“This is the plan, what do you think?” I asked the committee that had been made by the governors after Samantha explained my vision. She did a great job, but could have used a bit more enthusiasm.

“Emperor Michael, with all due respect, but what about skill monsters that can summon monsters?” one of the committee members asked. His name was Arnold. I wasn’t completely sure, since these people weren't that important. Still I would meet with them and sort out their issues.

Oh, I had forgotten about those. “What’s the upkeep and stuff on them?” I asked.

“The same as a ritually summoned monster, but skills can be used through them,” Arnold explained. That really would change the dynamics of the entire tournament.

“That is unfair. Not all cities have access to a summoning type dungeon,” Alice, another committee member complained. “It would unbalance the entire tournament. And it is clear that it needs to be the best, which means a level playing field.”

That was a good point. I looked back at Arnold for his return salvo. “But it is a key aspect of fighting with monsters. They can also summon monsters as well. So, we can have replaceable combatants,” Arnold replied.

“That makes it worse not better,” Alice countered. They then both looked at me to make a decision. This was actually tough.

“One moment of silence while I think about this,” I replied. It was not a simple answer no matter what I picked.

“What level are these skill summoned monsters?” I asked Arnold.

“Level 2,” Arnold answered.

“I will allow it. Including skills. That is part of the strength of a summoner. Cities without summoning skills nearby will have to learn to overcome such challenges. What happens if there is a dungeon in a level 3 zone that has a level 4 summoner monster inside? Learning how to face these challenges is part of the competition. Unfairness breeds ingenuity after all. Make that the motto of the Monster Battle Arenas,” I told the last part to Samantha who dutifully wrote that down.

“Alright, what other complaints are there. If you bring them up later, then I will be very unhappy,” I said while looking around.

“There is the issue of betting. And teams colluding,” Anton, another committee member said.

“Anyone caught doing that is guilty of corruption. Death by extreme torture. Spread that around. What else?” I asked. It was good to be Emperor since I could just cut through all the nonsense and hand out solutions to problems. I should double the tax rate just for the service I was providing by doing this.

“What about food stands? How will they be distributed at the arena?” Amanda, another committee member asked.

“Charge a license fee per spot. Let’s not make it too much. Guarantee each governor at least one,” I told Samantha who noted it down. “What else?” I asked.

“What about city arenas?” Alexis asked. Each of them had concerns, well that was fine. I was going to sort them all out.

“Samantha will give you the plans for a basic arena. Nothing above level 3. That will be a hard rule. Below that you can run them as you wish, but we will go with a license fee structure. It is the best. And then for tournaments after this one, each city wishing to keep their license will have to pony up a set amount for the prizes. Let’s say half a million points each, which should cover any Rods of Taming and anything else,” I decided.

“What about executions? Can we have people fight for their lives?” Alexis asked.

“Hmm, while it would be entertaining. It would send the wrong message. Executions are meant to stabilize the government. And people who are going to be killed, can be sent as test subjects. Aren’t there mandatory requirements?” I asked Samantha.

She closed her eyes for a moment. “Yes, there are, everyone that information is classified top secret on pain of death,” Samantha added.

“Oh, yeah. So, keep that to yourselves.” There were nervous glances at that. “Now what else?” I asked.

“Will housing be provided?” Amanda asked. I looked at Samantha.

“What are we doing about that?” I asked her.

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“We can either subsidize housing, or let them arrange it,” Samantha added.

“Hmm, well don’t the governor’s have their own residences, or buildings to stay at when they come here?” I asked.

“Yes. But that is for the governors and their staff they have in the capital,” Samantha replied.

“The teams can stay there or a barracks at the arena. It won’t be great, but for teams not sponsored by a city, they can use that. Any issues at the arena, just kill them. No unsactioned fights or drama.” I added. “Now what else, we are moving through these quite efficiently,” I said with a smile to lighten the mood.

There were smiles in return. Everyone hated meetings, so getting this done quickly and efficiently was the best. “Practicing. Since only arenas are allowed for having teams fight other teams, what allowance will be made for this?” Anton asked.

“Governors can build an arena, or they don’t have to. That is up to them. But fighting outside an arena with summoned monsters against people won’t be tolerated for any reason. I won’t have another Ritualist situation on our hands. And only the three summonings that have come up are allowed, no others for any reason.” No hybrids, but that might be classified. I wasn’t sure, but I thought so. Better not to say anything.

