«You have defeated the Third Saint. All Azalyths under the Third Saint’s jurisdiction have been annihilated.»

«As you have defeated the holder of an Aspect, it is your prerogative to decide the Aspect’s fate. Your options are to give it back to its current holder, Goddess of Light, Luciel, to give it to your current goddess, Goddess of Darkness, Entropy, or to return it to its rightful owner, Goddess of Darkness, Entropy.»

«Please state your preference.»

My answer was obvious.

«Preference confirmed. Aspect of Holy Blessings turned back into Aspect of Blessing and given to Goddess of Darkness, Entropy.»

«Goddess of Darkness, Entropy has bestowed upon you the Aspect of Blessing. You will gain three skills.»

«You have gained the skill [Divine Blessing]. Grant a being a permanent divine protection. Its effects will depend on your power, as well as the strength of the divine protection. Since it comes from this Aspect, the divine protection will possess every attribute.»

«You have gained the skill [Blessing of Light]. Temporarily grant a living being the skill [Divine Protection: Astaroth (Light-attribute)]. The stronger the target and the longer the duration, the higher the mana consumption.»

«As you are not on friendly terms with the current administrator of the light attribute, you must mentally overpower her to use this skill.»

«You have gained the skill [Blessing of Darkness]. Temporarily grant a living being the skill [Divine Protection: Astaroth (Darkness-attribute)]. The stronger the target and the longer the duration, the higher the mana consumption.»

It seemed the skills’ names had been adapted to suit me, given I was now the one giving out buffs. Presumably, it had been called [Divine Protection: Guriel], or something similar, earlier.

With my adversary dead, I dispelled [Shroud], placed her body in my [Storage] and landed elegantly on the ground.

Although it seemed like Charlotte was going to congratulate me, I raised a hand to stop her, since I heard another sentence start.

«You have evolved into the ‘Divine’-Grade species Overlord. Magical parameters will increase greatly. Physical and mental parameters will increase. Spiritual parameters will increase slightly. Your soul will be refined. You will gain new skills, and your existing skills will improve.»

My body became slimmer, my hair grew out slightly longer and my claws became a little longer and sharper—in short, I gained a sort of twisted elegance. I assumed one of the changes mentioned had had an effect on one of the skills that made up [True Demon Form].

«The skill [Demon Lord’s Authority] has evolved into the skill [Overlord’s Authority]. You may give absolute orders of up to ten words that monsters of the 9th rank or below must obey. If a monster is 7th rank or below, you may ravage its soul, leaving only loyalty to you. Such puppets will no longer have any autonomy, although it is possible for you to return their autonomy to them.»

«You have gained the skill [Aura of the Overlord]. Passive: your mana is of higher density and purity. It is significantly easier for your mana to transform into miasma. You will have an easier time spreading your mana into the environment for intimidation, awe, investigation or any other purpose. Your general control over your mana is greatly improved. If your mana is run into certain equipment, such as a crown, a staff, or a cape, you will gain the impression of being a ‘ruler’.»

The skill’s phrasing had brought to mind an idea I’d never even had before—perhaps, if I spread my mana upwards in the environment, rather than downwards from above, I could create an uplifting atmosphere rather than an oppressive one. Experiments were clearly needed.

Sleehekt would make a good subject, in several meanings of the word.

«You have been recognised as an equal to Goddess of Darkness, Entropy. Both the quality and quantity of your mana have increased drastically.»

For obvious reasons, I was rather surprised.

«An attempt by Goddess of Light, Luciel to smite you has failed, as you are the equal of a god.»

It seemed Lady Entropy’s timing had been perfect. Another debt of gratitude for the pile.

«Your subordinates will now also be treated as believers. If you concentrate, you can hear their prayers. Their faith in you will be converted to power in various ways.»

«Although you are the equal of a god, you are not a divinity in your own right. Only limited features of GAME will be made available.»

The message puzzled me. Judging from my Demon Generals’ concerned looks, it was visible on my face—I quickly waved it off as nothing.

