"Pharaoh, Diablo-sama has returned… with guests. He requests an audience," the attendant spoke, bowing deeply.
The news was long-awaited. If it had been only Diablo, he would have strolled in unannounced, as was his way. Yet now, he brought companions—a detail that demanded caution. Although it promised to be a disturbance, protocol must be followed when others were present.
Atem's gaze, sharp and commanding, swept the hall. "Prepare the reception immediately. I will meet them," he declared. His tone brooked no hesitation.
The attendants moved with precise, almost nervous efficiency. Atem noted their tension; the aura of authority he exuded was unmistakable.
"Ensure tea is prepared. Let no detail be overlooked," he instructed calmly, though his mind raced with tactical calculations.
Shuna was occupied elsewhere, preparing meals at another location during the day, yet always ensuring her master's needs were met by evening. Shion trained the Yomigaeri deep in Eterna's labyrinth, gauging their limits with rigorous precision. Their absence left Atem with two attendants—perfectly capable of maintaining decorum.
Even in their goblinoid forms, they now matched humans in poise and elegance. Atem observed as the attendants moved, analyzing efficiency and potential. The artistry of their training and creation reflected his own meticulous standards.
He entered the reception room, prepared and unflinching. Tea and desserts were presented with flawless precision, yet his focus remained absolute.
"Pharaoh, I have returned," Diablo announced, entering with his signature sinister grin.
Atem's piercing gaze assessed him immediately. Diablo's smile radiated mischief, but beneath it, Atem sensed the precise measure of respect owed to a sovereign of Eterna.
"Today, I bring those I wished you to meet," Diablo said, bowing deeply. His reverence bordered on fanaticism, yet Atem's measured authority made it clear: loyalty was earned, not given.
Three figures followed him—female demons of extraordinary presence. Atem's perception, augmented by Solarys, immediately noted something extraordinary.
«Pharaoh, these are not mere demons. They are primordial, akin to Diablo himself. Their magicules are masked, perfectly concealed, and their forms are designed to mimic humans,» Solarys's voice resonated in Atem's mind.
Atem's gaze swept over them, calm but assessing. Despite appearing as ordinary humans, the sheer potency of their aura betrayed their origins. Archdemons? No—far beyond that. Primordial entities. One such being alone could tip the scales of war; here stood three, undetected.
"Indeed," Diablo said proudly. "Only those who matched the caliber of Eterna's Pharaoh were deemed worthy to be presented."
Atem's voice was measured but commanding. "Impressive. For primordials to blend in so completely… even the Holy Knights would not discern their true nature."
The three primordial demons shifted slightly, an almost imperceptible acknowledgment of his keen observation. Diablo chuckled darkly.
"Kufufufufu, Pharaoh, I instructed them to conceal their essence, yet you discerned it immediately," he said, a mixture of amusement and admiration in his tone.
Atem inclined his head slightly. "It is courtesy and calculation combined. Solarys guides me well."
"And the others?" Atem asked, controlling his curiosity.
"Only seven were worthy," Diablo admitted, a shadow of chagrin crossing his face. "The
remainder… minor demons. Yet, as they are subordinates to these three, I deemed it proper to present them as part of your ranks."
Atem considered this. The room before him now held three primordial entities, each commanding two hundred subordinates—a total of six hundred, with Diablo adding another with one hundred. Seven hundred demons, all poised under his observation. The magnitude was staggering, yet Atem's composure never faltered.
"Enough numbers," he said smoothly, his authority in every syllable. "Show me their strength and their intent. Respect and power are paramount, not mere loyalty."
A white-haired woman stepped forward, her presence regal, radiating both elegance and raw power. "Pharaoh, I am humbled to meet you. I,and my two hundred subordinates, wish to join your service. Noir-chan has spoken highly of you; now I understand why," she said, her smile warm yet commanding.
Atem's gaze remained fixed on her, measuring the resolve behind the charm. "Your words are noted. Loyalty must be proven, not merely declared," he said, his tone both acknowledgment and warning.
A purple-haired woman with a side ponytail bowed energetically. "Pharaoh, I pledge my allegiance, alongside my two hundred servants!" Her energy radiated determination and cunning, despite her deceptively youthful appearance.
A blonde, radiant with arrogance yet undeniable presence, declared, "I, and my two hundred soldiers, offer our service to Eterna's Pharaoh!"
Diablo opened his mouth to interject, but Atem's hand was raised. "Silence. Courtesy is appreciated, but patience is equally vital. Let their dedication be measured in deeds, not words."
The primordial demons exchanged glances, a mixture of amusement and respect, understanding Atem's authority was absolute.
"Then let all introductions proceed," Atem commanded. "Their numbers, their lineage, their strength—let it be known, but do not waste time in idle bragging. Show me what they are."
Diablo's face fell slightly, but he bowed, restraining himself. Atem's judgment was precise, unwavering. Nepotism and indulgence would find no foothold here.
