With the Amid Empire dethroning its emperor and shifting to the Holy Nation of Amid, where the Great Temple of Alda now controls not just faith but politics, the Orbaume Kingdom was shaken. The Holy Nation of Amid had adopted the Alda Peaceful Faction as the nation's official stance, a change that alarmed the nobility in Orbaume.

For the dukes of Orbaume—excluding Duke Fazon, who already harbored strong anti-Vidal sentiments—this shift presented a sudden challenge. They had expected to rally the nation's Vida-aligned factions and ally with the Vidal Demon Empire in preparation for an eventual conflict with the Amid Empire.

Of course, they were aware that Vandalieu—the ruler of the Vidal Demon Empire—followed a strict Vida Fundamentalist doctrine, extending rights to vampires and demonfolk alike. They also understood the deep-seated enmity between him and Heinz, the man who now seemed to drive the people of the Holy Nation.

In contrast, within Orbaume, there was a growing sentiment among Vida followers and the new Vida races that, with Amid now following Alda’s Peaceful Faction, perhaps outright war could be avoided. Calls for peace were beginning to echo.

Furthermore, the fact that Heinz could channel the “Heroic God” Bellwood, combined with the coalition of the Holy Nation, Alda’s gods, and their temple forces, presented a daunting challenge for Orbaume. Their elite forces, including the "Seven Mountain Generals of Jahan," had already suffered significant losses, leaving them in a weakened state.

…Though some voices suggested this was an opportunity to end decades of conflict through a peace agreement, such opinions were few and far between. The divide between the two nations was too deep to easily bridge.

If there had been a powerful common enemy that threatened both nations to the extent that they had no choice but to unite, or if a god had descended to guide people with an overwhelming force and divine authority, perhaps such an alliance could have been possible. People often cease fighting when a shared enemy appears. But in the end, conflicts never truly disappear.

The "God of Law and Fate," Alda, seemed to have envisioned this possibility from the start.

However, the reality was different: Vandalieu, who was supposed to become that overwhelming threat, defeated the Demon King Guduranis and was now forming alliances with the Orbaume Kingdom—the very nation Amid had planned to ally with.

And so, this unexpected development occurred.

The Orbaume Kingdom did find some benefits in these changes. The national sentiment remained inclined toward opposition to the Holy Nation of Amid, unaffected by the recent shifts. And, before they took any action, the reputation of the *Five-colored Blades* suffered a significant blow.

For the people of Orbaume, the Amid Empire—and its vassal states—had been their sworn enemies since the founding of the kingdom. Changing its name to the Holy Nation or adopting the Alda Peaceful Faction as its official doctrine meant nothing to them. An enemy is an enemy.

Although Heinz and his group had been born in Amid, they earned high praise and trust from the people of Orbaume for their continued activities as adventurers within the kingdom. Yet now, having seemingly returned to the side of Amid, or rather the Holy Nation, public support for them plummeted.

Despite this, there were still those among the people whom Heinz and his Peaceful Faction had assisted over the years, who continued to defend him. But his and the faction’s reputation were undeniably tarnished, and opposition toward them increased—everywhere except in Duke Fazon’s domain.

Yes, in Duke Fazon’s territory, Heinz remained a hero.

Although the other dukes expected Fazon to change his stance after it became known that the *Five-colored Blades* had joined forces with the Holy Nation of Amid, Duke Fazon remained staunchly anti-Vidal. In fact, according to reports from spies within the other dukes’ houses, Duke Fazon revered Heinz as the true hero chosen by Alda for the present day. Duke Fazon was no longer just a ruler—he had become a zealot of Alda.

Furthermore, given that the spies and Schneider’s *Storm of Tyranny* (who had been gathering intelligence for a short time) were unable to obtain any information, it was clear that there were none in Duke Fazon’s domain who could counter his views.

Either they had already become fanatics, had no desire or power to oppose the duke, or they had been eliminated. In any case, without external intervention—potentially by force—it was unlikely Duke Fazon’s stance would change.

The nobles who governed the remaining eleven duchies of Orbaume were prepared for what could be the first full-scale civil war since the kingdom’s founding.

---

Meanwhile, Vandalieu and the Vidal Demon Empire’s response to these developments was relatively calm.

However, recognizing the substantial movements within their opposing forces, they held a meeting at Talosheim’s royal castle.

