Since they had sworn loyalty to me, I—without hesitation—assigned them heavy responsibilities. Their reward was their names, a sacred gift of power.
In the past, naming consumed an immense amount of my energy, but I had long since mastered control over my divine essence. Now, I could bestow names efficiently, limiting the flow of magicules to the bare minimum. Even so, the results of their evolution were beyond remarkable.
Gozer evolved into an Ox Demon, a Gyuki—a towering beast radiating brute might and endurance—while Mezer transformed into a Horse Demon, a Baki—swift, elegant, and charged with overwhelming magical energy. They had already been formidable before, but after this evolution, their strength exceeded my expectations by several magnitudes.
I crossed my arms, observing their transformation through the divine sense of judgment that only a Pharaoh could possess.
"Gozer, Mezer… your evolution has reached completion," I said calmly, my voice resonating like the sound of stone scraping across temple walls. "Your new forms suit the duties I have envisioned for you."
They both knelt, heads bowed. "We are honored, my King!"
Then, a quiet voice echoed within my mind.
«Question. Apply Grant Ability on the individual 'Gozer'? YES/NO»
Solarys—Sovereign of Wisdom—my ever-present guide, spoke. Her tone was serene yet brimming with curiosity, as if she wished to see how far my divine authority could shape creation itself.
I smirked faintly. "So, you wish to experiment again, Solarys?"
«Affirmative. Conditions have been analyzed. Adaptability confirmed. Shall we proceed?»
"Proceed," I ordered.
«Report. Granting of Extra Skill Ultra-Fast Regeneration to individual 'Gozer'—Successful.»
Golden light enveloped Gozer. His aura pulsed with life energy that defied reason; wounds would no longer hinder him. Solarys' voice hummed in satisfaction.
«Further optimization possible. Reconfiguring secondary subject 'Mezer.'»
Moments later, Mezer trembled as waves of mana swirled around him.
«Granting of Extra Skill Magic Interference to individual 'Mezer'—Successful.»
I watched as his eyes shone with a dark, azure brilliance—his magic now capable of disrupting even the flow of enemy spells.
"Well done," I said. "One commands body and steel. The other, the flow of the arcane. Balance between you is perfect."
Yet Solarys wasn't finished.
«Additional effect granted. Both individuals have acquired Unique Skill: Limiter.»
I raised an eyebrow. "Limiter?"
«Affirmative. It manifests a confined domain to restrict an opponent's movements or abilities. While inferior to your divine technique Infinite Sanctuary, it retains strategic utility.»
I chuckled. "How fascinating… even your lesser work rivals most supreme spells. Very well."
If Gozer and Mezer mastered that skill, they could trap enemies within a battlefield of their own design—a confined space where even high-ranking beings could be pressured. With the right creativity, they could even establish rules—say, banning magic or limiting weapon strikes. Such adaptability was rare.
"Use this wisely," I told them. "Inside Eterna's Labyrinth, your task is not merely to defend, but to test the will of all who challenge us."
Gozer's voice thundered, "We will not fail, my King!"
Mezer followed, his tone cold but proud. "Any who enter shall know despair before glory."
Their loyalty pleased me. Yet despite all this, the two fools had apparently entered the Grand Tournament of Eterna to fight over a title—The Four Heavenly Kings.
Solarys' amused whisper echoed in my mind.
«Observation: Competitive spirit detected. Probability of internal conflict—eighty-three percent.»
I sighed softly. "Those two never learn. If they're going to fight, let it at least entertain the crowd."
Soon after, I heard they had even made a bet between themselves—the victor would claim the "Heavenly King" title, while the loser would become the boss of the fiftieth floor of the Labyrinth. Typical.
The atmosphere in the colosseum was electric. Souka, acting as the announcer, was in her element. Her voice boomed across the stands like a performer born to enthrall.
"THE NEXT OPPONENT IS THE ARCHRIVAL OF GOZER—MEZER! THEIR HUNDRED-YEAR DUEL HAS NEVER BEEN DECIDED! WILL TODAY FINALLY REVEAL THE STRONGEST BETWEEN THEM?! A WHIRLWIND OF POWER IS ABOUT TO SHAKE THE COLOSSEUM OF ETERNA!"
The crowd erupted into roars. Even I, sitting at the grand throne of the Pharaoh's Pavilion, could feel the tremors of excitement through the divine aura surrounding me.
Souka's words continued with fiery passion.
"AND LISTEN, EVERYONE! BOTH GOZER AND MEZER SHALL ALSO BE BOSSES IN THE DUNGEON THAT OPENS TOMORROW! WITNESS THEIR POWER, AND IF YOU DARE—CHALLENGE THEM IN THE DEPTHS OF THE LABYRINTH OF ETERNA!"
