Chapter 511
The advertisement detonated across Prussia like an explosion. In just few minutes, the entire nation fell into hysteria. Streets, bars, offices-every conversation circled
back to one name.
Phantom.
The news and official advertisements spread rapidly across Prusia: Eden Group formally reopened the betting market—once again—on Phantom.
This time, they didn’t just challenge the system. They insulted it.
Eden Group publicly accepted a bet that Phantom would take first place in the third competition.
If Phantom lost, Eden Group would pay one thousand times the wager.
One thousand times.
Nothing like this had ever happened.
It meant that a fool who placed ten dollars would walk away with ten thousand if Phantom lost. A number so absurd it felt unreal. A promise so outrageous it shattered reason.
People of every age flooded the online betting tables. Old men chasing one last win. Young workers risking their savings. Students, executives—no one held back. Greed smothered every trace of caution.
For Duke Eisenwall, it felt like a slap across the face.
Eden Group wasn’t just confident. They were mocking him-looking down on his product, looking down on his Alpha.
It was a public declaration, screaming to the world that his Alpha was worth nothing in front of Phantom.
Openly. Without restraint.
He slammed his fist onto the table.
“How dare that newborn business group look down on me,” he roared. “I want to see them destroy themselves. Set up a meeting. Now. With the other companies p>
Moments later, his secretary connected a secure video call. Screens lit up one by one, revealing representatives from rival mobile suit manufacturers.
Eisenwall didn’t waste time.
“Listen carefully,” the duke commanded, his voice cold and absolute. “I will force the third competition into a free-for-all. No rules protecting anyone. In return, I want every one of your drivers to target that bluthem’s tin can p>
He leaned forward, eyes burning.
“We destroy that trash first. Only after Phantom is scrap do we fight each other. Agreed p>
One company representative smiled slowly.
“A thousand-times payout,” he said. “I was already placing ten million of my own
money. Ten billion in return from Eden Group. Why wouldn’t I agree? This is an easy win p>
Another executive burst out laughing.
“Ten million?” he scoffed. “I’m putting in one hundred million. A hundred billion is waiting for me p>
A third voice cut in, cautious but eager.
“Are you sure Eden Group can actually pay when they lose p>
Someone answered immediately.
“They have countless businesses. And if they can’t pay-then we take their empire piece by piece p>
Duke Eisenwall’s lips curled into a cruel smile.
“I don’t want a single mistake,” he said sharply. “Every weapon you have every
heavy round, every illegal enhancement—I want it all aimed at that tin can. If all of you load your suits to maximum firepower, it will be impossible for Phantom to survive p>
The response was immediate.
“No problem,” one company replied. “We’re not refusing a thousand-times return.” Laughter echoed through the call.
To them, Phantom was already dead.
“Good,” Duke Eisenwall said coldly. “Proceed p>
Then the tournament officials went live.
Their broadcast cut through every channel.
“Our objective is to determine the strongest mobile suit among the ten finest units ever produced,” the official announced in a firm, ceremonial tone. “Since one mobile suit has chosen to act with arrogance-believing it can defeat all others-we are therefore obligated to bring this competition to its highest possible standard p>
A pause. Deliberate. Heavy.
The official lifted his chin.
“The third competition will be a free-for-all. Ten mobile suits. One arena. No alliances. No protection. The battle continues until only one remains standing.” Prussia erupted.
Cheers thundered through the cities. Laughter. Applause. Mockery.
Everyone understood what it meant-nine mobile suits against a single Phantom.
A machine that had sat at the bottom of the rankings for decades.
To the public, this wasn’t a competition.
It was guaranteed money.
The commentator spoke quickly, barely containing his excitement.
“Do you realize what this means? Phantom will face nine mobile suits at once. This
will never become a one-on-one fight-it will be a nine-on-one execution p>
The second commentator laughed openly.
“I’m curious whether Eden Group will still dare to keep their bet after this p>
Countess Marlena had already seen this coming.
The moment the announcement ended, Eden Group’s next advertisement flooded every screen in Prusia.
It was short. Sharp. Merciless.
“Phantom fears nothing-not even nine mobile suits. Instead, it will teach them all what fear truly is p>
The message was unmistakable.
Eden Group was declaring war on the entire nation.
The rage was immediate. Real. Explosive.
Deep inside a concealed hangar, Alex sat within the Phantom’s cockpit. The
machine stood silent, restrained by clamps, waiting.
A screen flickered to life.
Marlena’s face appeared, eyes burning with excitement.
“Boss, look at the betting numbers,” she said quickly. “The money placed on Phantom losing p>
Alex glanced at the figures.
He froze.
Seven hundred billion.
For the first time in a long while, even he felt the weight of the number.
“Boss,” Marlena said, barely
containing herself, “that’s seven
hundred billion. If you win, you wont
just be rich. You’ll be the richest man
in all of Prusia p>
She laughed softly, breathless.
Marlena hesitated, then spoke softly. “Boss… if you lose, Eden Group is finished.
Everything we built is gone p>
“Can you guarantee victory?” she asked. “I’ll do anything. Anything you ask. If you win this fight, I will p>
Alex cut the screen and drew a slow, steady breath.
This wasn’t how he wanted to fight.
But for Estoria, there was no choice.
He had to take the blue tin can all the way through.
The hangar trembled as a broadcast echoed from every speaker.
“All competitors, report to the stadium immediately. The match will begin in five
minutes p>
The massive hangar doors groaned open. Light flooded in. One by one, the mobile suits advanced into the arena.
Nine machines were already in position.
Nine pilots.
One shared mission.
Destroy Phantom.
The commentator’s voice crackled with excitement.
“We’re down to one minute before the tournament begins, but Phantom-the so-called arrogant mobile-suit-still hasn’t entered the arena Do you think the driver finally got scared and ran p>
The second commentator snorted.
“We don’t know yet. But honestly, I’m praying he doesn’t show up. If Phantom fails
to appear, it’s an automatic loss p>
“Twenty seconds remaining p>
The crowd leaned forward, eyes locked on the arena gate.
“Ten seconds p>
“Do you think it ran away?” someone asked eagerly.
“I really hope so,” another replied. “I bet a thousand dollars. That turns into a million
if it doesn’t show p>
People began counting aloud.
“Nine. Eight p>
The counting grew louder. Wilder.
“Seven. Six p>
At three seconds remaining-
Phantom stepped into the arena.
The crowd erupted.
Jeers. Boos. Groans. Fury.
Everyone had been praying the Phantom’s pilot would run. Three more seconds and
Phantom would have lost by default.
Instead, that brazen pilot still dared to walk forward, and the sight of it sent a wave
of rage through the stands.
Alpha’s pilot opened a secure channel to the others.
“When the countdown ends and the fight starts,” he said coldly, “I want everything
you’ve got fired at that tin can. No hesitation p>
“Yes,” the others answered in unison.
“Ready,” Alpha’s pilot barked.
They were already imagining the victory. A fast kill. Easy money.
The commentator’s voice rose.
“We’re just seconds from the start-and all nine mobile suits are
fully armed. Guns, rockets, lasers everything is locked onto Phantom. In moments, this fight will
be over p>
The countdown hit zero.
A sharp tone rang out.
“Start p>
But instead of nine mobile suits opening fire-
All nine machines dropped to one knee.
They knelt before Phantom.
The arena fell into stunned silence.
Inside the cockpit, Alex looked down at them and smiled.
“If the king has entered,” he said calmly, voice echoing across the arena,
“how dare you not kneel p>
‘When the true ruler appears,
all others know their place p>
Authority needs no announcement—only presence.