§ Prologue: Nameless Ghoul

Before the current ruler of demons was born, powerful demons like the Four Evil Kings and Midhaze’s Sorcerer King warred for dominance.

Demons flaunted their strength to prove they were worthy of ruling Dilhade, fighting even with their own kin. Many even attempted to invade Azesion to expand their territory. With the flames raging both inside and outside the country, demons were forced to deal with the united humans, gods that lent them their power, and invading spirits all on their own.

What the humans and spirits feared the most was the demons banding together as one. The balance between Azesion’s and Dilhade’s forces was barely maintained thanks to internal strife. If there emerged a ruler among the demons that could unite them, the tide of battle would be turned instantly.

The Azesion army worked to continuously sow the seeds of doubt for each king that governed an area of Dilhade, plotting to use the Great War to their advantage by having the demons fight each other. While the demons made light of the humans, it was the humans who would ultimately decide the outcome of the war—and they were steadily moving towards success.

Of course, there were demons who noticed their intentions as well. But they neither belonged to a faction, nor followed a master, nor possessed territory, nor had names. They were a group of demons led by Ceris Voldigoad, and they eventually vanished from history.

What did they believe in? For what did they swing their swords? Only those who had seen those nameless, phantomlike knights in person had the faintest memory of them.

“E-Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Number of assailants unknown! Enemies cannot be seen either! The barrier is under magical attack from every direction!”

At the southernmost end of the Midhaze territory was a poisonous swamp area.

The human soldier who detected the