Vhalzareth had finally arrived at the Kingdom of Lumina, a nation home to naturally born High Humans, confident in its position as the most holy land throughout the world and infamous for its deep hatred of monsters.
He emerged from the shadow of a massive blue-leafed tree standing atop the tall mountain, with Momo beside him. Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the breathtaking view before them.
A vast sea of cherry blossoms stretched across the mountain, shrouded in soft mist and ethereal light. Crystal-clear rivers wound through the blooming valleys, while ancient lakes rested beyond the clouds, adding to the kingdom's otherworldly beauty.
—Kingdom of Lumina—
Momo and Vhalzareth walked up a beautiful, elegant stone staircase, its sides lined with gray pillars as thick brown roots curled around them, decorated with pink roses that seemed to sparkle beneath the gentle light.
(Wow, this place is striking.)
Momo glanced around with quiet interest until her eyes settled on the gatekeepers standing at the end of the stairs beside an ornate entrance frame.
Both wore demonic masks with two large horns rising from their foreheads, accompanied by smaller branching horns, while black samurai robes covered their bodies and blades rested at their sides.
"Who are you two?" one of the gatekeepers asked firmly as the other stepped forward.
"Why are you here?" he added in the same stern tone.
"We are envoys from the Satoria Federation, sent by Great Lord Haruto," Vhalzareth answered calmly as he presented the official letter from Lumina requesting an alliance.
The gatekeepers examined the letter carefully before stepping aside. At the same moment, the entrance frame activated, revealing a portal through which the other side could clearly be seen.
"After you," Vhalzareth said with refined courtesy.
The two stepped through the portal, finding themselves in the heart of the kingdom, where High Humans moved through the streets with their own purposes.
The houses and stores lining the streets were built from smooth white stone, decorated with thin blue windows and dark-brown oak doors. Their elegant design fit beautifully with the surrounding cherry blossoms, creating an atmosphere that felt carefully preserved.
The kingdom itself sounded peaceful and refreshing, filled with soft conversations and gentle laughter as children ran through the streets while playfully chasing one another.
"Welcome to the Kingdom of Lumina. I shall be your guide today."
The woman they had encountered before, Mei, stood before them with a gentle smile.
"Oh… thank you," Momo replied quickly.
Vhalzareth remained mostly silent afterward, watching Mei without much interest. To Vhalzareth, unnecessary small talk was little more than a waste of words.
Mei smiled softly at Momo before turning around and leading them down the street, passing between the people who moved through the kingdom in both directions.
"I have to say, your kingdom is quite peaceful," Momo remarked, speaking from what she had observed as they continued walking. The people they passed greeted Mei respectfully, regardless of their age or position.
"Yes. That is the soul purpose of our kingdom, to create a place where people can live in peace," Mei answered, glancing over her shoulder toward Momo.
"I see…" Momo's eyes narrowed slightly with curiosity. "If I may ask, is this peace only for you High Humans within these walls?"
Mei's eyes widened slightly at the question, clearly caught off guard, but she quickly composed herself.
"It is only for those within these walls, and yes, it is only for High Humans," Mei admitted, her gaze drifting toward the people walking past them.
"World peace is impossible," Mei said softly.
A faint smile appeared on Momo's face, while Vhalzareth's expression shifted into a subtle, knowing smile as they continued following behind her.
"Yeah… but Great Lord Haruto isn't bound by impossibility," Momo replied proudly. "Right now, his goal is to create peace beyond the beyond."
Vhalzareth gave a small nod, clearly approving of Momo's words.
"Indeed. Under Lord Haruto's guidance, monster attacks have already decreased by ninety percent. His influence has reached far beyond what most would consider possible."
(Perfectly said. I suppose I'm beginning to see this girl in a new light.)
Vhalzareth's straight smile widened slightly as he observed Momo, his usually composed expression carrying a faint trace of amusement as his opinion of the young woman quietly changed.
"Oh…" Mei was slightly surprised to hear his words, her eyes widening as she continued watching him from nearby.
(He's grown so much since the last time we fought in the forest, and on top of that, he has a powerful Subroutine on his side.)
After reaching their destination, Momo and Vhalzareth came to a stop upon a sparkling crimson carpet, their gazes naturally rising toward the throne where the ruler of Lumina rested while Mei approached her side.
