The Silent Deity: Saiki Kusuo in Tensura

The sun hung low in the western sky, painting the Storm Kingdom in hues of gold and amber. Up above, nestled between two drifting clouds, Saiki Kusuo munched lazily on a cup of coffee jelly. His legs crossed, arms behind his head, floating midair as if gravity didn't apply to him. He had been watching the conversation between Guy Crimson and Velzard unfold like a slow-moving play.

"Yare yare… Here we go again," Saiki muttered to himself, licking his spoon. With a thought, he sent a telepathic message.

Saiki (telepathically to Veldora): "Heads up. Velzard's on her way. She's serious."

Inside one of the many majestic halls of the Storm Kingdom, Veldora, now fully clothed in his majestic silver and black draconic royal garments, snapped his fingers after receiving the message.

"My dear sister Velzard is gracing us with a visit, hmm? Excellent! Rigurd!"

Rigurd, the dependable goblin elder, appeared almost instantly, bowing deeply.

"Yes, my lord!"

"Prepare the Snowfall Pavilion—you know, the one near the sakura garden. Clean it up, light the incense, and make sure the bath is filled—Japanese style. Add rose petals. No, lavender. Wait, mix both!"

Rigurd scribbled furiously on a notepad.

"Shuna shall prepare a meal worthy of a dragon. And… ah! Tell Shion not to cook anything!"

"Already accounted for, Lord Veldora," Rigurd replied with a nervous smile.

With that, a flurry of goblins and lizardmen began their well-practiced ballet of royal preparation. Banners were polished, candles lit, garden paths swept, and the entire pavilion perfumed in gentle sandalwood.

Two hours later, a ripple coursed through the atmosphere above the Storm Kingdom. Though her aura was suppressed, it was impossible not to notice her. Velzard, in her elegant human form, descended with all the grace of a queen, her long silver hair billowing softly and a pale blue silk gown that shimmered with frost-light.

She landed silently at the marble gate, where Rigurd and his attendants were already waiting in formation.

"Welcome, Lady Velzard," Rigurd said with a bow, his voice smooth with respect. "Lord Veldora is expecting you. Please allow me to escort you."

Velzard raised a brow, a little surprised.

"You knew I was coming?"

"Lord Veldora has his ways," Rigurd replied cryptically, bowing again.

As she walked the main avenue, Velzard's icy blue eyes took everything in. The marketplace was alive with laughter. Vendors sold spices, fabrics, weapons, and magical trinkets from across the continent. Tourists from Sarion, Dwargon, and even Fulbrosia strolled the city, unafraid. A pair of children waved shyly at her. She blinked.

"This place... has changed," she murmured to herself.

The palace she arrived at was not the Storm Kingdom's royal castle, but a smaller, personal palace nestled behind flowering trees and a koi pond. Lanterns glowed gently in the evening air, casting soft shadows on the pale stones.

As she stepped through the beautifully carved wooden doors, she was greeted by a scent of fresh tea, incense, and polished wood. The entire interior was styled like a Japanese villa—sliding doors, tatami mats, and a natural hot spring behind a bamboo wall.

And at the center, surrounded by cushions and low tables, sat Veldora, arms open wide.

"Sister Velzard!" he said dramatically. "Welcome to my domain of peace and strategic brilliance!"

Sitting around him, sipping tea and nibbling on sweets, were Diablo, Testarossa, Ultima, Carrera, and Benimaru. They each offered a respectful nod as she entered.

Velzard's eyes lingered on the four demons. There was something… strange about them. Their power was undeniable, but none of them flaunted it. Instead, they were calm. Controlled. Dangerous in silence.

"So this is how you spend your days now, little brother?" Velzard said coolly, stepping in.

"Hah! I call it strategic relaxation. The mind must be at ease to govern well!"

"He read that in a scroll I gave him," Benimaru muttered with a smirk.

Veldora sat upright and cleared his throat.

