When a God of Destruction Was Reincarnated in Tensura:

Leon Cromwell, the Celestial Executioner: The Radiant Scourge of the Sun, had long ruled El Dorado, the golden kingdom of knights, wealth, and order. As one of the strongest Demon Lords and a Keeper, his power had been absolute.

But with his newfound role as a Keeper of Balance, he could no longer rule directly.

Thus, a new ruler was needed.

Leon's expectations were uncompromising—only the most disciplined, just, and powerful could inherit his throne.

And so, he devised a series of trials to determine his successor.

Among his most trusted subordinates, three knights were deemed worthy to compete for the throne:

Claude – Leon's most loyal knight, a master of swordsmanship and strategy, known for his unwavering devotion to order.

Elphina – A high-ranking noblewoman and mage, known for her intelligence, diplomacy, and mastery of magic.

Dario – A fearsome warrior with a sharp mind, skilled in both combat and political maneuvering.

Each represented a different aspect of leadership—strength, wisdom, and diplomacy.

First Trial: The Trial of Strength

A ruler must be strong.

Leon summoned his candidates to the Golden Arena, a colossal coliseum where knights trained and battled for glory.

The crowd gathered—thousands of knights, nobles, and commoners, eager to witness the trials.

Leon stood atop his golden throne, his radiant aura casting long shadows across the arena.

"A ruler who cannot defend their people is no ruler at all. Strength alone is not enough, but without it, a kingdom is doomed."

And with that, the duels began.

Match One: Claude vs. Dario

Claude and Dario stood opposite each other, their swords gleaming under the midday sun.

Dario, a brute force fighter, lunged first, his greatsword shattering the stone beneath his feet.

But Claude, ever the tactician, sidestepped with perfect precision, countering with a swift strike to Dario's shoulder.

Dario growled but grinned.

"Good. You're quick, but let's see how long you last!"

The two clashed in a frenzy of steel and sparks, but in the end, Claude's discipline won.

Dario, though powerful, lacked control, and one mistake was all Claude needed.

With a final stroke, Claude disarmed Dario, sending his massive sword flying.

Dario laughed and conceded.

"Fine, fine. You win this round!"

Match Two: Claude vs. Elphina

Unlike Dario, Elphina fought not with brute strength but with magic.

She summoned golden chains of pure light, attempting to bind Claude in place.

But Claude, anticipating her strategy, closed the distance before she could react.

Elphina barely managed to teleport away, gasping as Claude's blade passed through the air where she once stood.

She launched a barrage of fire and lightning, but Claude deflected each attack with calm precision.

Realizing she could not overpower him, Elphina smiled and surrendered.

"I may be strong, but my battlefield is the court, not the arena."

Claude won the first trial.

Second Trial: The Test of Judgment

A ruler must be wise and just.

For this trial, Leon presented them with a complex political dilemma:

A noble family had been accused of treason, but there was no clear evidence.

If they were guilty, letting them live would be disastrous.

If they were innocent, executing them would be unjust.

The candidates were given one day to determine the truth and deliver a verdict.

Claude investigated thoroughly, speaking with witnesses, knights, and spies.

By analyzing the noble family's actions, finances, and allegiances, he uncovered inconsistencies.

"They are guilty, but not all of them. The son plotted treason—the father knew nothing."

Rather than execute them all, Claude proposed a measured judgment:

The guilty would be punished.

The innocent would be spared.

The people respected his fairness.

Elphina manipulated the situation, orchestrating a trap.

By feeding the noble family false information, she provoked the true conspirators into revealing themselves.

With this, she exposed not just one traitor, but an entire hidden network.

"A ruler must see beyond what is obvious. If I had rushed to judgment, we would have punished the wrong people."

The council praised her insight.

Dario chose brute force, intimidating the noble family until one of them broke and confessed.

"Fear gets results, but a ruler must also inspire loyalty. I failed in that regard."

His methods were effective but brutal, and Leon was not impressed.

Winner: Elphina

Leon nodded in approval.

"A king must wield the sword, but a true ruler must also wield the mind."

Elphina won the second trial.

Final Trial: The Test of Leadership

For the final trial, Leon gave each candidate temporary control of different regions of El Dorado.

They had one week to govern effectively.

Claude ruled with strict discipline, ensuring that laws were upheld and justice was swift.

Elphina focused on diplomacy, forming alliances and negotiating peace between feuding factions.

Dario, though strong, struggled with administration, preferring battle over bureaucracy.

At the end of the week, the people overwhelmingly supported Claude and Elphina.

Leon stood before his people, golden flames radiating from his very being.

"The time has come. I have watched and tested you all. Now, I shall name the one who will rule in my place."

He turned to Claude and Elphina.

"A ruler must be strong like a knight and wise like a king. And so, I have made my choice."

"Claude, you shall be the King of El Dorado. Elphina, you shall be his Queen."

The people cheered, and both knelt before Leon.

"I swear to uphold your teachings," Claude vowed.

"I will guide El Dorado with wisdom," Elphina swore.

Leon nodded, satisfied.

"Then rule well. The golden kingdom is now yours."

And so, El Dorado entered a new era under the reign of King Claude and Queen Elphina.