As the afternoon rolled around, my schedule finally eased up. The endless stream of visitors continued to pour into Eterna, but with the evening's Founding Festival approaching, there wasn't any time left to entertain them. Audiences were piling up, but I made it clear—they would be dealt with after the festivities.
For now, my destination was the Kingdom of Ingracia. I had promised to meet Yuuki, and I intended to keep that promise. On the way, I would stop by the academy to bring the children along—they'd earned some joy, and a festival was the perfect place for that.
The familiar streets of Ingracia welcomed me like an old friend. It had only been a few months since I had last walked these roads, but the sight brought a faint, almost imperceptible smile to my face.
I approached the headquarters of the Freedom Association, stepping through modern-looking automatic glass doors into a temperature-controlled room. As soon as I entered, sharp gazes fixed on me like drawn blades.
Only high-ranking adventurers were allowed here—B rank or higher—so naturally, everyone in this hall had some strength. I took my time walking forward, every step measured and unhurried, letting their stares bounce off me like they were nothing.
Some of them began whispering.
"—Who is that?"
"I've never seen that face before."
"No way he's new. Look at that presence… and that face."
It wasn't hostility I sensed—more like unease and curiosity. I hadn't worn my mask today. Now that I had complete control over my aura, I no longer needed it. I could walk through a room of hunters and predators without bending or bowing to anyone.
Still, I had almost forgotten how easily I drew attention when my identity wasn't hidden.
Someone stepped directly into my path.
I narrowed my eyes slightly. This felt familiar.
"Hey, I don't know what backwater you earned that B rank from," the man said, trying to puff out his chest, "but walking by without greeting your seniors is unacceptable. Don't you know the etiquette? Juniors introduce themselves first."
Déjà vu.
This was the same loudmouth I'd dealt with before—Grasse. An acquaintance of Kabal. Always clinging to this ridiculous "senior-junior" formality like it meant something in front of real power.
I tilted my head slightly. My voice carried authority, smooth but cold.
"You… Grasse, isn't it? You seem to spend your life inside this building. Tell me, is this what you call 'hard work'?"
He stiffened. "Huh? You know my name? That means—"
"Atem," I cut him off sharply. "I traveled with Kabal's party once. Surely, you haven't forgotten my voice already."
His expression twisted in confusion. He glanced at my uncovered face as if his mind couldn't bridge the image to his memory.
"What?! A-Atem-sama?!"
"Yes. Even if it's your first time seeing my face, my voice has not changed. Or has your hearing dulled?"
"N-no, it's just… I remember you being a bit… shorter?"
My gaze sharpened, and the temperature around us seemed to dip just slightly. He quickly paled.
"I grew," I replied, each word heavy with finality. I didn't bother explaining that it was evolution, not growth. Not everyone was owed the truth.
Grasse laughed nervously. "R-right, of course. Atem-sama… your presence now is overwhelming. And that face… it's almost unfair. You look invincible."
He straightened up, awkwardly respectful now, trying to cover his earlier arrogance with flattery.
I sighed quietly. He was still as shameless as ever, but not malicious.
"Do you always idle around here?" I asked, my voice low but sharp.
"Ahaha, please don't say it like that," he stammered. "Actually, this is part of my job. I train newcomers. Even within B rank, there's a wide gap in strength, so it's my job to keep them in line. Those guys over there are my trainees. We were just on standby, that's all."
He pointed at the group who had been watching me closely. Realizing who I was, they snapped to attention immediately.
"I can't believe we didn't recognize Atem-sama. We apologize," said the one who seemed to be their leader.
I studied them with a cool gaze. Their reaction was expected.
"I haven't changed that much," I said, folding my arms.
"No, Atem-sama," one of the younger men blurted, "it's just… your face is unreal. It draws the eye. You look… divine."
"Tch. That again."
I reached into my inner space and summoned the mask, slipping it onto my face with smooth precision. The atmosphere shifted the moment I covered my features. The adventurers' faces fell, their awe fading into something like disappointment.
"Better," I said simply. "This way I don't have to hear your commentary every step I take."
I moved past them without another word, my cloak whispering softly as I walked.
"Train them well, Grasse," I called over my shoulder, my tone sharp enough to remind him who stood above whom.
