Devil Slave (Satan system)

Chapter 1192: The High Elf Test

Perseus’s attention snapped back as he noticed Tomato kneeling on the ground, her hands pressed to her chest. He pushed through the crowd, worry etched on his face as he knelt beside her. "Tomato, what’s wrong?" he asked, helping her back to her feet. "What happened?"

She took a shaky breath, her eyes scanning the faces around them, but something in her gaze was distant, troubled. "We’re not alone in this place," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "There’s a threat here."

Perseus’s expression hardened, his voice low and controlled. "What kind of threat?"

She looked up at him, her usually playful face now serious, her frown deepening. "Angels," she replied with a quiet intensity.

Perseus felt a chill run through him at the mention. He hadn’t expected this.

Meanwhile, further up in the royal procession, Luca’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of unease crossing his face. One of his wives, noticing his expression, leaned in and whispered, "What’s wrong?"

Luca’s expression softened as he gave a dismissive shake of his head, a gentle smile easing onto his face as he continued waving to the crowd. "Nothing, dear," he replied smoothly. But as his gaze drifted back over the crowd, his fingers subtly signaled one of the guards. The guard approached quietly, and Luca leaned in, whispering instructions into his ear.

The guard nodded and slipped away without a sound, vanishing back into the crowd to carry out Luca’s orders.

The royal family ascended to the luxury box in the arena, their presence commanded the attention of the entire assembly.

The Queen, adorned in robes that shimmered like woven starlight, took her place at the front of the balcony, her silver hair falling like a cascade over her shoulders, each strand glowing faintly with the essence of creation magic. Her crown gleamed with the delicate luster of ancient crystals, infused with the energies of generations of high elven rulers. With a graceful wave of her hand, she called for silence, and the lively hum of the arena fell to a reverent hush.

She surveyed the crowd with eyes that seemed to hold the weight of centuries, a gaze both gentle and fierce, as though she were beholding not only the faces of those gathered but the very soul of her people. When she finally spoke, her voice resonated like a melody, carrying to every corner of the vast arena.

"Children of the Stars," she began, her words ringing out clear and powerful, "we gather here, as we have for centuries unbroken, to honor the legacy that binds us—the legacy of creation, the gift bestowed upon our kind by the Cosmos itself."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the assembly, and pride filled her expression. "We are the High Elves," she continued, her voice swelling with conviction. "We are the artisans of life, the sculptors of worlds. Our hands shape not just stone and earth, but the very fabric of existence. Through the mastery of creation magic, we have breathed life into barren lands, forged rivers from stardust, and kindled forests from the whispers of the wind. Our cities rise not upon mere foundations of stone but upon the pulse of the very elements, woven into forms of breathtaking beauty and purpose."

The crowd listened in rapt attention, many of them visibly moved by her words, feeling the ancient pride of their heritage rekindled in their hearts.

"Our civilization, marked by elegance, grace, and unrivaled power, has birthed technologies beyond imagination. We have taken the raw elements and bound them with the threads of magic, creating marvels that span the skies and pierce the heavens. Our advancements are not just of the hand but of the spirit, infused with the wisdom of our ancestors and the love of our kin. And this knowledge—our creations—have made us guardians not just of our realm but of all who seek to learn, to grow, to live. Even againstthe demons."

Her voice dropped, a somber note threading through her words as she continued. "But in our time, even as our glories shine brighter than ever, a shadow has cast itself upon our world." She gestured upwards, and many looked to the dimming sun, hanging like a weary jewel in the sky, its light fading with each passing year. "Our sun, the heart that beats life into our lands, grows dim, its fire waning with age. It dims not just over our lands but over the legacy we are sworn to uphold, a legacy that must not, cannot, perish."

The crowd stirred uneasily, whispers rippling through the throngs of people.

"But fear not," she said, her voice a beacon of hope that calmed the worried murmurs. "For as we have done for ages past, today we shall choose a new ruler among us, one whose strength and wisdom shall rekindle not only our legacy but the very sun that breathes warmth into our world. They will rise, as all our greatest have risen before, to bear the mantle of our ancestors, to lead us into a new era, and to ensure that the light of the High Elves does not fade."

Her voice rose, fierce and unyielding, filling the arena. "Today, we do not merely crown a ruler—we kindle the fire of rebirth, of resilience, of triumph! Let our hearts burn with the same fire, the fire of our creation, and let that fire be the beacon that shall guide us, now and forever, to glory and beyond."

The crowd erupted into a roar of cheers, the ground itself trembling with the force of their exultation. The Queen lifted her hand once more, acknowledging the passion of her people, and stepped back, a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes as the fervor of their voices filled the air. Today, a new legacy would indeed be born, and the High Elves would once again blaze with the light of renewal.

The Queen raised her hand, summoning the three contenders who would compete for the title of ruler of the High Elves. "Luca, Nate, Enel," she called, her voice resonating with authority. "Step forward."

The crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers as Luca and Nate took their places beside her, each one exuding a regal bearing. Yet when Enel stepped forward, the cheers shifted. A murmur of boos and mocking laughter washed through the crowd, punctuated by disdainful remarks. Enel stood firm, his face impassive, meeting the crowd’s scorn with an unwavering gaze.

The Queen extended her arms, silencing the crowd. "Today, we honor not just our past but our future," she proclaimed. "These three are bound by blood, each blessed by lineage and heritage. And now, as is our ancient tradition, they will compete in three sacred tests to decide who is most worthy. The tests of strength, intelligence, and skill."

The crowd leaned forward in anticipation, hanging on her every word.

"These tests, as tradition dictates, are more than a mere competition," she continued, her voice powerful yet gentle. "For we are not just choosing a ruler—we are choosing a leader who will bind us as one. Thus, each of these contenders is allowed up to ten people to aid them in their trials. For true strength lies not only in one’s own hand but in the loyalty and skill of those willing to stand by their side."

The crowd buzzed with excitement as they absorbed the weight of her words. The Queen’s gaze softened for a moment, sweeping across her people. "Prepare yourselves, children of the stars. Today, we shall witness feats of valor, cunning, and mastery. We will see the heart of our future ruler revealed before us."

She turned to the three contenders, her eyes holding both pride and expectation. "Luca, Nate, Enel—you stand not only as family but as pillars of our realm. Show us what it means to be a High Elf, bound to creation and to one another."

The Queen raised her hands, and a surge of power rippled through the arena. The very ground began to tremble, rumbling like a sleeping giant awakening. Before the crowd’s astonished eyes, massive stone walls erupted from the earth, twisting and winding as they ascended to form an intricate maze. Towers and pathways coiled around each other in impossible configurations, shifting with a life of their own. The labyrinth stretched as far as the eye could see, its corridors shadowed and mysterious, filled with the distant sounds of creatures lurking within.

The Queen’s voice cut through the hum of awe and apprehension. "This," she declared, "is the first trial—the test of intelligence. This is no ordinary maze; it is an ever-changing one, imbued with ancient magic that shifts the path, reshaping itself with every step. Within its walls dwell beasts not of our world, guardians of the old ways, creatures who will test your wits and resolve."

The crowd gasped, watching as the stone structures twisted again, sealing some pathways and opening new ones. "A path exists for those with insight and cunning," she continued, "but for the reckless and unwise, the maze will become an endless prison. You will need more than strength to find your way through; only the sharp of mind will emerge unscathed."

Her gaze swept over Luca, Nate, and Enel, each standing with their own resolve. "May you rely not only on yourself but on the wisdom of those who stand with you. Show us your minds, your patience, and your skill. Show us who among you is most worthy."

With a final wave of her hand, the Queen...