Celestian, Abode of the Monarchs

Imperial Year 1503

Before mounting his sword on the chilly, marbled floor, Beau Angene lurched backward. He raised his eyes to the three individuals sitting on golden seats, each with a blank expression on their faces. They all had auras that were incomparable to the current king of Peronia. Beau could tell they were on another level instantly. But, he could only feel the anguish in his stomach after dealing with the marionette knight's blow, no matter how terrifying their presence was.

"Please, your excellencies, I beg of you," Beau cried out. He slowly kneeled on one knee and bowed his head. "I need your power to save my land from my father."

"Impudent mortal. You seek our assistance, yet you barged in our abode unannounced. Do you even have any idea who you're talking to?"

Beau took a deep breath and swallowed the lump on his throat. What choice did he have when his empire was slowly eroding under the current king's tutelage?

"Yes, I do know the power you hold," he answered. "Which is why I have ventured all alone to ask for a favor. I apologize for my rudeness."

Bowing down to other people, apart from the king, is something that Beau hated and would never do. However, he was compelled to show some respect in the presence of the Celestials, specifically the three monarchs. They were his last shred of hope, so he couldn't bear to mess up. The moment he set foot on their land, he knew he had to give up any dignity left within him. For his people, he was willing to go that far.

"Do you even know that we, Celestials, are not allowed to interfere with human affairs?"

What the monarch said is true. Celestials are beings that far surpass humans. They are immortal and are capable of harnessing the mana around them. To avoid the imbalance between Celestials and humans, they are not allowed to aid humans personally. Similarly, humans are not allowed to covet their powers; they can't even think about that as a possibility.

"Yes, I am very much aware of that, milord."

Guilian, the monarch of life, looked down at Beau in a condescending manner. "Then, why are you still here?"

Beau could feel the pressure from the monarch's words and stares. But, he'd come so far, he can't give up now.

"Because I am not just asking for a favor, milord. I came here hoping to make a fair trade."

Uriel, the monarch of death, burst out laughing, breaking her stoic facade. "A fair trade, you say? What can a mere mortal give that is worthy enough to call it a fair trade?" She sneered at the poor lad.

"Settle down, Uriel."

From the books he had read in the royal library, Beau figured out the characteristics of the three monarchs. What he prepared for his fair trade will undoubtedly be successful. It was the only thing Beau could think of sacrificing for the greater good. He did not even consult his allies, who also despise the current king because they would most likely disagree. They don't have plenty of options right now, and they're short on time. He had to make haste.

"Please let the firstborn children in Peronia borrow your power. In return, I will send the strongest ones to you after we attain peace in our land."

"We don't want your children."

"You call that a fair trade? Don't make me laugh."

Their response overwhelmed him with distress. His mind went blank, and he began to tremble. Not because of the wounds he received from the knight, but because his plan fell into ruins. Everything he went through for the sake of this moment; everything he had left to bring his plans into fruition might have been for naught. But he had no other backup plans. What next? What should he do?

"May I suggest something?" Michaelis, the monarch of monarchs, butted in. He is the highest-ranking monarch who governs all. He upholds the harmony in the Celestial Realm and is the creator of the world in which Peronia thrives. Michaelis is the greatest being of all.

After hearing the monarch speak, Beau, who almost fell into deep despair, felt hopeful once more. Perhaps, Michaelis would give him the benefit of the doubt. It wasn't nearly possible, but it wasn't impossible as well.

"Of course, Lord Michaelis."

The monarch stepped down from his chair and trudged towards Beau. He softly placed his hand on top of the human's head. "Then, how about this? If you accept my suggestion, we will gladly let your people borrow—no, we will give them a portion of our power."

"Lord Michaelis! We absolutely can't interfere with mortal affairs! And we can't accept a mere human's ludicrous trade!" Uriel burst into fits as she stood up from her chair.

"She's right, your excellency! They don't deserve our help!" Guilian added, voice shaking.

"Well, hear me out first. Both of you will absolutely love it," Michaelis chuckled and waved at the two monarchs to calm them down. He lifted Beau's chin and grinned. "You want to save your people, right?"

Beau nodded his head slowly.

Michaelis grinned even wider at the human's response. "Good," he said, letting go of Beau's chin and returning to his chair. "Accept my suggestion, no questions asked, and we shall lend you our assistance to bringing peace in Peronia."

Beau bowed his head once more. "I'll do as you say, milord."

"Humans really are greedy, aren't they?" Michaelis said while chuckling. "Saving someone? Don't give me that excuse. Everyone cares for themselves. In the end, they're only interested in saving their own skin," he continued as he walked towards the table and grabbed a pen and paper. "You're the same, Beau." His hands quickly wrote down a contract. Every letter he wrote glowed like stars in the night sky.

Beau was completely intrigued by the glistening inscriptions on the paper. As he stared at the page, he appeared to be in a daze. The monarch waved the piece of paper in front of his face, and he was finally able to break off from his trance. "I apologize, your excellency. I had never seen anything like that, so I was..."

"Silence, human," Guilian uttered distastefully, looking down at Beau with scornful eyes. "I only accepted this because of Lord Michaelis. If not for him, then I would've killed you right here, right now."

"Hush now, Guilian. This will greatly benefit us too. After all, weren't you and Uriel complaining how boring it is here in Celestian and the realm?" Michaelis said, chuckling afterward.

Uriel laughed cheekily as well and stood up from her seat. "Indeed, milord. But, what did you suggest that's worthy enough to earn our help?"

Michaelis patted Uriel's head softly as the lady peeked at the contract he made. "Something that everyone would enjoy," he answered as he eyed Beau with a mischievous smile etched on his face.

"Celestia death games."