The commander left the crowded inn and traveled through the streets up to the castle. The magnificent building stood mighty at the end of the capital, built of gray bricks and red roofs, the towers standing tall above the other houses. A lot of soldiers and office workers ran around for their different affairs. Elima greeted some of them until:

-Elima, you’re here!

Someone called Elima among the crowd. A slightly short person wearing a similar armor, their skin being a darker grey than the castle, with white, short hair and bangs hiding a third eye in their forehead.

-Oh, Xion, you already here?- asked Elima.

-Yeah, I just got the last contestant and had to report the king. Guess you’re here for the same?- asked the creature called Xion.

-That’s right. Let’s not make Your Majesty wait more- said Elima.

After that, the two of them went inside the castle and walked through a long corridor until they arrived to a big hall. At the end there was a throne and someone sitting there: an old, quite chubby man sitting on it, with elegant clothing, a white cape and a crown over his brown hair. Next to him, another man stood next to him, much younger but dressed as elegantly, with brown hair as well.

-Oh, Commander Elima, Commander Xion, you have arrived!- exclaimed the man on the throne.

The two commanders kneeled down before that man.

-King Mito, Prince Zester, it’s an honor- said Elima and Xion synchonised. The king laughed kindly while the prince simply nodded.

-I understand your jobs are done and all contestants are ready for the tournament- said King Mito.

-Yes, Your Majesty- said Xion. -The ones who passed the test are already registered and are located in their lodgings at this time.

-Excellent! The opening ceremony will take place this afternoon, it would have been a shame if something went wrong. Son, have you prepared my speech?- asked King Mito to the prince.

-Yes, father, here it is- said Prince Zester, then he handed a scroll to the king. -However, I believe people would appreciate an honest speech from you instead.

-Nonsense! They will like whatever I say, I don’t need to waste time in this- said King Mito while laughing. -Also, you are better at this than me.

The two commanders saw their conversation without saying any word… nor that they had any idea what to say if they could.

-Oh, right, you are dismissed. You have to prepare everything for the preliminaries- said King Mito to Elima and Xion.

-Your Majesty, if you allow me… may I ask a question?- said Elima. The king merely shook his hand as an approval. -Well, I have noticed that we are introducing new worlds in this edition, or more like, more new worlds than in previous editions, which is an incredible feat. However, I have also noticed that there are concealed participants as well, who I would say… they are not used to any kind of battles at all. Is there any reason for that?

-That’s a good question, commander- said King Mito smiling. -Well, the Kingdom of Gat-Erol has always been based on everybody joining together and helping each other. It makes sense for me that the concealed worlds are also included: it’s time for them to see that there’s far more than they know. About the participants, well, I just considered the minds of younger people would be more open for discovering new things. As one gets older, more prejudices they may have.

Elima looked at the king while considering his answer. After a while, she answered.

-That makes sense, as everything you say, Your Majesty. Thank you for your answer- said Elima.

After that, the two commanders left the hall and went back outside the castle.

-You noticed that, right?- said Elima to Xion.

-Of course I did, even without your powers- answered Xion. -I’m surprised that he could do that so instantly.

-Of course he did: good liars prepare their lies beforehand- said Elima with serene face.