Divine Beast Ascension

Groaning, Isaac almost bit off his lower lip in frustration. Everyone was startled to see Toseko suddenly whip out a golden scroll.

God Toseko unfurled the scroll and summarized, “This is one of the two scrolls we had prepared beforehand, the one to be signed if Toxic-shadow surpassed Nova in this exhibition. In short, it passes the right to rule and govern Rhyner Region to Toxic-shadow, forcing Nova to remove or surrender their personal resources and representatives from the region, with a follow-up investigation by the quadrant to make sure it happened cleanly and properly.

“But it also allows Nova to send two kings to excavate what remains inside the magicite mine, along with two kings from the quadrant as their escorts. The quadrant has already removed our portion of the magicite in the past few days, so the excavation will begin tomorrow. Any questions, Isaac, Treeda?”

“None, your omnipotence,” Treeda replied, taking out an extravagant feather quill and a tiny basin of red ink. “Where do I sign?”

“Your omnipotence, must we do this now, so suddenly and in front of everyone here?” asked Isaac.

But Treeda laughed, “Someone’s just mad that they made an effort to introduce themself as the prefecture lord a few days ago, only to lose the region immediately afterward.”

.....

Warak and Peimar both held back their laughter, but it was obvious on their faces. Again, Isla covered her face to hide her irked and embarrassed expression.

“Isaac, are you saying that you don’t trust the document that I had prepared?”

“No, your omnipotence!” Isaac dropped to one knee, bowing his head.

“Then why question the legitimacy of this document? It matters not whether the common people see you sign something from afar. They’re no longer your people, so stop trying to unnecessarily make yourself look good,” stated Toseko, pushing Peimar and Warak to the limit of their self-control. “If you have no complaints, then sign it at the bottom. If you wish to read it in full before doing so, that’s fine also, but make yourself clear.”

“At the bottom...” Treeda lifted the bottom half of the scroll, scanning over the deed with haste and scrutiny. A few seconds later, Treeda nodded, dipped her quill in the red ink, signed the document, then pricked her finger to offer a drop of blood. “Alright, Isaac, your turn.”

Hesitating, Isaac slowly approached the scroll. He took his time scouring over every sentence. Occasionally, he glanced up at God Toseko, who only offered a smile that Isaac failed to read.

Eventually, minutes later, Isaac took out his own ornate quill and a similar basin of red ink. Once his drop of blood hit the signature, it was absorbed to finalize the deed. The golden scroll became luminescent for a few seconds while the ink and words glowed burning red momentarily.

As the scroll returned to normal, Toseko put it away and bowed his head to Isaac in silence. Then, he bowed to Treeda, stating, “Now, Rhyner Region is officially yours, making Netra one of your candidates. She is allowed to join the second round but you may only field five candidates, so choose which of your other mortals you’re pulling out. I’ll inform Slazza and Narja who shall be removed from the list.”

Treeda bowed and asked, “Please, permit me to join my candidates below for a moment. I would like to break the news to them personally.”

“Of course.”

She lifted her head, grinning slyly at Isaac as she walked away. Treeda jumped to Zelsh, Rhyner, and the other kings present. At the same time, the candidates gathered with their respective kings.

Treeda smiled softly and quietly declared, “Rhyner, I first wish to welcome you back to Toxic-shadow Prefecture. Given your multiple affinities and growing talent, I’m glad to have you back.

“Now, for the real news. Netra, you’ve been permitted to fight in the second round under Toxic-shadow. But... that means I’ll need to drop someone else from the list,” Treeda sighed.

She glanced past Tilgron, Vant, and Korvik, but never let her gaze linger on them. Looking at the Permafrost Wyrm and the Stone Bull, Treeda sighed again, “Normally, I would base my choice on the results of today’s matches. But I believe that would be skewed, as your opponents were clearly not equal in strength. Jeeta, Gorbin, what is the record between you two?”

Smiling sincerely with no hesitation, the bull looked up at the massive wyrm. “Jeeta beats me two times out of three. I would bet on her over me.”

Nodding, Treeda agreed, “Then, that’s what we’ll do. Thank you for being honest, Gorbin. I still hold you in high regard and am excited to see you in the prefectural qualifier.”

“Thank you, Lord Treeda!” The bull dropped to one knee and bowed, elated to hear those words.

“Thank you, Lord Treeda,” Jeeta bowed her head as well. “I cannot guarantee victory, but I can guarantee that I’ll everything in my power to defeat my opponents.”

“I’m glad. Then, I’ll be returning to my seat. Get ready. They probably have the brackets prepared by now, apart from the quick change in your names.”

Treeda gave her contestants a kind half-bow before jumping back to the lords. “The Stone Bull will be sitting out.”

“Very well! Then let’s get on with the main event!” God Toseko laughed, slinking back into this chair. “Oh, and Isaac, would you like a new chair with armrests? Or are you comfortable?”

“... I’m quite comfortable, God Toseko.”

“Great! Then let’s take in the true exhibition!”

With the final orders passed down telepathically, Slazza and Narja returned to their posts. Narja leaped into the air and Slazza stood at the center of the arena.

Shouting, Slazza recaptured the audience’s attention, “EVERYONE! The bracket has been created, and the first match will begin immediately! There’s no need to draw lots and no need to stall any longer. It’s time for today’s main event!

“However, there’s one last thing we must do before the matches begin. We must introduce the final combatant, the candidate personally selected and sent by the quadrant!”