Chapter 333 - What's Our Next Move?

When I returned back to King Harold's room, the others have finished explaining things.

"Now that the four of us have gathered here. Let's think of our next move. For now, the most important event is the battle tournament. Tatrama Kingdom, Consenza Empire, and Varadis Kingdom have all informed the citizen about the tournament, but other than Tatrama Kingdom, Consenza and Varadis would like to witness the tournament within Tatrama first before deciding the participants. As for Arturo… we think that the fake king and the people behind him, the cult, didn't tell anyone about the tournament on purpose so they can decide their own participants without telling the citizens. Most likely, all of them are expert level mages and related to the cult. And during the tournament, the cult might do something. Thanks to Roy, my country is the most prepared to receive any kind of attack. I will send some people to Varadis and Consenza before the tournament begun. As for Arturo, other than this city, I don't think there's any need to send people in any other location." Albert explained what he will do before the tournament to prevent any more destruction by the cult.

"A tournament, huh? Sigh… if only I was careful, I would enjoy that tournament to the fullest without caring about any cult. I guess there won't be anyone from my royal family participating." King Harold said.

"You might be wrong. One of your children might be on the list just for show. The worst part is if they have joined the cult." I said.

"Do you think that my children are stupid enough to join the Evil Cult?" King Harold asked.

"Anything can happen. Even the one I want to pick for the throne turns out to be a member of the cult. You can't be too careful even with your own child. Take it from someone who experienced it." It was old man Henry who gives King Harold an advice.

"Hmm… you're right. I think my next move would be to persuade my royal family to join us. But if they are fighting for the throne, and find out the crown prince is still alive, the situation might get worse. Carmen, Fabio, Bernard, I will ask you three to support me with all your might." King Harold said to his family members here other than Luna who is still too young.

"Understood, father. I'll contact Toni in the castle to ask him if there are anyone of my siblings whom we can persuade. He risked his life staying in the castle so we can get some information directly. As his brother, I can't just sit still." Fabio said to which Bernard nodded.

"Should I infiltrate the cult? I'm an expert level mage as well, so I might have a chance to participate in the tournament." Queen Carmen asked with Luna in her embrace.

"No. It was too dangerous. The cult is happy when they received new members, but if they are too strong, they will be put under surveillance instead. Take it from a former cult member." It was Celestine who spoke.

"You guys have it good. Arturo has the queen as expert level mage. Varadis has Princess Julia who will participate. Tatrama? Roy. As for me, I don't have any expert level mage I can trust." Lynn said.

"Did you forget your own sister? She can join with you since for Tatrama, we will send college students for the tournament. Though most of them are people who have been trained by Roy who has future knowledge. And the person himself will participate as well." Albert said.

"Wait, I'm still participating? The selection should be over, right? I said it before that I don't want to participate!" I protested.

"Okay. Anyway, Celestine can join Varadis if she wants to." Albert said.

He said okay, but I doubt that's what he really means. I hate him. But if I'm not in the kingdom tournament, I doubt the people will like it if my name is on the list. They will complain, and Albert as the king doesn't have any choice but to remove my name. I guess it's fine then.

"I'll join. And it will be some time until the tournament begun, so we can find good candidates and nurture them. Maybe we can have more expert level mage before the tournament." Celestine said.

With this, she will take part in the tournament, not as a participant from Tatrama, but the Empire instead. Not that I mind it. She was originally from the Empire after all.

"This tournament was made so all mages have the desire to get stronger and to prove the world that they are the strongest. It's also to make them prepared for the war against the cult. So, it's best to announce it after the tournament in Tatrama is over. The preparation should have been completed and the necessary tools were already built. You can see the battle and spread it to your own country then. If we give this tool to the fake king of Arturo Kingdom, they will have no choice but to announce it. After that, we will give more or less six months of time for preparation until the battle between countries. But if you already have candidates, you should tell them to improve their strength first." Albert told Lynn and old man Henry. As for King Harold, he can't do anything about the tournament since it's in the hand of the fake king.

The tools he said is something to record the battle, and broadcast it to another tool. That's something from Victoria's world called Television to watch things recorded and sent from a camera. They are amazing invention thanks to the genius Marie.

"Wait, you have been talking about the tournament. What about retrieving the kingdom back to the real king? The real king is here, you know?" I asked.

"Let's not do that yet. Our power is too weak. Although the qualities of our mages are better thanks to your knowledge of the future, just the expert level mages that they have is too much for us to handle. What do you think, Hal?"

Albert asked Hal, which is King Harold's nickname. The four leaders getting along nicely and don't need to call each other with honorifics. I also don't want to, but I guess I'll use honorifics for now. Somehow, calling them king, queen, prince, or princess making it easier for me to remember their names.

"I agree. It's too dangerous if we make our move too soon. But it's good to leave it be as well. if a whole kingdom is taken over by the cult, once the war begins, the other kingdoms will know from where they will attack. From Arturo. That way, you can concentrate your power to the border of this kingdom." King Harold said.

I guess he's right. If Arturo Kingdom has been retrieved back from the fake king, we won't know where the cult will appear when the war happens.

It's so annoying when the cult keeps moving their base. And I haven't found where they might be located even though I have travelled far.

"Then, the mission is over, right? I can go home now?"

"What mission?" King Harold asked me.

"Saving you, and getting you four together." I said.

"Yes. You did a great job. But stay here first so we can go home. If you're not here, we will be stuck here." Albert said.

I hope they won't hold a discussion too many times in the future after this.

"Then, our next plan is to prepare for the tournament. Which county should we hold this tournament?" Albert asked.

"Not my country. Although many cult members have been killed thanks to Roy, there might be some still hiding. And not Arturo either obviously. And since you're the one who suggested it, the people will think that you have prepared something for this tournament and have the advantage if you are the host. Our best choice is at the Consenza Empire." Old man Henry suggested to which everyone agreed.

"If everyone agrees, then I will be the first host of the tournament. As for the venue… Claudia! Think of something!" Lynn ordered Claudia for ideas where the competition will be held.

"Sigh… we need a good location and to build the arena that can hold a lot of audiences from all over the continent. But I have no idea how a good Arena should be built." Claudia said.

"Victoria will help you with that. With her knowledge of her previous world, she will build a good arena. I'll lend her to you since I can summon her any time I want."

Victoria agree to help Claudia to build the arena, and she jumped from my shoulder to hers. I can rest easy about the arena. And if Celestine goes there, she can help build it and the arena will be done quickly.

"I guess that's settled. If there are any issue, let's contact each other with Sonia. Sorry, Sonia, but you will be busier and busier from now on." Albert said.

"No worries. I have been stuck in one place for a thousand years. Doing some works is much more fun." Sonia said.

After talking a bit more, Albert and the others are ready to return. Finally, I can go home for real this time.. At least for a month, I hope I don't need to go anywhere other than to the campus for teaching.