Unlike the previous rules where there would be a one-on-one fight amongst the Kings' Champions and the winner would be the one with the most victories, now the Gods' Tomb Champion Contest became a battle royale.
And that wasn't all. The rules also allowed for every King to have not one but two Champions representing them.
"Since all the other Royals sided with King Bork, that meant I will have to face multiple opponents at the same time." A slight frown appeared on Ezequiel's face when he spoke those words and went through the information about the other Champions.
"You are correct. Fourteen Kings participate in the Gods' Tomb Champion Contest, including me, which means you will have to face twenty-six enemies alone. Technically, I should also have the chance to send an extra Champion, but they put a deadline to enroll any new fighter, which was already over by the time I discovered the changes in the rules."
Anyone else would be frustrated and full of wrath by the flagrant cheats the other party put in the contest, but Roku spoke of them without any change in his expression.
The idea of whining about his enemies' tricks and asking for the higher-ups of the empire to correct things never crossed Roku's minds. His wits were inferior to those of King Bork, and he knew there was no one else to blame but him.
Ezequiel nodded before carrying on with his investigation.
'In the end, all of the other Champions are Peak Rank 5 life forms with Inner Law Dimension already formed. None of them have offensive power weaker than an Early Hollow Sun Domain existence. While they lack in physical defense and endurance, the battle would not be one of attrition.'
The Supreme Neo-Demon could not activate the Neo Prima-Rebirth Domain on his own, and even if by activating his full power, he could reach the Late Primary Sun Domain Stage, that state would drain him in less than a minute.
There was also the possibility that the other Kings' Champions could decide to go all out from the beginning. If every single opponent were to burn his life force and they all launched suicide attacks, the Supreme Neo-Demon would have a hard time keeping his life.
After a few minutes, a decisive light appeared in Ezequiel's eyes, but before committing to anything, there was a question he needed to solve.
"Tell me, if I were to defeat all the other Champions, how sure are you that the Kings would accept it and name you the winner? It is clear that they are not worried about hiding their deceitful behavior, so they could easily distort the truth and use some excuse to take away our victory."
When Roku heard that, he displayed a small smile at the Supreme Neo-Demon.
"You only need to worry about winning the Gods' Tomb Champion Contest. If you do, I guarantee that the Aeternum Emperor's title will soon be mine as the right to enter the Astral Chaos Pagoda."
The Supreme Neo-Demon saw the confidence and resolution in Roku's eyes, and after a moment, he nodded.
"I will fight. We need to discuss the matter about my payment."
Since the danger of the mission was greater, the reward also needed to be improved. Roku understood that, and the duo began to discuss.
...
In a different castle inside the Aeternum Empire's capital, a group of powerful Magi was having a great party. They all wore majestic royal robes, but only one of them had a crown over his head.
He had the appearance of a middle-aged man, with long black hair, green eyes, and a powerful aura that hid monstrous greed and unlimited ambition.
This man was a legendary existence who had lived for dozens of thousands of years and whose epic feats awarded him many titles. He was King Bork.
All the other Royals surrounded King Bork, hailing him to the point of worship, like chickens praising a peacock.
"Allow me to be the first person to congratulate you, future Emperor Bork!" A fat King roared those words, making them echo through the room.
He was a Supernova Domain existence, but his unstable soul force and impure life force clearly showed he reached this level depending greatly on external help. His true power was nowhere near the last stage of Rank 6, nor was his life span.
Even though the only ones in the room were people on King Bork's side, the fat Royal's words were dangerous as people could interpret them as a sign of betrayal against the current Emperor.
However, none of the Kings showed the slightest distress since they were completely sure of their side's victory and rise.
King Bork put on a modest expression when he heard the fat Royal's praise but did not bother to hide the greed and amusement in his eyes. It was clear he was having a great time.
"Brother, when you become the Emperor, be sure to remember your old fellows." Another Royal raised a glass of wine in the name of King Bork and spoke those words.
Before King Bork could respond, the enthusiastic fat Royal yelled.
"Of course, future Emperor Bork will remember his friends, as well as his enemies, like that stupid brat!"
When he spoke those last words, the fat Royal's face went red, intending to show the others his hate and contempt.
"Hmph, Roku, the son of a Royal Harem's whore dared to strive for the Emperor's position. He should have been put down just like his mother!"
While the other Kings gave soft nods to the fat Royal, many felt nothing but contempt when they heard those words coming from someone who only knew how to speak from the others behind their back and would never dare to say those words in their faces.
The tale about Roku's origin was not unknown by the Kings. He was the son of a mortal woman who one day had the bad luck of catching the eye of a Royal.
Like thousands before and after him, Roku was a bastard born with the Aeternum Empire's Royal Bloodline.
His heritage did not provide any help. On the contrary, it put a target on his back, and the small boy endured humiliations every day of his life.
However, that boy never surrendered. He always remained strong regardless of the pain and torment. Even after losing his only family before he reached the tender age of ten, he kept pushing forward and insisted on defying his fate.
Unfortunately, despite the small boy's willpower, his talent was mediocre, and the chances of him even reaching Rank 2 were scarce.
Everybody that knew him thought he would be like the other countless bastards, perishing without ever breaking the chains that bound him from the moment he was born.
Sometimes, no matter your willpower, no matter how much you want it or how much you fight for it, things will not change.
Nevertheless, there were times when something unique happened, and all your sacrifice and hard work paid off.
That was the case with Roku. After turning thirteen, the boy displayed a talent that allowed him to evolve from an insignificant lizard into a fierce dragon, capable of crushing every obstacle on his path with raw power.
