Yet another butler called Sebastian?

Our journey brought us closer than ever to the Secret Chamber. We had just passed through a grand hall where a great battle had clearly taken place recently.

The Queen and Sabrina said nothing, but this was likely where Sabrina had defeated the mysterious threat.

Within the first few steps into the next hall, the drastic shift in atmosphere was already noticeable.

The air felt heavier, as if the very climate warned us that this was not our place. If this is just a copy, I don't want to imagine what the real Abyss is like.

The Queen breathed in the air nostalgically. Even Sabrina seemed more relaxed.

We didn't have to go far before being approached. A butler? Someone had come to greet us.

"Your Highness, Princess Lilith, welcome." The butler bowed deeply.

Had this guy been trapped here so long he hadn't gotten the memo that Lilith was now Queen?

"Watch your tongue, butler! You stand before your Queen!" Sabrina seemed just as annoyed as I was.

"I mean no disrespect, Your Highness." He bowed again to the Queen, then turned to Sabrina. "But until our little lady stops her stubbornness and takes her rightful place, I refuse to call her Queen."

Sabrina looked like she wanted to say more, but the Queen cut her off. She dashed forward and leaped onto the butler's shoulders like a child reuniting with her parents.

"Seb, it's been so long! How long has it been? Four hundred years?" The Queen greeted him warmly.

Seb? Another butler named Sebastian? Does no one have creativity these days?

"Mind your manners, young lady! You are royalty and should act with more decorum." The butler began scolding her.

Fear? This was the first time I'd seen the Queen afraid of someone. Even Sabrina seemed intimidated.

"Seb, I came to visit dad... the Demon King's mausoleum."

Seriously? At this point, everyone knows King Diablo was her father. Why the secrecy?

And no one's going to comment on her "not taking her rightful place"? Just leaving us in the dark like this?

Since I didn't dare voice my curiosity, and the Elf stayed quiet, the butler continued:

"Your wish is my command, my Princess." He bowed gracefully, as if he hadn't just scolded her. "You and Sabrina are welcome, but your... exotic companions must pass the Path of Trials if they wish to accompany you."

Who're you calling exotic, you weirdo?

"Can't we make an exception?" The Queen asked with the most childlike look I'd ever seen.

"The rules set by your..." Before he could finish, the Queen covered his mouth and whispered something in his ear.

Seriously, butler? You just saw her hide her father's identity. Who's the eccentric one here?

"As I was saying, the rules left by the great Demon King Diablo are clear. Any non-royals of the Abyss may enter the mausoleum only after pass the Path of Trials"

I really want to know why the hell I'm putting up with this. If I weren't in love with the Queen, I wouldn't endure this torture.

"But the Path of Trials is so boring..." The Queen already sounded bored before we'd even started.

This only made me more anxious. Whatever she did to relieve her boredom could either be very good or very bad for me.

"The Path of Trials is basically crossing the dungeon, fighting Abyss monsters, and finally facing the four generals, right?" the Queen asked.

"Yes, my Princess."

This guy calling her "Princess" was getting confusing.

"Waiting around while they crawl through the dungeon will be so dull."

"But, my Princess, it is tradition! Set by your... Demon King Diablo."

"I don't want to change tradition, just make it more fun!" Her eyes gleamed mischievously.

God have mercy on us.

"What does the Princess have in mind?"

"A tournament! In a grand arena!" she declared. "They'll still fight Abyss monsters and the four generals, but in the arena, I can watch and cheer for my Prince!"

"My Princess, I would love to oblige. A change of scenery wouldn't interfere with the trial's purpose, but we have no arena. My powers have waned over the years. As the current dungeon master, I cannot make such a significant alteration."

Seems he doesn't want to break tradition, but that wouldn't stop the Queen.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it." She snapped her fingers.

Suddenly, the scenery shifted. We stood in the middle of a colossal arena—just picture an infernal Colosseum (I won't describe it in detail).

Every demon from the dungeon now filled the stands, confused at being teleported. The seats were packed.

There was even an announcer's booth—where the HotTub duel commentator and my assistant sat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this time I was caught off guard! I'm still trying to figure out what's happening!" the commentator began. "Ah, yes! Someone briefed me. Tonight marks the first and only Grand Trial Tournament of Lilith's Sect! No one had a more creative name?... Judging by the Queen's glare, I'd say the name is perfect! Whoever chose it is brilliant! Assistant, any thoughts?"

"Commentator, I've got nothing. Still figuring out why we're here."

"It's called a 'callback joke,' assistant. Readers will remember the HotTub duel chapter. Some people find it funny."

"Doubt it'll be funny now that you've explained the joke."

"Wait, assistant, are you..." The commentator looked under the desk. "Folks, it seems the assistant was yanked off the toilet! What a pale backside!"

And so began the tournament that would decide our fate. Not that dramatic, but hey—gotta end on a cliffhanger, right?