Chapter 289 Chapter 289: Noya's Determination
?'What the heck!?'
The deputy leader was completely befuddled, even to the point of being speechless. He couldn't understand the elder at all. After hearing the elder's plan, it was simply unbelievable.
Noya was their arena's number one enemy, the most troublesome woman. Yet now, they were not only not targeting Noya but were instead planning to promote her daughter, giving her daughter the best treatment?
"Leader, this...this..."
Before the deputy leader could finish his stuttering objection, the elder laughed again, then continued after taking a sip of tea, "We don't need much time, a year should be about right, then we can start a competition."
"A competition?"
"The new generation's young champion versus the previous champions to compete for supremacy. Wouldn't such a competition be interesting? I think the audience would flock to it, right? Even if the new champion kills the old champion during the competition, the audience would accept and approve, even more excited, right?"
"And those gladiators who support the old champion, seeing the old champion dead, the first one they'd want to retaliate against wouldn't be us, but the new champion who acts as our pawn, right?"
"So, the current problem is, the old champion is very strong. Where can we find a new champion who can make the old champion willingly admit defeat, or even be killed?"
The elder's slow revelation changed the deputy leader's expression from initial confusion to now a sudden realization, followed by uncontrollable excitement.
Without needing further hints from the elder, the deputy leader, trembling all over, said somewhat to himself excitedly, "Right! How did I not think of that! Having the mother and daughter as opponents in the arena, with Noya's character, how could she possibly really hurt her daughter!"
"At the critical moment of their confrontation, I'll find a sniper in the audience to shoot Noya, making her daughter unable to hold back, accidentally killing Noya!"
"This way, the audience gets their fill of excitement. Just the gimmick of a mother-daughter duel will bring a huge wave of publicity to the arena, attracting a large audience. And afterwards, the gladiators will only hold hatred towards Noya's daughter, it has nothing to do with us. Perfect, just perfect, all thanks to you leader!"
Amid the deputy leader's endless admiration, the kind-looking elder, however, chuckled and shook his head again.
"There's one thing you're wrong about."
"The idea of a sniper causing Noya's daughter to accidentally kill someone is good, but you've slightly underestimated Noya's strength."
"What do you mean, Elder Miro?"
"We can use a sniper, but the target isn't Noya, it's... her daughter."
After leaving these meaningful words, the elder left. Before leaving, he also noticed the potted plants in the deputy leader's yard and seemed to communicate with the gardener in a very approachable manner, sharing insights and perceptions about planting and cultivating flowers and plants. Then, he left leisurely, surrounded by many escorts.
"My Lord" Watching the elder's back, Suthia clenched her teeth, her sea-blue eyes seemed to be shooting flames at this moment and slowly turning red.
What pleased the deputy leader and kept him persevering was that they finally saw the effects of their scheme. Among the gladiators, there were many rumors that Nova had been bought over and had become their pawn.
Part of these rumors were deliberately spread by them, but a large part also came from the gladiators' jealousy and envy of Nova, all of which turned into negative emotions, secretly accumulating.
They also tried to smear Noya's image in conjunction with this, but unfortunately, Noya's image in the hearts of the gladiators was much loftier than Nova's. After all, she was the one who single-handedly changed the environment of the arena and was the only spiritual leader of the gladiators.
At most, the gladiators felt that Noya had raised an ungrateful daughter but felt even more sorry for Noya. To them, Noya allowing Nova to accept official gifts was just a mother's helpless indulgence towards her daughter.
The gladiators' unwavering loyalty to Noya left the deputy leader helpless and even more determined to get rid of Noya.
On the other hand, good news for the deputy leader was that Nova's strength was increasing too fast.
Their original plan was to cultivate Nova for a year, hoping she would reach half her mother's level.
Unexpectedly, in less than half a year, Nova was already nearly on par with Noya. Although she was still slightly inferior due to her youth and lack of experience, it was enough.
The day for the fruits of their labor to show was finally approaching. The deputy leader and his subordinates decided to advance their plan, spreading the news of the mother-
daughter duel throughout the entire Gulase base by tomorrow night.
And on that same night.
"How about it, Mom, am I amazing?" In a specialized training field, after a few minutes of intense battle with Noya, Nova, still gasping for breath but with a face full of pride, was ultimately defeated.
In her eyes, being able to fight her mother for so long was the best proof of her strength.
Noya, on the other hand, rubbed the still young Nova's head.
"Nova, your talent seems even stronger than I imagined. I have nothing more to teach you. Congratulations, Nova, you are ready to graduate."
"Eh, no way, Mom, I don't want to graduate yet. I still can't beat Mom! I want Mom to be my teacher for life!" Even as a young girl, Nova still acted like a little child, throwing herself into Noya's embrace and acting coquettishly.
Noya helplessly stroked Nova, looking tenderly at her daughter in her arms, and softly said, "It's okay, Nova will soon be able to defeat Mom."
"Really?"
"Yes, I'm certain. After this hurdle, you will become very, very powerful, reaching heights that I as your mother, could only look up to and never reach in my lifetime. With this power, you will have no problems surviving in this world."
"But if, if there comes a day when someone can defeat even you, I hope my little angel can follow him."
"Because I believe if such a person truly exists, he must have abandoned all emotions. Only such a person, perhaps, could become the hope of the world."
Noya muttered to herself in a voice only she could hear, looking up at the blood-red sky filled with Miasma.