The conference chamber of Eterna was filled with the presence of its key executives. The air was heavy with expectation; every leader seated knew this meeting would shape the future of the nation.
I sat at the head of the long obsidian table, arms folded, my eyes calmly scanning the gathered council. Shadows swirled faintly at my side—Ranga was asleep in my shadow, in that peculiar state where he was aware of everything yet incapable of action. Solarys whispered to me that his essence was evolving, shifting toward something greater. Even in slumber, his loyalty meant he would strike the instant I was endangered.
Not that many threats remained who could endanger me. With Osirion at my command, very few beings in existence could truly be called enemies anymore.
Still, duty demanded focus.
I was about to declare the start of the meeting when the chamber doors burst open. A soldier rushed inside, kneeling at once, his voice trembling.
"My deepest apologies for intruding, Pharaoh Atem! Lords and ladies of Eterna! A guest demands an audience with you all. They insisted this matter was urgent and would not be delayed."
Rigurd, who had been carefully maintaining order in Eterna, instantly rose with fury written on his face. "How dare you interrupt without permission!" His voice boomed, his hand already gripping the table.
Kaijin reached out to restrain him. "Peace, Rigurd. Let's hear the man out. We've yet to begin—no harm done."
The soldier's forehead pressed harder to the floor.
I raised a hand, halting the tension. My tone was calm but carried weight that silenced the room. "Enough. What's done is done. Rigurd, see this as a lesson. Your anger shows your loyalty, but discipline will matter more in days to come."
Rigurd bowed deeply, voice rough. "Forgive me, Pharaoh. This is my failing."
"You learn from it. That is what matters," I said. My gaze softened, just a little. "Eterna thrives because its people grow."
I gestured to the soldier. "Bring in our guest."
The doors opened once more. A familiar figure stepped inside. Cloaked in travel gear, sword strapped across his back, the Guildmaster of the Blumund Liberty Union entered.
"It has been too long, Atem-dono," Fuze said, bowing with grave respect. His eyes flickered to the gathered leaders, then back to me. "We rushed here as soon as we heard troubling news. I pray we have not arrived too late."
He looked prepared for war—armor tightened, weapon ready.
I tilted my head. "Ten days… yes, that would be the time since I had the merchants and adventurers escorted away. You heard of the war, then? And came here to… fight?"
His gaze hardened. "Indeed. The scouts' reports reached us. If the Kingdom of Falmus has moved with the backing of the Holy Church, then you are surrounded by foes. I will not allow such a place as this—Eterna, with its order and beauty—to fall without resistance."
His words carried passion. Even so, I could see he hadn't yet understood the truth.
He continued, his tone rising. "We bring fifty warriors, each B-Rank or higher. Our country cannot openly stand with you, but we came nonetheless. If the enemy force is fifteen thousand strong, then we strike their leaders with a surprise attack while their army falters. We will create the opening—you will exploit the chaos."
The executives around me exchanged baffled looks. Their silence was not hesitation—it was amusement, though they did well to hide it.
I leaned back in my chair, studying Fuze. His sincerity was real. He had come ready to die for Eterna, even when politics demanded neutrality. I respected that.
But…
"Fuze," I said firmly. "You are brave. Your men, loyal. But you misunderstand the battlefield."
His brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
I met his gaze directly. "The war is already finished."
The room fell quiet.
"…What?"
"Falmus' army," I continued evenly, "their twenty thousand soldiers, their generals, their king. Their ambitions. Their nation. All of it is gone. I annihilated them."
Fuze's eyes went wide. His mouth opened, then closed again. Finally, he let out a broken laugh. "You—what…?"
Youm placed a hand on his shoulder with a grin. "He's not joking, old man."
Gabil crossed his arms, nodding sagely. "Indeed. I witnessed it myself. It was a storm of judgment, like the wrath of the gods."
Elen, standing off to the side, stammered, "It—it sounds impossible, right?! But… Atem-sama really did it. With one strike, the entire war ended."
Fuze staggered back a step, unable to process it. His fiery determination was still there, but it now wrestled with the enormity of what I'd said.
I let him struggle with it for a moment before speaking again. My voice was steady, undeniable. "Your offer of aid honors me. But understand this: Eterna no longer stands at the mercy of kings or armies. We will not be crushed by numbers. We decide the course of this land now."
The silence was heavy until Fuze finally exhaled. He bowed deeply. "Forgive my ignorance, Pharaoh Atem. My heart drove me here, but it seems I walked into a future already decided."
