After I stepped out from the Association branch, the air shifted. A faint ripple spread beneath my feet—then a figure leapt from my shadow and knelt with precision before me.
"My name is Gobemon. I've come in response to my Sovereign Atem's summon."
The voice was low, disciplined, and brimming with controlled energy. Gobemon… yes, I remembered this one. One of the hobgoblins I had named personally, and one who carried himself with ambition like a blade drawn halfway from its sheath.
"Gobemon," I said, studying him closely. "Didn't you become a centurion? I thought you transferred to another corps after Gobta took command of the Riders."
He nodded firmly. "Yes, Sovereign. I did. But honestly… I don't wish to work under anyone. Right now, I'm working alone—my goal is to form a unit of my own, to recruit subordinates who answer only to me."
A spark of resolve burned in his eyes. I couldn't help but smile faintly. This one had spine. That same ambition was exactly why he had turned down the vice-captain's seat beneath Gobta despite having the strength to take it.
"I see," I replied. "Then this is a good opportunity for you. Myourmiles is someone I trust deeply. I want you to protect him quietly, without attracting attention. And while you guard him, learn. His way of reading and manipulating people's hearts isn't just skill—it's an art. Profit may attract people, but it's not the only thing that binds them to him. Watch closely. Learn from him."
Gobemon straightened, his expression blazing with purpose. "Understood! I, Gobemon, will carry out my Sovereign Atem's orders with absolute loyalty!"
Benimaru had told me before that Gobemon tended to be overly confident, often dismissing the flaws of those around him. His strength was impressive—better than Gobta's in many ways—but leadership wasn't about raw power. If he could learn to value and guide others… then I might trust him with more.
"If you do well," I said, my voice low but deliberate, "and grow from this mission, return to me when it's done. As a reward…"
I slowly drew the dachi at my side, its dark blade catching the faint glint of starlight. "…I'll give you this sword."
His eyes widened. "R-Really…?"
"This blade has been tempered by my energy over time. It's not an ordinary weapon anymore. It's strong, and it will only yield to someone worthy of it. Prove to me that person is you."
Gobemon's breath hitched; he clenched his fists tight. "Yes, my Sovereign Atem! I swear I'll meet your expectations!"
I watched him turn sharply and sprint into the night, his movements swift and disciplined. A soldier with ambition and a prize to claim—that fire would either forge him into something greater… or burn him down.
Winning loyalty wasn't about titles or empty praise. It was a balance—reward for service, trust for effort. Even in ancient systems of rule, mutual benefit was the foundation between leader and subject. A one-sided bond always fractured.
I wasn't a perfect ruler—not yet. I still had far to go. But I would see how Gobemon handled this task. If he proved himself, then maybe one day, he'd command a corps worthy of his ambition.
For now, the invitations had been sent, the pieces set in motion.
All that remained… was to prepare Eterna for a festival worthy of a sovereign's rise.
The location was a small, slightly disorganized conference room. Within stood two suspicious shadows.
No—that wasn't all. There was also the shadow of a smaller person. Barely thirty centimeters tall, with dragonfly-like wings glittering faintly. At the center of the room, the tiny figure hovered between the other two, seated opposite each other.
It was Ramiris and her two servants—Beretta and Treyni.
Doooong!
With a surprisingly loud impact, Ramiris slammed her tiny hands against the mini-table in front of her, releasing a puff of dust into the air.
"This isn't gonna work! We have to move away!" she declared with a fiery spark in her voice.
Then, grimacing, she rubbed her hand in pain.
While looking at Ramiris with her usual gentle smile, Treyni said warmly, "As expected of Ramiris-sama. What a great idea."
"Right? Right?"
Ramiris's wings fluttered happily as she nodded in satisfaction, basking in the praise.
But not everyone in the room was swept up by her enthusiasm.
Beretta leaned forward, his heavy, metallic hands resting on his knees, and spoke carefully. "One moment, please. Putting aside whether or not this is a good idea… where exactly are you planning to move to? And can you tell us the reason?"
Inside, Beretta felt a cold knot of frustration tightening in his chest.
Why do I have to be that guy again…? he thought bitterly.
Treyni, sitting beside Ramiris, was kind, attentive, and loved by the spirits. She managed the entire Labyrinth effortlessly. A capable woman, no doubt. Beretta respected her deeply.
But there was one thing she did that made his job twice as difficult.
She spoiled Ramiris without question.
She agreed with everything Ramiris said, no matter how absurd. And because of that, before this ridiculous idea grew any larger, someone had to put on the brakes.
And that someone always seemed to be him.
"I can't stand it," Beretta muttered softly to himself. "I didn't follow Ramiris-sama to always be the one who cleans up after her whims…"
He truly liked Ramiris. Even when she teased him relentlessly, he didn't mind. But watching Treyni dote on her like a helpless child while refusing to advise her properly… was unbearable.
