Some time later—
Just as Atem finished organizing his thoughts, a firm knock echoed through the door of his private chamber.
"Enter."
The door opened, and Benimaru stepped inside, escorted by Shuna. Benimaru's posture was straight, his expression serious—far more serious than necessary.
"You summoned me," Benimaru said as he sat on the sofa across from Atem. "I was told this was a private meeting. What did you wish to ask?"
From his tone alone, it was obvious he had braced himself for something important.
Atem regarded him calmly.
"…This meeting was called on a whim."
Benimaru blinked.
"On a whim?"
"Yes," Atem replied evenly. "This war accelerated everyone's growth. Within the Labyrinth, I can measure presences with precision. I wanted a clear understanding of where my generals now stand."
Benimaru's expression immediately brightened.
"I see! That is important!"
It seemed he had been preparing himself for questions about his newly married life instead.
Atem noticed—and chose not to comment.
"Well," Atem continued, "I am curious about that as well. But prying into it would border on harassment."
Benimaru coughed awkwardly.
"Well, Souei did say something like—'If you evolved smoothly, then you only did what was expected. You're so late to mature that I was ready to step in myself—'"
"Brother?"
Shuna's voice cut through the air like a blade.
She entered the room carrying a tray with cake and tea, smiling sweetly.
The pressure in the room spiked.
"What exactly are you saying," she asked gently, "in front of Lord Atem?"
Benimaru paled.
"I-I'm sorry… I misspoke."
Even Benimaru—Flare Lord, Divine Oni—was helpless before Shuna.
"And Lord Atem," Shuna continued, turning to him, "you shouldn't indulge my brother's foolishness."
Atem inclined his head slightly.
"You are correct. I will be mindful."
This was not a situation to resist.
Atem waited silently until Shuna's mood improved. The cake was placed on the table, but he barely tasted it. Only when Shuna left to retrieve the tray did both men finally exhale.
"…That was dangerous," Benimaru muttered.
"Yes," Atem replied flatly. "Choose your words carefully next time."
Benimaru scratched his head.
"I only wanted to avoid the topic. Somehow it turned into that…"
Atem did not respond.
Instead, he shifted the subject.
"Let us proceed."
Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, activated the appraisal.
Name: Benimaru
Existence Value: 40,397,788
(+ Red Lotus: +1.14 million)
Race:
Divine Oni
Greater Chaos Spirit: Flame Spirit Oni
Blessing:
Pharaoh's Covenant
Title:
Flare Lord
Magic:
Flame Spirit Magic
Ultimate Skill:
Heat King Amaterasu
Resistances:
Physical Attack Nullification
Natural Effects Nullification
Abnormal Condition Nullification
Mental Attack Resistance
Holy–Demonic Attribute Resistance
Atem narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Impressive."
The Ultimate Skill Heat King Amaterasu had replaced Benimaru's former Unique Skill. Its functions were vast:
Thought Acceleration
Universal Perception
Dominion Aura
Will Control
Light and Heat Domination
Spatial Domination
Multilayer Barrier
Solarys spoke within Atem's mind.
"A portion of Velgrynd's authority has been reflected. However, Benimaru achieved this largely through his own evolution."
Benimaru's base existence value exceeded millions.
With Red Lotus, it surpassed five million.
"That places you beyond even some former Demon Lords," Atem said.
Benimaru laughed nervously.
"…When you say it like that, it sounds unreal."
"There is one inconsistency," Atem said calmly. "Monsters are meant to weaken after producing heirs."
"That is generally true," Benimaru admitted. "They lose magicules."
"Then explain this result."
Benimaru laughed loudly.
"Honestly? I have no idea."
Atem's gaze sharpened.
"Souei has been questioning me as well," Benimaru added quickly. "So I know I'm not the only one puzzled."
Atem considered this in silence.
"Inform me if you discover the cause."
"Yes."
"Souei will enter next."
Benimaru bowed and left.
Souei entered silently and sat opposite Atem.
Atem spoke first.
"You mock Benimaru too freely."
Souei smirked faintly.
"He has always matured late. If no one pushes him, he stays in the dark."