**"Actually, the transformation of the Amid Empire into the Holy Nation of Amid has more benefits than drawbacks for us, in my opinion."**

Vandalieu was not present in person; instead, a familiar that resembled him exactly was standing in his place.

**"Is it because of the shift toward the Alda Peaceful Faction, Your Majesty? If so, I must object."**

Cesare, who served as both general and prime minister, was keenly aware, as a former member of the Legston family from the Milg Shield Nation, that a change in name alone would not alter the mindset of the Amid people and its vassals.

**"In the capital of the Holy Nation, many witnessed Bellwood’s descent, and because of this divine awe, few oppose the policies of the Great Temple of Alda. However, according to intelligence gathered from the Orbaume Kingdom, those in the outlying regions—who haven’t directly witnessed Bellwood’s descent, particularly dissatisfied nobles and royals in the vassal states—are likely to view this change as a sign of instability in the government and will seek independence."**

**"I agree with you, brother. Even if the policy shift in the Holy Nation of Amid is successful, it probably won’t last long. I’d give it five, maybe ten years."**

Kurt, Cesare’s younger brother, who had become a member of Vida’s new race and married a woman from one of their nations, fully agreed.

**"All of that only works in our favor."**

Vandalieu’s familiar nodded.

The shift in policy by the Holy Nation of Amid toward the Alda Peaceful Faction was a positive development for them.

People who hadn’t witnessed Bellwood’s descent firsthand were unlikely to significantly alter their beliefs. Nonetheless, Vida’s new races had gone from being legally oppressed minorities to protected citizens under the law.

Although discrimination in daily life, derogatory comments, and disparities in job opportunities and pay might persist, they were now far less likely to be suddenly enslaved, making it an improvement over the past.

As for vampires, demonfolk, and ghouls, whom the Peaceful Faction did not protect and who continued to be regarded as monsters, nothing had changed in their treatment. In that sense, it wasn’t a loss.

In any case, many of Vida’s races had already taken refuge in the Vidal Demon Empire, thanks to Schneider and his allies.

Additionally, if the current structure was unlikely to endure long-term, that was advantageous as well. If the enemy would collapse on its own within five to ten years, it would save them the effort.

**"Alda’s gods in the Amid… it’s clear they are gathering their forces to throw everything at me. Whatever Alda or Eileek have planned, they’ll likely make their move within a few years."**

**"But you haven’t mentioned Heinz. Are Alda and Pope Eileek behind this latest push, rather than him?"**

Cesare’s question was met with a nod from Vandalieu’s familiar.

**"Heinz lacks the power to direct the Amid Empire’s actions, except when summoning Bellwood. Given a few years, his *Guidance* might influence regions like Duke Fazon’s territory, but that’s it. Or so Takkard and Hadros have suggested."**

Political maneuvering was an area in which Vandalieu was somewhat inexperienced. He knew from experience that a country could not always follow a ruler’s whims, as he had faced numerous challenges from public opinion. However, since the Vidal Demon Empire’s policies generally aligned with his desires, he had never encountered a strong internal resistance force.

Therefore, he had sought opinions from trusted allies and friends.

**"Whether Heinz’s political insignificance is a good or bad thing is beside the point. Your Majesty, what should we do? Should we take action or wait for them to strike first?"**

Kurt’s question received a calm response from Vandalieu’s familiar.

**"There’s no need to rush. We should wait. Let the Orbaume Kingdom solidify its stance against Amid and Duke Fazon. Let them feel the inevitability of war and make the first move."

"I don’t know what Alda’s ultimate plan for this world is, but we will live here a hundred, a thousand years from now. There’s no need to create enemies unnecessarily."**

It would be foolish for the Vidal Demon Empire to attack the Holy Nation of Amid or Duke Fazon without a solid reason. Even if their leadership leaned in that direction, they shouldn’t act like an expansionist nation that invades others on a whim.

Alda might envision a world where humanity, no matter how few remain after defeating Vandalieu, could survive and slowly rebuild over thousands of years, as they had done after defeating the Demon King Guduranis. Whether feasible or not, this idea was likely possible in Alda’s mind.

But Vandalieu did not share that perspective. Defeating Heinz, Amid, and Alda was a necessary step for his own happiness, not an ultimate goal. Consideration for governance and diplomacy after the battle was only natural.

**"If we crush Amid and Duke Fazon’s territories first, then Heinz and his *Five-colored Blades* would lose their escape routes. If they attack us, we can strike back, limiting their avenues for retreat."**

To kill Heinz, they needed to prepare the circumstances. Although Heinz was currently in the Holy Nation’s capital, rushing to confront him now, only for him to escape again, would be intolerable.

