As for the remaining Templar Knights, Damien simply handed them over to Artoria to deal with.
The Templar Knights?
Their will wasn't firm enough yet. They couldn't be released immediately.
Only after Hinata and Luminas finished handling everything would the Templar Knights be allowed to join the Monster Kingdom as humanity's core fighting force.
"That lord is even kinder to the people than the goddess Luminas."
"In the future, the entire continent will be unified under his power."
"You mean…!"
Such shocking words left everyone stunned.
"Yes."
"He will destroy the old order of the Western Nations and build a new world where everyone is equal and there is no more nobility or exploitation!"
The members of the Holy Knight Order had long hated the so-called noble system.
Unfortunately, given their position, they not only couldn't criticize it for the sake of the human race—they had to defend it with everything they had.
They had been sick of it for a long time.
Especially Reynald.
He had dealt with nobles the most and knew exactly what kind of insects and swine they were.
"Then what about humans and monsters?"
Reynald fully supported the reform on the human side.
But how would the Lord of the Monster Kingdom handle the relationship between humans and monsters?
Which side would he favor?
"That will depend on us."
Hinata explained that Damien would only set the broad direction.
He wouldn't persecute humans and would treat all loyal subjects equally as much as possible.
But how well humans were treated would depend on their own efforts.
In short, humans were simply one race among many on the Central Continent.
There were elves, dwarves, ogres, beastmen.
Demi-humans and humans weren't all that different to begin with.
"There aren't many strong humans in the Monster Kingdom's upper ranks yet."
Hinata had become a True Saint and now qualified to join the Demon Lord Council.
There, she had sensed two incredibly powerful presences.
Artoria and Shion!
Although their races had changed, both had once been human and would naturally lean toward humanity's side.
Add in the reincarnated human Rimuru and Hinata herself.
The Monster Kingdom would have four True Demon Lord-level powerhouses speaking up for humanity's future.
"Alright…"
After hearing Hinata's explanation, everyone more or less understood.
How well humans would be treated depended on their own hard work.
In other words, as long as they focused on getting stronger and earned more say, they could secure humanity's position in the Monster Kingdom—or rather, in the future empire.
"So Captain, you saw this future and chose to submit?"
"Mm."
Hinata said, "That lord's power is far beyond anything we can imagine."
"I'm just grateful he's a kind and tolerant leader," she continued. "Otherwise, this world might have no choice but to head toward destruction."
When one person's power surpassed all will, he became an undisputed god.
Afterward, under Hinata's lead, everyone met Damien and saw the true appearance of the god their captain had described.
Only then did they truly understand the meaning of the despair Hinata had spoken of.
Unlike Luminas, who had called herself a goddess,
Damien truly was the supreme ruler of the Central Continent.
Standing before the God of Creation and Destruction,
As humans, they had no choice.
"You will not regret today's decision."
Damien had the Templar Knights report to Artoria, then kept behind only the Six Saints of Light, Air, Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire.
At the same time, six contract scrolls appeared before them.
The six had already resolved to follow Hinata to the death, so they signed their names without the slightest hesitation.
Only afterward did they realize.
This contract wasn't a shackle at all—it was the greatest fortune they had encountered in their entire lives!
[Magicules]
Average: 400,000–990,000 (Quasi-Demon Lord / Quasi-Saint)
Acquired Extra Skill: Magicule Solidification
Just these two benefits had raised the six to a level that could rival Hinata's former self.
Even more importantly, through the vassal contract they could feel Damien's will.
He was exactly as Hinata had described—a gentle, loving, tolerant patriarch.
"We apologize, Lord Damien."
"Please forgive our previous rudeness!"
Led by Reynald, the six offered Damien their sincere loyalty.
The vassal contract didn't brainwash them.
They did this purely out of heartfelt gratitude.
Not only had he shown no grudge against those who had offended him, he had granted them such incredible blessings.
Such magnanimity showed exactly what kind of person Damien was.
"The matter is already in the past, and you've all endured your punishment, haven't you?"
"Uh…"
Damien's words were completely reasonable.
Especially for Litus.
Every time the girl remembered Carrera's "training," her face turned bright red.
Yet at the same time, she felt an irresistible longing to experience it again.
That conflicting emotion left the girl on the verge of tears.
Fortunately, just as Carrera had said,
Litus hadn't truly fallen—she had simply become far more sensitive.
At this level, the girl could still suppress it with willpower.
"Yes."
"Thank you for your leniency."
The remaining Saints also thanked Damien for his forgiveness.
Although the demons' punishment had been tormenting, it had been an excellent trial for their wills.
They believed that after this ordeal, the Six Saints would be able to go even further in the future.
After Hinata and the others left, Velzard appeared beside Damien.
"Capturing Yuuki Sakaguchi would take Hinata less than a month with her current strength."
The reason Damien had given her one month was mainly because of Velzard's calculation of the upcoming events. "How is Yuuki Sakaguchi doing right now?"
"He's very anxious."
"Heh…"
Damien didn't know much about Yuuki Sakaguchi himself.
He only knew that in the web novel version, Yuuki had been set up as the final boss.