We arrived at the Holy Empire of Lubelius under the crisp night sky.
The streets of the city stretched before us, gleaming with lanterns and the bustle of a thriving capital. The children of Eterna were wide-eyed, enraptured by every detail—the architecture, the markets, the horse-drawn carriages, even the street performers drew gasps of delight.
In stark contrast, Takt and the band members appeared almost paralyzed. Anxiety radiated from them, their hands trembling slightly as they clutched their instruments. The grandeur of Lubelius was overwhelming.
At my side, Diablo remained calm and silent, acting as my personal secretary and shadow. Shion accompanied us as well, having been entrusted with guarding Eterna while I ventured on this expedition. Veldora, I explained to the children, was occupied with labyrinth duties—an assignment I had convinced him was critical.
"Your role as master of the labyrinth is… indispensable," I stated firmly, sealing his obedience. If this were another nation, or if our path took us somewhere more perilous, perhaps I would have brought him. But Luminas's domain was no place to risk him wandering freely.
A quiet warning lingered in my mind:
"Probability of a problem occurring—100%."
Even Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, had delivered a similar caution. This city was a landmine. One misstep could spiral into disaster. I intended to tread carefully.
Our guide was Hinata herself, though her usual composed demeanor carried an almost imperious tone.
"Welcome to Lubelius. His Majesty the Pope extends his regards," she said. Her voice, though courteous, hinted at barely concealed irreverence. I knew the truth—that the Pope was merely Louis's role-playing, a figurehead. The children, of course, had no idea. Neither would Takt or the band. Certain truths must remain hidden.
I offered a brief, formal acknowledgment and confirmed the schedule with her.
"Tonight, a banquet to welcome all of you. Tomorrow, soundchecks. The day after, rehearsals. And in three days, the concert."
Takt bowed deeply. "Atem-sama, we are prepared. Magic will transport the instruments safely, and we will adjust as needed for the venue's size. There should be no issues."
I allowed a small nod. Their conviction was admirable, forged from tireless practice. Talent alone is a starting point, but discipline
transforms ability into certainty.
"One day to rehearse," I noted.
"Indeed. But we have trained every day at Eterna for this moment. We will not disappoint," Takt replied with unwavering confidence.
Excellent. Their diligence and discipline had given them assurance. In my experience, confidence grounded in preparation was often stronger than innate talent. I approved silently, anticipating the performance with keen interest.
Later that night, the band members were treated like royalty. Each of the over a hundred expedition participants had been assigned a private room, complete with personal maids. Even a bar, rivaling any five-star establishment, awaited them—open to all species, human and monster alike.
The banquet was extravagant. Bite-sized delicacies were served with meticulous care, both visually and in flavor. Though the children initially grumbled about the small portions, they quickly succumbed to the culinary delights, patting their stomachs in satisfaction.
The band members, however, were unsettled. Eterna—had fine cuisine, but never such lavish, meticulous service designed solely for nobility. Their unease was understandable.
"This is all in appreciation of your upcoming performance," I assured them calmly, my presence alone instilling order. Unlike them, I did not feel hunger or the need for indulgence—but I recognized the weight of expectations and the importance of morale.
The banquet concluded without incident, and all retired to their rooms. Exhaustion overtook the children after a day of exploration. Only I remained awake, scanning the city from my vantage point.
A soft knock came at the door.
"My apologies for disturbing Your Majesty, but our mistress requests your presence. May you convene?"
A Surmounter, one of Luminas's attendants, appeared silently. Her poise bespoke elite training. Clearly, Luminas intended to meet personally. I accepted immediately, bringing only Shion and Diablo.
The venue was opulent. Luminas awaited, seated regally. To her left, Gunther, the venerable butler. To her right, Louis, the acting Pope. The remnants of the "Three Archdukes" stood before me.
I noted Hinata's absence.
"Where is Hinata?" I asked.
Gunther and Louis answered in unison. "She requires sleep. Even as a saint, her human physiology cannot be ignored."
Luminas's smile was sharp, almost teasing. "Indeed. Her body has evolved, but only partially. Time is required before she can fully command her newfound strength. Even saints are not immune to fatigue."
Monsters and humans differ in physiology. Diablo required no sleep; Shion minimal. Humans, however, retained vulnerabilities, even as saints. I considered this, filing it away for later.
"Then, a gift," I offered, producing a tray of brandy apple pound cake prepared by Shuna and Yoshida.
Luminas's approval was immediate. "Your courtesy is remarkable, Atem. Truly fitting of a king."
Diablo, as ever, exuded disinterest. I noted it and allowed him his act.
"Now," Luminas said, her tone shifting, "to the reason for your summons. Granbell is planning something… significant. I do not wish for it to interfere with the concert. I need your assistance."
Her words were direct, sharp, unhesitating. I did not flinch.
"Then why not summon Hinata?" I asked.
Luminas's gaze was unwavering. "Hinata's abilities are unparalleled, yes. But the threat is subtle—a shadow moving within shadows. This matter requires discretion, subtlety… your presence."
I understood. Granbell's movements were clandestine. An inside job. His knowledge of Lubelius's layout, its secret passages, and hidden defenses made him exceptionally dangerous.
Gunther and Louis added detail: Granbell had once been a Hero, bearing the Hero's Egg, a title recognized only by true heroes. His strategic genius shaped the Western Continent from behind the scenes, manipulating politics, building alliances, and safeguarding humanity.
