After killing Clayman, the Walpurgis banquet resumed.
I was crowned as one of the members of the Ten Great Demon Lords.
Surprisingly, Leon interacted with me, who I thought would leave as soon as the main thing ended.
In fact, it was surprising that he even came.
"If you don't mind me asking, do you know anything about Veldora's disappearance?"
I shrugged.
"It's weird. His leaked magicules seemed to have vanished too. I think it's less of Veldora dying and more of disappearing."
Even though Veldora has strangely disappeared instead of dying, Luminous seemed tense.
"Would you allow me to take a look?"
"No."
I shot down Leon's request.
As if I would let a Demon Lord take a look at such a sensitive place.
Guy asked me, "So Apolloyon-kun, what will you do if Veldora reappeared. You may be a Demon Lord, but you can't claim the Great Jura Forest without Veldora's permission."
"I will beat him up and tame him."
He chuckled at my response. As if finding it ridiculous and arrogant.
Well, he doesn't know that I have already 'tamed' the dragon. He is just a Heart Core now which Nexis is busy analysing.
Once she is done, I will be able to mass produce True Dragons.
Anyway, we came at the discussion of territory next.
Since I killed Clayman, I claimed the Puppet Nation of Distave and its entire population.
I couldn't claim the entire Great Jura Forest yet without Veldora, but I will start expansion and getting other races and tribes under me.
"Why are you not claiming Tempest?"
"Do you know the meaning of buffer state?"
"What does it mean?"
Apparently, this world doesn't understand buffer states.
"It's to have a small country between powerful countries. This prevents border disputes and lowers the chance of war exponentially.
Not that I am against it, but it will be a relief for the human countries. This way, trade will be easier."
Leon didn't seem to believe me, and said, "There is always teleportation. Land borders don't mean much for powerful beings."
Ah. He is saying that while land borders do matter for the weak, since they can't just move their entire armies with teleportation, people stronger than armies can't be stopped by buffer states.
So it's basically just a deception for the weak.
Hmm... why is he so cautious of me? Did he get pissed that I refused him to investigate Veldora's cave?
Why does he even want to investigate it?
[Report: Analysing Elmesia's memories, Leon is searching for his childhood friend, Chloe Aubert who mysteriously vanished.]
Ohhhh! A mystery!?
Chloe Aubert is just a kid. And Leon is at the very least older than 70-80 years, since he summoned Shizu.
There is no way they can normally be childhood friends. Chloe must have been sent to the future.
Plus, there is that spiritual body from the future which inhabited Chloe in the original, and tried to kill me in this timeline.
So, there are some time shinnegans involved with Chloe.
I am curious about it, but first, I would like to be able to move in Stopped Time.
[A solution has been found. Evolve you into Digital Nature?]
Not yet. Let's do it after Walpurgis.
And Nexis, can you really evolve me like that?
[Yes.]
She sounded rather proud of it.
Anyway, back at the Walpurgis, Nexis analysed all the food and drinks, and now its possible to re-create these delicious dishes.
Guy was talking with Diablo about something, which I don't really care. Diablo will report everything later.
Rayquaza was also enjoying his food.
Leon and Luminous and her minions left without eating.
And just as I was about to ask Ramiris if she finished the car, I received an urgent message.
It wasn't thought communication. But rather, the dying words of my underling Shizu through my connection to her.
No answer came.
"Something came up. Diablo, Rayquaza, we are leaving. Milim, Dagruel, I will contact you later."
I left Walpurgis, angry at whoever the bastard is who killed my first ever underling.