T/N: Apologies for the late chapter—debugging has turned my life into a tech-themed Wonderland. Picture me chasing error messages instead of white rabbits! 🐇💻 Thanks for your patience!

Special thanks to these amazing contributors:
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And extra-special thanks to:
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From the Author: Shiro

Asagi and his companions greeted Pluto and Mari with clear astonishment. Pluto now appeared in the same human form she had in “Origin,” a stark contrast to the last time they had reunited in this world. Meanwhile, Mari, who had been in her thirties in “Origin,” now looked like a fifteen-year-old. Though they had heard that Mari had joined Vandalieu’s group, seeing her in person for the first time, with such a youthful appearance, only deepened their surprise.

Pluto broke the silence. “Let’s save the catching up for after I explain the reply. I don’t have much to discuss, but Mari probably does, right?”

“I know. But first, I need to apologize.”

Mari gave a light bow, her expression unexpectedly apologetic. “Sorry, you three.”

Both Tendou and Shouko exchanged puzzled looks, while Asagi voiced their collective confusion. “Wait, why are you apologizing?”

“If anyone should apologize, it’s us. We didn’t realize we were being used by Rikudou until it was too late,” Tendou admitted.

Mari shook her head with a faint smile. “It’s not about ‘Origin.’ It’s about now. You’ve been in Orbaume, and I’ve known about it. But I didn’t reach out to you. Not because I didn’t care, but because, well… I knew it would turn into a mess.”

“A mess?” Shouko tilted her head, her curiosity piqued.

Mari nodded. “You know, the kind where you’d say something like, ‘Since you’re with Vandalieu, can’t you convince him?’ Or maybe, ‘Why did you join Kanako’s side!?’ I just didn’t want to deal with that.”

Shouko sighed and gave Mari a wry smile as Mari responded by mimicking Asagi’s voice and manner using her [Metamorph] skill to alter her vocal cords. “So you don’t actually feel sorry at all, huh?”

Mari straightened and returned to her normal voice. “Look, I just think it’d help if we could drop all the baggage from our past lives and just focus on what’s ahead.”

Personally, Mari held nothing against Tendou, Shouko, or even Asagi. Back when they were the “Bravers”, she had found Asagi’s enthusiasm annoying and tiresome at times. She had memories of being exasperated by him. But that was all.

He was just an overly enthusiastic comrade. Or colleague, or fellow warrior. While she had never considered him a close friend, she had never hated him either.

Though currently, he was becoming quite the headache for Vandalieu, which was unfortunate. However, if this meeting could resolve things peacefully, that would be for the best.

As for Tendou and Shouko, she had never had deep enough interactions with them to harbor any ill feelings.

Even their failure to save her from Rikudou… well, that was true of all the other Bravers too. So she held no particular grievance about it.

“By the way,” Mari added, “Kanako and her group aren’t here for a reason. They said their presence would guarantee conflict. And even if it didn’t, they were worried you’d claim later that Kanako used her [Venus] ability to manipulate your memories and emotions to make you agree with him. If that happened, Vandalieu would get seriously mad, and Tendou, Shouko, and even Duke Birgitt would end up caught in the fallout. So, they decided to sit this one out.”

“H-Hey, I wouldn’t go that far—” Asagi tried to defend himself.

“Asagi, it means you’re so untrustworthy that people think you might say such things,” Tendou interrupted bluntly.

Before Asagi could respond, Shouko decided to steer the conversation back on track. “What about the reply to the letter? Let’s focus on that.”

Asagi’s letter had detailed several concerns he felt, why he felt them, and what he thought should be done about them.

Pluto pulled a letter from her pocket and held it up. “Let’s get to the main point.”

The letter was from Vandalieu himself, written in response to the concerns and suggestions Asagi had sent. Pluto unfolded the paper and began reading it aloud.

“To Asagi Minami: Regarding your various questions, doubts, and requests about our nation’s policies… we have absolutely no obligation to answer any of them.”

