I made my declaration and took my seat.
The rising tension in my heart subsided.
It seemed I had been more nervous than I realized.
I relaxed the tension from my limbs and looked at the Great Spirit.
After a moment of silence, she quietly sat down.
"There appears to be no falsehood in your words. It was an indelicate question. I have no objections."
I couldn't read her inner thoughts, but she seemed convinced for the time being.
In a situation like this, I doubted the Great Spirit would have been reserved for no reason.
Her stepping back likely meant there truly was no issue.
As the Great Spirit took her seat, Gwen clapped her hands to gather everyone's attention.
She prepared to summarize the meeting.
"Now then, does anyone else have an opinion to voice?"
Hands on her hips, Gwen surveyed the people in the room.
Grom was weeping from his eye sockets.
He was pressing a cloth against them, trying to staunch the flow, but it was clearly too late.
He was crying with a low, muffled sound.
Luciana wore a bright smile.
When our eyes met, she tilted her head slightly.
There was a comforting light in her gaze.
Henry, as if in celebration, drained his glass in one gulp.
After exhaling into the air, he grasped the liquor bottle without pausing his hands.
This time, he seemed to intend to drink without pouring into a glass.
Logan sat quietly with his arms crossed.
His expression was difficult, but looking closely, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
Dolda let out a distant howl.
Excited, he slammed both fists onto the round table.
It was thoroughly broken, so it would need repairs later.
Yura looked around at the others in turn.
Faced with various reactions, she was bewildered about what to do.
After much deliberation, she cautiously raised a fist.
Diera laughed heartily at her leisure.
She had stolen Henry's liquor amid the commotion.
She began drinking it while trembling with delight.
The Great Spirit watched the situation in the room.
Finally, seeing me, it nodded slightly.
Then it vanished without a sound.
Although the reactions lacked uniformity, they generally showed understanding and acceptance.
No objectors were visible.
Though interpretations might differ, my declaration seemed to reach each of them.
Whatever their thoughts, as long as it was accepted, that was enough.
Similarly perceiving the mood in the room, Gwen brought things to a close with a smile.
"With that, my explanation is concluded. Thank you all for listening."
Gwen gave a bow, then placed a hand on my shoulder.
And whispered with satisfaction.
"The baton is passed. The rest is up to you."
"..."
The meeting concluded without incident, but the real work began now. I needed to push forward with all manner of preparations. I rose from my seat and issued the orders I had already devised.
"In seven days, we will resurrect the previous Hero. Until then, see to your respective duties."
I cut my words there and swept my gaze across the executives. They were the ones who had shouldered the Demon Lord's army alongside me. To them, I had to speak plainly.
"Regardless of how things end, I intend to survive. I will not abandon my role as Demon Lord. I will devote all my strength to the cause of world peace."
Having said only that, I left the room to the sound of applause at my back.