In the heart of the vast Demon Realm lay a region known to its inhabitants as the Forbidden Land.
It was a desolate place. No trees or flowers grew there; for tens of kilometers in every direction, only a barren wasteland stretched toward the horizon. It was whispered that not a single living creature made its home there, and even a child of the Demon Realm knew better than to set foot within its borders.
This was the site where the Six Kings convened for their meetings, and just as frequently, it served as the arena for their earth-shattering disputes.
To wander into a territory where a clash between six beings of such cataclysmic power might erupt at any moment was an act indistinguishable from suicide.
And now, the six Demons who stood at the absolute zenith of the realm had gathered once more.
The oldest of their kind and the de facto ruler of the Demon Realm... Underworld King Kuromueina.
A presence feared not only in this world but in the Human and God Realms as well... Death King Isis Remnant.
The one hailed as the conscience of the Six Kings, serving as the bridge between worlds... World King Lilliwood Yggdrasil.
A fierce avatar of combat who lived for the thrill of the hunt and the clash of steel... War King Megiddo Argetes Borgness.
The largest living creature in existence, a dragon of such staggering proportions that his back seemed to scrape the sky... Dragon King Magnawell Baskus Lald Katzbalger.
The master of a global network who held every secret within her grasp... Phantasm King No Face.
Excluding the Hero Festival, it was exceedingly rare for all six to assemble in one place, yet they took their positions in the center of the wasteland with the ease of long-standing habit.
The other five kings ascended to the crown of Magnawell’s head. A table and chairs manifested from thin air as each took their respective seats.
“...Well then, let’s get started.”
“...Yes.”
“Kuro-san, you’re the one who called this meeting, right? So, what’s on the agenda?”
“Shaltier, there is no need to be so restless.”
The moment Kuromueina declared the meeting open, Shaltier immediately pressed for the topic of discussion. Magnawell addressed her in a leisurely, rumbling tone, noting her apparent haste. She didn't hesitate to reply.
“I want to wrap this up quickly so I can get back to guarding Kaito-san. So, let’s make it snappy. Hurry up!”
“Really, Shaltier... Given the timing, I assumed this would be about the Hero Festival. It is a matter of global importance. I shall ask just in case, but if you had to choose between the world and Kaito-san, which would it be...?”
“That’s a ten-to-zero for Kaito-san, obviously.”
“...I agree.”
“...I knew it. I knew that would be the answer, and yet...”
Lilliwood’s shoulders slumped in defeat as she watched Shaltier declare Kaito’s importance over the entire world without a second's thought, with Isis raising her hand in silent, immediate agreement right beside her.
Meanwhile, Megiddo—the only one who hadn't joined the conversation—was busy drinking alone from a massive bottle of spirits he had brought along.
“Megiddo, are you not going to participate?”
“Huh? I don’t give a damn about meetings... Decide whatever you want. I’ll go along with whatever Kuromueina decides.”
“...In a certain sense, Megiddo-san is the most sensible one here.”
Megiddo clearly had no intention of contributing to the debate; he simply reiterated his loyalty to Kuromueina’s judgment before returning to his drink.
After offering Megiddo a wry smile, Kuromueina—the architect of this gathering—slowly began to speak.
“...Actually, this isn't a meeting about the Hero Festival.”
“Oh? Is that so? Then what could it possibly be...?”
“...I have a very important proposal. That’s why I asked you all to gather so suddenly.”
“...Did something... happen?”
Caught by the sudden gravity in Kuromueina’s voice, Lilliwood and Isis both straightened their postures, searching her expression for her true intent.
“It’s not that something happened... it’s that something should happen!”
“Should happen? And what might that be?”
“I think the Demon Realm needs a much bigger festival of its own!”
“...A... festival?”
Magnawell and Shaltier looked at her with bewildered expressions, clearly caught off guard by the grand declaration. Kuromueina nodded with a look of profound seriousness and began to elaborate.
“...Think about it. The Demon Realm has plenty of small festivals scattered around, but we don’t have a single event that brings the entire realm together, do we?”
“That’s true... Primarily because the Demon Realm doesn’t have 'nations' in the sense the Human Realm does. We have cities all over, but we aren't unified as a single country, so every region just does its own thing.”
“Exactly. That’s why I believe holding a massive festival would serve to revitalize the entire realm.”
“...I see. So, you believe we should host a large-scale event even here?”
“Yes! Of course, it’ll be a lot of trial and error at first, so trying to involve the whole realm from the start would be difficult. For now, let’s take the lead... and call it the ‘Six Kings Festival’!”
Kuromueina’s plan was to host a festival on a scale never before seen in the Demon Realm, the most populous of the three worlds. Hearing the proposal, the other kings—Megiddo excluded—sunk into contemplation.
“...Have you decided on the specifics? Like the activities or the timing?”