“What!?” Asagi’s voice rose in disbelief, his eyes widening. This was not the response he had expected. He had expected a softer response, especially since Mari and the others had come to explain it, but…

Tendou and Shouko exchanged knowing glances. They had anticipated this kind of reaction from Asagi, and neither seemed particularly surprised.

Pluto continued reading, her tone steady and calm. “Because you are neither a civil servant nor a military officer serving our nation, and certainly not a citizen. You are merely an adventurer from another country, even if we maintain friendly relations. We cannot explain to such a person our nation’s future policies, measures, or plans.”

Indeed, as Pluto’s reading made clear, to Emperor Vandalieu of the Demon Empire of Vidal, Asagi was merely a foreign adventurer. There was no reason to share state secrets with someone of his status.

Mari leaned against the table, her expression casual but her words cutting. “Asagi, nations in this world don’t have PR departments or spokespeople. And in a world where human rights aren’t even a proper concept, the idea of a ‘right to information’ doesn’t exist. If you want that level of access, you’d need to become a diplomat for one of the duchies… and let’s be honest, you’re not cut out for that.”

Asagi’s jaw tightened. “But as someone who was reincarnated from ‘Earth’ and ‘Origin’ like him, there are things I want him to hear—”

Even after hearing the message relayed by Pluto and Mari’s explanation, Asagi seemed unable to accept this rejection. However, Vandalieu had anticipated this reaction.

Pluto raised her voice slightly, cutting him off. “However, since you likely won’t be satisfied with no response at all, I will provide a special answer. Note that this information should stay within this room. If I determine that you and your companions have spread this information, appropriate measures will be taken.”

As Pluto continued reading, Asagi’s face lit up with hope. Meanwhile, Tendou and Shouko wore matching expressions of unease. Whatever this “special answer” was, they had a feeling it would be better left unknown.

Pluto’s voice remained steady as she read Vandalieu’s response aloud. “First, regarding your question about whether I aim for world domination: I am not pursuing conquest through military force, economic invasion, or religious infiltration. None of these are my goals or even considerations.”

Pausing briefly, she added with a touch of her own perspective, “And I can personally vouch for that.”

Mari, leaning back with a relaxed expression, chimed in. “I can vouch for that too. Asagi, you seem suspicious, but Vandalieu becoming the ruler of a superpower was mostly circumstantial.”

Asagi’s brows furrowed, his unease palpable. The idea that Vandalieu might aim for global domination wasn’t just his personal suspicion—it was a concern that many nobles in the Orbaume Kingdom likely shared. In the Holy Nation of Amid, it was practically propaganda. Their leaders had long warned citizens that “Vandalieu intends to envelope the world in his darkness.”

Despite the growing fears surrounding him, Vandalieu himself had no such ambitions. His rise to power was largely a result of circumstances beyond his control. The decision to reveal his identity to the Orbaume Kingdom, for instance, was triggered by Rikudou’s schemes—an unexpected accident rather than a calculated move.

His previous actions weren’t aimed at becoming a ruler or expanding territory either. While he sought some wealth and social status to pursue his goal of personal happiness, he would have been satisfied with becoming an honorary noble.

Mari, sensing Asagi’s skepticism, spoke up again. “If you don’t believe me, I can explain the circumstances. I’ve heard all about them, and I’ve got permission to disclose the details.”

Asagi’s hands clenched into fists, frustration evident in his voice. “Even if it was circumstantial, acquiring such power couldn’t have been just coincidence! Nobody would struggle if defeating Demon Kings was that easy!”

Asagi’s argument had some merit, but Pluto wasn’t going to let it stand unchallenged.

“If we’re talking about how Vandalieu gained his power,” she began, her tone measured but firm, “it was all because of Rodcorte. If that fool hadn’t mistakenly given Vandalieu’s share of abilities, magic aptitudes, and even luck to Amemiya Hiroto when Vandalieu reincarnated from ‘Earth’ to ‘Origin,’ he would have turned out as someone entirely different.”

