The Outbreak Of Chaos.

Jiregga, the Inferno City, was second in size only to the Royal Capital within the Demon Realm.

As its name suggested, it was a scorching city illuminated by blazing flames.

At the center of the crimson-dyed cityscape, two demons stood facing each other.

They were Demon Generals—high-ranking demons who both served as close aides to the Demon King.

“Juda, won’t you join my side?”

Beast Emperor Zegart got straight to the point.

“Hmm… I don’t really feel like it. I was planning on lounging around and relaxing all day today.”

“As insolent as ever,” Zegart muttered, keeping a vigilant eye on Master Magus Juda.

In appearance, Juda was a handsome youth with silver hair and tan skin. He carried a carefree air and a soft smile, hardly looking like a seasoned warrior.

In truth, however, he possessed overwhelming mana that surpassed even average Demon Kings. He was one of the oldest and most powerful demons, having fought alongside the First Demon King, Velfer, against the gods in ancient wars. Even for Zegart, letting his guard down against him meant certain death.

(How will you move, Juda?)

The Beast Emperor fixed his sharp, cautious gaze on the Master Magus.

“Yawn…”

Whether aware of the tension or not, Juda let out a yawn. His relaxed face showed not a single trace of fighting intent.

“Besides, didn’t you swear loyalty to the Demon King?” Juda asked.

“My rebellion stems from my concern for the future of the Demon Realm. I cannot give my loyalty to the current Demon King.”

“The future… huh?”

“Freed is certainly strong. However, he is far too soft as a ruler. He has the capacity of a mere warrior, not that of a king… Therefore—”

Zegart took a step forward, slowly closing the distance between them.

“I will rule this world. That is why I have risen.”

“It just looks like plain greed for power to me, though.”

Juda’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“You’re a descendant of the former Demon King, Rosgart, aren’t you?” A cold, sharp killing intent flickered across his gentle face for a split second. “You’ve harbored ambition and targeted the throne for a long time, secretly making preparations all along—am I wrong?”

“What of it?”

Zegart absorbed the killing intent head-on.

“I have ambition. Likewise, I harbor concern for the Demon Realm. Can those two things not coexist?”

“At the very least… Freed acts with the Demon Realm in mind. But you act merely to satisfy your own ambition.” Juda smiled. “Your so-called ‘concern for the Demon Realm’ sounds awfully hollow to me. Isn’t it just a convenient excuse to fulfill your desire for power? Can you really call that ‘the capacity of a king’?”

“So that is your answer,” Zegart grunted. “You refuse to acknowledge me… I take it I may interpret it that way?”

“Sure thing~”

Juda’s reply was light.

“Ghk…!”

However, the killing intent radiating from him grew so heavy and intense it felt as though it would crush Zegart where he stood.

It would have been ideal to gain him as a pawn without a fight, but that seemed impossible now. Zegart had banked on the idea that speaking his true motives would yield a better chance of bringing Juda to his side than playing mind games.

(Well, it can’t be helped. I’ll just have to use a different approach.)

“Juda, you are indeed strong.”

Zegart closed the distance inch by inch. His opponent was a Magus; closing the distance for close-quarters battle was standard strategy. If he created space, Juda would rain down high-tier spells endlessly.

“However, I wonder if you can face us at the same time.”

“At the same time?”

“Please do not forget about me as well, my lord.”

As if melting into existence from thin air, a silver knight appeared. It was one of the Demon Generals, Alchemist General Tsukuyomi.

“Tsukuyomi, you were here too? Is that a barrier device to suppress mana detection?”

“It is a device that blocks and conceals not only mana, but also light, sound, and presence… all of it. I developed it myself, my lord.”

“Huh. Homunculi really have evolved. I didn’t research that field much myself… but Izana, who created you, was quite the alchemist.” Juda smiled. “So, two Demon Generals ganging up on me? Do you really think you can beat me with just that?”

“No,” a voice echoed from behind him.

Zegart smirked. Seeing this, a suspicious look crossed Juda’s face.

“Three of us.”

The voice belonged to neither Zegart nor Tsukuyomi.

Slash!

A blade thrust from behind—piercing straight through Juda’s chest.

“Gah… hck…!”

The handsome youth coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground.

“You… are…?!”

Juda groaned with a look of utter shock. Reflected in his eyes was the figure of a demon holding a bloodstained blade—the figure of the Beast Emperor’s other ally.

“If you will not obey me, you will have to stay quiet for a while. It would be troublesome if you joined the fray when I fight Freed.”

Zegart looked down arrogantly at the fallen Juda.