That night, the Grand Minister was supported by two guards, swaying slightly as he muttered under his breath,
"Good wine, good food… Chiga, ah Chiga, you should just come live with me already…"
The divine courtyard was bathed in soft, shimmering light, the distant stars reflecting off the polished floor like scattered diamonds. Even the air itself felt unusually relaxed, as though the tension that normally accompanied beings of such status had been gently brushed aside for the evening.
The three Angel siblings instantly turned their heads away, pretending not to know him. At that moment, all of them wished they didn't share the same father — it was simply too embarrassing.
A few attendants quietly exchanged glances, carefully schooling their expressions. Witnessing the Grand Minister in such a state was something that could only happen once in countless eons, and it would certainly be a story never spoken aloud.
With his divine ability, the Grand Minister could have easily purified the alcohol from his system, but he didn't. He was truly happy tonight, and for once, allowed himself to indulge.
This rare indulgence carried a deeper meaning — it signified acknowledgment. In the vast hierarchy of divinity, such a relaxed state was only possible when one felt no threat, no pressure, and complete trust in the presence of another.
If it weren't for Vados and her special bond with Chiga, the Grand Minister might have gone as far as to swear brotherhood with him that very night.
In front of them, Grand Zeno floated with a pile of snacks in his arms, his expression filled with reluctance as he said his goodbyes.
The tiny ruler's steps were slow and dragging, as though he were being pulled away from something precious rather than merely leaving after a visit.
"Chiga! You must come visit me often!"
His affection for Chiga had skyrocketed within just a single day.
Of course, not everyone could form such a relationship with Grand Zeno. To even stand before him required strength far surpassing that of an Angel — otherwise, one wouldn't even be permitted an audience.
Such was the cruelty of the divine world. Power was not merely respected — it was the sole language acknowledged by existence itself.
Chiga smiled and gently placed a hand atop the small god's smooth head — a gesture that, under any other circumstance, would have been seen as an unforgivable act of disrespect. If anyone else had done that, Grand Zeno might have waved his tiny hand and erased an entire Universe.
Several Angels instinctively stiffened at the sight, their instincts screaming danger, only to freeze in disbelief at what followed.
But with Chiga, it was different. Instead of anger, Grand Zeno looked pleased, even delighted, as if Chiga's touch was a sign of friendship he had longed for.
"Don't worry," Chiga said warmly, "I'll visit you often."
"Mhm! Mhm! I can even give you a few more Universes if you want! I'm too lazy to manage them anyway!"
The words were spoken lightly, almost childishly, yet they carried a weight that could crush gods beneath it.
Chiga chuckled.
"Actually, I'm not too interested in that. Three Universes are already more than enough."
"Alright then! But if you ever want another, just tell me! We're buddies!"
Grand Zeno's chest puffed proudly as he declared this, patting himself for emphasis.
Nearby, Lazuli watched the scene with a strange expression, her blue eyes narrowing slightly.
From her perspective, the exchange felt unreal — casual, absurd, and yet terrifyingly genuine.
This is the supreme ruler of all Universes? she thought.
Unknowingly, the fate of countless realms had shifted during this casual exchange. If Frieza or his father had witnessed it, they'd have been green with envy — they once sold planets for profit, while here, an entire Universe was being casually offered as a gift between friends.
After seeing off the Grand Minister and his entourage, Chiga returned home with Vados and Marcarita.
The atmosphere within the residence was calm, almost domestic, a stark contrast to the monumental events that had just taken place.
With a casual wave of his hand, the used tableware vanished from the table, instantly cleaned and returned neatly to the cabinets.
Marcarita suddenly spoke up, her tone thoughtful.
"Chiga, now that the three Universes have merged, by procedure, the God of Destruction from my former Universe should come to meet you."
Chiga nodded in understanding. It was like the formal "reporting to the capital" — now that he reigned as the Emperor over three Universes, his Seventh Universe was essentially the capital of this divine empire.
Such customs were ancient, ingrained deeply into the structure of divinity, even if their relevance had faded over time.
