A heavy silence settled over the conference room. The expressions worn by the heads of state were varied and conflicted. Some cast irritated glances in my direction, others fixed their gaze straight ahead blankly in an attempt to appear composed, while a few looked quietly unsettled. No one appeared willing to break the silence.

I leaned back loosely in my chair. The sharp scrutiny directed at me still felt unfamiliar. I wondered if they even understood that I was showing them considerable restraint. From the perspective of the other gods, lingering here like this would be considered foolish.

It would be insincere to feel resentful, however, as I had set this up.

“This is not a forum where we will negotiate. I am delivering a notice, so listen carefully. It is simple enough that you will not need to strain yourselves trying to remember it.”

I immediately noticed their complaints surging to the surface, so I muted them. Their lips twisted awkwardly and unnaturally as they attempted to speak, only to find they couldn’t. It was rather effortless. Just as it had been in the pub before I had entered the tower, they could only roll their eyes in stunned disbelief.

I spaced my words out—letting the significance of each one settle—as I declared, “Permanent peace,” then continued at a normal pace, “From this moment on, there will be no war on Earth. Any conflicts conducted out of sight, fueled by the suffering of others, are to cease immediately. The same applies to irrational disputes between nations.”

I had considered this matter for a long time, even seeking advice, but only this solution had presented itself. Even the opinions of the most learned ultimately reflected personal biases and fell short of perfection. A problem that even the Primordial God had failed to resolve was never going to be solved cleanly or easily.

That said, unlike him, I had no intention of standing by idly. I would continue confronting the issue head-on, just as I had while climbing the tower. Any problems that emerged could be addressed one step at a time.

“I have no intention of interfering with domestic or foreign policy, nor with the workings of the market economy. However, if you act inhumanely, sanctions will be imposed.” I realized I had overlooked something and quickly added, “Oh, and the same applies to dictatorships.”

Several of them looked at me, expressions full of unspoken objections as their gazes burned hot and sharp. Only a handful of the people who had looked at me like that in the tower had survived. When I met their gazes, none of them managed to hold mine for more than a second. I was exuding noticeable pressure. I let out a quiet breath and eased my presence, causing a wave of strained exhales to echo through the room.

“I am not asking for much, so I will not entertain objections or compromises. I do not know how you perceive me, but I strongly advise against testing me.”

Once again, I marshalled my aura in a clear and unmistakable threat. It felt childish to me, but it was necessary. I wouldn’t brainwash them or forcibly reshape society’s perception, yet my will still needed to be enforced.

“Convey my intentions to all of your allied nations. No, to every country with which you maintain any form of connection. I will grant a grace period of one month.”

They looked utterly uncertain. Given that they were unable to speak and subdued by the pressure bearing down on them, it was only natural that they felt a mix of emotions—anger, denial, and quiet acceptance, to name a few. They were caught between habits forged through authority and their instinct for self-preservation. Unable to speak, they exchanged glances, eyes shifting restlessly in quiet communication.

“This grace period applies to everything mentioned today. Most of you have likely engaged in illicit accumulation of wealth, and that also should be returned to society.”

Some maintained a composed expression, while others failed to fully conceal their discomfort.

“You all seem rather dissatisfied.” I let out a brief, dry chuckle. “Take a moment and look outside at the moon.”

Only about half followed my instructions. However, even those who had remained still—uncertain about how to respond to what sounded like an order—soon followed as the atmosphere compelled them.

“The moon’s position. Remember it.”

Leaving only this room untouched, I reversed time. The night grew slightly brighter as the moon began to move backward. The stars, airplanes, birds, the people moving through the city below, and the cars along the roads all retraced their steps. I then wound time forward again. The scenery beyond the window rushed past at an overwhelming speed.

“I just aged you two hours before returning that time.”

I barely managed to swallow the words, “Be grateful for your youth.” I had meant it as a joke, but the atmosphere made that impossible.

Hmm.

Ha Hee-Jeong had commented on my sense of humor recently. It really did seem to have declined. Well, it was hardly my fault. I considered it inevitable after spending so much time alone in the Tower of Ordeal—anyone would become a little weird.

Fortunately, whether out of shock or disbelief, no one dwelled on my words. Those who did snapped back to their senses a beat late, closed their open mouths, and fixed their attention squarely on me.

“I will say this again. Do not attempt to test me. At all. Whether you believe it or not, I am Earth’s god.”

I sighed inwardly. Nothing about the statement was inherently embarrassing, but voicing it aloud still felt awkward to me.

“What I just demonstrated was extremely simple for me. Removing a country from a map would be no different. Of course, I am not inclined to do such a thing, so what would disappear would not be a nation, but an individual.”

I deliberately met the gazes of those who had been glaring at me with the sharpest hostility.

Now was the time to be unequivocal.

“I sincerely advise you not to test the limits of what I can do.”

I had applied the whip sufficiently, so now it was time for the carrot. Whether my proposal truly qualified as a carrot was debatable, but in terms of calming them, it would serve a similar purpose. In any case, it was essential to remind them that I was not their enemy.

“I understand your dissatisfaction. You are all leaders, so it is only natural that you care deeply about your countries. Some of you may care only for yourselves, but even so.”

As I softened my stance just slightly, their focus visibly sharpened. There was even the faintest trace of expectation in their expressions. I had no idea what they were hoping for.

