Chapter 542: Malorum’s Ultimatum
McEnda II was supposed to be the only one monitoring Aramis, but Jamie joined him out of boredom from his previous location, Xagthor was there for his granddaughter, and the Demon Kings of Time and Destruction had rather obvious reasons as well.
Demon King Agriker and Queen Thorneheart, both friends of McEnda II decided to get involved as well, each for their own descendants (Barron and Sylvan), and as a result, Aramis ended up with 7 Demon Rulers on its matter.
This prompted the god Kings of the Aramis faction to also pay extra attention, as they were wary of whatever reason Gozon had for having 7 of its Rulers monitor Aramis’ situation.
But anyway, the threat of the Fake Divine conversion process ever being perfected was very real. Arthur revealed that he had one of the brains behind the whole thing—Ger—under his custody, revealing the Seal in which the man was trapped.
His method of time sealing intrigued the Demon King of Time, who decided to discuss it further with Arthur later.
Moving on, Arthur then informed the Demon Rulers that he could assist in destroying the Fake Divine Factories on Aramis, as he alone knew the highly classified locations that even Alvey’s shadow demons couldn’t access.
There were three brains behind the Fake Divine Experiment: Ger’s Master, Ger himself, and his successor. Sigesi had killed Ger’s Master, and Arthur had captured Ger, leaving only one remaining, who was undoubtedly under heavy protection on Aramis.
Nevertheless, Arthur was confident he could bypass whatever security they had and eliminate them, provided a Half-Deity wasn’t guarding them.
By taking out Ger’s successor, all the brains behind the Fake Divine project would be gone and it would most likely never see perfection.
However, Arthur wasn’t offering to help the Demons nip a potential threat in the bud for free.
In exchange, he requested that the Demon Rulers protect any godslayers they encountered so the gods didn’t eradicate them before they could become strong enough to defend themselves.
Arthur had learned from Stelan that the gods in his home world had accepted the harsh reality that they were not an exception and a slayer race primed for them existed. They had even contacted god rulers related to them, meaning these rulers were already working to eliminate this new threat before it could mature.
Given that the Demon Kings couldn’t directly interfere on Aramis—since any intervention would violate the agreement and result in them losing the benefits they had gained from extorting the gods, who had already broken the agreement twice—Arthur’s proposition was a move to navigate these limitations.
He was the Progenitor of godslayers and was the best kind of assassin to send after Fake Divines
The Demon Kings understood he wanted to safeguard the future of the godslayer race in this Universe. Given the issue with Fake Divines also concerned only Aramis for now, Arthur had also limited his demand to just them protecting any they encountered and not to have them actively searching for godslayers.
Due to Gozon’s rapidly expanding Interstellar Colonies, they were bound to encounter more than a few so Arthur wanted to take advantage of it.
Some of the Demon Rulers didn’t agree to this, some didn’t really mind, some felt it was an okay exchange and some were in support and even wanted to add that they’d actively search for the godslayers since they wanted Arthur who was sure to become a powerful figure in the future to owe them.
In the end, they had a majority vote and ended up tied 36-36. Because of the tie, they adjourned the decision on Arthur’s matter for another day and returned to the matter they had to end right here and now.
"Aramis Representatives, you’ve certainly surprised me. I didn’t expect this many achievements considering you’re facing a Prime World."
Jamie remarked, his tone one of genuine surprise and McEnda II raised an eyebrow as he responded.
"You didn’t? I certainly did.
That one may be an idiot but he’s still my son so I at least had expectations for him."
With a casual shrug, he spoke, while McEnda III had to remind himself that he was in a formal setting and couldn’t just charge up the dais to punch his father.
Meanwhile, Xagthor crossed his arms and snorted.
"You’ve got to be at least this good to be worthy of my granddaughter."
"Shut up, you doting grandfather."
"Says the doting grandmother!"
The man shot back at one of the Demon Queens who interjected and the two immediately began arguing. Jamie, deciding to save everyone the headache, used his spatial magic to mute their argument.
"Setting those two aside, I noticed something odd, Sargon boy."
As Jamie spoke, he held up his hand and two files appeared. One was a copy of the report on Gledea, and the other was a copy of the report on Plomux.
"You managed to make an incursion on Plomux’s Command base in just two weeks, masterminded the fall of Triton’s Ark, and even defeated the Leviathan Yedrist.
