At dusk, one hour remained before the Advancement Round began.
Evelyn brought the reporters in early to find the best camera angles. The Three-Color Ghosts floated overhead, filming as well.
Then the ticket holders filed into the Gladiator Arena.
As the moon rose into the night sky, the Advancement Round officially began.
"Welcome to the Advancement Round of Everyone's Singer!"
"AAAAAAAH!"
Peterson's increasingly commanding voice drew screams from the crowd.
"Are you ready?" He tilted his head, listening for their answer.
"Ready!"
"Then please welcome... our five supreme judges—to the stage!!!"
"Are you ready?"
Below the stage, Annan quietly asked Olmedo the same question.
"We've finished the first batch."
"Good. Put them on sale as soon as tonight's show ends!"
"First, please welcome—Faru Barros!"
Peterson's shout interrupted Annan. He introduced the five judges again, as enthusiastically as ever, but this time each entrance came with special effects.
A Crown appeared above Falu's head. Scepter in hand and a golden Cloak over his shoulders, he walked a red carpet befitting the King of the North.
Behind the Siren clan chief appeared a vast sea and a city in the Deep Sea, faintly visible in the distance.
Behind the Skeleton King stretched a wasteland, where an army of Undead rose from the earth.
A Scarlet Blood Moon rose behind the Scarlet Queen.
Finally, the gleaming figure of the Lady of Wealth appeared behind Annan. She wore a gentle expression, her arms poised as though embracing him.
Annan had wanted a Throne piled high with skulls, but the Church had said the goddess would reinforce his identity as the Holy Son.
The Lady of Wealth's believers were all rich. If Annan kept them happy, he would no longer have to work himself to the bone saving up Arcane Cores one by one.
Only