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. Will condensed into flesh, bone, and sin.
Kael could feel it on his skin, like an invisible pressure running down his back. They weren't simple warriors. They were forces destined to exist alongside the Demon Lord... 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 he had arrived in this world, he didn't feel completely alone.
He leaned slightly toward her and spoke in a low voice, just enough for only Serenna to hear.
– Serenna... is there any way we can see their power? Something that allows us to know what they are capable of.
It wasn't just curiosity.
It was fear.
Kael needed to know how deep the abyss he was stepping into was.
He needed to understand if he could lead them... or if he was already condemned 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 replied 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 made a brief pause— we will 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 took a step forward and cleared his throat, clearing his voice before addressing them again.
— I know we just met —he said firmly, though inside he fought against the tremor—, but I think the best way to know who you really 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 each other.
They measured each other.
They analyzed each other.
None of them seemed to really know each other.
And none seemed willing to obey another without proof of strength.
Some smiled with disdain. Others maintained 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 capable of. A tournament is the only fair way to decide who will lead this group... of course, always below you.
His golden eyes fixed on 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 tense.
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 of everyone in that room. His power was immature. His control, unstable. And his experience... minimal.
A notification rang in his mind.
«Mission assigned: Choose a captain for the group of the Deadly Sins.
Reward: 100 points.»
Kael swallowed hard.
The system gave him no options.
Only paths.
— So... -asked Magnus, crossing his arms—, how will the tournament be?
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 combats.
Some of the sins seemed to get excited.
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 combats 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 adequate arena for this type of event —she continued— The matchups will be decided at random. 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 seemed anxious. Others... simply indifferent.
And it was at that moment that Kael understood.
He had made the right decision in choosing Serenna as his right hand.
She saw farther than he could see.
She thought faster.
And she didn't hesitate.
Shortly afterward, several maids entered the room. Their steps were silent, almost reverent. Each one placed herself next to one of the Sins, bowing with respect and indicating the way to their rooms.
One by one, the warriors left the room.
When the echo of their steps disappeared, Serenna approached Kael.
— Your room is already ready, my King.
Kael nodded and followed her.
The castle seemed endless. Corridors of black stone, torches illuminating ancient symbols, huge 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 let himself fall onto the bed.
And he fell into a deep sleep.
— My lord... my lord... please wake up...
A sweet voice pulled him from sleep.
Kael slowly opened his eyes.
The 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 gave a small jump backward, causing the young woman to retreat alarmed.
— Oh! I-I'm sorry, my lord —she said, bowing quickly—. Forgive me for scaring 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... in fact 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 rushed 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 corridor, impeccable as always.
— It's time, my King -she said with a slight 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.