The Silent Deity: Saiki Kusuo in Tensura

The city in the Jura Forest was thriving.

In just a couple of months, thanks to Saiki's subtle yet godlike influence, a full-blown city had emerged from what used to be a dense and wild forest. Wide, smooth roads lined with sturdy stone bricks connected beautifully crafted buildings—shops, inns, weapon stores, training centers, and marketplaces buzzing with activity. Goblins, ogres, orcs, lizardmen, and demi-humans all coexisted under the banner of one name: Veldora.

The kingdom was alive. But to Saiki, something still felt... off.

He sat lazily in a wooden chair on the veranda of his cozy cabin, spooning coffee jelly into his mouth as Veldora strutted through the city gates below, wearing a flashy cape and loudly declaring,

"Bow before the mighty Storm Dragon, your supreme ruler—hahaha!"

Saiki blinked.

"Yare yare… Still too much like a kid in a costume."

Sure, he had already printed The Emperor's Codex into Veldora's mind—a full manual on kingly behavior, diplomacy, economics, public speaking, posture, war strategy, etc. But something about Veldora's delivery was still... well... Veldora-ish.

Too loud, too boastful, too goofy.

Saiki leaned back and thought.

"What does a real leader act like? Someone cool, intelligent, composed, tactical, with an overwhelming aura..."

Suddenly, it hit him.

"Ah… that's right… Overlord."

He snapped his fingers, and a holographic floating screen appeared above him, replaying scenes from the anime Overlord. Ainz Ooal Gown, the skeletal Sorcerer King, stood with composure, spoke with calm authority, and moved with purpose. Every word he said had weight. Every glance, meaning.

"Perfect. I'll model Veldora after him."

Without hesitation, Saiki activated his psychic powers. His eyes glowed faintly as he locked onto Veldora's mind.

Within seconds, he reconstructed Veldora's thought patterns—rewiring his inner monologue, emotional reactions, memory references, and mental behavior to mimic the style, tone, and sophistication of Ainz Ooal Gown.

But he didn't just copy. He rewrote.

Memories of childish jokes and dramatic power poses were replaced with calculated speeches and elegant strategies. Veldora's laughter became a refined smirk. His swagger transformed into graceful strides. His vocabulary expanded, and his tone lowered into something cool, commanding... majestic.

A few moments later…

Veldora stood still at the edge of the newly built plaza, the breeze gently tugging at his dark royal cape lined with deep violet and gold—something Shuna had personally crafted in honor of his kingship. His golden eyes slowly opened, calm yet piercing. His posture upright. No more over-the-top grins or exaggerated poses. No random shouting of "I AM THE STORM DRAGON!" to impress the crowd.

Something had changed. Deeply. Fundamentally.

He gazed at the developing city—stone roads neatly laid, goblins and ogres working side by side to build new homes, demi-humans guiding orcs in organizing food storage, lizardmen training recruits in the open fields. The kingdom was taking shape... and Veldora could feel it in his very core.

But this time, not with childish excitement... but pride.

"So this is what a proper nation looks like when guided by order... structure... purpose," he muttered to himself in a calm, confident voice.

Just then, Benimaru and Souei approached from the side, both of them pausing a few meters away before bowing.

"Lord Veldora," Benimaru greeted, his voice respectful. "We've just finished reviewing the barracks expansion and initial training results."

Souei, always composed, added, "Our patrols have been sweeping the perimeter. No signs of immediate threats within the forest."

Veldora turned to them slowly. His expression was unreadable—like the calculating gaze of a monarch. His tone measured and deep.

"Benimaru," he said firmly. "Report the current size and composition of our army."

Benimaru blinked once, surprised at how sharp and direct Veldora's question was.

"Yes, my lord. We currently have one thousand active fighters. Goblins form the main infantry. The ogres are training as elite units. Lizardmen are serving as scouts and tacticians, and we've begun recruitment of wyverns for aerial units."

"Excellent," Veldora nodded once. "Divide them into four battalions. Assign commanders to each, and designate an elite guard. I expect training simulations twice weekly, and a full-force drill once every ten days. Prioritize unit synergy over individual strength."

Benimaru's eyes widened slightly.

This level of command... it's like he's a war general with centuries of experience...

But all he said was, "As you command, Lord Veldora."

Veldora's golden gaze shifted to Souei.

"Souei. What is the situation regarding external observation?"

Souei replied immediately, "None have breached the inner forest so far, but we've detected several scouts hovering near the perimeter. Mostly human, some demi-human. Possible spies."

Veldora paused. Then, in a tone laced with absolute confidence:

"Identify their points of origin. I want profiles on each spy faction—Blumund, Dwargon, Eastern Empire, and any rogue organizations. Once their countries of origin are confirmed, dispatch your shadows."

"Understood?"

Souei straightened up. "Yes, my lord. I'll send agents to infiltrate and establish surveillance cells in each of those regions. We'll have ears and eyes across the Cardinal World."

"Good," Veldora nodded again, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Information is power. We will not be caught unaware... nor will we allow others to scheme behind veils."

Benimaru and Souei shared a glance.

Something was... different. This was not the Veldora who used to brag about fighting imaginary foes in his dreams or challenge lizards to see who could shout louder. This Veldora was collected. Wise. Commanding. Scary, even.

Benimaru cleared his throat.

"Forgive me, Lord Veldora... but if I may ask... have you undergone some sort of... enlightenment?"

Veldora glanced at him briefly and then returned his gaze to the horizon.

"Enlightenment... perhaps. I have simply embraced the role that fate carved for me. A king must be more than strong—he must be discerning. Tactical. Inspiring. And above all... vigilant."

His voice echoed across the plaza like a calm storm rolling in. Some nearby goblins who overheard began murmuring in awe.

"Did you hear that? He sounds so cool…"

"He's really like a king now…"

"No... more like a god."

Benimaru bowed again.

"Understood, my lord. I will carry out your orders immediately."

Souei added, "As will I. We will make the Storm Kingdom something the world has never seen before."

Veldora turned his back slowly, his cape fluttering behind him as he walked toward the castle steps with calculated grace.

"Make sure to maintain the illusion," he said telepathically to the one person no one else could see. "They must never know... the one who moves the strings behind this grand performance."

Saiki, seated quietly in the shadows of a tower, eating his favorite coffee jelly, smirked.

"Yare yare... he's really selling it now. That Ainz data patch worked better than I thought."

He took another spoonful and watched as Veldora reached the top of the stairs and turned to address the people once more. His voice rang out with clarity:

"Citizens of the Storm Kingdom—stand proud. For together, we shall shape the dawn of a new era. One where no outsider shall trample our lands again."

The crowd roared in support. Monsters of all races raised their fists, tails, wings—whatever they had—into the air, shouting Veldora's name.

Back in the shadows, Saiki wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Now that's more like it."