Kaoru Tsubasa stopped thinking further.
After all, saving a world that had already lost its core was nearly impossible — and besides, the cores of those worlds had long been devoured by the demons.
He glanced at Gado, who had fallen unconscious before being dragged out of that realm, then raised a hand and began chanting softly. His spiritual energy rippled through the air.
Moments later, a faint red thread appeared from Gado's body — thin as silk, yet pulsing with a mysterious glow.
It was a spell that came with the Nascent Soul Trial Card — Causal Pull.
This technique allowed the caster to draw a line of fate between themselves and the one who shared a causal bond with the target. The thread would then guide its user straight to that person's location.
Of course, the result depended on the caster's intent — and Kaoru's intent was clear.
He turned toward the direction where the red thread shot off into the void and immediately followed.
At that same time, in another world —
A magnificent black palace rose from the surface of a shadowed planet. Within its towering hall, a man cloaked in black sat on a grand throne, while kneeling below him were monstrous beings of every form and shape — some bestial, some disturbingly human.
"Lord Demon King," said a tall, sharp-featured man dressed in white, "what matter have you summoned us for?"
The speaker was Jerus, one of the New Ten Commandments, and reputedly the strongest among them.
The Demon King's crimson eyes opened slightly. "Jerus… I can no longer sense Gado."
He paused, his tone darkening. "Something has gone wrong in that world."
A low murmur swept through the gathered demons. Jerus frowned, visibly shaken.
"That's impossible," he said sharply. "Who could sever your link? Your Majesty's power exceeds three hundred thousand fighting points! The strongest beings in that world barely reach forty thousand. How could Gado have been defeated?"
The Demon King's gaze deepened, glinting with fury. Unknown to him, Kaoru Tsubasa — not being a native of that pirate world — had slipped through his cosmic awareness completely.
"Hmph. My strength has only just recovered," the Demon King growled. "Jerus — go. Find out what happened."
Jerus bowed. "As you command, my lord. I will see for myself what kind of being dares to challenge the Demon King."
But before he could move, the hall trembled violently.
A cold, suffocating aura swept through the chamber, making even the black marble groan.
"There's no need for that."
A deep voice echoed from the void — and in the next instant, a rift tore through the air, distorting the entire throne room.
From within the crack stepped a tall man with violet hair, his long cloak rippling behind him. In his hand, he carried a limp figure — Gado, bound by shadows.
The Demon King rose sharply from his throne. "Who are you?!"
As the man's gaze met his, an uncontrollable chill ran down the Demon King's spine. For the first time in eons, he felt the unmistakable scent of death in the air — his own.
Kaoru Tsubasa did not answer. He merely scanned the hall, his eyes glimmering with an ethereal glow as he read the information floating above each of their heads.
[Name: Jerus]
Race: Demon
Level: 6
Commandment: Reverence — those who defy Jerus are judged as disrespecting the Demon King and are forced into submission.
So, Jerudris, Kaoru thought. The new incarnation of that commandment.
He turned his gaze to the next one.
[Name: Aideli]
Race: Demon
Level: 5.7
Commandment: Purity — those who act impurely will be afflicted with disease.
A beautiful blonde woman stood before him, her body modestly wrapped only in dark demonic energy. Kaoru recognized her immediately — Derieri, the embodiment of battle-lust in the old tales.
[Name: Munster]
Race: Demon
Level: 5.7
Commandment: Silence — any who reveal the secrets of their heart will be cursed.
A cloaked figure stood beside her, silent and still. Monspiet, Kaoru noted. A demon bound by emotion — one who loved Derieri but could never say it, bound by his own Commandment until the day he died.
[Name: Gulerodos]
Race: Demon
Level: 5.5
Commandment: Do Not Kill — any who kill in Gulerodos's presence will have all their time stolen away.
A black, multi-faced creature shifted restlessly behind the others — unmistakably Galand's twisted counterpart.
[Name: The Seer]
Race: Demon
Level: 6
Commandment: Desireless — those who harbor desire lose all memories and emotions.
A masked man with a bow upon his back. Kaoru could feel the faint echo of Gowther within him.
[Name: Guyesena]
Race: Demon–Giant Hybrid
Level: 5.6
Commandment: Patience — those who cannot endure pain will have their agony multiplied.
A towering red-skinned giant with three heads and six arms loomed over the rest — clearly Drole's successor.
[Name: Liu Anshin]
Race: Demon–Elf Hybrid
Level: 6.6
Commandment: Truce — those who initiate battle during peace will have their magic sealed.
Six angelic wings unfurled from his back — the mirror of Ludociel, the Elf King. Stronger even than Jerus, Kaoru noted with interest.
[Name: Mesra]
Race: Demon
Level: 5.4
Commandment: Faith — those who forsake belief will have their eyes burned to ash.
A pink-haired woman in a skin-tight black outfit stood silently to one side — Melascula, the enchantress serpent.
Finally, Kaoru's eyes fell upon the throne.
[Name: The Demon King]
Race: Demon
Level: 7.2
Description: Supreme ruler of the demon race, master of countless legions. The Ten Commandments are fragments of his power.
Kaoru exhaled lightly, then tossed Gado's unconscious body across the floor.
"The Demon King, huh?"
The title rolled off his tongue, calm yet piercing.
The Demon King slowly straightened. He knew — even without words — that this man was unlike any being he had ever faced. The sheer force radiating from Kaoru Tsubasa was enough to crush him where he stood.
Still, the Demon King clenched his fists and took a single step forward, placing himself protectively before the Ten Commandments.
Even knowing death awaited him, he refused to back down.