The children Diablo rescued were given a full week of rest. None of them suffered injuries, but Atem knew better than to ignore the weight trauma could carve into young hearts. They had witnessed a real battle — not sparring, not training, but death bearing down on them. Their usual bright spirits were quiet, shaken.
Atem — King of Eterna, Pharaoh of Souls — ordered them to rest.
The conference with Luminas and Leon had been postponed and relocated. Lubelius was undergoing heavy repairs, and El Dorado was dealing with an internal crisis severe enough that foreign dignitaries could not be admitted.
Thus, the meeting would take place in the heart of Eterna, Atem's kingdom.
Atem did not object.
After all, two Demon Lords were already staying within his borders — a certain irritating fairy and a lazy noble who always found trouble like it was treasure.
Atem hadn't even rested the night prior. As soon as Leon returned home, he had immediately begun preparations for the meeting, and Luminas insisted they convene as soon as possible. Both wanted answers — about Chloe, about the Empire, about the strange distortions in time.
Atem understood that urgency.
So he accepted their request without complaint.
The most luxurious reception hall in Eterna was prepared. Massive crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, bathing the room in warm golden light. The air was heavy with magic and tension.
Atem, Luminas, and Leon sat as the main leaders of the conference — each a Demon Lord, each commanding nations, legions, and worlds.
Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, stirred silently within Atem's soul, analyzing everything from the participants' breathing patterns to emotional fluctuations.
Only the most trusted companions were allowed inside:
Shion, who had fully recovered from her critical injuries with terrifying speed
Diablo, unblinking and fanatically loyal Veldora, who insisted on attending simply to avoid being left out
Hinata beside Luminas
Louis and Gunther, shadows of the Holy Empire
Alrose and Claude, Leon's knights
Chloe, the center of all events
A rectangular table of ancient Eterna marble stood between them. Atem sat at the head, with Veldora looming proudly at his side. Luminas and Hinata sat across. Leon and Chloe sat at opposite ends.
The air felt thick, as if space itself acknowledged Atem's presence.
When Atem's eyes swept across the room, everyone instinctively straightened.
The meeting began.
Chloe began recounting everything — the Infinite Loop, Chronoa, the timelines, her death, Hinata's death, Atem's death in another worldline, and the way Hinata and Atem helped free her from eternity's cage.
Her voice never shook. Her words were impossible.
And yet Atem believed her — for he had seen fragments of the imaginary world himself, illusion and reality merging like the boundary meant nothing.
When Chloe finished, silence gripped the room.
Everyone exchanged uncertain looks.
Then of course, Veldora destroyed the tension:
"So the Hero who sealed me awa—"
Hinata immediately cut him off.
"That was me. We're tied now — one win, one loss. You've finally tasted defeat."
"Wha— WHAT?!"
Veldora's face twisted in outrage.
Hinata tilted her head lightly.
Luminas smirked in amusement.
"If you have a problem," Hinata said coldly, "we can settle this right now."
Veldora slammed his fist on the table. "Very well! If you insist—"
Atem raised a single hand.
Silence.
Not because he spoke —
but because even Veldora felt the pressure.
His voice came low and regal:
"Enough.
This meeting is not a battlefield.
Settle your rivalry later."
Veldora sank back into his chair, grumbling. Hinata looked satisfied. Luminas chuckled elegantly behind her fan.
Atem continued:
"We must remain focused. Chloe revealed something far more important."
He turned to her.
"You said I was killed in the other timeline. By someone from the Empire."
Chloe nodded.
"So was Hinata. The same attacker. Neither of us could perceive the strike… that alone makes them dangerous."
Leon folded his arms, eyes narrowing.
"And if they could kill someone of Atem's level back then…"
Luminas finished the sentence:
"…their threat now is even greater."
Atem's voice deepened.
"The Empire has always been ambitious. But for them to kill me, to kill Hinata, and fend off a rampaging Veldora… Solarys, analyze this."
A soft, divine presence echoed in Atem's mind:
〈Conclusion: The Imperial threat level has exceeded past predictions. Intervention probability: 94%.〉
Atem's eyes hardened.
"Then we prepare for war."
The room tensed.
Even Veldora stopped bragging.
Chloe added quietly:
"I remember… Veldora was fighting at full force.
Yet the Empire endured. They even used my battle with Chronoa as cover to advance their plans."
Everyone felt the same cold realization.
The Empire was more dangerous than they had ever imagined.
In the heavy silence, Veldora suddenly puffed out his chest:
"Me? Rampaging? I find that hard to beli—"
Everyone stared at him.
What is this man saying?
Atem closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Veldora's ridiculous ability to joke around in such a heavy atmosphere was impressive—
But then he suddenly froze as everyone stared at him.
"W-Wait! Why are you all looking at me like that?! A gentleman such as I would never lose control like that!"
Atem crossed his arms, golden eyes narrowing.
The King of Eterna radiated quiet authority, the kind that made even Veldora straighten his posture.
In truth… given how Veldora behaved in the past, it was easy for anyone to imagine him going berserk.
Watching Atem's supposed death in that distant future… yes, that could have sparked his wrath.
