★31
THIRD POV
Eto vanished and reappeared before Zelrich's home, the sudden shift in space leaving the air faintly disturbed. He raised his hand and knocked, the sound echoing softly against the wooden door.
"Just a minute…"
A gentle, childish voice replied from inside. Light footsteps followed, hesitant but quick, drawing closer with each passing second.
The door slowly opened. Anya stood there, her hands clasped in front of her. The moment her eyes met Eto's, her breath caught. A faint heat rose to her cheeks, spreading until her face turned visibly red. She froze, unsure whether to step back or greet him.
"Yo, Anya-chan… where's your brother?"
Eto asked casually, a warm, easy smile resting on his face, as though this visit were no more than a friendly call.
"He… he's…"
Her voice wavered, words stumbling as she searched for an answer, eyes darting away for a brief moment.
Before she could finish, the sound of footsteps came from behind the house. Zelrich emerged from the side path, a bundle of firewood resting against his shoulder, unaware that he had just walked into an unexpected reunion.
"Hey, Eto san, it's good to see you again."
"Told you I'll be back. Can we talk like that right now?"
"Sure. Go in, I'll keep this here."
Eto went in and sat down, as did Zelrich.
"So what's up?"
"I'll never lie so you'll just have to believe me."
"S...sure I'll try."
Eto told him the regular flow and as expected, they were also surprised.
"Who would've thought I'd be fortunate to meet an otherworlder who has high ambitions of being a Demon Lord?"
"Yeah... so what do you say?"
"I really want to go but I don't want to leave all these....things we've built."
"No problem, I can teleport the whole building or the whole area if you want."
"R...really? That's just..."
"I...I want to live with Eto san."
"Me too...good let's go."
"Follow me."
"Heh?"
"Come on, both of you."
The two got up and followed Eto. As he reached the door and pushed it open, a sudden cold breeze surged inside, carrying an unfamiliar, distant scent.
The air warped for a brief instant, and before either of them could react, the house and parts of the surrounding area were torn away from their place and displaced into an unknown location.
The familiar warmth vanished. The atmosphere felt heavier, quieter, as though the world itself had shifted.
"Wh… what happened?"
Zelrich asked, his voice tense as he looked around, trying to grasp the abrupt change in their surroundings.
"Just like you wanted. I moved everything for you."
"I...I was going to change my mind."
"Heh? You mean you. You didn't want to come?"
"N.no not that...I mean the building."
'Well, too late, you can stay here or within the palace, it's your choice. Let's...."
Eto's babbling was cut short by the sharp resonance of teleportation magic echoing through the air. The sound itself felt deliberate, almost artificial, added solely to announce an arrival that needed no explanation.
(Asteri only added the sound to indicate their presence).
They appeared in an instant. Asteri stood at the forefront, his presence alone bending the atmosphere, with Hinamatsuri and Shinn flanking him. The space fell silent the moment they manifested, as if the world acknowledged their existence and held its breath.
"Master, here there are."
"Back already? Pleased to meet you both."
He welcomed.
<
"It's an honour Asteri sama."
He bowed.
"A..Asteri?"
The little girl, Anya, repeated.
"That's disrespectful Anya."
"No, it's not. I've been trying to stop it but I can't. Anyway, welcome to the island. I'll send someone to get over to help you with anything you might need."
"I appreciate it."
"As Eto said, you can stay here or live in the palace, it's your choice. It looks old... if you need it fixed tell him right away."
Shinn added.
"Have a good day Anya and Zelrich."
Hinamatsuri waved at them.
"Y...yes, my lady.."
"Looks like we're in the same boat Asteri san."
"See, I told you"
She tried to back him up, but ended up caught in it herself the moment she added "-san" to his name.
Without another word, the trio turned and walked away, their presence fading as abruptly as it had arrived, leaving Eto standing there with the siblings in the sudden
"So, that's the queen?"
"It's nothing like that. It's just that my master has something her. Anyway, feel free to explore around."
"Sure, thank you Eto san."
"Eto san..."
"No problem. I'll get your clothes ready. As for your meals, you're free to decide. Eat here or inside no one will complain. If anyone does, call me."
"S...sure".
...
..
.
Somewhere in Jistav.
Standing before a black orb was the Demon Lord Mimon.
Upon its surface, a horned, shadowed figure took shape, clutching a staff of darkness.
"I think we've found the person you're looking for,"
Mimon said quietly to the orb.
"So he was here after all. The rumour about leaving the Star Realm was true."
"Yes. He's not alone either."
"That won't be a problem. I'll give you something that'll help you in the future."
Darkness coalesced before Mimon, swirling like ink in water before condensing into a perfect cube. Its surface rippled faintly, reflecting no light, only absorbing it.
"What's this?"
He asked, noticing its peculiar nature.
"You'll figure it out. I'll be waiting for results."
"I won't fail you. This will benefit us both, after all."
The dark cube flickered once, its light fading into nothingness as the chamber dimmed. Silence reigned for a moment before Mimon, his movements calm yet carrying an oppressive weight. He walked toward the towering balcony draped in shadows, the faint sunlight spilling across his black-and-white garments.
"Azel."
At his call, the air shimmered. From the darkness, a man in a brown outfit emerged and dropped to one knee. A red clown mask concealed his face, the crimson grin painted on it twisted in contrast to his obedient posture. The wind tugged gently at his short black hair as he bowed his head.
"You called, my lord?"
He said, his voice calm but reverent, the kind that carried both fear and devotion.
"Based on what happened in Ingrassia, deliver the messages to Leon. I'm sure he'll be interested."
"But.."
