“Knights? What… are you thinking of creating an order of knights?” Eugene asked. He was rather dumbfounded. Zescard was essentially the absolute existence of this world, so Eugene couldn’t understand why he needed knights. After all, hundreds of the strongest warriors from all races would eagerly flock if he simply revealed his identity.

“Haha. The knights that I will call aren’t like the knights you have in mind, brother,” Zescard responded.

“Hmm?”

“Brother, have you ever wondered why I allowed you to stay in this world?” Zescard asked.

Eugene frowned. It was out of the blue, but he had always been rather curious about it. Eugene knew that he didn’t receive permission just because they were both dragons. However, Zescard had shown respect and treated him with dignity. As such, Eugene also showed respect and didn’t actively seek answers to his questions.

“Before you, brother… there was someone else who came here from another world,” Zescard explained.

“Hooh?”

“His home was a different world from yours. It was a world similar to this but different at the same time. The conversation I had with him provided me with great pleasure and inspiration. And…”

Zescard’s story piqued Eugene’s curiosity. He had also left the Demon World out of curiosity and desire for a new world. As such, it was only natural that he found Zescard’s words interesting.

“…And although my powers influenced it slightly, it was a coincidence that he came here, but it was also out of necessity,” Zescard said.

“How intriguing. So where is he?” Eugene asked.

“He died a long time ago. After all, he was just a regular human being,” Zescard answered.

“A human…?”

“That’s right. However, he became a god here,” Zescard said.

“…?!”

Eugene was genuinely surprised. A god? An ordinary human had become a god?

“To be exact, I made him into a god,” Zescard added.

“What does that…”

“Brother, have you heard of the name Reyes?” Zescard asked.

“Re…yes?” Eugene muttered. It was an unfamiliar name.

A bitter smile appeared on Zescard’s lips. “A god who is almost forgotten now. However, before you came to this world, brother, Reyes boasted many believers as the only god of this world,” Zescard explained.

“And this Reyes, this god… You made him?” Eugene asked.

“That’s right. With the help of this world’s first visitor, I managed to create the only god of this world, Reyes. But as time passed, Reyes was forgotten, and the three gods took his spot,” Zescard said.

A moment of silence followed. Zescard had a nostalgic look as if he was longingly remembering something. It was honestly surprising to Eugene that one of his kind, an absolute existence, still had some emotions, albeit weak.

“An interesting story. However, what does that have to do with why you allowed me to stay?” Eugene asked.

“Just as he led the world into change as Reyes, I knew you would bring a difference in this world as well, brother. That is the real reason why I allowed you to enjoy your time here, and you did very well in that regard,” Zescard answered.

“…”

“But it’s still not enough. The world remained stagnant, and I want to keep on stimulating it. The world has to move forward, and that is why we need a new door. A passage to the world belonging to the first visitor. A door that will allow the passage of those knights—the knights who will deliver inalterable values even if catastrophic beings were to sweep the world with destruction,” Zescard explained.

“…”

Eugene was at a loss for words. He knew that Zescard was a rather eccentric being considering that he was an observer of other worlds, though Eugene considered it to be closer to superintendence. But this was beyond his imagination. Change the world? What would be the benefit of doing such a strange thing? Was it because of a covenant, or perhaps Zescard had a sense of responsibility to do so?

However…

‘Well. I guess it’s the same for me.’

Eugene smirked after coming to the realization that he was no different from Zescard. Was there anyone who could understand his actions? He—one of the absolute existences of the Demon World—had sacrificed a portion of his power to travel to another world. Who could possibly understand his pursuit of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure by even going as far as to have his own memories distorted? It was no different for Zescard. The latter had his own values and ways, and there was no need for Eugene to force himself to understand them. He simply had to return what he had received from the latter.

“It is difficult for me to understand, but that’s fine. So I just need to create a passage? Is that it?” Eugene asked.

“That’s right. Then, coincidence will lead to destiny, and the two will eventually combine. They will lead the world into change, just as you did, brother.” Zescard smiled with satisfaction, then lightly waved his hand. The invisible barrier separating the two dragons from Lefersha and Georg disappeared.

Lefersha and Georg appeared very curious about what they had been talking about. However, the two dragons ignored them and walked toward the passage.

“You’ve done it once before, so you should know how to proceed, right?” Zescard asked.

“Of course…” Eugene nodded. He then extended both of his hands toward the passage. A fierce energy started to accumulate in his heart, which could be called the focal point of the dragon’s blood and energy. What was originally known as the ‘Dragon Heart’ had lost about half of its function when Eugene first crossed over from the Demon World. It was all because creating a passage from one world to another required enormous power, which was also known as mana.

Kwaaaaaaooooo!