"That concern is noted," Atem replied. "Now—your status."
Solarys activated the appraisal.
Name: Souei
Existence Value: 31,281,162
Race:
Divine Oni
Fair Chaos Spirit: Dark Spirit Oni
Blessing:
Flare Lord's Shadow
Title:
Dark Shinobi
Magic:
Dark Spirit Magic
Ultimate Gift:
Moon King Tsukuyomi
Resistances:
Physical Attack Nullification
Natural Effects Nullification
Abnormal Condition Nullification
Mental Attack Nullification
Atem's eyes narrowed.
"You possess Parallel Existence."
"Yes," Souei replied calmly. "Only one instance, unlike Velgrynd—but one is sufficient."
Indeed it was.
The Eye of the Moon was particularly dangerous—an ability to dominate shadows across an entire city, gathering intelligence or executing assassinations without detection.
Solarys spoke with clear pride.
"This skill is my masterpiece. I reconstructed the ideal shinobi from your memories."
Atem understood immediately.
"And clones may use it as well."
"Correct. Combined with Telepathy Net, global surveillance is possible."
Atem exhaled slowly.
"This surpasses Argus."
Souei had become the perfect intelligence commander.
"From this moment," Atem declared, "you will bear the title 'Darkness.' Lead the Dark Shadows accordingly."
Souei bowed deeply.
"All actions are for the sake of Lord Atem."
"For the sake of Eterna," Atem corrected.
Souei accepted the correction without protest.
They spoke for nearly an hour—about the Dark Shadows, about Souka, about the others.
Souka's existence value exceeded 26,000,000. The others approached 20,000,000.
Combat had refined them.
But Atem raised a hand.
"Do not impose your standards upon them."
Souei hesitated.
"If they cannot endure—"
"They are not tools," Atem said firmly. "Recognition is as important as discipline."
Souei fell silent.
"…I understand."
"Hold a gathering. Listen to them."
"I will."
Afterward
Later, a letter arrived.
Written by Souka and the others.
Tears had stained the parchment.
Atem closed the letter quietly.
"…Good."
He rose, looking out across Eterna.
The war had forged strength.
But strength without balance only led to ruin.
And Atem—
Would not allow that future.
The next interviewee arrived after dinner.
The door burst open with no restraint whatsoever.
"Gwahahahaha! By the summons of Lord Atem, I—Gabil—have arrived!"
Even at this hour, Gabil was overflowing with energy.
Atem narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Lower your voice. It is night."
"O-Of course!"
Gabil snapped to attention at once. Atem gestured for him to sit, then quietly asked Shuna to bring tea. Once the door closed again, the atmosphere settled.
Atem's gaze softened—just a little.
"You performed admirably in this war. Because you endured until the very end, countless lives were saved. I am thanking you not as a ruler, but personally."
Those words hit Gabil harder than any blow.
"L-Lord Atem…!"
His eyes filled instantly.
"I am… I am not worthy—!"
Tears streamed freely down his face. Atem did not interrupt. He simply waited.
"It was only because of Lord Atem that I survived at all!" Gabil cried. "That voice—when I heard it in the battle—I knew! After Gadra-dono whispered it to me, I was certain it was you, wasn't it?!"
So… he heard Solarys.
Atem considered correcting him—then dismissed the thought.
"…You may think of it that way."
Explaining the existence of Solarys was unnecessary. And dangerous.
"I knew it!" Gabil exclaimed. "Without that power, the battle would have been unwinnable. I was warned not to become arrogant, so I will not claim credit for myself!"
There was no false modesty in his voice.
Atem nodded once.
"You have matured."
That alone was enough.
"Haha… just hearing that from you…"
Gabil broke down again.
Atem handed him a towel. A handkerchief was no longer sufficient.
Once Gabil finally calmed, Solarys activated the appraisal.