Had Aradia suffered serious harm when Heinz broke her Demon Eye, Vandalieu might have already launched an assault on the Holy Nation’s capital. 

Testing in the Demon Continent had confirmed that Aradia’s Demon Eye enabled her to see distant locations by using the moon as her “eye.” The moon would appear as a giant eye in the sky when she activated it, though this was only a phantom effect caused by her ability. Any attack would merely disrupt the Demon Eye’s power, not harm her directly.

The Eye’s range was anywhere the moon shone across the world. However, if it was cloudy or rainy, she would only see clouds. Its viewing area was a few dozen kilometers in diameter at a time, but because the moon transformed visibly, any onlookers would immediately notice. Stealth was impossible.

**"Let’s continue strengthening our forces and solidifying our relations with Orbaume."**

**"By the way… graduation is soon, isn’t it?"**

**"That’s right. Normally, I’d stay for another year… until next March, but missing the chance to kill Heinz back then still stings."**

Vandalieu, set to graduate from the Hero Preparatory Academy after just six months—a special arrangement—sighed with regret.

If he’d killed Heinz back then and consumed Bellwood’s soul, removing a huge threat, Vandalieu might have remained at the academy until the following March.

As Vandalieu’s main body engaged in a job change in the Job Change Room, his familiar continued the meeting in the Vidal Demon Empire’s castle.

**“Selecting *Guiding Lord*.”**

---

**《You have acquired the skills: *Stat Enhancement: Guiding* and *Guiding Lord*!》**

**《The level of the following skills has increased: *Super Strength*, *Constant Super Mana Recovery*, *Group Enhancement*, *Divine Poison Secretion: Fangs, Claws, Tongue*, *Physical Super Enhancement (Hair, Claws, Tongue, Fangs)*, *Mana Recovery Speed Ultra Boost*, *Increased Attack Power During Mana Cannon Activation*, *Vitality Increase*, *Stat Boost: Ruler*, *Stat Boost: Revered*, *Stat Boost: Cannibalism*, *Self-Regeneration: Cannibalism*, *Stat Boost When Soul-Clad*, *Magic Power Boost When Equipped with a Staff*, *Total Stat Boost*, *Cataclysm*, *Divine Logic*, *Materialization*, *Swarm*, *Hyper Speed Thought*, *Commander*, *Demon Realm Arts*, *Soul Devour*, *Labyrinth Mastery*, *Soul Body*, *Soul Limit Break*!》**

---

With a mental announcement, sounds of his bones and muscles twisting and shattering echoed within his body, and capillaries burst, causing blood to leak from his eyes and ears.

**“Oops.”**

However, the spilled blood reversed, returning to his body as if a video were rewinding, leaving not a drop on the floor of the Job Change Room.

It seemed that the *Guiding Lord* job allowed him to absorb some of the experience points gained by those he guided, causing his level to rise all at once.

**“So, *Stat Enhancement: Guiding* means my stats increase when I am guiding others. In any case, time to choose the next job.”**

He had already selected every available guiding-type job. Next…

**“Alright, I’ll go with *Fallen Warrior*.”**

---

- **Name**: Vandalieu Ark Hillwillow Solder Zakkart  
- **Race**: Dhampir (Mother: Goddess)  
- **Age**: 13  
- **Titles**: *Ghoul Emperor*, *Devourer Emperor*, *Protector of the Frontier*, *Child of Vida*, *Scale Emperor*, *Tactile Emperor*, *Hero*, *Demon King*, *Oni Emperor*, *Conqueror of Trials*, *Intruder*, *Black-Blood Emperor*, *Dragon Emperor*, *Cart King*, *Genius Tamer*, *True Ruler of the Red-Light District*, *Guardian Saint of Transformable Equipment*, *Liberator of the Goddess*, *Giant Emperor*, *Savior*, *Demon King Slayer*, *Self-Proclaimed Human* (NEW!)  
- **Job**: Fallen Warrior  
- **Level**: 0  
- **Job History**: Death-Attribute Mage, Golem Alchemist, Undead Tamer, Soul Extinguisher, Venom-Hand Master, Insect Tamer, Tree Mage, Grand Mage, Nemesis, Zombie Maker, Golem Creator, Ghoul Minister, Demon King Tamer, Dark Guide, Labyrinth Creator, Spirit Guide, Dark Healer, Plague Bringer, Mana Cannoner, Spirit Fighter, Enchanter, Dream Guide, Demon King, Demiurge, Whip-Tongue Calamity, Foe of the Gods, Necromancer, Bow Mage, Great Demon King, Cursed Berserker, Doom Guide, Dark Mage Lord, Pale Rider, Chaos Guide, Divine Guide, Godslayer, Void Mage Lord, Divine Mage Lord, Dungeon Master, Klyphoth, Demon Ruler, Spirit Craftsman, Staff Crafter, Transfiguration Saint, Underworld God Mage, Demon Overlord, Pandemonium Hall, Soul Grappler, True Demon King, Shadow Guide, Transition Guide, Spirit Guide, Guiding Lord

