The news that the Amid Empire had ousted its emperor and transformed into the Amid Holy Nation, with the Great Alda Church now overseeing both faith and politics, sent shockwaves through the Orbaume Kingdom. The further announcement that this new nation would adopt Alda’s “Peaceful Faction” approach as its national policy only added to the impact.

For most of the Orbaume Kingdom’s dukes, except Duke Farzon, this shift came as a major surprise. Especially as they had been preparing to consolidate power under Vida’s influence, establish an alliance with the Vidal Demon Empire and possibly prepare for war against the Amid Empire.

The Orbaume Kingdom’s rulers were well aware that Vandalieu, and by extension, the Vidal Demon Empire, embraced Vida’s strict fundamentalism, which supported the rights of vampires, majin, and other races as people. They also knew of the longstanding and deep antagonism between Vandalieu and Heinz, the hero of the Amid Holy Nation who rallied support for Alda’s doctrine.

Yet, on the other hand, there was a possibility that Vida’s followers within the Orbaume Kingdom and new Vida races might now question, “If the Amid Holy Nation has shifted towards Alda’s “Peaceful Faction” policy, do we really need to go to war?” and start advocating for peace instead.

Another troubling aspect was the fact that Heinz, capable of incarnating the “Heroic God” Bellwood, had joined forces with the Amid Holy Nation and Alda’s divine forces, creating a concentrated military power on the enemy side. This situation caused considerable concern for the dukes, especially as their own military strength had already taken a hit, with numerous members of elite units like the “Seven Mountain Generals of Jahan” disappearing.

Yet despite the uncertainties, there were almost no voices among the dukes calling to seize this opportunity to end the age-old hostilities and seek peace. The rift between the two countries had simply grown too deep.

If, hypothetically, a powerful enemy had emerged, compelling both countries to set aside past grievances to unite, and if a god had descended, declaring a hero to lead them, things might have been different. After all, people often set aside conflicts in the face of a common enemy, even if such peace is ultimately temporary.

In fact, the “God of Law and Fate,” Alda, may have originally been aiming for something along these lines.

In reality, however, Vandalieu—who was expected to become that shared threat—had defeated the Demon King Guduranis and was now forming an alliance with the Orbaume Kingdom. The kingdom Alda had once anticipated to join forces with the Amid Empire. This reversal was likely a factor in the Amid Holy Nation’s decision.

Not everything was grim for the Orbaume Kingdom. Public sentiment remained strongly opposed to the Amid Holy Nation, and the reputation of the “Five-Colored Blades” had significantly dropped before they could take any active role in these events.

From the perspective of Orbaume’s citizens, the Amid Empire and its vassal states had always been the enemy since their nation’s founding. A mere name change to the Amid Holy Nation, or even an embrace of Alda’s “Peaceful Faction,” didn’t alter that deeply ingrained view. An enemy country remained an enemy.

Heinz and his group, who hailed from the Amid Empire, had once earned high praise and trust by continuing their work as adventurers within the Orbaume Kingdom. However, now that it seemed they’d returned to support the Amid Holy Nation, their support among Orbaume’s citizens plummeted.

Yet, there were still those who continued to defend Heinz, especially those whom he and his group had helped as part of their Alda “Peaceful Faction” efforts. Nevertheless, outside of Duke Farzon’s territory, the general reputation of Heinz and the Alda “Peaceful Faction” had undeniably declined.

Yes, within Duke Farzon’s territory, Heinz was still revered as a hero. Duke Farzon, who many expected to change his stance once it was confirmed that the “Five-Colored Blades” had joined the Amid Holy Nation, held firmly to his anti-Vidal stance.

Reports from spies sent by various ducal houses even suggested that Duke Farzon now worshipped Heinz as the true hero of modern times, chosen by Alda. It seemed that Duke Farzon was no longer acting as a statesman but as a fervent follower of Alda.

And the fact that neither spies nor the “Storms of Tyranny,” led by Schneider, could gather information indicated that there was no one in Duke Farzon’s camp who opposed him. Whether his inner circle had simply become just as fanatical as he had, or lacked the will or power to resist him, was unclear. But it seemed that external intervention—possibly even military—would be the only way to change the direction of Duke Farzon’s policies.

Meanwhile, nobles governing the eleven other ducal territories of the Orbaume Kingdom, braced themselves for what might become the first major civil conflict since their country’s founding.