I gave my name at the reception desk, my voice calm yet carrying enough weight that the man behind it straightened his posture almost instinctively. Word must have reached its intended target quickly because the man directed me to Yuuki's office without delay.
When I stepped inside, Yuuki greeted me with a carefree smile that didn't quite match the sharpness in his eyes.
"Oh, Atem-san. Long time no see! You seem to have gone through a lot of difficult experiences since the last time?"
I let a thin, controlled smile curl across my lips. My gaze was steady—measured, unreadable. "Difficult is far too gentle a word. I've faced a surprise attack from Hinata, had Farmus's army march down upon Eterna, and was summoned by the Demon Lords. It was a relentless storm… and those who dared to raise their hands against me have all been punished accordingly."
Yuuki chuckled softly, but there was a faint stiffness in the way his fingers tapped against the armrest. "Haha, even after all that, coming out unscathed feels just like you, Atem-san."
He tried to keep it light, but I caught the subtle flicker in his tone—he understood exactly how serious those incidents were.
"In short," I said, letting my voice lower slightly, "since I've settled matters with Hinata, everything has ended in my favor."
Yuuki nodded. "That seems to be the case. Occasionally meeting with Hinata to exchange information gave me the chance to speak well about you from time to time. Regrettably, Hinata does seem like the type who is loyal to a fault."
"Ah," I replied, crossing one leg over the other with a quiet, deliberate motion. "I know precisely what you mean. She does not bend easily to the words of others."
"You're right," Yuuki admitted, exhaling through his nose. "She's the type who only believes what she's seen and heard with her own eyes and ears. That personality of hers has put me through quite a lot over the years…"
We both shared a short laugh—not from friendship, but from mutual understanding of how stubborn Hinata could be.
"Well," Yuuki said with a small grin, "you're the only one I can talk about this with, Atem-san."
I leaned back slightly, hands resting calmly on the armrests. He's still playing his role well, I thought. Pretending to confide… as if I can't see the strings he's trying to pull.
Hinata's circle of believers was vast, and even a whisper against her would find its way back to her ears. Slandering wasn't a habit I entertained anyway—but even if it were, I would've been cautious.
"Well," Yuuki continued, "that's that. So what do you think? You don't have to push it if you're busy, but if two or three days is okay, wouldn't you like to participate in the festival?"
A slow smirk formed. "Of course, I'll attend. I've cleared my schedule for this very reason."
Yuuki laughed lightly, but he could probably feel the weight behind my words. "Wait a moment," he said as he stood. "There's someone I want to introduce you to."
He left the room. I reached for the cup of tea he had left behind, taking a single sip. The aroma was fine—too carefully chosen to be casual. Every move Yuuki made was calculated, layered beneath that bright exterior.
A few moments later, the door opened. Yuuki returned, and this time he wasn't alone.
"I'll introduce her to you," Yuuki said. "Her name is Kagali, and she's taken the position of the Freedom Association's deputy grandmaster."
Kagali stepped forward gracefully. Her beauty was sharp and commanding—blonde hair tied into a neat bun, navy-blue eyes that were both elegant and keen, and long pointed ears marking her elven lineage. Her tailored attire bore ornate designs unique to this world, and the way she carried herself told me she was no ordinary subordinate.
"Nice to meet you, Atem of Eterna. No—Demon King Atem-sama," she said with a formal bow, her voice smooth, but there was a subtle tension behind it. "It's an honor to meet you."
My eyes narrowed slightly, the golden light of my power flickering faintly in them—not threatening, but enough to make her understand the gap between us. "A pleasure, Kagali. This is my second time here, but it seems we didn't cross paths last time."
She straightened. "Indeed. Circumstances kept me occupied during your previous visit."
I held her gaze a moment longer, then leaned back, my expression cool but unwavering. Deputy Grandmaster… Yuuki hadn't shown her before for a reason. Whether it was strategy or caution, it meant she wasn't just some figurehead.
Behind my calm exterior, Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, whispered through my mind like a ripple in still water:
"Observation complete. Her presence is not mere decoration. She is one of Yuuki's key pieces on this board."
I didn't react outwardly, merely giving Kagali a slow nod.
The air in the room was still and sharp—every word, every breath measured like the first move in a long and dangerous game.
—To be continued.