The Silent Deity: Saiki Kusuo in Tensura

Veldora stood tall in the center of the battlefield, a massive grin stretching across his face. The ground around him was still cracked and scorched from the incredible battle that had just unfolded. Diablo floated behind him silently, arms crossed, his eyes half-lidded with that ever-present smugness. Guy Crimson's body lay limp, his armor cracked, his god-grade sword shattered, his pride utterly broken.

Veldora turned toward Diablo with laughter in his voice.

"Whew! That was AMAZING! You didn't even go all out, huh?"

Diablo simply tilted his head slightly. "There was no need. Anything more would've erased him from existence entirely."

Veldora chuckled. "And we can't have that, can we? He's still a guest."

Then, with a snap of his fingers, a vortex of wind spiraled beneath their feet. In a flash of blinding light, they were all gone from the battlefield.

In a swirl of mystical wind, Veldora, Diablo, Ultima, Carrera, Testarossa, Velzard and the unconscious Guy Crimson appeared in the heart of the royal throne room of the Storm Kingdom. The golden floors shimmered as if sensing the return of their ruler. Giant crystal pillars vibrated with energy. The air itself held a heavy, sacred weight.

Veldora raised one hand and waved lazily. "Guards."

Two armored storm knights came sprinting into the throne room, eyes wide. When they saw Guy's battered body floating, they froze.

"Take Crimson to the guest chamber,"

Veldora ordered, his voice cool but commanding. "He'll need some rest. I've healed his wounds, but… let him sleep. His ego might need longer."

"Yes, Lord Veldora!" the guards saluted and took Guy away with utmost care, like he was some kind of sacred relic.

Diablo watched in silence, his eyes glowing faintly violet. Testarossa leaned close to him and whispered with a teasing smirk, "You didn't even blink during that whole thing."

"I didn't need to," Diablo replied. "He blinked for both of us."

Suddenly, the throne room doors burst open. In came four figures—Benimaru, Shion, Hakuro, and Souei—all panting, eyes wide with disbelief. They dropped to one knee before Veldora.

"My lord!" Benimaru exclaimed. "We saw the entire thing… That power—!"

Shion shouted, "That was INSANE! I didn't even understand half of what Diablo did!"

"I've lived a long time…" Hakuro said slowly, his old eyes full of awe. "But I've never seen swordsmanship like that."

Souei remained quiet, but his voice echoed in all their minds:

"He was untouchable."

Veldora was about to reply, his mouth curling into a proud smile—when suddenly he heard Saiki's voice inside his head.

"I made sure the entire kingdom could see the fight, Veldora-sama. I set up a massive projection from the floating citadel so no one missed a second."

Veldora blinked. Then smirked. "Of course I did," he said out loud.

Benimaru "as expected of lord Veldora"

"I made sure all of you could watch," Veldora said with a booming voice, dramatically turning toward his generals. "It was important you all saw the overwhelming might of my Transcendent Generals!"

The generals nodded in amazement.

Meanwhile – Across the Storm Kingdom...

In every district, in every city, on every screen, people had gathered to watch the impossible.

The skies had been turned into a giant theater. Clouds split like curtains. Floating images showed every strike, every dodge, every terrifying display of magic and raw strength. Kids sat on rooftops. Elders stared with trembling hands. Merchants paused in their markets. All eyes were on the stormy heavens.

They had seen Guy's pride get shattered like glass. They had watched Diablo turn into a blur of destruction. They had seen what it meant to be Transcendent.

Whispers filled the air.

"That was Guy Crimson… right? THE Guy Crimson?"

"He couldn't even TOUCH him…"

"Is Diablo even… alive? Is he some kind of god?"

"Lord Veldora's army is… terrifying."

Some cheered. Some feared. But all of them understood—the Storm Kingdom was now the most powerful nation alive.

Back in the Throne Room....

Ultima leaned on the golden railing beside the throne, licking a lollipop. "So… what's next? Want me to crush a mountain or something?"

Carrera snorted. "Please, like that's impressive anymore. Diablo just broke Guy like he was made of wet paper."

Veldora took his seat on his massive black obsidian throne. He leaned his cheek against one fist and looked down at his gathered generals.

"Well… things are going to change. And soon. The world is watching. And now… it knows who stands at the top."

He raised one hand. A storm of dark lightning crackled across his palm.

Saiki looked at him and was "Yare yare..so dramatic"

Velzard sat quietly at the long, glowing crystalwood table, her white-silver hair gently catching the soft golden lights hanging from the dining room's enchanted chandelier. Her crimson eyes were distant. Though the dining hall buzzed with chatter and laughter, her mind was somewhere else — deep in the memory of the battle that had just taken place. Diablo, the one named directly by Veldora, had displayed a level of power and precision that shook her to her core.

She was a True Dragon. Strength was part of her identity — absolute, peerless, unmatched. And yet... what she had witnessed in that fight had made her stomach twist with something unfamiliar.

"Was that... fear?" she thought, fingers gently tapping the base of her wine goblet. Her pride didn't want to admit it, but her instincts screamed it: Diablo had danced with power beyond what any Demon Lord should possess. No, not danced — commanded it. And the strangest part was how calm he had been.

As the meal was getting started — roasted thunderbeast, golden herb stew, levitating fruit platters, and an entire table lined with dishes only found in the inner sanctums of the Storm Kingdom — one of the guards cautiously entered the room.

He stood straight, cleared his throat, and bowed. "My Lord Veldora. Lord Guy Crimson has regained consciousness."