«You may now make use of the GAME function ‘Calculation’. It is a feature which can perform arithmetic calculations, as well as predictions of the result of a battle based on known data. Your knowledge will be supplemented with knowledge from the Akashic Records.»

«You may now make limited use of the GAME function ‘Prediction’. It is a feature which can predict the future actions of individuals. At this time, only data you are aware of may be used, which may lead to inaccurate predictions.»

«In order to use a GAME function, simply give a verbal or mental order. If the phrasing is specific enough, the function will be activated.»

After a few seconds, I made the connection that “GAME” most likely referred to the voice which was speaking to me. This, in turn, raised several more questions I made sure to conceal.

I landed, and removed [True Demon Form] on all but my wings in an attempt to get Lilith’s gaze off me.

The result was that she stared at my wings.

Navillus recollected herself into one, and my other Demon Generals approached me, too. The chorus of congratulations was rather similar to that of the previous time.

“Charlotte,” I said once everyone had finished, “that plan of yours. Explain.”

“Ah, that matt’r,” she said, covering her mouth to stifle a giggle. “Well, although I am cert’n that M’lord hath already deduced it, I shall explain f’r the sake o’ the oth’rs.”

It seemed she was overestimating me. I decided not to call her out on it.

“ ‘Twas not a complex thing. The only reas’n ‘twas poss’ble in the first place was that human mage—cert’nly, ‘twould not have been done w’thout her mana. You are all aware Lilith possesses the skill [Hell Magic], yea?”

Tempest nodded. “That would be magic which revolves around using mana and such for direct attacks.”

Charlotte nodded in turn. “Indeed, ‘tis so. One o’ its spells perm’ts the man’pulation o’ mana outside the mage’s body. Us’ng the human mage’s mana as a r’lay o’ sorts, Lilith could man’pulate the light-attr’bute mana in the environs w’thout coming int’ contact with it, herself. ‘Twas then simple for her t’ cause a clash with that light-attr’bute and our darkness-attr’bute mana.”

Lilith nodded in affirmation. “ ‘N there ya have it, Master!”

I wrapped my wings around myself to protect them from Lilith’s grabby hands. “In other words, you used Claiomh Solais’s mana as a weapon, and the human mage’s as a hand to wield it with. To turn the enemy’s weapons against themselves like this… what a dastardly plan. As expected of you, Charlotte.”

“I am unworthy of thy words, M’lord,” she answered, performing a formal curtsy. "But, whilst thou art addressing me… Could I mayhaps inquire as t’ M’lord’s new form?”

It seemed she could sense in my mana the immense difference between an eighth-grade and a ninth-grade monster.

I flared my wings out to the side. “Certainly,” I said, “they are bigger.” In addition, they were no longer connected to my body. “Several other places are more elegant, too,” I said, gazing at my fingers for a little. “As you have surmised, Charlotte, I have evolved. My new title is ‘Overlord’.”

“Thou hast my heartfelt congrat’lations, M’lord.”

«Congrats!»

“Congratulations, Master.”

“Navillus congratulates Master!”

“Yup, ‘grats ‘n all that.”

I chuckled and nodded. “Then, Lilith. What do you intend to do with… him?” I gestured towards the Barrier Hero, who she had long dropped on the ground.

“Ah, him, huh.” Although her voice was free of malice, her heel, which was casually digging into the Hero’s back, betrayed her true feelings. “Hm… I guess I’ll store ‘im in my [Devil’s Prison], for now. I’ll see what I wanna do when we get back ta the castle.”

After an approving, if curious, nod, she snapped her fingers, which caused a magic circle to appear below the Barrier Hero. From its appearance, it seemed to belong to [Devil Magic]. His body sank into the ground as though it were a particularly viscous liquid.

I had never seen this spell before, so I could not help but want to know. “Lilith, I will have you explain that spell to me at a later point,” I said, “but for now, let us go visit Sleehekt.”

“Ah, Lord Astaroth. Truly, you have excellent timing.”

Sleehekt sat on his throne, as usual, and as I had expected, was showing his affections to a Kobold despite the fact that it was practically early morning. His gaze seemed rather less confident than the last time I saw him. It seemed he was not an idiot who would not notice a change in grades.

