The Great Ones, the ethereal protectors of Kalkan Kingdom uttered in unison.

As far as species goes, Great Ones were of the same kind as the gods that are worshipped in the human world.

But there was a key difference between gods and Great Ones.

In human world, gods have taken control over everything to the point that even the fate of an individual was predefined.

Great Ones, on the other hand, had next to no involvement in what the mortals did within this world. Rather than gods obsessed with control, they were mere observers, but with a single, yet crucial role.

The role in question was the Selection of the Demon King.

A good leader can make a kingdom, but a bad one will destroy it.

Long ago, the First Demon King, Arin Draco, having reached the end of her lifespan, asked the Great Ones for a favor.

She asked them to find a worthy demon to pass on her power and to be the ones responsible for selecting the ones who will become the Next Demon Kings.

With some hesitation, feeling pity for the demon-kind, Great Ones accepted her offer, and thus, the cycle of the Demon Kings was created.

More than nine hundred years passed since then.

So far, there were fifty six Demon Kings.

Some managed to rule in peace, yet many were corrupted by the power. Overall, it was a miracle the Kalkan Kingdom was still standing in one piece.

But for the sake of survival of demon race, the one who shall lead them, the King, is necessary.

Of course, that did not mean each one of the Great Ones did not have favorite or a demon they hoped would succeed.

But since no demon was perfect, there were some cases of bitter disappointment.

Great Ones observed everything, with their boundless sight, observing the actions of leaders of demon clans, judging and evaluating each one….seeking a demon that could unite all the clans under a single banner.

The Selection was for the purpose of weeding out the ones who were unworthy, with the Trials playing an integral part of it.

But that did not mean that only Trials mattered, everything that happened in between them was keenly observed by the Great Ones.

The time had come to inform the demon-kind of the Third Trial.