---

- **Vitality**: 1,284,686 + (513,874) (+428,170)  
- **Mana**: 107,376,501,237 + (107,376,501,237) (+17,382,121,824)  
- **Strength**: 740,388 + (74,038) (+173,359)  
- **Agility**: 608,913 + (60,891) (+197,813)  
- **Endurance**: 688,197 + (68,819) (+156,147)  
- **Intelligence**: 821,897 + (82,189) (+234,480)

---

- **Passive Skills**:  
  - Super Strength: Level 6 (UP!)  
  - Hyper Regeneration: Level 10  
  - Underworld God Magic: Level 9  
  - Status Ailment Immunity  
  - Magic Resistance: Level 10  
  - Dark Vision  
  - Alaya Inducement (Integrated with Spirit Guidance)  
  - No Chant  
  - Guidance: Alaya (Integrated with Spirit Guidance)  
  - Constant Super Mana Recovery: Level 5 (UP!)  
  - Group Enhancement: Level 6 (UP!)  
  - Divine Poison Secretion: Fangs, Claws, Tongue: Level 4 (UP!)  
  - Infinite Body Extension: Tongue  
  - Unarmed Attack Power Boost: Medium  
  - Physical Super Enhancement (Hair, Claws, Tongue, Fangs): Level 7 (UP!)  
  - Magic Thread Creation: Level 8 (UP!)  
  - Mana Increase: Level 10  
  - Mana Recovery Speed Ultra Boost: Level 4 (UP!)  
  - Increased Attack Power During Mana Cannon Activation: Medium (UP!)  
  - Vitality Increase: Level 4 (UP!)  
  - Stat Boost: Ruler: Level 7 (UP!)  
  - Stat Boost: Revered: Level 5 (UP!)  
  - Vidal Demon Empire Stat Enhancement: Level 7 (UP!)  
  - Self-Regeneration: Cannibalism: Level 8 (UP!)  
  - Stat Boost: Cannibalism: Level 8 (UP!)  
  - Stat Boost When Soul-Clad: Extreme (UP!)  
  - Kill Recovery: Level 9  
  - Self-Enhancement: Kill: Level 9  
  - Staff Magic Power Boost: Large (UP!)  
  - All Stat Enhancement: Extreme (UP!)  
  - Stat Enhancement: Guiding: Level 1 (NEW!)

---

**“*Fallen Warrior* doesn’t increase any skills… well, I’ll see how it goes.”**

Based on the job’s name, it seemed to be a frontline warrior type, likely to enhance vitality and strength stats and improve martial arts skills.

For now, no jobs like *Neo Vandalieu* or *High Vandalieu* had appeared. That was probably for the best.

**“…I still have some time before my appointment. Let’s visit the workshop.”**

---

### Job Explanation: *Spirit Guide* (by Luciliano)

A job that involves guiding spirits. Unlike *Doom Guide*, it does not appear to lead the living to death, but it is so specialized in spirits that it may have difficulty affecting the living.

It may be easier to influence someone who regularly works with spirits, such as those with jobs like *Medium*.

---

### Job Explanation: *Guiding Lord* (by Luciliano)

From the name, it appears to be a job specialized in guiding others… but more accurately, it seems to signify a master of guidance.

It is thought that multiple guiding-type jobs are required to unlock it. But beyond the master himself, it’s unlikely anyone else can take on this job.

Additionally, guiding other guides or those with the potential to become guides may be a key requirement. If so, then Bellwood, who led Nine Road and Farmaun, would partially meet these conditions. However, since Bellwood did not obtain *Guiding Lord*, it’s likely that experiencing multiple guiding-type jobs is the most critical condition.