A storm of black and red energy started swirling around Eugene.

Tutuck!

The vessels on Eugene’s face and neck started to protrude, and his pale face started to dye red. The concentration of power started flowing from his heart to his arms and then to his palms.

Kwaaaaaaah!

Dragon Essence shot from his palms and wrapped around the passage. The overwhelming, mysterious sight shocked both Lefersha and Georg into silence. However, while Lefersha experienced pure astonishment, Georg was struck with fear and great anxiety.

‘C-closing both sides? Are you serious?!’

Zescard was right; Georg did not want the closure of the passage on both sides. To be exact, a handful of the top ten devils did not want it to happen. The Demon King of Blood, Eugene, could never be allowed back into the Demon World. However, they needed the passage to remain open for them to cross over here. Only the first passage could allow them to cross over while retaining most of their powers, and it was only possible because the Demon King of Blood had created it at the expense of his power.

‘No.’

The sneaky, insidious nature of the devil started to rise to the surface. Although he was without more than half of his powers, he had to take action. If both sides of the first passage were destroyed and he returned to the Demon World afterward, the others would not leave him intact. If they combined their powers and attacked him, Georg would surely perish. In other words, Georg had no other choice.

Kwakwakwakwakwa!

The first passage gradually lost its original appearance as brilliant crimson light slowly engulfed it. For a split second, the scenery of the Demon World could be seen through the light.

Georg dashed like a shadow. He emitted neither sound nor any energy. Even Lefersha failed to react, even though she was right by his side. Eugene remained completely oblivious as well, as he was engrossed in closing the passage. However, Zescard still sensed the movement of the devil monarch, even though he was assisting Eugene.

- So you choose to make the same mistake as БПЮЯ

Zescard’s figure was suddenly engulfed in a golden light, and five gigantic horns appeared above his head. The energy of the True Dragon crushed the ghastly form of the devil.

“Kyaaaahhhhhhk!”

A piercing scream reverberated.

The power of the True Dragon was ripping up the soul of the devil monarch.

“Kyaaaahhk! Kuaaaahhh!”

However, Georg remained unyielding even amidst the pain that threatened to shred his very existence. He could get annihilated, but he just had to return. If he were to return successfully, he could recover over time. It would take a long time, but he could recover.

“Kuwuuuuuuughhhh!!!”

The devil monarch reached out with a desperate roar. A thin thread of energy containing the essence of one of ten great devils reached the passage.

Ziiing!

It was followed by a tiny sound. Then, the sound of something being ripped apart could be heard.

“Kwuuuuuuughhhh!” Georg screamed before his body was sucked into the passage.

And while he was being devoured into a fissure as small as a thumbnail, Georg cried out, “Remember! I will be back! We will never—”

Kwararararak!

The devil monarch was not given the chance to finish. What remained of him after Zescard’s attack—his upper torso—completely disappeared into the fissure. Complete silence followed immediately afterward.

Eugene turned his head. His complexion had returned to its original hue, but his expression was stiff.

“This… I think he has caused us a bit of trouble,” Eugene said.

“I see. I must have underestimated the devil…” Zescard answered.

“What are you going to do? We closed the first passage, but the creation of the new passage stopped halfway through,” Eugene asked.

Indeed, Georg’s final effort prevented the complete formation of the new passage.

“Why don’t you use your powers?” Eugene asked.

“Impossible. Although you and I are kin, brother, we are like fire and water. Our powers cannot mix and mingle. Moreover, I must reserve my power to call the knights,” Zescard responded.

“There’s nothing that we can do, then.” Eugene shrugged. He had done his best, and Zescard had to handle the rest. Moreover, he had exhausted most of his remaining power to open the new passage. He could recover by either resting for a long period of time or absorbing the blood of others, but neither was an option for him right now.

“No, there is a way,” Zescard spoke after a brief contemplation.

“Hmm?”

“As you said, brother, the new passage is incomplete. Knights won’t be affected that much, but ordinary humans or others who are on a similar level will not be able to pass through it. Their bodies and souls will disintegrate in the process,” Zescard said.

“That’s true. They will likely die…” Eugene agreed.

“However…”

“…?”

Eugene stared at him inquisitively. Zescard continued with a smile. “It’s possible to cross from here to there. Of course, not just everyone could do it. It’s only possible for a special existence capable of overcoming the unstable mana. For example…”

“For example…?” Eugene asked.

“Although the passage is unstable, the creator can still cross,” Zescard concluded.

“…!”

Eugene’s eyes became filled with astonishment, and Zescard’s smile deepened.

“Brother, you came to this world out of curiosity and the thirst for adventure, so what do you think? It wouldn’t be so bad to experience what another world is like, right?”