The meeting hall fell into a tense, suffocating silence, the kind that felt as though it could press the very breath from a man's lungs.
Even though Atem's voice had not risen in volume, it carried absolute weight. Every word he spoke reverberated into the hearts of every councilor present, invoking a fear that went deeper than instinct.
He did not release his full aura of power—the force that could crumble cities with a thought, the essence of a Demon Lord. Humans were fragile; even a fraction of his true power could drive the luckier ones into terror, the unfortunate into madness or agonizing death. This was not the place for such displays.
Nor would he resort to domination or brainwashing. Puppet-like obedience was beneath him. Atem ruled not through blind servitude, but through respect and recognition of sovereignty.
Instead, that quick display of power was sufficient. A simple act, but one that spoke volumes. The councilors had felt it immediately.
"N-no… that wasn't our intent when raising those terms, Your Majesty…"
"I-indeed! We only wished to build a bridge of friendship with Eterna. We—our overreach was… careless," they stammered, faces pale and voices quivering.
Atem's amber gaze swept across them, cold, assessing. Their excuses were thin. Their panic, transparent.
I could tolerate disdain directed at me personally. But not at my nation. Eterna is no vassal, and I am no subordinate. I am a Demon Lord, sovereign of a realm. Respect is not requested—it is demanded.
"Then what, precisely, is your intent?" Atem's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Do you intend to enslave my people, to force them into servitude for your amusement?"
"N-no! That's not true! We… we meant no such thing!"
The councilors' frantic denials were pitiful. Their fear was visible, infecting even those who had dared to maintain some composure.
These mortals… so foolish, yet so arrogant…
A soft, mechanical-sounding voice echoed in his mind.
«Proposal. Allow me to handle the situation and engage automatic response? YES/NO.»
Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, spoke. Atem ignored the voice outwardly, but inwardly considered its suggestion. It was always precise, always reliable.
He shook his head subtly, his amber eyes never leaving the councilors, who now fidgeted as if under the gaze of a living storm.
«Report. No anomalies. Venue under influence of mental interference.»
Atem raised an eyebrow. Mental interference?
«Report. Psychological manipulation confirmed. Most councilors affected, similar to the individual Gai. Interrupt interference? YES/NO.»
Atem's smile was faint, predatory.
"Yes," he said, decisive.
Almost immediately, those who had been paralyzed by the influence began to regain clarity. Hesitant apologies, murmured objections, voices strained with disbelief—each one a sign of their regained reasoning.
"Of course His Majesty Atem would be angered by this! It is a shameful offense, how can we…?"
"All these terms were never discussed before the meeting!"
"Who drafted this unilaterally?"
The tide had turned. Atem's eyes glowed faintly as he surveyed the hall.
"Fufu," he murmured, low and deliberate. "It appears all councilors have regained their senses."
Shuna's gaze, sharp and perceptive, met his.
"I understand now! I suspected… some form of interference was at work."
"Yes," Atem replied, voice calm but sharp. "Even restraint has power. Every action is deliberate."
Solarys's voice shimmered in his mind. «Interference insufficient to dominate fully. Detected after master's anger tore a hole in the pattern.»
Atem nodded slightly. As expected. Nothing escapes me, not even the careful manipulations of others.
But then he noticed subtle movement. The councilors who had regained composure were glancing nervously toward the back door.
Footsteps. Heavy. Coordinated.
A dozen armored soldiers, led by a massive man, entered the hall. They froze, suddenly aware of the oppressive tension that now filled the room.
«Report. No intervention detected. Likely pre-planned by councilors,» Solarys observed.
Atem's gaze hardened. They intended to provoke me… and then suppress me with force. Foolish mortals.
"Oh? How audacious. So, you are the one who calls himself a Demon Lord?" The man's voice boomed the moment he laid eyes on Atem. "Are you truly so arrogant as to come with only three attendants?"
The sheer stupidity of the remark made Atem's amber eyes narrow. His presence alone exuded authority, and yet this man laughed, a maniacal sound, dripping with contempt.
This was not mere rudeness. It was provocation. An open challenge. Even those standing beside Atem—Shuna, Benimaru, and Souei—exchanged uneasy glances.
No… wait. Atem's mind sharpened. This has to be deliberate—a trap, or some form of strategy.
«Answer. This man likely lacks sufficient capabilities to pose a real threat.» Solarys' voice resonated in his mind.
Atem's lips curved into a faint, predatory smile. Then he truly is a fool.
"Very well," Atem said, his tone calm but heavy with command. "I am Atem, Demon Lord of Eterna. Have you mistaken me for someone else?"
He asked plainly, measuring the man's intent. Clarity was necessary—if the man were truly ignorant, it would simplify the situation.
Shuna's smile vanished. Benimaru's posture stiffened, his anger barely restrained. Souei's hand hovered over his hidden weapon. Bloodshed was not the goal, but Atem's patience was being tested.