Luminas continued. "Granbell is stronger than many older demon lords. His power, experience, and cunning cannot be underestimated. He is the truest expression of a hero, and his ambitions are… unpredictable."
Shion's voice broke the tension. "He's trying to force a confrontation between Granbell and Atem-sama!"
Diablo, predictably, scoffed. "Let them try. Two Heavenly Kings guard Atem-sama. Nothing they do will succeed."
Even Luminas chuckled, her confidence absolute. "Indeed. But precaution is wise. The concert approaches, three days hence. Until then, vigilance is required."
I remained composed. Granbell's strength did not intimidate me. Strategy, foresight, and authority—these were my tools. As King of Games, I weighed every possibility and prepared for every contingency.
The secret meeting ended under the quiet luminescence of midnight. Plans were set, risks assessed, and the stage—both literal and metaphorical—was ready.
I would face whatever Granbell had orchestrated, not as a guest, but as the king who commands the game itself.
Would Granbell really make a move? And would Yuuki seize the opportunity as well? These questions loomed over us as the second day of our visit to the Holy Empire of Lubelius began.
Today was dedicated to preparing the concert venue. We moved and arranged the instruments with precision, ensuring every note could resonate perfectly. We were led to the cathedral—a colossal edifice, capable of holding thousands of worshippers, and simultaneously, a strategic linchpin controlling access to its inner sanctum.
I had no need to micromanage. Tuning instruments and logistics were tasks best left to the experts. My focus would be to oversee the schedule and bring the children along for a field trip.
Of course, vigilance remained paramount. As Luminas had emphasized the previous night, threats could emerge unexpectedly. To that end, I summoned Diablo's subordinate, Venom, to serve as a personal bodyguard.
Venom appeared almost instantly, clearly startled by the sudden summoning.
"Diablo, you will oversee the band's setup—" I began, but Diablo interrupted with a calm yet commanding tone.
"Atem-sama, that won't be necessary. I anticipated this, and I've already made the arrangements last night."
True to form, Diablo eliminated all chance of our separation. His subordinates had been summoned in advance and stood ready, their
loyalty and efficiency unparalleled. Even the threat of failing his orders—delivered without hesitation—was enough to ensure absolute compliance. While impressive, I felt a twinge of sympathy for his underlings; few could endure the relentless expectations of a demon like him.
Within moments, a hundred demons under Venom's command moved with military precision, assisting the band members. Meanwhile, Luminas's own subordinates maintained constant vigilance. The security and support detail was flawless.
Under Hinata's guidance, I toured the city, absorbing the legacy of Luminas and the Holy Empire of Lubelius. In stark contrast to Eterna, Lubelius was orderly, hierarchical, and seemingly flawless—but it was a gilded cage. Citizens relinquished freedom entirely, but in return, knew no hunger or suffering. Those incapable of accepting such a life had already departed, leaving only those who had conformed since birth.
To an outsider, this balance might seem unnatural. Ignorance, after all, can be a blissful thing. People unknowing of privilege would not pine for it, and thus would not suffer. Yet, without challenge or competition, society risked stagnation.
"For some reason, this feels… boring," muttered Alice.
"Yeah," Kenya agreed. "Everyone our age is working… don't they go to school?"
The other children remained silent, clearly perplexed by the rigid structure around them.
"There are no schools here," Hinata explained proudly. "Everyone serves under God's guidance. All citizens are equal, and the nation prospers through obedience and order."
I considered her words carefully. Was this truly the ideal approach? Were citizens content to surrender luxury and independence entirely? Yet she had a point: ignorance shields from desire. If one does not know the unattainable, one does not suffer from wanting it.
Kenya seemed to understand as well.
"In a regulated society like this, citizens maintain a high standard of happiness," Hinata continued. "Interactions with other nations are filtered through the Western Holy Church to prevent discord."
The analogy was apt—they were fish in a gilded fishbowl, yet satisfied. For beings like them, material satisfaction was secondary to spiritual order. Still, I would never accept such confinement myself. Knowledge of luxury demands pursuit; it fuels ambition.
Chloe, perceptive as ever, muttered softly:
"—But the people here couldn't survive on their own. If they are to sustain this life, they need protection—"
Hinata blinked rapidly. She had noticed too.
This society was a paradox. Without a strong ruler, citizens—ignorant of the outside world—could accomplish nothing. Their entire existence relied on others. A life without autonomy was no different from livestock.
"Indeed," Hinata admitted. "But we have been working tirelessly to ensure stability and prevent collapse."
I considered Chloe's idealistic counterpoint: "It's better if everyone contributes. Then they aren't solely dependent on Hinata-oneechan's efforts."
Realism clashed with idealism. Talents vary; responsibilities differ. Equality is beautiful in theory, but reality is unforgiving. There is no single path. One can only follow the way they believe in. Life's intrigue lies in its unknown.
The children pondered these observations throughout the day. Happiness, I reflected, was more than material fulfillment. Lubelius offered another valid approach—structured, harmonious, and orderly. Diversity of systems allows life infinite possibility.
I considered my own journey. Once, I had been mortal, running free and unrestrained. Now, as Atem, King of Games, I bore the responsibility of strategy, leadership, and judgment. To limit oneself intentionally would be folly. Fate would move regardless—I would live fully, anticipating every possible outcome.
And so, the wheels of destiny began to turn. The world, already in motion, was poised on the cusp of challenges yet unseen. Granbell's ambitions, Yuuki's manipulations, and the coming concert—all threads weaving toward the inevitable.
The true game was about to begin.