The Silent Deity: Saiki Kusuo in Tensura

The Cardinal World had never seen anything like this. Not in its long, war-torn, monster-infested history. From the farthest reaches of scorching deserts to the icy peaks of the north, kings, queens, emperors, demon lords, and dragons all had their eyes locked on one location:

The Jura Forest.

A land once known for its wild monsters and chaotic magicules had now become the center of attention. And all because of one name.

Veldora.

The Storm Dragon.

Now—Storm King.

In every nation, royal preparations had begun before dawn.

In Dwargon, King Gazel Dwargo stood tall in full ceremonial armor. His entourage of dwarven elite knights rode beside him, their flying Pegasi flapping their wings in perfect formation. From above, they soared toward the distant glow of the Storm Kingdom, banners flapping in the wind.

"To build a kingdom in the Jura Forest... Only a monster of true power could achieve such a feat," Gazel muttered. "But Veldora? That old chaos dragon?"

"This is no normal kingdom…" Gazel murmured. "The wind carries reverence."

In Sarion, the elegant Queen Elmesia stood on a radiant sun-carved platform. She gracefully stepped into her crystalline carriage, pulled by four glowing deer-like spirits with magicule antlers. Her handmaids followed, wide-eyed with curiosity.

"To think, a dragon built a kingdom…" Elmesia said softly. "This I must see with my own eyes."

From the Eastern Empire, Emperor Rudra arrived not with fire or explosions—but in a sleek obsidian carriage pulled by shadow steeds, with Velgrynd, his fiery sister, walking beside it in her human form, arms crossed, eyes full of doubt.

"Rudra, are you seriously going to this?" Velgrynd scoffed.

"Of course," Rudra smirked. "I must see how that idiot brother of yours turned a jungle into a throne room."

"It still doesn't feel real…" Velgrynd whispered. "Veldora… a king?"

From the skies of the Ice Continent, Guy Crimson and Velzard descended on a crimson-ice disk that floated with eerie stillness. But just as they tried flying directly over the forest—

FWOOSH—!

An unseen force gently shifted their path. Guy raised an eyebrow.

"We're being redirected," he muttered.

"By who?" Velzard asked.

"Someone... hidden," Guy answered. "But powerful."

And only two people knew the truth.

Saiki—the one orchestrating it all—and the two souls he'd allowed to carry that secret:

Veldora and Testarossa.

No one else had the faintest clue that an unseen, all-powerful being was gently pulling the strings behind this spectacle.

As each ruler arrived, whether by flight, by beast, or by magical carriage, they were guided gently—unbeknownst to them—by Saiki's psychic will. Even flight paths were corrected midair so that every single guest entered through the front gate.

There, a sharply dressed announcer in a crisp navy uniform stood tall with a crystal staff. With every arrival, his voice boomed elegantly:

"ANNOUNCING: KING GAZEL DWARGO OF THE ARMED NATION OF DWARGON!"

"ANNOUNCING: QUEEN ELMESIA OF THE HIGH ELVEN NATION OF SARION!"

"ANNOUNCING: EMPEROR RUDRA AND LADY VELGRYND OF THE EASTERN EMPIRE!"

"ANNOUNCING: LORD GUY CRIMSON AND LADY VELZARD OF THE ICE CONTINENT!"

More leaders arrived: King Edmaris of Falmuth, Carrion of Eurazania, Leon Cromwell, Milim, Frey, Clayman, the Rosso family, even Luminous Valentine herself in disguise.

And as they stepped past the gates, each of them halted—eyes wide, jaws slack, hearts stunned.

What they saw was nothing like they imagined.

Paved silver roads shimmered under their feet, lined with ornate blue street lamps and carved murals telling the story of the kingdom. Towering buildings, clean and intricately designed, soared on both sides—some homes, some guild halls, others restaurants with sweet scents pouring from their windows.

Fountains with glowing storm-crystals, children laughing, well-dressed ogres and orcs bowing with charisma and elegance—this was not a monster city.

This was a civilization.

"They have... an opera house?" Elmesia gasped.

"That's a functioning airship dock," Leon muttered, stunned.

"Public bathhouses? Clean food stalls? Look at those soldiers… they're lined like dwarven elites," Gazel noted, stroking his beard.

Shion, wearing a diplomat uniform, greeted each ruler with grace.

