When Kael finished introducing himself, he took a few steps forward, approaching the Seven Deadly Sins.
Each one of them emanated a distinct presence.
It wasn't just power; it was intention. Willpower condensed into flesh, bone, and sin.
Kael could feel it on his skin, like an invisible pressure running down his back. They weren't mere warriors. They were forces destined to exist alongside the Demon King… or to crush him if he wasn't up to the task.
Serenna walked beside him, upright, serene, observing every minimal gesture. Her expression was calm, but her eyes never rested. She measured distances, reactions, breaths.
Kael noticed it. For the first time since arriving in this world, he didn't feel completely alone.
He leaned slightly toward her and spoke in a low voice, just loud enough for only Serenna to hear.
– Serenna… is there any way we can see their power? Something that lets us know what they're truly capable of.
It wasn't just curiosity.
It was fear.
Kael needed to know how deep the abyss he was stepping into really was.
He needed to understand whether he could lead them… or if he was already doomed to be devoured by his own court.
Serenna didn't take long to respond. Her silver eyes shone with determination, as if that question had been waiting for the exact moment to be asked.
- Yes, my King. There is —she answered without hesitation—. We could organize a tournament. Have them face each other. That way we won't only see their real strength, but also their character, their way of thinking, their will. And besides… —she paused briefly— we'll be able to decide who is the strongest… and who should lead them.
Kael glanced at her sideways.
The idea was simple. Brutal. Direct.
He nodded slowly.
— It's a good idea. Thank you, Serenna.
He took a deep breath.
He felt his heart racing, but he didn't back down.
He stepped forward and cleared his throat before addressing them again.
— I know we've only just met —he said firmly, though inside he was fighting against the tremor—, but I think the best way to truly know who you are is by facing each other. I propose a small tournament to decide who will be the leader of the Seven Deadly Sins… unless you already have one.
Silence fell like a slab.
The Sins looked at one another.
They measured each other.
They analyzed each other.
None of them seemed to truly know one another.
And none seemed willing to obey another without proof of strength.
Some smiled with disdain. Others kept cold expressions. One yawned, clearly bored.
Aurum was the first to break the silence.
— Kael, I think that's the best option —he said with a calculated smile, tilting his head—. We don't know each other, we don't know how each one fights or what our weapons are truly capable of. A tournament is the only fair way to decide who will lead this group… of course, always below you.
His golden eyes locked onto Kael.
There was no respect in that gaze.
There was expectation… and a hint of mockery.
— I imagine you must be much stronger than all of us combined… right?
The air seemed to tighten.
Kael held the gaze without blinking.
— Of course.
The lie came out clean.
Too clean.
Inside, Kael knew the truth: at that moment, he was probably the weakest one in the entire room. His power was immature. His control, unstable. And his experience… minimal.
A notification echoed in his mind.
«Mission assigned: Choose a captain for the group of the Deadly Sins.
Reward: 100 points.»
Kael swallowed.
The system gave him no options.
Only paths.
— So… —Magnus asked, crossing his arms—, how will the tournament work?
Serenna stepped forward. Her voice was firm, clear, impossible to ignore.
— It will be an elimination system —she explained—. One-on-one combats. Several rounds will be held; the winners will advance until only two finalists remain. From those two, a single victor will emerge. In total, there will be seven fights.
Some of the Sins seemed to perk up.
Others smiled with contained violence.
Silence fell again, until a deep voice spoke.
— That's fine —said Gorgos— but there are seven of us. Not eight. One would be left without an opponent.
Serenna nodded without losing composure.
— You're right. That's why I've decided that one of the fights will be against a knight or adventurer from the kingdom.
Kael opened his eyes slightly, surprised. He hadn't expected that. But he said nothing. Serenna had thought of even that detail.
— The kingdom has an arena suitable for this type of event —she continued—. The matchups will be decided randomly. The tournament will take place tomorrow at noon. Thank you very much for your attention.
Her tone left no room for objections.
Kael watched as the Sins accepted the decision without protest. Some nodded. Others looked eager. Others… simply indifferent.
And it was in that moment that Kael understood.
He had made the right decision by choosing Serenna as his right hand.
She saw farther than he could see.
She thought faster.
And she never hesitated.
Shortly afterward, several maids entered the room. Their steps were silent, almost reverent. Each one positioned herself next to one of the Sins, bowing respectfully and indicating the way to their rooms.
One by one, the warriors left the hall.
When the echo of their footsteps faded, Serenna approached Kael.
— Your room is already prepared, my King.
Kael nodded and followed her.
The castle seemed endless. Hallways of black stone, torches illuminating ancient symbols, enormous doors hiding secrets. When they arrived, Kael found himself in a room that exceeded any expectation: spacious, elegant, silent.
When Serenna withdrew and the door closed, exhaustion hit him like a hammer.
He collapsed onto the bed.
And fell into a deep sleep.
— My lord… my lord… please wake up…
A sweet voice pulled him from sleep.
Kael opened his eyes slowly.
Morning light filtered through the curtains, bathing the room in golden tones.
Very close to his face was a small maid with purple eyes, watching him attentively, as if she feared he would disappear if she blinked.
Kael startled and jumped back slightly, causing the young woman to retreat in alarm.
— Oh! I-I'm sorry, my lord —she said, bowing quickly—. Forgive me for startling you.
— No, no —Kael replied, waving his hands—. It's my fault. I fell asleep. Sorry for making you waste time coming to wake me.
The maid lowered her gaze, visibly blushing. Her fingers nervously intertwined in front of her apron.
— It's no trouble at all, my lord… actually, it's an honor to be able to wake you. Besides… —she murmured almost inaudibly— what the others said was true. The King is very young… and handsome.
— Huh? —Kael blinked— What did you say?
— N-nothing! —she exclaimed immediately—. Forget what I just said.
And she hurried out of the room, closing the door with more force than necessary.
Kael stared at the ceiling.
— Handsome…? —he murmured, completely confused.
After getting ready, changing, and clearing his mind, Kael left the room.
Serenna was already waiting for him in the hallway, impeccable as always.
— It's time, my King —she said with a faint smile—. The tournament is about to begin.
Kael took a deep breath.
And together they headed to the place where the combats of the Seven Deadly Sins would begin.