“Everybody’s watching,” I say. “And I do mean everybody.”

  Xyll’s four generals have made an imaginary box around me, each one standing in a corner. The demon king himself is directly in front of me, choosing their next course of action.

  Seconds tick away without anyone saying anything, even the crowd has grown deathly quiet.

  I speak up again, “Which idea did you go with?” Xyll’s face does not change, going through the options they discussed if I actually attempted to do this. Probably. I would have discussed it, but I am paranoid beyond belief. “Me personally, I’ll shamelessly admit I stole the sword one.” I add in a whisper, “I’ll cut you in on the profits if you cover for me.”

  A subdued snicker comes out of Xyll’s shadow. Xyll responds to that with a soft growl.

  Falrilliat breaks the opposition’s silence, “Sire.” A simple push for Xyll to decide. Or act. But they know how that’ll go.

  Xyll takes the advice. “Did you really leave your Guild?” I shrug and make one of those ‘what can you do’ faces.

  Yilivin follows, “Vrih is to be ousted as Head. Is that true?”

  “Not decided yet. I cautioned against it.”

  “Why?” Xyll asks.

  “Don’t really like it when people make threats on my behalf.”

  “What do you plan to accomplish?”

  “What everyone is—become Demon King. No rules against my participation. I was meticulous to a fault.”

  Cassmus laughs. “Your Majesty, I believe we’ve lost this battle.” He then addresses me, “But there is more of those to come.”

  Xyll boosts his voice, louder than the announcer, shaking the stadium, “Lucius of Earth has deemed it necessary to challenge my position. As with anyone else, his challenge is indisputable.” The demon king’s lips curl up. “And thoroughly welcomed.”

  Tendrils of shadow wrap around the five, teleporting them away. I am now alone, hundreds of thousands of eyes locked onto me.

  An official blinks next to me. “Uhm... Sir? Would you like to address the audience?” I affirm. “Can you...” I affirm again.

  My voice is amplified, only enough to be heard by all. “Some of you must be wondering why I am here. Some of you don’t want me to be.” Murmurs start to spread. “I am here to do two things—prove something to you and prove something to myself.”

  Sensing that I won’t be adding anything more, the announcer’s voice sounds out, now recovered, “There you have it. What mysterious goals does the traveler from another world have for ours? Will he last long enough to share them? Judging by his performance in the Maw, he just might. We might also get the privilege of seeing our king defend his title. But those are big ‘might’s’, as both our other contenders and our great generals stand in Lucius’ way.” There is a brief pause. “I’ve been informed that Lucius has a decision to make. As his participation can be considered contentious, our king has given him a choice, rather than leaving this to chance. Do you wish to fight in a preliminary match or not?”

  “I do.”

  “An honorable choice, indeed.”

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  As the announcer continues with the wrap-up, the official next to me blinks us away. After professional goodbyes are exchanged, I warp back home.

  I am captured immediately. Elisa sighs in relief, holding me tight. “Don’t you dare apologize.”

  “What did you think?” I instead ask.

  “Less showing off next time.”

  “Was that a ‘more’? I heard ‘more’.”

  “Dummy... But you were right.”

  “And so were you.”

  “Mm-hm. Telling it straight has always worked for me so far. Every time I haven’t... I regretted it.”

  “Elisa.”

  “Hmm?”

  “I love you.”

  “Uh-huh, thanks. Me too.” As a smile starts appearing on my face, so does a blush appear on hers. “Don’t listen to my heartbeat!”

  “What happened to telling it straight?”

  Elisa grumbles in response and lets me go. “Alright. If that’s what you want, I’m collecting the strongest people I know, and we are watching your matches. Physically. So ask your new friends to scoot on over tomorrow. ...I now see how that could be counterproductive.”

  “Too late. No takebacks.”

  “Just to remind you, you are fighting for the fate of the world.”

  “‘Demon King Lucius’ has a really nice ring to it.”

  “I’m going to eat the delicious dinner I made. Join me when you’re done fantasizing.”

  I follow after her. “Ruling together with my Archmage Queen, Her Majesty Elisa of Deepgrove.”

  She stops. “Actually...”

  “Don’t play along with the joke. It ruins it.”

  The elf grins at me. “No takebacks, My King.”

  It’s my turn to grumble.

  ***

  A warp portal creates a seam in space. It pulls it apart, revealing four demons and one dragon. Out of the portal steps Elisa, like she owns the place. A haughty huff is directed in Xyll’s general direction. We came to a compromise, so it’s only her that is physically present. But the rest are watching intently.

  It’s a miracle the balcony hasn’t collapsed under the amount of pure spite the elf is exuding.

  As if hearing my thoughts, Elisa stops the act and says, “Thank you for preparing me a seat.” She warps in an unnecessary cushion for herself and sits.

  Xyll greets back, “Archmage.”

  The generals direct outwardly polite nods at her. Inwardly? I cannot say. Not just yet.

  “Get ready to love him by the end of this,” Elisa says. Cassmus scoffs, offended beyond belief. “You’re already there.” The old demon’s lips tug up, his eyes reflecting the amusement he barely tried to hide.

  Xyll keeps it on business. “You miscalculated.”

  “Did we?”

  “How will it look if you interfere. Your legitimacy will be gone. It’s me against him.”

  Elisa chuckles. “If I thought Lucius would lose, I wouldn’t have let him participate. But that’s not important. You are misunderstanding. I have no qualms about interfering.” A pulse of intent combined with power radiates out of her form, quickly falling off in intensity so it doesn’t affect the audience.

  She put her all in that one. Probably. I am currently waiting for the start of my match somewhere in the bowels of the stadium, so I can only judge by reactions.

  The tension is broken.

  “What’s that armor?”

  “Ahem.”

  “Oh shush, you. Think of it as gathering info. Big fan, by the way.”

  “Obviously,” Elisa says. She then equips her suit but without the helmet. “A present from Lucius. You can check it out.”

  “Present? Oh, wow. It feels like it wants to bite me.”

  “Behave, please.”

  “Ah. That kind of present. From the Maw?”

  “Yes.”

  “We should get Lucius to make us one too.” The other one turns back to Elisa. “Got a red crystal just lying around somewhere.”

  The first one asks, “Whose side are you on?”

  “I was instilling a false sense of security, so they’d drop their guards down. And now you’ve ruined my plan. Happy?”

  “I like you much more than your counterpart,” Elisa says. “He’s receptive to making you an armor, though he can’t guarantee it will be close to mine in... character.”

  A laugh escapes out of shadowy lips. “What’s the lead time? Less than a week?”

  “We can arrange something, but only if you drop the silly notion that Lucius is a bringer of death and decay.”

  “Not my idea.” He then turns to his literal caster.

  “Are you seriously pleading?” Xyll asks. The other one frantically nods his head. “No.”

  Xyll’s shadow turns back to Elisa. “What if I told you an embarrassing secret of his?”

  The elf hums. “Enticing.”

  “Sire,” Falrilliat simply prompts.

  With a mix between a sigh and a groan, Xyll’s shadow shakes his head. “Whatever. It’s starting, anyway.” He then leans against Xyll with some force, starting to pout.

  Four demons and a dragon try to ignore the smugly grinning elf. God, I love that woman so much.

  “Sir?”

  “Huh?”

  “It’s time.”

  “Right, sorry. I’m ready.”

  A teleport sets me in place.