Although she didn't want to admit it, Hinata the Saint and Sword Saint Gazel were close in strength. If Hinata had truly been defeated, it would mean that Demon Lord Atem had grown beyond even Gazel.
"That's absurd!" one minister shouted.
"Jaine-dono, are you questioning King Gazel?!" another cried.
Despite the protests, Jaine remained calm. Her eyes were steady, her voice unwavering. This is the truth, she thought. And Gazel himself agreed.
"In just a few months… could anyone achieve that level of power?" Jaine asked, trying to reason.
Gazel sneered, a cold glint in his eye. "That's not mere growth anymore."
The thought gnawed at him. Atem had not just grown—he had evolved. The first time Gazel had faced him after his ascension, he had sensed something… unusual. Atem's aura was strange—calm, almost serene—but there was no denying the power that underlay it. Even with Gazel's Unique Skill 'Dictator', which allowed him to read minds and intent, he could not fully grasp Atem. Atem had complete mastery over himself.
"Indeed," Gazel said finally, his voice low and measured. "He has become a Demon Lord capable of rivaling me. Defeating Hinata would not be impossible for him."
Even so, many ministers still found it difficult to accept.
"But… but how could a being born only a few years ago even compare to Your Majesty, a hero?" one stammered.
"Could there be a mistake?" another added.
"And if it's true… wouldn't Demon Lord Atem be far too dangerous?"
Gazel's eyes swept over the murmuring ministers. He sighed inwardly. If they were thinking like this, then the threat was not only Atem—but the entire shift he represented.
Gazel's gaze fell on the reports. Their spies' investigations were thorough. Atem's lieutenants had engaged the Ten Great Saints, and the report showed that the monsters under his command had not lost a single battle. They fought on their own and achieved complete victory.
One report was especially troubling: a single subordinate had suppressed several Holy Knights by themselves.
If the reports were accurate, the military strength of Eterna had already surpassed that of Dwargon.
Even worse, their video surveillance equipment—one of Dwargon's proudest inventions—could not fully record the battlefield. Magicule instability prevented proper footage, and audio was missing entirely. Power levels could not be calculated
precisely. Still, the documents provided enough to grasp the overall situation.
Some footage did capture monsters Gazel recognized—majins under Atem, some he had spoken with once or twice in the past.
They've grown stronger too… Gazel thought. At this point, even the full might of our kingdom would struggle against them.
The ministers argued heatedly, some insisting the danger was exaggerated, others fearing for the kingdom. Gazel listened, troubled that both sides made valid points.
He considered eliminating Atem before he became a threat…
No. He rejected the thought outright.
Atem was reasonable. More than that, he desired coexistence. He had built a civilized city, aided humans, and worked alongside other kingdoms. If Atem had not respected humanity, the world would already be in ruin.
Gazel shook his head, dismissing the ministers' fears.
"No," he said, voice calm but firm, "Atem would never destroy humanity."
The ministers hesitated, unsure, but Gazel continued, his words carrying Ruler Haki, an aura of authority that pressed down on the room like iron.
"Hehehe. Don't worry. Atem is my junior. We were the first to place trust in him and earn his respect. Do you expect me to abandon that trust now, casting doubt on him after all we've shared?"
The ministers straightened under his presence, most regaining their composure.
"I… indeed. To abandon the trade opportunities with Eterna now would be foolish—" one murmured.
"Their imports are valuable. Even our healing potion production depends on them now."
"And their technology exchange? Impossible without trust. So why are we panicking?"
The council fell silent, each minister forced to acknowledge the logic of their king. Gazel allowed a small smile to appear on his face.
The Dwarven Kingdom had always valued honesty and fairness. Even though Atem was a Demon Lord, that alone did not justify mistrust or prejudice.
Atem had gained incredible power, yes—but he was also a being who treated others with respect. Anyone who had seen his actions would know he was trustworthy.
And now, Dwargon stood in friendly terms with Eterna.
This relationship must be maintained, Gazel thought firmly.
The revelation that Atem had originally come from another world carried enormous significance. He possessed the power to recreate knowledge from that world through his unmatched abilities.
Even his slightest whim—for refinement, for improvement—became the spark for his grand inventions. Gazel found it… fascinating.
Moreover, Atem's subordinates revered him deeply. They carried out every command, no matter how impossibly difficult. The evidence was everywhere—most notably, the road connecting Eterna and the Dwarven Kingdom. A path crossing mountains and valleys, engineered so flawlessly that any traveler could pass safely. And it was Atem's followers, his monsters, who labored tirelessly to make it a reality.
Everything he conceived required only a single command. Projects that others from another world had abandoned due to cost or labor posed no obstacle for Atem. He could force his plans to fruition, not with coercion, but with a power and authority so absolute that every subordinate worked as one.
It's enviable… Gazel thought.
No matter the scale of the task, Atem's words alone were enough to mobilize his forces. "Let us strive together to achieve this goal!" he would command, and his subordinates obeyed unquestioningly. That—more than his strength—was terrifying. Atem had an almost genius ability to command loyalty. For better or worse, he was utterly captivating.
