Chapter 54…….
Not long after sending the letter to the demon realm, a reply from Mephisto arrived quickly.
Far more cheerfully than expected, he accepted the terms and declared he would participate fairly in the competition to determine the princess’s fiancé.
Not only Emperor Leodian and Roziana, but nearly everyone was shocked at his acceptance.
That cruel and merciless ruler of the demon realm—coming to Dreath for a competition? No one could quite believe it.
“Your Highness, shouldn’t we prepare for an emergency?”
Fiona, following Roziana, asked as she took her cloak.
The princess and her knights, along with Dreath’s knights, had been learning nullification magic from the Tower Master. Until moments ago, they had been training together at the drill hall, and by the time they returned to the palace, the sky was already dark.
Though they had joined training later than the other knight orders, Roziana’s group mastered the Tower Master’s magic faster than anyone. Removing one of her white gloves and handing it to Fiona, Roziana replied:
“There’s no need to worry about that, Fiona.”
Her resolute, elegant voice rang through the corridor. Mari, Angela, and Thomas—all quietly following behind—listened attentively.
The most pressing issue was, after all, Mephisto’s participation.
The tournament to determine the princess’s fiancé was now less than a hundred days away.
“Why not worry?”
“Because the chokers will handle everything.”
“Chokers? You mean the tight collars for the neck?”
“That’s right.”
Roziana’s “trio”—Leona, Angela, and Thomas—like Mari, had failed to protect her from Mephisto before. Naturally, they were on high alert at his entry.
“Oh! I heard the nobles gasped in admiration when Your Highness unveiled that plan at the council! So that was the chokers?”
“We heard it too. Even the knight captains were impressed.”
At Angela’s words, Fiona and Thomas nodded.
“Yes. Everyone was surprised. Father and I had prepared this plan from the start as a contingency.”
This was only possible because Edwin was on Dreath’s side.
After losing his cage and suffering a great humiliation at Mephisto’s hands, Edwin naturally wanted revenge, and he had promised to help Leodian support Roziana’s will.
“I’ll explain it to you as well. Mari, fetch those boxes from the shelf.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Mari brought a beautifully decorated box gilded in gold from the shelf above Roziana’s drawer. Roziana opened it before Mari and the trio.
“Wow.”
The three let out a gasp.
Inside were dozens of chokers of various sizes, glittering with beauty.
Sleek golden collars, their edges ornate and delicate, each with a small transparent crystal set in the center that gleamed brilliantly.
“Every candidate must wear one to participate. The moment it’s put on, it will tighten to fit the wearer’s neck and won’t come off until the tournament ends. During the competition, no force can remove it.”
Despite such terrifying functionality, the necklaces looked only beautiful. The trio’s eyes shone with fascination.
“With these chokers, candidates can’t use offensive magic on one another. If anyone breaks the rules, the choker will constrict and put them into temporary unconsciousness. A severe violation will strip them of their powers entirely.”
“It… constricts the neck?”
Their startled faces were priceless.
Even Mari stiffened.
It meant a participant could lose not only their powers but even their life through the tournament.
“So it’s literally a leash to make sure candidates compete fairly.”
“Exactly, Mari. But it’s only a safeguard. I don’t believe it’ll actually constrict anyone.”
Roziana smiled gracefully. Though beautiful, the chokers’ power was deadly.
“That such a thin necklace holds such power is astonishing!”
The trio marveled again. Clearly, Edwin hadn’t become Tower Master just from living long. His magic was truly genius.
“But, isn’t the Tower Master himself also a candidate? Won’t that be unfair?”
Mari asked.
“Some do think that way.”
It was obvious why she, as Asterios’s shadow, paid closer attention.
“Some even say this is just a way for Dreath’s emperor to take the Tower Master as his son-in-law.”
If Edwin had been intended as the fiancé, there would’ve been no need for this troublesome process at all.
“That’s why the tournament is structured in three rounds. Only candidates who pass each mission move on. In the end, only those with undeniable ability will remain.”
The contest was, after all, to win a place as the princess’s consort—chosen not just by her, but by the emperor and empress as well.
“And everyone knows the third round will ultimately be our family’s choice. They’ll accept it.”
“That’s true!”
Accordingly, Emperor Leodian, Empress Ariana, and Roziana had secretly prepared the trial topics for each round. Crown Prince Alex and Prince William would watch and serve as advisors for the final decision.
“I can’t wait to see who wins Your Highness’s heart!”
The trio’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Roziana’s lips curved upward.
“Neither can I.”
“The tournament will be held over three rounds, each with different trials. Those who succeed advance to the next round.”
Mari visited Asterios’s room and relayed what she had just heard from Roziana.
To her surprise, Izeph was sitting beside him.
“The final decision, after the three rounds, will be made by Their Majesties and the princess.”
Asterios’s expression shifted to one of deep interest.
He too seemed curious to know who would be chosen.
“Your Excellency, what if someone refuses to accept the result?”
Mari couldn’t help but worry.
“Even with rules and restraints, Mephisto and the Tower Master aren’t the types to obey anyone quietly.”
“In another contest, perhaps. But this one begins only after all participants swear to accept the final decision without objection. They’ll have no choice.”
“So in the end, no matter the trials, it all comes down to who can win over Their Majesties and the princess.”
“Exactly.”
Asterios nodded.
Mari glanced at Izeph again, unsettled to see him here, sitting so naturally by Asterios.
“Izeph is also a fellow competitor.”
Asterios, noticing her gaze, explained. Mari blurted out in surprise:
“What?”
Smiling faintly, Asterios watched as Izeph spoke calmly across from him.
“The final one chosen by the imperial family will be me. I will not yield that place.”
“As if.”
Even a single line between them cut the air with icy tension. Why on earth were they sitting together? Mari couldn’t comprehend.
“But there’s one matter on which our goals align completely. That’s why we’ve joined hands.”
Asterios explained further, as though giving her the answer.
“Mari, listen carefully. The one to watch out for in this competition isn’t Mephisto. He’s already ensnared by Roziana’s trap—practically a prisoner.”
Mari’s eyes widened.
“If not Mephisto, then who is dangerous?”
She looked between them, waiting for Asterios’s answer, then turned to Izeph.
Surely this had something to do with why he was here.
What had made Asterios change his mind about Izeph, whom he’d once seen as nothing more than a powerless tool?
“…”
Something only Izeph knew.
“Could it be… someone from Graham?”
There were no restrictions on age, origin, or status for candidates.
“Yes.”
Asterios nodded.
So the troublesome great sage was returning?
“But the great sage isn’t really dangerous…”
Mari’s words trailed off as realization struck.
The sage was weak in combat, and he had already lost favor with Dreath’s emperor and princess.
Which left only one possible threat from Graham.
One with greater power and authority.
“Dreath set no restrictions—age, nationality, not even status.”
Which meant someone no one expected had chosen to act personally.
“No way…”
At last, Izeph gave the answer in a quiet voice:
“Yes. The Holy Pope of Graham himself will participate in this competition.”
Perhaps this was all part of Roziana’s greater design.
And the one who understood—and dared to make use of it—was now moving personally.
