Seven people that is the number of individuals in that room with neither entrance nor exit. How they arrived? That is one of the many unanswered questions they all share.
After all, the room was a dark place, as if it were located deep within an abyss.
—This is a place, truly sinister, if you ask me.
The relaxed voice of one of the women was the first to break the sepulchral silence of that place.
—Wow, I thought I was the only one feeling that way.
The male voice of one of the occupants sounded slightly nervous as he shook his head from side to side, as if trying to get a better view of the room.
—In my opinion, the place looks pretty cool! Though it is a little creepy.
The childish voice of what seemed to be a boy did not go unnoticed by anyone in the room.
—This is the last straw! You also have me locked up with a filthy child. What kind of joke is this?
The complaints of the other woman in the room irritated more than one person; however, only one dared to respond.
—Do not be upset, Your False Majesty. He's just a child. You're not going to take him to the guillotine… are you?
The response was enough to make the woman furious, and she attempted to strike him. However, the moment she rose from her seat, an invisible force pushed her back down.
—Well~ I thought I'd wait to introduce myself, but I see you were about to start a war without me.
A voice, masculine? interrupted the thoughts of everyone present.
—Can I assume you're the one who brought us here, right?
The woman who had spoken first was again the first to address this person.
—You really are clever, Lady Lisette~
The figure seemed to applaud Lisette's question, as if it were the easiest thing to guess.
—Enough talk. Introduce yourself.
The command came from one of the men who had remained silent throughout the recent exchange.
—Wow, such little patience, Sir Leonhardt, but if you wish for me to introduce myself so badly, your humble servant shall do so~
With that, the figure snapped their fingers, and several torches on the walls of the room ignited, revealing the central figure.
—You… what are you?
It was Leonhardt's question that drew a mocking smile across the figure's face.
—Nothing very special~ But my faithful followers usually call me Elohan~
The figure remained stoic, as if they had not just revealed themselves as the god of an entire empire.
—Are you saying you are the great Elohan… the one everyone worships?
One of the men in the room finally broke the silence, asking the question everyone had been thinking.
—Indeed, my dear Oscar~
Now everyone present was dumbfounded. It was a hard truth to swallow, but upon reflection, it made sense that a deity could bring them to this room.
—If you truly are the great Elohan… why have you brought us here?
An important question, one that everyone wanted answered.
—It's simple. You have been chosen as the seven candidates for Emperor.
The answer left several utterly stunned. The god of the empire granting them the possibility of becoming emperor? That was something no one was mentally prepared for.
—I see. I supposed it would have something to do with the empire. After all, the seven of us here are the current leaders of the largest factions.
This time it was Lisette who spoke casually, as if she had anticipated this plot twist.
—At this rate, you're the coolest, Lady Lisette. But that's not all. I wouldn't trouble you merely to tell you that~
He said it as if being worthy to be an emperor candidate were no big deal, which caught everyone's attention.
—I've come to offer you a divine deal\~ In exchange for participating as a candidate for emperor, I offer you a power called Mandate, a unique ability for each of you~
Now no one expected that twist. For a god to offer you the throne was one thing, but for that same god to offer a special ability? That was simply madness.
—Ouch!
Everyone snapped out of their trance upon hearing a cry of pain, and when they turned, they saw the previously called Oscar with one cheek reddened.
—What? I was just making sure this wasn't a dream or something…
Everyone's gaze paused on him, as if he were some kind of hopeless idiot if it weren't for the burst of laughter from the boy seated beside him.
—Hahaha, you're really funny! Let's be friends, please!
More than one person now looked at this duo as if they were hopelessly crazy, though others couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at the interaction.
But Leonhardt didn't care at all; he focused solely on the god and asked his question.
—What are these mandates you will give us?
Elohan, smiling, simply turned to Leonhardt and spoke, ignoring the previous interaction entirely.
—Mandates are contracts I offer you, which will grant you a unique advantage over the others~
Everyone had returned their attention to the god's words, leaving several with doubts.
—Hey, how do we make this contract?
This time, it was the boy who spoke, voicing a doubt many shared.
—It's very simple, my little one. I will state my conditions, and each of you must accept. Quite simple, don't you think?
As everyone analyzed their situation, the last male figure who had not yet spoken raised his voice.
—Excuse me, Lord Elohan, but what exactly are these conditions?
At that question, most remained expectant of the god's answer.
—My request is simple: I want each of you to face the other factions present and earn the right to the throne legitimately.
Everyone was silent all except one person.
—Is that all? Then I gladly accept. I would have eliminated all these rebel scum anyway.
