In the end, just because I said, "Revival Festival sounds fine, doesn't it?" they settled on the name "Eterna Revival Festival." Apparently, they intended to hold it every year.
The festival ended, and two days passed. Yet, several pressing matters still weighed on my mind. It was time to deal with them seriously. With two polite knocks, Besta entered my office, accompanied by Rigurd.
Fourteen prisoners had been captured alive. They were currently undergoing rigorous interrogations to extract all the intelligence they possessed. They had obediently revealed what they knew, allowing us to piece together a rough outline of the situation. The rulers of Falmus and other regions had clearly tasted terror firsthand—they trembled at the mere mention of my presence, begging for their lives. Even the bloodthirsty Blood Shadows and the Holy Church envoy had quickly surrendered their knowledge once confronted by Diablo.
That daemon was no ordinary entity. Diablo could dominate the minds of others with absolute precision, instilling fear deep into the soul. Resistance was possible only up to the Greater Daemon class, and even then, few could withstand the will of an Archdaemon like him. In the end, every prisoner chose to speak, knowing that even if their minds shattered, information could still be extracted from them.
In this world, suicide was meaningless against a daemon summoner. A soul could be manipulated directly, memories probed, and knowledge retrieved. Even Greater Daemons could achieve this. To truly keep secrets, one would have to vanish without leaving a trace of body or spirit. Captured enemies in this world inevitably leaked everything they knew—an unwritten rule of survival and espionage.
Thanks to these realities, we gained intelligence swiftly. Espionage, even at the risk of life and limb, became a highly effective tool.
But the real question now concerned the treatment of prisoners after the war. The storm of rage I had felt earlier, before Shion and the others were revived, had mostly settled. I no longer felt the need to slaughter the wretched envoys of the Holy Church or their fanatical cohorts—fanatics were already doomed. Their sentences had been written by their own actions. No forgiveness would ever be given to those responsible.
From their confessions, it was clear that the massacre of Eterna's citizens had not been ordered directly by them. The chain of command led back to Cardinal Nikolaus, who had issued a declaration of war. Because mobilizing the paladins required Hinata's consent, Nikolaus had instead unleashed the Blood Shadows he personally trained. Those feral warriors, drunk on power, ran rampant despite their orders, causing the tragedy we faced.
I realized it would be wise to formalize how prisoners of war should be treated, and establish a clear framework for wartime conduct. If humans insisted on treating us like monsters, then we had the right to define our own rules. Naturally, the option to execute them at any time remained available.
To make an informed decision, I decided to examine how other nations handled similar situations. Asking Youm, Elen, or the others would be of little use—they were inexperienced in statecraft and diplomacy. My thoughts turned to Besta, whose practical mind and familiarity with human politics made him the best advisor in this matter. I resolved to hear his counsel first before proceeding with any decisive action.
Even now, as the aura of my True Pharaoh Dragon form lingered, and Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, guided my strategies, I understood the weight of each decision. Lives, power, justice—all were entwined, and every choice would ripple across Eterna.
As he entered, Besta inclined his head respectfully. "It has been a while, Pharaoh Atem. This incident… it has truly been a trial, hasn't it?"
Indeed, it had been a trial—but the ordeal wasn't over yet.
"You're correct," I replied, my voice calm yet carrying the weight of authority. "Tell me… what happens when humans wage war against one another?" I asked directly, without pretense. Diplomacy had never been my forte, and in this matter, there was no need for it.
Besta nodded and began to explain.
"Firstly," he said, "with the current political structure, starting a war among the nations of the Council is not simple. There are rules. Any nation wishing to go to war must first declare it at the monthly Council meeting. Failing to do so results in losing one's seat and being considered an enemy by neighboring countries."
I listened, absorbing every word. Humans made wars complicated, yet predictable in their bureaucracy.
"Once a war is declared," Besta continued, "the date and time must be announced, and all civilians must be evacuated before then. Until the war officially begins, no hostile action can be taken—not even espionage. If spies are discovered before the start, the punishment is severe. In short, spying is theoretically impossible under these rules, and anyone confident enough to do it risks total annihilation if caught."
I narrowed my eyes. Rules did not constrain me, but I appreciated knowing the framework they operated within.
"Once war begins," Besta went on, "there are two primary types: limited wars and wars of annihilation. Limited wars occur at designated locations, like arenas, where the consequences for civilians are minimized. Terrain advantages can be leveraged, but everything is agreed upon in advance. It's almost… like a high-stakes sport."
I smirked faintly. Humans and their sports.