No one said anything else. “That’s it?” I asked to be sure and there was no response. “Perfect. That sorts out most of the issues. You can see to the rest Samantha?” I asked her.

“Yes, I will arrange everything in the next three days, city arena layouts to standardize them. Formal copies of the rules that we have agreed to. And the licensing structure for cities,” she said.

“Excellent. That will give teams enough time to learn about the rules and form a strategy for the tournament. Oh, we need summoning or preparation chambers for the teams. That way they don’t run into each other before hand and their composition isn’t exposed or spoiled.”

“There is one minor issue,” Alice said. I wave my hand at her to hurry up. “City symbols. Right now all symbols are outlawed under Imperial Law,” she said.

“Hmm, you want to sell swag?” I asked.

“Something like that. To have city pride. This is like a sports match,” she added.

“Cities can use stripes of three to five colors. They need to be approved beforehand. No symbols for now. Maybe in the future. That should go to the governors for a vote or Clarissa. Let her know, will you?” I asked Samantha.

“Yes Emperor Michael, I will let her know. Any restricted colors?” she asked.

“Gold and imperial blue should be restricted. As for the rest, Clarissa can decide. But no symbols those are reserved for people who exceed expectations,” I said hinting at meta-points. I wasn’t going to share that.

“I will speak to her and get back to all of you,” Samantha told the committee.

“As for other items. Sure, they can be sold. Just no symbols. I guess three letter abbreviations for cities would be best. That could work and not count as a symbol. Let’s go with that and a five color scheme. That way people know five colors are for cities.”

That felt like a great compromise. I was going to sort this tournament out in a couple of days. I really should give myself a pay raise. There would be cheap entry fees and different sections based on the amount paid.

I would have the biggest private box, but there would be others that could be bought. But most of the seating would be cheap seating. For the most part. Let the crowds enjoy some monster battles. I was kind of hoping there would be an accident, since that would liven things up a bit and really get people’s blood going.

But I wasn’t going to arrange for that. Since anyone attacking the crowd even by accident was to be put to death. I could hope, but I wouldn’t arrange it. Kind of like a car crash during a race. No one would make it happen, but that was what everyone came to see.

“Last chance. Say something now, or this is it?” I asked everyone. There were no more last-minute requests. “Alright, Samantha will get everything put together to be taken back to your respective governors and let them know.” I stood up and everyone stood up as well out of respect.

“I need to figure out my level 4 team and capture some level 4 monsters. This is going to be the best,” I said with a grin. I left the conference room with a skip in my step and a grin on my face.

This was going to be the best. I would be able to fight others and still crush them. Honestly Francis had outdone himself by bringing this to my attention. “Captain Francis,” I said while we were walking since he was on rotation right now.

“Yes Emperor Michael.”

“We leave tomorrow. Make arrangements. I am going level 4 monster hunting. We will need a lot of Rods of Taming as well. For your people and me and the auction. I am thinking twenty to start off with. Also a design for one person to be touching several at the same time to control multiple monsters.”

“I will come up with something and arrange the purchases. From the city? That is quite a bit,” he added.

“Yes. Clarissa can take it out of my taxes as they come in. But I want to get going. Next time I should have left a reserve. Remind me of that,” I told him.

“I can arrange for a cash reserve, how much are you thinking?” he asked me as we walked and talked.

“About fifty million. That seems decent. High value crystals too so the reserves don’t take up that much space if at all possible. You checked the vault security?” I asked him.

“Very tight. Lots of checks. Clarissa went all out,” he said.

“Good, I wanted a second opinion. I am not having the treasury stolen.” It had been stolen twice and then I had stolen the Divine Empress’s treasury. That was never ever happening again. If it did, there would be a lot of melting people.

While it was a bit over the top. I didn’t care. It was the target for enemy cities, thieves, or just plain troublemakers. I was not going to be made to look like an idiot for a third time. The only slave to my pride was that very few people had survived from that long ago.

Now was the time to find some amazing monsters for the tournament. I wanted some really good level 4 monsters that would just shock people and being very cool. I was the Emperor, so there was a certain standard I had to uphold and present.

I would let my guards pick out a team of monsters. Maybe two sets of three. Having two summoners in my protection detail would be more than enough in my mind. They could then build up their monster count after that.