<<<< ++++ >>>>

On the other hand, Vandalieu and his allies in the Vidal Demon Empire were relatively calm about the Amid Holy Nation’s transformation. While the enemy was certainly making major moves, a discussion at the royal castle in Talosheim was held to address the implications.

“In fact, I think the Amid Empire’s transformation into the Amid Holy Nation works more in our favor than against us.”

However, Vandalieu’s main body is not present, and instead, there is a familiar-type demon king that looks exactly like the main body.

Though Vandalieu himself wasn’t physically present, a Main-Body type Demon King Familiar that looked just like him, spoke in his place.

“Is that because they’ve adopted Alda’s Peaceful Faction policy? If so, I’d like to offer a counterpoint, Your Majesty,” said Chezare, who served as both general and prime minister. He understood the situation from his experience as a former member of the Legston Count family in the Mirg shield-nation. He knew that even with the name change and the adoption of the teachings of Alda’s Peaceful Faction as the national doctrine, it wouldn’t be easy to shift the views held by Amid’s territories.

“According to information from the Orbaume Kingdom, a large number of people witnessed Bellwood’s descent in the capital of the Holy Nation. His influence has made opposition to Alda’s policies rare there. But among those who didn’t witness it firsthand—particularly nobles and royalty in provincial areas, where dissatisfaction had already been brewing—the situation might be viewed as a sign of instability, prompting them to seek independence.”

Chezare’s younger brother, Kurt, who had become an undead race and married a wife from one of Vida’s new races, agreed. “I think my brother is right. Even if the Amid Holy Nation’s policy shift succeeds, I doubt it’ll hold for long—maybe five to ten years at most.”

“That all makes it advantageous for us.” Vandalieu’s familiar nodded.

The Amid Holy Nation’s shift to the Alda’s Peaceful Faction is good in itself. Those who haven’t experienced something as profound as a god’s direct descent won’t change their beliefs overnight, but at least some of Vida’s new races, who were once persecuted, now have basic legal protections.

In their daily lives, they will likely continue to face slander, discrimination in job content and wages, and such things. However, if it means they’re less likely to be suddenly kidnapped and enslaved, it’s much better than before.

For vampires, majin, and ghouls who aren’t even considered worthy of protection by the Peaceful Faction, not much changes. They’re still viewed as monsters, and the move to the Peaceful Faction doesn’t affect them. For them, it’s neither positive nor negative.

In the first place, the hidden villages of Vida’s new races have already sought asylum in the Demon Empire of Vidal thanks to the efforts of Schneider and his group.

Furthermore, the hidden villages of Vida’s races had already sought refuge in the Vidal Demon Empire, thanks to Schneider and his group. And if the current system wouldn’t last in the long term, that too worked in Vidal’s favor. The enemy nation might even collapse on its own in a few years without any intervention.

“We’ve known for some time that Amid’s gods—the forces of Alda—are gathering their military strength with the intention of using it against me. Whether Alda plans to move or Eileek takes charge, we can expect some action against us within a few years.”

“Heinz’s name isn’t mentioned—do we assume this was mainly Alda and Pope Eileek’s doing?”, Chezare asked.

To Chezare’s question, the familiar-type demon king nodded.

“Heinz wouldn’t have the power to move the Amid Empire without Bellwood’s decsent. If he had years of time, he might have been able to do something like with Duke Farzon’s territory using [Guidance], but… Or so said Tackard and Hadros.”

Vandalieu was unfamiliar with normal politics. He understood from his experience of continuous defeats in public opinion that a country cannot be moved at the whim of its rulers. However, the policies of the Demon Empire of Vidal basically move in the direction Vandalieu wants, so he had no experience of serious, intense conflicts with political opposition forces.

Therefore, he seems to have sought opinions from knowledgeable acquaintances and friends.

“Setting aside whether it’s a plus or minus that Heinz is not involved in the politics of the Amid Holy Nation and is just an idol… Your Majesty, what should we do? Should we make the first move, or wait for them to make a move?”, Kurt asked.

To Kurt’s words, the familiar-type demon king answered, “Well, well, let’s calm down. There’s no reason to rush. Let’s wait for the right moment. Until the anti-Amid and anti-Duke Farzon’s territory sentiment forms in Orbaume and war becomes inevitable, or until they make a move. I don’t know what Alda intends to do with this world, but we will continue to live in this world for hundreds and thousands of years to come, so we shouldn’t make enemies we don’t need to make.”