"As for wars of annihilation," Besta continued gravely, "they have no bounds. These wars continue until one nation is fully subjugated or destroyed. Such conflicts are rare; no nation declares this lightly, because other countries may intervene regardless of victory or defeat. Counterattacks from coalitions are common."
I let the information sink in. A true strategist must always consider both immediate and long-term consequences.
"The Dwarven Kingdom," Besta added, "has declared neutrality. Attacking them will not earn the understanding of other nations, though they remain a prime target due to their technological and military strength. Their national power alone deters unprovoked aggression. Justice without strength is meaningless, Pharaoh Atem. This is why the Council exists: to manage conflicts and prevent unnecessary destruction."
I nodded slowly. Understanding the rules of human warfare was valuable—even if I intended to bend or break them when necessary. Every action, every decision, must account for both power and perception.
"Good," I said finally. "This clarifies the framework. Thank you, Besta. From here, we shall proceed according to logic… and necessity. Let the nations see the might of a True Pharaoh Dragon."
Even as the words left my mouth, the aura of my True Pharaoh Dragon form pulsed faintly, a quiet but unmistakable warning to anyone who dared underestimate me. And somewhere deep within, Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, observed silently, guiding the flow of strategy and knowledge with absolute precision.
War in this world was not merely about strength—it was about understanding, planning, and absolute dominance. And I intended to master all three.
"What about the countries that aren't part of the Council?" I asked, my eyes narrowing. "Take the Eastern Empire, for instance."
Besta straightened. "That nation is a fully armed state that expands by swallowing its weaker neighbors. The Council's rules hold no sway over them. They attack and crush any prey unilaterally. Naturally, spies are often sent to track their movements. Their slogan could be summarized as… 'Death to those who oppose us.' If a nation fails to express allegiance within a week of their war declaration, the empire invades immediately."
I processed the information, the gears in my mind turning. "Fortunately," Besta continued, "their influence stops at the Forest of Jura. No country on this side has been directly threatened… yet. But considering the fate of the nations they have absorbed, even Council members cannot ignore them. The Dwarven Kingdom barely managed to establish diplomatic ties to avoid invasion. Their strength and national power ensured survival."
I nodded. The picture became clearer. "So, the Council functions like a safety net for weaker nations," I mused. "Powerful nations choose war or risk destruction, but the system gives the smaller ones a chance to band together."
Besta inclined his head. "Exactly. The rules are strict, but they maintain a balance. Yet, following them to the letter is not always necessary—nations can bend them if their power allows."
I absorbed his words, committing every detail to memory. Knowledge of human warfare was essential, even if my authority transcended their laws.
"Now," I said, "I understand how wars are conducted… but what happens to prisoners of war?" My gaze sharpened. This was the real concern.
Besta faltered, glancing at me. "That… is complicated. Touching an envoy is strictly prohibited under Council law—it's the same in any civilized system. Kings or high-ranking nobles becoming prisoners is extremely rare. In a war of annihilation, few nations are ever fully destroyed. Most surrender once the battle reaches their capital, raising the white flag."
I let a cold, calm smile cross my face. "So killing them indiscriminately would only provoke other nations. It would be unwise."
"Precisely, Pharaoh Atem," Besta replied, relief flickering across his features. "Even if the king is powerless and disgraced, executing him now could invite retaliation from surrounding nations. A dishonored ruler is still more useful alive."
I considered this. The decision to let the king live wasn't mercy—it was strategy. Power was wielded wisely, not wastefully.
"That has been useful information, Besta. Your presence here is appreciated," I said, my voice even but authoritative.
The older man reddened furiously. "N-no, it's nothing! I'm… just doing my duty, Pharaoh…"
I allowed a faint smirk. A surprisingly earnest fellow, even if a bit bumbling.
"Ah, one more thing. May I report the outline of this incident to the Dwarven King?" he asked hesitantly.
I nodded. "Yes. Tell him to share his thoughts if he has any. Transparency is better than being blindsided."
Besta bowed deeply, muttering his thanks before withdrawing. I couldn't help but note the mixture of embarrassment and awe he carried. I silently hoped he was more focused on the facts than on my appearance—though, with my mask broken and my human form revealed, suspicions about his personal tastes crossed my mind. A thought I immediately pushed aside.
I began to organize what I had learned. Letting the king and envoy live, at least for now, was the pragmatic choice.
Meanwhile, my Skills, even those I had not fully grasped before my evolution, had changed drastically. I would need to verify them all sooner or later. My mind was far from idle.
