Reeve stood frozen.
The name Azrathiel still echoed in his mind like a verdict carved into stone. Slowly, he turned toward Tsukiyra, his eyes sharp with disbelief.
"…Is there more than one Demon Lord?" he asked.
Tsukiyra nodded calmly. "There are twelve Demon Lords."
Reeve's breath caught. "Twelve…?"
"Yes," she continued. "They are ranked—but I don't know the exact hierarchy. Not the criteria, not the order. Demon Lords don't reveal such things unless necessary."
Reeve clenched his jaw. "Then where are the others?"
Tsukiyra paused. "I only know the location of one."
Reeve looked up instantly. "Who?"
"He never leaves his domain," she said. "He resides in Frostbound Isle."
Reeve's eyes widened. "Frostbound Isle…?"
Tsukiyra gave a faint smile. "I knew you'd react like that. No one knows where it is. Maps reject it. Compasses fail. Even Demon Kings avoid speaking its name."
The wind howled faintly—as if the world itself acknowledged the place.
Scene Shift — The Primordial Conclave
A castle stood where light dared not exist.
Its walls were carved from void-black stone, towering endlessly into a sky without stars. Ancient sigils pulsed like slow heartbeats. This was not a Demon King's palace.
This was Primordial Ground.
Within the grand hall, two figures stood—those same Primordials who once accompanied the Demon King. Their presence bent reality, space trembling around them.
One spoke first, voice heavy with disdain.
"Why were we summoned… for this?"
The other folded his arms. "A ceremony," he replied coldly. "To determine the next being worthy of ascending beyond Demon Lords."
His eyes narrowed.
"The Axiom of Severance."
A silence followed.
"So it begins again," the first primordial muttered. "The selection of the strongest primordial seed."
Above them, an unseen presence watched—ancient, patient, judging.
Scene Shift — Beneath the World
Deep underground… deeper than kingdoms… deeper than hell—
A cavern stretched endlessly, illuminated by rivers of molten lava flowing like cursed water. The heat alone could erase armies.
Monsters littered the land.
Beasts with shattered horns. Creatures fused with flame. Abominations that crawled, watched, waited.
At the very center—
A colossal dragon lay coiled atop obsidian stone.
Its scales glowed faint crimson. Its wings were folded like mountains at rest.
Its eyes were closed.
Sleeping.
Waiting.
As lava surged and monsters bowed instinctively, a single tremor passed through the cavern—
Not an awakening.
But a recognition.
Something had changed in the world above.