I passed through the Great Gate and stepped into the glass spiral corridor beyond it.
The beauty of El Dorado did not end at its exterior.
Inside the city, the scenery unfolded like a carefully composed vision. Artificial cliffs rose in the distance, from which massive waterfalls thundered downward. The water split into countless channels, flowing through the city in orderly canals, reflecting light as it moved and carving elegant patterns between the golden streets.
It was not excessive.
It was deliberate.
We walked for nearly ten minutes, moving deeper into the city while taking it in. Eventually, we reached a restricted zone—an area sealed off from the general population and guarded by elite knights.
"Beyond this point," Alrose said, stopping before an ornate magic circle, "a direct transfer spell leads to the front of the royal palace."
Before we could respond, a familiar presence was already waiting.
Leaning casually against a pillar stood the ruler of this land himself—
Demon Lord Leon Cromwell.
He wore a simple white shirt and jeans, an almost careless choice of attire. And yet, it suited him perfectly. Some people carried authority effortlessly. Leon was one of them.
He looked like a painting given form.
Unfortunately, the moment he spoke, that image cracked.
"Tch. Just as I thought. Chloe isn't here."
I felt a faint irritation rise.
So he really hadn't changed.
"…Naturally not," I replied evenly. "More importantly, you look worn down. Has something been troubling you?"
Leon clicked his tongue. "You're the one who sent the problem."
That told me everything.
"…Diablo?" I asked.
"…Yeah."
The silence that followed was heavy enough to press against the walls.
Leon clearly had complaints. Many of them. But he swallowed them all and turned away.
We were led through the palace in silence.
Eventually, we entered a vast reception chamber. Gold and silver ornamented the space, gemstones embedded with care rather than arrogance. The white walls reflected the chandelier light softly, creating a calm, dignified atmosphere.
It was luxurious—but restrained.
Tasteful.
Then the calm shattered.
"Oh, Atem-sama. I have awaited your arrival."
Diablo appeared as if he had always belonged there, bowing deeply before me before smoothly guiding us further inside.
This was Leon's palace.
Why did Diablo look like its owner?
Before I could address that, another presence entered.
Guy Crimson.
"You kept me waiting, Atem," he said casually, taking a seat across from me. "Why was this place last?"
I met his gaze without flinching.
"Because you were here," I replied calmly. "With you and Diablo present, I judged that El Dorado could withstand anything. That allowed me to prioritize the others."
Guy's expression tightened slightly.
I continued before he could object.
"Luminas required immediate coordination. Dagruel's strength was still uncertain. And Milim's territory was in the middle of large-scale construction. Stability comes before pride."
Guy exhaled sharply. "…Tch. Fine. So? How are the others?"
"The magic transfer circles have been installed in every territory," I said, opening a spatial fold and revealing a massive magisteel disk etched with complex formulas. "Final calibrations are ongoing, but emergency activation is guaranteed."
Leon stepped forward. "I'll decide the placement here."
As expected. This was his domain.
Guy nodded. "Then all that's left is to wait?"
"For now," I said. "Eterna is reinforcing its alliances with the Western Nations and preparing evacuation contingencies. Civilization will not be caught in our war."
Guy raised a brow. "You still care about humans that much?"
"Yes."
There was no hesitation.
"Everything we've built would be meaningless if it's trampled into dust."
Leon stared at me for a long moment.
"…You're softer than I thought," he said. "Concerned not just for your own kingdom, but for the world. Do you really think your hands can reach that far?"
I met his gaze squarely.
"I don't intend to regret inaction. I'll do what I can. If it fails, then I'll bear the consequences."
That was the difference.
I did not deceive myself.
Leon looked away. "…Maybe that's why she chose you."
Chloe.
The weight behind his words was unmistakable.
He was warning me—of the cost of obsession, of reckless resolve.
I allowed myself a faint smile.
"Unlike you," I said calmly, "I do not pursue the past at the cost of the present. I rule for those who stand before me."
Leon's aura flared.
"Say that again."
"Enough."
Guy cut between us, irritation clear in his voice.
The tension lingered—but it did not break.
Kings had gathered.