"Not ignorance," I corrected, my tone firm but not unkind. "Loyalty. Courage. And those are qualities Eterna has need of. Stay. Join us in this meeting. Even if you cannot speak for Blumund, you can offer a perspective no one else here can. That, too, has value."
His eyes widened again, then softened with gratitude. "You honor me."
I turned to the soldier. "See to it that Fuze's companions are given quarters at the inn. Food, water, and rest. They came here in good faith. Eterna repays such gestures."
The soldier bowed and departed.
As Fuze took a seat among the council, I finally looked over my gathered executives. "Now," I said, voice steady, carrying the weight of judgment, "we begin."
The conference truly started.
"Now then," I said, my gaze sweeping across the council chamber, "this time we will begin the meeting."
Just as I was about to give the formal declaration, a hand rose from the far side of the table.
Besta.
I arched an eyebrow. "Yes? Speak. Has something occurred?"
The dwarf adjusted his spectacles, his expression unusually grave. "Pharaoh Atem… before we proceed, I must report a development. A new magic tool has been completed—one we call the long-range communication crystal. Through it, one may converse with another across great distances, projecting an image in real time."
A low murmur rippled across the room. Even among Eterna's executives, this was no ordinary invention.
I narrowed my eyes slightly. "An impressive feat, but I sense this is not a matter of idle curiosity. Why now, Besta?"
He bowed his head deeply. "Because… when I reported to His Majesty, the King of Dwargon, he insisted—no, demanded—that he speak with you directly. I thought with the executives gathered here, this may be the right moment."
The weight in his words caught the council's attention.
"I see…" I leaned back in my chair, my tone cool, measured. "This concerns the dwarven king, then. But tell me, Besta—why here, and why now? You are aware that Guildmaster Fuze, Youm, and others not of Eterna are present. If this concerns private matters, I could meet him separately."
Besta shook his head, his voice unwavering. "It is not a private matter, Pharaoh. His Majesty declared that the discussion concerns the future relations between our nations. When I mentioned this gathering, he revealed he has already assembled his own ministers and awaits your presence through the crystal."
A silence settled.
I steepled my fingers before me. "So… Gazel Dwargo himself sits ready, surrounded by his ministers, waiting for us?"
"Yes," Besta replied firmly.
My gaze darkened with thought. The dwarven kingdom had yet to publicly announce our ties. Until now, we had only formed a mutual non-aggression pact and an agreement to exchange technology. Fragile bonds. Conditional bonds. If Eterna had been crushed by Falmus, they could have quietly severed them.
But we had not fallen.
We had annihilated an army of fifteen thousand. Alone.
Of course Gazel Dwargo would see the weight of this. A fledgling nation that could destroy kingdoms would not go ignored. He had two choices: strengthen ties with us… or condemn us as a threat to mankind.
I fixed Besta with a sharp look. "Tell me, Besta—did you inform him of my evolution? Of what I am now?"
The dwarf hesitated, then bowed. "Yes. I told him everything. That you are no mere sovereign… but a being who stands at the level of a Demon Lord."
A faint smile tugged at my lips, sharp as a blade. "As I suspected. That explains his urgency. To learn of such a thing at dawn and summon his entire council by morning… it seems Gazel is taking this very seriously indeed."
The chamber grew still. I could feel the weight of my executives' stares—expectant, watchful. Even Fuze, who had barely recovered from the truth of Falmus' annihilation, was leaning forward in tense silence.
I let the pause stretch, then finally spoke, voice steady and resolute.
"He would have learned sooner or later. Better it be now—better he sees that I do not hide what I am. If he believes this will intimidate me, he will learn otherwise."
I turned my gaze to Besta. "Prepare the crystal. Place it here, before me. If Gazel Dwargo wishes for an emergency conference, then we shall grant him one. Eterna will not shrink from dialogue, nor will we be dictated to. It is we who will decide our path."
The decision carried finality.
Besta nodded and moved quickly, already summoning assistants to install the communication device.
As they worked, Solarys whispered within me, its tone calm and absolute:
"Report. This conference will shape the recognition of Eterna among nations. High probability of diplomacy. Low probability of open conflict."
I exhaled slowly. "So be it."
Then, raising my voice to the room:
"Make ready. This council will not only decide the future of Eterna, but how the world itself views us. Speak carefully, listen keenly, and stand with the dignity of those who have chosen to serve me."
The council nodded as one.
The meeting with Gazel Dwargo was about to begin.
It was a sudden change of plan, but one that worked in our favor.
This wasn't just any meeting—it had become a pivotal conference, one that would shape the future of Eterna.
So, the gathering was rescheduled to take place an hour later.
During the short break, Fuze approached me with a grim, almost pale expression. His eyes darted nervously, and his lips quivered as he spoke.
