The Silent Deity: Saiki Kusuo in Tensura

The day had finally arrived.

The skies above the Storm Kingdom were clear, the sun casting its golden rays over the vast landscape of castles, towers, and lush greenery. The city was alive—merchants selling rare goods, kids playing with magical pets, floating carriages buzzing through the streets. The scent of fresh pastries, grilled meat, and polished stone mixed in the air. It was beautiful—almost too beautiful for a day that promised tension.

Rudra, Emperor of the Eastern Empire, stood in his grand airship alongside Velgrynd, the Crimson Flame Dragon, and three of his most loyal guards. The closer they got to the Storm Kingdom, the heavier his heart became. Despite Velgrynd's words, despite the time that had passed… deep down, Rudra didn't know what would happen.

He was going to apologize to Veldora. And that alone was already strange.

As the ship touched down near the massive gates of the Storm Kingdom, they were immediately greeted.

And by "greeted," that meant—

"W-What is that pressure…?" one of Rudra's guards gasped, dropping to a knee.

A terrifying aura surged forward like a tsunami, washing over the emperor and his entourage. The air grew heavier, the temperature dropped slightly, and for a moment it felt like time itself slowed down.

Velgrynd's eyes widened. "This… is not normal."

From the shadows of the gate, Ultima stepped forward.

She had a cold smirk on her face, her crimson eyes glowing faintly. Her long dark hair flowed like liquid night, and her presence screamed "danger."

"Welcome, Emperor Rudra… and Lady Velgrynd," she said, her voice velvety smooth but sharp like a dagger wrapped in silk. "You're expected. My Lord is waiting."

Even Velgrynd instinctively tensed. She, a True Dragon, was uneasy in Ultima's presence. Rudra could feel his heart beating hard. Not just from fear—though there was some—but because of the realization: this place had changed. No, Veldora had changed.

Ultima turned and led them through the glowing streets of the capital. Saiki, invisible, giggled silently from the rooftops. He had amplified Ultima's aura just to toy with them. A harmless prank—one that added a touch of chaos to the day.

The doors opened with a dramatic creak.

And there, at the end of a magnificent corridor of white marble and golden torches, Veldora sat upon a massive obsidian throne. His posture was regal, relaxed, confident. His golden armor gleamed, his cape flowing like it was being tugged by the wind despite no breeze being present.

His aura—amplified by Saiki—was blinding.

It wasn't just power. It was divinity. The sheer charisma he radiated made even Velgrynd unconsciously take a step back. Rudra's guards were sweating bullets.

Beside Veldora stood the rest of his council—his army of transcendent demons.

Diablo, standing calmly like a shadow of apocalypse.

Testarossa, her beauty and elegance making reality itself seem dull.

Carrera, casually flipping a coin that could level cities if dropped.

Ultima walked over and rejoined them, nodding.

Velzard was seated to Veldora's right. Dressed in a beautiful silver gown, the Ice Dragon radiated elegance and dominance. When Velgrynd saw her sister, her eyes widened with genuine shock.

"You… Velzard?" she whispered.

Velzard turned to her, a faint smile on her lips. "Sister. You've returned with company, I see."

"I didn't expect you to be here…" Velgrynd murmured.

Rudra was stunned too. Not just at Velzard's presence—but how calm, how unbothered she was. Everyone around Veldora looked like they had found purpose.

Then came the formal announcement.

"Announcing the arrival of His Majesty, Emperor Rudra of the Eastern Empire, and Lady Velgrynd!" the announcer declared.

Veldora's eyes flicked toward them.

With a slow, commanding voice, he spoke, "Welcome, Emperor. Sister. Come forth."

Rudra stepped forward, doing his best not to show nerves. Velgrynd walked beside him, staying composed.

"Veldora," she said, her tone respectful.

"Sister," Veldora replied with a nod.

Then his gaze shifted to Rudra. "So. You came."

There was silence for a few seconds. Even the air seemed to pause. Saiki chuckled invisibly, thinking now things get fun.

Rudra cleared his throat. "Yes… I did."

"Why?" Veldora asked bluntly. "Do you seek answers? Forgiveness? Or something else?"

Rudra hesitated. He could feel everyone in the room watching him. Not a single one was on his side. He was surrounded by monsters… legends.

"I came to apologize," Rudra finally said, his voice low. "For what happened. For the angels. For… acting on pride instead of reason."

He looked at Veldora in the eyes.

"I thought I was protecting my empire. But I see now… I was attacking yours. You didn't deserve that."

Velgrynd looked at Veldora nervously.

Veldora's expression didn't change. But his aura flared slightly—enough to make the floor hum.

"You allowed your ego to cloud your judgment," Veldora said calmly, but with sharpness in every word. "You declared war not because of righteousness… but because of fear."

Rudra flinched slightly.

"I forgave you the day it happened," Veldora continued. "But forgiveness is not the same as forgetting. What you tried to destroy, we rebuilt. Stronger. Greater. Without you."

The words stung. Veldora's charisma—amplified by Saiki—made every sentence feel like divine truth.

"You came here thinking I might kill you," Veldora said with a grin. "And now, standing in front of me, you realize I don't need to. You've already been broken—by your own guilt."

Rudra clenched his fists.

"I…" he began, but stopped.

Velgrynd placed a hand on his shoulder. "Rudra. Just listen."

Veldora finally stood.

His aura surged. The throne room trembled slightly, lights dimming, then flaring brighter than before.

