3rd POV
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After Arthur finished demonstrating his power, they moved to the top of Magnawell's head.
The view from above was breathtaking.
From this height, Arthur could see everything in every direction without obstruction. Although all that spread before his eyes was dead land—understandable, given where they were.
"Arthur, come over here and have a drink with us! You can choose whatever you like!" (Megiddo)
Hearing Megiddo's invitation, Arthur walked over and sat down between Kuro and Megiddo. They sat in a circle around a round table filled with various foods and drinks.
Arthur picked up a bottle of beer and drank straight from it.
"Phew… this drink's good." (Arthur)
"Of course it is. It's part of my collection—quality guaranteed. Hahaha!" (Megiddo)
Megiddo laughed loudly, puffing out her chest with pride.
Lillywood, Kuro, and Isis quietly enjoyed their tea time.
"Ein… could you refill my tea, please…?" (Isis)
"Of course, Isis." (Ein)
Arthur glanced at Isis as she slightly raised her cup toward Ein, who stood behind Kuro like a servant.
'Isis really is a gentle-hearted woman. Noted—I'll help her fully control her power someday.' (Arthur)
He murmured inwardly, then looked toward Shalltear as she began to speak.
"Now that we're all here, there's something I want to tell you all." (Shalltear)
Shalltear tapped the table lightly with her finger to draw their attention, then took out several documents.
"Please read these." (Shalltear)
After distributing them, Shalltear calmly explained the contents, since Magnawell's size made it impossible for him to read them himself.
Arthur picked up the document and read through it.
The contents outlined what could be called a major reform of the Demon Realm. It detailed various changes and methods of implementation, but the two biggest points were the establishment of a power-based hierarchy and the selection of kings who would become the central pillars of the Demon Realm.
Except for Arthur, none of them could hide their expressions of disbelief. Even Ein, who was usually calm, couldn't conceal her shock.
"Well, I'm sure you can already guess what I'm about to say—but I want all of you to become kings." (Shalltear)
Shalltear did not exclude Arthur from the selection. With Arthur included, she was confident that if a truly dangerous threat ever emerged, the final line of defense would never be breached. This was her absolute trust in Arthur's power.
Lillywood placed the document back on the table and asked Shalltear with a trembling voice.
"Shalltear… how many demons have you killed?" (Lillywood)
"Do you remember how much trash you've thrown away?" (Shalltear)
Shalltear shrugged calmly. To her, killing anyone who stood in the way of her goal was simply natural. She didn't realize that her indifferent response—one that dismissed genocide so casually—had filled Lillywood with fear.
Silence fell as they struggled to process everything.
"I refuse. Why would I, a mere maid, suddenly be chosen as a king? I'll serve Kuromu-sama as her maid for the rest of my life!" (Ein)
Ein rejected the proposal confidently and firmly, causing Arthur to break into a cold sweat.
Arthur slowly shook his head and raised a hand to speak.
"Shalltear, may I make a small adjustment to the hierarchy?" (Arthur)
"Do you have a suggestion, Arthur-san? If so, please go ahead." (Shalltear)
Hearing her approval, Arthur nodded in thanks.
He made only slight changes to the list, then explained the revised hierarchy in broad terms:
King Class = Continent
Duke Class = Island
Marquis Class = Nation
Count Class = City
Viscount Class = Fortress
Baron Class = Streets
Normal Demon
Arthur explained that these ranks corresponded to the scale of an individual's power or capability. However, since some might deliberately restrain themselves, it wasn't entirely reliable.
'After all, this is just an initial scale.' (Arthur)
"It may not be perfectly accurate, but I think it works well enough as a general measure of strength." (Arthur)
After finishing his explanation, Arthur nodded slightly in satisfaction.
"I guess we'll have to train even harder to protect our seats as the strongest!" (Megiddo)
"I agree. Though even without training, our strength would still grow explosively." (Magnawell)
"I don't mind this proposal…" (Isis)
"Sigh… Alright. I accept as well." (Lillywood)
Megiddo, Magnawell, Isis, and Lillywood accepted Shalltear's proposal without objection.
Arthur glanced toward Kuro. He knew she would be reluctant to stand at the very top as a ruler.
As half of Shiro, Kuro possessed overwhelming power that forced everyone around her to bow their heads. They feared her strength and treated her as an object of reverence. Even her family regarded her as someone extraordinary.