Atem allowed a faint, warm smile.
"Come now, Veldora. Let bygones be bygones. We stand in the present, not the tragedies of possible futures."
His tone calmed the room instantly.
Even Veldora softened, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
And like that, we returned to the core issue:
The Empire is dangerous.
That was the conclusion.
Next, they began to analyze Chronoa's memories, with Chloe recalling as deeply as she could.
After Veldora's defeat by the Empire, the world spiraled into chaos.
War erupted between the West and East—
and the Empire held the advantage.
Milim, furious at Atem's future death, attacked the Empire.
But before she could finish them—
Guy Crimson intervened.
History repeated itself: a catastrophic battle between them.
Dagruel and Luminas clashed as well, shattering entire nations in their wake.
Chronoa wandered the battlefield—
A living embodiment of destruction.
She fought anyone strong, friend or foe, until the moment she died.
That was why her memory of her killer was fragmented.
"The number of people who could kill someone like Chronoa is extremely limited," Atem remarked.
"It's Guy," Luminas answered immediately.
"I can only think of Guy," Leon agreed.
Atem nodded slowly.
Yes… if anyone could slay Chronoa, it was Guy Crimson.
But the reasons remained unclear.
"So why is Chronoa so fond of me?" Atem asked, voice calm but razor-sharp.
He had never encountered Chronoa in this timeline.
Yet she adored him—clearly, intensely.
Atem was not the type to misunderstand such obvious signs.
She behaved that way even the FIRST time he summoned her to stabilize Chloe.
She had embraced him boldly, kissed him even.
It shocked him—after all, they had never met.
Or so he thought.
"That is because—"
‹Because Atem saved me. In the future where I rampaged endlessly… you were the one who reached out to me.›
Chronoa cut Chloe off and took over the story.
"Hey! I was about to explain that!"
Chloe protested.
‹It's all right. We are the same person, Chloe. Let me speak.›
Chloe's body shifted; her expressions changed.
Chronoa and Chloe swapped seamlessly, sharing the same vessel.
Based on Chronoa's memories…
Atem had indeed died in that future.
Yet somehow, he revived.
Of course he would.
Solarys, the Sovereign of Wisdom—Atem's divine partner skill—would not allow him to fall so easily.
The world changed drastically afterward:
The war between East and West escalated, demon lords battled, nations burned.
Atem, revived, searched desperately for survivors—
for friends, allies, anyone he knew.
Saving everyone was impossible,
But saving some? Atem would never hesitate.
Eventually, he found Chloe—no, Chronoa.
The memories were fragmented.
But one thing was clear:
Atem fought Chronoa countless times.
Not to kill her—
but to free her.
His strength, his will, his unwavering presence…
slowly brought Chronoa back to her senses.
‹I indeed fought Guy. I don't remember why. But Atem was gone by then. Yet… while I was dying, Atem held me. And after I passed on, I saw myself—Chloe—and the Atem from that timeline together.›
Atem stayed silent, thoughtful.
His eyes softened, but his aura remained composed and royal.
The trigger must have been Chronoa's Time Travel.
But for her memories and spirit to reach young Chloe…
Solarys spoke silently within Atem's mind:
«The possibility is within reason, my King.»
So even Solarys could not deny it.
Atem nodded.
"We now understand the flow of events, if imperfectly."
"I suppose everything turned out fine," he said calmly.
Hinata shot him a glare.
"Aren't you taking this lightly?"
Atem smirked gently, princely and confident.
"Chloe is safe. Veldora is revived. If we guide them properly, they will not lose control. Our task is clear: the Empire."
"That is correct. If Dagruel moves, I shall handle him."
Luminas declared firmly. "This is my repayment for helping Chloe."
Atem gave a respectful nod, regal and composed.
Dagruel's betrayal concerned them.
But Luminas declared she would protect the West.
"That is reassuring," Atem replied.
Luminas then froze when Atem mentioned Dagruel's sons being in Eterna—as Shion's subordinates.
Shion proudly added:
"They cry tears of joy when they eat my cooking!"
Atem's expression did not change…
But a faint bead of sweat slid down Leon's cheek.
Luminas eventually recovered.
"If that is true… then Dagruel must be manipulated. Or will be."
Atem agreed.
"I will speak with Dagura and the others. If we can help, we will."
Luminas promised to investigate.
Louis and Gunther nodded—they would watch the West closely.
"Next, Guy," Atem said.
"I will tell him," Leon offered.
Guy was a Mediator, they learned—
A system created by Veldanava to prevent the world's destruction.
Veldora revealed that Guy once annihilated him to prevent disaster.
Atem's eyes narrowed.
"So that is the role he carries… a guardian who judges when necessary."
"That is why he killed Chronoa in that future," Leon said.
"To prevent the world from collapsing."
Hinata and Chloe seemed convinced.
Atem decided:
"Very well. Leon, explain everything to Guy. The future of Chloe—and Chronoa—depends on it."
Chloe called Leon "oniichan,"
completely unaware of his affection.
Atem felt a quiet sympathy for Leon.
A harsh destiny… misunderstood despite good intentions.
And so, Atem resolved—with a king's dignity—
to support him as well.