The coliseum shook as the golden dragon and the colossal robot stared each other down.
The Dragon Prince's wings spread wide, flames licking across his scales as he roared. The robot's glowing eyes narrowed, servos whirring, its massive hand reaching for the Codex-linked weapon system on its back.
The crowd was frozen—caught between awe and terror.
The Elf Queen gripped the railing, her composure slipping as she whispered, "Impossible…"
The Dwarven King's beard twitched with excitement. "By the forge… I must learn this craft."
The Beastkin King smirked, though even he shifted uncomfortably at the pressure radiating from the two giants.
The Clash
The Dragon Prince launched forward first, maw glowing with molten fire. A torrent of golden flames erupted, engulfing the robot's chest.
The robot staggered a step but held firm. Its massive arm shot forward, metal fist slamming into the dragon's side, hurling the Prince across the arena wall. Stone shattered, dust billowed.
Roars and gasps echoed through the stands.
The Prince rose, furious, his body burning brighter. "I will not lose!"
He surged again, claws tearing into the robot's shoulder, ripping plates free. Sparks rained down. The robot answered with a swing of its other arm, smashing the dragon into the ground, leaving a crater.
The arena trembled. The villagers screamed. The visiting royals leaned forward in shock.
For the first time, it seemed like Everwood itself might be torn apart.
The King Intervenes
"ENOUGH."
The voice thundered across the coliseum, deeper and older than mountains.
The flames died in the Prince's throat. The robot froze mid-strike. All eyes turned upward.
Descending from above the stands, his aura suffocating, was the Dragon King himself. His humanoid form radiated golden light, and with every step the very air seemed to bow.
The Prince flinched, lowering his head. "Father—!"
But the King's gaze was like molten fire. "You disgrace yourself with this foolishness. Diplomacy is not weakness. To defy me before these rulers… to risk war with a nation not yet born… you test my patience."
The Prince trembled, wings folding against his body, fury mixing with shame.
The Dragon King turned to Itsuki. His eyes lingered on the colossal machine towering behind him. For a long moment, silence reigned.
Then he spoke, voice heavy with gravity.
"…So this is the weapon you forged from nothing. A machine beyond even our dragonkind's ancient memories. You are more dangerous than I feared… and more necessary than I hoped."
Itsuki said nothing, but his robot lowered its arm, steam hissing from its joints.
The Dragon King's gaze hardened. "Everwood… and you, Itsuki… will not be ignored."
With a sweep of his cloak, he turned. "This duel is over. The matter of Everwood will be decided not by reckless sons, but by kings."
The Dragon Prince growled low in his throat but said nothing more. The fire in his eyes hadn't gone out—it had only been forced down, waiting for another chance.
Aftermath
As the crowd slowly dispersed, whispers filled the night.
"Did you see the size of it…?"
"Not even dragon fire destroyed it…"
"If that's the weapon of Everwood, what else lies hidden?"
The Elf Queen's gaze lingered on Itsuki, a calculating smile curving her lips. The Dwarven King stroked his beard, thoughts already racing with possibilities. The Beastkin King chuckled, clearly amused.
And Itsuki, standing in the center of the arena with his giant robot behind him, realized that the world had changed tonight.
Everwood's secret was no longer hidden.
The game between nations had truly begun.