The stage was set. Seven hundred demons, three primordial generals, and their subordinates—all now under the scrutiny of Atem, Pharaoh of Eterna, a sovereign whose authority, charisma, and unparalleled power eclipsed the very notion of loyalty or fear.
Eterna's labyrinth awaited, but so too did the promise of a war-forged alliance unlike any the world had yet witnessed.
Diablo quickly regained his composure, the resilience of a spiritual life-form evident in every subtle motion.
Why must he treat my words as if they weigh the fate of the world? Atem mused silently, his eyes cold yet piercing. There was something fascinating about Diablo's unwavering dedication, even when it bordered on obsession.
"Since summoning all of them in the city would be… inconvenient, we shall proceed to the labyrinth first," Diablo suggested, a rare glimmer of maturity in his tone. Atem observed him carefully, noting the slight improvement. Diablo was… more considerate than usual.
—but before Atem could allow himself to be impressed, Diablo's true nature reasserted itself.
"Kufufufufu, gathering them in the city would destabilize the barrier. The magic circle was meticulously crafted by Rimuru-sama… I mean Pharaoh," Diablo corrected himself, a mischievous grin crossing his features.
Atem's gaze narrowed. Completely misinterpreting the issue, as always. And here I was, ready to praise him.
Yet Diablo's words reminded him of a critical point. The capital of Eterna had been enclosed within an experimental barrier, an advanced refinement of the holy purification barrier. It suppressed magicule fluctuations, guaranteeing the safety of visiting humans while maintaining the equilibrium of monster life-forms within the city.
Though slightly burdensome to monster residents, it was a negligible inconvenience compared to its protective benefit. Unauthorized magic casting was impossible within its confines, and only monsters of at least Special-A rank—or calamity-class threats—could even approach destabilizing it. Mindless beasts were trivial for the elite forces stationed to maintain the barrier.
Atem's mind calculated rapidly. Among the seven hundred demons Diablo had brought, it was plausible that some possessed the capacity to compromise this structure. The three primordial demons before him could easily dismantle it, and their subordinates might conceal even greater latent threats.
Diablo's insight was keen. When he assessed the seven as capable, there was no doubt—he meant every word.
Thus, Atem and Diablo made their way to the research facility within the labyrinth.
"I permit you to reveal yourselves. Now," Diablo commanded.
Immediately, seven demons appeared, kneeling with precise formality. Behind them, seven hundred more mirrored the gesture in perfect unison.
Expected, Atem thought, yet he allowed a flicker of admiration.
Six of the seven were archdemons, while one appeared to be a greater demon—a unique anomaly. This particular demon had repeatedly challenged Diablo, only to be decisively beaten each time. Audacity alone could not substitute for awareness of danger. Yet Diablo seemed to favor him, a sentiment Atem noted with mild intrigue.
His focus, however, remained on the three primordial demons. Each commanded two subordinate archdemons. Beyond their already immense magicule content, the aura they radiated suggested centuries of accumulated skill, strategy, and willpower.
«Pharaoh, the demon race has no fixed lifespan. The older a demon, the greater its combat experience. Class and hierarchy among them are as rigid as those between royalty and nobility. The ruling class—ancient and primordial demons—wields authority like no other,» Solarys Sovereign of Wisdom intoned in Atem's mind.
Atem's sharp gaze analyzed every detail. Archdemons could no longer be measured by magicule content alone; their true power stemmed from combat experience, ambition, intelligence, and will. Their history, lineage, and accumulated mastery defined them as much as their raw energy did.
«Archdemons are also classified by the era in which they were born. There are the prehistoric beings over three thousand years old, the ancient over a thousand, medieval over four hundred, early modern over a hundred, modern species at half human lifespans, late modern newly awakened, and the primordials—the original demons,» Solarys continued.
Diablo, sensing Atem's assessment, could not resist a smile. "These seven have tremendous potential. I enlightened them to the magnificence of Pharaoh, and they… were moved beyond measure. They begged for the honor to serve under your command. Thus, I brought them here."
Atem's gaze swept the seven demons before him, cool, measured, yet discerning. Diablo may have embellished details—some tears, some pledges—but the essence of loyalty and power was genuine. The greater demon among them bore the marks of countless battles, yet lived to kneel before Atem. That, alone, was commendable.
The seven demons rose in unison, their voices a chorus of solemnity and power. "From this day forth, we pledge our fealty to Pharaoh Atem. We await your command."
Seven hundred demons behind them followed suit, their synchronized kneeling resonating through the labyrinth like a living storm of allegiance.
Atem's dark eyes surveyed the scene, calm but unstoppable. Diablo's grin widened, pleased with the display—but it was Atem who commanded true awe, his aura radiating authority, strategy, and unmatched power. Every demon present felt the weight of his presence, a sovereign whose charisma and might could bend reality itself.
Terrifying, indeed… and yet, I am grateful he stands with me, Atem thought, allowing the smallest flicker of satisfaction. The alliance of seven hundred demons had been forged, yet the real test—the demonstration of strength and strategy—was about to begin.