It would be a bad move for the Demon Empire of Vidal to invade the Amid Holy Nation or Duke Farzon’s territory without a just cause that satisfies the Orbaume Kingdom. They shouldn’t be seen as a country that invades other countries at the whim of its ruler… even if that’s partly true.

Alda might believe that even if the human population were reduced to the roughly 3,000 that remained after the victory over Demon King Guduranis—or even fewer—he could still rebuild the world over another 100,000 years once Vandalieu is defeated. Whether this is actually possible or not is unclear, but in Alda’s mind, it must be.

Vandalieu and his allies, however, don’t have the luxury of such a plan. They can’t simply disregard what happens after defeating Heinz, the Amid Holy Nation, and Alda.

For Vandalieu, defeating Heinz and Alda is a condition for pursuing his own happiness, not the goal itself. Moreover, it’s natural to consider post-war national management and diplomacy.

“As for Heinz and the ‘Five-Colored Blades’, after we crush Amid and Duke Farzon’s territory, they’ll have nowhere to run. If they attack us first, it’ll be easier to hit them there so they can’t escape.”

And to kill Heinz and his group, the situation needs to be set up. They seem to be in the capital of the Amid Holy Nation now, but it would be intolerable if Vandalieu and his group invaded and they escaped like last time.

Of course, if Aladia had been harmed when Heinz broke her Evil Eye, Vandalieu might have been storming the capital of the Amid Holy Nation by now.

Aladia’s unique Evil Eye, re-tested on the Demon Continent, had the power to survey distant lands by using the moon as an extension of her gaze. During activation, the moon transformed into a giant eye—a mere illusion created by her power. Even if attacked, the illusion would break, but Aladia herself would remain unharmed.

The range of effect is anywhere in the world where the moon is visible. The activation condition is that the moon is visible, even faintly, at the target location. It can be used on cloudy or rainy days, but in that case, Aladia can only see clouds. And the range that can be seen at once is about several tens of kilometers in diameter.

However, the illusion of a giant eye in the sky made it glaringly obvious to those below that they were being watched. Stealth was impossible with such a display.

“Well, for now, let’s focus on bolstering our military strength and deepening our alliance with the Orbaume Kingdom,” Vandalieu’s familiar advised.

“Oh, by the way… you’re set to graduate this month, right? The ceremony is coming up,” Kurt interjected.

“That’s right. Under normal circumstances, with enough credits, I’d remain enrolled until next March. It still bothers me that I couldn’t finish off Heinz back then,” Vandalieu admitted with a sigh.

He was approaching graduation from the hero preparatory school, having completed an accelerated six-month term. If things had gone as planned and he’d managed to kill Heinz and devour Bellwood’s soul, he would have stayed until March with far fewer worries.

<<<< +++++ >>>>

At that moment, while the familiar continued the meeting in the Vidal Demon Empire’s castle, Vandalieu’s main body stood in the Job Change Room, ready for another transformation.

“Select [Guide Lord]”

T/N: I was torn between Guide Leader and Guide Lord here. Without sufficient context, Guide Leader made more sense. However, after reading Luciliano’s Job Description at the end of this chapter, it made more sense to go with Lord. You’ll understand if you compare Bellwood and Vandalieu like Luciliano said. Leader would suit Bellwood, but Lord would suit Vandalieu.

<<<< You have acquired the [Ability Value Enhancement: Guiding] and [Guide Lord] skills! >>>>

<<<< The levels of [Super Strength], [Constant Mana Recovery], [Extreme Subordinate Enhancement], [Divine Poison Secretion: Fangs, Claws, Tongue], [Super Physical Ability Enhancement (Hair, Nails, Tongue, Fangs)], [Super Rapid Mana Recovery], [Increased Attack Power during Mana Cannon Activation], [Increased Vitality], [Ability Value Enhancement: Reigning], [Ability Value Enhancement: Being Worshipped], [Ability Value Enhancement: Cannibalism], [Self-Regeneration: Cannibalism], [Ability Value Enhancement during Soul Binding], [Enhanced Magic Power when Equipped with Staff], [All Ability Value Enhancement], [Annihilation], [Spirit God Magic], [Materialization], [Group Body], [Super High-speed Thought Processing], [Group Binding], [Demon King Equipment Magic], [Soul Devour], [Labyrinth Creation], [Soul Body], [Soul Limit Breakthrough] skills have increased! >>>>

As the mental announcement concluded, a sound like bones twisting and muscles tearing echoed in the room, followed by blood trickling from his eyes as capillaries burst.

