"What… what kind of power is this?"
Without an Ultimate Skill for protection, Clayman and his three clowns instinctively shied away from the golden tree's radiant glow.
"What happened?"
"Why is there such a dazzling light?!"
The clowns harbored malice toward Damien, though not as intensely as Clayman.
Thus, their reactions were milder, still within a controllable range.
"Clayman?"
Suddenly, Laplace noticed something off with Clayman.
Approaching, he found Clayman trapped in some kind of mental turmoil.
How ironic.
The Marionette Master who could freely manipulate others' minds, was ensnared in his own illusion, unable to break free.
"Clayman, what's wrong?!"
"Hey!!"
"Wake up, Clayman!!"
No matter how Laplace shouted, Clayman remained on his knees, staring blankly at the golden sun above.
"W-wow~~"
In the City of the Forgotten Dragon, a girl with pink twin-tails crouched on a massive rock, her eyes sparkling as she looked up.
"So beautiful!"
"What is this? What is this?"
Milim, one of the three oldest Demon Lords and a pinnacle of power in the cardinal world, was thrilled.
"What is this!!!"
The excited girl gazed at the golden tree, spreading her dragon wings to chase the source of this power.
But no matter how she probed with her Dragon's Eye, the result pointed to the cardinal world itself.
This frustrated Milim.
However…
"Over there!"
"That big tree grew from there!"
Milim's gaze locked onto the Kusha Mountain Range.
The problem was, the range was vast, and even Milim couldn't search it blindly like a headless fly.
"Frey!"
"Frey will know!"
Luckily, Milim had a friend.
If anyone could tell her where this fascinating thing came from, it was the clever Frey!
"Let's go!"
"Time to visit Frey!"
Without hesitation, Milim accelerated through the air, heading straight for the Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia.
"It's not just light?"
In the Holy Empire of Ruberios, the Queen of Nightmares Luminous Valentine stood on a balcony, gazing at the colossal phenomenon resembling a world pillar.
Vampires of the cardinal world didn't fear sunlight, at least not high-ranking ones.
But this was the first time Luminous felt a light that brought her comfort.
"Harbor enmity, and it becomes your nemesis."
"Hold reverence, and bask in its glow."
"Follow your heart, and receive its grace."
From the golden tree's radiance, a True Demon Lord like Luminous gleaned unique insights.
This was the will of the cardinal world, a declaration through the Voice of the World of a new presence's arrival.
"A new Demon Lord?"
Luminous turned, leaning against the balcony railing, a charming smile on her lips. "Another interesting figure has appeared."
All the Ten Great Demon Lords, except the Fairy Queen Ramiris in her underground labyrinth and the Sleeping Ruler Dino, witnessed this grand spectacle.
"What do you think?"
In a majestic castle on the icy plains, the Frost Dragon Velzard questioned the Lord of Darkness Guy Crimson.
"This is a power capable of shaking the world's foundation."
"Oh?"
Seeing Guy's calm demeanor, Velzard teased, "And you're still sitting there?"
"Not an enemy."
Guy looked up, admiring the golden tree. "I sense from her a love for this world."
"Love?"
Velzard asked, "What do you mean?"
"The will of Veldanava…"
"!!!"
Velzard couldn't stay seated any longer. "Veldanava, could it be…"
Revived!
Veldanava had revived!
Such an event was monumental for both the Demon Lords and the world.
"I don't know."
Guy couldn't confirm, but the golden tree's aura gave him the illusion of Veldanava's return.
Yet, it wasn't quite the same.
If he had to describe it, the golden tree's aura was like a sibling to Veldanava.
"Indeed!"
"Though faint, it's almost identical to Veldanava's aura!"
Prompted by Guy, Velzard immediately sensed the familiar presence masked by the light.
To dragonkind, Veldanava was both father and brother.
Sadly, Velzard couldn't pinpoint the aura's source, only that it came from the continent.
"No."
Guy shook his head. "It's not Veldanava."
As the world's guardian, Guy knew it wasn't Veldanava.
"Rather than Veldanava, it's an entity akin to him."
"You mean…"
Velzard ventured, "A second Star Dragon?"
A new being inheriting the Star Dragon's bloodline and power, rekindling that force.
"That's impossible…"
"Nothing's impossible."
Guy didn't care about Damien's intentions. As long as he didn't threaten the world, Guy wouldn't oppose him.
Especially when the cardinal world's will stood with Damien.
Kill him?
Destroy the cardinal world first.
Can't destroy the world?
Then there's nothing to discuss!
Guy saw this clearly, which was why he remained unbothered.
Violet was deeply tied to the cardinal world; protecting it was akin to protecting Damien's assets.
As for who became the world's ruler, Guy didn't care.
"Want to check it out?"
"…"
Velzard hesitated. She was tasked with watching Guy, but the resurgence of her brother's bloodline was too much to ignore.
"A new kin is born, and as the eldest sister, I have a duty to look after them."
"While I'm at it, I can check on my useless little brother."
Velzard knew about Veldora's sealing.
She wouldn't let her brother die.
Though Veldora could revive, a new consciousness would make him a different being.
"Then, farewell, Guy…"
With that, Velzard walked out of the castle.
***
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