A/N: Don't forget to check out my original novel: Can I Magic Please. It's like really good. 😉
ANYWHOOO. ENJOY THE CHAPTER
---
The Armed Nation of Dwargon was as lively as ever.
Massive furnaces roared throughout the nation, heat and steel shaping the rhythm of daily life. Dwarven craftsmen hammered endlessly upon glowing metal while merchants and adventurers moved through the enormous stone streets in bustling waves.
And at the very center of the nation—
Inside the royal palace—
King Gazel Dwargo sat within the meeting chamber.
A servant kneeled respectfully before him while holding a sealed letter.
"The messenger from Coleus delivered this personally, Your Majesty."
Gazel narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Coleus…"
The room itself remained quiet.
Present alongside the king were some of Dwargon's highest-ranking figures.
Minister Anrietta.
Dorf.
Jaine.
And Vaughn.
The servant carefully stepped forward and handed over the letter.
Gazel broke the seal calmly.
The emblem stamped into the wax caused several brows to raise slightly.
A black crest surrounded by crimson markings.
The symbol of Demon Lord Loki.
The king unfolded the letter slowly.
Then began reading aloud.
"To His Majesty, King Gazel Dwargo of the Armed Nation of Dwargon."
"I hope this letter finds your nation prosperous."
"I am Loki Arashi, ruler of the Kingdom of Coleus."
"Recent political developments within the Western Nations have led to certain… unfortunate disruptions in diplomatic and trade relations regarding my nation."
"However, Coleus has no intention of isolating itself from the world."
"On the contrary."
"We seek the establishment of fair and mutually beneficial relations with nations willing to judge us through reason rather than fear."
"Coleus possesses vast access to monster resources gathered from the nearby wastelands, including rare materials, magical minerals, beast hides, and high-grade monster crystals."
"We are willing to provide priority trade access and reduced export tariffs to the Armed Nation of Dwargon should diplomatic relations be established."
"In addition, Coleus intends to develop large-scale crafting and adventurer industries. Cooperation with Dwargon's craftsmen and engineers would be welcomed and generously rewarded."
"In return, I request recognition of Coleus as a sovereign nation under my rule and support against political isolation imposed by the Western Nations Council."
"I believe cooperation between our nations may prove profitable for both parties."
"Respectfully."
"Loki Arashi."
"Demon Lord of Coleus."
Silence settled over the chamber.
Jaine folded her arms.
"…Well."
"That was far more reasonable than expected."
Vaughn nodded slowly.
"I was expecting threats."
"So was I," Dorf admitted.
Gazel leaned back slightly in his chair.
His expression remained thoughtful.
"That is the strange part."
Everyone looked toward him.
Gazel tapped one finger against the armrest.
"The reports regarding Demon Lord Loki are absurd."
"He conquered Coleus."
"Defeated armies effortlessly."
"Commanded Primordial Demons."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"A man possessing such overwhelming strength should have no reason to negotiate peacefully."
Anrietta adjusted her glasses thoughtfully.
"Perhaps that is precisely why he can."
The room quieted slightly.
She continued calmly.
"A weak ruler threatens."
"A strong ruler negotiates."
Dorf snorted.
"That still doesn't mean we should trust a Demon Lord."
"No," Gazel agreed immediately.
"But neither should we blindly antagonize one."
Especially not this one.
The information gathered regarding Loki was deeply concerning.
Not because he was evil.
But because nobody seemed capable of understanding him properly.
One report described him as battle-crazed.
Another described him as strangely kind.
One claimed he was terrifying beyond reason.
Another claimed he casually laughed and ate with subordinates.
Even Leon Cromwell apparently maintained some level of respect toward him.
That alone spoke volumes.
Jaine crossed her legs thoughtfully.
"The incentives themselves are valuable."
"The wasteland resources alone would greatly benefit Dwargon."
"And reduced tariffs would increase profitability considerably," Vaughn added.
Anrietta nodded.
"Furthermore, refusing diplomacy outright may unnecessarily push Coleus into hostility."
Dorf grunted.
"I still dislike dealing with Demon Lords."
Gazel suddenly smirked faintly.
"You dislike dealing with everyone."
"…Fair."
The king's expression slowly became more decisive.
"Ultimately…"
"…Dwargon benefits more from cooperation than hostility."
He placed the letter down.
"And frankly speaking…"
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"I am curious."
The room became silent again.
Curious about the man called Loki Arashi.
A Demon Lord who should have become a calamity—
Yet instead sent diplomatic letters.
Unexpected.
Very unexpected.
Finally—
Gazel nodded once.
