I had just returned from the Federation after an unexpected visit from King Yoshi and Xiao Xiao. Their surprise appearance had been a pleasant one, a reminder that even in these turbulent times, friendships endured. Now, it would soon be my turn to visit them—an opportunity to reconnect and finally fulfill my long-planned journey across the regions.

  Sado Island, on the other hand, was thriving more than ever. With each passing day, its people grew stronger, evolving in both power and resilience. Even in my absence, they had proven capable of defending their home from various threats. Seeing their progress filled me with pride. My promise to the late Lady Kie had been fulfilled—her dream for Sado Island was now a reality.

  If she were here, she would marvel at how far we had come. The choices we made, the paths we carved—every effort had led to this moment. But growth did not end with our own borders. As we strengthened ourselves, we also extended our reach, forging new bonds with neighboring regions.

  Queen Yuka had already taken the first step, establishing contact with one of the two major towns in the region: Hoshigawa, ruled by the noble warrior Koji Tanaka, who also governed its sister town, Kaito.

  Hoshigawa—Star River—was a town of scholars and mystics, its existence entwined with the celestial flow. Along its mystical river, astronomers and star-mages studied the heavens, harnessing cosmic energies for wisdom and protection.

  Kaito—Sea Crossing—was a coastal town renowned for its mastery of sea magic. Here, mages could command the tides, summon sea creatures, and fortify their shores against naval threats. The town’s magic was both a shield and a weapon, ensuring its survival in a world teeming with dangers.

  At the heart of both towns stood Koji Tanaka, a Shieldbearer—an advanced apprentice knight tasked with defending cities and their people. Though still in the apprentice phase, his combat prowess and leadership skills had made him indispensable. But what truly set him apart was his heritage.

  Koji was a Zombie-Puck, a rare and enigmatic lineage that granted him both advantages and burdens. With 150 years of life behind him, he had gained unparalleled experience, yet his nature remained a mystery to many. Some saw him as a guardian, others as an enigma—but all acknowledged his unwavering dedication.

  His journey to leadership had been forged in battle. Initially, he had risen as a hero, defending Hoshigawa from relentless threats. Under his guidance, the townspeople learned to fight, no longer helpless against the dangers that lurked beyond their borders. When the former Castellan of Hoshigawa passed, it was the people who chose Koji as their new leader.

  His path to ruling Kaito followed a similar fate. The town’s mistress, recognizing his strength and wisdom, appointed him as her successor before her death. From that moment, he became the protector of both towns, never once abandoning them in times of crisis.

  Under his rule, warriors were forged from those willing to stand and fight. With magic and combat experience intertwined, Hoshigawa and Kaito grew stronger, learning to hold their own against supernatural threats. Even as the empire turned a blind eye to their pleas for aid, they sought other means to survive, reaching out to allies and fortifying their lands.

  Through hardship and triumph, Koji Tanaka remained steadfast, ensuring that no force—be it monster or man—would ever bring his people to their knees.

  Despite the immense burden upon Koji, he never once complained. His first priority had always been the safety and well-being of both towns—his own needs came second. Over time, he became known simply as the Mayor, a title that unified his role despite the two distinct positions he held.

  It was awe-inspiring to see someone of his caliber rule over two towns simultaneously. The sheer weight of responsibility must have been suffocating, yet he never showed it to his people. I could only imagine the struggles he endured behind closed doors. It reminded me of someone I once knew.

  Queen Yuka had already arranged our meeting with Koji, and upon our arrival in Hoshigawa, I witnessed firsthand the determination of its people. They were striving toward a better tomorrow, their resilience unshaken despite their hardships. But above all else, it was hope that kept them moving forward. Hope that placed smiles on their faces even in the darkest of times.

  In the town’s council hall, Queen Yuka and I sat in an audience with Mayor Koji. He spoke candidly, detailing the struggles of his people and the ongoing threats that loomed over both towns. I could sense the desperation in his voice—the silent plea of a man willing to do whatever it took to ensure his people’s survival, even if it meant sacrificing himself. He was not the most powerful warrior in the empire, nor the strongest knight, but what he lacked in brute strength, he made up for with unyielding resolve.

