Chapter 4

His highness, Alice and I were huddled on our side of the battlefield and were discussing who would participate first against the Belith House.

“You highness, what was the last thing that the head of the Belith House said to you? I couldn’t quite hear it.”

“Oh? Nothing too important Shiro-chan, I think it was something about a homemade chilli recipe that is spicy and yet easy on the digestive system hahaha!”

“...I am more than capable of preparing such a dish my lord.”

“*pat* I know Alice-chan, now then, what to do? Kuro still isn’t here yet.”

“Oh!? Looks like the head of the Belith House has taken to the stage folks! You know what they say, a good leader, leads from the front!”

We glanced over the battlefield and spotted the head of the Belith House make for the centre and then proceed to stand arms folded and bolt upright. Despite being of an average build and height, we could all feel a presence that towered over the whole arena, emanate in our direction.

“Yikes! Looks like this isn’t going to be easy”

“Your highness, I shall go first, I’m sure I will be able to…”

“N’aw, We will need your near limitless spiritual power to deal with the vassals after we defeat the head Shiro-chan.”

“...Allow me to venture forth my lord.”

“No, your abilities are too valuable to show off this early my little Alice.”

“B-but your highness, the same can be said for you, we all agreed that you would not feature until we reached the top 4 households and made it to the semi-finals.”

“...Shiro-san is correct my lord.”

“Ahahahaha, well I can’t lie and say that’s not the case. However, neither of you have gone up against a Dragon Monarch or wielder of said being before. I can’t throw my two best gals into the deep end like that, now can I?”

Both myself and Alice made eye contact and showed surprised expressions.

“Y-your highness, you mean that…”

“Yup! I don’t know how, but I can somehow feel something akin to Bahamut-san, residing within our straight-edged friend over there.”

“A-all the more reason your highness…”

“Nah, I think I will start things off, Who knows, maybe a spectator or observing Princess will be enamoured with my performance and fall madly in love with me ahahaha.”

Following this last lighthearted remark from his highness, his expression changed into an uncharacteristically serious one and he began to make his way to the centre of the battlefield. I attempted to give chase but was stopped by Alice, who gave me an equally uncharacteristic reassuring smile.

“W-what’s this!? It looks like the head of the Seir house, Prince Seir himself, is going to be starting things off for his side today. I wonder where Kuro is? N-not that I care where he is or anything!?”

“Hahahahahahaha, we all know that you love Nero, Sabrina!”

“Haha, yeah! We’ve all seen those pictures in Hell Weekly Magazine!”

“S-shut up! You guys should be more concerned with what’s happening between our two competitors! I’ve already released an official statement on Ditter explaining what happened! Remember everyone, you can all follow me @DTVSabrina on Ditter and the same on DSpace.”

“Nobody uses DSpace anymore hahahahahaha!”

“S-shut up! I-it looks like Prince Seir has finally reached the centre of the field!”

His highness was finally face to face with the head of the Belith House. Both were beginning to release bloodlust and demonic energy.

I watched as his highness starred down the head of the Belith House and made a mental note to ensure that I give a Miyabi-esque telling off to Kuro, when he finally makes an appearance...

Kuro’s POV

I’ve been flying for hours, I’ve seen the sun rise and fall once already. Throughout this hugely uncomfortable journey, I have done nothing but pray that the summit clash was an evening one. I was in such a rush to leave the village, that I didn’t have much time to confirm any details other than the opponent.

“Master! I think we are almost there.”

I squinted ahead and could just make out the vast landscape of the summit vicinity. The sun was beginning to set once again, so the location was lit up by every colour in the rainbow. The sight itself was breathtaking, I made a mental note to show this view to Shiro, if I get the chance somewhere down the line.

All of our summit clashes have taken place in the Asmodeus Arena. I directed Morgana towards it and could hear the sound of cheering and applause coming from it’s direction. As I got closer, I could make out Sitri’s voice on the mic and despite sighing with discontent, was beginning to feel more and more relieved.

“Whooooa! So many people Master!”

“A-are you gonna be ok Morgana? You can let me down just outside the arena if you want.”

“No, I’ll be fine as long as you’re with me Master!”

Morgana nestled on my shoulder and we drew ever closer to the arena. Just before we reached directly over the battlefield, I felt something that sent a chill down my spine.

“Wahahahahahaha, looks like you will no longer be able to hide my existence foolish boy. That is if, you want to stand a chance of winning.”

“Muahahahaha, silence old fool! M-master will only require the use of my witch…”

“Give it a rest you two! Damn, why, why did it have to be...”

We were finally directly above the open air arena. I spotted Seir standing face to face with someone from the opposing household. I couldn’t see their face clearly because they were wearing a helmet. However, I knew who it was, there was no doubt about it. The glimmering navy blue sword, the military like posture and the “melons” were a dead giveaway.

We stopped high above the arena.

“Morgana, let us down next to Shiro and Alice ok?”

“...”

“Morgana?”

Just then I felt the broom vanish from beneath me. Morgana had disappeared too. The amount of people below us must have been too much for her after all. I didn’t have time to worry about her though. As soon as the broomstick disappeared, I began plummeting to the battlefield below me.

“W-wings old man! How do I use your wings!?”

“Wahahahahahaha, are you sure foolish boy? I thought that you wanted to hide my power?”

“D-damn it old man!”

“Wahahahahaha, materialising them will use up and discharge a lot of demonic energy. The whole arena may even turn to look at us, you sure about this foolish boy?”

“J-just tell me old man!”

The old dragon told me how to evoke his wings. The second I did, the whole arena was bathed in our combined red and black demonic energy. I had never evoked this much of the old dragon’s body before, so even I was taken aback by how crushing our combined power was. The whole arena went whisper quiet and everyone stared up in our direction.

Seir and his opponent glanced up at me, Seir showed a hint of surprise and then returned to his usual expression. His opponent on the other hand, showed an expression that I’d never seen her make before.

I began descending magnificently and made a beeline for Shiro and Alice. Well, that was the plan anyway...