After I returned to Eterna, my mind was still simmering with thoughts about Dagruel's sons. That giant had the nerve to send them to me without so much as a word. I wasn't interested in babysitting anyone — especially not sons of someone who didn't know their place.
I leaned back on my throne, fingers tapping against the golden armrest. "If I hand these three over to Shion… they'll run off eventually when they can't handle it. And if they leave on their own, Dagruel won't have anything to complain about. Problem solved."
A grin touched my lips. Let Shion deal with them.
"All right then," I said aloud, turning my gaze toward Shion, who was standing near the lower steps of the throne. "You'll train them. Whatever happens after that… is their problem."
Shion blinked, then slowly, an evil little grin crept across her face. Her eyes flashed with the kind of dangerous excitement that could make even battle-hardened warriors shiver.
Shion (grinning): "Hehehe… Atem-sama has appointed me for this? Oh, this will be fun. Even soft little cubs like you three can be forged into proper warriors under me. Just rest assured and follow my lead. I'll make sure you either grow strong—or break trying."
The three brothers didn't even hesitate. They puffed their chests up, shouting like overeager recruits.
Son 1: "Yes ma'am! That's exactly what we want!"
Son 2: "Understood! We'll follow Big Sis's lead and train hard!"
Son 3 (raising a hand): "I'll work hard too… but can we eat first?"
A low chuckle escaped me. I hadn't expected her to accept so eagerly, but if she was that motivated, then I'd let her have them.
Atem (calm, commanding): "Then it's settled. They're yours. Make sure they understand what true strength means."
Shion (smirking wider): "Oh, I will, Atem-sama."
As I rose from my throne, I could already hear the trio behind me cheering and calling out.
Son 1: "Sensei, no—Master! We'll make you proud!"
Shion (shouting back): "Don't slack off or I'll make you regret it!"
I didn't bother to look back. Their enthusiasm was their own problem now.
When I returned to the reception hall, the mood was entirely different. The Gozu and Mezu tribesmen were kneeling, faces pale, their heads bowed to the floor. The young warriors they had brought along mirrored their leaders' posture—every ounce of arrogance stripped away.
Gozu Leader (voice trembling): "W–We humbly await Your Majesty's return!"
Mezu Leader: "We've decided to pledge our loyalty to Lord Atem!"
I studied them in silence for a long moment. The same people who had been radiating pride earlier now looked like cornered prey.
I descended the steps of the throne and took my seat. My spiritual pressure rolled through the chamber like a rising tide. The polished marble beneath me reflected the flickering light of my aura—golden, heavy, unrelenting.
Atem (coldly): "You've changed your tune quickly."
Gozu Leader: "O-Of course!"
Mezu Leader: "Please command us as you wish, my Lord!"
Their desperate obedience was almost amusing. I could feel their fear—Shion's earlier display must have burned the lesson into their souls.
Solarys.
Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom (calm voice in my mind): <
I tilted my head slightly. Exactly my thought. These people loved battle. They lived and bled for it. And I had the perfect place to keep them busy.
Atem (leaning forward): "Very well. Since you have so much energy to spare… I'll give you a stage worthy of it."
Rigurd, who was standing beside the throne, clicked his tongue.
Rigurd (muttering): "Ehh… are you forgiving them already? I was ready to punish them properly…"
He looked disappointed—he'd clearly been itching to make them pay.
Atem (calm but firm): "They're nothing but fools who didn't understand their place. If they try it again, they'll find out what true punishment feels like. For now, let them prove their worth."
Rigurd straightened and nodded, though I could see the faint glint of regret in his eyes.
Rigurd: "Since you've spoken, I have no objection. You should count yourselves lucky. If Atem-sama were less merciful, you'd already be gone."
The kneeling tribesmen trembled even harder.
And then Shion's voice suddenly cut through the air like a blade.
Shion (smiling dangerously): "Count yourselves very lucky. If it weren't for Atem-sama's patience, I would have acted on my own. The guts you had to say those disgusting words earlier… I was planning to cut your tongues out. So—" her grin widened as she leaned forward "—be sure to appreciate Atem-sama's mercy. Work hard. Or you'll regret it."
The Gozu and Mezu leaders slammed their heads into the floor, shaking like leaves in a storm.
Gozu Leader: "Y-Yes, Lady Shion!"
Mezu Leader: "We'll work hard for Atem-sama!"
Their fear… was deliciously sincere.
I leaned back in my throne, crossing my arms. This was how things should be. Order through power. Loyalty through fear and respect.
Atem (low, authoritative): "Good. I don't repeat myself. Betray me once… and I'll erase your entire bloodline."
No one dared to breathe too loudly.
And just like that… the matter was settled.
Gozu Leader (trembling): "W–We will not fail your expectations! That's why, we hope that you can forgive us for our offense!"
Mezu Leader: "Yes, please, Lord Atem! We swear our loyalty from this day forth!"
Their voices overlapped, shaking and desperate. The entire group — warriors who moments ago were arrogant — now knelt as one, their heads pressed low to the ground. The oppressive weight of my Pharaoh's Aura had already crushed their pride, leaving only fear and obedience in its place.
Their sincerity wasn't born of devotion. It was born of survival. And for me, that was more than enough.
I rose slightly from my throne, letting the golden radiance of my magic spread throughout the chamber. My Pharaoh's Crest glimmered on the back wall, and every head lowered even deeper.
Atem (cold and steady): "Since you've pledged yourselves to me… I might consider promoting your kind. But hear me clearly—" my voice reverberated like a hammer against iron "—you will end all petty conflicts. You will obey my commands. My word is law. Disobey it once… and I will erase your entire clan from existence."
No one moved. Not even a breath dared break the silence. The Gozu and Mezu leaders slammed their fists against the floor and shouted in unison.
Gozu & Mezu Leaders: "Understood, Atem-sama!"
I watched them kneeling—once proud warriors now reduced to trembling figures. It wasn't cruelty. It was the natural order. Those who entered my domain either learned obedience or faced annihilation.
Solarys, I thought. These tribes will be useful in the labyrinth.
Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom (echoing softly in my mind): <
A faint grin touched my lips. Exactly.
Atem (firm): "You will be assigned to work under my command in the Labyrinth. Serve well, and your strength will be recognized. Fail… and you will disappear without a trace."
Their faces lit up with a mix of fear and forced determination. This was loyalty born from terror — the kind that doesn't bend easily.
I stepped down from the throne. My boots echoed across the marble floor as I passed them. None of them dared to look up.
Inside, the storm that had been building in me since Dagruel's stunt finally began to ease. Minotaurs… loyal, disciplined, useful.
Atem (low voice, almost amused): "It seems I'll be getting my Minotaurs after all."
The tension that had weighed on me these past few days started to fade. I could feel my control tightening over the moving parts of Eterna. Everything was beginning to fall into place—just as it should under the will of the Pharaoh.