So we had our bait.
But for now, it was still too early to decide exactly how the dungeon would be used. That required calculation—and patience. First, the labyrinth had to be built. Once it was complete, then I would decide how to turn it into a weapon and a symbol of Eterna's might.
And to make that happen… I needed the cooperation of a certain troublesome yet powerful figure.
Veldora.
He was currently lounging inside the small garden hut on the far edge of my estate. It was styled like a quiet tearoom—elegant, peaceful, deceptively serene. A fitting lair for the most chaotic dragon I knew.
He had grown fond of this place, claiming it as his personal "home." I didn't care much about that. What mattered was convincing him.
I stepped forward and slid the door open.
"Veldora. I've got a request. Are you free?"
"Eh? What is it? I'm… pretty busy right now."
I stared at him. He was sitting cross-legged, buried in a pile of manga. His golden eyes never even left the page. Busy, huh?
I gave a long, deliberate sigh. "What a pity. I thought this would be something exciting… something that would give you a chance to release that power you've been itching to use. But since you're busy… it can't be helped. Sorry to bother you."
I turned and began walking away slowly.
Behind me, the dragon twitched.
"Wait! Hol' up!" Veldora's voice cracked, just as expected. "I'm a busy man, sure, but since it's you asking, it can't be helped. Go on. What is it?"
He bit.
Gullidora. I'd been calling him that in my mind for a long time. For someone so powerful, he was almost too easy to manipulate. Like a child with a sweet tooth.
I straightened my posture, allowing my tone to carry the kind of weight and authority only a king could use. "Veldora… I intend to build something.
A home—made specifically for you."
The manga fell to the tatami floor.
"…A home. For me?"
"Yes," I replied smoothly. "A place that belongs to no one else. But—since you're busy, maybe it's not worth mentioning."
His head jerked up. "Nonsense! You and I go way back. Of course I'll make time for this! GAHAHAHAHA!"
Hook. Line. Sinker.
I folded my arms, letting a shadow of a smirk show. "Then listen carefully."
Veldora often didn't truly listen to anyone. But when I spoke with purpose, he paid attention.
That was how I got him to do what I wanted.
"Some people need to make… friends," I began.
"Hmmhmm. Just say what you need," Veldora said, leaning closer.
"Ramiris is moving into the city. We're building her labyrinth under the Colosseum. She'll handle the structure—tunnels, chambers, floors. I want the labyrinth to be something more than a maze. Something legendary."
"Ramiris, huh?" His eyes narrowed slightly, as though remembering the fairy. "She has the ability to create paths that lead to the same point no matter where you enter. And she can make complex layouts, yes?"
"Exactly," I nodded. "She'll add floors. Traps. Challenges. The works."
Veldora nodded slowly. "That tiny fairy seems to be stronger than I gave her credit for."
I could see the spark of interest light in his gaze. That was my cue.
"I want to make something that won't just be a labyrinth," I said, my voice low and deliberate. "It will be a symbol of Eterna's strength. A place challengers fear… and crave. Something unforgettable."
He was listening. Completely.
Then I looked him in the eye. "And that's where you come in."
"…Me?" he echoed.
"I need a King to rule the dungeon."
He froze, the word hitting him exactly where I wanted.
"The management will be handled by Ramiris and me. But at the gate of the hundredth floor—deep beneath the earth—there will be a throne. And that throne needs a guardian. No. It needs the Strongest guardian. Someone so powerful their presence alone would make intruders tremble. Don't you think that fits you perfectly… Veldora?"
His lips twitched. "King… strongest… throne…"
I could almost see his pride swelling like a balloon.
"As expected of you, Atem!" he roared. "So you want to hand the job of the Strongest Guardian to me!"
I met his excited look with cold authority. "Yes. To you."
But I wasn't done. I leaned forward slightly, lowering my voice. "And if you accept… there's a bonus."
"Oh?" His golden eyes gleamed. "I've already decided to agree, but… let's hear this bonus."
"Didn't you say you're getting close to your limit… holding back your youki?" I asked slowly.
His entire body stiffened. "What… could it be—"
"Bingo," I said with a smirk. "You won't have to suppress your youki in the labyrinth. You can let it loose. You can return to your original form. The world will see the Dragon of Storms in all his glory."
His jaw fell open. "…You mean…?"
"Imagine it. A massive labyrinth. And at its very core… a majestic dragon. Golden eyes. Scales like the night sky. Power rolling off in waves. Waiting for those foolish enough to reach him."
Veldora slammed his fist into his palm. "That's me, isn't it? GAHAHAHA! I'll say to them—'GAHAHAHAHA, so you've finally arrived, pathetic insects!'—and crush them!"
His excitement was almost tangible now. Moments ago, he'd been slouched over his manga like a bored child. Now he looked like a storm waiting to break loose.
Exactly as planned.
This was why I had chosen him. Not just because of his power… but because with the right words, Veldora could be turned into the perfect symbol of fear and awe for the dungeon.
I gave a firm nod. "Then it's settled. You will be the King of the Labyrinth."
He crossed his arms and threw his head back. "GAHAHAHAHA! This shall be my throne, Atem. Anyone who dares to challenge me will know despair!"
"Good," I said, my tone calm but sharp like a drawn blade. "There's something else for you, Veldora."
He looked at me with a curious grin, sensing the weight in my voice. "Another surprise, Atem? You really know how to get my attention."
"This one," I continued, "isn't something small. You've been itching for a real fight since our last clash. So I'll give you one."
I paused, then let the next words roll out slowly. "You're going to fight gods."
The air shifted. Veldora's playful grin froze for a heartbeat before twisting into something far more dangerous. "Gods…? Now that sounds fun. Who are they?"
"They're not from this world," I said. "No one here knows their names. But I do. And when I speak, they answer."
He narrowed his eyes, already sensing the power behind my words.
"They are the Three Egyptian Gods," I said, my voice firm and steady. "Slifer the Sky Dragon — the storm that devours the heavens. Obelisk the Tormentor — the embodiment of raw, crushing power. And The Winged Dragon of Ra — the blazing sun, a god of pure, overwhelming destruction."
As their names echoed through the air, a pulse of divine energy brushed against the world itself. Even Veldora's aura twitched under the weight of their presence, and that alone made his blood boil with excitement.
"You're serious," he muttered, almost breathless.
"They bow to me," I said plainly. "They don't need a contract. No chains. No deals. When I summon them, they kneel. And when I command them to fight…" I met his gaze with a faint, dangerous smirk. "…they obey."
Veldora's grin returned, wider and sharper than before. "GAHAHAHA! Now we're talking. Slifer, Obelisk, Ra… Three gods, huh? I'll crush them one by one."
"They won't make it easy," I warned. "Slifer will tear the sky apart just breathing. His lightning can rip the earth open. Obelisk is pure might—his strength alone will shake Eterna. And Ra…" My eyes hardened. "…Ra's flames will burn everything, even your scales, if you're careless."
"Perfect," Veldora growled, his aura spiking violently. "A fight where I don't have to hold back."
"That's exactly what I want," I said, stepping closer. "This isn't a spar. It's a trial by godhood. Prove to me your strength against the divine."
Veldora let out a thunderous laugh that echoed through the room. "Then bring them, Atem. Call your gods. Let's see if their thunder, their power, their fire… can make me kneel."
I turned my back to him, cloak stirring with the wind. "Prepare yourself, Veldora. When I summon them, the sky will split and the ground will tremble."
His grin was feral. "Good. Let the world shake."