As the Progenitor of godslayers and an ideal assassin to target Fake Divines, Arthur sought to secure his race's future in this Universe.
Arthur limited his request to having the Demon Kings protect any godslayers they encountered rather than actively seeking them out.
Given Gozon's expanding Interstellar Colonies, encounters with godslayers were inevitable, and Arthur aimed to leverage this opportunity.
The Demon Rulers were divided: some opposed the proposal, others were indifferent, some found it acceptable, and a few supported it, hoping to earn Arthur's favour for his potential future power.
Ultimately, the vote ended in a 36-36 tie.
As a result, the decision was deferred, and the discussion shifted to the matter that required resolution immediately.
"Aramis Representatives, you've certainly surprised me. I didn't expect this many achievements considering you're facing a Prime World."
Jamie remarked, his tone tinged with genuine surprise while McEnda II raised an eyebrow, responding with a smirk.
"You didn't? I certainly did.
That one may be an idiot but he's still my son so I at least had expectations for him."
He shrugged casually, while McEnda III resisted the urge to storm up the dais and punch his father, mindful of the formal setting.
Meanwhile, Xagthor crossed his arms and snorted.
"You've got to be at least this good to be worthy of my granddaughter."
"Shut up, you doting grandfather."
"Says the doting grandmother!"
Xagthor shot back as a Demon Queen interjected, sparking a heated argument and Jamie, sparing everyone the headache, used his spatial magic to mute their bickering.
"Setting those two aside, I noticed something odd, Sargon boy."
Jamie waved his hand and two files materialized—one on Gledea and the other on Plomux.
"You managed to make an incursion on Plomux's Command base in just two weeks, masterminded the fall of Triton's Ark, and even defeated the Leviathan Yedrist.
Yet, somehow, you've only conquered half of Continent Gledea, despite having been there for years…"
"…"
Alvey remained silent, but Jamie pressed on, unfazed.
"It's mentioned here that Gledea is the Aramisian Coalition's headquarters, where their strongest fighters are stationed. Yet, in January, you and the younger McEnda dealt significant damage to these same top combatants.
Despite this, instead of pressing your advantage, you merely expanded the territory by a few million square kilometres and resorted to small skirmishes while requesting reinforcements, which you then deployed on Plomux.
Now, even though Gledea is the most fortified Aramisian continent, you've shown capabilities that indicate you should have control over at least three-fourths of it by now. Instead, you've barely secured a little over half.
Mind enlightening us why?"
Jamie's words prompted several Demon Rulers to revisit Alvey's reports, and as they combed through the details, realization dawned on their faces. Indeed, Jamie's assessment aligned with Alvey's apparent capabilities.
"Come to think of it, that Triton's Ark…you took that down in just one day?
And this Zefesh Continent as well; Barron Agriker and Sylvan Thorneheart are the ones heading the invasion there, but the original plan was constructed by you, Alvey Sargon."
Malorum brought more details to light, and by now, nearly every Demon Lord and King in the Hall had pieced together the situation.
Alvey's slow progress in conquering Gledea had been intentional.
'He'd been milking Gledea for achievements, huh? This tactic had also bought him time to devise strategies for the other continents.
By leaving Gledea standing, the Aramisian forces weren't cornered into desperate measures—like blowing up the entire continent.'
McEnda II recalled a similar situation in the past when Gozon's forces had cornered the last defenders of a Prime World, causing them to self-destruct the entire continent, which cost Gozon millions of soldiers.
As for Alvey's manoeuvre, McEnda II wasn't angry—he was impressed. Alvey had kept this ruse going for so long without anyone noticing.
'Our focus is divided across many worlds, so it was easier for him. But even so, he's not the first to try this, and almost all the others were caught, but he wasn't.'
"I see you've finally decided to stop dragging your feet on Gledea, haven't you?
Five Continents; Guwos, Rhigor, Zefesh, Plomux and Gledea. We have full control over Guwos, Rhigor and Plomux. Half of Zefesh and Gledea are under our control.
Victory is close at hand, and that's precisely why you must be careful; you never know what trump cards they can pull out."
After McEnda II finished advising them, Malorum spoke up.
"Aramis may be a Prime World, but it has only been so for a few centuries. The War for it has taken far too long in my opinion."
Malorum pointed directly at Alvey and asked.
"What month is this?"
"June, Your Excellency."
Alvey's answer made Malorum nod.
