The moment Diablo bowed and withdrew, the air in the room subtly changed.
Testarossa entered without a sound.
She moved with effortless grace, her presence refined and lethal at the same time, and took the seat across from me as if it had always belonged to her. No wasted motion. No unnecessary words.
For a fleeting moment, a thought crossed my mind.
She would make an exceptional secretary.
But that idea died instantly.
If I appointed Testarossa, Diablo would inevitably be reassigned as a diplomatic marshal—and that would spell disaster. The man would reshape international relations through sheer terror and devotion alone. I had no intention of creating a new world crisis.
Things were fine as they were.
More importantly, I had a favor to ask her.
Before I could speak, Testarossa produced a neatly prepared document and slid it across the table. Her timing was impeccable, as always.
"These are the details of my subordinates," she said calmly.
I glanced down.
Name: Moss
Existence Value: 10,079,397
Race: Demon Peer — Archduke Class
Blessing: Blanc's Lineage
Title: The Empress' Confidant
Magic: ‹Dark Magic› ‹Elemental Magic›
Skill: Unique Skill — Collector
Resistances:
Physical Attack Nullification
Abnormal Condition Nullification
Mental Attack Nullification
Natural Effects Nullification
Holy–Demonic Attack Resistance
Name: Cien
Existence Value: 8,256,596
Race: Demon Peer — Viscount Class
Blessing: Blanc's Lineage
Title: The Empress' Secretary
Magic: ‹Dark Magic› ‹Elemental Magic›
Skill: Unique Skill — Recorder
Resistances:
Physical Attack Nullification
Abnormal Condition Nullification
Mental Attack Nullification
Natural Effects Nullification
Clean. Precise. No embellishment.
Neither Moss nor Cien had been dragged into the frontline battles. As a result, they had avoided crises, awakenings—and, more importantly—Solarys's direct interference.
That alone made them anomalies among my inner circle.
My gaze shifted naturally.
"…And you?"
Testarossa did not react outwardly, but Solarys responded instantly.
Name: Testarossa
Existence Value: 33,333,124
Race: Divine Demon
Seven Primordials — Devil Lord
Blessing: Atem's Blessing
Title: Killer Lord
Magic: ‹Dark Magic› ‹Elemental Magic›
Skill: Ultimate Skill — Death King Belial
Resistances:
Physical Attack Nullification
Abnormal Condition Nullification
Mental Attack Nullification
Natural Effects Nullification
Holy–Demonic Attack Resistance
Her growth was undeniable.
Compared to the beginning of the war, her existence value had surged dramatically—not through reckless consumption, but through refined accumulation.
"The increase in your magicules is significant," I observed.
"Yes," she replied with a faint smile.
"It's a pity it didn't happen earlier. The battlefield would have been… far more interesting."
So that was how she viewed war.
I exhaled quietly.
Once again, I was reminded of a fundamental truth: combat was not decided by quantity, but quality. Testarossa's strength had always come from precision, judgment, and absolute control. The increase in magicules merely elevated an already perfected killing art.
Which also meant—
She required monitoring.
Not because she was unstable, but because beings like her, when left unchecked, could redefine the limits of destruction without meaning to.
For now, Diablo would keep her in line. Still, I made a mental note to pay closer attention.
Death King Belial…
An appropriate name. Disturbing. Elegant. Final.
Its abilities included:
Thought Acceleration
Universal Perception
Demon Lord Haki
Spacetime Manipulation
Multidimensional Barrier
All of Creation
Life Domination
World After Death
A full world-system skill.
I had no intention of ever experiencing World After Death firsthand.
Management delegated to Solarys.
I accepted that decision without hesitation.
Testarossa studied me for a moment, then spoke.
"You requested a private meeting. That implies there is a matter unsuitable for public discussion. What is it?"
Sharp. Direct.
I nodded once and decided to trust her judgment.
"I'm scheduled to meet with Masayuki and the Imperial representatives tomorrow morning," I said.
"I'm concerned about how to proceed."
She understood instantly.
"So… the future handling of the Empire."
I did not bother hiding my surprise.
"That's right. Masayuki is clearly troubled, but the request came too suddenly."
The problem was layered.
Masayuki carried a fragment of Rudra's soul, yet he neither desired nor understood imperial authority. Supporting him openly would raise suspicion. Ignoring him would create instability. And the remnants of belief tied to Rudra still complicated matters through lingering authority systems.
On top of that, explaining the situation to King Gazel would require extreme care.
I had avoided involvement long enough—but avoidance was no longer an option.
"If that is the case," Testarossa said smoothly,
"allow me to attend the meeting."
I looked up.
"The eastern territories were once under my jurisdiction. I can serve as a diplomatic intermediary."
Reliable. Exceptionally so.
Solarys could calculate optimal solutions endlessly—but execution required someone who understood politics, fear, and negotiation at a fundamental level.
Testarossa had already proven herself in dealings with the Western Nations.
Once a policy was set, I could trust her to implement it flawlessly.
"Then I'll be counting on you tomorrow morning," I said.
She smiled—beautiful and dangerous.
"Leave it to me."
For the first time since Shion's reckless announcement, I felt the pressure ease slightly.
I stood to conclude the meeting—
"Atem-sama," Testarossa added,
"There is one more matter I should report."
"…Go on."
"You once granted clemency to an Imperial general named Calgurio. He petitioned for his life."
Ah. That.
A complication—but a manageable one.
"All right," I replied.
"Then let's address it now."
Her attention to detail never failed.
Determined to finish everything before dinner, I accompanied Testarossa toward the research facility—already preparing myself for the next chain of consequences.
