Within the vast reaches of the Demon Realm sat a particularly massive city. At the center of this metropolis stood a giant colosseum, where the being who reigned over it tilted his head in confusion at his visitor.
"Hah? Miyama Kaito? Who the hell is that?"
"He is an Otherworlder who is currently on intimate terms with the Underworld King and the Death King. It appears the World King has also taken an interest in him."
"An Otherworlder? Hmph. Kuromueina, Isis, and even Lilliwood, eh? Well? Is the guy strong?"
"I cannot say. I am not privy to such details."
The messenger replied with a visibly tense expression to the King, who spoke with such savage inflection.
"To go out of his way to leak that kind of info... what the hell is that bastard plotting? Well, not like a lackey like you would know if I asked..."
"No, sir. I apologize for being of no assistance, War King Megiddo Argetes Borgness-sama."
"Hmph. Don't go saying things you don't mean. I'll crush you!"
"..."
The War King, Megiddo, spat out words as fierce as a raging inferno. Buffeted by his staggering intimidation, the messenger involuntarily recoiled.
After watching the display with a look of pure boredom, Megiddo let a smirk crawl across his lips.
"Still... it sounds like it could be fun. Let's go ahead and invite this Otherworlder here! If he's strong, then great! If he's a weakling, I haven't the slightest interest in him—I'll just grind him to dust."
"..."
"And make sure you tell No Face this: I don't care if they want to go scurrying around in the shadows, but if they try to get in my way... I won't show any mercy."
"Understood."
At Megiddo’s command, the Phantasm King’s messenger bowed deeply.
Having lost interest in further conversation, Megiddo turned his gaze away from the messenger and looked out over the colosseum floor.
A massive number of Demons were gathered there. There were well over a hundred High-ranking Demons, including those of Peerage-class, and every last one of them lay collapsed on the ground, battered and broken.
"Oi! How long do you plan on sleeping?! Just because it's been peaceful for a measly thousand years, you've all gone soft. Pathetic!"
"O-Our deepest... apologies..."
"Get up already! Another round! You lot better show me enough backbone to at least leave a single scratch on me!"
Even a hundred High-ranking Demons were nothing more than a way to kill time for the War King.
The King who loved battle more than any other, spending every waking moment in combat as the most bellicose ruler in the Demon Realm—War King Megiddo Argetes Borgness.
His thunderous roar shook the colosseum's foundation again today.
In the mountain ranges of the Demon Realm where the Dragon race made their home, the King of Dragons listened quietly to a messenger's report.
"The above is the information provided by my master, the Phantasm King."
[I see. I shall take action on my end as well. Relay that to No Face.]
Though his tone was calm, his voice was so resonant it seemed to rumble down from the very heavens.
It was only natural, for the Dragon King Magnawell Baskus Lard Kartzbald was the largest living creature in the Demon Realm—no, in the entire world. His physique was so immense that it felt more appropriate to describe his height as an "altitude."
In the units used on Earth, the Otherworld, he stood over five thousand meters tall. He was a dragon of such scale that his crown truly pierced the clouds.
Magnawell watched the Phantasm King’s messenger depart before murmuring to the High Ancient Dragons standing ready upon his back.
[...I do not like this. That No Face... what are they plotting this time?]
"What are your orders, Magnawell-sama?" one of the dragons asked softly.
[We shall observe for the time being. I feel as though my thoughts are being skillfully manipulated.]
"By the Phantasm King?"
[Mm. The information brought by their messenger was certainly intriguing. In fact, I have developed a slight interest in this Otherworlder myself. However, I suspect that is exactly what they intended.]
"Are you suggesting they intend to use you, Magnawell-sama?"
Hearing Magnawell's dispassionate analysis, the dragon let out a low, displeased growl. It was a sound born of fury toward No Face for daring to use their master as a pawn, but Magnawell continued, seemingly unbothered.
[There are too many shadows in this information. It is only logical to assume things are being intentionally hidden... In which case, what is No Face’s goal? Likely, it is to force an encounter between us and this Otherworlder...]
"But would that benefit the Phantasm King?"
[They do not move for personal gain. However, they do prize efficiency. Do they intend for us to dispose of this Otherworlder? No... if that were the case, they would have acted personally long ago. Hmph. I cannot be sure.]
No Face remained a shadow, never showing their true form and pulling strings from behind the scenes. Magnawell turned the possibilities over in his mind, but a clear answer eluded him.
[...Regardless, we shall watch and wait. No Face has likely sent a messenger to Megiddo as well. If so, I shall wait for him to make the first move.]
"Given the War King's nature, I expect he will attempt to make contact immediately."
[No doubt. He is no fool, but he has no patience for deep schemes. He will likely move soon, and I shall wait for the outcome. Still, simply doing nothing is a bit dull... Instruct my subordinates to gather every scrap of information they can find on this Otherworlder, Miyama Kaito.]
"As you wish! At once!"
[...Now then, No Face. I do not know what you are plotting, but if you think everything will proceed exactly as you've planned, you are sorely mistaken.]
After issuing his orders, the gargantuan Dragon King gazed silently at the horizon. He felt the world beginning to shift in a major way, all revolving around a single Otherworlder...
Inside a dimly lit room, two Demons knelt on one knee to deliver their report.
"...Those were the responses from the War King and the Dragon King."
"...Good. Continue your surveillance of Miyama Kaito."
"Yes. We are to refrain from taking action and focus solely on monitoring him, correct?"
"Yes. I have not yet finished measuring his value. I cannot yet determine if his continued existence is a benefit or a detriment to this world."
After listening to the report of the subordinates they had dispatched to the Six Kings, No Face remained seated on their throne and muttered quietly.
"If he is a benefit to the world, he may remain. But if he is to bring chaos and ruin... I will simply erase him."
"However, according to our intel, the Otherworlder possesses a Magic Tool that heals any wound instantly. Assassination may prove difficult..."
"Foolish... Even if the flesh will not perish, there are countless ways to kill the heart."
No Face spoke with a voice devoid of even a shred of warmth, calmly stating their intent to destroy Kaito if necessary. To No Face, the fact that Kaito’s body was immortal due to the Magic Crystal from Shallow Vernal was a trivial detail.
As the King who bore the title of Phantasm, destroying the spirit was their specialty.
"Remind those stationed near him once more: they are not to move on their own. The final decision rests with me."
"Understood! Everything shall be as Phantasm King No Face-sama wills!"
The subordinates bowed deeply and vanished. In the silence of the room, No Face stared into the void.
"With this, Megiddo will act. Magnawell will wait for Megiddo’s move, but he will likely have his subordinates gather information... I need only manipulate the information that reaches him. It is of no consequence."
A faint sliver of light caught No Face in the gloom. From beneath a hood worn so deep it obscured their features, long jet-black hair swayed, melting into the shadows.
In the dim darkness, Phantasm King No Face continued their clandestine maneuvers... watching the world from the abyss.
"...Now, let us put you to the test, Miyama Kaito. Let us see if you possess the qualifications to challenge the Depths of Kuromueina..."