Did they already forget my declaration?

Then again, the tension of the moment could have caused them to only catch the beginning of my speech.

“Regardless, I will not compromise. As it stands, I am engaged in combat at a planetary scale, and I have already protected Earth from other worlds.”

I was employing a classic strategy—creating a common enemy. Since ancient times, nothing had unified people more effectively. Whether it truly applied here, given that I wasn’t utilizing Earth’s resources or manpower, was another matter.

“If I had failed, Earth would have become like one of the worlds shown in the footage of the tower. At that point, would your titles as presidents or prime ministers, your wealth, or even your nations have held any meaning?”

Perhaps attempting to placate me belatedly, a couple of them shook their heads.

“And this battle is far from over. As you saw in the footage, even worlds ruled by gods are invaded.” I pointed to the person seated directly across from me. “In my eyes, Earth is my nation. Mr. President, if your country were at war with foreign powers and inner conflict erupted at the same time, would you simply allow it to happen?”

He shook his head.

“Then do not force me to devote unnecessary attention here. I already have more than enough to handle beyond this planet. All I am asking is that you maintain peace.”

I hadn’t posed it as a question that time, but the president seated beside him nodded reflexively. I met his eyes in quiet acknowledgment, but he hastily looked away.

What was that about?

I didn’t think I had threatened them enough to provoke such a reaction. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Still, I continued, “That does not mean you should attempt anything foolish. I will wage the war alone. The climbers will remain here to observe you and deliver your intentions to me.”

At that point, curiosity flickered across a few faces. They were likely wondering whether a single individual could truly handle it all. To be honest, their interest didn’t concern me at all. This was part of my broader strategy, and I couldn’t afford to explain the outside world in detail.

Convincing them of my status as Earth’s was already difficult enough. Talking about the Primordial God and primeval forces would only confuse them further. On a global scale, it could even backfire.

I rose from my seat. “Hendrick will explain the specifics.”

After flawlessly fulfilling one of the defining virtues of those in power—delegating tasks to subordinates—I turned away.

Ah, how convenient this is.

Aurora oversaw extraplanetary matters, while Hendrick would assume the role of administrator here. I would simply have to receive reports and step in when large issues arose.

Is this why people say trust is so important?

As I briefly considered it, I wondered if things could become too uneventful and cause problems of their own.

Or perhaps not.

If boredom ever set in, I could simply step in and assume a more hands-on role. Moreover, I could assist Hendrick or Aurora with their duties. Unless I reduced humanity to nothing more than puppets, issues would inevitably arise.

That was a concern for another time.

For now, I felt anything but bored. I had gone far too long without proper rest, and everything unfolding before me was new. Before entering the tower, I could never have imagined a day like this, not even in passing. It wasn’t as if I was using my power for something malicious. The sensation was new and exhilarating.

I set aside my brief reverie and faced the assembled officials. “You all seem to understand, but I will repeat myself. There will be no room for objection. You have a grace period of one month.”

I met Ha Hee-Jeong’s eyes—it was time to leave. The remaining steps belonged entirely to Hendrick’s domain.

***

“It’s been a while. Well, I guess for you, it doesn’t really count as that long?”

At my words, Aurora let out a soft, gentle smile. “Given the depth of my respect for you, I believe it can still be called a long time. It has been some time since we last met. Have you been able to rest properly?”

Objectively speaking, it likely hadn’t been very long for Aurora. Regardless, hearing her phrase it that way left me in a good mood.

“I don’t know if I’d say I rested well, but I think I rested enough.”

Aurora had already prepared a pair of chairs on the open plain. I settled onto one and leaned back, easing my weight against the seat. Only after I had sat did she follow suit, taking the seat across from me.

“How are things going outside? You told me not to worry, so I actually took the time to rest before coming back.”

“With support from Thunder Axe and Master of the Five Carriage Wheels, there have been no complications.”

“Is that so?”

That was something worth appreciating. After all, those two gods had been instrumental in my indirect regression in the first place. Truth be told, I needed to meet quite a few people. Although I had spent time with my family and with Ha Hee-Jeong, that hardly covered everyone I wanted to see—Doppy, my other party members, Ryun, Thunder Axe, Master of the Five Carriage Wheels, Natalie, Gehenna, Hyang, and even the countless acquaintances from within the tower.

“Any news from the gods I mentioned?”

I intended to fulfill any promise I had made with my own hands, so I had instructed Aurora to keep watch over some particularly malicious gods I remembered from my ascent, reinforcing that she shouldn’t interfere but observe. Just in case, I had frozen their worlds in time, although of course that didn’t apply to the gods. For them, my short rest would have been filled with anxiety and torment. That, too, was a form of punishment. I had wanted to leave them that way for far longer, but I restrained myself for the sake of the people living in those worlds.

“Some have come to bow their heads. Others remain where they are, simply waiting.”

“Waiting?”

“I believe they think resistance is futile.”

Perhaps they had resolved to uphold their convictions, even if that meant accepting death when the moment arrived. I didn’t intend to kill every god, however. If they could be redeemed, I was willing to let them remain. Gods were no different from other sentient beings. To some extent, their environments and circumstances had shaped their current selves. Of course, some were fundamentally malicious, but I could deal with those ones separately.

I set aside my wandering thoughts and looked back at Aurora. “So, which of them are waiting?”