyrik royal mage group?”

“Could it be that they’re also here for the ruins in the rift?”

At this moment, the faces of the onlookers grew increasingly grave as they whispered among themselves, curious about the team approaching from afar.

Meanwhile, in the crowd, a tall, black-robed young man stood with his figure shrouded in shadows.

He squinted at the vast procession, then glanced at the ornate necklace around his neck.

“Mentor, do you know what force this is? Why is it so powerful? Just looking at them from afar gives me a suffocating sense of oppression.”

As he slightly raised his head, it became clear that this was John, the original protagonist from the original anime!

A flash of light emanated from the necklace, and Ymir, looking at the approaching team, especially at the attire of some of the servants, had a hint of reminiscence in her eyes.

“They’re wearing the emblem of the Pyrothrone Kingdom. The person at the center of the group should be Crown Prince Kaldan of the Pyrothrone Kingdom.”

The reason Ymir recognized this Middle Earth team was that she came from a mid-tier, declining family in Middle Earth, House Kate.

House Kate had been in decline, but according to the latest information she had received, a rising star had emerged in the family, like a dazzling star that dispelled the gloom over House Kate and led it to soar once again.

That person seemed to be named Rachel, who not only was selected by the Melodic Academy and became the chief disciple but also had Crown Prince Kaldan of the Pyrothrone Kingdom pursue her multiple times, only to be rejected—like a desperate suitor.

While Ymir was lost in thought, the teleportation array leading to Middle Earth suddenly became active, emitting a dazzling, radiant beam of light that shot into the sky.

Instantly, Ymir and the other mages were all drawn to the massive teleportation wave.

Although this teleportation array to Middle Earth had existed for a long time, it rarely lit up.

Especially now, as it was glowing, it seemed that someone from Middle Earth was teleporting here!

“More people from Middle Earth?”

John was stunned, then his eyes lit up with excitement.

The prosperity and power of Middle Earth had always been something he yearned for. Ymir had brought him to the Kyrik Empire in the hopes of finding a way to enter Middle Earth.

Now, hearing from his mentor Ymir that this awe-inspiring team came from Middle Earth and that its leader seemed to hold an extremely noble status, John’s excitement grew.

If he could earn their recognition and enter Middle Earth, he would rise to greatness.

Moreover, only ancient and powerful forces from Middle Earth could send people through teleportation arrays like this.

Whoever was arriving through this teleportation array must also be of extraordinary origin, giving him another option.

To John, his talent should be the best outside of Middle Earth, and even within Middle Earth, he would be considered outstanding.

Although Owen had overshadowed him in every way, he was still second to one and above millions!

There was no way a small force from Middle Earth could recruit him.

As he watched with eager anticipation, the teleportation light faded, revealing the figures of two slender, beautiful women.