A flicker of interest sparked in Velzard's eyes, but she still didn't speak.

Veldora, seated at the head of the table like a benevolent emperor, his storm-gray cape draped dramatically over one side of the obsidian throne-chair, gave a nod. His expression was wise, collected, confident — very much in line with his self-adopted Ainz Ooal Gown persona. He lifted one hand and, with theatrical flair, said, "Bring him. No warrior of dignity should dine alone, especially after tasting the abyss."

The guard bowed again and left quickly.

High above the dining hall, floating in a relaxed, sideways position, was Saiki. Invisible to all but Veldora and Testarossa, he popped another spoonful of coffee jelly into his mouth with a satisfied hum.

"Humans and monsters sure get dramatic about dinner," Saiki muttered to himself. "But I can't lie. This jelly's the real deal."

Back in the guest room, Guy Crimson had just opened his eyes. His body felt oddly light, though there was a faint tingling in his limbs. He blinked a few times, letting the unfamiliar ceiling above him settle in.

"Where...?" he started, then sat up slowly.

That's when it hit him.

Boom — the memory of the black flame.

Crack — the reality-ripping pressure.

Snap — the moment he knew… he lost.

His crimson eyes narrowed as his pride stung. "I actually lost... ?" he muttered.

Just then, another guard knocked and entered. "Lord Crimson, His Majesty Veldora requests your presence in the dining hall. He insists you join them."

Guy hesitated. He didn't feel humiliated, not exactly. But the weight of being defeated... it was new. He stood slowly, stretched, and followed the guard down the grand corridors, past flowing banners of dark blue and gold — the colors of the Storm Kingdom.

When he stepped into the dining room, everyone turned. The table was long and royal. Veldora sat at the far end, one leg crossed over the other, hands folded together like a tactician with too many plans in motion.

Velzard glanced at him, her usual icy look replaced with curiosity.

Benimaru, leaning back casually with a mug of fire ale, gave a nod. "Yo. Look who's back."

Shion grinned. "Glad you're alive. Would've been a shame if Diablo burned you into dust."

Hakuro, ever poised, offered a respectful nod. "A warrior grows with every battle, Lord Crimson."

Souei remained silent, watching with calm eyes.

Rigurd, on the other hand, clapped excitedly. "Ah! Lord Guy, please, please sit! You must be starving!"

Veldora raised a hand, and all voices quieted instantly. His voice echoed calmly through the chamber. "Welcome back, Guy Crimson. Your body is healed, but tell me—how fares your pride?"

Guy gave a slight smirk and walked to the table. "Still sore. But intact."

"Good," Veldora said with a chuckle. "There is no shame in being struck down by one who walks the path of transcendence."

He gestured to the seat prepared next to Velzard. "Please, sit. Eat. Let the taste of this feast mend more than wounds."

Guy took his seat, and as he did, Shuna entered gracefully with a tray of sizzling meats, spiced rice, golden vegetables, and a tall glass of icy blue nectar. She set it in front of him with a gentle bow. "Please enjoy, Lord Crimson."

Guy inhaled. The aroma alone nearly made him forget about the flames Diablo had rained upon him.

He took a bite. Then another.

His eyes widened.

"Wait... what is this?" he asked, blinking.

Shuna giggled softly. "It's Sky Phoenix. Marinated for two days in thunder honey and seared with windblades."

"This... this tastes like redemption," Guy muttered.

Everyone laughed, even Velzard cracked a faint smile.

Veldora took a slow sip from his goblet and began speaking, his tone deep and calm. "What you witnessed today, Guy, is merely the surface of what it means to transcend the limitations of form. Diablo, being named by me, no longer walks the path of mortals or even Demon Lords. He is a being of my design, and through him, a glimpse of true cosmic authority."

Guy didn't respond immediately. He simply ate, listened, thought.

Benimaru leaned forward. "You went head-to-head with him and survived. That's something most would never be able to claim."

Souei added, "You were reckless... but brave."

Hakuro nodded. "And through that defeat, perhaps you learned something even more valuable than victory."

There was a pause. Then, Veldora broke it with his theatrical voice again. "A defeat not fatal is simply another path to wisdom!"

Guy rolled his eyes but smirked. "You're awfully poetic for a dragon."

Veldora put a hand to his chest with pride. "I am more than a dragon, Guy Crimson. I am the Grand Sovereign of the Storm Kingdom. Philosopher. Strategist. And now... culinary critic."

Saiki floated above, groaning. "Oh brother…"

Velzard, finally speaking after being silent for so long, turned to Guy. "Your fight was... illuminating. Even I felt that pressure."

Guy looked at her. "You? The Ice Empress?"

She nodded slowly. "There's something different about those Transcendent demons. They aren't just stronger. They're... beyond."

Everyone grew quiet for a moment.

Then Veldora clapped. "Enough heavy talk!

Tonight is a celebration — not of victory or defeat, but of unity. Of the power that binds this kingdom together."

Shion raised her glass. "To the Storm Kingdom!"

Benimaru grinned. "To the Transcendent!"

Rigurd shouted, "To Lord Veldora!"

They all clinked their glasses. Even Guy joined in.

Above them, Saiki took another spoonful of coffee jelly and whispered with a smile, "To quiet meals... and loud dragons."

And so the night continued, filled with laughter, teasing, and more food than anyone could reasonably eat. For one night, at least, the weight of power and battles was set aside — and all that remained was the warmth of strange new friendships and the storm that protected them all.