“How strange…”

A knight muttered while looking around. He was dressed in blood-red armor.

“I seem to have succeeded, given that the evil energy is thin and the way it reeks of mana. But how come the concentration of evil energy is still increasing?”

The knight turned around. The passage he used was blocking the cave like a wall while emitting a strange light.

“Hmm. I see… It’s leaking out of the passage. Is it because of me?” The knight nodded before turning around with a languid expression. “Well, I shouldn’t have to worry about it. None of them will ever think of taking advantage of the passage. Anyway, this is rather uncomfortable.”

The knight lowered his gaze and examined his body.

“I used too much energy to open the passage… Which means that my current appearance is the best I can do…”

The knight smirked after looking over himself with an indifferent gaze.

“Well, I guess it doesn’t really matter, does it? Since I’ve come to a new world, it wouldn’t be bad to live with a new appearance.”

The knight trudged along. The light emanating from the passage soon faded in the distance, and complete darkness greeted him. However, the darkness didn’t impose any restrictions on the knight. His ruby eyes shone brightly as he proceeded through the darkness without hesitation.

Krrrrrr!

A beast growled in the dark while exhaling hot air from its nostrils. It was an ogre with bloodshot eyes.

Kuwuuuugh!

The ogre roared before charging toward the knight, but the knight continued walking. He casually waved his hands as if he found the creature annoying.

Kwararararara!

Suddenly, a crimson energy sprouted from his fingertips and clawed the figure of the giant monster, and the creature was subsequently shredded into dozens of chunks. The knight approached the remains of the ogre. After staring at it for a moment, he bent over and dipped his pale finger into the pool of the ogre’s blood. He slowly raised his coated finger and drew it to his lips. The ends of his red lips curled into a small smile, revealing his sharp fangs.

“Not bad…” the knight muttered. A surge of crimson energy flared from the knight’s figure. The energy quickly eroded the space around the knight, and the ogre’s blood started to transform into vapor. The vaporized blood was soon absorbed into his armor, which was glowing with strange letters and symbols.

The knight resumed walking through the cave without care. After walking through the darkness for some time, the knight finally felt a weak stream of air. The knight followed the breezy trail.

Finally, a dim light appeared in the distance, and the knight took large steps toward it. It was evident that he was close to the entrance of the cave.

Fwoooosh…

A breeze containing the fresh aroma of the vibrant forest greeted the knight. He slowly looked around the thick forest with curious eyes, and he saw an undisturbed work of nature.

The knight slowly kneeled, then grabbed a handful of reddish-brown soil in his hand.

“I really succeeded.”

His lips curled up into a smile. The deep energy of life that greeted him was something he could have never felt from where he came from. However, his moment of appreciation did not go undisturbed for long.

Fwoosh!

A strong gust of wind washed over the knight, and he turned his head. This wasn’t a breeze from the forest.

A powerful energy started to flicker in his eyes as he stared at the distant sky through the dense leaves of the trees.

“Top ten… No, even stronger?” he muttered. His expression grew tense. He had been the strongest where he came from. Although there were a couple of beings on a similar level as him, their territories did not overlap with his, and everyone minded their own business.

Even if one of the three invaded another’s territory, they remained aloof. It couldn’t be helped for absolute existences who transcended time. Nothing could ever evoke a special feeling in them. Even if there were things that aroused their interest and curiosity, they were ephemeral. As such, the knight had existed for an incredibly long time. He no longer felt any kind of hostility toward his equals. Rather, they simply felt like old neighbors. There was no reason for him to become angry if an old neighbor came into his garden to play for a while or if they played a little prank on the insects residing in his garden.

However, the knight was no longer in his world. This was a different world, and he was without much information. And what was fast approaching him was an unknown existence exuding a presence perhaps even stronger than the old neighbors of his original world.

“This seems to be troublesome. Right as I arrive as well…”

The knight clicked his tongue. If it were his original garden, or rather, world, he wouldn’t have to be so nervous. However, the knight had to sacrifice almost half of his own power in exchange for crossing over to the new world.

“Huh?”

A curious glimmer appeared in the knight’s eyes. The powerful energy fast approaching him was rather strange. It was definitely his first time encountering it in the new world. However, the familiarity he felt wasn’t derived from his memories. Rather, his very soul was resonating as it sensed the unfamiliar but familiar energy.

Fwooooosh!

A dazzling brilliance of gold filled the sky along with a strong gust of wind. The knight frowned without realizing it.

“Brother from afar…!”

A voice resonated throughout the tall, wide sky as if pushing away the brilliant light.

“…!”

The knight came to a realization. In this new world, there was a ‘dragon,’ just like himself.

***

“Good. I will allow you to roam this world, brother.”

“Are you sure? I’m going to be doing whatever I want. Can this world handle it?”

“Disorder is also a part of the order. One day, even that disorder will be incorporated into the order, and watching over the process is a part of my role as the Beholder of this world.”

“Hmm. Well, if you say so. But if I do get bored one day, I will make sure to reap what I sowed with my own hands.”

“I will also leave that to your judgment, brother.”

“But don’t open that passage?”

“Not until you are done with your entertainment. What you do with the passage afterward is up to you, but when the time comes, you will have to do me another favor.”

“Let’s do that. I will get going, then.”

“I look forward to an enjoyable game.”

***

“I have to exterminate my race?”

“I’m saying we need to control their numbers.”

“Why? There are more dangerous things in this world than the Dark Clan.”