"Let me properly introduce my circle. These four are the finest minds and blades of my court. And this—" he gestured grandly to the teapot "—is imported tea from the gardens of Eurazania. Taste it, sister. I dare say it's better than any glacier-brew you've had."

Velzard sat down slowly, watching everyone with caution. She accepted the tea Shuna brought in, took a sip... and her eyes widened just a bit.

"...It's good."

"Right? Right?" Veldora leaned forward, grinning. "We serve only the best!"

After some more polite exchanges, the room shifted into a deeper, more personal tone.

"You've changed, Veldora," Velzard finally said, looking at him seriously. "You were always... wild. Loud. Foolish. But now... you speak like someone with purpose."

Veldora placed his teacup down gently.

"I am still wild, and loud, and yes—amusingly brilliant. But I've also learned, sister. This kingdom… these people… they rely on me. And I've found meaning in that."

Testarossa smiled faintly behind her cup. Diablo watched with half-lidded eyes. Benimaru nodded silently.

"And these four?" Velzard asked. "What's their story?"

"Oh, my finest retainers. Each one excels in diplomacy, warfare, and loyalty," Veldora said, keeping it vague. "They don't just serve—they elevate everything we do here."

"Hmph," Velzard hummed. "I still don't trust demons."

"That's fine. Trust comes with time," Testarossa answered calmly.

Carrera added with a chuckle, "We're not here to be trusted. We're here to serve Lord Veldora and enjoy good tea."

Everyone laughed at that.

As the night wore on, and dinner was served—a feast of flavors so good even Velzard let out a rare "This is delicious"—the group shifted to the outdoor garden. Crickets chirped. The moon shone over the koi pond.

Veldora leaned back against a rock, hands behind his head.

"You know, sister… I never thought I'd enjoy peace. But now, I understand. Power is not just in destruction… but in creation."

Velzard looked at him, then turned her gaze to the stars.

"Maybe I was wrong about you," she said quietly. "Maybe… you're not the same foolish dragon from before."

Veldora grinned.

"Oh, I'm still foolish. But now I'm the wise kind of foolish."

The group chuckled again.

And from high above, floating unnoticed, Saiki stared up at the stars, scooping more coffee jelly.

"Yare yare daze… this place is starting to feel like home."

The next morning....

The soft rays of morning sunlight spilled gently into the open-air dining area of Veldora's personal palace. Birds chirped outside the balcony, the scent of steamed rice and grilled fish filled the air, and a light breeze carried with it the refreshing scent of cherry blossoms from the gardens below.

At a low table, seated cross-legged on fine cushions, Veldora munched noisily on a bowl of natto while sipping green tea. Across from him sat Velzard, graceful and poised as always, gently stirring her miso soup with a calm smile.

They had spent most of the previous evening simply talking—about the past, the present, and even their shared moments of chaos. But today… something felt different.

Velzard set her chopsticks down and looked up at her brother, a subtle smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

Velzard set her chopsticks down and looked up at her brother, a subtle smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

"So, dear brother…" she said, her voice laced with both grace and challenge, "Would you care to spar with me a little?"

Veldora blinked, mid-chew. He slowly set down his bowl.

"A spar?" he repeated with an amused chuckle. "You mean with me?"

"Yes," she nodded. "It seems like you've grown stronger. I'm curious just how much… and it's been a while since we've tested each other."

Veldora leaned back, placing his hands behind his head.

"Heh… very well, sister. A spar it is. But don't expect the same Veldora you used to 'educate.' I've evolved."

"I hope so," Velzard replied, her smirk widening.

In the skies above, Saiki floated cross-legged, a sigh escaping his lips.

"Yare yare… Velzard isn't just here for a friendly spar. She wants to reassert dominance. But she's going to find out Veldora isn't that lazy goofball anymore…"

He popped a spoonful of coffee jelly into his mouth. "Still… this is going to be fun."