Her timing was impeccable. She wasn't just announcing the match—she was promoting the opening of the labyrinth itself.
I smiled faintly. "Clever girl," I murmured. "She's using their fame to lure challengers."
Many adventurers, I knew, would take that bait. Pride and greed often overrode reason. Still, it served Eterna's purpose perfectly—those who entered the labyrinth would grow stronger, and those who perished would feed its endless evolution.
I turned my gaze back to the arena. "Now, let us see how they perform. Their pride as my subordinates is on the line."
Souka's voice carried once more.
"AND NEXT—THE MYSTERIOUS MASKED MAN WHO AMAZED EVERYONE YESTERDAY! IS HE A SEEKER OF JUSTICE, OR THE DEVIL'S OWN HAND? THE LION-MASKED WARRIOR TAKES THE STAGE!"
The crowd leaned forward. I raised my cup, but the moment my eyes fell on that masked man—PFFF!—I spat my drink.
"Souei!" I exclaimed, wiping my mouth, my tone a mix of disbelief and irritation.
Souei's calm voice replied beside me, "Yes… I believe we're both thinking the same thing, my Pharaoh."
We didn't have to say his name. Both of us knew exactly who it was behind that ridiculous lion mask.
I sighed deeply, rubbing my temples. "Diablo…"
Souei nodded in silence.
Of all the beings in Eterna, my most troublesome subordinate decided to enter the tournament in disguise—after proclaiming earlier that the contestants weren't even "worthy of entertaining me."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "That fool has no sense of moderation."
Solarys' voice teased gently in my mind.
«Observation: Subject Diablo demonstrates consistent behavioral pattern—arrogance bordering on amusement.»
"I noticed," I muttered. "Let's see what kind of chaos he stirs this time."
The crowd cheered wildly, oblivious to the storm they were about to witness.
The arena roared with life, an ocean of voices thundering in anticipation. The banners of Eterna shimmered across the stands, the golden emblem of the Eye of Horus glinting under the sunlight. The air itself seemed to hum with reverence, for today was no ordinary day — today, the Pharaoh himself would preside.
I scanned the stands from the royal booth and saw a familiar-looking trio in the crowd, shouting and cheering for the Lion-Mask — though "cheering" might have been an overstatement. The slim one with the earring, the muscular one with the nose ring, and the round, pudgy one with a mouth ring — Dagruel's sons, without a doubt. Their shirts read things like "Shion Fan Club" and "Shion 4 Life." I sighed.
Even in this world, foolishness takes many forms.
After that incident where Shion beat them to the ground, the three had somehow become her most devoted fans. Perhaps they mistook humiliation for affection. It was none of my concern — but I pitied them. They had no idea what kind of "beauty" they were worshipping. Let them learn the hard way.
"Souei," I said calmly, my eyes fixed on the trio, "why are those three cheering for Lion-Mask?"
"Because, Lord Atem, Lion-Mask defeated them yesterday."
"…I see." My expression didn't change, but the aura around me grew colder. "They were careless, then. Those fools still lack discipline."
Though their techniques were poor, I could sense their power — vast, though untamed. For Lion-Mask to defeat them, his strength was not ordinary. That could only mean one thing: his true identity was far from trivial.
Shion crossed her arms with irritation. "Tch. They really let me down."
I smirked faintly. "Then train them harder next time. They need to understand that power without control is worthless."
Indeed, it was an unfortunate draw for them — to be matched against an ex–Demon Lord who revered martial strength above all. They had no chance. Fate had not been kind.
As the crowd's noise rose again, Souka's voice echoed across the arena through the amplified sound crystal.
"—NEXT, AN ANONYMOUS MESSAGE WAS LEFT FOR THE CONTESTANT, LION-MASK! 'PLEASE DO YOUR BEST IN MY STEAD! DO NOT REVEAL YOUR TRUE IDENTITY. BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR CONQUEST!'"
I tilted my head slightly. Anonymous? No, I could sense Milim's chaotic magic all over that note.
Souka was smirking — she knew exactly who it came from. Milim, ever the restless one, must have sent a substitute to compete in her place. Amusing.
Veldora, on the other hand, was thankfully absent. He was busy helping Milim and Ramiris with the new structure beneath Eterna — a labyrinth of unfathomable scale. That was good. If he had shown up here, the tournament grounds might not have survived his excitement.
"Now," I murmured, resting my chin on my hand, "let us see how this unfolds."