And when kings gathered, the world always moved closer to war.
"Honestly, I was hoping things would calm down once you arrived," Guy muttered, rubbing his temples. He looked genuinely exhausted. "But it seems I misjudged that."
I studied him calmly. I wasn't sure what he had expected from me, but disappointment was not my concern.
"Kufufufu… then why not settle everything here?" Diablo said smoothly. "Fortunately, Mizeri and the others have become quite adept at deploying large-scale damage-reduction barriers."
So that was it.
They were suggesting that Leon and I clash—here and now.
"That's enough," I said flatly. My voice carried weight, and the room quieted. "A Demon Lord does not solve problems by indulging in reckless destruction."
"Please do not trouble yourself, Atem-sama," Diablo replied, his crimson eyes narrowing as they locked onto Leon. "I will handle this matter."
The pressure radiating from him sharpened instantly. He was serious. Predator-serious.
I stepped forward.
"No. Your mission is to protect Leon, not antagonize him." My gaze hardened. "If the two of you were to fight here, the damage would be catastrophic. That alone disqualifies the idea."
Diablo clicked his tongue softly, clearly displeased, but he bowed his head. He had matured enough to obey—if only just.
Guy let out a long sigh. "Tell him again, Atem. He's a menace. Just yesterday, he picked a fight with me and destroyed half the training grounds—even though I held back."
I did not immediately respond.
Without knowing the full context, assigning blame was pointless.
"…You fought Guy?" I asked Diablo.
"Yes," Diablo replied without hesitation. "A light exercise. Nothing more."
That explained very little.
Leon, who had been silent until now, spoke with visible irritation.
"It began when that maid challenged Diablo. She was defeated thoroughly and retreated while cursing her loss."
His gaze shifted sharply.
"That one."
Raine.
"Excuse me?" Raine snapped. "I did not lose. And I am certainly not a sore loser!"
Leon cut her off coldly. "Your opinion is irrelevant."
Diablo smiled faintly. "I dislike tormenting the weak. I showed restraint."
"Oh?" Raine shot back. "Then why did you need to remind me you'd 'discipline me properly next time'? Did you forget you needed Mizeri's help for a two-on-one?"
The air crackled.
And yet—no one moved.
Guy stared at the two of them with open disbelief. "These idiots have been at it for two weeks. Fighting nonstop. And somehow… they reached an understanding."
Leon nodded once. "Unfortunately, that is correct."
So that was the source of the tension.
I turned my attention fully to Diablo.
"Explain," I ordered.
Diablo straightened, pride clear in his posture. "It is because of you, Atem-sama. I spoke to Raine of your deeds, your authority, and your victories. She was… inspired."
Inspired was not the word I would have chosen.
Raine stepped forward with a dramatic curtsy. "It's true. I've become quite interested in Atem-sama. In exchange for a few stories, I decided to be cooperative."
Guy covered his face.
"…I apologize for my subordinates."
"I understand," I replied evenly. "Diablo is no less troublesome. We are even."
Mizeri, who had remained silent until now, murmured quietly, "…So that's why I'm always treated like an idiot."
I chose not to comment.
Once matters finally settled, we moved to a concealed chamber behind the throne hall. There, I personally installed the magic transfer circle. The structure weighed tens of tons—once placed, it would not be moved again.
When the work was complete, I prepared to depart.
Leon looked displeased. "Take Diablo and Raine with you."
"No," I replied without hesitation. "They remain here. Their presence serves your defense."
Leon clicked his tongue but said nothing further.
At the gates of El Dorado, our farewells were brief.
"Take care of Chloe," Leon said quietly.
"I will," I answered. No embellishment. No promise beyond necessity.
To my surprise, he accepted that easily.
Before I left, an unexpected truth surfaced during our final exchange. Leon's true ambition—before everything—had been to become an architect.
It explained everything.
The city.
The castle.
The discipline of form and function.
Leon Cromwell was abrasive, prideful, and difficult—but he was not shallow.
As I departed El Dorado, my assessment of him changed.
A difficult king.
But a genuine one.
And with that, my visit to El Dorado came to a close—successful, deliberate, and without regret.