Although this otherworld had things called "Demonic Possession," which the church would condemn as monsters to be executed.
They were originally born as ordinary humans, but from a certain day onward, their bodies suddenly began to rot. If left untreated, they would die before long. Even so, the church would still purchase living "Demonic Possessions" at a high price, just to perform the so-called "purification" execution.
It sounded exactly like something out of the Middle Ages. At first, he still held on to a bit of hope, thinking, Maybe demons really do exist. But when he turned ten, that hope shattered.
At ten years old, he encountered a Demonic Possession. After a month of his research… well, it turned out to just be a kind of hereditary blood disease. At that time, he even cured a supposedly "possessed" elf who was on the verge of death.
Originally, he had planned to casually send the elf on her way, but she insisted on repaying him. Thinking that it would be cool to have an "organization of Shadow Rulers," he offhandedly invented a group called the Cult of Diablos, claiming that everything about the Demonic Possessions was caused by them. He even gave the elf the name Alpha, and established a group called Shadow Garden, intending to trick her into playing his chuunibyou game with him.
Three years later, the organization had grown to seven members. They became known as the Seven Shadows. But it was also that year that his lie was exposed.
The seven came to him, saying they wanted to expand their activities elsewhere to fight against the Cult of Diablos. He understood what they meant: they had already realized the Cult of Diablos didn't exist. But out of gratitude for curing them, and out of the bonds they had formed over the years, they were still willing to humor him and continue playing this game.
Of course, it wasn't possible that a real Cult of Diablos existed. (Or so he thought, laughing at himself.)
Up until two years ago, all he could do was ask them to help him act out his Shadow Ruler fantasies. Or, if he encountered terrorists, he would suddenly appear, say a bunch of cryptic nonsense that even he didn't understand, and then take them out. Sure, it looked cool, but in the end it was just his own self-indulgence.
When the Seven Shadows faced trouble, they would sometimes call on him for help under the excuse of "fighting the Cult of Diablos." If they couldn't make the setup work, they would even change the setting of the cult to keep things consistent.
Thanks to that, by now the cult had gone through countless revisions. Originally described as "lurking in the shadows, lusting after Diablos' power," it had evolved into "they created the three heroes who once defeated Diablos; they conducted experiments on Diablos himself; they secretly control various terrorist organizations across the world."
If only such an organization really existed… what a shame.That way, he would have all the reasons in the world to make his dramatic Shadow Ruler appearances. Too bad it was all just made up.
Even his other identity, Shadow, had ended up being placed on wanted lists because of his antics. But… wasn't that just the coolest thing ever?
He had thought that perhaps he would never truly get a stage worthy of a Shadow Ruler in his entire life—until a year and a half ago.
That day, the earth trembled, magic surged through the skies, monsters fled from the forests, and tsunamis thousands of meters high rose at the coasts.
On that day, everyone in all three worlds witnessed a miracle. The worlds… fused together.
With minimal casualties, three worlds merged perfectly into one, as if it had always been that way.
Although the fusion itself didn't destroy the world, the various powers from the three worlds nearly tore it apart.
Fortunately, just when tensions were about to erupt into an all-out war between the three worlds, an invasion from outside the world occurred.
Yes—ironically, this invasion was a stroke of luck. An outside invasion was not a calamity but salvation. Ridiculous, isn't it?
But it was true. Without that invasion, all of civilization would have been wiped out in the great war that was about to begin. The outside invasion gave the three worlds a reason to unite.
The World Battlefield—that's what the place where this new world fights against the invaders from beyond has come to be called.
Ordinary people should be thankful that the invasion redirected the internal pressures of world fusion into an external conflict, sparing the world from destruction. But that doesn't mean the invasion was actually a good thing.
Since the war began, countless factions suffered heavy losses, deaths, and injuries. The balance of the world shifted dramatically.
