Before more could be said, a distant rumble broke the silence. Moments later, several figures emerged from the snowy horizon. The insignia of the Magic Council adorned their uniforms, the troops moving swiftly and cautiously. Their leader, a stout man with a stern expression, held up a hand, signaling the group to halt.
The council troops approached the crater, their disciplined steps faltering as they reached the edge and gazed down. Murmurs of shock rippled through their ranks.
"What… what kind of magic could do this?" one soldier asked, his voice quivering.
"This isn't magic," another whispered. "It's something beyond…"
The leader stepped forward, his jaw tightening as he surveyed the devastation. "This is no ordinary magic. We're witnessing the aftermath of an inhuman force." His sharp eyes shifted to Ul, recognition flickering in them. "You are Ul Milkovich, reputed to be as strong as the Ten Wizard Saints?"
"That's me," Ul replied, her voice calm but tinged with gravity. She gestured toward the vast crater before them, her tone unwavering. "But don't bother asking me who did this. I don't know. I just arrived here. The only thing I can confirm is this—Deliora was obliterated in this crater."
Her words hit the group like a thunderclap. For a moment, stunned silence reigned as the weight of her statement sank in.
One of the younger troops took a step back, his eyes wide. "Obliterated? You mean… gone? Completely?"
Ul nodded solemnly. "Yes. There's nothing left of him. No body parts, no regeneration—nothing. Deliora is no more."
The murmurs among the soldiers quickly escalated into disbelief and unease.
"That's impossible!" another soldier exclaimed, his voice rising. "Deliora was unstoppable! Not even the strongest mages of Ishgar could take him down completely. He was… he was a monster!"
A grizzled older soldier, his face lined with scars, shook his head in disbelief. "I fought during the Northern Raids. I saw Deliora destroy entire armies without breaking a sweat when we were trying to seal him. And now you're telling me he's just… gone?"
The leader's expression darkened as he processed her words. "If Deliora is truly gone, then whatever or whoever caused this… is far more dangerous than the demon itself."
The young soldier from before stammered, "But if something can destroy Deliora… what chance do we have if it turns on us?"
Ul turned her gaze to the group, her voice cutting through their growing panic like a blade. "Calm down. Whoever did this has already accomplished what none of us could. They eliminated one of the greatest threats this world has ever known. Until we understand their intent, there's no use in speculating fear. For now, you should be grateful Deliora is gone. He won't be ravaging homes or taking any more lives."
The older soldier nodded reluctantly, but his frown remained. "Still… a power like this doesn't come without consequences."
The leader straightened, his resolve hardening as he addressed his troops. "Enough. The destruction here is unprecedented, and so is the outcome. We'll report this to the council immediately. For now, secure the area and gather every scrap of information you can. If Deliora is truly destroyed, the balance of power in this world may be shifting—whether for good or ill."
As the soldiers dispersed to carry out their orders, Ul remained at the edge of the crater, her thoughts a tempest beneath her calm exterior. While she had no answers about the mysterious force behind this event, one thing was certain : the world was about to change, and this was only the beginning.
'My daughter, Ultear…'
---
Within the labyrinthine corridors of Tartaros' moving fortress, Alegria, silence reigned supreme. The faint flicker of magical lanterns cast eerie shadows along the cold stone walls. At the heart of this fortress lay the grand library, a cavernous chamber lined with towering bookshelves that seemed to stretch endlessly into the darkness above.
Seilah, the demon of macro-curses, sat at a heavy wooden table surrounded by stacks of ancient tomes. Her piercing gaze skimmed the delicate parchment of an old manuscript, her expression cool and unreadable. The library was her haven, a sanctuary of knowledge in a fortress otherwise teeming with chaos and battle readiness.
Her tranquility shattered when a soft yet distinct whoosh sounded from the restricted section of the library. Seilah's head snapped up, her golden eyes narrowing as she fixed her gaze on a shelf marked with intricate demonic runes.
