Deep beneath an unassuming estate, hidden behind layers of magic and secrecy, a quiet chamber waited in silence.
The room itself was circular.
Dim lanterns cast long shadows across the stone walls, while a large round table sat in the center.
Two people were already seated.
One lounged comfortably in his chair with a relaxed smile.
The other sat upright, composed and calm.
Yuuki Kagurazaka tapped his finger lightly on the table.
Across from him sat Kagali, her posture dignified and quiet.
The room had been silent for several minutes.
Then—
Click.
The door slowly opened.
A tall figure stepped inside, his cloak flowing dramatically behind him.
Purple hair.
Sharp eyes.
An arrogant expression that seemed permanently etched onto his face.
Clayman.
He stepped forward, his heels echoing softly across the stone floor.
His gaze immediately swept across the room.
And his brows furrowed.
"…They aren't here yet?"
His voice carried clear irritation.
Yuuki leaned back in his chair lazily.
"Nope."
He smiled casually.
"Just us."
Clayman clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Tch."
He pulled out a chair and sat down, crossing one leg over the other.
"Unbelievable."
His fingers drummed against the table.
"I specifically ordered everyone to arrive on time."
Kagali remained calm.
"They will come."
Clayman snorted.
"They better."
For a moment, the room fell quiet again.
Then Yuuki stretched slightly.
"Well…"
He glanced toward the ceiling.
"That was pretty crazy earlier."
Clayman's eyes narrowed.
"You felt it too."
Yuuki nodded.
"Oh yeah."
"The entire continent probably did."
Kagali folded her hands together.
"The tremors were enormous."
Clayman leaned forward slightly.
"…What do you think it was?"
Yuuki shrugged.
"No clue."
But his eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"It definitely wasn't something small though."
Kagali nodded.
"That level of disturbance…"
Her voice grew more serious.
"…it felt like the clash of powerful existences."
Clayman's lips curled slightly.
"Demon Lords?"
Yuuki tilted his head.
"Maybe."
"But if it were Demon Lords fighting…"
He tapped the table thoughtfully.
"…we probably would've heard something by now."
Clayman hummed quietly.
"That is true."
His eyes narrowed.
"Perhaps some unknown entity."
Kagali spoke again.
"There are still many ancient beings in this world."
Her gaze turned distant.
"Some of them far older than the current Demon Lords."
Clayman scoffed.
"Ancient relics hiding in caves and forests?"
He waved his hand dismissively.
"If they were truly that powerful, they would have already made themselves known."
Yuuki chuckled.
"Not necessarily."
Clayman glanced at him.
Yuuki leaned back again.
"Some powerful people prefer staying hidden."
His smile widened slightly.
"Until they suddenly decide to show themselves."
Kagali nodded slightly.
"That possibility cannot be ignored."
Clayman crossed his arms.
"…Regardless."
His voice carried faint irritation.
"It has nothing to do with us."
"Still," Yuuki said lightly, "it's interesting."
Clayman looked unimpressed.
"You're always amused by things that should concern you."
Yuuki grinned.
"Life's more fun that way."
Before Clayman could respond—
Click.
The door burst open.
Two colorful figures hurried inside.
One tall and bulky.
The other small and energetic.
Footman and Tear.
Both of them stopped immediately when they saw the room.
And more importantly—
Clayman.
Footman stiffened.
Tear froze.
Clayman slowly turned his head toward them.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"…You're late."
His voice was cold.
Footman immediately bowed.
"S-Sorry!"
Tear followed quickly.
"We apologize!"
Clayman's eyes sharpened.
"I specifically ordered everyone to arrive on time."
His fingers tapped the table again.
"And yet you arrive after I do."
Footman shrank slightly.
"W-Well…"
Tear nervously scratched her cheek.
"There were… complications."
Clayman's gaze darkened.
"Oh?"
Yuuki suddenly raised a hand casually.
"Now, now."
Everyone turned to him.
He smiled gently.
"Let's not be too harsh."
Clayman narrowed his eyes.
Yuuki continued.
"They're here now."
"And besides…"
He tilted his head.
"It's not like the world was exactly calm today."
