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"Ah! Kaito-sama has so many identities?" Chtholly stared at Kaito, who was still striking a pose, her face filled with surprise.
Compared to Chtholly, Willem was even more shocked. The gigantic objects floating in the sky had completely shattered his understanding of what a spaceship was supposed to be.
"Kaito, are all of these spaceships yours? And what exactly is the Jura Tempest Federation? I've never heard of it before."
Hearing Willem's question, Nephren nodded expressionlessly beside him, indicating that she wanted to know as well.
"It's a bit troublesome to explain, so... come on... look at the camera!"
Flash!
The three of them instinctively looked toward Kaito and were immediately illuminated by a small gadget.
In an instant, a huge amount of information regarding the Jura Tempest Federation appeared in their minds.
"T-This... how is this possible? Traveling between worlds is simply unimaginable!"
As Willem sorted through the newly acquired memories, horror flashed across his face.
At the same time, when he looked at Kaito again, his gaze unconsciously carried a trace of respect.
"I never expected Kaito-sama to be such an incredible person..."
"Indeed. But Kaito-sama's usual behavior feels a little out of place for someone so important."
Hearing Chtholly's comment, Kaito raised his head so high it was almost pointing at the sky.
However, the moment he heard Nephren's evaluation, he instantly froze solid, his face filled with disbelief.
And not metaphorically either.
Kaito literally turned into a stone statue.
"Ah! Ah! Ah! This is bad! Kaito-sama turned to stone! Willem, hurry and do something!"
Seeing Kaito suddenly petrify, Chtholly panicked and shouted at Willem.
"Oh, don't worry about Kai-chan. He's always like this. He'll be fine in a minute."
Just as the three of them were descending into chaos, a youthful voice filled with innocence sounded nearby.
They quickly turned toward the source.
There stood a beautiful blue-haired girl smiling at them, accompanied by two equally beautiful maids.
"Um, may I ask who you are?" Chtholly asked cautiously.
"Me? Hehe, I'm Kai-chan's direct superior, the Empress of the Jura Tempest Federation. Kai-chan has to listen to everything I say... Ow! So painful!"
"Rimuru, when you're making things up, could you at least check whether the person involved is standing right here?!"
Covering her head, Rimuru looked up at Kaito, who had just smacked her, with a wronged expression.
"Ah... he recovered..."
A trace of surprise appeared in Nephren's eyes. She hadn't expected Kaito's petrification to be nothing more than an act.
Is this guy even human?
"Wuwuwu... I wasn't wrong. I really am your direct superior..."
"Hmph, sorry. Your authority has already been completely usurped by me. You're just a mascot now! Wahahaha!"
"When we get back, I'm telling Shizu-nee you bullied me!"
Willem watched the two apparent leaders of the Jura Tempest Federation with a thoroughly confused expression.
This Empress didn't seem particularly concerned about having her authority stolen, and Kaito was speaking to her with absolutely no restraint.
"Cough cough... That's not necessary. Isn't it just authority? I'll give it all back to you, okay?"
Hearing that, Rimuru stroked her chin thoughtfully before asking a soul-piercing question.
"Kai-chan, don't you barely have any authority yourself?"
"This..."
Kaito froze.
"You're right. I don't have any authority either. Oh no, we've both been usurped!!!"
Shua!
As soon as Kaito finished speaking, Commander Sengoku and the others suddenly appeared several meters away.
"Kaito-sama, don't you feel even a little guilty saying that?"
"You're the one who dumped all the work on us, okay?!"
"Scary indeed. If only I could live like you. No work and still getting paid..."
A sharp glint flashed across Kaito's eyes when he heard Kizaru's comment.
Pointing at him dramatically, Kaito shouted:
"You slacker! You're the last person qualified to say that! You were at a comic convention during work hours a while back. Don't think I don't know!"
"I'm docking your pay!!!"
Kizaru stared blankly at Kaito.
How did this guy know?
He had checked carefully. None of the professional idlers led by Kaito had been there that day.
At that very moment, Enju, who was attending class in Academy City, suddenly sneezed.
"Achoo!"
"Enju, are you feeling sick? Do you want to visit the infirmary?" the teacher asked with concern.
"It's okay, Sensei. My nose just feels a little itchy."
"Good. If you're not feeling well, make sure you say something right away."
"Hai! (Yes)!"
Back at the scene, Sakazuki showed no reaction whatsoever when he heard Kaito talking about docking Kizaru's pay.
Dock his pay?
You don't even know how much Kizaru earns every month. How are you going to dock it? What a joke.
Still...
Docking Kizaru's pay wasn't a bad idea.
The money could be used to buy Ness that figure she wanted.
Hmm. That's what I'll do.
Completely unaware that his salary had already been targeted by Sakazuki, Kizaru continued staring at Kaito in confusion.
"Kaito-sama, perhaps we should discuss the important matters first?" Fujitora Issho suggested with an honest-looking smile.
"Uh... right. Let's get back on topic."
Realizing he had gone off track again, Kaito nodded and turned toward Willem and the others.
"You've seen it. My people are here now, so you won't have to fight anymore."
"Besides, Chtholly and the others are still school-aged in the Jura Tempest Federation."
"Their job right now is to study hard at school!"
A glimmer of hope appeared in Willem's eyes.
If Chtholly and the others no longer had to fight and could instead attend school, make friends, and live like ordinary girls, then there could be no better outcome.
"If that's the case, then naturally that's for the best. But what do you intend to do with this world?"
Willem looked up at the countless behemoths floating overhead.
The people on the floating islands had undoubtedly noticed them by now.
"Simple. I'm taking this world under my control. Everyone here will join the Jura Tempest Federation and become its citizens."
"I'm afraid some people will try to stir up resistance..."
Willem's expression became worried as he thought about certain individuals living on the floating islands.
Hearing that, Kaito suddenly revealed a dazzling smile.
"Not cooperating? Great. If they don't cooperate, we'll package them all up and ship them off to an uninhabited planet."
"Commander Sengoku, move the Colossus over later and let those people enjoy front-row seats to a planetary disintegration!"
Hiss!!!
Everyone present sucked in a cold breath.
Hey!
Destroying a planet over something this minor is way too excessive!
PS: The Colossus is a planet-destroying weapon from Stellaris.
Commander Sengoku thought about the Colossus's operating costs and wiped away nonexistent sweat before speaking carefully.
"Um... Kaito-sama, using the Colossus on a handful of troublemakers... the expense..."
Hearing his concern, Kaito waved his hand generously.
"Expense? Go find Shuna for reimbursement. Just tell her I approved it!"
The moment Sengoku heard that, all of his worries vanished.
A flattering smile immediately appeared on his face as he moved closer to Kaito.
"Excellent! With your approval, everything's easy. Um... just one planet? How about firing it two more times? I want to see whether it's really as exciting as everyone says!"
"My goodness, so you're the real King of Hell!"