Since Hinata had come, we decided to order our lunch.
One silver coin was enough to afford an extravagant meal here in the capital—luxurious dishes seasoned with rare spices, and the kind of presentation nobles would boast about. But I wasn't here to discuss politics. Mealtime was sacred.
We enjoyed the delicacies quietly, the air calm yet heavy with unspoken awareness. Both of us knew that once the plates were empty, the peace would vanish.
After eating, I leaned back slightly and ordered a cup of coffee. The aroma of roasted beans drifted through the air, rich and bitter. I took a sip, savoring the taste—it reminded me of long nights planning, thinking, watching others move their pieces on the board. The bitterness was sharp but grounding. I added a bit of sugar and milk, stirring until the colors blended together. The taste mellowed into balance—bitterness and sweetness in harmony.
I murmured to myself, "Perfect balance. Fitting for an adult's taste."
Hinata raised an eyebrow, smirking faintly. "Perfect balance? That's just café au lait, Atem. Since when is drowning bitterness in sugar 'adult-like'? You should at least order an espresso."
I froze, then gave her a faint glare. "You certainly have a habit of cutting straight through, don't you?"
"I'm merely pointing out the obvious," she said smoothly, resting her chin on her hand.
I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "This is not indulgence—it's appreciation. I drink this to understand contrasts. That's something you'd get if you actually slowed down to taste things."
She chuckled, soft but amused. "Is that so? Then perhaps you can also explain why your outfit looks like you raided a child's wardrobe."
I looked down. "My—what?"
She gestured with her spoon. "That poncho. It's… cute."
"Cute?" I repeated with clear disbelief.
Benimaru, sitting a few seats away, suddenly looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. Shuna covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Shuna chimed in nervously, "N-no, Atem-sama! It suits you very well!"
"Y-yeah, it looks good," Benimaru added, avoiding my eyes.
Souei said nothing but was clearly smirking beneath his calm façade.
"You're all terrible liars," I muttered, exasperated.
Hinata smiled victoriously. "See? Cuteness is your style. You should accept it instead of pretending to be the brooding type."
"Brooding type?" I repeated slowly, meeting her gaze. "Hinata, you've fought me. You should know better than to mistake control for vanity."
Her smirk faded slightly. "...You're right," she said quietly, her tone softening. "I remember well and i don't want to go throught that again."
"Good," I said simply, sipping my coffee again. "Then let's keep it that way."
She rolled her eyes but didn't argue. For a moment, a comfortable silence returned between us.
Hinata wore her holy knight uniform today—elegant and battle-ready. It suited her commanding nature. The metallic gleam of her insignia reflected the faint sunlight through the window, and her expression held that same blend of composure and confidence she always carried.
I briefly wondered if I should have dressed in my battle cloak instead—less "cute," more… Emperor-like. But what was done was done.
Eventually, the atmosphere sobered. The taste of humor faded as our minds shifted to what mattered most: the murder of Duke Muze.
While mourning the loss of a capable leader, we began dissecting the incident like a puzzle.
Hinata was the first to speak. "You mentioned there are pistols in this world. Was the Duke really killed by a sniper?"
I nodded slightly. "Yes. Based on what we know, the shot came from far beyond a pistol's effective range. That suggests a rifle—or something close to it."
"Are sniper rifles common here?" she asked.
"No," I said, voice low. "But uncommon doesn't mean impossible."
She frowned. "I've heard rumors of small firearms being traded illegally, but rifles…? If someone developed those quietly, that's dangerous."
"Exactly," I said. "And if such weapons have reached Ingracia, the implications are far-reaching."
I opened a mental link and shared the concept of firearms through Telepathic Network to Benimaru, Souei, and Shuna. Images, mechanics, and the destructive purpose behind them all flowed instantly.
Benimaru folded his arms. "So these are designed for long-range killing. Hmph. Too mechanical. Against someone like us, it wouldn't even scratch the surface."
Souei, however, spoke gravely. "Not necessarily. Against our kind, perhaps not—but for stealth and assassination, this could be catastrophic. If used during a negotiation, no one would even detect the attack in time."
Shuna's eyes lit up with a dangerous curiosity. "It's fascinating though… if we study it, we could create something even more advanced."
I raised an eyebrow. "You intend to improve it?"
"Hypothetically," she said quickly.
I exhaled. "No. The spread of this weapon will shift balance—turn strategy into slaughter. Eterna won't manufacture them. Not yet."
Hinata nodded approvingly. "A wise decision. These weapons let the weak kill the strong. For ordinary nations, that's terrifying. For you, it's an unnecessary risk."
I glanced at her. "You've seen how men act when given too much power. It doesn't end well."
She sighed. "Yes. I've seen it too many times."
"Good," I said, tapping the cup lightly. "Then we agree. Knowledge will remain restricted."
Shuna bowed her head slightly. "Understood. I'll keep it only as research."
A flicker of calm returned, but Solarys's voice cut through my thoughts.
«Report: Should an assassination occur during the council, witnesses will not comprehend the method. Immediate suspicion will fall upon nearby individuals. In particular—you, Atem.»
My eyes narrowed slightly. "...So they plan to frame me."
Hinata glanced up. "What is it?"
"If someone gets shot during the meeting, I'll likely be the prime suspect."
Benimaru's tone hardened. "A convenient narrative for them. The strongest man in the room, accused of murder."
"Precisely," I said coldly. "A subtle plan, but predictable."
Hinata frowned. "You think someone will actually try that?"
"Someone always does," I said simply. "Power invites both worship and hatred. And assassins thrive on that chaos."
