Set the stage for a meeting.

"So let me see if I understand this correctly," says Barkis with another slow stroke of his hand down through his lengthy beard. Beneath the bush of his brow, you can see that his eyes are lost deeply in thoughts of many things. "You wish for us to see how many Chairmen are willing to meet with you to discuss important matters, based on your unique condition, and our likelihood of craving that information, or a chance to study you and your people."

"That's right." You stand proud before his desk. With a finger down against it, you stare back at him with confidence and you explain your situation. "Tell them of where I'm from. Tell them of my status as a weird experiment, with an enigma of a custom class bestowed upon me. Tell them King Thadius is surely not what he claims to be. And tell them that I know much about Elok Daven, and how he's far more dangerous to not only Tivera but the entire world if left unchecked. If they want to continue doing their own thing, vacationing off somewhere exotic or wasting away in their secret dungeon, I won't come find them, but I know somebody else who will. Eventually. Barkis, there's a tunnel carving through, north to south, beneath the entire empire. We've already fallen way behind his plans."

"And if their knowledge of Isekai Theory is so advanced, there's no telling what else they could do. Perhaps even travel back to your world yet again," he adds.

"The King isn't going to help, so the Circle is the next best thing. Not only that, but what if I told you that soon, the Queen would be better?"

"Better--?"

"That's right. She fell ill, remember? That's how Thadius was able to take the throne. Though the whole thing is fucked. Queen Catherine II spoke with me directly, and she explained the royal line. Queen Catherine I, followed by Queen Francine I, then Queen Francine II, then Queen Francine III, and she had two children. Our Queen Catherine II, and her sister Francine IV. Not only is it suspicious enough that this Hero-King would return to fill the position as the last monarch fell ill, but something would have had to happen to her sister too, or she'd have taken the throne. Instead Thadius, her cousin or whatever, is here to take it. And then during the whole Sports Festival... Well, that's a whole mess in itself. There's no way he isn't in cahoots with Elok somehow. I think he takes the title of Demon King much more literally. The King part, I mean."

Rada speaks from within the orb. "It's true that Demon Kings never rule a literal kingdom. The title is honorary, though in a negative sense, I suppose. Someone is called Demon King when they and their subjects are seen as genuine threats to the safety of a nation. But if one were in that position, and legitimately ruled something like the Empire of Tivera. I don't know what I would even call that."

"We'll stop them," Vivi chimes in.

You turn back to face her. "Yeah. Of course we will."

"I have to stop... her," she whispers. "I have to do it."

Barkis grumbles. "I'll see what I can do, but know that the Chairmen can be rather stubborn at times. But don't get it wrong. They're powerful, influential mages."

"He's talking about himself," Niki mumbles.

"It's true, meow!" Reko interjects from back at the door. "Myaster is powerful, influential, and amyazing, but he sure is stubborn too, meow!"

"All right. That's enough." Barkis turns his magic orb back around to face himself. "Allow us to speak. We'll send a message to you as soon as we're able with our answer. This matter is certainly distressing, though remember your place. Even members of the Circle may fear or at least distrust you after all that's happened."

"One brief moment of being mind controlled, and one little wanted poster, and suddenly you're the Demon King," you say with a shake of your head. "Is that fair?"

"I do not believe it is," Amara replies from behind.

"Well, it isn't up to me," Barkis says. "I may be old, but that doesn't mean they'll listen. Go now. You'll be informed no matter what the answer may be."

"Right then." You turn to your party. "I got one more Bunny Hop in me, and then I'm tapped out. Let's kick back for the rest of the day."

"Bunny Hop, you say?" Barkis asks.

You look back with a smirk. "I'll tell you more. If we have a meeting."