At first, when the Floating Island sent invitations and announcements across the entire continent of El Sallia in the name of the Azeroth Empire, none of the kingdoms and lords—large or small—paid much attention, apart from the Kingdom of Karthus, the Rayguard Empire, who knew the truth, and a handful of nearby lords. Few responded, either.
But...
After word spread of the Battle of Rock Peak Valley, where the Floating Island had withstood three blasts from the Magic Power Railgun without a scratch; of the hundreds of thousands of demon troops routed in a single night; and of the brutal Floating Island capturing the Dark Prince Bozel and even the God of Chaos, Chaos, alive, people across the continent were stunned.
Soon, responses to the conference concerning the future of the world of El Sallia became suddenly enthusiastic.
And so!
When Emperor Bernhardt of the Rayguard Empire, the four legion commanders Egbert, Lyon, Vargas, and Imelda, and over a hundred Royal Gryphon Riders landed on the Floating Island aboard an airship built with ancient magical technology—one they had somehow dug up—they saw "Champions" from all over the world gathered there, bustling toward the competition grounds to sign up for the tournament.
"Hmm?"
"There are so many people. Are they all here to register?"
"Those people?"
Looking at the adventurers, the generals from various nations and territories, and a few fellows from who-knew-where who looked nothing like warriors or mages, Emperor Bernhardt furrowed his brow in surprise and displeasure.
Before coming, he had expected to encounter many people here, both familiar and unfamiliar. But he had never imagined that so many nobodies would come just to join in the fun. It seemed someone had even opened a new route and brought up people who otherwise wouldn't have had the chance. That