Unfortunately, in this world, serious people were the ones who suffered. Whoever stopped the madness… was the one forced to clean up the mess.
And once again, that role fell squarely on Beretta's shoulders.
Ramiris slammed both hands on the table again, wings fluttering wildly. "That is a great question! Isn't it super boring living here, Beretta-chan? There's nothing fun to do—unless you count making golems, maybe. And there aren't many visitors either! But over there? There's so much fun stuff waiting. That's why we should go to Eterna! It's decided!"
Beretta sighed inwardly. Just what I expected.
He couldn't oppose her directly. He wanted to move closer to Eterna too. But knowing Atem, the Sovereign of Eterna, there was no way this plan would just slide through.
Atem wasn't like ordinary rulers. He was sharp, calm, and calculating. He didn't indulge recklessness without purpose. And even though Ramiris was one of his allies, that didn't mean she'd get a free pass.
"Ramiris-sama," Beretta said firmly, "hasn't Atem-sama already rejected this plan once?"
The air suddenly grew still.
Indeed—Atem had already refused. Not because he disliked Ramiris, but because moving the entire Labyrinth into Eterna without a solid reason could disrupt the delicate balance he maintained. And Atem didn't tolerate chaos he hadn't planned himself.
Ramiris pouted. "Beretta, you're overcomplicating things. Atem-sama is a good and kind-hearted person. If someone as cute as me makes a request, how could he possibly refuse me so ruthlessly?"
Treyni's smile only grew softer, as if agreeing with every ridiculous word.
Beretta, however, could almost feel his gears grinding inside.
Treyni was brilliant when it came to everything else—but when Ramiris was involved, she was hopelessly useless. That meant he had to plan for the both of them.
Atem-sama isn't someone who moves because of cuteness, Beretta thought grimly. He moves when the reasons are solid. And if we get this wrong, Ramiris won't just be turned away. She'll be crushed under the weight of her own recklessness.
He let out a slow breath.
"Ramiris-sama," Beretta said carefully, "if you want to move the Labyrinth to Eterna, you must have a reason Atem-sama will accept. A convincing one. You know very well he doesn't bend for whims."
He truly liked Ramiris. Even when she teased him relentlessly, he didn't mind. But watching Treyni dote on her like a helpless child while refusing to advise her properly… was unbearable.
Unfortunately, in this world, serious people were the ones who suffered. Whoever stopped the madness… was the one forced to clean up the mess.
And once again, that role fell squarely on Beretta's shoulders.
Ramiris slammed both hands on the table again, wings fluttering wildly. "That is a great question! Isn't it super boring living here, Beretta-chan? There's nothing fun to do—unless you count making golems, maybe. And there aren't many
visitors either! But over there? There's so much fun stuff waiting. That's why we should go to Eterna! It's decided!"
Beretta sighed inwardly. Just what I expected.
He couldn't oppose her directly. He wanted to move closer to Eterna too. But knowing Atem, the Sovereign of Eterna, there was no way this plan would just slide through.
Atem wasn't like ordinary rulers. He was sharp, calm, and calculating. He didn't indulge recklessness without purpose. And even though Ramiris was one of his allies, that didn't mean she'd get a free pass.
"Ramiris-sama," Beretta said firmly, "hasn't Atem-sama already rejected this plan once?"
The air suddenly grew still.
Indeed—Atem had already refused. Not because he disliked Ramiris, but because moving the entire Labyrinth into Eterna without a solid reason could disrupt the delicate balance he maintained. And Atem didn't tolerate chaos he hadn't planned himself.
Ramiris pouted. "Beretta, you're overcomplicating things. Atem-sama is a good and kind-hearted person. If someone as cute as me makes a request, how could he possibly refuse me so ruthlessly?"
Treyni's smile only grew softer, as if agreeing with every ridiculous word.
Beretta, however, could almost feel his gears grinding inside.
Treyni was brilliant when it came to everything else—but when Ramiris was involved, she was hopelessly useless. That meant he had to plan for the both of them.
Atem-sama isn't someone who moves because of cuteness, Beretta thought grimly. He moves when the reasons are solid. And if we get this wrong, Ramiris won't just be turned away. She'll be crushed under the weight of her own recklessness.
He let out a slow breath.
"Then I hope," he murmured, voice low, "you have something truly convincing to say. Because this time, it won't be like before. Atem-sama won't allow recklessness to disrupt Eterna's balance."
The room went silent.
Ramiris hovered in the air with an awkward smile, as if the seriousness of Beretta's tone finally sank in. Treyni reached for her hand gently, like a mother reassuring a stubborn child.
But Beretta's eyes, behind that cold metal mask, held no trace of softness. Only resolve.