“Whoa, easy there,” Vandalieu muttered.

But the blood retreated back into his body, reversing as if time itself had rewound. Not a single drop stained the floor of the Job Change Room.

It appeared that the [Guide-Lord] job truly lived up to its name, instantly boosting Vandalieu’s power by absorbing the experience gained by those under his guidance.

“So, [Ability Value Enhancement: Guiding] boosts my stats when I guide others, huh? Not bad. Now, on to the next job…”

Having completed all available guiding jobs, Vandalieu pondered his next choice.

“Alright, let’s go with [Fallen Warrior].”

<<<< +++++ >>>>

• Name: Vandalieu Ark Hillwillow Solder Zakkart

• Race: Dhampir (Mother: Goddess)

• Age: 13 years old

• Titles:

[Ghoul Emperor] [Eclipse Emperor] [Guardian of the Cultivation Villages] [Holy Son of Vida] [Scaled Emperor] [Tentacle Emperor] [Champion] [Demon King] [Oni Emperor] [Trial Conqueror] [Transgressor] [Black Blood Emperor] [Dragon Emperor] [Food Cart King] [Genius Tamer] [True Ruler of the Red-Light District] [Saint of Transformation Equipment] [Liberator of the Goddesses] [Giant Emperor] [Savior] [Demon King Slayer] [Self-Proclaimed Human] (NEW!)

• Job: Fallen Warrior

• Level: 0

• Job history:

Death-Attribute Mage, Golem Transmuter, Undead Tamer, Soul Breaker, Venom Fist User, Insect User, Tree Caster, Demon Guider, Great Demon King, Zombie Maker, Golem Creator, Corpse Demon Commander, Demon King User, Dark Guider, Labyrinth Creator, Creation Guider, Dark Physician, Disease Demon, Magic Cannoneer, Spirit Warrior, Fragment Enchanter, Dream Guider, Demon King, Demiurge, Whip Tongue Calamity, Divine Enemy, Fallen Mage, String User, Great Demon King, Vengeful Berserker, Destruction Guider, Dark King Mage, Pale Rider, Chaos Guider, Divine Guider, God Destroyer, Hollow King Mage, Divine Spirit Mage, Dungeon Master, Qliphoth, Demon Ruler, Spirit Therapist, Magic Staff Creator, Artisan: Transformation Equipment, Underworldly Divine Dark Mage, Dark Demon King, Pandemonium, Soul Fist Fighter, Vandalieu, True Demon King, Shadow Guider, Transition Guider, Spirit Guider, Guide-Lord

• Attribute Values

• Vitality: 1,284,686 + (513,874) (428,170 UP!)

• Mana: 107,376,501,237 + (107,376,501,237) (17,382,121,824 UP!)

• Strength: 740,388 + (74,038) (173,359 UP!)

• Agility: 608,913 + (60,891) (197,813 UP!)

• Stamina: 688,197 + (68,819) (156,147 UP!)

• Intelligence: 821,897 + (82,189) (234,480 UP!)

• Passive skills

Super Strength: Lv6 (UP!)

Super Rapid Regeneration: Lv10

Underworld Magic: Lv9

Status Effect Immunity Magic Resistance: Lv10

Dark Vision Alaya-Vijnana Inducement (Spirit Path Inducement merged!)

Chantless Casting Guidance: Alaya-Vijnana (Guidance: Spirit Path merged!)

Constant Mana Recovery: Lv5 (UP!)

Strengthened Followers: Lv6 (UP!)

Divine Venom Secretion: Fangs, Claws, Tongue: Lv4 (UP!)

Infinite Tongue Length Increased Attack Power while Unarmed: Medium

Super Physical Ability Strengthening (Hair, Claws, Tongue, Fangs): Lv7 (UP!)

Mana Thread Refining: Lv8 (UP!)

Increased Mana: Lv10

Super Increased Mana Recovery Rate: Lv4 (UP!)

Increased Attack Power during Magic Cannon activation: Medium (UP!)

