Shadowfall Kingdom

  Vincent

  Tournament Grounds

  Kaijuu Ryu

  I could tell the crowd wanted more.

  Honestly, I’d expected this whole thing to take all day.

  I walked over to Loyd and took the megaphone. I hate being stared at when I’m not actually doing something.

  Well… I’d better get used to it.

  Confidence. Fake it till you make it.

  “Uhm—”

  BWAAAANG.

  I flinched.

  I hate that sound. Screw this.

  I handed the megaphone back to Loyd.

  “Announce that my wives will be my vice generals. If anyone wants to challenge that position, they should step forward. I was planning to do this tomorrow anyway.”

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “I understand, General,” Loyd said.

  I turned and walked toward where Roka and Felmina were seated. I gestured for them to come over, and they stood.

  “SOLDIERS OF THE SHADOWFALL KINGDOM! ARE YOU READY FOR A SHOW?!”

  The crowd erupted as Roka and Felmina approached the ring, with me following close behind.

  “General Kaijuu-sama has announced his vice generals: Kaijuu Roka-sama and Kaijuu Felmina-sama. Any commander wishing to challenge these appointments, step forward.”

  Two commanders stood and entered the ring—Shanon Wilson, the former general, and another man I didn’t recognize.

  I walked past them and met Roka and Felmina at the edge of the ring.

  “Go get changed, you two.”

  “”Yes.””

  They moved off.

  “It appears we have three challengers,” Loyd announced.

  Three—wait.

  I turned.

  Two were already in the ring… and a third man stood beside Loyd.

  He was about my height and build, with brown hair and refined features. He wore ornate black armor trimmed with gold patterns—similar to Shanon’s, but finer.

  Loyd spoke to each challenger in turn. I started walking closer.

  “Two challengers for Kaijuu Roka-sama, and one for Kaijuu Felmina-sama.”

  Loyd stepped aside and handed the megaphone to the unfamiliar commander.

  “Commander of the Footsoldiers First Division, Mark Gutenberg.”

  He turned toward me and bowed.

  “Pleased to make your acquaintance, General Kaijuu. I wish to challenge Kaijuu Roka-sama. My reason is simple—honor and prestige, gained by serving directly under you. I ask that you consider me.”

  He passed the megaphone to Shanon.

  “I also wish to challenge Kaijuu Roka-sama for the position,” she said. “As I will likely resume the role of general after the war, I wish to gain experience directly from you, General Kaijuu.”

  She bowed deeply.

  “I place myself in your care.”

  Mark clenched his fist, clearly irritated.

  Shanon handed the megaphone to the final challenger.

  “Heir to the throne, Prince Wilfred Shadow-Wolf.”

  The brown-haired man bowed.

  “Pleased to make your acquaintance, General Kaijuu. I wish to challenge Kaijuu Felmina-sama. My reason is to gain experience in battle command. As the future king, I believe this knowledge will be invaluable.”

  Loyd took the megaphone back.

  “General Kaijuu will now—”

  I raised a hand, stopping him.

  I motioned for him to come closer and leaned in, lowering my voice.

  Loyd nodded once.

  He stepped back into position and raised the megaphone again.