"Dwargon will establish relations with Coleus."
Meanwhile—
Far away within the Kingdom of Blumund—
Another meeting was taking place.
Unlike Dwargon's intimidating military atmosphere—
Blumund's royal chamber felt significantly smaller and more delicate politically.
The kingdom itself was not particularly powerful militarily.
But it was clever.
Strategic.
Careful.
And currently—
Very nervous.
King Drum Blumund sat at the head of the table while the same letter from Coleus rested before him.
Beside him stood Baron Veryard.
And Fuze.
Fuze looked deeply stressed already.
"…Your Majesty."
"…This feels dangerous."
King Drum looked far more interested than concerned.
"A Demon Lord personally requesting diplomacy."
He chuckled softly.
"That is not an opportunity nations receive often."
Veryard frowned deeply.
"Or a trap."
"That too."
Fuze rubbed his forehead.
"With all due respect…"
"…this is Demon Lord Loki we're discussing."
"The same one who apparently annihilated an army instantly."
"The same one rumored to have multiple Primordial Demons serving under him."
His expression tightened further.
"And the Western Nations already made their position clear."
"Supporting Coleus may anger them."
Veryard nodded immediately.
"Exactly."
"Blumund lacks Dwargon's military deterrence."
"We cannot afford reckless decisions."
King Drum remained thoughtful.
That part was true.
Blumund survived not through strength—
But through careful political positioning.
One wrong move could destabilize the nation completely.
Still—
The king's eyes slowly sharpened.
"…But there is another side to this."
The others looked toward him.
"If we become one of the first allied nations to openly support Coleus…"
"…then Blumund gains direct ties to a Demon Lord."
Silence followed.
Fuze blinked slightly.
Veryard frowned.
King Drum leaned forward slightly.
"Tell me honestly."
"What nation would dare invade Blumund while allied to Demon Lord Loki?"
Neither answered immediately.
Because the answer was obvious.
Very few.
Possibly none.
The king smiled faintly.
"The Western Nations fear him."
"That much is clear."
"And fear can be useful."
Veryard still looked uncertain.
"But if Loki truly becomes hostile someday…"
King Drum interrupted calmly.
"Then we would already be doomed regardless."
That shut the room up.
Fuze slowly exhaled.
"…That is unfortunately true."
The king stood slowly from his seat.
"Coleus is extending its hand before bloodshed begins."
"It would be foolish to reject such an opportunity outright."
His gaze moved toward the letter again.
"And unlike many rulers…"
"…this Demon Lord is attempting diplomacy first."
That alone mattered.
Finally—
King Drum nodded decisively.
"Prepare a response."
"Blumund will establish relations with Coleus."
Far away—
Within the royal castle of Coleus—
Testarossa quietly reviewed reports arriving from multiple nations.
And for the first time in days—
A small smile appeared on her face.
Things were finally beginning to move
The Holy Empire of Lubelius stood in eternal brilliance beneath the light of the heavens.
Towering white structures stretched toward the sky while golden spires reflected sunlight beautifully across the sacred capital.
The headquarters of the Western Holy Church remained especially magnificent.
Pure.
Untouchable.
Holy.
Or at least—
That was the image carefully maintained.
Deep within the central cathedral—
Inside a luxurious private chamber—
Demon Lord Luminous Valentine sat elegantly upon a velvet seat while reviewing documents beneath warm candlelight.
The room itself was lavish beyond reason.
Silver decorations.
Ancient paintings.
Soft crimson carpets.
Wine resting nearby.
And absolute silence.
Peaceful silence.
Then—
Space distorted.
Luminous's eye twitched instantly.
A familiar black crack tore open reality itself.
"…You have got to be kidding me."
The next moment—
Loki casually stepped through the distortion.
"Yo."
The room exploded with holy power.
Killing intent flooded the chamber instantly.
Luminous rose from her seat slowly, eyes burning with irritation powerful enough to crush lesser beings into dust.
"…You."
Loki immediately raised both hands.
"Before you kill me."
"I'd like to apologize first."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Luminous stared at him blankly.
"…What?"
Loki scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"About earlier."
"…Earlier?"
"You know."
"When I exposed your disguise at Walpurgis."
Luminous's aura intensified violently.
"You humiliated me before the entire council."
"Yeah."
"You destroyed years of careful secrecy."
"Also true."
"And now you casually appear inside my chambers."
"Correct."
Luminous narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"…And your response is to say sorry?"
"Yes."
The answer came instantly.
Sincerely even.
Which somehow made it more confusing.
Luminous stared at him suspiciously.