The Twelve Blood Shadows were left under Shion's supervision. After extracting the information they held, she would likely deal with them using the Unique Skill "Chef", or something similar she acquired during the revival. I had no objection, provided she didn't insist I participate. Such a thought was… distasteful.
After roughly plotting the next steps, I instructed Rigurd to schedule a council meeting. All executive-class members of Eterna would gather to decide our strategy and policies moving forward.
War, prisoners, strategy, and the preservation of power—it was all coming together. And at the center of it, I, Atem, True Pharaoh Dragon, would ensure that every decision reinforced the supremacy and security of Eterna.
This time, there was another issue to address.
"How are the investigations proceeding?" I asked, glancing at Rigurd.
Like me, the monsters of Eterna had changed following my ascension—they were stronger, faster, and some had even gained new Skills. The Voice of the World had declared that gifts would be granted, and my soul's genealogy—every monster I had named—had been affected.
Rigurd straightened and reported.
"At present, we are questioning the residents of the town. The females have mentioned peculiar things… their skin has become smooth and radiant, their vitality noticeably increased. The combat-oriented units have each gained individual Skills, and each squad now possesses a unified Skill. The goblin riders and Star Wolves, in particular, have obtained an Extra Skill called 'Unify.'"
I raised an eyebrow.
Rigurd continued, "This Extra Skill doesn't merely synchronize rider and mount—it allows two creatures to merge into one being. Once unified, they form a four-legged fighter of incredible speed and agility. Their strength ranks around A-, just shy of true A Rank. And there are a hundred of these fighters."
I let the information sink in. A hundred of these combined warriors… astonishing.
Rigurd's voice remained steady. "Of the one hundred resurrected from death, the children have matured instantly into adults. Their inability to fight before seems to have driven their evolution. They gained the Extra Skills 'Complete Memory EX' and 'Auto-regeneration EX,' which complement each other perfectly."
I narrowed my eyes. Even if their heads were obliterated, their astral bodies would retain full memory—they could not truly die. In other words, they had inherited the legendary regenerative power once displayed during the Orc Disaster. One hundred of them.
A chill ran down my spine, but a thrill accompanied it. These children, now fully grown and fearless, were participating calmly in Shion's rigorous, brutal training. One of them had said, with no trace of fear, "After all, we cannot die!"
I had no words—neither apology nor encouragement seemed fitting. Their potential was staggering. Currently, their strength hovered around C+, but I knew this was only temporary. These warriors could one day become the strongest force in Eterna.
I decided to name them "Yomigaeri"—Purple Revival—a symbol that they had conquered death itself.
A low, satisfied hum escaped me. The battlefield of Eterna was shifting. With the Yomigaeri by my side, the unstoppable force of my true power, the True Pharaoh Dragon, would soon be fully realized.
The four thousand one hundred hobgoblins under Benimaru had undergone a fascinating evolution. About a hundred of the strongest among them had transformed into ogres. They clearly admired the Kijin, being from the first village that had sought my aid. I gave these warriors the name "Kurenai"—Crimson Flame—and set them as Benimaru's personal guards. Their combat prowess had risen to A- Rank.
The leaders among them gained Blazing Heat Control and Thermal Fluctuation Resistance EX, turning them into a blazing hot force to be reckoned with. Their individual Ranks remained at C+, but their attack power had surged dramatically. I had intended to name them the Green Numbers and planned for them to play an active role, but the red-hot equipment didn't match the name at all. Well… I hadn't expected them to evolve in such a way. No one could predict the full extent of a monster's evolution.
Still, I went ahead and forced them to dye their gear green. Despite the mismatched color, they became an elite attack squad that excelled in flame attacks.
The high orcs evolved uniformly as a group. Their physical abilities rose, and they acquired a new Skill: Iron Wall EX, allowing them to control the ground and create defensive barriers at will. Coupled with Panoply, they became a formidable defensive force. They inherited most of my Resistances, including Physical Attack Resistance and Pain, Corrosion, Electrical, and Paralysis Invalidation. I even considered feeding them Shion's cuisine to give them Poison Resistance as well.
Individual differences aside, they formed a perfectly cohesive army. Each one was roughly B Rank, and together they became the Yellow Numbers, the backbone of Eterna's defense. These troops were like an unbreakable iron wall, ready to repel any assault.
Then there were the hundred dragonewts led by Gabil. Their physical abilities had soared to A- Rank, naturally. They gained Dragon Warrior Form and could unleash Flame Breath or Thunder Breath. Though they hadn't yet mastered Dragon Warrior Form, I reassured them: "It's fine as long as you can use it in a pinch." Subordinates like these were not to be underestimated—they could fly and attack from the air, raining breath attacks on enemies below.