"Lord Atem… did I hear something I shouldn't ignore? I thought I heard you say… you became a Demon Lord?" His voice trembled, his whole body tight with unease.
I regarded him with calm indifference, crossing my arms over my chest.
"A Demon Lord, hm? Yes, I said that." My tone was measured, deliberate. Then, I leaned forward ever so slightly, my gaze piercing into him. "In truth, I am no mere Demon Lord. I am the True Pharaoh-Dragon—a being far beyond that title. But I chose to simplify matters for everyone's sake. 'Demon Lord' is a word mortals can comprehend."
His jaw slackened, but I wasn't finished. I tilted my head, my tone suddenly cutting with a razor's edge of sarcasm.
"But more importantly, Fuze… shouldn't you go to the latrine before your knees give out? You look like you're about to wet yourself."
He recoiled, flushing red. "You—you mock me at such a time?! A Demon Lord—or… Pharaoh-Dragon—you speak these words so casually! Do you expect me to accept this without explanation?!"
A sigh escaped me, my expression unmoved. What a nuisance.
Right from the beginning, must I lay everything out to him like a teacher reciting to a child? Still, expecting him to grasp the full truth from fragments was impossible.
"Solarys," I whispered in my mind.
<"A summary will suffice, my Sovereign. Anything beyond that would only shatter his composure.">
Very well.
And so, I gave him a condensed account—the destruction of the invading army, the surge of power that transformed me, and the mantle I now bore.
By the time I finished, Fuze's hands were shaking, his lips muttering incoherent fragments. "Demon Lord… True Pharaoh-Dragon… what… what does this even…"
Before I could continue, the soldier from earlier returned, bowing deeply.
"Forgive the intrusion, Lord Atem! More guests have arrived, requesting an audience with you. What is your command?"
Guests? Again? This day had become a procession of them.
I cast one last look at Fuze, who was still muttering to himself, and stepped past him.
"Lead me to them," I commanded.
The waiting chamber was filled with tension. The first thing I noticed was the presence of five officers, standing tall and rigid, their posture precise as blades. Their discipline was unmistakable.
But the one seated on the sofa at the center drew my attention most of all. He was dressed in a lavish noble's garb, clearly tailored to signal both wealth and authority. His features were refined, his narrow eyes sharp, suggesting a man who once thrived on courtly charm.
I stepped into the room with deliberate calm, each motion steeped in authority.
"Greetings," I declared, my voice echoing like a decree. "I am Atem, Pharaoh of Eterna. State your business."
The noble rose at once, his eyes widening the moment they met mine. Rage flickered across his features.
"So—it is you. You are the fiend who seduced my daughter! Have you steeled yourself for the price?!"
Without hesitation, he began chanting an incantation. The air thickened instantly, mana surging like a raging inferno. He was invoking a high-class infernal ritual spell—the kind forged for warfare, not diplomacy.
I narrowed my gaze. Here? In Eterna? The unstable torrent of magic was reckless, threatening to engulf the entire chamber. Did this man truly intend to unleash such devastation within my domain?
But before I lifted a finger, another voice cut through the madness.
"PAPA!!! What are you doing?!"
Elen burst into the room, her face crimson with anger and embarrassment. In a heartbeat, she marched straight to him—then smacked him across the head with a resounding crack.
Thwack!
The spell dissipated at once. The noble staggered, his chant dying on his lips as confusion clouded his expression.
"E-Elen…?" he stammered, blinking.
"You reckless fool of a father!" Elen snapped. "Casting a battlefield spell inside Eterna?! Do you want to destroy the entire town?!"
Her voice cracked like a whip. The noble shrank under her glare, his officers awkwardly averting their eyes, torn between loyalty and disbelief.
Finally, he straightened with a cough, his voice forced into a semblance of dignity.
"Ahem… Lord Atem, my apologies. I… overreacted. I was informed my daughter had been kidnapped by a Demon Lord, and I panicked."
I met his excuse with a cold stare, my tone as sharp as steel.
"Overreacted?" I said softly, but each syllable cut. "You nearly unleashed annihilation within my capital. Do you truly call that overreaction?"
His face paled.
Elen's secretary-like companion stepped forward, bowing with measured respect. "Your Excellency, with due respect—you were properly informed. You ignored the reports."
Elen crossed her arms, glaring. "So, Papa, this entire mess is your fault after all."
The noble grimaced, looking both pitiful and ashamed, but I offered him no sympathy. A man wielding that much power with so little restraint deserved none.
Once the chaos settled, introductions were finally exchanged properly.
