A/N: Hey guys. So with my original novel ''Can I Magic Please''. Indeed it doesn't show up on my profile. The reason is because it is going through a vetting process that will last about seven days before it can appear on my profile.
So if you want to support my dream of winning the WSA Awards 2026. You can just search ''Can I Magic Please'' right here on webnovel. It is easy to find as it is the only novel with that name. Thank you once again.
And Enjoy the chapter.
---
The meeting hall of the Western Nations Council was filled far beyond normal capacity.
Representatives from kingdoms, republics, merchant alliances, and noble territories occupied nearly every seat within the massive circular chamber.
Voices overlapped constantly.
Arguments.
Complaints.
Speculation.
At the center of it all was a single topic.
Demon Lord Loki.
More specifically—
The Kingdom of Coleus.
A nation now under the rule of a Demon Lord.
The chairman of the council struck the table lightly with a ceremonial hammer.
"Order."
The noise slowly died down.
"Today's emergency council session concerns the recent hostile takeover of the Kingdom of Coleus by the newly acknowledged Demon Lord Loki."
Murmurs spread immediately again.
Some fearful.
Some irritated.
Some outright dismissive.
A representative from a smaller western nation spoke first.
"So the rumors are true then."
"A Demon Lord has openly seized a human nation."
Another noble scoffed.
"And of all nations, Coleus."
Several nearby delegates nodded.
Because politically speaking—
Coleus was not particularly powerful.
It was wealthy enough.
Stable enough.
But militarily?
Economically?
Diplomatically?
It lacked influence compared to major western powers.
A military official from a northern kingdom folded his arms.
"To me, this simply sounds like a weak Demon Lord seeking easy territory."
Several people voiced agreement.
"He attacked a vulnerable nation."
"A true top-ranking Demon Lord would not bother with something so insignificant."
"Exactly."
"If anything, this proves Demon Lord Loki lacks confidence."
One older council member laughed dryly.
"A Demon Lord conquering small kingdoms now?"
"What next? Goblin villages?"
A few nobles chuckled quietly.
Not everyone joined in.
Some remained visibly uneasy.
Particularly those who had actually read the reports from Coleus carefully.
A representative from Englesia adjusted his glasses.
"With respect… the issue is not simply that he conquered Coleus."
He placed several documents onto the table.
"The issue is how easily he did it."
The chamber quieted slightly.
"He reportedly annihilated two Archdemons instantly."
"Destroyed the royal military."
"And forced the royal family into submission within a single day."
A noble clicked his tongue dismissively.
"Exaggerated rumors."
Another nodded.
"Happens every time a Demon Lord appears."
"Stories become inflated."
"But he was officially acknowledged at Walpurgis."
That statement carried some weight.
Silence spread for a moment.
Because regardless of personal opinions—
An officially recognized Demon Lord was not something to dismiss lightly.
Still, resistance remained.
A representative from a trade republic leaned forward.
"Even so, we cannot afford to overreact."
"If we begin treating every Demon Lord as an apocalyptic threat, diplomacy itself becomes impossible."
"Furthermore…"
His expression hardened.
"Coleus is now effectively ruled by a monster."
Several people nodded immediately.
"That alone should disqualify them from remaining within the council."
"Agreed."
"The Western Nations Council exists for human cooperation."
"Not to negotiate with Demon Lords."
The discussion quickly began shifting direction.
No longer whether Loki was dangerous.
But whether Coleus itself should remain recognized as a western allied nation.
King Edmaris Falmuth finally spoke from his seat.
The ruler of the Kingdom of Farmus carried his usual dignified expression, though his eyes remained sharp.
"The matter is simple."
The chamber quieted somewhat.
"A nation ruled directly by a Demon Lord cannot remain within this alliance."
Several representatives immediately agreed.
"Yes."
"Correct."
"If we allow this, what precedent does that create?"
"What happens when another Demon Lord claims territory next?"
Edmaris continued calmly.
"We cannot openly antagonize a Demon Lord without preparation."
A pause.
"But neither can we maintain political legitimacy with one."
In other words—
Avoid provoking Loki directly.
But isolate Coleus completely.
Economic pressure.
Political pressure.
Diplomatic severance.
A peaceful abandonment.
The chairman looked around the chamber.
"Then shall the proposal be formally presented?"
A representative from Englesia raised a hand.
"I motion that the Kingdom of Coleus be suspended indefinitely from the Western Nations Council until such a time that human rule is restored."
Another immediately added:
"And that all trade agreements, military cooperation, and diplomatic privileges be terminated."
More murmurs spread.
Then approval.
Lots of approval.
Some still looked hesitant.
Not because they cared about Coleus—
But because they feared how Loki might respond.
One older diplomat voiced exactly that concern.
"And if Demon Lord Loki interprets this as hostility?"
Edmaris answered calmly.
"Then we clarify that this is a political matter regarding council membership."
Not war.
Not sanctions.
Not threats.
Simply separation.
A careful line.
One designed specifically to avoid provoking a being they did not fully understand.
The chairman slowly nodded.
"Then we proceed to vote."
Magic tools across the chamber began glowing.
One by one, representatives cast their votes.
Suspension.
Removal.
Isolation.
The results appeared moments later.
An overwhelming majority.
Coleus would be removed from the Western Nations Council.
Trade routes would be halted.
Military agreements dissolved.
Political recognition revoked.
