Buku made her way to the main hall to meet the Western Council. She was summoned to explain the assassination of Mariabell Rosso, the crown princess of Siltrosso, by Tempest agents, as Granbell had pinned the whole thing on the monster nation. The whole thing was a political circus with Granbell trying to usurp the UTC part operating in the Western Nations through his control over humanity's leaders.
Buku understood his real intentions. Granbell was causing another issue for Tempest by using the Western Nations. With the monster Empire being busy with internal matters, invading the human world was not an option Momonga wanted to take, and complete genocide of humanity was not a possible option. At the same time, she could not show any weakness in this meeting, as the moment she and Tempest, by extension, showed weakness, the opportunists would look for cracks to destabilize what was already considered the central superpower of the world.
On her right walked Hinata, hand on the hilt of her rapier, embracing the role of Buku's bodyguard. On her left walked Albedo and a few of her white demons. Momonga's head consort was making moves to increase her influence, and being good friends with Buku was an obvious first step. Behind the succubus, her second in command, Testarossa, moved with born grace yet somehow managed not to overshadow her superior.
Behind the procession trailed Veldora and Milim, clad in matching black suits and ties with mirror shades and slicked-back hair, going into their role as the nuclear option far too theatrically for her liking. The uncle and niece clearly enjoyed themselves as they watched the humans squirm away while Buku led them through the vast entry hall of the council building.
The surroundings screamed opulence. Statues and paintings of various heroes and political figures served as the main decoration in the brightly lit white stone hall. Pleasant fragrances filled the air, distributed by the lamps on the ceiling.
Buku walked forward confidently, befitting her status, and opened the double door leading into the meeting chamber with a loud thud, not slowing her pace until she reached the speaker's pedestal. The rest of her procession followed suit and formed a perimeter around her as she put the recording orb on the viewing table and activated it.
The particular recording showed Granbell and Maria taking Mariabell somewhere through a gate.
"This is the last time Mariabell was seen alive! I know half of you are in Granbell's pocket and accordingly do not care about your opinions. But to keep our civility, this same recording was sent to every ruler of the Western nations to refute this blatant attempt at slandering Tempest. We also sent proof that Granbell and Siltrosso have been controlling the Western Council, so some of you might lose your jobs soon." Buku spoke with authority, a slight twinge of superiority in her tone.
"This recording proves nothing. The provided proof paints this figure as an impostor, and the real crown princess was already dead." The head of the council protested.
"Fear not, good people. We will detain these monsters for proper interrogation." A youthful man in decorative armor announced as he entered the meeting chamber, followed by a taller man holding an orb with an arrogant smirk on his face.
"Prince Elric, what is this intrusion?" The head of the council asked.
"Sit down, we'll handle this. These monsters have run unchallenged far too long. They made you all fear them because Hinata lost to them. So much for humanity's strongest defender. A bootlicking failure, nothing more." The tall man pointed at Hinata with his left hand as he squeezed the orb in his right.
"You'll have your chance to prove yourself, Reiner. But let's start with proper procedure. By my right as the Crown Prince of Ingrassia, I, Prince Elric von Ingrassia, put the delegation of the Tempest Hegemony under arrest. Buku Ooal Gown, you and your attendants have one chance to surrender and come willingly."
"Just how stupid are you? By international laws, you cannot arrest foreign dignitaries." Buku retorted, her eyes narrowing on the orb.
"Those laws are only valid for members of the Council of the West. Tempest is not part of them. Reiner, target Buku." Elric ordered, his hand on the hilt of his decorative sword.
Sensing danger, Buku immediately activated her skill, targeted Reiner, and ordered Hinata. { Get that Orb! } She trusted Hinata, now a divine human, would not be put under immediate control if she touched the orb.
This was nothing more than a test and a provocation, not a serious attack. Otherwise, Ker would have empowered the pair and informed them of their danger. Yet the crown prince was a complete dunce, and Reiner showed immense arrogance. If they weren't disposable, they would not treat the whole thing so carelessly, and use an element of surprise to strike.
The man staggered, and before he could activate the weapon, Hinata had already chopped off his right hand and caught it. Reiner stumbled and then collapsed to the ground gasping, "What…you…bitch."
"Hinata, make an example of him and show everyone why death is a mercy," Buku ordered as the council members stared in mute horror. Reiner was considered the champion of Ingrassia, and for him to never even be able to react to Hinata's counterattack was a clear display of conflict not ending in humanity's favor.
Her fanatically loyal bloodhound did not hesitate. Hinata grabbed the stump of Reiner's right arm and cauterized it so he would not bleed out, and then broke his arms and legs with mechanical precision, shattering each bone with her heavy plate boots. Reiner let out a few whimpering screams and then went into shock.
Buku meanwhile approached Elric as she snapped her fingers and pointed at him. One of the white demons teleported behind the prince and pushed him to his knees.
"Let me guess, Granbell gave you a toy and told you it would be enough to stop me?" Buku asked, her voice low.
The shocked prince stared up at her, trembling, "You would not dare lay a hand on me!"
