"This didn’t go how I expected, especially the fact that Owen is somehow involved," Supreme Ruler Dena said, "but with Supreme Ruler Exosso dead, all we can do is find Supreme Ruler Umbra and hope he’s alive—and can explain the situation."

"Then we’ll immediately head to Death Paradise," Yuan said.

"What about Bone Atoll?" Lev suddenly asked. "With their Supreme Ruler now perished, who will replace him?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Supreme Ruler Grant then spoke, "In normal circumstances the Supreme Adviser would assume command if the Supreme Ruler died unexpectedly... unless a successor was already named. But we can assume the Supreme Adviser is dead too, and that we’re likely the only ones in the Bone Atoll who know the Supreme Ruler has perished."

Supreme Ruler Dena continued, "If there’s no rightful successor, anyone can claim the title. In other words, it’s a free-for-all, and the strongest will become the new Supreme Ruler."

"But since nobody knows that the throne is empty..." She pointed at Gutou and said, "He can technically become the next Supreme Ruler if he desires."

Gutou shook his head vigorously and said, "Oh, no! No, no, no! As tempting as becoming the next Supreme Ruler sounds, there’s no way in hell I will be able to keep the position for long! It’s not like I can keep this a secret forever, either. The moment the rest of the world finds out the truth, I will become nothing but a vulnerable prey, hunted by everyone in the Bone Atoll!"

Supreme Ruler Dena shrugged and casually said, "In that case, I’ll become Bone Atoll’s next Supreme—"

She suddenly halted her speech and turned to look at Yuan with a profound smile on her face.

"Actually, why don’t you become their next Supreme Ruler?"

"What?" Yuan pointed at himself with a dumbfounded face. "Me? Can a human even become the Supreme Ruler?"

"A human...?" Gutou stared at Yuan in shock and doubting, wondering if he’d heard correctly.

"We won’t know for sure until you try. Since you can technically turn into a demon, it’s worth giving it a shot."

Yuan pondered for a moment before nodding his head.

"You know what? Why not? How do I become—try to become the Supreme Ruler?" he then asked.

"You’ll need to participate in the Supreme Ruler Ritual," Supreme Ruler Dena answered as she swept the entire castle with her divine sense.

"Follow me, I’ll take you to the location."

Yuan nodded and began following her.

Lev and the others also followed.

Some time later they entered a spacious chamber where a large pile of bones lay arranged in a circle with a solitary bone totem rising from its center.

’Fuck... are we really going to do this?’ Supreme Ruler Grant wondered inwardly.

To let a human become a Supreme Ruler would be an immense humiliation to their entire world and race, but he was in no position to protest against it.

’No... I’m sure the Demon God would not allow such a thing to happen!’ He then convinced himself.

Supreme Ruler Dena proceeded to explain the process to Yuan.

"Stand in front of the altar and repeat the incantation after me."

After taking a deep breath, Supreme Ruler Dena recited the incantation aloud, "Demon God..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Even though Supreme Ruler Dena was still reciting the incarnation, Yuan could not hear her voice, as his consciousness was no longer in the room with them.

Shortly after Yuan stood before the altar, his consciousness was summoned to a different realm, where the Demon God was present.

"What do you think you’re trying to do?"

The Demon God asked Yuan.

He calmly shrugged, "Don’t look at me. This wasn’t even my idea. If you’re not going to let me become the Supreme Ruler, then just say so and I’ll be on my way."

"..."

The Demon God fell silent, almost as if wondering about it.

Soon, he spoke, "The residents of my world believe that only those chosen by me can become the Supreme Ruler. In truth, I have no control over such a thing... or rather, it would be more accurate to say that I have no desire to intervene with the world. If you want to become the Supreme Ruler, then so be it."

"Seriously?" Yuan muttered as he wore a surprised expression on his face.

Given his history with the Demon God, he never imagined he would be permitted to become a figure of absolute authority in this world. After all, it would be like allowing someone who once tried to kill you to become a general in your own army.

"Are you sure you won’t regret it later?" Yuan remarked.

"Hahaha! Regret? What is there for me to regret? It’s not like I am handing over my world to you! And don’t think you’re allowed to do anything just because you’re the Supreme Ruler. If you dare try to destroy my world, I’ll kill you."

Yuan raised an eyebrow and asked, "I thought you swore to never intervene with your world?"

"That rule only applies to the residents of my world. You, who came from another world, clearly doesn’t belong in that category."

"What about the Primal Sovereign of the Seas, who is feasting in your seas? The same goes with the Everlasting Crimson Dragon, who is causing major disturbances in your territory?"

"Snitching on your friends, huh? I wasn’t expecting this from you," the Demon God mocked.

Yuan shook his head.

"I am only using them as examples. And I already know you’re allowing them to act. If not, you would’ve killed them long ago."

"Indeed. Not only are they aware, but they act within the laws of my world. As long as they do nothing that drastically disturbs it, I will not intervene," said the Demon God.

"What they’re doing doesn’t count as drastic in your eyes?" Yuan was speechless.

Then, without warning, the Demon God returned Yuan’s consciousness to the Weeping Ossuary.

<You have become Bone Atoll’s Supreme Ruler!>

<You have acquired the title ’Supreme Ruler of the Demonic Realm’!>

<You have learned the skill ’Demon God’s Inferior Authority’!>