“Many things can be overcome by the power of the various races that make up this world. But not the Dark Clan. If the current trend continues, this world will eventually be left with nothing but the Dark Clan.”

“Isn’t that also part of the order you so often speak of?”

“Order collapsed when the two children of your daughter became involved in human history, brother.”

“Is it because of the passage they created?”

“Those passages can be overcome by the power of the various races. The aftermaths of the things caused by the passages will eventually find their places after generations. However, it is a different matter for the Dark Clan to become directly involved with the world’s most powerful nation.”

“Is that why you gave a piece of your power to that human family?”

“Equilibrium has to be achieved.”

“…”

“Consider it while watching them. Look at the nation of the humans and the nations of the other races, then decide. I will respect your decision, brother.”

***

“So, have you come to a decision, brother?”

“…Let’s shut down both sides of the passage so that nothing can cross over from the Demon World. I am also in favor of controlling the population of the Tribe of Darkness.”

“An excellent decision.”

“What are you planning to do with the other passages? Apart from the first passage I used.”

“Didn’t I tell you when we last met, brother? The other channels, those known as evil lands, can be overcome and managed by the races of this world. Moreover, they do not last very long. However, it’s different for the first passage you made with your own hands. Unless you take action, it will last for a near-indefinite time.”

“Couldn’t you shut it down with your power? You are the Beholder of this world, after all.”

“I can only shut one side of it down. I cannot project my power into the world where you came from.”

“Why not?”

“It’s a covenant I made with my old brothers.”

“How complicated… I still cannot understand you.”

“There exist no relationships with perfect understanding and comprehension. It’s even impossible for my old brothers, who claim to be omnipotent.”

“Well, fine. Anyway, shutting down the passage won’t be a problem, but what about my race? Do we have to gather them before we take care of them?”

“I have an idea. Only the children of your child are causing problems, and they will oppose your decision, not to mention that they are already taking action.”

“Huh? What did they do?”

“They are expanding the passages of the evil lands so that rational beings will be able to cross over the passage as well.”

“Are they mad? Do they really think they can control the devils and demons?”

“There are very few beings superior to those children in this world. And even if things go wrong, they think it will be fine if they lean on you and me, brother.”

“I’ll have to teach them a lesson right now.”

“I respect that as well, but how about we do things as I say for once? This will be a good gift for you as well, brother.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Don’t you want to feel real emotions? Real joy, sorrow, anger, and pleasure? Even if it’s only for a short time.”

“Hooh?”

“If you call and punish those children right now, it will cause great confusion in this world. But if you go according to my plan, things that both of us desire will come according to the natural order.”

“Hmm. Fine. I’ll do as you say. Then, after all of this is over, I just need to do you a favor?”

“That’s right…”

“What is it?”

“I’ll tell you when the time comes. It shouldn’t be hard for you to do, brother.”

“Well, fine. Then, what do I need to do?”

“I am going to distort your memories, brother. The rest will…”

***

“Close the first passage and open a new passage.”

As soon as he heard Zescard’s words, all the memories he had since his arrival in this world instantly flashed in Eugene's mind. Indeed, he had made several promises with the Beholder of this world, the True Golden Dragon.

Zescard had kept all of his promises, especially the ones regarding joy, sorrow, anger, and pleasure. Eugene could not remember when he previously felt such emotions as an immortal being, but Zescard had brought that into his life. It felt childish thinking back on it now, but the emotions he felt were real. He had been angry and desperate when he was killed by the holy knight, and he felt ecstatic when he obtained his first red mana stone after killing the wetland monster. The emotions he had experienced in meeting people, parting ways, and forming relationships with them were authentic.

So now…

“I will keep my promise.”

It was time for him to keep his promise.

Regardless of what it was…

“Can we just leave them alone?” Eugene asked while glancing back at Georg and Lefersha, who were standing around with puzzled expressions.

Zescard responded with a faint smile, “They cannot hear the conversation we are having right now. Of course, there’s no doubt that the devil would be quite upset if he heard the conversation.”

“Hmm? That devil was desperately waiting for me to close the passage, right?” Eugene said.

“Haha. Brother, after living there for such a long time, do you still believe in all of the devil’s words?” Zescard asked.

“Dammit. Arrogant bastard...”

Eugene realized it. Georg wanted the closure of the first passage. He expressed his determination to prevent Eugene from returning to the Demon World.

But as expected, a devil was still a devil.

Georg only wanted to prevent passage from this world into the Demon World. To be exact, that was what the devils wanted. They had sent the mediator and the proposer, Georg, to achieve their purpose. It was clear; however, that what the devils truly wanted was for the passageway from the Demon World to remain open.

“That’s why you must change the first passage into a new one,” Zescard said.

“If we connect it somewhere else, we don’t have to worry about the devils. Is that what you are saying?” Eugene asked.

“That’s right…”

“Hmm. Then we don’t know what’s going to pop out from the other side, right?” Eugene asked.

“There’s no need to worry about that. I will be choosing it this time,” Zescard responded.

“You will?” Eugene asked.

Zescard replied with a mysterious smile, “I am the Beholder. Allowing you to stay in this world and helping you with your entertainment—all of it was for the change of this world. And you were of great help to me, brother.”

“What help?” Eugene asked.

“What kind of world do I want to behold? What changes must be made, and what methods must be used? You helped me obtain answers, and I am now convinced.”

Eugene frowned at Zescard’s mysterious words.

The golden dragon turned and pointed at the sealed first passage before saying, “Open up a new passage. Connect that world with this one. I will… summon the knights in that place.”