#526 The Contenders Appear

The main gate of the Dragon Emperor Castle is crowded with spectators.

This place looks more and more like an event venue already.

I wonder what kind of fun stuff is about to happen?

Wait, “fun stuff”?!

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my castle!”

A theatrical voice echoes from the upper part of the gates.

There, a man with a dignified bearing and a beautiful woman beside him stands.

“I am Ardheg, lord of the new Dragon Emperor’s Castle and king of all dragons!”

As he speaks, he transforms into his dragon form.

The powerful transformation wows the crowd.

“Take pride in being present on the day of my castle’s completion! You are blessed to witness its splendor! And today is a day to, er...!”

Ardheg is already running out of vocabulary.

His cover’s being blown.

“Perhaps he’s not accustomed to speaking high-handedly after all.”

“Why did they make him talk like that in the first place?!”

Who the heck tried to get Ardheg to address the audience in a way he doesn’t like?

I bet it was Veil!

I stand beside Alexander and look up at the flustered Ardheg.

“Ugh, what are you doing?! Pathetic!”

Then, another dragon with jet-black wings comes to his rescue.

The beautiful lady who had been standing next to Ardheg earlier had transformed.

“Listen up, lowly creatures! You don’t deserve to hear the words from the great Geyser Dragon himself! On his behalf, I, Bloody Mary, the most loyal dragon to the Dragon Emperor, and Dragon Empress, declare!” says the jet-black dragon with more power than Ardheg. “First of all, I will kill anyone who opposes my spouse, Lord Ardheg!”

And then, she hurls him out of nowhere.

“My husband is the ruler of the world! The top of the most powerful race! Not a single person should defy him! Learn that his enemies are also my enemies!”

“Um...Mary, could you be a little friendlier...?”

“Ergo, we have prepared this game for you to demonstrate Lord Ardheg’s power! Witness firsthand the scale of the new Dragon Emperor’s Castle under my husband’s reign and realize the horror of its master! That’s what today’s event is all about!”

“Acting more welcoming won’t hurt!”

Seeing Ardheg flustered by Bloody Mary’s behavior, everyone in the audience thought, “Oh, so that’s the kind of relationship they have.”

“His wife’s love for him is going out of control...”

“Tell me about it. It’s easy to let your feelings get ahead of yourself when you’re newlyweds.”

“All because of the dragon empress’ overbearing love...”

“That dragon emperor must have it rough...”

Everyone felt sympathetic towards the dragon emperor a little.

“...A-Anyway! I hope you enjoy yourselves to the fullest today! Let me introduce you to today’s stars!”

Though of breath, as Ardheg announced this, several people entered the stage-like area on the ground.

“They are the fierce warriors who have come forward to conquer the Dragon Emperor’s Castle! Welcome them with a round of applause!”

“Audacious fleas! Become sustenance to our love nest!”

As soon as the contestants (?) formed two distinct groups, I could tell that one group was from the human race and the other from the demon race. 

Each group had someone I knew.

In the human group, there’s only one person I recognize: Silver Wolf, an S-class adventurer.

Because he’s half-beast, his face is that of a wolf’s.  It’s not every day you see a face like his, so I remember him well.

Surrounding Silver Wolf is a variety of faces: a slender woman with cat ears, a large woman whose nose was like a pig’s, a cloaked man with scary ears, and an ordinary-looking person.

In the demon group, I recognize Aeshma, Leviasa, and Belphgamilia.

They have one more person with them, but I don’t know who they are.

“Wait... Aren’t those demons from...?!”

“Exactly, they’re from the Demon Army’s pride and joy—the Heavenly Four,” replies a voice from behind me.

When I turned back to see who it was, it was the Demon King. 

“You’re here to watch the match too, Demon King?!”

“I felt compelled to be present at such a big event. Not to mention, I’m also obliged to you and Ardheg, who have worked so hard to organize this.”

I mean...This whole thing blew up without me knowing, so...

That aside, I can’t believe the Heavenly Four are directly participating in this.

I guess the demons are sparing no expense if they’re sending out their army’s elite soldiers.

“This match is a necessary measure for the reform of our army. We must have the adventurers demonstrate their capabilities to gauge whether or not they are worthy of being entrusted with our job. That is why we must do our utmost. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense for us to make this proposal.”

The Demon King sure is as serious as ever.

Meanwhile, the people in the human group...

“They’re all S-class adventurers,” proudly explains Alexander. “Golden Bat, Silver Wolf, Black Cat, Brown Kato, and Pink Tonton are all first-class adventurers with their specialties and the best that the Adventurers’ Guild has to offer. They’re not a group to be messed with, even if their opponent is the Heavenly Four of the demon army.”

“So I’ve heard. They even surpass me, a king, in terms of popularity among the human race. If anything, I take this as a sign of their honor that they have sent out their best forces.”

The Demon King and Alexander exchange glances while letting out a bold chuckle.

But why is Alexander representing the human race?

Isn’t there a more suitable candidate?

You know, like the guildmaster of the Adventurer’s Guild or something?

“You have done well to gather here, brave warriors! You are the first guests and intruders in the new Dragon Emperor’s Castle!”

“And we will crush you all!!!”

Ardheg, still in his dragon form, proceeds with his little act.

This is a full-blown event at this point.

We might as well enjoy it, I guess.

“You will now enter the dungeon and go to the deepest part where I, the master of the castle, await you!”

“Naturally, I will also be there!”

“It’s a labyrinth inside the castle walls. You may take the path of your choice to reach me! There is a right path and a wrong one! Whoever has the ability to discern which is right and move forward shall emerge victorious!”

“And in the end, I will crush you all!”

...

Bloody Mary is starting to sound like noise...!

“If you wish to compete for superiority, how about the declared winner is the first who gets to the deepest part? But I’m warning you—the castle is full of traps. Do you think you can make it to the end?” provocatively says Ardheg.

Well, the truth is, that dungeon only turned out brutally, thanks to the modifications made by Veil, Alexander, and Bloody Mary.

It seems to be dotted with nefarious traps.

“We were asked to help out along the way.”

“Meow, that’s right!”

The Lifeless Kings Sensei and Professor?!

You also aided the castle’s creation?!

That dungeon looks more and more brutal to me now!

“As a result, I get to witness today’s festive activity. I’ve come to love festivities since I met you, Lord Saint.”

“Big events and cats are the boons of the world!!!”

I’m glad to hear that you two are enjoying themselves, but...!

“What?! Lifeless Kings?!”

“The new Geyser Dragon not only has dragon cronies but also immortal kings?!” 

“What authority...! It may be reckless to resist the new emperor after all!”

The spectating dragons are freaking out on their own again.

If Ardheg’s authority strengthens after this event, it’ll be like killing two birds with one stone.

“Now, the formalities are over! All that remains is for the match to begin! Open the gates and venture into my dungeon!”

With Ardheg’s declaration, the competition between the top members of the Demon King’s Army and adventurers officially began.

But then...!

“Wait a minute!”

Someone intervened.

“We won’t let the humans and demons single us out on such a fun event!”

That voice... It’s Platy.

“The mermaids are also voicing out their participation. We, the Six Witches, will prove that we are humanity’s best by trampling the Heavenly Four and the S-class adventurers!!!”