Increased Vitality: Lv4 (UP!)

Strengthened Attribute Values: Reign: Lv7 (UP!)

Strengthened Attribute Values: Worshipped: Lv5 (UP!)

Strengthened Attribute Values: Vida’s Demon Empire: Lv7 (UP!)

Self-Regeneration: Cannibalism: Lv8 (UP!)

Strengthened Attribute Values: Cannibalism: Lv8 (UP!)

Strengthened Attribute Values when equipped with a soul: Extreme (UP!)

Murder Healing: Lv9

Self-Strengthening: Murder: Lv9

Increased Magic Power when equipped with a staff: Large (UP!)

All Attribute Value Increase: Extreme (UP!)

Strengthened Attribute Values: Guiding: Lv1 (NEW!)

• Active skills

Blood Rule: Lv9

Destruction Cannon: Lv3 (UP!)

Golem Creation: Lv4 (UP!)

Hollow King Magic: Lv4

Precise Mana Control: Lv8

Divine Spirit Technique: Lv3 (UP!)

Alchemy: Lv5

Soul Destruction Fighting Technique: Lv2

Multi-Cast: Lv10

Grotesque Magic: Lv4 (UP!)

Materialization: Lv9 (UP!)

Coordination: Lv9 (UP!)

Super High-speed Thought Processing: Lv10 (UP!)

Commanding: Lv8 (UP!)

Surgery: Lv1

Curse Technique: Lv4

Demon King’s Demon Eyes Abyss Magic: Lv8

True Demon King Artillery Technique: Lv1

Demon World Magic: Lv4 (UP!)

Transcend Limits: Fragments: Lv7

Spirit Therapy: Lv7 (UP!)

Whip Technique: Lv5

Spirit Form Transformation: Lightning Staff Technique: Lv5

High-speed Flight: Lv4

Instrument Performance: Lv4

Dancing: Lv3 (UP!)

Surpass Limits: Lv7

Unarmed Fighting Technique: Lv5

• Unique skills

God Devourer: Lv10

Grotesque Mind

Soul Devour: Lv3 (UP!)

Labyrinth Construction: Lv2 (UP!)

Demon King

Origin

Divine Enemy

Soul Devour: Lv10

Vida’s Divine Protection

Earth’s Gods’ Divine Protection

Group Thought Processing

Zantark’s Divine Protection

Group Binding Technique

Demon King’s Body: Lv9 (UP!)

Demon King’s Demon Eyes

Origin God

Ricklent’s Divine Protection

Zuruwarn’s Divine Protection

Perfect Record Technique

Soul Transcend: Lv8 (UP!)

Mutation Induction

True Demon King

Demi-God

Botin’s Divine Protection

Peria’s Divine Protection

Internal Worlds

Guide-Lord (NEW!)

• Curses

Unable to carry over previous life experience points

Unable to take existing jobs

Unable to gain experience points independently

<<<< +++++ >>>>

“Skills don’t increase with [Fallen Warrior]… Well, let’s look forward to what’s to come.”

Judging by its name, [Fallen Warrior] was probably a combat-centric job suited for frontline battles, likely boosting Vitality and Strength along with various fighting skills.

At least jobs like [Neo-Vandalieu] or [High Vandalieu] hadn’t made an appearance. That was a small mercy worth appreciating.

“Hmm… there’s still some time before the meeting. Maybe I should head over to the workshop for a bit?”, Vandalieu pondered.

<<<< +++++ >>>>

● Job Description: Spirit Guider – by Luciliano

A job that guides spirits. Unlike jobs like Destruction Guider, it doesn’t seem to lead the living towards death, but it might be difficult to influence the living due to its specialization in spirits.

It might be easier to influence those who regularly deal with spirits, such as [Spirit Mediums].

● Job Description: Guide-Lord – by Luciliano

From the name, it seems to be a job that signifies not just being a specialized guide, but rather being the lord of guidance.

It’s thought that experiencing multiple guiding-type jobs is a condition for its appearance, but it’s probably impossible for anyone other than the Master to take this job.

Another important condition might be guiding not just oneself, but other guiders or those with the potential to become guiders. In that case, Bellwood, who led the Nineload and Farmaun, would have partially met the conditions. However, considering that Bellwood didn’t become a [Guide-Lord], it seems that experiencing multiple guiding-type jobs is the more important condition.