"Nice to meet you, Demon Lord Guy," Atem said, his voice calm but resonant, carrying the weight of absolute authority. "Even though this is our first meeting, I was aware of your strength."
Guy exhaled slowly, eyes flicking to Atem. He knew better than to raise his tone—any sign of insolence could have ended him instantly. "Ahahaha… you're not bad either. Chloe, was it? Few can wield such power effectively, myself included," Guy replied carefully, bowing his head slightly in respect.
Chloe nodded, exchanging greetings with Guy. Atem observed silently, his piercing gaze unwavering, the very air around him radiating unshakable command.
I glanced around to gauge the reactions of our allies. Leon and Luminas were pale, faces pale but tense—not from anger, but from trying desperately to understand the events unfolding before their eyes. Everyone else, including Solarys, seemed completely unable to perceive what had just occurred. Even the perceptual enhancements stretched a millionfold failed to capture the reality of it.
The truth was chilling. Guy's movement wasn't mere speed—it was *time stop*. Chloe had seemingly integrated a similar ability into her own power. It reminded me of Walpurgis, when Guy had tried to use time stop against me, only to be surprised by the unexpected.
Atem's eyes narrowed slightly, and without a word, Chloe attacked.
The swordplay was unlike anything I'd ever seen. Every strike, every parry, moved as if reality itself had fractured. The flow of their duel resembled stop-motion; continuity seemed impossible, yet it was far more terrifying—it was precision beyond the constraints of time.
"Enough." Atem's command rang out, absolute and final. The Pharaoh Authority pulsed, freezing both Guy and Chloe mid-motion. Atem's voice carried calm reproach. "I permitted a test, not an escalation."
Chloe's body shrank back to her original size, returning to her usual form. She blushed violently, shaking with frustration. "How dare you hug Atem-sama without asking, and even ki-kiss!" she yelled, her voice sharp but childlike.
"That was Chronoa?" Atem asked quietly, though his tone lacked surprise.
"Yes. We switched midway," Chloe admitted. The distinction between them was subtle, almost impossible for anyone else to detect.
Leon, recovering his composure, lifted Chloe gently. "Atem, while I appreciate your protection of her, I cannot allow anyone to approach her recklessly."
"Enough, Leon onii-chan," Chloe protested, pushing away but still trembling with anger.
Leon's gaze turned icy, fixed on Guy. "You claimed you wouldn't lay a hand on Chloe. Explain this."
Guy swallowed. "I—just testing her. I had no intent to harm her."
Leon's anger flared. "Even so, testing with that level of power is reckless. Murderous intent aside, such strength cannot be treated casually."
Chloe intervened, her voice steady despite the lingering rage. "It's true. I wanted to see your strength too, Guy. And… maybe Chronoa got a little carried away. So don't blame him entirely."
Atem remained calm, observing silently, his presence alone ensuring the tension never escalated further.
Chronoa's powers, now integrated with Chloe's, revealed something extraordinary—*Ultimate Skill: Spacetime King Yog-Sothoth*, granting her the ability to stop time itself. Solarys, observing analytically, noted, "One possibility: if Chloe Aubert wields Time Travel within Yog-Sothoth, 'Analyze and Assess' cannot function. Observing phenomena outside one's time axis is impossible."
Indeed. Even with perceptual speed stretched to the maximum, no one could perceive actions within the frozen time. The implications were terrifying: anyone who could not enter that frozen reality was powerless against those who could. Yet, Chloe—tiny, seemingly innocent Chloe—stood as Guy's equal.
Atem's aura, calm yet unyielding, filled the room. He did not need to speak; his authority alone reinforced the boundaries of control. Even Guy, aware of Atem's limitless power, knew better than to test the Pharaoh's patience.
Leon eventually relented, tension easing slightly. "Just as you care for Ramiris, I care for Chloe. Remember that," he warned, settling back.
Luminas, equally protective, reinforced the message with silent, piercing eyes.
Guy, surprisingly, nodded. "Understood. No harm, no interference. As long as she doesn't obstruct me, I will not interfere with your precious… hero."
With that, Chloe's safety was secured, her power acknowledged by all, though her true potential remained far beyond the comprehension of anyone in the room. Atem's presence ensured order, his authority absolute, and the trial of Chloe's strength had revealed a new reality: in Eterna, even the strongest had limits when faced with mastery over time itself.
The sun was already sinking behind the horizon when the long meeting finally ended. Shuna had prepared dinner in advance, so we moved to another location for the banquet. No one planned to leave before eating—whether from obligation or because they simply didn't dare refuse Atem's invitation, I couldn't tell.
