Those fools… I'll make them regret underestimating him, Elalude muttered, though his attention remained fixed on the Emperor.
"Now, to put aside the matter of your mother Elise," Elalude began cautiously, "let's speak of the other aristocratic houses. There are… some rather unscrupulous lords among them."
"Go on," Elmesia said, her eyes narrowing, though her tone remained calm.
"There are those who hide in their domains, doing nothing of state importance, yet refuse to engage in governance. And then there are those who attempt to manipulate politics for their own gain. Some even presume Your Majesty will never interfere, emboldening them to exploit any opportunity to increase the power and wealth of their houses."
Elmesia tilted her head slightly, listening.
"As Duke," Elalude continued, "it is my duty to monitor such actions closely. And precisely because of my position, I must proceed cautiously in this current matter."
He paused, the weight of the Emperor's gaze pressing down on him. A leisurely tour abroad would normally be harmless. But this was the Eterna Federation, the new nation of monsters. Elalude feared there could be schemers waiting to use any advantage against him—or worse, against the Emperor herself. Assassination attempts, though unlikely, could never be dismissed. Thorough preparation was paramount.
"You worry too much, Elalude," Elmesia interrupted, her voice light yet carrying unmistakable authority.
"Ma… Madam?" Elalude stammered.
"No matter what these young lords—these so-called monsters—plan, they will not dare harm me," she continued, and in that instant, her aura shifted. A ruler's presence radiated from her, unyielding and imperious. The overlord side of Emperor Elmesia—the one the public feared—was visible now.
To someone who had lived for centuries like her, even the most cunning lords, including Elalude, were merely brash children.
Elalude swallowed hard. Their words flowed easily, familiar because of blood ties, yet the difference between them was like night and day. Even as a figure of heroism and authority himself, he felt an overwhelming pressure in her presence.
"That… demon lord," Elmesia said, her voice quiet but steady, "Atem, yes? You must not underestimate him."
"—What do you mean?" Elalude asked cautiously.
Elmesia's gaze sharpened. "Do you think a ruler who commands monsters as fiercely as he does, who bends them to his will effortlessly, is weak? His personal strength is only the beginning. Atem's ability to organize nations, to build alliances, and to strategically control the forces under his command… it is unprecedented."
Elalude nodded, though he kept his face neutral.
"I understand, Madam. He is a force to be reckoned with, indeed."
Her eyes glimmered. "Remember the road he promised to build connecting to our borders? He did not hesitate, nor ask for exorbitant payment. Only minor rights were requested, like toll collection. He provides all the labor himself."
Elalude's heart sank as realization dawned. "Ah… so that is the significance!"
"Exactly. That right alone brings enormous wealth and influence. You should see it, Elalude." Her tone was teasing yet sharp, forcing him to acknowledge the truth.
"Should I call it a… 'privilege'?" he asked cautiously.
Elmesia leaned back slightly, smiling faintly. "You notice it too. What Atem values above all is… long-term advantage. That is why he negotiates with such precision. Yet…" She turned her gaze back to him, sharper now, almost predatory. "You are still too naive. Elves, humans, monsters… those with longevity must always consider the long-term first. Do you not know this principle?"
"I do, Madam," Elalude said, with careful respect. "I have calculated both the toll for using the road built by Atem, as well as the cost of constructing it ourselves."
Elmesia's lips curled in a faint smirk. "Naive, as always. It would be extremely difficult to carve a path through the Jura Great Forest ourselves. Dangerous beasts, unpredictable terrain, mountains like the Coscia peaks where the tengu tribes hold sway… Do you truly think we could succeed without extreme cost or risk?"
Elalude's mind raced. Indeed, the Great Forest was infamous for monsters and treacherous landscapes. Tunnels, bridges, fortifications… not to mention defending workers from beasts. Even a century-long plan would barely guarantee a return on investment.
"And yet," Elmesia continued, her voice calm but absolute, "Atem's offer is beyond what your calculations could achieve. He negotiates not with brute force, but with vision. That is why he is a true Demon Lord of Eterna, unlike any we have faced before."
Elalude felt a shiver of respect and unease. Her assessment was accurate. Atem's vision was precise, his power overwhelming, and his strategy flawless.
"Hopelessly naive, indeed," she added, almost conversationally.
Elalude swallowed hard. The lesson was clear: underestimating Atem would be catastrophic. Yet, for the first time, he also saw the extraordinary opportunity Eterna offered—if they navigated it wisely, the benefits would be unparalleled.
However, the situation had changed.
For generations, all roads from Sarion led to a single distant nation—the Dwarven Kingdom, the Armed Nation of Dwargon. Trade, communication, diplomacy—all funneled through that path. But now, a new power had arisen in the Jura Great Forest—the Eterna Federation. And with it, the flow of influence and commerce would shift.
Constructing roads had always been about trade. Previously, exchanging technology with the dwarves had made sense, boosting Sarion's advancement. Yet the colossal effort required often outweighed the benefits. That old order had been completely upended by the emergence of Eterna.
"The vast southern lands ruled by demon lords now belong to Demon Lord Milim," Elmesia said, her gaze unwavering. "Beast King Karion and Sky Queen Frey are her allies. With their combined military might, their nation will thrive. To the northwest lie the Western Nations, and to the north, the Armed Nation of Dwargon. Tell me, Duke Elalude—what hub connects all of them?"
Elalude hesitated, then answered carefully, "Indeed… the newly risen Eterna Federation."
