Alistair exhaled softly, his gaze fixed on the treasure before him, suppressing the excitement surging within.
Then, with measured calm, he said, "Persephone, let's go. For now, we drag this world into the Dark Multiverse. We'll act afterward. Moving too soon risks complications."
"Alright," Persephone replied, her smile radiant.
Her joy stemmed not only from the harvest but from Alistair's steadfast composure.
Even she, faced with such a divine artifact, struggled to contain herself.
Yet Alistair quelled his excitement, restoring calm.
That was what mattered most.
After all, taking it now could trigger unforeseen changes. Dragging the world into the Dark Multiverse first, then proceeding step by step, was the safest course.
Otherwise, any misstep could spell trouble.
"Let's go," Alistair said.
"Very well," Persephone agreed.
The two departed.
What followed was straightforward.
Alistair raised a hand, and clusters of world power coalesced in his palm, forming anchor nails.
This world brimmed with world power.
Zesshi Zetsumei and the protagonist.
Beyond them, Albedo, Shalltear, Cocytus, Aura, Mare, Demiurge, Victim, and Sebas—the Floor Guardians—all held world power.
In total, eleven anchor nails.
Though fewer than those in Demon Slayer, eleven was ample. Dragging this world would take, at most, a month.
Alistair unfurled the Dimensional Galaxy Chart, confirmed the drag, and let out a relieved breath.
"Well," he said, a smile breaking through, "everything's stabilized. Now, we wait."
His grin was irrepressible.
No jest—this was a true harvest.
A monumental victory.
"Oh?" Demeter yawned languidly, stretching her graceful form. "Daughter, is this harvest really that big?"
"Mother," Persephone began, "this harvest…" She paused, then clarified, "Let's just say, phase one's conclusion is massive."
Demeter's hand flew to her mouth. "To reap such a divine artifact? This…"
"It's beyond expectation," Persephone nodded. "Who could've imagined this world held such a treasure?"
"But it's magnificent."
"Indeed," Demeter agreed.
The mother and daughter conversed while Alistair pondered, his thoughts drifting to further exploration of the Galaxy Chart.
No rush.
Once phase one fully concluded, he'd use divine power to search for other worlds via the Chart.
The multiverse was vast, its worlds countless. There was no end to exploration, no need for haste.
A month passed in a blink.
During that time, Alistair kept busy, as did his kin.
Quite busy, in fact.
Until the Overlord world was fully dragged into the Dark Multiverse.
Without hesitation, Alistair split its modern and isekai components into Dark Universe 004 and Dark Universe 005, respectively.
Then, the Hell Conference reconvened.
This time, attendance was sparse. Most had dispersed.
Present were Alistair, Demeter, Persephone, Pandora, Sayuri Sawamura, Akane Segawa, and Hiromi Kato.
Additionally, Lakyus Alvein Dale Aindra and Calca Bessarez joined, their abilities earning them seats in the Hell Conference's secretarial council.
The nine took their places.
Alistair leaned forward, hands on the table, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You've all grasped the situation? Lakyus, Calca—no issues?"
"Your Majesty," Lakyus murmured, her eyes gleaming with fervent devotion. "I understand everything. I won't disappoint you."
Lakyus's fervor was unshakable. After pledging her faith to Alistair, she embodied obsession.
Yandere, one might say.
Calca, the former Holy Queen, sat with impeccable grace, a perfect saintly presence.
Though, by night, that saintly demeanor gave way to fervor.
Perhaps years of repression made her unleash her true self in startling ways.
Both women, it seemed, were far from ordinary.
One, a yandere. The other, a study in contrasts.
Alistair found it unremarkable. In the multiverse, such quirks were commonplace.
He didn't mind.
After all, he reaped the benefits.
As for problems? Laughable.
"Alright," Alistair said. "Since you're all clear, let's not waste words."
"Phase one is complete. Aside from Dragon Ball, which we'll avoid for now, the other four worlds are fully conquered, integrated into the Dark Multiverse."
"Now, these four worlds form five Dark Universes, supplying world power and faith power."
"Phase one is done."
His usual nonchalance gave way to earnestness.
The women nodded solemnly.
Indeed, phase one was a triumph.