Only two interviews remained.
After dinner, when the corridors of Eterna had finally grown quiet, I summoned Ultima.
She arrived almost instantly.
"I'm tired of waiting," she said, pouting slightly as she took her seat with exaggerated elegance.
It was deliberate. Everything about Ultima was deliberate.
If she had been an ordinary girl, that expression alone would have been harmless—cute, even. But coming from a Primordial Demon, it carried a sharp edge beneath the charm. Still, the contrast amused me, and despite myself, a faint smile crossed my face.
I prepared tea myself and set out a plate of carefully chosen baked goods.
Ultima's eyes widened.
"Eh? Atem-sama did this himself?"
"Yes," I replied calmly. "I can prepare tea. Coffee as well. Not black tea—I leave that to specialists."
It was simple drip coffee, nothing elaborate. Still, the act itself mattered.
In truth, Shion's skill with beverages had surpassed mine long ago, which was mildly irritating. Cooking was another matter entirely—I had learned early that forcing talent where it did not exist only led to disasters. Before my reincarnation, I survived on convenience and efficiency. Cooking had never been a priority.
Yet memory has value.
Those half-forgotten habits, those quiet routines—they endure.
The kettle hissed softly as steam rose, and the rich scent of roasted beans filled the room. The tools had been crafted by Kaijin, refined to near perfection. Eterna's cafés now used mass-produced versions of the same design, and business was thriving.
Ultima inhaled deeply.
"Just this cup already makes me happy," she said, beaming.
"Drink," I replied. "The coffee will finish brewing while we talk."
I poured the water slowly, with precision. Small details mattered—especially with demons who measured intent in every gesture.
Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom:
This method of rapport-building is inefficient.
No, I answered silently.
It is calculated.
Against beings who lived for battle and annihilation, raw dominance was meaningless. Control came from presence, not intimidation.
Ultima watched with interest, clearly entertained.
Then I set the cup before her.
"Now," I said, my tone shifting, "your report."
"Yes! Let's start with this."
She slid a document across the table.
Name: Veyron
Existence Value: 10,882,869
Race: Demon Peer — Duke Class
Blessing: Violet's Lineage
Title: Poison Princess' Butler
Magic: ‹Dark Magic› ‹Elemental Magic›
Skill: Ultimate Gift — Artist
Resistances:
Physical Attack Nullification
Abnormal Condition Nullification
Mental Attack Nullification
Natural Effects Nullification
Holy–Demonic Attack Resistance
Name: Zonda
Existence Value: 7,901,316
Race: Demon Peer — Viscount Class
Blessing: Violet's Lineage
Title: Poison Princess' Chef
Magic: ‹Dark Magic› ‹Elemental Magic›
Skill: Unique Skill — Chef
Resistances:
Physical Attack Nullification
Abnormal Condition Nullification
Mental Attack Nullification
Natural Effects Nullification
Holy–Demonic Attack Resistance
Veyron's raw strength stood out immediately—but it was Zonda's Skill that caught my attention.
Chef.
For a brief moment, tension rose.
"…It's not related to causality manipulation," I said flatly.
Ultima giggled. "Of course not. That would be boring."
Indeed. Zonda's Skill specialized in assessment and restoration, healing injuries by "cooking" their condition away. Efficient. Supportive. Not reality-breaking.
Acceptable.
Then, finally, I turned my attention fully to her.
Name: Ultima
Existence Value: 27,668,816
Race: Divine Demon
Seven Primordials — Devil Lord
Blessing: Atem's Blessing
Title: Pain Lord
Magic: ‹Dark Magic› ‹Elemental Magic›
Skill: Ultimate Skill — Poison King Samael
Resistances:
Physical Attack Nullification
Abnormal Condition Nullification
Mental Attack Nullification
Natural Effects Nullification
Holy–Demonic Attack Resistance
The number alone was staggering.
Ultima had not merely crossed the 20 million-class threshold—she had obliterated it. Even after evolution, her magicules continued to rise, compounding with frightening speed.
Reliable.
Dangerous.
And utterly loyal.
Her Ultimate Skill unfolded before my awareness.
Poison King Samael contained:
Thought Acceleration
Universal Perception
Demon Lord Haki
Spacetime Manipulation
Multidimensional Barrier
Weakness Identification
Lethal Poison Creation
World of Annihilation
I exhaled slowly.
This was not merely a killing Skill.
It was extermination.
"Lethal Poison Creation," combined with "Weakness Identification," allowed her to design the perfect toxin for any target. That alone made her one of the most dangerous beings in existence.
But World of Annihilation—
That was unacceptable.
A world-system power that erased all non-mental life without Ultimate Skills. An indiscriminate execution field. Efficient. Absolute.
And completely incompatible with my rule.
I lifted my cup and took a measured sip of coffee.
"Ultima," I said evenly, "there is one restriction."
She looked up, eyes bright. "Mm?"
"From this moment on," I continued, "World of Annihilation is forbidden."
She accepted the cup I handed her and smiled without hesitation.
"Okay! I didn't like it anyway."
"…What?"
"I prefer battles where I can feel pain and resistance," she said cheerfully. "That power is boring. Atem-sama understands me perfectly!"
I paused.
"…Yes. Of course."
I maintained my composure flawlessly, even as relief settled deep within me.
Whether by instinct or preference, Ultima had already rejected that path. As expected of a Primordial—victory without struggle held no meaning.
The restriction stood.
The balance remained intact.
And with that settled, the tension dissolved. We spoke for a while longer, calmly, over cooling coffee and fading steam.
One more piece had been placed on the board.
And the game continued—
exactly as the King of Games intended.