Year: 627, Shadowia
Having ruled Shadowia for three years, Norflay and Zeal found themselves in a heated argument.
Zeal: "We have begun to enhance the masks with other elements, creating new mask races, my friend!"
Norflay: "You certainly have a brilliant mind, Zeal, but these masks could threaten Shadowia's future."
Zeal: "We are both aging anyway. Let those who come after us worry about it—doesn't that make sense?"
Norflay: "Of course not! We are the noble warriors of this glorious Shadowia. Have you forgotten why we ascended to the throne?"(Three years earlier)
Norflay: "Ahh, I love drinking this zamaze, my friend."
(Zamaze kind of a beer from Shadowia)
Zeal: "I love it too, but don't we have more important matters to deal with?"
Norflay: "Like what?"
Zeal: "Shadowia's future is in our hands right now. We have obtained the masks, yet the royal palace is reaping the benefits!"
Norflay: "And what do you suggest? Are we supposed to overthrow the royal palace?(!)"
Zeal: "Of course not, I have a cunning plan."
Norflay: "Alright, what is it?"
Zeal: "We will send an artificial demon to the town behind us and place all the blame on the royal palace!"
Norflay: "And what about the innocent people who will die?"
Zeal: "Forget about them. In the end, we will be the ones benefiting from this!"
Norflay: "What?! You mean, while we claim to act for the benefit of the people, we will now be the cause of their deaths?"
Zeal: "Think about it, my friend: twenty people will die, but nearly four thousand Shadowians will escape poverty because of us."
(Despite his reluctance, Norflay agreed to the plan.)An artificial demon was sent to the town of Brington by Norflay and his clan. This demon was so ruthless that it reduced the entire town to ashes in just one night. As a result, all blame was placed on the royal palace, and the royal family was exiled from Shadowia. With a series of deceitful promises, Zeal won the favor of the people and took the throne alongside Norflay.Now, Zeal's goal was to create new masks, eliminating Norflay and becoming the sole ruler of Shadowia. However, this would lead to a catastrophic disaster.(Returning to the present day)
Zeal: "Well, my friend, do as you please. If you need me, I'll be in the garden."
Norflay: "Understood, Zeal"
Norflay (thinking): "Why would Zeal want something like this? That man is both a psychopath and a genius! I hope nothing bad happens to us."
Instead of heading to the garden, Zeal descended into the laboratory and began experimenting on the demon mask. No matter how much he tried, using his own spiritual energy and obsidian, the mask would not react.
Zeal: "Norflay is too naive. The only reason I saved him from the clans all those years ago was because he possessed a spiritual power he himself could not comprehend. I need Norflay's spiritual energy. With it, I can merge the demon mask and obsidian to create a new mask."
(As midnight approached)
Zeal: "This device in my hands is the 'Soul Extractor.' It transfers a person's spiritual energy into a specialized needle when they are at their most vulnerable. Now, I just need to wait for Norflay to fall asleep."
(An hour passes, and Norflay falls into slumber.)
Zeal: "This is Norflay's room. Now, I need you guards to suppress any noise that could wake him."
Guards: "As you command, Lord Zeal!"
Zeal: "Geniga Concealment Technique #13!"
Zeal sneaks into Norflay's room and approaches his bed. He brings the Soul Extractor close to Norflay's arm, and the device activates.
Zeal: "Unbelievable! Look at the soul meter—it's at 8400! The machine's maximum reading is only 10,000! This will be my golden age, Norflay!"
(Morning arrives.)
Norflay: "I feel something strange in my arm, as if it's a wound that has scabbed over. Whatever, I should ask Zeal about the monthly tax reports."
Zeal was practicing his Geniga techniques among the roses in the garden.
Norflay: "Hey, Zeal! I need to consult you on something important."
Zeal: "Go ahead, Norflay."
Norflay: "Where have the royal guards been? They've been neglecting their tax duties for days!"
Zeal: "Don't worry. I'll inform the royal soldiers about it. You should have your breakfast—the table is still set."
Norflay: "Alright, Zeal."
Norflay was internally suspicious. Zeal was no longer the same sincere Zeal he once knew.An hour later, Zeal went back down to the laboratory and resumed his experiment on the mask.
Zeal: "Now, by injecting this spiritual energy into the mask through this tube, I will merge it with obsidian!"
First, Zeal used magic to infuse the tube containing spiritual energy into the mask. As the process began, the mask's color darkened.
Zeal: "Wow, was Norflay's soul really this gloomy?"
Next, Zeal magically integrated a specially prepared obsidian infused with toxins into the mask. The mask immediately started transforming, emitting blue lights. Horns pointing upward and a monstrous grin appeared, marking the completion of its transformation.
Zeal: "Oh my god! The magnificence, the power of this... I'm in awe! I must test this on myself immediately."
As soon as Zeal placed the mask on his face, spiritual spikes emerged from its sides and pierced into his skull. He screamed in agony.
Zeal: "N-No! My head—No! I can feel all the needles piercing into my skull, yet I also feel something wonderful... This power—THE POWER OF ENLIGHTENMENT!"
Hearing his screams, Norflay and his soldiers rushed to the laboratory. The first thing they saw was Zeal, his head bleeding, wearing a grotesque and monstrous-looking mask. At that moment, Norflay understood everything.
Norflay: "So this was it, huh? This was the mask you created... Soldiers, draw your masks!"
Zeal: "You know, Norflay, I feel so happy right now. This ugly mask isn't as bad as it looks!"
Norflay: "You bastard! Geniga #34—Air Slash!"
Zeal: "Ineffective! Awaken, demons!"
Suddenly, two demons emerged from the ground around Zeal.
Norflay: "Now! Everyone—Geniga #87—Solid Fragmentation!"
The laboratory walls collapsed on top of Zeal.
Norflay: "Ha! You may be smart, but I'm still stronger than you!"
Norflay: "Everyone, move to the upper floor—now!"
Zeal: "Unbelievable."
Norflay: "W-What? Impossible!"
Zeal: "You still don't understand, Norflay? You will all submit to my power!"
Norflay: "Never! Geniga Stealth Technique #13!"
Zeal: "YOU CAN'T ESCAPE ME—I CAN SENSE YOUR SOUL!"
Norflay quickly rushed upstairs and entered Zeal's room.
Norflay: "Cut the wall, Geniga!"(The wall collapses.)
Norflay: "This monster had a secret stash for his special tools. Where is it?!"
Norflay rummaged through all the chests and finally found the Soul Absorber.
Norflay: "So, you were the one who wounded my arm with this, huh?!"Norflay hid behind the door, waiting for Zeal.
Zeal: "Norflay! Come here—you can't run from me. So, this is where you are? What are you doing in my room?!"
Norflay: "Now!"
Norflay aimed the Soul Absorber at Zeal and drained the spiritual energy from his mask.
Norflay: "Haha! Now it's time to escape! Geniga, launch me!
"Norflay was suddenly propelled into the air and leaped over the palace walls.
Norflay: "Yes! Now's my chance to escape—see you soon, Zeal!"