Asagi’s face twisted in frustration, but he couldn’t form a counterargument. He could only let out a groan of defeat as silence enveloped the room.

After reincarnating into “Lambda,” Vandalieu endured the loss of his mother, Darcia, while still an infant. He survived, became the Ghoul King, defeated Noble Orcs, restored Talosheim, and achieved victory after victory. His death-attribute magic and boundless mana were critical to his success, though his determination and effort were also undeniable factors.

That’s why he reached his current position not by design but by circumstance, refusing to abandon those he didn’t want to abandon out of his kindness and goodwill, protecting what he wanted to protect, and crushing those he found detestable.

While Vida’s Divine Protection removing his growth limits played a big part, it’s undeniable that Rodcorte’s mistake was what triggered everything.

If Rodcorte had done his job properly—if Vandalieu had received his own aptitudes and abilities—he wouldn’t have been sold off to a military research lab as a child. He wouldn’t have awakened to death-attribute magic, and his mana would’ve stayed within reasonable limits. His entire trajectory would’ve been different.

“In fact,” Pluto added, “if the soul fragments of Zakkart and others that were shattered by the Demon King Guduranis hadn’t been forcefully pieced together into one soul, he wouldn’t even have existed… but well, even without going that far back, if Rodcorte had done things properly when giving out abilities to the reincarnated, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

Without death-attribute magic being discovered in “Origin,” Pluto and the others would have avoided the death-attribute experiments, though they might have faced other forms of research.

Rikudou Hijiri, while not fixating on death-attribute magic, would have undoubtedly pursued different schemes.

As for Mari, after avenging herself against Kaito Kanata, she likely would have lived out her days in a special detention facility—but at least she would have escaped Rikudou’s manipulation.

Vandalieu himself might still be living in the world of “Origin” as Amamiya Hiroto.

T/N: Yes, I’m saying it again because it’s that important: Vandalieu is Amamiya Hiroto with an “a,” and the Bravers’ leader is Amemiya Hiroto with an “e.” Think of it like this—A is for “amazing death magic,” and E is for “eh, leadership skills.” Hopefully, this keeps things clear and prevents anyone from mixing up two completely different Hirotos! 😄

This means Darcia wouldn’t have been resurrected, and her son inhabited by a different soul would be dead, Zadiris and the other Ghouls would have died of old age or been defeated by Bugogan of the Noble Orcs, Talosheim would still be in ruins, and the Princess Levia and others would still be wandering as ghosts in the basement of Nineroad Castle in the Hartner Duchy. Furthermore, the “Evil God of Joyful Life” Hihiryushukaka and his evil god cult vampire organization would still be active, and the forces worshipping the “Evil God of Release” Ravovifard might have controlled the inside of the Boundary Mountain Range.

Scylla in the Sauron Duchy would have been used by the resistance, and in the Alcrem Duchy, the “Evil God of Cannibalism and Pillaging” Zerzoregin would have continued lurking, eventually causing disaster.

So you could say that Rodcorte’s mistake had a huge impact on the world.

“But let’s be clear,” Pluto said, her gaze firm. “We’re not thankful to Rodcorte. He didn’t intentionally take on the role of being hated or give trials to Vandalieu out of some grand design. He just screwed up. The one who deserves the credit, the one who’s truly great, is Vandalieu for overcoming those trials.”

Though Pluto refers to Vandalieu without honorifics because he prefers it that way, she still worships him. Her eyes clearly showed her intention to praise him as she made this declaration.

Her words unsettled Asagi. To him, her unwavering faith in Vandalieu seemed dangerous. But even he couldn’t deny that she and Mari were right. The realization that he himself—someone claiming to be Vandalieu’s companion—had done nothing to help him through those trials left him with nothing to say in return.

The silence stretched on for a bit until Mari chimed in. “Pluto, since Asagi seems to have accepted that Vandalieu isn’t intentionally increasing his presence in the world, let’s move on to the next point.”

Pluto nodded. “Right. The next question is about whether we plan to keep spreading magic items made with death-attribute magic and [Demon King’s fragments], and the answer is yes.”.