One of the books in the "Important Sector" had spontaneously caught fire. The flames consumed the tome in seconds, leaving behind only ashes. A cold sense of dread crept into Seilah's mind as she rose to her feet, her elegant yet intimidating figure moving swiftly toward the charred remains.
She knelt down, picking up the ashes between her fingers, her mind racing. This wasn't an ordinary book—it was a magical register tied to the life forces of Tartaros' elite demons. The disappearance of this tome could only mean one thing.
Deliora was dead.
Her usually composed demeanor cracked, and a flicker of shock crossed her face. How could this be possible? Deliora, the demon who prided himself on his unassailable regenerative curse, had always seemed invincible. Yet now, he was gone.
Seilah stood, brushing the ashes from her hands. "This must be reported immediately," she murmured. Without hesitation, she strode out of the library, her steps swift and purposeful.
---
Seilah found Kyoka in her quarters, the demon of sensory curses sharpening her claws with a sickening screech of metal on metal. Kyoka looked up, her emerald eyes gleaming with a mix of irritation and curiosity at the sudden intrusion.
"Seilah," Kyoka drawled, her voice a mixture of boredom and menace. "What brings you here unannounced?"
Seilah bowed her head slightly, her tone urgent. "Kyoka-sama, I bring grave news. Deliora… is dead."
The room fell silent. Kyoka's sharpening stone slipped from her hand, clattering to the floor. For a moment, she simply stared at Seilah, processing the information.
"Dead?" Kyoka repeated, her voice laced with disbelief. "Are you certain?"
"I witnessed the destruction of his life register myself," Seilah replied, her tone firm. "There is no doubt."
Kyoka straightened, her claws flexing involuntarily. "This must be reported to Mard Geer-sama at once."
---
The throne room of Alegria was as grand as it was oppressive. Massive pillars lined the chamber, and the air was thick with the stench of demonic power. Mard Geer, the self-proclaimed King of the Underworld, sat upon a dark throne carved from a single block of onyx. His sharp, elegant features radiated cold authority as he lazily turned the pages of Liberum, his cursed book.
Kyoka entered the room, her movements deliberate and reverent. She stopped several paces from the throne and knelt, bowing her head low.
"Excuse me, Mard Geer-sama," she said, her voice deferential.
Mard Geer didn't look up from his book, but he gave a slight nod, granting her permission to speak.
"Deliora is dead," Kyoka announced, her voice steady despite the weight of the news.
At this, Mard Geer finally closed Liberum and fixed his piercing gaze on Kyoka. His expression betrayed nothing, but a faint flicker of intrigue danced in his eyes. "Explain," he commanded.
Kyoka rose to her feet, her posture rigid. "According to Seilah, Deliora's book burned in the library. He has been completely obliterated."
Mard Geer leaned back, his fingers steepled. "So, the demon who believed himself untouchable has met his end."
Kyoka nodded. "Deliora refused to connect with the Hell Core, relying instead on his regenerative curse. He was arrogant, convinced that no one could kill him. This, ultimately, was his downfall."
Mard Geer's lips curled into a faint smirk, though his eyes remained cold. "Typical of that brute. His raw power was great, but his lack of control made him merely an inferior demon. He rejected my leadership out of pride, yet here we are."
Kyoka hesitated before adding, "Deliora's refusal to connect with the Hell Core also weakened his ties to us. He left Tartaros over a disagreement with you, and now… he is no longer our concern."
Mard Geer rose from his throne, his imposing figure casting a long shadow across the room. "His death serves as a reminder to all who underestimate the leadership of Mard Geer-sama. Let his arrogance be a lesson."
Kyoka bowed her head again. "Of course, Mard Geer-sama."
For Tartaros, it was merely another chapter in their dark saga, and for Mard Geer, it was a validation of his vision: power without control is nothing.
"END, the perfect blend of power and mastery…"