Tonight's menu was kakuni-style simmered pork—well, monster meat—with fried eggplant and tofu. Miso soup and Eterna's signature glossy black "Arcane Rice" completed the meal. It wasn't a grand multi-course feast, since this meeting was improvised. Anyone who complained would be asking for the King's judgment.
"This is unacceptable. Where is the tempura?" Luminas complained immediately.
I couldn't help but glance at her. So she was a tempura fanatic? Interesting.
"It's fine, Luminas. Atem's taste in food should never be underestimated," Hinata said, surprisingly defending me.
I arched an eyebrow. Of all the things she could praise, she chose that. Well, better than nothing, I suppose.
The banquet continued. Everyone ate, and everyone looked satisfied.
"I see. Your country's dishes are… surprisingly acceptable." Guy admitted with a relaxed tone.
"It tastes odd, but I'll admit it isn't bad," Leon said as he finished every last bite.
I took his empty plate as praise—his silent
approval held more weight than any compliment.
"Hinata was right. This dish is unusual, but remarkably delicious."
"It's incredible as always. I've missed this flavor. Eating it again makes me glad to still be alive."
Luminas seemed pleased, and Hinata looked sincerely moved.
It struck me—Hinata hadn't tasted a proper meal in two thousand years. For so long, she could only watch Chloe eat through their shared existence. Seeing her now, savoring every bite, made everything make sense. For the first time in ages, she could taste warmth and flavor. Of course she would be emotional.
By the time the meal ended, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The demon lords began preparing to leave almost immediately. Their business here was done, and none of them felt the need to linger before the King of Games longer than necessary.
Leon approached Chloe first.
"Chloe. If you ever feel uncomfortable here, call me at once. I will come for you immediately," he said in a stiff, unhappy tone.
Ah. So that argument still wasn't over.
"My friends are here, and I like it in Eterna with Atem-san," Chloe replied firmly.
Her decision was clear—though I doubted Leon would accept it quietly. His clinginess toward Chloe was practically legendary.
"Onii-chan, thank you for worrying about me. But you don't need to stress so much. I'm not a little kid anymore!" she said, hugging him.
Leon finally softened. He gently patted her head—like an older brother who cared more than he ever showed.
Chloe then released him and shifted into her adult form.
"See? If I borrow Chronoa's power, I can return to my grown-up form anytime. So you don't have to worry."
Her smile… it had weight. Grace mixed with innocence. The kind of smile that silenced a room.
"I see. You've truly become a beautiful woman. But my concern will never fade," Leon said softly. "You may rely on me whenever needed."
Classic Leon—mature, handsome, annoyingly perfect.
I thought the atmosphere was finally peaceful—until Leon turned his gaze toward me. His expression snapped cold.
"Atem… Chloe may be grown, but do not misunderstand. If you ever allow her to be placed in danger—"
I cut him off.
"Leon," I said, voice calm but carrying the authority of a king, "I protect those under my care. If Chloe remains in Eterna, she does so under my shield. I do not endanger my allies.
Ever."
My eyes met his. I didn't look away. I didn't waver.
And Leon—Demon Lord Leon—broke eye contact first.
"…Very well." He turned away, though tension remained in his shoulders. "I will hold you to that."
He left shortly after. Chloe promised to visit, and thanks to her, Eterna and El Dorado would likely begin diplomatic relations. Even if Leon felt like an overbearing brother-in-law, I could handle it.
Luminas approached Chloe next.
"I'm glad you're safe. You are dear to me as well, Chloe. If anything happens, come to me anytime. Please take care of yourself."
Once Luminas departed with her entourage, Hinata left soon after. Finally, only Guy remained—and unfortunately, so did Diablo.
"Now then, shall we continue the discussion I was unable to finish earlier—" Diablo began.
"No. Really. I've heard enough today," Guy said, raising his hands.
"Kufufufu… There is no need to hide your enthusiasm."
"Stop trying to drag me into strange things!"
I stared at Diablo, unimpressed. Even Guy looked exhausted.
"Tch… Fine. Then let us move on to the report about Testarossa and the others, and various anecdotes about Atem-sama—"
I sighed. Honestly, how much could one demon want to talk?
Guy felt it too. "No, no. You all seem extremely busy. I'll return another time—when things are calmer."
He fled. Actually fled. From Diablo.
Even for Guy Crimson, that was… unexpected.
Seeing this other side of him reminded me he wasn't always a walking calamity. He could be reasonable when he wasn't testing Chloe or pretending to be all-powerful.
With Chloe acknowledged as a Hero, the major problems were—for now—resolved.
Only the Empire's intentions remained.
Solarys materialized in my mind.
A war, hm?
I exhaled, steady and controlled.
Solve one threat, and another rises. Peace remained distant… but I would see it done.
Eterna would not fall. Not while I stood.