Asagi’s hands clenched into fists. “Wait a second! I can understand prosthetics and transformation equipment—that’s fine. But the Blood Potions and V-Cream? Are you seriously going to tell me there are no harmful effects on the human body?”

Mari leaned forward, her tone even but firm. “If by ‘harm’ you mean ‘influence,’ then yes, there are effects. Guided humans transform into Abyssal Humans, Dwarves become Dverg, and Beast-people become Abyssal Beast-people.”

T/N: I’m sticking with “Abyssal” here instead of “Netherworld” or “Dark” to match previous translations. A big shout-out to the eagle-eyed fan who caught this inconsistency earlier—your feedback has officially kept this translation out of the abyss! (Sorry for the dad jokes; they’re abyss-mal. I’ll stop now… probably.) 😛

Asagi’s expression darkened as Mari elaborated on the transformations, his unease palpable. To him, it must have seemed as though Vandalieu was turning people into mutants and brainwashing them into unwavering loyalty under the guise of offering miraculous potions and creams.

Tendou interjected, his tone calm but insistent. “You’ve got it backward, Asagi. Listen carefully—people don’t mutate and then become guided. People who are already guided by Vandalieu experience the transformations because of the medicines’ effects. For everyone else, they’re just ordinary medicine.”

“Besides, even if species change… in this world, especially in a society with many of Vida’s new races, it shouldn’t be that much of an issue.” Shouko added.

Shouko followed up, her voice steady and logical. “And even if someone’s species changes, it’s not as alarming as you think. In a world like this, where so many of Vida’s new races exist, such changes aren’t exactly disruptive.”

Asagi opened his mouth to retort, but Tendou cut him off, his expression unyielding. “Asagi, this isn’t Earth or Origin. You’re projecting human societal fears onto a world that doesn’t work the same way.”

“But immortality—if people become ageless, it’ll lead to chaos eventually! Even if it seems manageable now, what happens to countries and society in the future?” Asagi pressed, his voice rising.

Shouko sighed, meeting Asagi’s heated gaze. “Sure, immortality might have been a huge issue on Earth or Origin. Those worlds only had humans, with systems built exclusively for humans. But Lambda is different. Here, Dwarves and Beast-people live about 200 years. Ghouls and Giants can live 300. Elves live 500, and Dark Elves up to a thousand. From a human perspective, isn’t that not so different from being ageless?”

As Shouko explained, Lambda is a world where many races naturally live longer than humans on Earth. In this context, humans gaining immortality and living for centuries or millennia wouldn’t create such a dramatic societal shift.

Additionally, when transforming into Abyssal races, fertility tends to decrease. It’s not like a couple can continue having hundreds of children over hundreds of years.

Tendou nodded, his tone matter-of-fact. “Besides, Majin and Vampires were already immortal to begin with. Sure, population explosion might happen in the future, but that’s hundreds of years away. If we work on predicting and solving potential problems from now, we might find solutions by then.”

Asagi shook his head, his frustration mounting. “You’re just kicking the can down the road. What happens when the population explodes centuries from now?”

Shouko shrugged, undeterred. “We’re not ignoring the problem. Working consistently toward a solution isn’t ‘kicking the can’—it’s called being proactive.”

Pluto watched with surprise as Tendou and Shokou actively tried to convince and calm down Asagi, who was concerned about Vandalieu’s actions and their impact based on Earth and Origin’s human values. She had expected them to act as mediators but hadn’t thought they would go so far as to argue against him.

Meanwhile, Vandalieu himself wasn’t overly preoccupied with the long-term implications Asagi worried about. For now, he thinks that if they cultivate the habitable parts of the Demon King’s Continent and the still uninhabitable parts of the Magic Continent, it could support tens of billions of people. By creating dungeons and using them as residential areas, even two or three hundred billion might be possible.

For anything beyond that, his only vague thought is, “Well, perhaps we’ll cultivate space as well.”