"I know he'll pay for killing Kazalim. But let's focus on this one for now."
"As you wish."
Azel disappeared and appeared in El Dorado after a long time.
(Not everyone is capable of instant teleportation).
He projected his spirit all the way to Leon's castle, shrouded in complete concealment. Not even the castle's countless wards could sense his presence.
He appeared silently in the grand hall where Demon Lord Leon held a council. The moment his shadow flickered, Leon's eyes narrowed.
Without a word, Leon raised a hand.
"Leave."
The hall emptied instantly, servants and generals vanishing like dust before a storm. Silence fell.
Now alone, Leon leaned back on his throne, golden eyes glinting through the dim light.
"Punishment for such an intrusion..."
His voice was calm, but sharp enough to cut the air,
"...is death.".
"I'm only here to deliver a message."
Azel materialises after his voice, standing at the centre of the hall.
"Whatever it is, I'm not interested."
If he wasn't interested, he could've killed him right away but didn't.
"Even if it's about the summons?"
Leon seems interested after all he's the one behind those acts.
"Speak."
He ordered.
"I was there when the children were taken away. I witnessed how the red-haired massacred the entire room."
"Red hair?"
He seemed to notice someone matching the description and after connecting the dots, he figured it out.
"He came here when one of the kids was teleported."
"I know."
"Why didn't you interfere then?"
"I was on orders not to intervene no matter what happened."
"Orders? First of all, what's Mimon's puppets doing in Ingrassia? Spying on my tasks."
"We are everywhere in case you don't know."
"Everywhere, keh? So you know where the red hair took the kids?"
"Of course. Initially, I placed a tracker on all of them. After they disappeared, the next morning they were on an inhabited island and later that day my impurities were purified."
Leon thought for a moment.
<
"I know the island. So why deliver this to me? What is Mimon planning?"
"The said individual took his properties and so did yours."
It's obvious from here on out.
"Alliance to crush an ant? Ridiculous."
Leon scoffed. His title as a Demon Lord will be demeaning if he's to join hands with another Demon Lord to crush a lowly majin.
"Ant or not, that individual is beyond our class. Don't you think he should be stopped?"
"I'll pass. I've seen the list of the children, but none were qualified. He can do as he pleases with them."
"...."
Azel was at a loss for words. He couldn't convince Leon after all.
"If that's all you can leave."
"Hmm, excuse me then."
Azel disappeared.
SAI'S POV
Later that day in the Eastern Empire. I went over to Damrada.
"I need a request Damrada san."
"Stop saying that, just call me by my name."
"Fine."
"What do you want?"
"I want to climb the ranks among the Imperial Guardians."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, it'll keep me busy and I'll be of more use to the Emperor if I'm stronger."
"Hmm, I'm interested too. I'll pass down the word then."
"Thank you."
THIRD POV
Damrada took off to the Emperor's hall kneeling before him.
"What's it Damrada?"
Rudra, the Emperor asked.
"Your majesty, Sai has requested to push the ranks within the Imperial Guardians."
"That fool is in over his head!"
The Marshal yelled.
"It's alright. Actually, I've been waiting for that."
Damrada and Marshal were surprised.
"S... seriously."
"Hmm, he's not worth your time, your highness."
"Maybe, maybe not. Accepted. I'll personally spectate his matches if he pushes up to the lowest Single Digits"
"O..ok. I'll tell him right away. When should it commence?"
"Anytime he's ready. I'll summon the guardians for him."
"Ok..excuse me then."
Damrada stood up and left.
"He doesn't seem like fun. But I'm surprised you've taken a liking to him."
"He's strong. I'd just like to see an all-out battle between him and Tatsuya."
"So, you have high hopes he'll reach Double 0 Numbers and face 01 Tatsuya?"
He simply nodded.
"Knowing you, that's not the only reason is it?"
"Yeah. It might be a little but he's fighting back against Regalia Dominion."
"Impossible!"
"That's what I thought. He has more energy than I, that's why it's not working fully."
"Then the only option is..."
"Yes, Ultimate Dominion. To gain my trust, he'll likely struggle all the way. If he's qualified..."
"You'll give him an Angelic Ultimate Skill for Ultimate Dominion to fully work."
"Impressive you've caught on. No matter how strong he is, Ultimate Dominion can't be resisted. That's what lord Veldanava told me when he traded my Lord of Vows, Uriel, with his Lord of Justice, Michael."
Rudra gave an evil smile.
...
...
...
Azel appeared in Jistav, his presence rippling through the domain. Before him stood the Demon Lord Mimon, unmoving, his attention fixed solely on Azel.
"You're back."
Mimon said, his voice calm, as though the outcome had never been in doubt.
"Yes, my Lord."
Azel lowered his head slightly, not in submission, but acknowledgement.
"He rejected me.... precisely as you planned."
A faint shift passed through Mimon's expression. The rejection was not a failure, but confirmation. The path had unfolded exactly as foreseen.
Mimon's plan is built on inevitability, not force. He's setting a two-pronged snare where resistance only tightens the trap.
First, the transformation: whatever Azel scouted is meant to be changed, not merely empowered, but reshaped into something that can act independently inside enemy territory. This creates pressure from within, a variable that doesn't immediately point back to Mimon.
Second, the inside man and the island's nature. An isolated location reachable only by teleportation means control over who enters and why.
Even with "low security," Mimon already knows that strong individuals are present. He isn't underestimating them, he's going to bypass them.
"He saves people, right? That'll be his downfall."
The Curse Lord, Mimon, declared it openly.
He would weaponize Asteri's innocent compassion, twisting that very virtue into the means of reclaiming what was rightfully his.
To be continued...