"Yes… it is you. The one they call Demon Lord Atem," the man confirmed, voice trembling between arrogance and awe.
Atem's gaze sharpened. Then there is no misunderstanding. His fate is sealed.
"Oi, do not act rashly. This is a public space with witnesses. You would dare break the laws here?" Atem's hand flicked subtly. In an instant, the man froze, suspended in agony, trapped between life and the brink of death—unable to move, unable to escape, his screams swallowed by the weight of Atem's presence.
"P-please… Your Majesty Atem! There must be some misunderstanding! We meant no offense! Please, confirm with Hinata-sama first—!"
The speaker's respect was evident, genuine.
Atem's amber gaze softened, just slightly. Hinata had warned him to stay vigilant, but the stupidity of the situation was almost laughable. The speaker was not an enemy. Neither was Hinata.
Other councilors whispered among themselves, confusion spreading.
"We never heard of this. What is happening?"
"Who sent these men?"
"That soldier wears the emblem of the Ingracia Royal Family. Could this be sanctioned by the Kingdom of Ingracia?"
The room spiraled into disarray. These actions were not the will of the council—they were the work of a separate force. Most were panicked, yet some observed calmly. Hinata stood, stepping between Atem and the hulking soldier.
"What is the meaning of this?"
The large man was Reiner, a name that carried weight. If Hinata knew him, he must be significant.
"How dare he enter uninvited! This is a session! Soldiers have no place here!" Hinata's authority cut through the tension.
The Count of Ingracia, Gavan, perched in a second-floor seat, chuckled. "No trouble, Leicester-sama. I called them in to punish those outlaws."
Leicester's face flushed. "Count Gavan! Have you lost your mind?!"
With Hinata as an impartial observer, this absurd escalation fell into Atem's favor. Though the insult to his authority lingered, he remained patient.
"Gavan-dono! Such insolence is unheard of!" Johann, Duke of Rostia, exclaimed. He had not been affected by the earlier interference. A reliable ally. Atem noted him.
"Everyone, calm yourselves. Surely you all recognize the power of Demon Lord Atem. Reiner-dono here is reputedly the strongest man in Ingracia, yes, but to challenge Atem… you risk your nation's honor."
Gavan's words stirred others to support him, yet Atem's gaze pierced through the chaos, assessing threats and motives with precision.
A well-mannered blond man entered, his presence commanding attention. "Calm yourselves. Reiner's point is valid. The Demon Lord came unprepared—this is an opportunity we cannot ignore."
Hinata's voice froze the moment she recognized him. "Your Highness Elric? I advised against reckless actions…"
Ah. The prince himself orchestrated this farce. The councilors' confusion made sense.
Prince Elric's arrogance was palpable. "Hinata-san, had you aided us properly, we would have treated you with respect. Reiner surpasses rank-A adventurers, and—"
A snap of his fingers opened the door further. A man in black, a woman in green robes, and a group bearing a familiar symbol entered.
Atem's eyes narrowed. Gai—the adventurer Delta had slain in the labyrinth. And the others—mercenaries connected to the Apostles of Verte. The green-robed leader was clearly their commander.
Elric presented them with ostentatious flair. "Allow me to introduce Gai-san, Reiner's adjutant, and this is the commander of the Apostles of Verte. I've gathered capable individuals, more than you can fathom. Do not grow overconfident merely because you have some skill."
Atem's expression remained impassive. Solarys' voice whispered, «Engaging directly would be unwise now; observers abound. Strategic patience advised.»
Atem allowed a faint smirk. Humans are extraordinary creatures… when one loses control, the others follow suit.
"Prince Elric," Atem's voice rang through the hall, deep and authoritative, "do you intend hostility against not only myself but the entire Western Holy Church? Are you prepared for the consequences of such recklessness?"
Elric's confident smile faltered only slightly. "Your safety will remain… if you stand aside quietly."
Hinata struggled to contain her anger, and other councilors continued to object. Atem observed all, detached yet commanding, letting their chaos unfold while he weighed the next decisive move.
"This is not merely about power," Hinata declared. "I am here to ensure fairness. Your intrusion, Elric, violates that principle."
"Elric-sama, you were cautioned. Count Gavan, you, too. This cannot stand."
Atem's amber eyes swept the room. The councilors' voices rose. Reiner's overconfidence had pushed Hinata—and others—to assert themselves. The stage was set. The venue teetered on the brink of conflict, yet lacked a key factor: Atem himself had not yet acted.
He exhaled slowly, commanding the room without moving a muscle. Patience. Let them reveal their intentions fully.
The hall simmered, a powder keg ready to ignite, as Atem remained the silent eye of the storm. Every whispered word, every insult, every show of arrogance would be measured. And when he acted, it would be absolute.
Let them play… I will judge.