The declaration was sent to every corner of the world.
It was not written on paper.
It was carved into the sky.
Above kingdoms, oceans, deserts, and ruined lands, the same sentence appeared in burning light:
ABSOLUTE THREAT IDENTIFIED
TARGET: DEMON KING AND TOWER
STATUS: EXTERMINATION AUTHORIZED
Panic followed.
Kings abandoned thrones.
Heroes were summoned from retirement.
Ancient weapons were unearthed.
Forbidden alliances were formed overnight.
For the first time in centuries, the world agreed on one thing.
The Demon King could not be allowed to exist.
---
Inside the tower, the air remained calm.
Elowen sat on the edge of a balcony, legs swinging freely as she fed glowing petals to a massive storm wolf curled beside her.
"You're very fluffy for something made of lightning," she said happily.
The beast rumbled, tail sparking softly.
The assistant approached the Demon King, expression grim.
"My King, the world has declared absolute war."
The Demon King did not look away from the horizon.
"How many?"
"All of them," the assistant replied. "Kingdoms. Churches. Independent factions. Even demon clans who fear replacement."
"Good," the Demon King said.
The assistant hesitated. "They are bringing relics meant to kill gods."
"Then they're prepared," the Demon King replied calmly.
Below them, the tower reacted.
New floors unlocked without command.
Weapon vaults opened.
Beasts awakened voluntarily.
The tower was no longer waiting.
It was anticipating.
---
Far away, in a ruined battlefield, a man watched the sky burn with the declaration.
He smiled.
"So he's back," the man murmured.
He stood among corpses, black armor cracked, spear resting casually on his shoulder. His aura was wrong—similar to the Demon King's, but twisted.
"About time," he said.
A whisper traveled through the shadows.
Rival detected.
---
Back in the tower, Elowen suddenly stopped smiling.
She pressed a hand to her chest.
"…They're scared," she said quietly.
The Demon King glanced at her.
"Good."
She looked up at him. "They're not scared of you. They're scared of what you represent."
"And what is that?"
"A world that doesn't need permission."
The tower pulsed in agreement.
The assistant felt a chill.
"My King," he said slowly, "the world is preparing to strike within three days."
"Let them come," the Demon King replied.
Elowen stood and dusted off her dress.
"Then we should make the tower prettier before guests arrive."
The Demon King paused.
"…Do whatever you want."
Her smile returned instantly.
Flowers bloomed across the war-ready floors.
---
Above the tower, clouds twisted unnaturally.
Below it, armies marched.
And deep within reality itself, something ancient shifted.
The world had chosen war.
The Demon King accepted.
And this time—
He would not stop at refusal.
---
End of Chapter 7