“Hmm. Since the Hero Festival is during the Month of Heavens... I was thinking we could prepare now and hold it during the Month of Light. And since there are six of us, we could have it run for six days, with each of us hosting one day.”
“I see. It does sound entertaining... and it would certainly stir some life into the realm.”
“...Indeed. It has been peaceful of late, but that has led many races to become quite insular. A change of pace might be beneficial.”
Magnawell and Lilliwood both nodded, conceding that the idea had merit. However, Shaltier continued to squint at Kuromueina with a deeply suspicious look. Finally, she spoke up.
“...Alright, Kuro-san... what’s the real reason?”
“...I want to go on a festival date with Kaito-kun!! But there are too many people at normal festivals! Even with Recognition Inhibition Magic, it always turns into a scene, so I can’t enjoy myself!!”
“...I had a feeling it was something like that.”
Just as Shaltier had suspected, the "revitalization of the Demon Realm" was nothing more than a convenient excuse. The true motivation was simply Kuromueina’s desire for a quiet date with Kaito.
The cooperative atmosphere evaporated instantly. It wasn't just Shaltier; even Lilliwood and Magnawell looked at her with varying degrees of exasperation.
“B-But it really is a great plan! Normally, if we showed up at a festival, it would cause a panic. But if we make it an 'invitation only' sort of event and staff it with our own people... if we man all the stalls with Peerage-class High-ranking Demons... then even Isis could go on a date with Kaito-kun without any trouble!!”
“...?! I-I agree! I agree!!”
“...Isis... honestly...”
Isis, however, was sold immediately. As Kuromueina pointed out, if the stalls were staffed by Peerage-class Demons—specifically those serving the Six Kings—they wouldn't flee in terror, even if they were intimidated by her presence.
In other words, she could actually go on a date. For Isis, that was the only justification she needed. She thrust her hand into the air with enough force to whistle through the wind, declaring her support over and over.
Watching her, Shaltier rubbed her chin thoughtfully before fixing a sharp, calculating gaze on Kuromueina.
“...Kuro-san, I need to confirm one very important detail.”
“Sure. What is it?”
“If we’re staffing the event with our own subordinates, then as the one with the most followers, I’m going to be doing most of the heavy lifting... So, how are we splitting the profits?”
“I don’t really need the money. In fact, if we need funds for the setup, I’ll provide them myself.”
“...?!”
Kuromueina was the wealthiest individual in existence, and since her only goal was a date with Kaito, she couldn't care less about the revenue. Shaltier’s eyes went wide, and she pivoted toward the other kings.
“...I... don't need it either.”
“...!”
“I have no desire to accumulate more wealth than is strictly necessary. As long as I have enough to manage my affairs, I am content.”
“...!!”
Isis, who was also staggeringly wealthy, waived her share, and Lilliwood, who lived a life of simplicity, followed suit.
“Huh? I don’t give a damn about money.”
“...!”
“Do you really think coins are of any use to a body like mine? I use currency for my contracts with humankind as a matter of convenience, but I have no actual use for it.”
“...Which means, basically...?”
“We don’t want it, so why don’t you just take it all, Shaltier?”
“...Well, I suppose it can't be helped! I shall roll up my sleeves for the sake of the Demon Realm!!”
The moment she realized all the profits would flow into her pockets, Shaltier’s support for the festival became absolute.
“Hehehe, with this, I can gamble until my heart’s content...”
“Kaito-kun is going to scold you again, you know?”
“Guh.”
“...I’ll... send a Hummingbird... to Kaito.”
“Wait?! Isis-san?! Anything but that...!”
Lilliwood let out a long, weary sigh as she watched Shaltier desperately try to stop Isis from reporting her future gambling spree to Kaito.
“...Three in favor... four including Megiddo. Is it decided then?”
“It would seem so...”
“...There’s no point in agonizing over it, is there?”
““Eh?””
As Lilliwood and Magnawell spoke, Megiddo—who had somehow emptied several barrels of booze in the interim—chimed in.
“Kuromueina is our leader. She says this is what she wants. Why the hell would we even need to think about it after that?”
“...You are right.”
“Indeed. Perhaps you are wiser than you look, after all.”
With Megiddo’s point—that their leader’s wish was their command—the remaining doubts vanished from Lilliwood and Magnawell’s minds. They both nodded in firm agreement.
And thus, the decision was made to host an unprecedented celebration organized by all six of the realm's rulers: the Six Kings Festival.
“...Huh? That’s weird. I just felt a sudden chill...”
The young man who was the catalyst for this world-shaking event remained blissfully unaware.
Miyama Kaito: abduction for six days during the Month of Light confirmed.
Alice: Kaito > The World Isis: Kaito > The World Kuro: Kaito > The World Lilliwood: Kaito = The World Magnawell: Kaito = The World Megiddo: Doesn't think about complicated things.