  As our discussion deepened, Koji revealed that a recent monster attack had nearly wiped out both towns. The devastation was still fresh in their minds, a painful reminder of how vulnerable they were. When Queen Yuka and I presented the idea of integrating Magic-Tech into their defenses and forming an alliance, Koji agreed without hesitation. It was a lifeline, one he could not afford to refuse.

  With this agreement, Hoshigawa and Kaito were officially integrated into the Federation and the capital city, gaining the protection of not only the Federation but every allied region. It was a turning point—one that would change the fate of both towns forever.

  Before our meeting concluded, I informed Koji that I would be sending some of my subordinates to live among them. He was immediately receptive to the idea, even after I revealed that my subordinates were higher demons. Unlike many, Koji did not flinch at the revelation. He understood the necessity of their presence, knowing they would serve as an additional line of defense, especially during the early stages of the Magic-Tech implementation.

  With his approval, I summoned forth sixty Shadow Demons. The air thickened as they emerged—dark, ethereal figures shifting in and out of the shadows. Among them stood higher demons, demonesses, devilettes, and demon lords, each concealing their true forms, their energy pulsating in the dimly lit hall. They awaited my orders in silent obedience.

  As Queen Yuka and I prepared to depart Hoshigawa, an unsettling shift coursed through the air.

  Something was wrong.

  In the distance—far beyond the walls of this town—both Okinawa and Sado Island were under siege.

  Hordes of Arch Demons had descended upon them, their leader an immensely powerful entity whose presence sent shockwaves through the ether. The islands had been completely isolated—no messages, no cries for help, no means of reaching the Federation or the capital for aid.

  The attack had been meticulously planned.

  And we had no idea it was happening.

  Arriving on Okinawa Island, Queen Yuka and I were met with the gruesome aftermath of battle. The once-thriving land was now a war-torn graveyard. The air was thick with smoke and fumes, the remnants of shattered buildings and battle drones scattered across the landscape. The scent of blood and burned metal clung to the wind.

  Bodies lay across the battlefield—some warriors still groaning in agony, others long past saving. Among the survivors, some succumbed to their wounds before our very eyes. It was a sight that turned my stomach, a chilling reminder of the cost of war.

  A lone warrior, bloodied and barely clinging to life, crawled toward us. His breaths came in ragged gasps. Queen Yuka and I stood frozen for a moment before I rushed to his side, lifting him carefully while she placed her hands over his wounds, channeling her magic to stabilize him.

  Through labored breaths, he delivered a message that made my blood run cold.

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  "The attack… led by an Arch Demon… She brought an army of demons, monsters, and demon lords. Our magic-tech weapons… barely fazed her… Just… a slight stun."

  Queen Yuka and I exchanged grave looks as we took in the battlefield once more. Fallen demons and monsters of grotesque shapes and sizes littered the ground, slain by the island’s defenders. But there were no signs of fallen Arch Demons or Demon Lords. That could only mean one thing.

  "The Arch Demon," the warrior continued, his voice rasping with urgency, "She was looking for you… Before she left Okinawa… she went to Sado Island."

  The words sent a cold jolt through my veins. My eyes widened in shock.

  My people.

  If Okinawa, with all its warriors and resources, had failed to stop her, how could Sado Island possibly stand against such a force? I clenched my fists, forcing down the fear gnawing at my thoughts.

  I knew the Sado Islanders were stronger than those of Okinawa, capable of holding their own against lesser or even moderately powerful archdemons. Many had already evolved their ranks through hard-fought victories. But facing the strongest archdemon of all was an entirely different battle—one I feared they weren’t prepared for.

  The thought dragged me back to the moment before I defeated Demon Lord Baal and seized his throne in the demon realm.

  Queen Yuka and I locked eyes for a brief moment—no words were needed. In that instant, we understood what had to be done.

  Without hesitation, I launched into the sky, flying at full speed toward Sado Island.