Assessment — Gabil
Name: Gabil
Existence Value: 15,263,824
Race:
True Dragonewt
Fair Chaos Spirit: Water Spirit Dragon
Blessing:
Pharaoh's Covenant
Title:
Draco Lord
Ultimate Gift:
Psychology King Mood Maker
Intrinsic Skills:
Magic Perception
Ultra Instinct
Dragon Skin
Flame Breath
Thunder Breath
Resistances:
Pain Nullification
Abnormal Condition Resistance
Natural Effects Resistance
Physical Attack Resistance
Mental Attack Resistance
Holy–Demonic Attack Resistance
Atem's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You are now closer to Souei."
Gabil froze.
"I-I am?!"
The Ultimate Gift Psychology King Mood Maker was not self-acquired—but that did not lessen its value. Aptitude mattered more than origin.
Solarys spoke calmly within Atem's mind.
"The skill's core functions include Thought Acceleration, Change Destiny, Unexpected Effects, Spatial Manipulation, and Multilayer Barrier."
Atem focused on one phrase.
"Change Destiny…"
A once-per-day ability that could overturn a battle against a superior opponent.
"…If someone like Diablo possessed this," Atem murmured, "they would become uncontested."
Gabil scratched his head awkwardly.
"I just… fought the way I always do."
Atem raised an eyebrow.
"Explain."
Gabil brightened immediately.
"Well! The enemy spear came at me, so I laughed and hit it with my own spear!"
Atem paused.
"…Your Vortex Spear?"
"Yes!"
That weapon was unique-grade.
The enemy's spear had been mythical-grade.
Atem stared at Gabil.
"That should not be possible."
Gabil laughed loudly.
"Gwahahahaha! Guess quality doesn't decide everything!"
Solarys clarified.
"Gabil unconsciously reinforced the spear with ultimate-level power. It survived only because it was shielded by his skill."
"…I see."
Atem exhaled slowly.
"You truly are exceptional."
He stood and retrieved the spear.
"Leave this with me. I will have Kurobee rebuild it."
Gabil's eyes went wide.
"R-Rebuild it?!"
"I will supply hihiirokane. The weapon may evolve into mythical-grade."
Gabil dropped to his knees.
"PLEASE DO IT!"
He handed over the spear as if offering a sacred relic—crying again as he did.
When Gabil left, stronger than ever, Atem allowed himself a faint nod.
Much later.
A private room.
A members-only establishment.
Atem sat across from Geld, refusing the company of the elven attendants.
"How are you adjusting?" Atem asked.
Geld smiled calmly.
"I have adapted. I no longer shatter cups by accident."
He lifted his glass carefully and drank. In his massive hand, it looked absurdly small.
Atem poured another drink.
"I invited you because I wished to speak with you alone."
Geld straightened.
"To hear that from you is already a reward."
Atem studied him.
"There is something I must ask. You may refuse."
Geld nodded immediately.
"Anything."
"I intend to alter your skills."
Geld did not hesitate.
"If it is for the sake of becoming stronger—then I accept."
That resolve was not obedience.
It was trust.
Solarys acted instantly.
Assessment — Geld
Name: Geld
Existence Value: 14,378,749
Race:
Divine Boar
Greater Chaos Spirit: Earth Spirit Boar
Blessing:
Pharaoh's Covenant
Title:
Barrier Lord
Magic:
Restoration Magic
Ultimate Gift:
Gourmet King Beelzebub
Abilities flooded in:
Thought Acceleration
Magic Perception
Demon Lord Haki
Ultra-speed Regeneration
Predation
Isolation
Supply
Corrosion
Iron Wall
Grant Protection
Substitute
Spatial Manipulation
Multilayer Barrier
Full Body Armor
Atem watched quietly.
This was a defensive powerhouse.
Geld could protect entire armies.
He could take their wounds.
He could stand unmoving before devastation.
And his armor—
Mythical-grade.
Manifested like flesh.
His weapon reformed endlessly.
"…You are becoming indispensable," Atem said.
Geld lowered his head.
"I swear upon my existence—I will protect everyone."
Atem raised his glass.
"Then I will continue to rely on you."
They clinked glasses.
Outside, Eterna slept peacefully.
Unaware that behind its calm walls stood monsters, dragons, shadows, and shields—
all bound not by fear—
But by the unwavering authority of a Pharaoh who never wasted strength,
and never failed to recognize it.