After more than a year of adjustment, a large international academy was established on Itogami Island, an artificial island from World No. 2. Despite having no teaching experience, once the school was built, every major faction from all three worlds sent their heirs there. The idea was that, by fostering bonds between the next generation of leaders, true fusion of the worlds could be achieved.
As for him, a minor noble's son from World No. 3, he had already been attending a noble academy. With a few connections, he easily became a second-year student at this new academy.
Although Itogami Island was once rumored to be a research base for studying demons, ever since the academy was established, no one dared mention it again.
After all, both World No. 1 and World No. 2 were home to powerful beastmen and demons. Bringing up such talk was hardly conducive to unity.
He gave thanks for this world fusion—for it provided the perfect stage for the birth of a true Shadow Ruler.
Think about it: demons, angels, gods, vampires… With beings like these existing, no matter the external threat, the world's interior could never truly remain peaceful.
Take, for example, the urban legend of the Fourth Progenitor. Supposedly, he was a mass murderer who needed to drink the blood of a virgin every day. He was said to have twelve beast familiars—disasters incarnate—and could destroy the world singlehandedly.
How cool was that? If someone told him where the Fourth Progenitor was, he would rush there immediately and kill him—making his second official debut as the Shadow Ruler of this new world.
Countless villains. Endless world-ending crises. Just imagining it thrilled him. And in this new world, there were at least three individuals whose strength was so great that even he couldn't predict the outcome of a fight.
That was why he was excited. This world gave him the chance to truly become a Shadow Ruler.
Months ago, he had Alpha gather the members of Shadow Garden—now numbering more than seven hundred. Standing on stage, he addressed the crowd with phrases fitting the "game setting," telling them that he no longer wished to play his chuunibyou games.
Most people wouldn't have understood what he meant. But the Seven Shadows, who had grown up with him and knew his true nature, would certainly get it.
For example, what he had just told Gamma earlier—others might think it was a deep, heavy message, that he bore some terrible burden. But Gamma, who was sharp, likely "translated" his words in her head instantly.
"You no longer need to report this intelligence to me"(Translation: I already said I'm done playing chuunibyou games.)
"We are no longer on the same path. Seize this chance to lead Shadow Garden into the light. Remember, flowers cannot bloom in darkness."(Translation: It must've been hard finding people to play with me. I won't trouble you anymore.)
"I'll bear all the darkness and sin of this world alone. You must not, and should not, face it yourselves."(Translation: I'm going to become a real Shadow Ruler now. You girls really can't help me with that.)
Yes, he had already graduated from being a chuunibyou. He wanted to draw a clear line between Shadow before the fusion and Shadow after the fusion.
Sure, it had been fun to jump in randomly and act like a cryptic "man of mystery." But fake was fake. From the very beginning, there had never been a Cult of Diablos. The kingdom wasn't fooled into thinking there was—it only issued a bounty on him. That fact alone proved it.
Thinking about it now, it was nothing but black history.
But look at the new world now—calm on the surface, but with raging undercurrents. Missing the chance to debut as a real Shadow Ruler on such a perfect stage? He'd regret it for a lifetime.
He could finally become the real Shadow Ruler. Why keep playing at childish games?
Of course, he had considered bringing Alpha and the others along. But they had already spent their own money to hire people to play along with his fantasies. To drag them into danger again for the sake of his dream—he couldn't respect himself if he did that.
Failing to save strangers was one thing. Failing to protect his dearest friends, who had helped him realize his dream, was something else entirely.
Although, maybe he had overacted a bit earlier. Gamma and the others had nearly burst out laughing.
Fortunately, he'd had the presence of mind to leave quickly, softening his tone at the last moment. He believed Gamma understood his real meaning.
"What I can do is take away the darkness from your path toward the light."(Translation: If you need help, just call me.)
"And Gamma, think carefully about what I once told you."(Translation: For the sake of our bond, don't laugh. At least wait until I'm gone before you do.)
On the way back to class, Cid thought to himself with satisfaction.