Clayman stared at him for a moment.
Then—
"…Hmph."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Fine."
Tear visibly relaxed.
Footman sighed in relief.
"Thank you!"
They quickly took their seats.
Yuuki smiled faintly.
"See? Everything worked out."
Clayman ignored the comment.
The room finally settled into silence again.
Everyone present now sat around the table.
Five members of the Moderate Harlequin Alliance.
All except one.
Laplace.
Tear glanced around.
"…Laplace isn't here yet either."
Kagali answered calmly.
"He is busy."
Footman nodded knowingly.
"That sounds like him."
Clayman clicked his tongue again but chose not to comment.
Instead—
Yuuki leaned forward slightly.
"So."
He rested his chin on his hand.
"You called everyone here today."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"What's the reason?"
Clayman slowly smiled.
Not his usual irritated scowl.
But a confident grin.
A dangerous one.
Everyone around the table felt the shift in atmosphere.
Kagali's eyes narrowed slightly.
Tear leaned forward.
Footman tilted his head curiously.
Yuuki simply watched.
Clayman clasped his hands together.
"I have devised a plan."
His voice carried unmistakable pride.
"A plan that will elevate me…"
He paused for effect.
"…to the level of a True Demon Lord."
The room went silent.
Tear blinked.
Footman's jaw dropped slightly.
Even Kagali's expression shifted.
Yuuki's smile widened.
Clayman continued.
"And not just any Demon Lord."
His eyes gleamed with ambition.
"I will rise among the Ten Great Demon Lords…"
His voice lowered with quiet intensity.
"…as one of the most powerful."
The air in the room grew heavy.
Tear leaned forward eagerly.
"Wait—seriously?!"
Footman scratched his head.
"How would that even work?"
Kagali watched Clayman carefully.
"You must already have something prepared."
Yuuki chuckled softly.
"Well now…"
He rested his chin on his hands.
"This sounds interesting."
Clayman leaned back in his chair.
His smile widened.
"Oh, it is."
His eyes gleamed with scheming ambition.
"Very interesting indeed."
The chamber remained silent.
Five figures sat around the circular table, the dim lanternlight flickering across their faces.
At the center of that silence sat Clayman, wearing a satisfied smile.
His declaration still lingered in the air.
I will become a True Demon Lord.
No one spoke for a few seconds.
Then—
Tear leaned forward first.
"What kind of plan are we talking about?"
Her tone held excitement rather than caution.
Beside her, Footman scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah… becoming a True Demon Lord isn't exactly something you just decide to do."
Clayman smiled smugly.
"That is precisely why I gathered all of you."
Across the table, Yuuki Kagurazaka rested his chin on his palm, watching with clear interest.
Next to him, Kagali remained quiet, her golden eyes studying Clayman carefully.
Clayman slowly leaned back in his chair.
"My plan," he said calmly, "involves gaining control of one of the most powerful Demon Lords currently alive."
The room stilled again.
Tear blinked.
"…Wait."
Footman leaned forward.
"Which Demon Lord?"
Clayman's smile widened.
"Milim Nava."
The reaction was immediate.
Footman nearly fell out of his chair.
"WHAT?!"
Tear slammed her hands on the table.
"You're insane!"
Even Kagali's composed expression tightened slightly.
Only Yuuki continued smiling calmly.
Clayman seemed pleased by their reactions.
"Yes. Milim."
He crossed one leg over the other.
"The Destroyer."
"The oldest and most powerful among the Demon Lords."
Tear stared at him like he had lost his mind.
"You want to control her?!"
Footman nodded vigorously.
"That's suicide!"
Clayman scoffed.
"You underestimate me."
Kagali finally spoke.
"Milim is not someone who can be manipulated easily."
Her voice remained calm, but her skepticism was clear.
"She is the daughter of the Veldanava."
"Her strength alone surpasses most Demon Lords."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"And more importantly…"
"…she acts entirely on her own whims."
Clayman smiled.
"Normally, you would be correct."
He tapped the table with a finger.
"But this time…"
His smile grew sharper.
"…I will not be acting alone."
The others looked at him.
Clayman continued.