Perhaps I'm already in his debt, Gazel admitted silently.
And… that's fine.
The thought of what might happen if Atem tried to reshape the world according to his ideals both thrilled and worried Gazel. Such ambitions could trigger the Great War of Tenma—a cataclysmic clash between Heaven and monsters. But Eterna was strong enough to become a formidable power; it might even stand a chance against the forces of Heaven.
If that day came, Gazel resolved to support them fully.
"That Demon Lord Atem may not be my kin by blood, but we are as close as brothers," Gazel's voice boomed, reverberating throughout the council hall. "As long as he retains his humanity, I will support him with all the power of Dwargon. We will welcome a new age—a cultural and technological enlightenment. Speak now if any of you oppose this!"
The Hero King's will was absolute.
"I support you, King Gazel. You are our leader!" shouted Vaughn, Commander-in-Chief of the military, with a laugh.
"My liege, I am your shadow. Naturally, I will follow your decision," Anrietta, head of the covert operatives, replied without hesitation.
"Go forth with your vision. My days are numbered. I wish to live my life to the fullest, to follow King Gazel to the ends of the earth," said Jaine, the ancient court mage, her voice morbid yet spirited. Her declaration left no doubt—she would support Gazel unconditionally.
Even Dolph, Commander of the Pegasus Knight Order, exhaled in mock resignation. "Since everyone has spoken, I'll be the one cleaning up afterward. Someone has to intervene if he ever goes too far, right?"
It was always his burden, but Dolph bore it willingly.
With the kingdom's heroes and top officials endorsing this new policy, no one could openly oppose it. But behind closed doors, some ministers still held private doubts. Publicly, however, they voiced full support, bolstered by the authority of their king.
There was a reason for this. As citizens of a technologically advanced nation, they were enthralled by the cultural enlightenment Gazel envisioned. Dwargon had long sought progress, yet its growth had been slow. Atem, in contrast, advanced research fearlessly and at unprecedented speed. Reports from former colleagues, including Marquis Vesta, reinforced this.
Some envied Atem's freedom.
"How can Vesta-dono just do whatever he wants?! Unforgivable!" one minister exclaimed.
"I know! Did you hear? They've installed new anti-monster barriers along the roads!"
"And streetlamps. They're even developing some sort of communication device."
"Just making potions isn't enough—this kind of research is outrageous! I… I mean, it's infuriating!"
Atem's vision, his command over loyalty, and his unyielding ambition left everyone in awe. For Gazel, it was thrilling to witness. Atem's rise was not just a threat—it was a chance to witness history being forged. And Dwargon would stand firmly beside him.
As the ministers voiced their private complaints, Gazel smiled wryly. He cleared his throat deliberately. Almost instantly, the room fell silent, as if on cue. Every minister turned their gaze to him.
"I've come to a decision," Gazel announced, voice firm and commanding. "Our nation will trust Demon Lord Atem and move forward alongside him. We shall safeguard their technology and ensure it is preserved. Even if their forces are challenged by the army of Heaven, their knowledge must not be lost! This is my policy, the policy of the Armed Nation of Dwargon!"
No one dared object. King Gazel always put the kingdom first, considering its future above all.
The ministers bowed deeply, acknowledging their agreement.
"Kukuku… fully capitalizing on the benefits, I see? Much simpler to say it plainly rather than wrap it in lofty words," Vaughn commented, and his remark drew quiet chuckles from those present.
With that, the council decided to accept the proposal from the Holy Empire of Lubelius, effectively concluding the meeting. Administrative officials would handle the formal procedures to establish pacts not only with Eterna, but also with Lubelius. Though the wisdom of this judgment remained uncertain, it would likely prepare the kingdom for the Great War of Tenma.
This will suffice, Gazel thought, satisfied. As he prepared to leave, one minister hesitantly raised a hand.
"Sire, may I have a moment of your time?"
Gazel signaled him to proceed with his eyes.
"My liege, Rigurd-dono has sent an invitation. It states that Atem-dono will be holding a public presentation announcing his ascension as Demon Lord to the world… and he wishes for you to attend the ceremony—"
"A public ceremony announcing his ascension as Demon Lord? What in the world is he thinking?" Gazel asked aloud, puzzled. Even the minister could offer no answer, eyes wide with fear and uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the other ministers began speculating.
"It must be a pretext. Perhaps he simply wants to demonstrate the closeness of our nations by inviting sire."
"Hasn't he already hosted such a ceremony in our nation?"
"Oh, that's it! Marquis Vesta mentioned it to me. They are organizing a festival to improve the world's perception of the monster kingdom. Vesta advised and supervised every detail, even directing meticulously planned entertainment programs."
Vaughn's eyes brightened at this news.
"Woah… that does sound remarkable. The accommodations in their country are impressive. You can enjoy a hot spring bath, the cuisine is exquisite, and even the receptionists are exemplary—likely trained by Vesta. So the festival programs will certainly be extraordinary," Vaughn exclaimed, turning to Gazel. His look made it clear: the invitation should be accepted.