The Grand Tournament and a Disgusting Poster

“’Hmm… so, the Coming-of-Age Rite Grand Tournament officially begins,’” I announced, my voice lacking its usual vigor.

Yet, my somewhat fatigued appearance after dancing with Suriya still managed to ignite a frenzy of cheers from the demons. I couldn’t fathom what they had misunderstood.

A group of red-eyed Bass demons, with their gray skin slightly more robust than humans and long ears, began arranging chairs. They set up three rows on the tiered wooden platform, which served as the prime viewing spot for the entire arena.

As the princess, I naturally occupied the central seat in the front row. The question remained: who would sit beside me?

Buqu, the Pigman Butcher and first-tier guardian, exuded a foul odor as he hesitated, seemingly contemplating whether to sit next to me.

“Move aside,” Suriya stated coldly from behind the pig-headed guardian, her impatience evident. Startled, Buqu the Butcher scrambled to the side.

Though both were guardians, Suriya was an Eighth-Tier Vampire Swordmaiden, while Buqu was merely a Fifth-Tier Butcher. Their disparity in strength was simply not on the same level.

It seemed that seating arrangements were also determined by one’s power and status within the dungeon.

Of course, having Sister Suriya sit beside me was preferable, even if I worried she might seize the opportunity to tease me. It was certainly better than that fat pig. I even considered ordering him off the platform, but as a loyal subordinate, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Suriya settled on my left. Just then, before any other demon leaders could make their move, Senior Sister Faein approached.

Her long, flowing black hair cascaded around her as she wore a black bodysuit and tight trousers, her prominent chest swaying with each step. However, her expression seemed rather displeased.

Senior Sister Faein unceremoniously took the seat to my right.

This particular arrangement left me feeling incredibly pressured.

Normally, I felt quite at ease beside my senior sister. But having been forcibly pulled into a dance by Suriya just moments ago, she had undoubtedly witnessed it all. I felt as though I had committed some transgression, and her presence beside me only intensified my awkwardness.

“Faein, Senior Sister Faein… you’re here,” I stammered, attempting to appease her like a child who had made a mistake.

“Indeed, Your Royal Highness. I hope I haven’t arrived at an inopportune moment?” Senior Sister Faein brushed her long hair back with a hand, her voice chillingly cold.

“Ah? How could that be… Hehe,” I forced a stiff laugh, my face flushed as I fidgeted with the hem of my skirt.

‘Honestly, why am I feeling so guilty? Senior Sister, you were so urgently concerned about your ex-girlfriend; do I really need to worry about your mood just because Suriya invited me to dance? As a princess, isn’t it perfectly normal to play along and socialize? Besides, what are you to me? What right do you have to give me such a look?’

In any case, the various high-ranking dungeon officials took their seats in succession. Seth was nowhere to be found, but I couldn’t be bothered to care.

After a long period of song and dance performances arranged by various races—performances so dull they made one want to sleep—the actual competition was finally about to begin.

The quality of those performances was… well, perhaps it was a cultural thing? Goblin choruses, Minotaur cross-dressing in ‘Princess Revenge,’ Giant ballet… never mind. I felt my complexion falter, but as the princess, I had to sit up straight and watch with a smile!

I even noticed Sister Suriya dozing off!

Finally, the competition began! I still quite enjoyed watching duels.

“’Clang—! Greetings, everyone! I am Loynin, the commentator for this Princess’s Coming-of-Age Rite Grand Duel! Oh, I’m still new to this! This is my first appearance, so please give me lots of—support! And if I happen to say anything wrong, please don’t hesitate to punish me—Ahem!’”

Hmm? What was that, such an excited and flamboyant voice?

I looked up to see Senior Sister Loynin by the edge of the high platform. She wore an incredibly short pink skirt, a short, ruffled white tank top, and had short chestnut hair adorned with large cat ears. She even had a freely swaying tail somehow attached behind her backside.

She was full of energy, her face flushed, striking various cat-like poses as she spoke, looking quite joyful.

“Senior Sister Loynin… a few days without seeing you, and how did you become like this? What exactly did Beth Daisy, that succubus, do to you?” I asked, looking with some pity at Loynin’s incomprehensibly passionate and overtly showy state.

Unexpectedly, she was quite popular in this form. The demon audience cheered, though, of course, far less than they cheered for me. Still, there was nothing to be proud of in that.

I stole a glance at Senior Sister Faein. It seemed that even she, upon seeing Senior Sister Loynin in this state, covered her mouth and gasped, revealing a maiden-like astonishment.

Loynin, the cat-eared maid, continued her hosting: “’Now, with a round of applause, let us welcome the two brave warriors for today’s first duel!’”

“’Oww—!!!’” The arena erupted once more. I noticed a green-skinned, wrinkled orc female tearing open her top, shaking and howling madly. I quietly averted my gaze.

