Within the towering throne room of the Demon King’s castle, Kairyuuha sat silently, eyes closed, one leg crossed over the other. The violet flames in the sconces flickered eerily, casting dancing shadows across the obsidian walls. The three loyal demons—Zalfus, Sith, and Velva—waited nearby, watching their master with reverence.

  Then, his eyes opened—glowing like stars—one red, one blue.

  “Galactic Understanding,” he whispered.

  His gaze pierced through space and layers of magical concealment, a shimmering map materializing before him in his mind—etched with lines of mana, spiritual seals, and sacred wards.

  “There it is…” he said darkly, rising from the throne. “It’s with him.”

  He turned toward the demons. “Prepare yourselves. I’ve located another orb.”

  Velva stepped forward, blinking. “While seated? You didn’t even leave the castle.”

  Zalfus chuckled. “We really serve a monster.”

  With a wave of his hand, space twisted—then shattered.

  The four figures appeared in the skies above the Duke’s estate. Kairyuuha floated midair, hands behind his back, deadly aura radiating like a black sun.

  The skies over the Duke’s estate churned with dark clouds, the winds howling in dread as if the heavens themselves feared the presence above. Hovering midair, surrounded by an aura so intense it crackled with raw energy, Kairyuuha stood tall. The Second Orb spun slowly beside him, pulsing ominously.

  Below, the defensive magic circles shattered, their glow fading as the final layers of the estate's magical barrier collapsed. The sudden rupture triggered the teleportation mechanism—the failsafe crafted by the Duke himself.

  In blinding flashes, Kazuki, Elara, Garron, Drake, Rinara, and 15 elite knights materialized into the courtyard.

  Kazuki didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward, eyes fixed on the figure high above.

  “…He looks older,” Rinara muttered. “And that aura…”

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  “He’s evolved,” Kazuki growled. “This isn’t the same Kairyuuha we fought before.”

  Without a word, Kazuki raised his hand. Ten elite dark soldiers burst from black sigils. A moment later, a powerful thrum rippled outward as a General-ranked soldier emerged—cloaked in armor, eyes glowing with undead intelligence.

  Kairyuuha raised his arm, his voice calm yet cold. “Sith, Velva, Zalfus—kill the knights. Injure the others. Don’t kill them.”

  The three loyal demons knelt mid-air, then vanished in streaks of destructive force.

  Steel clashed. Screams echoed.

  The knights were torn apart.

  Sith danced like a phantom, his dagger splitting wind and flesh alike. Velva cast tidal waves of poison and lightning, while Zalfus cleaved with overwhelming strength.

  Meanwhile, Kazuki lunged toward Kairyuuha.

  “Total Concentration. Elemental Fury. Blood Surge!”

  He blitzed through the air, eyes locked, his aura rising in a storm of mana. Black lightning trailed behind him.

  “Atomic Vortex!”

  Kazuki summoned a non-elemental spell—the strongest he’d mastered. A singularity of destructive force launched like a comet.

  But Kairyuuha… simply raised his hand.

  “Galactic Destruction ×10.”

  The sky ruptured.

  A shimmering array of collapsing stars burst forward, erasing the vortex as if it were nothing.

  Kazuki barely managed to dodge the aftermath.

  “Too slow,” Kairyuuha said in Japanese, grinning. “Didn’t I tell you to get stronger?”

  “Don’t mock me, aniki…” Kazuki spat back.

  He surged again, clashing swords and spells, each move sharper than the last. His soldiers joined the battle, trying to pierce Kairyuuha’s layered defenses—but their attacks were deflected like raindrops against a fortress.

  Kairyuuha didn’t even seem serious—just observing. Testing. Evaluating.

  But then…

  Kazuki, bloodied and breathing hard, gritted his teeth.

  “…Brother.”

  The word slipped out.

  Kairyuuha’s eyes widened. A jolt surged through his body. His grip faltered.

  Sudden, violent flashbacks ripped through his mind:

  He and Kazuki—older—fighting side by side, laughing, bleeding, conquering.

  And then—

  A girl, screaming his name.

  He couldn’t see her clearly.

  But he watched as her body collapsed, bloodied, her voice fading.

  A silence swept through his heart.

  BOOM!

  The sky trembled.

  Storm clouds gathered.

  Electricity howled through the air as Kairyuuha’s anger surged beyond control.

  His aura lashed the clouds, rising like a pillar to the heavens, his eyes glowing furiously.

  Lightning cracked across the entire capital.

  “Kairyuuha…?” Sith looked up, unnerved.

  But the Demon King only rose higher into the sky, lifting a single hand. A sphere of colossal destructive energy began to form above him.

  The earth itself shook in protest.

  Kazuki fell to one knee, wide-eyed.

  “…This pressure… it’s—!?”

  But just before the blast could be released, Kairyuuha exhaled. Slowly, deliberately…

  He dispersed the attack.

  With a boom, the storm ceased.

  He descended, walking past the battered party and slain knights.

  The orb hovered beside him.

  With a flick of his wrist, the vault opened.

  He took it.

  Then turned to Kazuki, who barely stood upright.

  “This is my second orb,” he said calmly. “You’re not ready.”

  And just like that—he vanished.

  ---

  Elsewhere — Demon King’s Castle

  Kairyuuha stood upon his obsidian throne, the Second Orb floating beside him, untouched.

  Zalfus knelt, eyes fixed on the orb. “You’re not crushing it?”

  Kairyuuha shook his head. “No. I want to remember… but only when I’m ready.”

  The demons remained quiet, feeling the weight in their master’s voice.

  He turn

  ed to the vast sky through the window. “Two orbs… three remain.”

  His grip tightened.

  “…And the truth will rise with the last one.”