The harvest was immense—staggering, even.
"Your Majesty," Pandora said, adjusting her gold-rimmed glasses. "Phase one's conclusion has fully shaped True Hell."
"To date: Dark Universe 001, eight kin. Dark Universe 002, nine kin. Dark Universe 003, thirteen kin. Dark Universes 004 and 005, thirteen kin, excluding Nazarick's Great Tomb."
"Total: forty-three kin."
"Of which: eight Underworld Warriors, eight Devil Teigu users."
Pandora's report was meticulous, detailing every statistic.
Her secretarial prowess was unmatched, every angle considered, every task flawlessly executed.
Such data was worth recording for future reference and comparison.
Alistair nodded. "Nazarick's affairs can wait. For now, phase one is done. Everyone can rest."
The women nodded, silent. With phase one over, their workload lightened. A break was natural.
Demeter mused, shaking her head. "Dust, rest can wait. The Holy War looms in a year. We should prepare."
Alistair nodded. "True, but the Holy War's outcome is merely our entry point."
"That divine artifact of the Earth? If we want it, it's ours."
"So, let them rest. Work-life balance matters."
Alistair wasn't some ruthless taskmaster. Rest was essential.
"Fine," Demeter said, her cheeks puffing slightly, though a smile lingered.
A gentle god was a boon.
Alistair continued, "Aside from critical tasks, everything else can pause."
"Pandora, finalize the rest and proceed."
He stood. "Persephone, Demeter, want to take a look?"
"Of course," Persephone said, rising.
"Absolutely," Demeter added, smiling.
The three left, leaving Pandora and the secretarial council to handle the rest.
Elsewhere, Alistair, Persephone, and Demeter arrived in the Dark Multiverse.
Alistair gazed at what was once a blank void, now home to five thriving Dark Universes.
A wistful glint flickered in his eyes.
It had happened so fast.
Less than a year, and they'd come this far.
With a rueful shake of his head, Alistair said, "Wait here a moment."
Before the pair could respond, he raised a hand.
A verdant glow emerged from Dark Universes 004 and 005, shimmering brilliantly.
The light settled in Alistair's hand, forming a radiant orb.
Within it grew a colossal tree, its emerald leaves radiating boundless beauty.
"Is this the World Tree?" Demeter leaned in, captivated by the crystal orb's contents.
Alistair nodded. "Yes. I never dreamed we'd find a World Tree sapling in this world. This is phase one's greatest prize."
His voice carried profound awe.
Indeed, a World Tree sapling.
No one could fathom such a treasure emerging in the Overlord world.
Though just a sapling, its significance was clear to those who understood.
For a god, advancing further was the ultimate challenge. Ordinary gods, even with boundless effort, couldn't break their rank's limits.
Take Prometheus. He found humanity's fire, mimicked countless systems to strengthen it, and sought the Greek pantheon's codex.
Yet, despite all preparations, he remained stuck, unable to reach God-King status.
Despairing? Yes.
But it was an unavoidable truth. Prometheus couldn't overcome it.
This was why Persephone's ascent to God-King stunned the gods. By all rights, she shouldn't have succeeded.
Yet she did, rendering such concerns moot.
For most gods, ascending from lower to middle rank—or beyond—was nearly impossible.
Ker and Pandora, for instance, were capped at middle and lower god ranks.
Now? Different.
As True Hell's Dark Universes grew, both gained world and faith power, elevating them.
Ker had reached upper god status, Pandora middle god.
Unthinkable, yet they'd shattered their limits.
The World Tree could break such divine rank constraints.
By building a divine kingdom with it, a god's rank would rise with its growth, shattering limitations.
Now, Alistair held a World Tree sapling. Merging it into his divine kingdom? Pointless—his rank far exceeded what a sapling could boost.
But merging it into True Hell?
That would bring True Hell to life, granting it limitless growth potential.
True Hell—comprising Elysium, Hell, and the Dark Multiverse—was a trinity Alistair had forcibly united.
His plan was to strengthen it over time, merging it fully through divine power. But this was time-consuming and risky.
Now, with the World Tree sapling, it would naturally coalesce.
His foundation—True Hell—would solidify, making expansion effortless.
***
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