Considering Vandalieu’s recent feat of moving mountain ranges, he might be capable of terraforming planets for colonization within a few centuries.

Still, population growth wasn’t guaranteed. Birth rates could drop just as easily as they could rise—a phenomenon Mari knew had been a real issue in her time on Earth.

In fact, on Earth, even in developed countries besides Japan, declining birth rates were already a social problem during Mari’s time.

“Well, since Asagi seems convinced, let’s move on to the next question—or rather, Vandalieu’s response to Asagi’s request…”

After watching Asagi fall silent, gently talked down by the two, Pluto picked up the letter and began reading it aloud again. “Questions or requests that treat Kanako as a threat are deemed to have no value or reason to answer. Case closed… or so he said,” she concluded, her tone flat but with a subtle finality.

Asagi bristled immediately, leaning forward in protest. “Just as I thought! But if things get inconvenient for her—”

“You mean she’ll betray us, right?” Pluto interrupted, cutting through his words like a blade. “Don’t worry. Nothing’s going to be inconvenient for Kanako for the next thousand years. And even if Kanako were to betray someone, it would be Vandalieu, not you. It has nothing to do with you, so stay out of it.”

T/N: Asagi’s life motto this chapter: “I try to speak, therefore I’m interrupted.” The guy just can’t catch a break—whether you pity him or not is totally up to you though! 😂

Pluto’s words were pointed, leaving no room for debate. To her and the rest of Legion’s personalities, the idea of Kanako betraying Vandalieu was absurd. Even if they entertained the notion, it was unrealistic.

However, no matter how much they explained, Asagi wouldn’t believe them. After all, Kanako had betrayed them once before, and that was all that mattered to him.

Kanako herself had once remarked, “Asagi will never trust me anyway, so why bother earning his trust? Just tell him that even if I did betray Van, it wouldn’t affect him at all.”

And she wasn’t wrong. Asagi, who wasn’t even a citizen of the Demon Empire of Vidal, wouldn’t suffer any consequences from such a betrayal. This wasn’t “Origin”; this was “Lambda.” There were no laws here to punish crimes committed in previous lives, nor courts to judge them. He had no evidence or right to interfere. As long as he’s defined as an outsider by Vandalieu, Asagi has no right to interfere.

Asagi, refusing to concede, shifted to another topic from his letter. “Then what about Zakkart Street? That’s part of the Orbaume Kingdom! I should have a right to speak about that.”

He seemed to genuinely think he had a point this time. After all, what was once a slum had been revitalized into the thriving Zakkart Street. Even he admitted that was a good thing. But what troubled him was the nature of its new residents—the resurrected Demons and Undead—who openly praised Vandalieu, built temples in his honor, and erected statues of him.

Asagi couldn’t help but feel alarmed at how Vandalieu seemed to increase his supporters by pseudo-reincarnating the dead.

“And about the Demon King Familiars,” Asagi pressed, his voice sharp. “When Rikudou caused that incident, I realized something—the Demon King Familiars are and aren’t clones. They’re Vandalieu’s terminals, aren’t they?”

Pluto tilted her head slightly, her expression unbothered. “Hm? Yes, that’s right. But what about it?”

“What do you mean ‘what about it’? If he’s releasing Demon King Familiars throughout the city, he can monitor everything! Don’t you find that frightening?”

Pluto blinked at him, genuinely puzzled. “Sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”

She turned to the others for help. “Does anyone else understand?”

“Nope,” Ghost replied, his voice calm.

“Not at all,” Baba Yaga chimed in, shaking her head.

“Hahaha! It’s incomprehensible and unsettling!” Valkyrie added with a boisterous laugh.

“What about you, Hitomi?” Shade asked.

“Even as a reincarnator, I don’t understand either.” said Hitomi.

One by one, Legion’s personalities dismissed Asagi’s concerns. To them, being “watched over” by Vandalieu wasn’t an issue. After all, wasn’t it common for people to pray, “Please watch over us”? To gods, ancestors, or lost loved ones? Why should it be different with Vandalieu, who was practically a living god?

