As the days passed, the tournament's excitement grew, but so did the tension in the air. Kazuki and his allies spoke to various competitors, some expressing their own concerns about the demon king's forces. Each meeting strengthened their resolve, and soon, they had gathered a small group of fighters, mages, and healers, all willing to join their cause.
One evening, they convened in a private room at the inn to discuss their plans. The air was thick with anticipation, and everyone felt the weight of their mission.
"I propose we hold a meeting with all our allies," Alaric suggested, his expression serious. "We need to establish a united front and create a plan of action."
Kazuki nodded, feeling the gravity of the situation. "We'll need to be strategic. If the demon king's forces attack during the tournament, we have to be ready to fight them off while still keeping our eyes on the competition."
Lyra, leaning against the wall, sighed. "It's almost like we're juggling two wars—one on the battlefield and one in the tournament ring. Fun."
Serena spoke up, her usual calm demeanor replaced with a hint of worry. "If the demon king's forces are targeting competitors, they may try to take us out before we even reach the finals. We'll have to stay on guard, especially outside the matches."
Leo, who had been silent for most of the meeting, finally chimed in. "I've been researching some defensive spells we can use to protect ourselves. If we can set up barriers around our quarters at night, it might give us a heads-up if anyone tries to sneak in."
Kazuki nodded in agreement. "Good thinking, Leo. Let's get those barriers up as soon as possible. We'll need every advantage we can get."
The group continued strategizing late into the night, going over possible scenarios and deciding on how they'd respond. As the meeting ended, Kazuki found himself staring out the window at the stars, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.
This wasn't just about winning a tournament anymore—it was about survival.