"Welcome to the Storm Kingdom. Please allow our guides to escort you through the city."

Lycanthropes, dryads, evolved goblins, dwarves, centaurs, elves, beastmen, wyverns—all working together in harmony. No one was fighting. No one looked wild. It was organized, elegant… beautiful.

"The smell… what is that?" Velgrynd sniffed.

"Magicule-filtered incense, said Rudra.

"Do you smell that? That's not normal wine… that's divine vintage," said Velzard, eyes scanning the intricate wine fountains.

And the soldiers—those that stood guard along the path—they were unlike anything any kingdom had ever seen. Uniforms of royal indigo, silver trim, polished boots, emotionless discipline, and the power of magicules rippling subtly from their bodies.

"This is no rabble army," Gazel muttered. "This is… military perfection."

Even the common monsters moved with grace and discipline. Wolves sat calmly. Griffins bowed to leaders as they passed. The city smelled of spice, baked bread, fine perfume, and something none could quite place but found addicting.

Each nation's guests were greeted by royal guides, well-dressed goblins or dryads who walked them through short tours, explaining history, art, the law systems, inventions, and culture.

"We have over seventy-two species living in harmony," said one guide proudly. "Our laws are just, our security absolute, and our cuisine… unique."

After the tour, the leaders were brought to the Storm Palace, a grand white-marble citadel with glowing blue domes. Inside was the banquet hall—carved with dragon-shaped pillars, celestial chandeliers hanging high above, and a round obsidian and silver table so wide it could seat every ruler with space to spare.

The smell of food—oh, the food.

Wines that shimmered like starlight. Meats that melted on the tongue. Fruit never before seen in the world. Plates sparkled like treasures and dishes came in endless waves, all prepared under Saiki's invisible direction.

"This wine… it's not from this world," Luminous whispered.

"I've eaten royal cuisine for centuries… but this?" Velzard said, stunned.

"The dessert tastes like… dreams," Milim mumbled, her cheeks stuffed.

Clayman tried to maintain composure but was visibly sweating.

"I… I underestimated this place…"

Suddenly, a bell chimed. The room fell silent.

The announcer stepped forward again and raised his voice.

"HIS MAJESTY—VELDORA, KING OF THE STORM KINGDOM—ENTERS!"

BOOOOM.

The giant doors opened slowly. A blinding light poured in.

And in walked Veldora.

Clad in a stunning black-and-silver cloak, adorned with storm-dragon embroidery and fur from the Eternal Wyrm, Veldora walked with poise. His steps echoed like distant thunder. His golden eyes gleamed with wisdom and power.

More than his appearance—his aura had changed.

It wasn't wild. It wasn't chaotic.

It was… commanding. Composed. Regal.

"Is that… Veldora?" Velgrynd whispered in shock.

"Impossible… He looks like a god," Velzard said, wide-eyed.

"He's... changed," Milim whispered, her smile growing.

"That's charisma," Guy muttered, nodding in approval.

Veldora stopped at the center and addressed them all in a deep, calm voice—echoing with the grace and power of a true king.

He walked like a king.

Stood like a monarch.

Spoke like a legend.

"Esteemed guests, I thank you for answering my call," Veldora said, voice clear and powerful. "Today, I welcome you to the land of Storm—where past fears have become future hopes."

The room fell into silence, stunned.

"This kingdom stands as a testament to unity. From beastmen to elves, from ogres to dryads, all live under a banner of peace and order. We do not aim to dominate… but to thrive."

Velgrynd's jaw dropped.

Velzard blinked, speechless.

Milim whispered, "Woooow, is this really the Veldora I knew?"

"To those who come with peace—we open our gates. To those who come with chaos—we will meet you with the storm."

Thunder boomed softly from the high windows.

Everyone sat in stunned silence.

Velgrynd blinked rapidly.

Velzard whispered, "Is that really… Veldora?"

Guy Crimson leaned back, quietly nodding.

Milim whispered with a wide smile, "That's so cooool…"

Clayman accidentally knocked over his wine.

"Yare yare…" Saiki whispered to himself, floating invisibly in a corner with a coffee jelly. "The idiot actually pulled it off. He's… a real king now."

And so, the world now saw what had become of the Jura Forest.

Not a den of monsters…

But the heart of a new era.

An era of storm.

An era of unity.

An era… ruled by Veldora, the Storm King.