Her arrogant tone angered more than one, and a conflict would have erupted if not for the god's intervention.
—Very well. To formalize the contract, I need you to state your name and accept my conditions.
The woman, without hesitation and without rising from her seat, exuded an aura of confidence. Her voice came with complete assurance.
—I, Elisabetta Di Ravencourt, future Empress of Valdorian, accept to eradicate the incompetent who dared oppose me.
After this declaration, a purple light, as if revering Elisabetta, surrounded her body like a cloak. When it vanished, there was no trace of any change.
—I don't feel anything different.
Elisabetta now inspected her entire body, noticing no significant changes beyond a few unruly strands of hair she could not control.
—That's because there's no physical change. You will have to discover your power on your own.
Elisabetta's expression revealed slight disappointment at not being able to discern her power immediately.
But before she could complain, a child's voice spoke energetically.
—It's my turn! I, Ludwig D. Baumgart, accept whatever I must to receive a divine gift.
In accordance with the innocence of his words, a white light reflecting the purity of his soul formed around him, leaving only an energized gaze when it vanished.
—What did I get?!
If it weren't for the god forcing him to remain seated, the boy would have shot off to try a thousand things until discovering his ability.
—I suppose I can't let a child beat me by divine advantage.
With that, the next candidate settled in his seat and began a calm declaration.
—I, Alaric Von Eberhardt, accept this contract and its associated consequences.
An overwhelming, impulsive orange light surrounded Alaric's body, leaving him unchanged once it disappeared.
—Well, the next one may begin.
Without pausing, Alaric allowed the next person to take the contract.
—Well, I suppose it's my turn.
Now it was Oscar's turn, who confidently settled in his seat and began.
—I, Oscar Brenner, humbly accept the contract offered to me.
A light green glow, emanating like a growing sprout, surrounded his body. When it vanished, his hands rested on his chin thoughtfully.
—Hehe, I hope the guys don't think I'm crazy when I tell them I have a special ability granted by Elohan.
The boy seemed worried about what his friends would say, while Ludwig appeared more energetic than before for some reason.
—Let's get this over with. I, Leonhardt Strauss, accept your contract and its conditions.
A dark green light, unlike Oscar's, reflected the authority and stability of a mature stem. It subtly surrounded Leonhardt, leaving him with only an impatient gaze when it disappeared.
—Well… since most have gone, I suppose I'll go.
The penultimate person settled into their chair and, after a moment's thought, spoke seriously.
—I, Matthias Conrad Benedikt, accept the contract and conditions established by the great god Elohan.
A hopeful yellow light surrounded Matthias, who, when it vanished, appeared slightly nervous under the gaze of the others.
—Well… Lady Lisette still remains to accept.
The mentioned woman was simply thoughtful, carefully observing the declarations of each and seeming to ponder something. But when Matthias mentioned her, her line of thought broke.
—Well, I suppose the flower of the show must bloom.
Crossing her legs and settling into her seat, she proceeded to give her declaration as if she had rehearsed it thousands of times.
—I, Clara Lisette Marenwald, declare my acceptance of the contract established by our protector god, Elohan.
A soft black light surrounded Lisette's body, reflecting only the elegance matching her posture. When it vanished, Lisette simply watched the others attentively, observing their reactions and asking herself questions until she seemed to discover something and smiled satisfactorily.
—What a curious ability you've given me, Lord Elohan.
This statement surprised more than one, but as expected, Ludwig was the first to speak.
—Have you already discovered your ability?! You're amazing, but what did you get? Can you see the future, or move things with your mind?
Lisette appeared satisfied with Ludwig's reaction, as if something aligned with what she already knew.
—A lady must have her secrets, little Ludwig, and gentlemen must respect those secrets.
Ludwig's gaze reflected clear disappointment at her response, but he simply accepted it.
—I'm glad everyone accepted without many questions; it would have been very difficult to answer them all~
Elohan's voice echoed through the room as he appeared levitating above the table.
—I have many questions, but I suspect you will answer none, so I shall save myself the trouble.
Elohan's gaze seemed satisfied if a constant smile on a pale face could be assigned any emotion.
—And I thank you, my very dear Lisette, but it's time for each of you to return to your place of origin~
Before anyone could respond, Elohan snapped his fingers, and a black light swallowed them back to their homes, leaving only a simple room in the midst of an endless ocean of darkness.
And in the middle of that room stood the god, observing the seven souls who had just received a blessing—or a hidden curse.
—Now let's see… how long my poor, helpless lambs will last.