"I present to you the great ruler of the greatest kingdom, Queen Azuraith of Lumina," announced a pale-haired man dressed with eerie elegance, wearing a dark vest over a white shirt with black gloves covering his hands.
His face remained hidden behind a stitched, unnatural smile, while his outstretched hands and unsettling posture gave him the presence of something disturbingly inhuman.
—Severin—
Azuraith's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Vhalzareth, her expression suggesting that she was desperately searching through her memories for where she might have encountered him before.
"It's been a while, hasn't it… Little Calamity Maiden?" Vhalzareth said with an amused smile, his words immediately causing the two Subroutines standing beside her to widen their eyes in surprise at how he knew their Queen's true identity.
"How do you know our Queen's true identity?" Severin asked seriously, his voice carrying a firm edge as a green-colored aura began radiating from his body.
Azuraith leaned forward slightly, her attention becoming completely fixed upon Vhalzareth as a single familiar title echoed through her memories.
Little Calamity Maiden.
There had only been one entity who had ever called her that back in the Underworld, a slender demonic figure with crimson-dark, featureless characteristics who rested upon a gigantic pale-red stone crowned by two long horns.
"No way…"
Azuraith's voice carried genuine disbelief as her fist tightened, the realization becoming impossible to deny despite how absurd it seemed.
"I-It can't be."
Severin's aura vanished almost immediately after he understood the implication, realizing from his queen's reaction that she already knew the mysterious man standing before them.
"My Queen, do you know this man?" Mei asked, her confusion becoming increasingly obvious as she looked between Azuraith and Vhalzareth.
Azuraith nodded without hesitation.
Mei glanced toward Vhalzareth, still struggling to comprehend the situation that had suddenly unfolded before her.
"Who is he?"
"He is the Fallen One."
Azuraith's gaze remained fixed upon Vhalzareth as she finally revealed the identity that had caused the entire atmosphere to change.
"Or, to put it simply, he is famously known as Lucifer, the ruler of Hell."
The revelation struck everyone present with shock, and even Momo's expression changed as she stared at Vhalzareth with newfound disbelief.
"Fufufu…"
Vhalzareth laughed softly, his amusement remaining perfectly controlled despite the stunned expressions surrounding him.
"I'm impressed that you could still recognize me in my human form, but please, call me Vhalzareth."
"What? You got a new name?" Azuraith asked while forcing a smile, though the confusion behind her expression was impossible to hide.
(What the hell? How in the world did he even obtain a vessel capable of withstanding his existence?)
"Since we have that out of the way, let us get to our main purpose," Vhalzareth said seriously, his tone becoming noticeably more businesslike as he looked toward Azuraith.
"I would rather be by my Lord's side, so please, let us hurry."
Severin was about to say something regarding Vhalzareth's tone toward his queen, but the moment he considered the true nature of the being standing before him, his body stiffened and his words died before leaving his mouth.
(Lord?! He's serving someone?)
Azuraith was equally stunned by the revelation, but she quickly pushed that mystery aside and turned her attention back toward the actual purpose of their meeting.
"Yes. Let's do that."
An hour later, Azuraith and Vhalzareth sat opposite one another inside a private room, its walls carefully constructed so that not even the faintest sound from within could be heard by anyone outside.
"Further matters will be handled by my Lord personally," Vhalzareth said seriously, his posture remaining perfectly composed as he placed his teacup down. "The terms will be discussed at the Satoria Federation, and my liege will send you an official invitation."
Azuraith nodded in understanding as she lowered her cup of tea, gently sliding a loose strand of pale hair behind her ear while considering his words.
"But first, allow me to hear your reason for seeking an alliance with the Satoria Federation," Vhalzareth said, his eyes narrowing slightly as his attention settled upon her.
"It's not complicated, really," Azuraith answered calmly. "The Satoria Federation possesses advanced technology, and there are many things among it that could greatly benefit my people."
Her expression softened slightly as she continued.
"Especially their food."
Vhalzareth remained silent for a moment, allowing her answer to settle before Azuraith continued explaining the kind of relationship she desired.
"I would like the alliance to extend as far as possible, including military, economic, and political cooperation between our kingdoms," Azuraith said, crossing her legs as she calmly answered his questions.
"Mmm… I have what I need."
Vhalzareth rose from his seat with the same composed elegance he had maintained throughout the conversation, and Azuraith followed shortly afterward as the meeting naturally came to its conclusion.
"I shall take my leave now."
