Romania.
A couple of hours after the event, we all returned to the villa, whereas Goetia left immediately as soon as everything was over.
The mood among the villa's residents was simply wonderful, because I'd given them the chance to do whatever they wanted, and so now, late into the night, the villa's courtyard was bustling with activity. The same lanterns, the same enchanting aroma of cooked food, and discussions about how long it had been since the members of my faction had let off steam and relaxed like this.
At the same time, we weren't the only ones who returned, and while Goetia left us immediately as soon as everything was over, which also applied to the gods who had arrived, Azazel, Michael, and Sirzechs were here with us. Rias was also present, along with her entourage and a petite vampire, who were currently standing to the side, since the three leaders and I looked as if we were about to discuss something important. In any case, that wasn't far from the truth.
- "Well, now we can talk," I nodded and took a sip of coffee. "Who wants to start?"
- "That would be me," said Sirzechs, raising his hand. "You do realize that this… incident spells big trouble for us?"
- "As if that means anything," I shrugged. "There are idiots among them, but the vast majority is unlikely to let them act however they please."
- "But that doesn't solve the problem; it merely mitigates the consequences," Azazel shook his head. "The existence of something like the Beasts, especially ones that essentially belong to our faction, completely destroys the balance of power. Someone is bound to launch a preemptive strike; it's only a matter of time. The pride of the gods, just like their excessive fears, has always been highly questionable."
- "Again, as if that means anything," I repeated. "I have no doubt there will be plenty who want to oppose us, but there are far more who would like to become our 'allies'. And, as far as I recall, I didn't say I'd be an obedient, upstanding Samaritan, did I?"
- "I suppose… that's true," Michael said, his voice clearly tinged with humility. "Now, another question… the liberation of Trihexa."
At this, each of the leaders fell into thought, while I simply rolled my eyes.
In essence, Michael's question wasn't about defeating the local Beast in general, but about my involvement in the common cause and how to solve the problem.
Since the Biblical God was alive now, finding his location wasn't a problem in principle. The same applied to defeating him, since I commanded four Beasts, each of which could literally run over Trihexa even in his current state.
Of course, I could try to tame him, since with Sarra's help it would be even easier than it is now, but another question arose. How much would this affect the world as a whole, and wouldn't it contradict Zelretch and Yahweh's plans? After all, I was indebted to them, and being in debt to others didn't sound particularly appealing. And yes, that's without even considering that I needed to deal with the Spider somehow.
However, that was a different matter altogether, one I could perhaps discuss with Yahweh.
- "Well, as a last resort, I'll intervene, but only if I see the other mythologies making an effort. After all, this whole show was organized precisely for that purpose," I said, interrupting their thoughts. "Besides, don't you see the obvious upside to all this?"
- "A common enemy, huh?" Azazel smirked. "As long as we don't become that enemy, Romani."
- "Azazel's fears aren't unfounded," said Michael. "But countering that is a unique unification of the entire supernatural world. It will be ready to move forward in unison and seek the best ways for all mythologies to coexist. New rules and laws will be established, which some will follow out of pride, and others out of common sense. And, as a result, relations with humanity will also improve."
- "And you, Romani-san, will be the judge, jury, and executioner all in one," concluded Sirzechs with a most intriguing tone. "In this world, power decides everything, and you certainly know that. And since you possess the greatest power of all, to sum it up, that makes you a dictator. Or rather, a tyrant. And that alone greatly increases the chance of you becoming our enemy."
- "Oh? Are you against it, Mr. Ripe Tomato? And I really liked that you used 'you' instead of 'us'," I smirked at Sirzechs, causing the atmosphere to instantly become uncomfortable and tense.
- "Times have changed, Romani-san. We have changed," he began. "Humanity's influence is seeping deeper and deeper into the very essence of all of us, whether we're demons, dragons, gods, or anyone else. Our approach, our lifestyle, our interests. All of this is inevitably adapting to humanity. And humanity loves neither dictators nor tyrants. It overthrows them."
Azazel and Michael remained silent, unable to refute his words. At the same time, they, especially Michael, clearly understood that my word would be the final one, given certain factors such as power, the Throne of Heaven, and Yahweh herself.
At the same time, I noticed how some members of my faction pricked up their ears, either partially or completely ceasing their activities. But only a few stood out.
Gil was staring openly, evidently finding this conversation extremely amusing. Artoria stopped chewing, standing motionless like a statue with her cheeks puffed out. Morgan watched my back with interest, but without her usual smirk, her expression unusually neutral. Merlin was smiling broadly and waiting for my answer with obvious impatience. Yasaka and Gabriel cast anxious glances, clearly not expecting the conversation to go in this direction. Griselda simply froze, not moving and seemingly not breathing at all. And Rias nervously bit her nail while her gaze darted from me to Sirzechs and back.
- "Strong words," I said, propping my head up with my fist and looking at him intently. "But you've forgotten one tiny, minuscule detail, Sirzechs Gremory, Demon Lord Lucifer and Scarlet Satan."
As soon as I uttered his full name and a couple of titles, the atmosphere grew even more oppressive, for this was the first time I had addressed him that way.
- "Which one, Romani-san?"
- "I suppose I'll make sure you answer your own question," I said, pausing briefly. "Who am I?"
- "You are the reincarnation of Solomon, possessing…" he began to answer rather quickly, but I cut him off.
- "Who am I?"
- "You are the possessor of the greatest power in this…"
- "Who. Am. I?"
This time he didn't speak immediately, but paused to search for the right answer.
This rather uncomfortable pause lasted several minutes, during which the courtyard fell completely silent, apparently holding its breath in anticipation. And when I was convinced he couldn't find the right answer, a single sound rang out across the area, instantly dissolving the entire oppressive atmosphere and replacing it with confusion and bewilderment…
…a giggle.
- "I'm not an idiot," I said, stopping my giggling. "Yes, I have immense power. Yes, my authority is even greater than my power. And yet I'm sitting here with you, listening to you, taking in your words, pondering them, and, most importantly, not controlling you in any way. And I also know how to admit my mistakes, don't I?"
- "I suppose that's… true," he agreed.
- "Generally speaking, both tyrants and dictators are idiots. In the vast majority of cases, this has a deservedly negative connotation, but in some, more… specific cases, a romantic or lyrical one, I suppose. Not every tyrant or dictator became one simply because they wanted to, but because it was necessary," I said with a smirk to Gil, who was giving me a surprised look. "There are many factors, and we could debate this for a very long time, since it all depends on your point of view. However, getting back to the topic, I'm no idiot, and your statement is a rule, and rules always have exceptions. Do you agree with me?"
A couple of seconds later, Sirzechs nodded slowly, as if he were in a kind of trance.
- "That's good," I nodded. "As for the judge, juror, and executioner all rolled into one, do you REALLY think I'm going to do that, hm?"
- "No, you won't," Archer spoke up instead of Sirzechs.
- "Well… considering your temperament…" Lancelot added sheepishly.
- "The Sun itself will go out sooner than the Master will devote his time to matters so boring to his immature mind," Medusa nodded.
- "Arrr," Herucles growled in agreement.
- "Hey! Is bullying me some new trend like 'six-seven' and low cortisol?! I'm your Master! Where's your respect?!" I immediately protested, my gaze landing on Grandpa. "But never mind. Each of you is an ungrateful chunk of enriched uranium, but Grandpa will always support me, right?!"
But where I expected support, I got…
- "Lying is a sin."
As soon as he fell silent, I literally turned to jelly and slid off the chair straight onto the floor, spilling precious, magnificent coffee all over myself, coffee that would need a proper funeral…
- "Go to hell… All of you…"
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