Lion-Mask's power intrigued me. I suspected that only one among the contestants could stand on equal footing — Geld, my loyal guardian. His strength was unparalleled among the Orcs, a being who had carved his own destiny through sheer will.
Still, I found myself curious — what would happen if Masayuki crossed paths with Lion-Mask? That man had potential far beyond his understanding, but he lacked the will to use it. Perhaps this tournament would change that.
Souka's voice rose again, louder this time:
"OUR NEXT CONTESTANTS ARE THE PROUD LIEUTENANTS OF THE ETERNA FEDERATION! THEIR POWER IS THAT OF A THOUSAND MEN! SHOULD YOU DEFEAT THEM, YOU MAY EARN A PLACE AMONG THE PHARAOH'S FOUR DIVINE GUARDIANS!"
The crowd went wild. I raised a brow.
"'Four Divine Guardians,' hmm?" I whispered dryly. "I never approved that title."
Shion, however, looked proud. The monsters of Eterna seemed to take it seriously — their gazes toward Gobta and Geld were full of admiration.
Souka continued:
"OUR FIRST CONTESTANT, GOBTA! THE ELITE SOLDIER WITH AN UNMATCHED SPIRIT! THIS YOUNG PRODIGY HOLDS THE POSITION OF CENTURION. WHAT SORT OF FIGHT WILL HE GIVE US?!"
Gobta's face went pale. Even from here, I could see the beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he looked at Lion-Mask beside him. I almost felt bad for him. Almost.
"...Poor fool," I murmured, folding my arms. "He doesn't realize what awaits him."
Still, perhaps adversity would force out his latent potential. I had seen it before — desperation unlocking something primal within the soul.
Next up was Geld.
"AND FINALLY, OUR ACE — THE SAVIOR OF THE HIGH ORCS, GELD-SAMA! THE UNBREAKABLE GUARDIAN OF THE ETERNA FEDERATION!"
Souka's tone changed instantly — full of weight and reverence. Even I nodded slightly in approval. Geld's reputation was well-earned. Few beings embodied loyalty and endurance as perfectly as he did.
"All eight contestants have gathered!" Souka cried. "WHO WILL EMERGE VICTORIOUS? THE MOMENT OF TRUTH BEGINS!"
I rose from my seat. It was time.
The crowd erupted as I extended my hand and summoned a Golden Portal — a ring of ancient hieroglyphs spinning into existence. A surge of divine energy rippled through the arena as I stepped through, descending onto the stage beside Shion.
The instant my feet touched the ground, the air itself grew heavy. My Pharaoh's Aura radiated outward — ancient, commanding, absolute. The spectators fell silent, their excitement fading into awe.
"Wh—whoa…" someone gasped.
"Th-that's Lord Atem's divine pressure…" another whispered.
I let them feel it — the weight of authority that could bend the will of kings. My eyes glowed faintly gold beneath the sunlight as I spoke.
"Contestants," my voice thundered, smooth yet absolute, "hear me. The one who triumphs today shall earn more than glory — they shall earn a place among my chosen, a citizen of Eterna, and the right to stand under my banner."
The crowd erupted again, but I silenced them with a gesture — a mere wave of my hand, and the arena fell quiet once more.
I turned toward Masayuki, who seemed to shrink slightly under my gaze.
"Masayuki, the so-called Chosen Hero. If you win, I shall grant you the right to challenge me directly."
His expression froze — not in excitement, but dread. The poor boy didn't realize what that promise truly meant.
Next, my eyes fell upon his companion, the so-called Crazed Wolf, Jinrai.
"You," I said evenly, "state your wish."
Souka passed the microphone to him. Jinrai straightened, though I could see the tremor in his shoulders.
"Ha! Didn't think the great Pharaoh would talk to me. My only wish is to help Masayuki. I won't be champion — he'll beat you for me."
The crowd chuckled softly. I did not.
Instead, I smiled — faint and sharp. "Then your loyalty is your strength. In recognition of that, I will have my people craft new armor for you — forged from Orichalcum itself. Accept it, warrior. Not as a bribe… but as the Pharaoh's acknowledgment."
Jinrai blinked in surprise. "Hmph. Since it's free, I'll take it — but don't think that buys my respect."
"Respect is not bought," I replied calmly, "it is earned. And we shall see whether you are worthy of it in due time."
The golden light of my aura shimmered briefly before fading, leaving behind an almost divine stillness. The crowd was utterly silent, hanging on every word.
And with that, the opening ceremony of Eterna's grand tournament truly began.
The Pharaoh had spoken — and none dared to question his command.