Elmesia's sharp gaze did not soften. "Precisely. You see the significance, but do you grasp the depth of it? That nation is at the center of so many different powers. Cultural exchange, commerce, diplomacy—it will all converge there. This is what Atem has designed. Unpredictable, unprecedented, inevitable."
Elalude's chest tightened. He understood now why the invitation had been extended—not merely for show, but to secure diplomatic ties at a time of monumental opportunity. Yet constructing a highway through the Jura Great Forest was no small matter. There would be monsters, treacherous terrain, and vast expenditures of both manpower and resources.
"My judgment," he murmured, "was that it would be wiser to pay tolls, reap the benefits, and avoid the risk of direct involvement. The investment in armed forces and funding would fall entirely on Atem."
Elmesia's smile was faint, almost predatory. "You have a point… for ordinary circumstances. Minimal cost, minimal risk. Yet you overlook the essence of those you deal with. Atem is a demon lord, a long-lived strategist, a ruler of monsters. One must consider far beyond the immediate, Duke Elalude. You receive eighty marks for foresight—but do not presume the lesson is over."
"…!" Elalude bowed his head, absorbing her words.
"Participate in the construction," she continued, her tone serious now. "Send a group from our nation. Learn, observe, assist—but leave the dangerous work to them. By cooperating, we gain not only knowledge but leverage when negotiating tolls or future agreements."
Elalude's mind raced. All rights from the road would belong to Atem. If Sarion refused participation, reversing the situation later would be impossible. Military intimidation was futile against a demon lord.
"You were too rigid in your thinking, Elalude," Elmesia added, her gaze piercing. "You recognized the shift, yes, but your vision remained anchored in old notions. A short-sighted assessment blinds one to opportunity."
Elalude swallowed, feeling the weight of her judgment. He had been focused solely on immediate danger, failing to see the broader picture. By sending Sarion's own people to Eterna, they could observe technology, learn from monsters' knowledge, and secure goodwill—a calculated, long-term gain.
"…I… I see it now," he admitted, a bitter twinge in his voice.
Elmesia's expression softened, yet her tone remained firm. "Good. Now, there is one more matter—you still must reply to their invitation."
Elalude inclined his head, resolute.
"Consider this," Elmesia said, her eyes narrowing, "Atem understands the world of humans better than most otherworlders. Knowledge, strategy, authority—he wields them all. Put aside his status as demon lord: he is already remarkable. Even the students of Hero Shizue Izawa—the likes of Yuuki Kagurazaka of the Freedom Association or Hinata Sakaguchi of the Holy Knight Order—cannot rival him. To secure any friendly relations, participation is essential. Resistance would be foolish."
Elalude remained silent, absorbing her decisive statement.
"Madam," he ventured, "I will ensure the others cooperate. Yet the safety of Eterna cannot be guaranteed. And regarding those who will accompany you during the visit—"
He knew the potential risks. Conflicts between Atem and the Holy Knight Order had ended decisively in the demon lord's favor, yet the display of power had caused fear and rumor to spread. Those who knew the truth understood how impossible it would be to challenge Atem openly. But fools would always exist, and the world's powerful could no longer ignore the rising influence of Eterna.
Elmesia nodded slowly. "Then it is decided.
Sarion will participate. Carefully select those who will accompany me, and proceed with caution—but also with resolve. This is a chance to align ourselves with a force that will shape the future. Miss it, and we invite irrelevance."
Elalude swallowed. Atem's strategy had not merely shifted trade routes; it had tilted the balance of power. And Sarion, under Elmesia's guidance, would have to respond—not as a mere nation, but as a calculated player in a game far larger than anything he had faced before.
It was unlikely that anything would happen to Demon Lord Atem, but the security situation in Eterna could easily become more complicated. It might be manageable if only he and his close aides were traveling, but if Madam Elmesia herself were to accompany them… the risks multiplied exponentially.
These thoughts churned relentlessly in Duke Elalude's mind. Still, the Emperor had made her decision. There was no turning back. Elalude could only brace himself and steel his nerves for the trials that awaited.
"Send out the mediator contingent under the Imperial House," Elmesia said casually, as if discussing nothing more consequential than a walk in the garden. "You may select candidates from the Magus Order."
Elalude's heart skipped a beat, sweat gathering at his temples.
The Magus Order, also called the Knights of Purity, was the elite military order of Sarion. Its members were the emperor's plenipotentiary agents, qualified to act as mediators in delicate negotiations, and each hailed from noble bloodlines unbroken for countless generations. Their power and authority rivaled that of any entire army. By the way, Elalude himself was a member.
The existence of the order was a carefully guarded secret—yet here the Emperor commanded them into action as if they were a casual extension of her will. Obedience was mandatory, but the dangers were immense. One wrong move could destabilize the delicate political balance of the entire region.
"—Understood, Madam," Elalude answered, bowing low. His voice was steady, though his mind raced. "We will proceed with the arrangements as you desire."
He turned and left the garden without delay, already planning the painstaking task ahead: selecting the ideal agents, ensuring proper training, arranging provisions, and preparing for every eventuality. The Emperor's outing had been decided, and the announcement to the nation would follow. Every action now had to reflect the majesty, authority, and safety of Empress Elmesia herself.
And thus began the long series of sleepless nights for Duke Elalude—nights spent mapping contingencies, vetting personnel, and preparing for the delicate diplomacy that would unfold in Eterna under the shadow of Demon Lord Atem's presence. Every decision was weighted with danger, every choice a potential misstep in the complex chessboard of nations.