Diablo pushed the door open with a force that made the walls tremble.
"There is no need for theatrics," I declared, stepping into the room with the quiet, unwavering authority that demanded attention. Benimaru and Shion followed, their expressions rigid with discipline. Diablo brought up the rear, silently closing the door behind him.
"Have we kept you waiting too long? That quarrel earlier sounded rather… heated," Benimaru remarked, his eyes scanning the merchants sharply.
The room froze. The merchants had expected Rigurd and Myourmiles to handle the matter alone. Now, with my presence and the sight of my top executives behind me, their composure faltered.
"Demon Lord Atem has arrived. Show respect immediately," Rigurd said, his gaze drilling into them.
A few scrambled to rise, bowing hastily. Others, confused and intimidated, remained seated. For merchants unaccustomed to dealing directly with a sovereign, hesitation was natural.
Even Duke Muze tried to rise, but I raised a hand, halting him with a single, commanding gesture.
"No need for formality, Rigurd," I said, my tone calm but carrying the weight of my presence. My eyes swept across the room. Rigurd immediately fell silent, his posture disciplined and alert.
Among the crowd were not only merchants, but also a scattering of reporters, likely sent by various nations to record any missteps. They did not know that Diablo had already made arrangements to ensure their compliance, leaving them little choice but to follow along silently.
A soft, approving chuckle escaped Diablo's lips, a subtle warning to those who might try to act rashly. Their faces betrayed fear—an unspoken understanding that defiance would be costly.
"I see it is Your Majesty Atem. A pleasure to meet you. I apologize for greeting you only now," Duke Muze said, bowing with elegance. His composure wavered briefly before settling into a polite, measured demeanor.
"So, you are Duke Muze of Guston. Tell me, why are you here? This is a matter that does not concern your station directly," I asked, voice steady, exuding unshakable authority.
"I came because many of these merchants are trading with your nation for the first time," Muze replied smoothly. "They sought my counsel, concerned that their legitimate rights were ignored. It is the duty of a noble to protect his people. I intervened to ensure a fair resolution, despite the boldness of my intrusion."
Audacious, yet predictable. A man blinded by ambition and profit, easily manipulated by circumstance.
"I see. Tireless indeed. But one question remains: Myourmiles assured me that our nation has sufficient funds for the payment, yet the final transaction was delayed. Why?"
"They insist on receiving dwarven gold coins—" Myourmiles began, feigning concern, but Duke Muze interrupted calmly.
"Understandable. Myourmiles, as a merchant once licensed in Blumund, you are aware of the international charter. These merchants trust only dwarven gold coins, unlike the informal methods of your Freedom Association," he explained, positioning himself as a neutral mediator. Every word lent credibility to our position while nudging the merchants toward compliance.
I cast a glance at Diablo. A faint nod confirmed his understanding. Everything was prepared.
"So, this is the matter? Reporters from every corner of the continent gathered for something so minor?" I remarked, voice sharp yet composed.
"My lord, please allow me to handle this,"
Myourmiles said, glancing nervously at Benimaru. The merchants stiffened, sensing the invisible weight pressing down upon them.
"Do not fret, Benimaru. Their concern is natural," I said calmly. He looked unsettled, unaccustomed to our strategy proceeding with such precision under my direct oversight.
"But Atem-sama, I do not understand. Even if they refuse dwarven coins, we have ancient coins or can offer goods equivalent in value. Why refuse these terms?"
"They have their reasons," I replied, eyes on Duke Muze. His posture shifted subtly; he was preparing to intervene at the precise moment to sway the merchants in our favor.
"Very well. Let us proceed as suggested. You may place your trust in our nation, and as Benimaru-san suggested, complete the transaction with certificates or actual goods," Myourmiles said, decisively taking the first step.
If the merchants agreed, the matter would resolve peacefully. If not… they would face the full force of Atem, sovereign of Eterna, without hesitation.
"H-how can we trust so easily?" one merchant stammered.
"T-that is correct. Dwarven gold coins were requested for security—" another protested.
Some of these merchants understood diplomacy, others were seasoned negotiators—but none could match the authority of a sovereign whose presence alone demanded obedience.
Muze believed the time had come to act. The merchants, still attentive to his instructions, were vulnerable. He was young—only thirty-five—but already connected to the Rosso family, one of the dominant forces of the Western Nations. Few had such influence.
Muze had been given orders by the elder of the Rosso: "Give favors to Demon Lord Atem and earn his trust." The promise of promotion to one of the Five Great Elders—the pinnacle of worldly authority—had driven him to carry out this mission without hesitation.
He planned to protect the greedy merchants, control the reporters, and personally guide the outcome with the demon lord. Atem, reputed for his ferocity—having defeated Demon Lord Clayman and allied with the legendary Storm Dragon—was not a figure to approach lightly. Yet Muze's ambition overcame his fear.
All of this had unfolded precisely as Elmesia had predicted. Muze, believing he had the upper hand, prepared his speech with calm confidence.
"I am uncertain of your view on the matter, Your Majesty. If you find difficulty, may we discuss it privately? Every encounter is valuable, and I would be honored to offer my assistance," he said, attempting to mask his anxiety behind polite words.
Every executive behind me gave the duke a hard, icy glare. Muze shifted nervously, realizing the situation was slipping from his control.
"Your thoughtfulness is appreciated, but there is no need," I said, voice firm, radiating authority.
Geld entered at my command, bearing a plate stacked high with dwarven gold coins.
"Uh?!"
"No way…"
"Are those all…?"
The room erupted in shock.
Duke Muze's expression shifted dramatically. He realized the failure of his plan.
"Since payment was requested, here are the dwarven gold coins as required," Rigurd announced, and silence fell over the room.
"P-please… hold on a moment, Your Majesty Atem!" Duke Muze stammered, panic overtaking his composure.
"What is it?" I asked, voice cold. His desperate gaze met mine.
"A-are all of these dwarven gold coins…? You know counterfeiting is illegal!"
How dare he address me this way? He was far too insolent.
"You dare speak so disrespectfully to Demon Lord Atem—" Diablo stepped forward, his presence radiating lethal authority. Benimaru's expression darkened with fury. Behind me, Shion exuded a dangerous, almost palpable aura. Exactly as I had hoped, Muze's arrogance was met with immediate consequence.
"M-my apologies for the intrusion… but are these truly all—?"
"You may verify them if you doubt," I said, smiling faintly. Muze shivered at my words.
"Then, if I may, I will use my most precious magic item to inspect them," one of Muze's henchmen blurted, betraying his panic.
Rude, yes—but harmless. He had been caught up in his master's scheme, likely forgetting proper decorum in his fear.
We were above petty retaliation.
"Rimuru-sama, many reporters are requesting to document this negotiation. What is your decision?" Shuna's voice carried through the Telepathy Net, perfectly aligned with our plan.
"Perfect timing," Benimaru said smoothly. "The reporters will witness the verification of these coins."
As planned, reporters filed into the conference room.
"Th-these are authentic—!!" Muze's henchman shouted in disbelief.
"Impossible. They are genuine. From their appearance alone, some are even antique, likely untouched in the market for years," a knowledgeable reporter commented.
Even with observers now verifying the coins, Muze's henchmen could do nothing. The reporters, useful as neutral witnesses, ensured the merchants could not replace the coins with forgeries. Souei, watching from the shadows, would ensure no foul play succeeded.
"Now. Have we satisfied your concerns? The merchants appear eager for payment. Proceed at once," I commanded, my tone cold and imperious.
Rigurd and Myourmiles nodded sharply. "Yes, sir!"
The process of verifying contracts and disbursing payment began.