While they hadn't gained any of my Resistance-type Skills, their racial traits gave them inherent durability. Scales as strong as steel and magic-infused armor protected them from almost everything. Coupled with flight, they had a decisive advantage in combat. I named this squad "Hiryu"—Flying Dragons.
Right now, they were arguably the strongest troops in all of Eterna. Between the Kurenai, the Yellow Numbers, and the Hiryu, my armies had become a force capable of standing against almost anything the world could throw at them.
Well, that was the report I received. It felt like, together with my evolution, the efforts of my subordinates had finally borne fruit. The power we now possessed was staggering. Our total army numbered less than ten thousand, yet it could easily scatter some other random force. I had no doubt it was far stronger than the army I had destroyed before. Truly, it was a surprising outcome.
The only flaw was our lack of numbers. We couldn't increase them easily, so that would need to be addressed. With the verification of the town's residents complete, it was time to assess the executives. According to Rigurd, even the executives themselves hadn't fully grasped their own abilities. That was natural—even I hadn't fully grasped the extent of my own powers. Rather than worrying about others, I needed to understand myself first. I ordered Rigurd to investigate further and shifted to a location where I could test my own abilities.
I arrived at the usual sealed cave. Gabil came to greet me, and I instructed him to allow no one in. Once alone, I called forth the Ultimate Skill "Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom". I commanded it to report the changes wrought by my evolution. The results unfolded before me:
Status
Name: Atem
Location: Eterna
Race: True Pharaoh Dragon
Divine Protection: Crest of Eternel Sovereign
Title: "True Pharaoh Dragon"
Abilities:
Absolute Ultimate Skill – Osirion, Absolute Sovereign of Eternity
Core: Absolute dominion over life, death, souls, fate, and existence itself.
Judgment of Osirion – Merges Horus' Eye of Eternity and Duel of Destiny with Anubis' Predation and Soul Consumption. Atem sees through all lies, forces enemies into unavoidable judgment, and devours their souls with divine precision.
Eternal Dominion – Constructs of Soul Guardians and absorbed entities obey Atem absolutely. Every devoured being, every replicated skill, every power is perfectly synchronized under Pharaoh Authority.
Absolute Probability Manipulation – Fate itself bends to Atem's will. Every event, outcome, and cosmic law realigns to ensure his victory and dominion.
Devouring Sun – Channels Anubis' soul consumption and Horus' Solar Dominion to release an apocalyptic radiance, simultaneously obliterating matter, devouring souls, and transforming the battlefield into Atem's eternal domain.
Osirion's Mandate – Atem can seal, weaken, corrupt, or erase enemies and their powers at will. No resistance, barrier, or immortality can withstand him.
Infinite Ascension – Every devoured soul, absorbed being, or God Card amplifies Osirion's core infinitely. Atem grows stronger with every act of domination.
Ultimate Skill – Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom
Core: Embodiment of divine insight, unerring strategy, and perfect foresight.
Abilities:
Eye of Eternity – Sees through all illusions, lies, and possible futures; predicts enemy actions flawlessly.
Judgment of Fate – Forces opponents into unavoidable duels of destiny; no path to escape remains.
Radiant Dominion – Generates constructs of divine energy to support Atem's forces and reinforce battlefield strategy endlessly.
Probability Mastery – Manipulates outcomes so all events bend toward Atem's chosen result.
Absolute Verdict – Seals abilities, strips willpower, and enforces judgment on all targets; resistance is impossible.
Spirit Deck –
Full Deck from Previous Life – All monsters, traps, and spells can be summoned instantly. Every card works in perfect synergy with Osirion and Solarys, enhancing Atem's battlefield control, attack versatility, and strategic supremacy.
Egyptian God Cards
Obelisk the Tormentor – Absolute destructive power in synchronization with Atem's attacks.
Slifer the Sky Dragon – Divine dominion over energy and strength, amplifying Atem's physical and spiritual assaults.
Ra the Sun God – Channels apocalyptic radiance, soul devouring, and battlefield transformation directly with Osirion.
As I prepared to ask Solarys for explanations of each Skill, it interrupted with an audacious declaration:
"Report. As per your command, the analysis of 『Infinity Prison』 has been completed. Execute the release of Individual: Veldora? YES/NO"
The statement hit me like a thunderbolt. I froze, speechless. After more than a year, the moment had finally come—I could fulfill my promise. Veldora needed a vessel, yes, but I would handle that later. All other thoughts vanished.
I focused my will.
I would release you. Right now, Veldora.
And with that, I commanded YES.