"Of course," Azuraith replied with a small smile, extending her hand toward him. "I'll be looking forward to our alliance."
Vhalzareth accepted the gesture, and the two formally concluded their conversation with a firm handshake.
In the Kingdom of Dragons, the Dragon Lord stood upon the training-ground platform with a wooden sword firmly held in his hands. Opposite him stood an extraordinarily beautiful woman with sea-blue hair and sparkling golden eyes, delicately framed by her long eyelashes.
She wore tight black jeans with an oversized T-shirt tucked into them, while a wooden sword rested firmly in her hands as she stood ready to attack.
(Let's just see how much my reincarnated daughter has improved.) Alexander thought internally, his expression carrying a hint of amusement as he observed Alyosha.
"Okay, Alyosha."
"Yes, Father Alexander," Alyosha replied calmly.
Without another word, Alexander launched himself toward Alyosha at light speed, bringing his wooden sword upward in a powerful swing. Alyosha stopped the attack by planting one foot firmly against the ground, halting the force of his strike before it could reach her.
Thinking quickly, Alyosha swung her sword toward Alexander's head, only for the figure before her to disappear as she realized she had struck nothing more than an afterimage. Alexander had already moved behind her, his sword coming toward her with barely a second to spare.
Alyosha immediately jumped upward to evade the strike, twisting her body in midair until she could face Alexander directly. He smirked upon seeing her predicament, recognizing that she would have difficulty changing direction while airborne, and took the opportunity to attack again.
Yet Alyosha twisted herself once more, causing the blade to pass barely an inch from her neck. Using the momentum of her movement, she placed one hand against the top of Alexander's head and balanced herself above him before redirecting her body.
Before Alexander could recover from the momentum of his swing, Alyosha landed behind him and seized both of his arms, pulling them sharply in opposite directions before driving him into the ground with enough force to send dust and fragments of stone scattering across the training ground.
Alyosha immediately drove her wooden blade downward toward Alexander's neck, but when the dust finally began to clear, she stopped the weapon only inches away from its intended target.
"Why did you stop, huh?" Alexander asked calmly, still lying on the ground with Alyosha's blade positioned at his throat.
"The one-minute sparring session has ended," Alyosha replied simply.
"...Is that so?" Alexander said softly, his expression remaining completely blank.
A black sphere suddenly appeared beside Alyosha's head. She turned slightly toward it, but before she could react, the sphere exploded against her, severely damaging one side of her face.
Alyosha fell heavily to the side as Alexander rose to his feet, casually brushing the dust from himself before kicking her in the stomach and sending her crashing into the wall.
Nearby, an Oni slave whose feet were bound by chains approached Alexander while carrying a towel. However, the chains restricted her movement, causing her to lose her balance and fall face-first onto the ground.
Ignoring her pain, she immediately forced herself back onto her feet, only for Alexander's boot to strike her again and knock her down.
(Fucking useless slave!) Alexander thought internally, irritation unexpectedly rising within him for reasons even he did not understand.
He stepped over the fallen girl as he moved toward the other side of the training ground. Meanwhile, Alyosha's damaged face had already returned completely to normal through her regeneration.
Alyosha was still only one month old, but age was irrelevant for Spiritual Life-Forms, whose existence did not follow the ordinary limitations of mortal growth. She was still learning what life truly meant, yet something within her had finally begun to take shape.
A strange happiness filled Alyosha as the realization settled within her developing consciousness.
(I understand now!!... Destruction is the reason for life.) Alyosha thought happily as she finally understood what she believed life meant.
(Life is meant to be destroyed.)
Suddenly, the Divine Voice resounded within Alyosha's consciousness, making a serious announcement despite the complete absence of emotion within its voice.
"Notice"
"Unique Skill "Eschaton" has been obtained."
"Title "Apostle of the Final Purpose" has been acquired."
Alyosha's eyes widened slightly as she heard the Divine Voice granting her an Unique Skill based upon her core belief.
(This is it.)
A sharp smile slowly crept across her face as she felt the overwhelming power taking root within her existence, the strange happiness in her expression revealing that she had finally found what she believed to be her purpose.
At the Elarion Skyhold Kingdom, Haruto and Ronóva sat together at an elegant restaurant with outdoor tables, while the gentle chatter of people filled the surrounding streets as customers pulled out chairs and settled into their seats.