"I already have the cooperation of another Demon Lord."
Yuuki tilted his head.
"Oh?"
Clayman nodded.
"Frey."
Tear blinked.
"The Sky Queen?"
Footman frowned.
"What does she have to do with controlling Milim?"
Clayman's grin returned.
"Frey possesses knowledge."
"Knowledge of a method capable of controlling Milim."
Kagali's eyes narrowed again.
"That sounds… unlikely."
Clayman chuckled softly.
"Believe what you want."
He spread his hands.
"But the preparations are already in motion."
His voice carried growing confidence.
"Once Milim is under my control…"
His eyes gleamed with ambition.
"…her power will effectively become mine."
Footman stared at him.
"That's…"
He struggled for words.
"…actually terrifying."
Tear slowly grinned.
"Oh wow…"
"That would be insane."
Kagali however did not look convinced.
"And you are certain this method will work?"
Clayman nodded without hesitation.
"Absolutely."
"Frey herself assured me."
Yuuki chuckled softly.
"Well now…"
"That certainly sounds like a bold move."
Clayman smirked.
"Boldness is required to reach greatness."
He looked around the table.
"With Milim under my command, none of the other Demon Lords will be able to oppose me."
"Not Guy Crimson."
"Not Leon Cromwell."
"Not anyone."
Footman swallowed.
"That… might actually work."
Tear laughed.
"If you survive, anyway."
Clayman glared at her.
"I will survive."
Yuuki raised a hand casually.
"Well."
Everyone looked at him.
"If we're sharing interesting developments…"
He smiled slightly.
"…then I suppose I should mention something as well."
Clayman frowned slightly.
"Oh?"
Yuuki leaned back in his chair.
"I recently met someone."
Tear tilted her head.
"Someone?"
Yuuki nodded.
"A demon."
Footman shrugged.
"That's not unusual."
Yuuki's smile widened slightly.
"Not just any demon."
He paused briefly.
"A Primordial Demon."
The air in the room changed instantly.
Clayman's eyes sharpened.
Kagali looked directly at Yuuki.
Even Tear stopped smiling.
Footman blinked.
"Wait… seriously?"
Yuuki nodded casually.
"Yep."
"I met him personally."
Clayman leaned forward slightly.
"Which Primordial?"
Yuuki shrugged lightly.
"He called himself Loki."
Silence filled the chamber.
Kagali's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A Primordial with that name…?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Apparently."
Footman rubbed his head nervously.
"Primordials are monsters…"
Tear nodded slowly.
"Even Demon Lords treat them carefully."
Clayman frowned.
"And you met one?"
Yuuki chuckled.
"Met is a generous term."
He tapped the table lightly.
"He actually threatened me."
Footman stiffened.
"Threatened you?!"
Yuuki nodded.
"He wanted me to work for him."
Kagali's gaze sharpened.
"And?"
Yuuki smiled.
"I accepted."
Tear blinked.
"You what?"
Yuuki laughed softly.
"Well, not directly."
He waved his hand.
"But the important thing is…"
His eyes gleamed slightly.
"…I think I can use him instead."
Clayman stared at him.
"You intend to manipulate a Primordial Demon?"
Yuuki shrugged casually.
"Manipulate might be a strong word."
His smile widened.
"Let's just say…"
"…I think our interests might align."
Kagali studied him carefully.
"That sounds extremely dangerous."
Yuuki laughed.
"Oh it definitely is."
"But…"
He rested his chin on his hands again.
"…dangerous things are usually the most useful."
Clayman leaned back slowly.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"A Primordial Demon…"
He tapped the table thoughtfully.
"…and the power of Milim."
His grin grew wider.
"If both of our plans succeed…"
Tear leaned forward excitedly.
"The world is going to get really chaotic."
Footman nodded nervously.
"Yeah…"
Kagali remained silent for a moment.
Then she sighed quietly.
"…This is going to end badly."
Yuuki chuckled.
"Oh probably."
Clayman however only laughed.
A sharp, ambitious laugh that echoed through the chamber.
"Then let chaos come."
His eyes gleamed with ambition.
"Because when it does…"
"…we will be the ones standing above it."
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