  The moment I arrived, a far more brutal scene unfolded before me.

  Sado Island was a battlefield drenched in chaos. Unlike Okinawa, where the defenders had barely held the line, Sado’s warriors had fought back with a vengeance.

  Among the fallen, I spotted the bodies of Demon Lords and even an Arch Demon—a feat that should have been impossible. The realization struck me hard. Some of my people… they had evolved into Arch Demons mid-battle, their raw survival instincts pushing them beyond their limits as they slew their monstrous foes.

  But the cost was devastating.

  Most of my subordinates had perished. Some remained standing, though they were battered and bloodied. Others lay incapacitated, their energy drained to its limits. Many of the islanders—warriors and civilians alike—had been brutally massacred, but not without taking down the Arch Demon’s minions in the process.

  And there, at the heart of the carnage, stood her.

  The Arch Demon.

  Even she was struggling. Her breath was ragged, her form bruised and weakened. It was clear that my warriors—those who had evolved and those who had stood their ground—had fought her relentlessly. She was barely holding her own against the ten of my remaining companions, each of them refusing to back down.

  Even when outnumbered, she stood tall.

  The Arch Demon—Achamoth.

  With unwavering confidence, she proclaimed herself the most powerful Arch Demon in existence, demanding to know my whereabouts. Her voice echoed across the battlefield, thick with authority and arrogance.

  She sneered at my subordinates, addressing them with mock amusement.

  "So, you are the newly ascended Demon Lord? The one who defeated Demon Lord Baal?"

  Her smile widened as she took a step forward, completely unfazed. Even after taking a powerful, combined blast from my warriors—a force strong enough to level the entire island—she remained standing. The explosion had engulfed everything, cloaking the land in thick smoke and debris.

  And yet, with a single wave of my hand, the dense fog was gone.

  Like a whirlwind tearing through the battlefield, the smoke dispersed, revealing the devastation that lay beneath. The force of my movement sent ripples through the air, and in that instant, everyone—my subordinates, the islanders, and even Achamoth herself—turned their gaze toward me.

  She was midair, observing, calculating. But something was off.

  I could feel it.

  Achamoth wasn’t fighting at full power. She was holding back, gauging my subordinates’ strength after their newfound evolution into Arch Demons. And yet, even in her restraint, she could sense that I was no ordinary being.

  Perhaps she tried to convince herself otherwise.

  But the small stunt I had just pulled—the effortless clearing of the battlefield’s smoke—was enough to crack her certainty.

  Then she turned. Her piercing gaze landed on me.

  For the first time, she hesitated.

  Her stance stiffened as she took in my presence, her demonic senses reeling. But she needed confirmation—needed to know if what she feared was true.

  I decided to clarify her doubts.

  Raising a hand to my forehead, I broke half the seal.

  In an instant, my once blue hair and silver eyes bled into a deep, merciless crimson.

  The battlefield froze.

  The air itself seemed to shrink under the pressure of my aura. Even as I tried to suppress it, the sheer force of my presence threatened to consume the entire island.

  A stunned silence fell over the land.

  Then one of my subordinates spoke, their voice steady yet filled with reverence.

  “He is no ordinary Demon Lord by title. He is a True Demon Lord.”

  “The Unkillable Demon Lord.”

  A ripple of dread flickered across Achamoth’s expression.

  Her arrogance wavered.

  Her composure cracked.

  A realization struck her like a hammer to the chest.

  No… it can’t be…

  She had heard the rumors—the legend of a mortal who had slain Baal, the first and most powerful Demon Lord. The supreme ruler of the First and Sixth Realms, the dominator of the Sixth Domain, and the master of all realms within the demon realm.

  And now…

  That mortal stood before her.

  "What?!" Achamoth’s thoughts swirled in turmoil, her eyes wide with disbelief.

  He… He was the one who defeated Baal?

  A shiver ran down her spine.

  The one they call the Unkillable Demon Lord… and Baal the only being to ever reject the title of an Arch Demon…

  Even my abilities are nothing compared to Baal, and he stood against gods and Arch Demons alike…

  Her fingers twitched. Her breathing quickened.