Of course, the Legion’s personalities understand that there are people who don’t worship Vandalieu as a god. However, they had never considered it problematic for such people to be watched over by Vandalieu.

In “Origin,” people were under constant surveillance, but except for a few cases like themselves, nobody even paid it any mind.

Security cameras, surveillance cameras, cameras on personal mobile devices, dash cams, cameras mounted on familiars and golems, and satellites. Thanks to all that, they had suffered quite a bit during their time in the “Origin” world.

In reality, none of the people in Talosheim feel any resistance or stress about being watched over by Demon King Familiars. Those who are used to them even use them as substitutes for phones, media devices, and gaming consoles.

When someone wanted to send a message to a friend, they would simply tell a nearby Demon King Familiar. That Familiar would then relay the message to another Familiar near the recipient.

T/N: I can’t get over how incredibly modern this feels! Vandalieu has basically turned himself into the Google of Lambda—Demon King Familiars are the ultimate all-in-one devices. Need to text a friend? Just tell a nearby Familiar. Want to catch up on the latest news? Same Familiar. Bored and need some gaming? Yep, Demon King Familiar. Who needs medieval fantasy vibes when you’ve got Talosheim out here living its best tech-savvy life?

The Demon King Familiars were not just surveillance tools; in Talosheim, they had become indispensable to daily life. If you wanted to know about the best restaurants or the latest events, you could just ask one, and it would deliver all the information you needed.

Feeling bored? A Demon King Familiar could play games with you—though for some reason, they’re weak at board games, so you can easily win against them.

The people of Talosheim are so familiar with the Demon King Familiars that the Legion thinks they might be a bit too dependent on them. If Asagi were to launch a campaign to abolish Demon King Familiars in Talosheim, he would face complete rejection from the citizens, and in some cases, it might even lead to violence with the more hot-blooded citizens.

Even so, Asagi persisted in calling them dangerous, a stance that completely baffled Legion.

Meanwhile, Asagi was surprised that Legion, which includes the former Bravers member Minuma Hitomi among its personalities, couldn’t understand. However, before he could say anything, Mari cut in, her tone calm and analytical. “So basically, Asagi is concerned about Vandalieu increasing his number of absolute supporters who will back him regardless of his policies or statements. And he’s trying to say it’s dangerous that information which on Earth would be managed separately by different companies, organizations, and individuals through security cameras and mobile phone cameras, is being managed by Vandalieu alone, who controls the nation. Is that right?”

Mari, who like Asagi was a former ordinary student reincarnated from Earth, understood what he was trying to say.

From Vandalieu’s actions, he feared this would become a dystopia with a strong surveillance system under a dictator.

In fact, when Mari first saw Talosheim filled with Demon King Familiars, she too had felt it seemed somewhat dystopian.

This was probably a danger that not only Legion, but most inhabitants of this world who had never experienced an information society, wouldn’t even think of. And Vandalieu himself probably wouldn’t be able to explain it well if asked.

Asagi’s face lit up with recognition. “Exactly! You get it, Mari!”

“Yes, I do,” Mari acknowledged, but her expression remained neutral. “But don’t worry. That’s not going to happen with Vandalieu.”

Asagi’s brow furrowed. “Are you saying Vandalieu wouldn’t do such things?”

“No,” Mari replied, her voice steady. “I’m saying he couldn’t. The circumstances here are fundamentally different.”

Vandalieu had no intention of creating fanatical followers or spying on his citizens. His supporters were fervent not because he sought their loyalty but because of the help he had offered them—often small acts of kindness that transformed their lives. Their devotion was a natural result of gratitude, not coercion.

As for surveillance, it started with surveillance golems and undead that were installed to protect companions from intruders. And even after becoming king of Talosheim, Vandalieu continued to interact casually with citizens. That’s why when he acquired the [Perfect Record Technique] skill, he recorded all citizens’ names and faces.

And then he proceeded to deploy Demon King Familiars throughout Talosheim, which could respond more quickly than golems and undead.