No smug grin.
No teasing tone.
No mockery.
Just… genuine apology.
That alone was enough to completely derail her expectations.
"…You're serious."
"Very."
Luminous slowly sat back down.
Not because she trusted him.
But because curiosity suddenly outweighed anger.
This was Loki Arashi.
The same absurd Demon Lord who challenged Guy Crimson.
Who casually mocked powerful beings.
Who acted however he pleased.
And now—
He was apologizing sincerely.
Strange.
Deeply strange.
"…Fine," Luminous said cautiously.
"I'm listening."
Loki visibly relaxed slightly.
"Thanks."
Then his expression became more serious.
"I need your help."
Luminous blinked again.
This conversation continued becoming more absurd.
"The Western Nations," Loki continued calmly.
"They cut ties with Coleus."
"I know."
"The council itself means nothing to me personally."
Luminous quietly observed him.
No arrogance.
No hostility.
Just honesty.
Loki folded his arms slightly.
"But the people of Coleus aren't me."
His voice remained calm.
"They have families."
"Businesses."
"Livelihoods."
"Trade routes."
"Merchants."
"The nation survives economically through cooperation with surrounding countries."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And because I took the nation by force…"
"…they're suffering for it."
Luminous froze slightly hearing that.
Not because the logic was surprising.
But because Loki genuinely sounded concerned.
He continued speaking calmly.
"I can destroy armies."
"I can threaten nations."
"But that doesn't solve the actual problem."
"It just creates fear."
"And fear doesn't feed civilians."
Luminous stared silently now.
This truly did not sound like the Loki she imagined.
Or perhaps—
She simply never understood him properly.
Finally—
Loki looked directly toward her.
"So I'm asking."
"Sincerely."
"Use the Church's influence to help normalize relations with Coleus."
Luminous's fingers tapped slowly against the armrest.
The Holy Church possessed enormous influence throughout the Western Nations.
If Lubelius softened its stance—
Others would inevitably reconsider theirs as well.
Politically—
This was a significant request.
But what truly unsettled her—
Was Loki himself.
A Demon Lord.
One powerful enough to ignore politics entirely.
And yet—
Instead of threatening humanity—
He came personally to ask for help protecting civilians.
Luminous sighed quietly.
"…You really are irritating."
"Huh?"
"You keep refusing to fit expectations."
Loki grinned slightly.
"Sounds like a compliment."
"It wasn't."
It absolutely was a little.
Luminous leaned back thoughtfully.
"The Church can establish a non-aggression agreement with Coleus."
Loki's expression softened slightly.
"And?"
"I will also permit trade discussions between Lubelius and your nation."
Loki blinked.
"…Seriously?"
"Do not make me regret this."
He smiled faintly.
"I won't."
Luminous crossed one leg over the other elegantly.
"However…"
"Large-scale political adjustments require time."
"The Western Nations will not immediately reverse their decisions."
"I know."
"So eventually…"
"…we will arrange a formal meeting."
Loki nodded immediately.
"That's fine."
Then—
Unexpectedly—
He bowed his head slightly.
"Thanks, Luminous."
The room fell quiet again.
Because somehow—
That small gesture carried more sincerity than all his usual nonsense combined.
Luminous stared at him silently.
Then finally waved one hand dismissively.
"Go away already."
Loki laughed softly.
"See you around."
Space distorted again.
And just like that—
He vanished.
The room became quiet once more.
Luminous sat silently for several moments.
Then sighed deeply.
"…What an absurd man."
BOOM!
The chamber doors suddenly exploded open.
Hinata Sakaguchi rushed inside immediately, sword already drawn while holy energy flooded the room.
"Lady Luminous!"
Her sharp gaze scanned the area instantly.
"The barrier was breached!"
Luminous looked tired already.
"I noticed."
Hinata immediately moved closer.
"Are you injured?"
"No."
"Was it an attack?"
"…Technically."
Hinata's eyes sharpened dangerously.
"Who was it?"
Luminous rubbed her forehead slowly.
"That pesky Demon Lord."
Hinata froze.
"…Loki?"
"Yes."
"…He breached the barrier alone?"
"Yes."
"…Again?"
Luminous's eye twitched.
"Yes."
Silence filled the room briefly.
Then Luminous leaned back with visible irritation.
"…Something truly must be done about those barriers."
Hinata nodded slowly.
"They failed completely?"
"They might as well not exist."
Somewhere far away—
Loki sneezed once while teleporting back toward Coleus.
Then continued walking casually like nothing happened.
---
Find early chapters on my patreonÂ
[Patreon.com/tenten100?]