"This is the last month of the first half of the year. By the last month of the second half of the year, I want Aramis added to the Star Map above your head."
The Star Map on the ceiling of the Hall of Stars only featured fully conquered planets, excluding battlefront worlds like Aramis. With this statement, Malorum was ordering Alvey to end the war on Aramis within the next six months!
"It shall be done, Your Excellency."
"It better be."
After Malorum's final words, he fell silent, and Jamie took this as his cue to address the Demon Rulers.
"So, can we get to the part where we decide what Rank we're gonna give him?"
"Rank? For what?"
"He may have used a little trick but his achievements are solid. They're also more interesting to read than the book Valren got for me last week."
Jamie responded to the Demon Queen and Xagthor who got called out snapped his head in Jamie's direction with a glare.
"Oy! Are you saying my recommended books are boring?!"
"Your words, not mine."
When Jamie replied in such a manner, the Demon Queen of Flames facepalmed and questioned the two men with an exasperated tone.
"Can you be serious for one full minute?"
"Hahaha I am being serious."
Jamie's tone turned cold halfway and the smile on his face disappeared. His azure eyes glinted and he gazed at the Demon Rulers around him before continuing.
"I see some of you are dissatisfied with him. I cannot fathom why you'd be dissatisfied with a soldier who has done such good work for us on a Prime World."
McEnda II glanced at a particular group of Demon Kings sitting together, then at Jamie as he replied.
"That's probably my fault. Some certain people hate my guts and my idiot son's best friends with Alvey so they're hating on him by extension."
The Demon Kings he referred to glared at McEnda II, but he shrugged off their hostility as if it were nothing.
It was clear that not all the Demon Rulers were on friendly terms with each other.
They had their factions, but they typically knew to prioritize Gozon over their personal conflicts 90% of the time.
However, this was one of the remaining 10%—a moment when personal grudges took precedence, as the issue at hand wasn't important enough to jeopardize the stability of their Interstellar Empire.
As McEnda II observed, many who opposed Alvey did so simply because of his connection to him.
They didn't like McEnda II, but since he was the strongest Gozonian in the Universe after his father, they couldn't take their grievances out on him. Instead, they resorted to petty methods, like targeting his son.
There were two 'Supreme' Demon Kings, thanks to Jamie's presence, but without him, McEnda II would hold that title alone. Even Malorum, the Demon King of Destruction, would struggle to defeat him in a fight.
McEnda II surveyed the hall, then pointed to a Junior Demon Lord and asked.
"What Rank are you?"
"…Lower Fourth, your Excellency."
The man he addressed was someone Alvey was familiar with—his father, the one who had cast him out of their family when he was younger.
Upon hearing the man's rank, McEnda II nodded and declared.
"I believe everyone present agrees with me when I say 'Alvey Sargon' is the standout member of his generation.
Unfortunately, my silly son didn't make the cut."
The man didn't miss an opportunity to diss his son, gradually pushing the younger McEnda closer to his breaking point. McEnda II grinned mischievously and continued, knowing exactly what he was doing.
"Anyway, in accordance with our customs, the most exceptional member of the younger generation earns a standalone 'Upper Class' Noble Rank.
I vote to make Alvey a 'Lower Third'."
Those familiar with Alvey's background immediately understood what McEnda II had done—he had intentionally placed Alvey's rank one level above his father's.
"I vote 'Upper Third'."
Jamie added immediately after McEnda II spoke. Malorum, upon hearing this, frowned and responded.
"That's just you two being biased. I vote 'Upper Fourth'."
"Upper Fourth here as well."
Xagthor seconded Malorum's vote, and soon many others joined in. Most of the Demon Rulers voted for Upper Fourth, with a few leaning towards 'Lower Fourth' or 'Fifth.'
"How many Upper Fourths do we have?"
Jamie asked. 37 hands were raised at once. Seeing this, he shrugged and spoke.
"Well, last I checked, 37 is more than half of us so 'Upper Fourth' takes the day."
Without delay, Jamie activated his Race King authority and conjured a Seal of demonic energy marked with Gozon's Insignia, along with a giant 'IV' with an overscore above it.
He tossed the Seal to Alvey, who caught it and Jamie said.
"The proper ceremony would happen during the second phase of the summit. For now, keep that on you."
Alvey bowed silently, his face betraying no emotion, but only he knew how overjoyed he was on the inside.