Yet, somehow, you’ve only conquered half of Continent Gledea, despite having been there for years..."
"..."
Alvey didn’t respond to Jamie’s observation, but the Demon King didn’t seem to mind and continued.
"It’s mentioned here that Gledea is the Aramisian Coalition’s headquarters, where their strongest fighters are stationed. Yet, in January, you and the younger McEnda dealt significant damage to these same top combatants.
Despite this, instead of pressing your advantage, you merely expanded the territory by a few million square kilometres and resorted to small skirmishes while requesting reinforcements, which you then deployed on Plomux.
Now, even though Gledea is the most fortified Aramisian continent, you’ve shown capabilities that indicate you should have control over at least three-fourths of it by now. Instead, you’ve barely secured a little over half.
Mind enlightening us why?"
Jamie’s words brought looks of realisation to the eyes of the Demon Rulers, and some of them went through the man’s reports again, noticing that he indeed had the capabilities Jamie stated he did.
"Come to think of it, that Triton’s Ark...you took that down in just one day?
And this Zefesh Continent as well; Barron Agriker and Sylvan Thorneheart are the ones heading the invasion there, but the original plan was constructed by you, Alvey Sargon."
Malorum brought more things to light and at this point, pretty much every Demon Lord and King in this Hall had figured out what was happening.
Alvey’s slow speed in conquering Gledea was on purpose.
’He’d been milking Gledea for achievements, huh? This tactic had also bought him time to devise strategies for the other continents.
By leaving Gledea standing, the Aramisian forces weren’t cornered into desperate measures—like blowing up the entire continent.’
McEnda II recalled a Prime World that had done just that in the past. When Gozon’s forces had pushed the last defenders into a corner, they’d self-destructed the entire continent, costing Gozon millions of good men.
As for Alvey’s manoeuvre, McEnda II wasn’t angry—he was impressed. Alvey had managed to sustain this ruse for so long without any of them noticing.
’Our focus is divided across many worlds, so it was easier for him. But even so, he’s not the first to try this, and almost all the others were caught; but he wasn’t.’
"I see you’ve finally decided to stop dragging your feet on Gledea, haven’t you?
Five Continents; Guwos, Rhigor, Zefesh, Plomux and Gledea. We have full control over Guwos, Rhigor and Plomux. Half of Zefesh and Gledea are under our control.
Victory is close at hand, and that’s precisely why you must be careful; you never know what trump cards they can pull out."
McEnda II offered a little bit of advice to them and after him, Malorum spoke.
"Aramis may be a Prime World, but it has only been so for a few centuries. The War for it has taken far too long in my opinion."
Pointing right at Alvey he asked a question.
"What month is this?"
"June, Your Excellency."
When Alvey replied, Malorum nodded and gave an order.
"This is the last month of the first half of the year. By the last month of the second half of the year, I want Aramis added to the Star Map above your head."
The Star Map on the ceiling of the Hall of Stars only featured fully conquered planets, excluding battlefront worlds like Aramis. By saying this, Malorum was ordering Alvey to end the war on Aramis within the next six months!
"It shall be done, Your Excellency."
"It better be."
After Malorum’s final words, he fell silent, and Jamie took this as his cue to address the Demon Rulers.
"So, can we get to the part where we decide what Rank we’re gonna give him?"
"Rank? For what?"
"He may have used a little trick but his achievements are solid. They’re also more interesting to read than the book Valren got for me last week."
Jamie responded to the Demon Queen who asked and Xagthor who got called out snapped his head in Jamie’s direction with a glare.
"Oy! Are you saying my recommended books are boring?!"
"Your words, not mine."
When Jamie replied in such a manner, the Demon Queen of Flames facepalmed and questioned the two men with an exasperated tone.
"Can you be serious for one full minute?"
"Hahaha I am being serious."
Jamie’s tone turned cold halfway and the smile on his face disappeared. His azure eyes glinted and he gazed at the Demon Rulers around him before continuing.
"I see some of you are dissatisfied with him. I cannot fathom why you’d be dissatisfied with a soldier who has done such good work for us on a Prime World."
McEnda II glanced at a particular group of Demon Kings sitting together, then at Jamie as he replied.
"That’s probably my fault. Some certain people hate my guts and my idiot son’s best friends with Alvey so they’re hating on him by extension."
The Demon Kings he referred to glared at McEnda II, but he shrugged off their hostility as if it were nothing.