From that moment onward—
The Kingdom of Coleus stood alone.
---
The representative regretted coming almost immediately.
The moment the gates of Coleus came into view, the atmosphere itself changed.
Demons.
Everywhere.
Standing atop the walls.
Guarding the gates.
Walking through the streets.
Watching silently.
The representative swallowed hard.
Most of them were not even trying to release their aura, yet the pressure alone was enough to make ordinary humans uncomfortable.
And the worst part—
They all looked disciplined.
Organized.
This was not chaos.
This was a functioning kingdom.
Ruled by monsters.
The representative tightened his grip on the sealed letter in his hands.
"This place is insane…"
The gates slowly opened.
Several demonic guards stared down at him.
One of them stepped forward.
"What is your business?"
The representative nearly stiffened.
The demon's eyes were glowing red.
Its magicule count alone made the man want to turn around and run.
Still, he forced himself to speak.
"I-I bring a formal notice from the Western Nations Council to King Loki of Coleus."
At the mention of Loki's name, several demons narrowed their eyes.
One visibly looked irritated.
"Mind your tone when addressing Lord Loki."
The representative quickly bowed his head.
"M-My apologies!"
Before the situation could worsen further, another voice entered calmly.
"What's happening?"
The representative turned immediately.
Then his eyes widened.
One of the demons bowed.
"Lady Shizue."
"…Shizue Izawa?" The representative had a more shocked expression.
Shizue herself looked mildly surprised.
"You know me?"
The representative nodded rapidly.
"O-Of course!"
The Hero who once hailed as the Conqueror of Flames.
One of the most famous adventurers in history.
Anyone tied to western politics knew her name.
His confusion only deepened.
"What are you doing here?"
Shizue glanced toward the castle calmly.
"I'm visiting a friend."
"A friend?"
She nodded.
"The King."
The representative's face twitched slightly.
King.
Not Demon Lord.
Not ruler.
Just—
The King.
As though this was completely normal.
Shizue extended her hand politely.
"I can deliver the letter for you."
The representative hesitated briefly.
Then immediately handed it over.
Truthfully, he wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible.
"Please make sure it reaches him."
Shizue nodded.
"I will."
The representative bowed once more before quickly retreating from the gates.
The demonic guards watched him leave silently.
Only after he disappeared entirely into the distance did the tension lessen slightly.
Shizue looked down at the sealed document in her hands.
"The Western Nations Council, huh…"
Meanwhile, inside the royal castle of Coleus—
Ultima sat elegantly on a luxurious couch, lazily swirling wine around in her glass.
"I miss Lord Loki."
She sighed dramatically.
"It's been too long."
Across from her, Testarossa did not even look up from her paperwork.
"Loki-sama has been gone for three days."
"That's too long."
Ultima took another sip.
"I'm suffering."
Testarossa ignored her completely.
The massive desk before her was buried beneath documents.
Trade agreements.
Merchant routes.
Agricultural reports.
Infrastructure proposals.
Economic forecasts.
The amount of work involved in stabilizing an entire kingdom was enormous.
And yet—
Testarossa handled it flawlessly.
Her pen moved elegantly across the paper as she signed document after document without hesitation.
Unlike Loki, who mostly acted as the symbolic ruler of Coleus—
The person truly running the nation was Testarossa.
And she took that responsibility very seriously.
Because this was Lord Loki's kingdom.
Which meant it had to become perfect.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Enter."
Shizue stepped inside shortly afterward.
Testarossa finally looked up slightly.
"Oh?"
Ultima waved lazily.
"Shizue-san."
Shizue approached the desk and held out the sealed letter.
"This came from the Western Nations Council."
That immediately drew Testarossa's full attention.
She accepted the document calmly and broke the seal.
Silence filled the room as she read.
Ultima tilted her head.
"Well?"
Testarossa sighed softly.
"…How troublesome."
Ultima blinked.
That alone told her the contents were serious.
Testarossa placed the document down carefully.
"The Western Nations Council has officially severed ties with Coleus."
Shizue's expression darkened slightly.
Ultima snorted dismissively.
"That's all?"
"We should just destroy a few countries."
Her tone was casual.
As though discussing weather.
"They'll change their minds quickly."
Testarossa actually considered it for a moment.
Honestly—
It would work.
A few displays of overwhelming force.
A couple of capitals erased.
The council would immediately collapse into obedience.
Fear was extremely effective diplomacy.
But then she sighed again.
"…Loki-sama would dislike that."
Ultima clicked her tongue lightly.
"Lord Loki is too soft."
Testarossa leaned back slightly in her chair.
"He enjoys battle."
"He enjoys conflict."
"But he is not cruel."
Her fingers tapped lightly against the desk.
"If it were Guy Crimson, this problem would already be solved through terror."
"But Loki-sama…"
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"…would probably be upset if innocent civilians suffered because of him."
Shizue listened quietly.
Truthfully, hearing Primordial Demons discuss genocide so casually was still horrifying.
Even if they sounded strangely reasonable about it.
Testarossa closed her eyes briefly.
"This complicates trade."
"Imports."
"Merchant movement."
"Political legitimacy."
Her eyes reopened slowly.
"…Honestly, this has become troublesome."
Ultima drank more wine lazily.
"Then we just wait for Lord Loki to come back."
Testarossa looked toward the window.
"…Yes."
Because in the end—
Everything in Coleus revolved around one person.
Loki.
---
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