“’First to enter is—the Goblin Warrior from Bogu Mine, Aimuza!’”

A green-skinned goblin, wearing mining goggles, rumbled into the arena, driving a massive, antiquated goblin engineering mining robot over two meters tall. It moved with a loud, clanking, bumpy gait.

Goblins were the only race possessing the magical steam furnace technology, allowing them to power steam furnaces with magic stones to create and operate machinery. This made their civilization and influence far superior to goblins.

Many areas of my dungeon also had elevators constructed by goblins. However, I had always maintained a skeptical attitude towards these mechanical contraptions.

“Strange, I don’t recall any goblins in my tribe being skilled in engineering robot technology,” I remarked.

Suriya leaned in, her breath warm against my ear as she whispered, “’Princess, this was originally an independent mining tribe outside the dungeon’s controlled territory. They only recently declared their allegiance to us.’”

“Oh… right… I understand,” I said, feeling a little sensitive as I vaguely dodged Suriya’s breath.

Then, out of habit, I stole a glance at Senior Sister Faein. She seemed displeased, glaring at me. Was this my fault too?

“’Next to enter is one of our dungeon’s veteran powerhouses, the Headhunter who strikes fear into the hearts of nearby human villages—Urukan! Seeing Mr. Urukan’s manly, scarred muscles, I’m starting to feel—something! Aha~~~!’” Senior Sister Loynin continued her lustful commentary.

I was incredibly annoyed at this moment. ‘Senior Sister Loynin, you are commentating for my Coming-of-Age Rite, don’t you think being so overtly suggestive is asking for a beating? I really want to drag her back and properly teach her a lesson!’

“’So, do our two warriors have anything they’d like to say before the match?’” Loynin asked coquettishly.

The goblin revved the robot’s engine to its loudest, howling amidst the roar of the motor: “’Princess Coolie! We, the mining goblins, rejected the invitation of the King of Minos! We specifically decided to join your ranks to participate in this tournament! The only reason is this—the Princess’s promotional poster!’”

“’Oh—!’” The demons gasped in awe as the enlarged poster appeared via magic projection.

The poster depicted me in a torn black gauze dress, revealing my pale legs and waist, with a black choker around my neck. The chain from the choker extended forward, out of frame, clearly drawn from the perspective of the chain-holder. It read: “’She eagerly awaits your discipline—Princess’s Coming-of-Age Rite Education Rights Competition, A Dungeon Feast.’”

“’…What, what kind of poster is this!’” My face was crimson, and I trembled with rage. “’Where’s Seth! Tell him to come here! When did you draw such a disgusting poster! Why wasn’t it approved by me!’”

“Seth isn’t here…” Beth Daisy whispered softly from behind me.

“’You are the light in our dark cavern, you are the beacon in our lost mine! Princess, you’re so cute! Oh, Kalakali, my Kukuku…’”

The goblin, standing atop his robot, began a rhythmic goblin rap. I automatically filtered out the lyrics, which were undoubtedly full of expletives.

“’One figure stands before you, and that is—me, Urukan! The Orc Headhunter! I am not here to win any rights to discipline a princess. I only want to say, if you wish to become the strongest in the dungeon, you must first pass through me! Oww—!!!’” Urukan, with his red skin, bald head, and black beard, wielded a massive, chipped, blood-stained cleaver. Many enemy skulls hung from his waist; it was said that only formidable opponents had their skulls displayed there.

“’Oh oh oh—!!!’” The demons cheered for the Headhunter.

“’So, Princess, what is your evaluation of the bold declarations from Mr. Goblin and Uncle Urukan?’” Loynin, stirring trouble, directed the magic amplifier towards me.

“’Hmm, both spoke very well… very stylish, very imposing,’” My chest heaved with indignation. “’But… what in the world are that disgusting poster and the princess’s discipline rights about!!?’”

For some reason, Beth Daisy behind me covered her mouth and let out a mischievous chuckle.

“’Ah, hehehehe—’

“Rodis! Come out!” I called out, exasperated.

“’Present! Your Royal Highness!’” Rodis, with her pink single ponytail, appeared at my feet in a swirl of purple mist, kneeling on one knee.

From my elevated position, looking down, I coincidentally caught a glimpse of white between her raised thigh and short pink skirt.

I shifted my gaze, my voice chillingly low as I said, “’Find… find, find, find! Investigate thoroughly who the artist of that poster is. It’s so well-drawn, so much like me, so lifelike and vivid. I want to invite him to the deepest part of the dungeon for a little chat.’”

“’Yes, Your Royal Highness, I shall investigate immediately.’”

“’Oh, and that… black… suits you better.’”

“’Eh?’” Rodis, bewildered, blushed deeply.

****