Dino remained on the ground, a defeated warrior at the feet of a conqueror. The fire that had once burned brightly in his eyes was now a flickering ember, extinguished by the sheer power Roland had wielded. He looked around at the stunned faces of the council members, at the shattered illusion of their secure hall, and finally back at Roland. The playful, boisterous demon lord was gone, replaced by a figure radiating a power that defied definition. It was a power that could rewrite reality itself, a power that could unmake the very world Dino had sworn to protect.
A wave of emotions washed over him – fear, awe, and a grudging respect. He had never faced an opponent like Roland, a being who seemed to bend the rules of reality to his will. Dino, for the first time in his long life, felt a tremor of doubt. Was this otherworldy demon, this interloper from another world, truly the best candidate to lead the fate of this world? Or was he a harbinger of chaos, a ticking time bomb waiting to explode?
"So," Roland finally spoke, his voice echoing in the stunned silence. "Did we… win?"
The question, delivered with a hint of amusement, broke the tension. Belial, his initial concern fading, couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, Roland," he said. "You certainly livened things up around here."
Grok Ol the Orc demon lord lumbered towards Roland, a grudging respect in his eyes. "Alright, otherworlder," he rumbled. "You got me impressed. Even if you did nearly drown us all."
Roland grinned. "Apologies for the collateral damage," he said, a twinkle in his eye. "But hey, at least we learned a valuable lesson, right?"
"What lesson is that?" a voice piped up. It belonged to the lone elf, her normally serene face now etched with a hint of curiosity.
Roland winked. "Never underestimate the power of a good isekai protagonist, especially if they wield a fiery sword."
A stunned silence hung heavy in the air. Roland's casual remark about winning snapped the tension, but Dino's next words sent a wave of surprise rippling through the hall.
Lowering his head in a gesture of defeat, Dino rumbled, "I concede. You win, Roland." Then, his gaze flickered to Mugen, a silent question passing between them. With a theatrical flourish, he addressed the assembled council members once more.
"This," he declared, his voice booming through the hall, "was a carefully orchestrated plot!"
Gasps filled the room. Belial's grin faltered, replaced by a look of amusement tinged with suspicion. Grok snorted, water still dripping from his beard.
"A plot?" a council member echoed, voicing the collective confusion.
"Indeed!" Dino boomed. "Masterminded by none other than Lord Mugen," he gestured towards the enigmatic figure, "and myself!"
A wave of murmurs washed over the hall. Mugen, for perhaps the first time ever, cracked a slight smile.
"This wasn't just a duel," Dino continued, his voice taking on a serious tone. "It was an eye-opener for all of you." He locked eyes with Roland, a newfound respect gleaming in his fiery gaze. "A reminder that Roland is not to be trifled with."
A slow nod from Mugen confirmed Dino's words. Roland, however, raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. This all felt a bit... staged.
Dino then pivoted, addressing a figure beside Mugen who had remained silent throughout the ordeal. This man, clad in dark robes and sporting a neatly trimmed beard, seemed to exude an aura of quiet power. "Isn't that right, Lord Mugen and… Lord Balthazar?"
Roland's gaze sharpened. This was Balthazar, the enigmatic number two of the organization. While Mugen held the official title of leader, whispers spoke of Balthazar's immense power and strategic mind.
Balthazar, his expression unreadable, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Indeed, Demon Lord Dino," he finally spoke, his voice a deep rumble. "We felt a demonstration of Lord Roland's abilities was… necessary. The council needed a reminder of the potential dangers, as well as the potential benefits, that lie in unconventional approaches."
Roland nodded in understanding. While the theatrics felt unnecessary, he understood their point. "So, a test then?"
Balthazar inclined his head. "A test, yes. One you passed with… remarkable results, I must say." A hint of a smile played on his lips, a rare occurrence for the usually stoic figure.
Mugen, ever the enigmatic observer, finally spoke. "Welcome to the World Dungeon Council, Roland," he said, his voice gruff but laced with a newfound respect. "We look forward to seeing what… innovations you bring to the world of dungeons."
A tense silence descended upon the hall once more. Roland, his charcoal blade humming with residual power, held the room's attention. The playful facade he'd worn earlier vanished, replaced by a keen, analytical glint in his eyes.
"Hold on a second," he said, his voice cutting through the nervous murmurs. "Before we celebrate or dissect this little… 'demonstration,' I have a question."
The council members collectively gulped. The pressure of Roland's Bankai still lingered in the air like an enormous weight even if the intent is not attacking, a constant reminder of the raw power he held. Mugen, ever the stoic leader, cleared his throat.
"Ask away, Brother Roland," he said, a hint of curiosity flickering in his usually emotionless eyes.
Roland met Mugen's gaze head-on. "Why me? Why make an isekai tourist, someone with… unorthodox methods, a Dungeon Master?" He paused, letting the weight of his words hang heavy. "There's a reason behind this, and frankly, it feels a little… shady."
A ripple of unease ran through the hall. Roland's bluntness, coupled with the lingering fear from his Bankai, had shifted the power dynamic. Belial, who had been enjoying the spectacle, now leaned forward, a predatory glint in his eyes. Balthazar, on the other hand, remained stoic, his expression unreadable.
A hush fell over the chamber thicker than the lingering dryness from Roland's Bankai. The unexpected revelation hung heavy in the air. A figure besides Mugen, previously cloaked in shadow, rose to his feet. He wore the white and gold garb of a high priest, his expression solemn and his gaze fixed on Roland.