"Souei, go after the culprit."
"I've already sent Dark Magician after her.
Dark Magician was already a shadow streak across the rooftops—silent, precise, and loyal only to me. While the council chamber was still in chaos after the assassination attempt, I remained collected. Power meant nothing without control, and in this room, my word alone anchored the atmosphere.
As the councilors regained their breath, they tried to parse what had happened. Speaker Leicester, the captain of the guards, the captain of the Apostles of Verte, and Hinata gathered, murmuring urgently.
"Did they truly intend to kill someone with this?"
"This object—a bullet—you need a specific tool to fire it. Something we do not have here."
"Could His Highness Elric have been their target? And their intention was…"
"You can already tell. They planned to pin the blame on Demon Lord Atem," Hinata said sharply.
"Indeed. If Elric had died under such circumstances, the council would surely suspect His Majesty Atem. Eterna's entry into the council would have become impossible."
"Perhaps that was their real goal. They used these fools as disposable pawns."
Hinata was efficient—precise, honest, and relentless. Under her lead, the investigation advanced quickly.
And importantly—
I was not considered a suspect.
Elric was safe, but he would still answer for the disorder he caused. The boy trembled.
"S-someone was trying to kill me?"
He looked miserable. I didn't dislike him, but his foolishness had consequences.
"Be calm," I said firmly. "The attempt failed. Their plan has collapsed. They can no longer use you to create chaos."
"B-but I'm a prince! Of a powerful nation! This talk of value—"
He hesitated. He knew the truth, but wanted me to deny it.
Before today's stupidity, his political value had been moderate. But after this performance? Any chance he had of becoming king was now shattered. A monarch must carry dignity—and he had lost all of it.
I crossed my arms, tone steady yet cutting.
"A person's life is not defined solely by becoming king. You will have to face judgment for what you did today, but afterward, you may reflect and choose a new path."
"You… Demon Lord Atem… are you trying to comfort me? I thought you'd be terrifying, cruel even, toward humans…"
"I'm not comforting you," I replied plainly. "I'm telling you the truth. And I am not malicious toward those who act with sincerity."
Elric fell silent, accepting reality reluctantly.
"I truly was foolish. Gavan… we must take responsibility."
"Y-Your Highness!"
"You're the one who orchestrated this. I will be judged for allowing myself to be deceived—but you will be judged for doing the deceiving."
The prince followed the guards quietly.
Gavan, however, feigned composure. The mastermind, or at least the front of one. But I could sense it—he was someone else's pawn too, a thread connected to a deeper force.
I approached him.
"Well then, Gavan," I said. "Let me ask you something directly."
He glared nervously. "W-what could you possibly want from me, Demon Lord?"
"Your motive. Why did you manipulate Prince Elric?"
"Ahahaha! What nonsense! I know nothing."
"W—WHAT?! You're the one who tricked me! You're—!"
"Where is your proof?" Gavan barked. "Yes, I was asked by His Highness to bring you, but I knew nothing of a plot!"
Johann snapped.
"Gavan-dono, spare us your excuses. Everyone here saw what happened."
The councilors nodded. Even the ones tied up confirmed it.
But Gavan kept smirking.
"I don't know anything. The prince was behind this. I simply obeyed."
"Bullshit!" Elric roared. "You're the one who gave me that orb!"
"That wasn't me. Unless you have proof—"
He was stubborn. Too confident. Clearly prepared to play dumb until dragged away in chains. A classic noble tactic: stall, deny, return later as though nothing happened.
Annoying. Pathetic.
Suddenly, the doors opened.
"His Majesty Aegil has arrived! All present, kneel!"
Everyone moved instantly.
I almost did out of courtesy—
But Shuna's hand touched my sleeve. Benimaru stepped forward subtly.
Right. A Demon Lord kneeling would be a political earthquake.
Everyone except Hinata and my entourage lowered their heads. Even the council speaker bowed.
King Aegil stepped forward. Tall, composed, with striking blond hair and a sharp mustache. He scanned the room—and his gaze settled on me.
"It seems my son has caused you immense trouble."
"I suppose so," I replied. "But the misunderstanding has been resolved."
Mutual politeness kept international stability intact. I saw no reason to escalate anything unnecessary.
The king bowed slightly.
"I have not come as king, but as a father—to apologize, and to thank you."
The entire hall froze.
A king bowing was a political impossibility. But he did so anyway—for his nation's sake.
"I accept your apology," I replied, "and I hope such incidents will not repeat."
"Nor do I, Demon Lord. I, too, desire a peaceful relationship with Eterna."
His eyes met mine, steady and sincere.
I returned the look with equal gravity. "Then we understand one another."
We shook hands—firmly. The shattered table was politely ignored.
"Everyone, raise your heads," the king commanded.
The atmosphere shifted. Though nothing would be written in official history, everyone understood what had happened. He had bowed—showing respect while protecting his nation's dignity.
"Father…"
"Enough. You will be reeducated."
"Yes… Father."
Then the king turned toward Gavan.
"Count Gavan."
"Yes, sir!"
"Demanding proof, causing trouble, acting as though my absence excuses your behavior…"
"N-No! I—"
"I have summoned the magical inquisitors. You will be handed to them."
"AHHH!! PLEASE! HAVE MERCY! I WILL CONFESS EVERYTHING—!!"
The king's eyes hardened.
"Take him."
Black-hooded men appeared—silent, dreadful. Magical inquisitors. Even Reiner and Gai tried resisting, but the inquisitors subdued them instantly.
Not surprising. Ingracia had powerful assets—strength they kept hidden until necessary.
Solarys spoke in my mind:
«Report. This display serves as calculated political messaging. Purpose: to demonstrate national power to you, Master.»
So. A warning not to underestimate them. Reasonable.
A king must protect his people, after all.
"Forgive the interruption," King Aegil said. "We will handle the remaining matters."
He and his entourage departed—with the Domination Orb in their possession. I had already neutralized the core quietly. It posed no threat now.
After a short break, the council reconvened. The councilors looked exhausted—defeated, even. No threats were necessary; fear and logic guided them well enough.
The three primary motions passed:
Recognition of the Eterna Federation
Inclusion of Eterna into the council
Shared military authority with Eterna
And the long document—my document—also passed unanimously.
Politics exhausted me. Nobles spoke in circles, using hidden meaning in every phrase.
I delegated almost all of that to Solarys.
«Understood.»
By the end, the results spoke clearly:
They had been overwhelmed—by pressure, by fear, by truth.
But I had not threatened them.
I had saved Elric.
Hinata and Shuna had kept everything controlled.
I was simply the Demon Lord who brought justice.
The benefactor who protected the council.
A presence impossible to ignore.
The conference finally ended, and we left the chamber.
A day of turbulence, deception, revelations—and ultimately, victory.
Everything had concluded.
And the King of Games walked out with Eterna's future secured.