Souei's voice came over the link. "Then I'll deploy my shadows around the meeting hall. My clones will monitor every vantage point."
"Good," I replied. "If they so much as lift a weapon, silence them."
"Understood."
I looked at Hinata again, my tone calm yet resolute. "We can't afford carelessness. A single act of violence could turn the council against Eterna."
She nodded slowly. "You really think ahead, Atem."
"Thinking ahead," I said, eyes dark with conviction, "is what keeps people alive."
For a brief moment, her gaze softened with respect. "I see why people follow you so easily. You carry authority like a mantle."
I smirked faintly. "Authority is only useful if you can back it up."
She chuckled. "You always can."
The mood lightened slightly again, though the danger still lingered in the back of my mind like a shadow on the edge of the light.
I finished my coffee, the bitterness grounding me once more.
"Tomorrow," I said quietly, "we walk into a hall of masks. Let's make sure we're the ones who leave wearing smiles."
The others nodded.
In other words—should any assassin appear, Souei would find them before their shadow even touched the floor.
Now that the room had fallen silent and the mood had settled, it was time to address what truly mattered.
"By the way, Hinata," I began calmly, setting my cup down with deliberate ease, "why was I invited to this council meeting in the first place?"
I hadn't received an official explanation yet, but I could already sense the undercurrents moving behind the scenes. I wasn't naive enough to think this was a simple formality. Something bigger was at play.
It wouldn't be about some wild dragon incident or an outlandish rumor about a rogue demon lord—Ramiris and Veldora loved to invent such nonsense. No, this was political. The Council wanted to decide whether Eterna would be formally accepted among the Western Nations.
We had been treated with respect since our arrival, and that told me everything.
Hinata nodded, her expression firm. "During the last temporary assembly, they agreed to consider Eterna's membership. Tomorrow's meeting is meant to test you personally before they make it official."
Just as I suspected.
"I see," I replied smoothly, leaning back slightly. "That makes sense."
Hinata's eyes narrowed, her sharp intuition immediately picking up on the confidence in my tone. She didn't question me openly, but her slight smirk told me she knew I'd already anticipated the situation.
«Observation: Individual 'Hinata Sakaguchi' internally remarks, 'He truly is always one step ahead.'»
Solarys' voice resonated faintly in my mind—its calm tone almost smug.
I hid my amusement behind a slow sip of coffee. "So," I said, "they'll try to size me up before they decide whether I'm trustworthy enough to sit among them."
"Exactly," Hinata replied. "They'll test your composure. They'll push, provoke, and try to find a crack in your demeanor. That's how they deal with people they fear."
She spoke with respect—measured, careful. Hinata was proud, but even she understood the gravity of the presence before her.
"I doubt they'll succeed," I said evenly. "Words won't sway me."
"I know that," she said, her tone steady but quieter now. "Still, they'll try. The Council isn't used to dealing with someone like you."
I looked at her, my gaze firm yet calm. "Someone like me?"
She hesitated for a moment before answering, "…Someone who commands both power and restraint. You're not like the other Demon Lords—they rule by fear or indulgence. You… lead through will."
Her words carried no flattery—only truth. That was the nature of Hinata Sakaguchi.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
"That's quite the compliment coming from you."
"It's not a compliment," she replied, but her expression softened just a fraction. "It's respect."
That was enough for me.
Before I could respond, Souei—silent as a shadow until now—spoke. "My lord, I've gathered intelligence regarding the nations attending the meeting. Their ministers and nobles are not united in purpose."
"Go on," I said, my voice steady, commanding without force.
Souei inclined his head. "Some factions wish to align with Eterna out of respect. Others…" His tone darkened. "Others see Eterna's might as something to exploit. They want to draw us into their defense network against the Eastern Empire."
Hinata's eyes flashed with recognition. "So that's their plan."
I turned to her. "You expected this?"
"Of course," she replied without hesitation. "They're desperate. The Empire's expansion has everyone on edge. They see you as the perfect shield—one they think they can manipulate."
Benimaru's voice broke through, low and confident. "Manipulate Atem? They really don't understand who they're dealing with."
I chuckled softly, my gaze unwavering. "Let them try. I've dealt with kings and gods alike. Petty politicians don't concern me."
Souei nodded but still looked cautious. "Even so, their influence runs deep. If they manage to sway enough voices at the council, they could corner us politically."
"Then we'll counter them with truth," I replied. "Eterna stands on its own. We don't kneel to foreign crowns."
My words carried a faint divine resonance, enough to make the air tremble. Even Hinata straightened unconsciously, her disciplined posture giving way to a subtle bow of respect.
She spoke after a pause, her tone softer, almost reverent. "Your presence alone commands attention, Atem. When you walk into that chamber, they'll know it."
"Good," I said. "Let them feel it. That will be the only warning they get."
Benimaru smirked, clearly entertained. "I almost pity them."
Souei said nothing, but the faint smile on his usually stoic face said enough.
Hinata, however, still looked thoughtful. "They'll be cautious, yes. But desperate men act without reason. If you push them too far, they might still try to provoke you."
"I know," I said simply. "But provocation only works on those with something to prove. I have nothing to prove to them."
The words hung heavy in the air—calm, absolute, and true.
Benimaru laughed under his breath. "Then it's settled. We'll attend the council, but on our terms."
"Exactly," I said, my gaze sweeping across them. "We move not as guests, but as equals. Let them learn what it means to stand before Atem of Eterna."
Hinata nodded in silent agreement, her eyes steady. For once, she didn't challenge my words. Instead, she offered a quiet, sincere smile.
"Understood," she said. "I'll stand with you tomorrow."