The man was Duke Erald, a high noble of the Mystical Dynasty of Sarion, and—more significantly—the uncle of the Empress herself.
Troublesome, yes. But also… valuable.
A piece on the board that I intended to use.
The revelation had struck me harder than expected.
Putting it simply, Elen was one of the top three leaders of the Mystical Dynasty of Sarion.
I narrowed my eyes, my gaze resting on her as the truth settled in.
"So… you were hiding far more than you let on."
I could feel the weight of her status pressing against the air. A high noble. No—more than that. She was in a position that could be described as princess-like. A woman of such station, moving about as an adventurer? The very thought was absurd.
And yet, here she was.
Her posture remained casual, her expression untroubled, as though her heritage was of little consequence to her daily life. I clenched my hand beneath the table. Either she is recklessly naïve… or there are eyes in the shadows ensuring she is never truly in danger.
The second possibility was more likely. If her existence was so critical, the Dynasty would never allow her freedom without hidden safeguards.
I shifted my gaze briefly to the men who accompanied her, Kabal and Gid. Their expressions held a hint of nervousness, as though they were caught in the weight of this revelation themselves. I exhaled quietly. "...You two have endured much by her side, haven't you?" I thought to myself. Perhaps I should extend them more grace the next time.
But for now, my focus turned elsewhere.
I turned my sharp gaze toward the noble seated across from me. "And so, Duke Erald. Was this all you came here to reveal to me?"
The Duke's lips curled into an amused smile, his eyes glittering with the sharpness of a man who played games far more dangerous than they appeared.
"Fufufu… of course not, Lord Atem. My visit was not only to reveal my daughter's identity, but to see your nation with my own eyes. If, in the future, Sarion and Eterna are to stand in alliance, I cannot move on rumors alone."
He leaned forward ever so slightly, lowering his voice into something conspiratorial.
"And you need not worry for my safety. This body you see before you? It is nothing more than a homunculus."
At that, my eyes narrowed further.
"A puppet…" I muttered.
Now that he had mentioned it, I could sense it. His frame lacked the robust aura of life. The magic coursing within him was faint, artificial. So, this is his level of caution… The true Duke sat comfortably elsewhere, shielded from all risk.
I leaned back against my chair, my arms folding across my chest. My tone was cold, authoritative, like the Pharaoh I once was.
"As expected of a high noble. Always prepared, always armored in deception. Tell me, Duke—should I take this as an insult, that you dare send a shell to face me, instead of your true self?"
His composure didn't falter, though I noticed the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth. "No insult was intended, Lord Atem. This is merely prudence. Surely you, of all beings, understand the need to protect oneself. That said… I am impressed. Not many would have seen through it so swiftly."
Hmph.
I looked at him with piercing eyes, my mind already calculating. To command such craftsmanship in homunculi… the knowledge behind it could prove invaluable.
"Solarys," I murmured inwardly.
[—Confirmed. The process of homunculus creation is of high strategic value. Request permission to acquire this knowledge.]
Yes. That will be arranged later.
For now, I gestured toward the chamber beyond.
"Very well. You will join the conference. If your goal is to witness Eterna's resolve, then you shall bear witness."
Time was pressing. The hour for the council was upon us.
When we entered the great chamber once more, the atmosphere was already heavy with expectation. Representatives from powerful nations sat in silence, their eyes following my every step. As I entered, I could feel it—the pressure in the room shifting. A ripple of unease, as though they realized instinctively that I was not someone who could be taken lightly.
I motioned Duke Erald and his group toward empty seats with a commanding nod.
Before we could begin the true matters at hand, introductions were in order.
I rose, my voice carrying throughout the room, firm and deliberate.
"Before we begin, I would have us acknowledge each representative present. Let no one say that this council was born of shadows or secrecy. Every voice here holds weight."
First among the foreign nations was the Armed Nation of Dwargon.
A shimmering projection appeared, and within it stood a towering figure radiating authority. His very presence cut through the distance, and even through magical projection, his dignity could not be diminished.
King Gazel Dwargo.
He inclined his head slightly. "Lord Atem. I will speak frankly. I come not as an observer, but as a man who wishes to test whether your ambitions are worthy of respect."
I held his gaze with equal intensity. "Then let us see if your expectations are met, King of Dwarves."
Next, the small but clever nation of Blumund.
Their representative, Fuze, guild master of Liberty Union's Blumund branch, stepped forward with measured steps. Though he lacked the overwhelming authority of kings or nobles, there was a keen sharpness in his eyes.
"I stand here not only for Blumund, but as a man who has crossed paths with Eterna's people. My words may not carry the full weight of a sovereign, but my experience may yet prove useful."
