Aurora

Cheering filled the air as the Archanic celebrated the start of their beloved tournament. I stood on the matriarch’s spot waiting for the challenges to start. Unlike last time, I wasn’t level one, and my weapon wouldn’t explode after just one shot. Also unlike last time, many of the wannabe challengers looked ready to cause another upheaval.

“GOOD EVENING, Ladies!” Lark, the announcer from the first tournament yelled into his magic amplifier. “As you all might remember, our former lord and master was replaced by the newly ascended Lady Aru! A rare member of our city that is able to use magic! Mystifying!”

A mixed chorus of cheers and boos came from the crowd. I might not be as well liked as I thought, then again, I don’t think I’ve actually made a public appearance since I became lord since the trip to the mineral store. Ah. Got to remember to advertise them. The pillar I stood on began to rise into the arena. Once it was level, I got a good look at the number of challengers. Just with a quick glance, I counted over two dozen.

It had been a month since I took control of Twisted Webs, but I had yet to find out why there were no men. Lark was about the only one I had seen so far. Ignoring that for now, I pulled out my pistol making a show of it. A few of the challengers suddenly looked less thrilled about challenging me.

Lark flew around the arena a few times in his magic chair. “Alright Ladies! Who will be first to challenge Lady Aru, the Tyrant Crusher?!” Not sure I liked that name, but whatever.

I waited until finally a woman jumped down. She was using a bow. Not a bad idea. If close range wouldn’t work, then long range. It was a plan that might have worked against Lady Shoa, the former matriarch as well. “Excellent! Our first challenger! Will we have an upset again this month, or will Lady Aru become the new and permanent Tyrant of Twisted Webs?!” I glanced at Lark with a shake of my head. Was I going to crush tyrants or be one? Make up your mind.

The challenger performed the ceremonial bow before she readied her bow. I did as Lady Shoa did, and beckoned her to start. The fight… was nothing to write home about. There was a reason this city had a low military rating. The challenger had speed, but her strength was lacking. The arrows she fired were easily trackable even to my eye even if there were several of them.

I was able to aim and fire my pistol into the woman’s gut almost lazily. She fell over instantly. Death magic was far too potent on those with little magic resistance. The crowd hesitated before it began to cheer. For most of them, it looked like they had accepted that I was here to stay.

Another Archnai jumped down to challenge me after the first one’s body was removed. I remembered her from last month. She was the first one to challenge Lady Shao and used two sabers. Lark signaled the start of the fight. This one was a bit better than the archer. At least she attempted to dodge my shots. Still, once she got close enough, the wide bore of the spell clipped her side. Her left arm rotted in seconds causing her to scream in pain.

Feeling bad for causing it, I quickly put a spell into her head to end it. At least it was a comfort to know that the Archnai NPCs were able to respawn. Technically, anyway. They could hatch from eggs that they laid. Though, I suppose there was level and skill loss.

There were no new challengers after her. Those that had been gunning at the beginning looked like they’d rather not lose their experience. Lark looked around to be sure. “Any more challengers for the position of Matriarch?!” He shouted into his microphone rune. “Well, then I hereby declare Lady Aru the Matriarch for one more month.”

I held up my hand and waved for Lark. He looked confused but floated down. “I made this wonderful weapon from materials that I got from Web’s Diamond.” With that, I fulfilled my end of the bargain. Lark gave me a smirk as I headed for the Matriarch’s Booth. Twisted Webs was mine for another month.

The rest of the fights went about how they did last month. Some were over quickly, some took forever. A lot of the challengers that had been prepping for me, appeared to have decided to try other positions in the government. Even Mira was challenged though she managed to win. She couldn’t use magic, but she appeared to be a Monk or Martial Artist class like Lady Shoa had been.

It was a good thing I told Maxwell I was taking the day off. The tournament lasted well into the evening. If he had needed me for something I would have had to skip out on it. Either way, the tournament did finally come to an end. Before everyone left, I stood up and called for Lark again. The man flew over and handed me his microphone rune.

“Sisters of Twisted Webs. I have only been in this position for a month, but I have learned about our plight. We have enemies in every direction, and while we make the most beautiful art in the world, we have little military strength. Thus, I have made a decision. I have volunteerly accepted an invitation to the Nation of Scarlet Night. This is a surface nation made by dwellers of the night.”

Murmurs went up from the crowd. I waited for a second then raised my hand. “I know! I know! This is unpresented and distrupting news. But I assure you, our ways will not change. We are bound to them, but our ways! Our culture! They remain ours! The tournament shall continue! Our way of life shall continue! If I should be defeated during the next tournament, the leader of Scarlet Night has assured me that their opinion will be respected. I have this oath through magic! So. If one of you should defeat me, then by all means secede from the nation, however, I promise you that it is in our interest to stay with them.”

I took a moment to observe the crowd. I would say that it was about fifty-fifty at the moment. Some looked like they were relieved by my statement that they only need to defeat me to be able to leave in the future. Others seemed to realize that such a task would be hard in the tournament setting of one versus one.

I raised my hand to wave at the crowds. I had to be a likably Tyrant. “Until next month!”

I made my way back to the Palace along with Mira and Opal. “Nice speech boss,” Mira said from right behind me.

“I still don’t understand how you’re the advisor and Opal isn’t,” I remarked as I settled into the Archanie throne.

“Oh, Opal is the advisor, but I’m a better fighter. We’re a team and we share,” Mira replied.

“That makes fair more sense,” I said at the explanation. Mira looked a bit mirthed though, “No offense of course.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Mira waved her hand.

As I settled in, I got a few notifications. I pushed them to the side for the time being. “I’d like you two to run some fire control. Traditions or not, there is a chance that a rogue element might entice the others into a riot or revolt.”

“I doubt that will happen. At least in the first month. If you start having us do things that aren’t exactly ethical, then we might have another problem.”

“No. I have no desire to do such a thing. In fact, I’d like to use the artwork created by the city to make some gold. It is some of the best work I have ever seen, and I was a Bonafede artist back on Earth.” I sighed and leaned back. “This will also allow my other subordinates to help in case we get attacked. I find it hard to believe that there aren’t warmongers among the dwarves and dark elves.” I knew of one personally. Not that Maxwell was a warmonger, he just employed one.

“That’s a good idea. Few down in the Abyss care for art created by others, but humans and elves on the surface are known for their love of the stuff,” Opal said.

“I’ll just have to create a connection to a surface town or city that doesn’t want to—” I let the sentence drop. No reason to bring my surface troubles down here.

“If you don’t mind me asking,” Opal started with a serious expression. “What exactly are you?”

I narrowed my eyes, a serious feat when you had eight of them. “Why?”

“I’m just curious. You didn’t know anything about this society, so I’m inclined to believe that you weren’t here when the Great Taking happened.”

Tapping my chin, I contemplated telling them the truth of the matter. “Well, I’ll admit that I wasn’t originally here at the start of this nightmare. You’ll have to wait for a bit longer on more information. I’m sorry, but we’ve only known each other for a month. Though, I would like to remind you that I am only in this position because of you Mira.”

Mira made a pained look. “Forgive, oh great Matriarch!” She pleaded pretending to prostrate herself.

I laughed at her antics. “Enough of that. You two are my only friends in this stupid game.”

“That makes me feel better.” Opal sighed then nodded as if to herself. “I’ll hold off on more questions. I just want to say that I’ve come to love this place over the months that I’ve played this, as you say, stupid game. Even more so in the last month. Please handle it carefully.”

I nodded seriously. “I understand. I’ll make sure that I treat it properly.”