It was a desolate wasteland of nothing but rock and reddish-brown earth.
There, a long-nosed monster sat cross-legged in meditation, his three eyes closed.
Before him, a man clad in black materialized like smoke. He wore a black mask and a cloak draped over black garments, with a crimson circular weapon slung across his back.
"Azazel, is it...? What is the matter?"
The eyeball on the monster's forehead rolled sharply toward the black-masked man as he asked curtly in a thick, gruff voice.
"Girimehkala, it seems you put in a word for me with the Great One regarding this matter. You have my thanks."
The masked man, Azazel, bowed his head to Girimehkala and offered his gratitude.
"Hmph, you are our comrade! Being so overly considerate is unlike you! Besides, the one who truly deserves your thanks is the Great One, who reined in his maddening rage for your sake, is he not?"
As Girimehkala raised his voice, Azazel replied,
"I know that. I have no words to express my gratitude to the Great One for granting his permission. From the start, that person has been special to me. Forgive me, but far more so than to any of our comrades."
Azazel declared this, weighing every word.
"Those words would certainly send the others into a roaring fury if they heard them. Why do you feel that way?"
Contrary to his words, there was not the slightest hint of anger on Girimehkala's face as he asked in a calm manner.
"When I was released from that dungeon, I remembered everything clearly. The mission I must fulfill, as well as the target and purpose of my revenge. And at the same time, the moment when I first awakened to this power."
"When you first awakened to your power?"
"To begin with, the very reason I'm standing here breathing right now is thanks to the Great One's power. If the Great One hadn't lent me his power back then, I would have died."
"The Great One lent you his power? When was that?"
"A tale from a distant, far-off homeland."
"A homeland... I see. That makes sense. Azazel, you were the first among us to meet the Great One, weren't you?"
Azazel's eyes went wide, noticeable even through his mask.
"What makes you think that?"
"I simply know. The true ability I recently received from the Great One happens to be of such a nature."
"I... see. Then I won't pry any further."
"Yes, I would appreciate that."
"So, what becomes of the plan?"
Azazel shrugged, asking in a serious tone about the matter that weighed most heavily on his mind.
"The Great One is devising a grand scheme using the group known as 'Kyou,' who operate out of the Lawless City Induram. Naturally, the main course will be that small-fry Heavenly Army officer called Teltel, along with his master, Tartarus!"
"Tartarus..."
Seeing the intense, almost mad bloodlust that flashed through Azazel's eyes behind his mask, Girimehkala merely smirked and cautioned him.
"Do not seethe so, Azazel. It is still too early."
"Right... of course."
"Tartarus and his lackeys incurred the Great One's wrath by abducting Lady Lumine. The Great One will never forgive them now. Every last piece of trash involved in this affair shall face retribution. Rejoice, Azazel. What you burn with obsession over is also what the Great One desires. As the Great One's sword, you need only deliver their final rites to your heart's content."
"Yeah, I'll do just that!"
Azazel shouted with a tone bordering on pure ecstasy, and his form vanished into thin air.
Girimehkala rose to his feet. In an instant, darkness surged from his entire body, and his three eyes glowed with an ominous light.
"O our great Father! This Girimehkala shall surely strike them with the hammer of evil!"
He roared toward the blood-red sun that painted the clouds crimson.