What Kuro truly wanted, however, was someone who could stand beside her and treat her as an equal. But that never happened—whenever she was near others, all they could see was a superior being.
If Kuro became one of the kings, she would only be feared and revered even more.
"Shalltear…" (Kuro)
Kuro tried to refuse but hesitated and feeling guilty, after all the effort Shalltear had put into bringing order to the chaotic Demon Realm over the past several hundred years…
Hearing her name, Shalltear turned toward Kuro, still unaware of the conflict in her heart.
"What is it, Kuro-san?" (Shalltear)
"…I agree." (Kuro)
Kuro forced a smile and accepted.
Seeing this, Arthur gently placed a hand on Kuro's shoulder. When Kuro looked at him, Arthur nodded softly.
'Right… Arthur-kun is here. He's always treated me as an equal.' (Kuro)
Kuro felt a slight sense of relief.
"I agree as well." (Arthur)
With Arthur's approval, the seven kings were finally decided. Seeing everyone in agreement, Shalltear smiled in satisfaction and nodded.
"Then from now on, we shall be known as the Seven Kings, each bearing the following titles:
World King — Lillywood Yggdrasil
Dragon King — Magnawell Baskus Lardo Kurtzvald
War King — Megiddo Argetes Borgnes
Death King — Isis Remnant
Phantasmal King — No Face
Underworld King — Kuromueina
Terminus King — Arthur Twilight
I believe that works." (Shalltear)
As Shalltear proudly recited their titles, Arthur felt slightly embarrassed.
"…" (Arthur)
"Shalltear, you didn't use your own name?" (Magnawell)
Magnawell asked in confusion as to why only Shalltear herself remained unnamed.
"Isn't it better if one of us stays mysterious? It gives the impression of a ruler operating from the shadows!" (Shalltear)
They could only shake their heads helplessly at Shalltear's antics.
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MC POV
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I was glad to have joined the Seven Kings.
Even if there would surely be those who doubted me since they had never heard of my name before… that was a problem I could handle easily.
I also needed to start thinking about forming an organization and recruiting subordinates. Perhaps summoning characters from other franchises would be a good idea—this way, I could choose people who suited my preferences.
On top of that, I needed to decide on a place to live—somewhere that could also serve as headquarters.
As I looked up at the sky above the forbidden land, an idea came to me.
"In about a month, I want everyone's cooperation in announcing the formation of the Seven Kings. I'll invite representatives from every corner of the Demon Realm, and we'll make them understand just how powerful the Seven Kings are." (Shalltear)
We listened silently as Shalltear explained.
"... After that, I believe the chaos in the Demon Realm will decrease significantly over the next few years…" (Shalltear)
She spoke slowly to ensure her explanation was clear.
"... The territories where each of you reside will be considered your domains, free for you to govern as you see fit. However, I expect you to maintain order within your own lands." (Shalltear)
After finishing her general explanation, Shalltear looked toward Isis and me.
"Arthur-san, Isis-san. I hope you'll also recruit some subordinates to assist you." (Shalltear)
I thought she meant no harm—just offering advice.
However, Isis looked slightly downcast upon hearing it. Because of her Death Magic, no one ever dared approach her. She truly was lonely.
Aside from Kuro's family, I doubted she'd ever had anyone she could call a friend.
"I'm thinking of summoning people from another world. Isis, if you don't mind, we could try it together… I think we might find people who won't fear your Death Magic. I can also help you fully control it, you know." (Arthur)
I gently made the suggestion. Hearing this, Isis asked hesitantly.
"You'd help me?" (Isis)
"Arthur-kun, you can perform summoning? Well… considering who you are, I suppose you can do just about anything…" (Kuro)
Kuro smiled wryly and shook her head.
"Of course I can. I was planning to recruit some subordinates from another world anyway. If Isis is willing, I'll help her too." (Arthur)
"Mm… thank you… then I'll rely on you… Arthur." (Isis)
Seeing her smile as she thanked me made me freeze for a moment.
"I haven't helped you yet, so don't thank me just yet." (Arthur)
I gently shook my head and let out a quiet sigh inwardly.
After we, the seven kings, along with Ein talked for a while longer, the meeting finally came to an end.
"Then let's conclude this meeting. You may begin preparing the territories you'll govern." (Shalltear)
Shalltear clapped her hands, signaling the end of the gathering.
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