"The matter I wish to discuss is the martial tournament tomorrow. Which of my lieutenants wish to participate?" I asked, my voice carrying the weight of command across the room.
The question stirred reactions immediately.
"Ho?" Benimaru's eyes gleamed with unmistakable excitement.
"I see how it is," Shion muttered, a manic grin curling her lips. I suspected she had been scheming behind my back—but perhaps the thought had slipped now that the prospect of battle was imminent.
"Kufufufufu… intriguing, truly intriguing," Diablo said, his rare smile radiating dangerous anticipation.
"Then I shall demonstrate my martial prowess for all to witness," Geld announced, brimming with confidence.
Souei's thin laugh followed, measured and deadly. Even Hakurou, silent as ever, looked uneasy, weighing the situation carefully. Gabil shook his head. "I have other duties," he muttered, regret etched across his face.
As expected, everyone was eager to engage—except Ranga, who remained slumbering in the shadows of my presence. I had no intention of letting him participate, so his silence posed no issue.
Seeing my lieutenants start to squabble over who would attend, I raised a hand and spoke with the authority that silenced the room immediately.
"Hold. There will be foreign dignitaries and spies present. Surely you would not display your full strength before them?"
"Kufufufufu, even if I hold back, I will still—"
"Stop!" I cut him off, my tone brooking no argument. "Benimaru, Shion, Diablo, and Souei—you are all barred from participation."
The room erupted.
"WHAT?!"
"What do you mean—?"
I held up a hand to restore silence, the Pharaoh-like aura of command pressing down on the assembly.
"Souei, you are our covert operative. How could you participate publicly without compromising your duties?" I said calmly. His eyes narrowed, and he immediately ceased any objection. He might have protested in disguise, but my authority precluded even that.
"To formalize your new responsibilities, I hereby grant you the title of Leader of the Royal Spies. Your unit shall be known as the Shadow Squad. Only those capable under your command—like Souka—may join. No others."
"Understood! Thank you, Lord Atem!" Souei's gratitude was sincere, though I knew part of it was relief at escaping the tournament. His troops, now numbering nearly a hundred, would provide him the manpower to select the elite for this new role.
The problem remained with the other three—my strongest subordinates. Allowing them into the tournament would cause uncontrollable chaos. I had already crafted a solution.
"Hear me now. In alignment with Eterna's diplomatic needs, I am establishing a new structure: the 'Four Heavenly Kings.'"
"The Four Heavenly Kings…?"
"Ah… I see," they murmured, realization dawning.
"You three, among my most formidable, will occupy these roles. Benimaru shall lead, with Shion and Diablo completing the initial triad."
Benimaru's posture straightened, his pride and loyalty evident. "As the leader… I shall obey your command, Lord Atem."
Shion's grin widened. "Though I may surpass many, I accept this honor. To serve alongside Benimaru as one of the Four Heavenly Kings is a privilege, Lord Atem."
Diablo's usual composure faltered into rare humility. "The Four Heavenly Kings, hm… As your chosen subordinate, I will do my utmost to reach your level, Lord Atem."
From this point forward, the trio were to be recognized as the "Four Heavenly Kings."
"I appreciate your compliance. As for barring you from the tournament, it is precisely due to these roles," I explained.
"What do you mean?" Benimaru asked.
"The final seat is difficult to assign. I intended it for Souei, but as a covert operative, he cannot appear publicly. Thus, he is excluded. The remaining positions will be contested in the tournament—whoever proves worthy shall earn the rank of the final Heavenly King."
My words drew nods of understanding from the assembly.
A quiet voice arose. "I would attend, but I promised Momiji I'd show her around town tomorrow… though if Lord Atem commands it—"
It was Hakurou. He was one of my finest warriors, ideally suited to gauge Masayuki's strength in the tournament. Yet personal obligations weighed heavily on him. I understood this and allowed him to bow out, arranging instead for him to serve as Benimaru's military consultant.
"Very well, Hakurou. Your position as adjutant shall suffice for now," I said. He nodded gratefully.
With that, the field of potential participants was narrowed.
"I have a prior engagement… Geld shall take the challenge!"
Gabil, unable to attend, deferred his opportunity to another capable warrior.
"I understand. I will do my best to defeat this Masayuki," Geld said with determination, eyes ablaze.
Geld nodded firmly in response to Gabil's expectations. His strength was undeniable, but truthfully, "The Four Heavenly Kings" were merely ceremonial; it wouldn't be fitting for Geld to join the tournament itself. I had appointed Benimaru to restrain the others, so this was more a political maneuver than a true test of combat. Geld's role would be to measure Masayuki's strength, nothing more.
Just as I was about to finalize this decision, Rigur rose abruptly.
"Lord Atem, I have a recommendation for a candidate worthy of the Heavenly Kings!" His voice carried authority, as though he already understood the gravity of my martial command.
I raised an eyebrow. "Hmm… very well. Who do you propose?"
Rigur's expression turned serious. "I cannot personally participate due to security duties. However, there is one whose strength is second only to mine—"
Could it be who I suspected?
"Gobta."
Ah… as expected. Rigur's endorsement was absolute.
"Gobta would be most suitable to represent us," Rigur continued. "He is quick-witted, capable in combat techniques, and though his raw power is still developing, this tournament would provide an excellent opportunity for growth."
Even Hakurou nodded in agreement. No one among my lieutenants objected, but I needed confirmation from the participant himself.
"Zzz… zzz…"
Gobta was already eager, fast asleep until now, his enthusiasm evident even in his sleepy nods. Very well. He would join the tournament.
As I prepared to conclude the meeting, another voice cut through the room.
"Master, I wish to participate in the martial tournament!"
Ranga emerged from my shadow, stretching and wagging his tail as he spoke.
"No, Ranga. This tournament is for martial combat. Summoned beasts—even powerful ones like yourself—do not belong in such matches." My voice was firm, unyielding.
"Y-yes, but the Summoner is competing, so wouldn't it be fair for summoned beasts…?" Ranga protested, though his tail drooped slightly.
I shook my head. The tournament was a contest of skill and technique, not mere strength. Ranga was formidable, but inclusion would violate the spirit of the competition. Myourmiles silently supported my judgment.
Ranga shot Gobta a glare, displeased, but this was non-negotiable.
"Very well. Geld and Gobta shall serve as the seeded participants. The total number of entrants exceeds two hundred. We will divide them into six teams for elimination matches, eventually determining the official participants."
Over two hundred contestants—it was a staggering number. Originally, the preliminaries were meant to narrow the field to eight final competitors. With six teams, elimination rounds would be efficient while still testing the participants' abilities.
"I shall be receiving foreign dignitaries tomorrow, so the command post will be left in your capable hands, Myourmiles," I said.
"Consider it done," Myourmiles replied confidently, his voice steady. I nodded in satisfaction.
"And Diablo—are you acquainted with all the foreign journalists?"
"Yes. I have invited them to the Founding Festival and prepared measures to ensure they report favorably on us."
Good. With the media in place, we need not conceal our strength. Having a formidable demon like Diablo act as referee would impress the spectators and maintain order.
"I apologize for the trouble, but since the Chosen Hero Masayuki, Geld, and Gobta are participating, it would be unwise to assign a hobgoblin as referee."
"Kufufufufu, leave it to me," Diablo replied with a confident grin. His presence ensured the matches would proceed smoothly.
"That concludes the meeting. It is late, but you may all retire for the evening. Rest well, for tomorrow begins the Founding Festival and the martial tournament."
"Yes, Lord Atem!"
With that, the session ended. Preparations were set, participants determined, and the stage was ready. Tomorrow, the might of Eterna would be displayed under my command.