"Oh, but your actions already are a call for war. Perhaps I should let loose Veldora and Milim. Your homeland would not be the first nation they destroy." Buku leaned forward a bit, a sadistic smile appearing on her face. "You think you are a threat; that we need humanity?"
Elric grew deathly pale, his gaze falling onto the fallen champion convulsing on the floor, with the weapon given to him to stop the monsters in the hands of the traitor of humanity, Hinata.
"Where has all that bravado gone? A spoiled child soiled his panties when facing the real world?" Buku's amusement only grew.
"You…you…" Elric whimpered.
"L-let's not resort to drastic measures." The head of the council interjected, his composure crumbling under the threat of the two immensely destructive beasts being unleashed upon humanity. No politics or clever maneuvering would do anything against the existential threats that were Veldora the Storm Dragon and Milim Nava the Destroyer.
Buku ignored him and addressed the prince, who was about to faint, "So this is what will happen. You will run back to your daddy and explain that you almost destroyed your nation-" She was interrupted by doors getting opened.
A man she recognized as the King of Ingrassia entered, followed by six hooded figures oozing magical energy. "Lady Buku," the king stopped and tilted his head.
"King Aegil." Buku straightened out, turned to face him, and returned the gesture.
"Let's not resort to actions that would lead to a non-negotiable state, shall we?" The middle-aged man showed no fear and spoke in a practiced, regal manner.
"Indeed. Though I would look after my children and make sure they don't get their hands on toys beyond their understanding." Buku accepted the orb from Hinata and put it in her inventory, sensing Ker's touch. Not as strong as the sword, but still notable. Clearly, this artifact was made for a show, not a serious attack. A demonstration that she and others were not as safe as she had assumed.
"Elric, return to the castle. I will deal with you later." Aegil ordered. "I received your 'proof,' and want to clarify one thing. Ingrassia is not yours or Granbell's playground. Siltrosso is a Council of the West member, and their claims will be properly investigated."
Elric scrambled to his feet and bolted out of the meeting chamber, leaving his co-conspirator to his fate. Two of the hooded figures grabbed Reiner, showing no care about his state, and dragged the barely conscious man out of the room, leaving a trail of blood behind them.
"Is that so? It seems you want to take his side. And you can do that, but be warned. Tempest and the UTC will cease all trade with any nation that accuses Tempest of crimes we did not commit. We did not kill Princess Mariabell Rosso. We had no benefit from doing so. So think carefully about your next move. We do not need the Western Nations, but you sure as hell need us." Buku motioned for Hinata to step away from Reiner.
"True, immediate reasoning shows no gain from Tempest committing this crime, but both sides would suffer setbacks if all trade were to cease. Your rapid development would reach a standstill without human expertise, and we both know Sarion would not step in to fill the void." Aegil pointed out.
Buku shifted from one leg to the other and smiled. "Most of our population has much longer lifespans, and we can live through such setbacks. Are you prepared for your population to enter a state of partial starvation for years until the Western Nations upscale their agriculture?"
"We have our means to circumvent this issue."
"Oh, then do tell what happens now?"
"I recommend that Tempest leave one representative behind with my guarantees that no arrests will be made. We will update you about the investigation through them, and trade will proceed without interruptions." Aegil offered.
"Very well. I'll be in touch." Buku motioned for one of the white archdemons to stay, and the rest of the delegation followed her through a gate. Granbell had achieved a small victory that surely would not make Momonga happy, as the Overlord wanted to concentrate on inner matters and prepare to face whatever attack Ker was planning, instead of dealing with the pesky human politics.
"The Western Nations are in full panic mode. This might end with catastrophic losses of human life." Granbell spoke as he and Yuuki stood on the cliff overlooking the sea on the island where Yuuki resided.
"If Tempest wanted to conquer the Western Nations, they would have done so already, but they are still playing diplomats. Momonga is too busy civilizing the monsters to threaten humanity. And we achieved what she wanted. Another distraction and a seed of paranoia will help us build a new cult." Yuuki replied.
Granbell exhaled sharply. If not for Maria, who spoke about Ker as a benevolent Goddess who would ultimately help humanity, he would not have followed the plan. His wife now gave him the strength to make difficult decisions.
"We will populate the countless islands with humans. Even if it comes to the worst, humanity will prevail." Yuuki continued.
"But at what cost?"
"We both know it is when, not if, Tempest will try to subjugate all humans. Now we have made sure that the rulers understand their days are numbered; that they need to prepare. That will help us spread Ker's worship and empower them against the coming conflict. You know that the war after Momonga's death is inevitable."
"I know…"
"I will shield them to the best of my ability, but I need conduits spread throughout humanity to exercise my power. A new era of heroes will come, Granbell." Ker's translucent figure appeared between them.
Granbell chose to remain silent. His gut always warned him that something was off, but he could not figure out what exactly it warned of.
Editing by Nick L
Proofreading by fvvck, Mfkz_rocker, Alassandro, and IAMTHEPLOKOKIOPO.
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