“So you’re saying he won’t become a dictator?” Asagi pressed.

“He doesn’t need to do such things in the first place, so it’s fine.” Mari assured Asagi, who still seemed unconvinced after hearing her explanation.

Even without monitoring citizens, Vandalieu won’t face rebellion or coups. This is because Talosheim’s urban functions are almost entirely dependent on Vandalieu. Even Mari and Mei, who can use death-attribute magic, could do the same things, but they could never manage the required magical energy.

Moreover, the absolute supporters that Asagi fears won’t acknowledge any ruler other than Vandalieu. They are far more fanatical than Asagi realizes.

Pluto, who had been waiting for a moment to interject, finally spoke up. “We don’t need to read the letter’s response, right? Mari’s explanation was easier to understand. And as for the answer to the final question… we have no intention of creating a democratic nation.”

Asagi, shaped by the values of peaceful Japan on Earth, believes that a democratic nation protecting human rights is the ideal form of government. He thinks all nations in Lambda should evolve toward this model, and that Vandalieu, given his powerful position, has a responsibility to make this transformation happen.

But Pluto dashed those hopes as she read from the letter. “Because I have no intention of becoming a dictator. Or so he says.”

However, in a nation ruled by Vandalieu, democracy itself could become a dictatorial system.

This is because the citizens support Vandalieu so strongly that they would build giant statues of him even against his strong opposition. Therefore, as long as Vandalieu runs for office, they would vote for him unconditionally. In fact, there might not even be any candidates other than Vandalieu.

One might think the solution would be for Vandalieu not to run, but that’s not the case either. Any candidates would appeal to citizens based on how well they understand Vandalieu’s thinking and how faithfully they could carry out his desired governance.

Or perhaps the entire citizenry would simply boycott the election until Vandalieu decides to run.

T/N: I love this—imagine a world where elections aren’t about replacing the leader but begging them to stay! Vandacracy: where citizens boycott just to keep their king in office NOT to remove him. Truly iconic. 😂

In any case, to prevent the Demon Empire of Vidal from becoming a dystopia, Vandalieu must remain at the top.

When Pluto explained this, Asagi, along with Tendou and Shouko, were struck speechless, apparently not thinking it was this bad.

“Finally, a message from Vandalieu,” Pluto added. “’I don’t mind if you have opposing opinions about me. I don’t expect everyone to agree with and support me. However, to me, you are just one of many such opponents. And please conduct your opposition movement in a way that’s appropriate for this world. If you join the Alda forces in Duke Farzon’s domain, I won’t distinguish you from other enemies.’”

There are plenty of others besides Asagi who oppose what Vandalieu is trying to do. They refuse to acknowledge Kanako’s live performances as music, resist recognizing ghouls as one of Vida’s new races, and view the existence of the Zakkart street with disgust.

Asagi is merely one among these opponents—his troublesome nature alone isn’t sufficient reason for Vandalieu to target him specifically. That is, unless he chooses to join the enemy by going to Duke Farzon’s domain.

Asagi slumped back in his chair, his shoulders sagging. “…I understand. Tell Vandalieu I’ll take some time to think about what it means to act in a way that’s appropriate for this world.”

Tendou and Shouko both exhaled, their relief palpable. Perhaps this experience would help Asagi adjust to the realities of Lambda, a world so vastly different from Earth and Origin.

Asagi’s fundamental mistake lay in his choice to reincarnate as a teenager in Lambda—a world vastly different from Earth and Origin—rather than being born and raised from infancy. This decision deprived him of the chance to naturally absorb Lambda’s values. Furthermore, by limiting his companionship to fellow reincarnators Tendou and Shouko, he either failed to notice the differences between worlds or simply dismissed Lambda’s ways as incorrect.

If Asagi could overcome this mindset, it would likely ease the burdens that Tendou and Shouko bear.

But for Vandalieu, this was just one more story among countless others. As long as Asagi didn’t interfere directly, it was a story he didn’t need to concern himself with.