“We have just dealt with the last of the Heroes, excluding the four you dealt with. Without your help, we would not have survived. You have our gratitude.”

I put my wings away and stepped forward, presenting my right hand to him. Although there was no way he would not understand the meaning of my gesture, he chose to play dumb and looked at me stupidly.

“I b’lieve ‘tis only natural to greet thy sup’rior in a fitting mann’r,” Charlotte said, spreading her wings to the side.

It took him several seconds to process the words, and the expression on his face was as though he had received a death sentence. Still, he had the determination to gingerly take my hand and press a kiss to the ring on my thumb. Although slightly, I internally praised that determination of his—he was an excellent catch.

The Kobold on his lap let out a puzzled cry—it seemed, likely to his relief, that it had not understood the meaning of the gesture.

I stepped away and silently wiped my ring with a black handkerchief. “Although I will not devalue your gratitude,” I said, “I would much prefer the negotiated rewards. Including, I suppose, the reward we have not yet decided.”

“Yes, of course,” he said after a couple of seconds of silence. He snapped his fingers, and a small group of Goblinoids entered from the doors behind Sleehekt. “Show the Witch to the mages’ quarters—let her do as she likes. Have the chefs prepare a feast for the Slime in the dining hall. Send Tekt to the sparring grounds, and take the dragon there, too. Let the Vampire do as she pleases. And then, as for the mana…”

“That mana source will do,” I said, looking over my ring to make sure it was clean.

“Mana… source?”

“Come now, let us be civil, Sleehekt. Do not play dumb. Did you think I would not notice? No Goblinoid would have mana that concentrated.”

“... I suppose there is no fooling you, Lord Astaroth,” he said, shaking his head. He took off one of his several necklaces—it was gold, and inset with a delicately engraved brown gemstone.

He tossed it to me. The Kobold followed it with its eyes. I caught it, inspected it a moment and handed it off to Lilith. “Give that back when you’re done with it,” I said.

With that, I turned back to Sleehekt.

He was noticeably less impressive. Without paying any attention to that, the Kobold was rubbing its face on his chest—if Sleehekt had been someone else, anyone else, it might have looked cute.

I repressed the urge to bury my face in my palm. “You were using a mana source just to appear more impressive?” I asked, more disbelieving than anything. I let out a sigh and, without giving him time to speak, continued talking. “Then, I believe there are two more things. -Ah, before that.”

I turned around to address my Demon Generals before they left. “Charlotte, Davna, do not kill anyone. Tempest, try to leave their minds intact—do not blow them away with knowledge. Navillus, only eat that indicated as food.”

After giving affirming reactions, Davna, Tempest and Navillus left as guided by the guards. Charlotte seemed to decide to stick around.

“Then… Let us see that Kobold you were going to give me first,” I said, turning my attention back to Sleehekt.

“Is that… alright, Lord Astaroth?” he asked, looking at Charlotte and Lilith. It seemed he still had a misunderstanding.

I shook my head. “Is there any shame in receiving a pet?” I asked, placing my emphasis with great care.

His eyes lit up with realisation—I hoped it was realisation, anyhow—as he cleared his throat. “Of, of course not. Well then.”

He clapped his hands. From the same door as earlier, a Kobold emerged—although it would be more accurate to say the poor thing was forced into the room. I gave it a good look—even among Sleehekt’s Kobolds, I had not seen one with fur as white as this, nor with eyes this black. It was actually rather cute, as far as appearances went.

It growled and snarled against whatever Goblinoid was on the other side of that door, but found itself prodded by a spear, so it reluctantly entered the room. The moment it saw Sleehekt, the darkness of a deep-rooted fear overtook its defiant expression, and it peered around the room to see who else was present, probably prompted by the unfamiliar scents. Eventually, it turned its gaze—glare would be a better word—towards me.

That face, which only an abandoned puppy could make, caused me to lose my last little bit of respect for the greedy, selfish, overindulgent goblin king before my eyes.