  For the first time in her existence…

  Achamoth knew fear.

  Achamoth's thoughts raced.

  "Baal could have ascended beyond a Demon Lord, but he chose to remain. Even after his reign and slumber, he remained the most powerful Demon Lord… until his defeat by this mortal."

  She swallowed hard.

  "I can’t afford to lose."

  But she knew the truth.

  "Even against Baal, I struggled. Despite my power, he always had the upper hand in our spars. The only reason I’ve survived this long is because I am an Arch Demon—a force above any ordinary Demon Lord. Even the weakest of demons and lords could, under the right circumstances, defeat an Arch Demon… but only if the Arch Demon wasn’t taking them seriously."

  She clenched her fists, her sharp nails digging into her palms.

  "But this being… he isn’t mortal. He isn’t a man. He is something… else—something incomprehensible, unquantifiable. He didn’t just kill Baal; he humiliated him. That alone is terrifying."

  Her mind warred with itself.

  "Should I run? Should I fight? Fleeing would bring humiliation in the supernatural hierarchy. But fighting…"

  Her body trembled.

  "I have made a grave mistake in stepping on his toes. I should have listened to the warnings of the other supernaturals."

  A slow breath escaped her lips.

  "I have to fight. Even if it means I die."

  Her hesitation shattered.

  With a sudden, defiant roar, she charged.

  The sheer force of her dark aura at maximum power sent my subordinates flying back, their bodies flung through the air like leaves in a storm. A massive shockwave erupted behind her, parting the sky itself.

  I remained standing.

  Unmoved. Unflinching.

  My crimson eyes locked onto her as she closed the gap at blinding speed. The air screamed around her. The ocean below churned violently from the aftershock.

  Then—

  I raised my hand.

  A simple gesture, palm outstretched in a stopping motion.

  The moment my hand moved, an invisible force—a shockwave more powerful than any conscious effort—rippled outward.

  The island shook.

  The ocean quaked.

  The sheer pressure of my presence halted Achamoth mid-flight—mere inches from me.

  Her body froze.

  Her wide eyes trembled with disbelief.

  Then… she began to dissolve.

  Vaporized on the spot.

  Her form unraveled like dust swept into the wind, her power disintegrating before she could even comprehend what had happened. No final attack. No last words. Only the realization of her helplessness in the face of something far beyond her understanding.

  And then—Achamoth was no more.

  A silence fell upon the battlefield.

  Then—

  I evolved.

  The shift was instant. My title as the Unkillable Demon Lord remained, but my form ascended. I had become something greater—an Unkillable Arch Demon.

  Yet, as power surged within me, my heart remained heavy.

  I surveyed the battlefield.

  The devastation was absolute. Bodies of warriors—friends, allies, innocents—littered the ruined land. Blood soaked the earth. My remaining subordinates, battered and bruised, descended from the sky, stunned not only by their survival but by what they had just witnessed.

  I had effortlessly destroyed the strongest Arch Demon.

  Yet none of it mattered.

  They were all dead.

  Our magic tech—our last hope—was destroyed beyond repair. Though fragments miraculously remained, their self-repair was slow.

  And I… I couldn’t leave the fallen behind.

  They had families. They had lives.

  But none of the survivors had the strength left to revive them. Not even together could we bring them back.

  I clenched my fists.

  Then, something stirred within me.

  A name whispered in my mind.

  A force beyond death itself.

  I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply before calling upon the only being who could restore what had been lost.

  “Come forth, Lady Death… I need you.”

  My voice was barely above a whisper, but the very air answered.

  The sky split in two.

  On one side—light.

  On the other—darkness.

  And from the void between them…

  She stepped forth.

  Lady Death.

  Her presence enveloped all, a force so absolute that even the remnants of battle seemed to bow before her arrival.

  Her lips curled into a knowing smile.

  Her gaze—longing, possessive, eternal—met mine.

  “Hello, my love…” she purred, her voice a seductive whisper.

  “It’s been a while.”