Ronóva wore an elegant white off-shoulder dress decorated with layered ruffles and a flowing asymmetrical skirt, cinched at the waist by a black corset-style design adorned with pink roses.
Long black gloves, pearl chains, black ribbons, and additional rose accents gave the outfit a gothic elegance, while a wide-brimmed black hat decorated with roses and pearls completed her appearance.
"You actually brought her a doll," Ronóva said with a soft smile as she rested her elbow on the table and placed her chin against her hand. "Cute~"
"Really..." Haruto tilted his head slightly as he looked at the princess doll resting inside a finely carved box. I don't think she'll like this. She's mature
"You're worried about that? Don't be. It's still her first time experiencing things like this, darling," Ronóva said as she took another sip from her strawberry milkshake.
"Yeah... I guess you're right," Haruto replied with a quiet sigh.
They remained silent for a while afterward, though Haruto soon became distracted by Ronóva's beauty, secretly watching her from across the table.
(Just look at him~. Can he keep his eyes to himself? Oh well, he's the only man who can look at me with both love and lust,) Ronóva thought internally, pretending not to notice his gaze.
(Beautiful women are troublesome,) Haruto thought as he tilted his head, no longer making any attempt to hide the fact that he was looking at her.
"Now you're not even trying to hide it, babe~," Ronóva said, puffing her cheeks slightly. "I like it when you check me out, darling~. The secret type."
"Hahaha..." Haruto laughed softly, his eyes narrowing with amusement. "Sorry about that. It's just hard to keep my eyes off a flower."
Ronóva gave a soft giggle at his words before elegantly placing one hand against her cheek.
"Must be lucky to stare at that flower for as long as you want."
"Undoubtedly so," Haruto replied with a straight smile as he leaned back slightly, allowing himself to take in the full sight of Ronóva.
Out of nowhere, Yomi came running toward Haruto and Ronóva from across the street, happily weaving between the people walking along the road with an excited, dreamy expression.
"Oh, Yomi. Have you finished paying for what you wanted?" Ronóva asked gently as she watched Yomi climb onto her father's lap. "I don't see you brought anything."
"I have, Mommy. I've stored everything inside my "Storage"," Yomi replied happily, expressing herself with animated hand gestures. "There were so many amazing things, but I used all the money Mommy gave me."
(What?! How could someone spend enough to feed multiple cities with the money she'd receive?) She reminds me of Yuna, Haruto thought as he gently stroked Yomi's head while she sat comfortably on his lap.
"Don't bother yourself about that," Ronóva said as she crossed her long legs. "I'll just give you another allowance."
"Oh!" Yomi suddenly noticed the doll resting inside its carved box. "Who's this little girl?"
Haruto immediately became slightly shy as he answered, "It's something I brought for you. You don't need to like it, since I don't know what you like yet."
"What are you saying, Daddy? I love this! It's the most valuable gift out of all my items," Yomi said happily before burying herself against Haruto's chest and hugging him tightly.
"You love it?! I'm glad," Haruto said, slightly suppressing his happiness at seeing how much Yomi loved the gift.
When he looked toward Ronóva, she simply gave him a knowing wink.
At the back of Haruto's neck, a small area began to transform into black mist.
The Haruto standing here and the Haruto in his original universe were experiencing the same things simultaneously.
Because Haruto was a Spiritual Life-Form, he could manifest his existence across multiple locations simultaneously without dividing his fundamental identity.
(Shit... It seems I have to isolate the transformation between me here and me on Planet Earth, so it won't affect me there.) Haruto thought internally, all while continuing to interact with Ronóva and Yomi as they enjoyed their time together.
Meanwhile, back in the Kingdom of Dragons, Alexander rested inside his office on a sofa while the full moon hung outside the window, overlooking the vast ocean beyond the kingdom.
"To hell with all the kingdoms," Alexander muttered as his fist slammed into the tea table. "When the High Circle collapsed, they should've chosen me, but they abandoned me."
"Ugh... Now all the kingdoms have to vote together for anything world-altering, and so on. Fuck, now my entire plan is down the drain," Alexander said in frustration as he leaned back and ran a hand through his hair.
"Alongside my second plan of declaring war on the Elarion Skyhold Kingdom, their alliance with the Satoria Federation stopped me from proceeding after seeing what happened to the High Circle... I can't."
Alexander released a deep sigh as he settled back into the sofa.
"I'll wait until the time is right. For now, I'll just watch how the world behaves."