"I don't want your apology for me," he said. "I want you to mean it for your people. For the innocent lives that suffered because of your pride."

"I do," Rudra said. "I swear I do."

Veldora smiled.

"Good. Then you may leave with your head still on your shoulders."

A tense silence. Then Testarossa giggled. Diablo gave a faint smirk. Velzard sighed as if bored. Saiki was cackling invisibly like a gremlin.

"Will you stay for dinner?" Veldora asked, his tone suddenly warmer.

Rudra blinked. "...Dinner?"

"I'm not a barbarian," Veldora said with a chuckle. "We'll eat. Then you can go back and start fixing what you broke."

Rudra exhaled deeply. Velgrynd nodded to her brother, silently mouthing thank you.

The tension had lifted—finally. After the powerful showdown of words, presence, and pride in the throne room, Rudra found himself… breathing again. Quite literally.

He chuckled quietly to himself as Veldora, now wearing a playful grin, motioned for them to follow him. "Come," the Storm Dragon said, "let us eat. No true peace can be made on an empty stomach."

Velgrynd smirked and elbowed Rudra lightly. "You looked like you were facing your own execution in there."

Rudra just sighed with relief. "Honestly… I thought I was."

Their footsteps echoed through the grand halls of the Storm Kingdom, carved with ancient draconic patterns and glowing with runes that pulsed with calm, warm energy. Saiki, walking just behind Veldora, occasionally released faint sparks of golden light that flickered like stardust across the walls. The effect made Veldora seem even grander than before. The aura around him was lighter now, yet still majestic—like a storm that had chosen to rest, but still carried the threat of thunder.

When the grand dining room doors opened, a burst of mouth-watering aromas hit them like a comforting wave. The room was spacious, with long obsidian tables, crystal chandeliers hanging like starlight, and warm lanterns that flickered gently. Shuna stood at the head of the kitchen staff, wearing her signature pink kimono and a gentle smile.

"Welcome," she said, bowing gracefully. "I hope this meal brings peace to both body and soul."

The table was adorned with steaming platters—roast beast seasoned with rare herbs, golden rice shimmering with butter, delicate pastries that seemed to glow, and drinks that sparkled in tall, jeweled glasses. Even Rudra's three personal guards, who had remained silent and composed up until now, couldn't stop their stomachs from growling.

Veldora gestured casually. "Sit. All of you. That includes the guards. No one stands while the rest eat."

The three guards froze, their eyes wide. One of them—a lean, brown-haired man—whispered to Rudra, "S-Sire…?"

Rudra blinked, glanced at Veldora who had already taken his seat at the head of the table, then nodded slowly. "He's serious. Go ahead."

Hesitant, unsure, but ultimately honored, the three guards quietly took their seats. They bowed their heads slightly toward Veldora in gratitude.

Benimaru, seated near Diablo and the Transcendent Demons—Testarossa, Carrera, and Ultima—chuckled softly. "You'll want to pace yourselves. Last time I tried to eat as fast as I wanted, I nearly passed out from how good it was."

Carrera leaned back, sipping her wine. "That's because Shuna puts magic into every dish. Literally. You'll feel like your soul's being pampered."

And she wasn't exaggerating.

After the first bite, one of Rudra's guards gasped and then let out an embarrassingly loud sigh of satisfaction. The embarrassment faded instantly though—everyone at the table was already in their own world of delicious bliss.

Even Velgrynd looked stunned, her normally sharp, composed face softening into something almost childlike. "I… This stew is incredible," she mumbled, eyes sparkling.

Velzard, sitting beside her, giggled. "You get used to it. I've been here for quite some time now."

Velgrynd turned to her sharply, blinking. "Wait, you actually live here now?"

Velzard nodded gracefully, her silver-blue hair glimmering under the chandelier. "Yes. I've grown fond of it. Peaceful, warm, chaotic in a fun way. And Veldora… well, he's not the reckless dragon we used to know."

"I'm right here," Veldora said, raising an eyebrow.

She gave him a smug smirk. "Exactly."

That got a laugh from the entire table—even Rudra cracked a smile.

Soon enough, conversation flowed like the wine. Rudra leaned back in his seat, finally feeling at ease. He looked around at the people in the room—demons, dragons, humans, even his own guards—and found something strange and comforting in the unity of it all.

Benimaru spoke up, "So, Emperor Rudra. I have to say… I'm surprised you're so calm now. Earlier, I thought you might bolt."

Rudra laughed, genuinely. "So did I. But after facing Veldora's wrath, this feast is like heaven."

Testarossa raised her glass. "To peace, then. And to dragons with good taste."

Everyone raised their glasses. Even Diablo, who rarely smiled, gave a small nod.

Then, Veldora turned toward Rudra. "You've come far, Rudra. Not just in distance—but in heart."

Rudra met his eyes, serious now. "I had to. I… I was wrong. About many things. My pride... I won't let that happen again."

Veldora nodded slowly. "Then let this be the first of many peaceful dinners."

There was a beat of silence. Then Ultima, ever the chaotic one, leaned toward Rudra with a smirk.

"So, Emperor, what do you think of our hospitality? Still scared of me?"

Rudra coughed on his drink while Velgrynd rolled her eyes. "Ultima… can't you let him enjoy his food in peace?"

Ultima giggled. "Nope."

And just like that, laughter filled the air again. Food continued to disappear. Stories were told. Friendships were renewed, and some even began.

It was more than just a dinner—it was the beginning of something new.

Something better.