I inclined my head slightly in acknowledgment. "A man who speaks truth without overreaching earns my ear."
Finally, the one who had joined us most unexpectedly—Duke Erald of the Mystical Dynasty of Sarion.
Though a fool for his daughter, his cunning was undeniable. And behind him loomed the weight of Sarion itself, a nation whose influence rivaled the Council.
I let the silence stretch as my gaze swept across the room.
Representatives of great nations. Kings, nobles, guild leaders. The kind of assembly where every word carried the potential to shake the balance of the world.
"Good," I said at last, my voice cold, commanding, undeniable. "This is no gathering of rabble. Each of you holds power, and each of you has something to lose. Then let us begin."
The conference chamber buzzed faintly with restrained anticipation. Voices lowered, eyes narrowed—every guest was measuring, weighing, and waiting. The air was thick with suspicion and diplomacy, the kind that could fracture with a single careless word.
I raised my hand, and the room stilled.
"Ah," I said, my voice resonating like a decree, "there is one more introduction I must make before we proceed. Someone whose presence you may find… difficult to believe. But know this—he is not a rumor, nor a legend carried by fearful tongues. He stands here, beside me, as my ally."
Every eye sharpened.
Gabil stiffened in his seat. The hobgoblins swallowed hard, their faces pale with restrained terror. Even Duke Erald, who carried himself with arrogant calm, leaned forward with a flicker of unease in his eyes. The silence thickened, so heavy it felt like the chamber itself held its breath.
"Be not alarmed," I continued, my tone steady, deliberate, commanding. "But steel your hearts, for the truth will test them. Solarys—"
[—Confirmed. Binding seals disengaged.]
I spread my hand toward the air beside me. "Release Storm Dragon."
A circle of blazing hieroglyphic light expanded from my palm, ancient words shimmering with golden fire. My own body-double surged forward, reshaped by the divine matrix. The energy coalesced into a towering figure, bursting forth like thunder breaking through the sky.
"KUHAHAHAHAHA! Summoned by my eternal friend, I have arrived!"
The laughter shook the very chamber as Veldora stepped forth. No longer sealed, no longer a whisper of legend—he stood in his human form, robust, towering, his aura radiating unrestrained might. His golden hair flowed like a mane, his sharp eyes glittered with untamed joy, and his presence crushed the air like a storm.
I extended my hand toward him, my tone solemn, unyielding.
"This," I declared, "is my companion and sworn ally. Known to history as the Storm Dragon Veldora—now free, now unbound. And above all, my trusted friend. You will treat him with respect."
Veldora grinned broadly, his chest puffed out as he placed his hands on his hips.
"Indeed! I am Veldora, Storm Dragon incarnate! Tremble, but also rejoice—KUHAHAHA! I am most pleased to make your acquaintance!"
The silence that followed was absolute.
Not a breath, not a whisper.
Then—chaos.
Fuze's jaw dropped, his voice barely a whisper before he collapsed.
"Impossible… the Storm Dragon… alive—?!"
Beside him, Elen's face drained of color before her eyes rolled back and she fainted. Kabal and Gid flinched as though lightning had struck them, their legs buckling under the sheer weight of Veldora's aura.
On the other side, Rigurd and the hobgoblins were on their knees in an instant, foreheads pressed to the floor, trembling.
"L-Lord Atem! To think… to think you walk with such a being at your side…!!"
Even Duke Erald, whose homunculus body was but a shell, stiffened. His forced composure cracked, sweat beading on his brow as he muttered under his breath.
"…So the rumors… were true… the Storm Dragon is not only alive, but bound to him?"
The room dissolved into chaos. Shouts, gasps, panicked whispers. Chairs scraped against stone, papers fluttered to the floor.
And yet, through it all, Veldora stood laughing, and I sat calm, unmoved, my eyes sharp as blades.
"Enough."
My voice cut through the storm like a sword. Silence slammed back into place, every head snapping toward me.
"I summoned him not to incite fear," I said, my tone grave, carrying the weight of judgment, "but to show you the truth of Eterna's might. Legends walk beside me. Powers you thought untouchable, now stand within this council. Understand this—if you seek alliance, you will have stability and prosperity. But should any of you consider betrayal…"
The golden aura of Osirion, Absolute Sovereign of Eternity flickered behind me for the briefest instant, casting the chamber in shadows of infinite hieroglyphs. Eyes widened, breaths caught—the warning was clear.
"…You will face eternity itself."
No one dared speak.
And so, the council had not even begun—yet already, the balance of power had shifted.