Naturally, those below him would want to meet their new sovereign.
Vados added casually,
"There's no need to summon Champa. He's terrified of you."
And it was true — Champa was genuinely traumatized. Between being humiliated and defeated, he would rather face Grand Zeno himself than Chiga, who had beaten him senseless.
The memory alone was enough to make Champa's fur stand on end.
As for Beerus, that was another matter. Though he had once quarreled with Chiga, their later encounters had turned surprisingly friendly. With Earth's food and drink within reach, Beerus had found little reason to complain about their new "Emperor."
In fact, Beerus privately considered this outcome to be far better than most alternatives.
The next morning, Marcarita temporarily departed for the Eleventh Universe to escort its God of Destruction — Vermoud — to the new capital.
Without an Angel's guidance, no God of Destruction possessed the power to cross Universes alone.
The barrier between Universes was absolute, a reminder that even gods were bound by laws greater than themselves.
---
Meanwhile, in the Eleventh Universe, Marcarita returned to the God of Destruction's Temple, her usual serene composure restored. The moment her feet touched the crystal floor, her divine authority once again radiated through the realm.
The temple responded instantly, its structure resonating faintly as though acknowledging her return.
Vermoud, already waiting within the grand hall, quickly rose from his throne the instant she appeared. He had long received the news that their Universe now had a new Master, one whose divine rank surpassed even the Grand Minister.
Moreover, his own Angel — Marcarita — had become this being's personal attendant and companion. It was, without question, a promotion beyond imagination.
"Lady Marcarita," Vermoud said respectfully, stepping forward, "you've come to fetch me, haven't you? Does the Dragon God wish to see me?"
Marcarita shook her head slightly.
"Chiga doesn't intend to summon you directly. But with the merger of three Universes, it's only proper that you pay him a formal visit."
"That makes sense," Vermoud replied, rubbing his chin. "So this 'Chiga' is the Dragon God's true name?"
"Yes," she confirmed, "but be careful — don't call him that when you meet him. It would be disrespectful."
Vermoud blinked, confused.
Then why do you say it so casually…? he wondered silently.
Before he could speak again, a figure emerged from the temple's shadow — a tall, muscular man with dark, intense eyes that gleamed like obsidian.
The pressure of his presence subtly warped the air around him.
It was Jiren, the pride of Universe 11.
"Lady Marcarita," Jiren said solemnly, bowing his head slightly, "I wish to see the Dragon God as well. May I accompany you?"
Vermoud's expression hardened.
"Jiren, that's overstepping your bounds. The Dragon God's status is beyond divine measure. You're still a mortal — you don't have the qualifications to face him!"
Though his words were harsh, Vermoud's concern was genuine. He liked Jiren deeply, but Chiga's temperament was unknown to him. If Jiren offended him by accident, the result could be instant erasure.
Yet Jiren stood his ground, gaze steady and unwavering.
"Why?" Marcarita asked softly, her tone testing. "Give me your reason."
Clenching his fist, Jiren replied in a low but powerful voice,
"I've heard that the Dragon God defeated two Gods of Destruction consecutively before his ascension — and even bested you, Lady Marcarita. I wish to witness his strength with my own eyes."
"You wish to challenge him?" she asked. "Aren't you afraid he won't even acknowledge you — that he might erase you on the spot?"
"I'm not afraid," Jiren said firmly. "My training has reached its limit. To surpass it, I must seek power beyond my realm — and that can only come through battle."
Vermoud frowned deeply.
"Aren't Marcarita and I strong enough for you?"
Jiren met his gaze respectfully.
"With all due respect, Lord Vermoud, you can no longer defeat me without divine energy. Lady Marcarita surpasses me, yes — but her strength, too, is finite. I wish to witness a power that transcends ours completely."
Silence fell between them. Even Marcarita, expression calm as ever, regarded Jiren with newfound interest.
In that moment, she realized that his resolve was not born from arrogance, but from an unyielding desire to break beyond the limits imposed upon mortals.
He truly had no fear.
---