Volume 8: Part one hundred seventy — The Chaos Dragon

　Frederica moved through the report methodically, one incident at a time, and I felt the room's attention settle more heavily onto me with each one.

　"First," she said, "the destruction of the Kingdom of Myrath, and the deaths of more than fifteen thousand soldiers."

Fifteen thousand. Was it really that many?

　Himari gave me a look I felt more than saw.

　"You've got to be kidding me."

　"Did you really do all that?" Chloe whispered.

　"That was Enzo," I said quietly. "After their king insulted me directly. I wasn't even present for the actual—"

　"Second," Frederica continued, unbothered by the interruption, "approximately five thousand soldiers of the Kingdom of Ashford. Also connected to you."

　"Was it five thousand?" I asked, genuinely trying to recall the exact number.

　"Kai," Himari said.

　"...What?"

　"Third," Frederica said, "the death of Demon Lord Belial."

　The atmosphere shifted, considerably heavier this time.

　This one touched the Demon Lords directly, and I noticed both Divo and Nyxara go entirely, deliberately silent.

　"Fourth," Frederica continued, "the acquisition of a unique racial classification designated Draconic Demon."

　Every eye in the room turned toward me at once.

　"And finally," she said, "the destruction of Teorema's forces, including its king and prince."

　"Wait," Elaria said sharply. "Did he actually do all of this?"

　"According to the reports," Frederica said, "yes."

　The room's attention settled on me entirely now.

　"Is that true?" Elaria asked directly.

　"Yes," I said.

　Kazuhiko leaned forward slightly.

　"Kai, I'd like to hear your side of it directly. Tell us what actually happened."

　So I did.

　Myrath's king, the deliberate provocation, Enzo's response spiraling beyond what either of us intended.

　Ashford's war, manufactured by a possessed noble manipulating an entire court.

　Belial, hunting me for my own power, sending assassins and orchestrating an entire kingdom's downfall as a test.

　Teorema, sending an army that never even got the chance to fight before Nero ended it — badly, admittedly, but not out of malice.

　By the time I finished, something had visibly shifted in the room.

　"Alright," Kazuhiko said. "I think we understand why you did what you did."

　He paused.

　"There's something else I'd like to confirm. Is it true the members of your Kobayashi family classified as abnormal aren't ordinary?"

　"Yes," I said. "They aren't."

　He looked toward Divo.

　"You've already accepted Kai as one of the Demon Lords."

　"Yes," Divo said.

　Kazuhiko turned to Nyxara.

　"And you?"

　"Yep," she said cheerfully. "He's one of us."

　Elaria studied me for a long moment.

　"I heard you saved some of my people."

　"Yes," I said. "They're under my protection now."

　She smiled, genuine warmth in it.

　"Thank you. I mean that."

　"Never thought you had the disposition to protect anyone," Kronara added dryly.

　I gave her a flat, deadpan look.

　"Two questions," Kazuhiko said, settling the room back into focus. "First — what are your intentions toward this world? We're from the same place, apparently. I'd like to understand what you're actually trying to accomplish."

　"I don't have any bad intentions toward anyone or this world," I said. "I just want to live in peace."

　A pause.

　"But before I can do that, I've got some business to take care of."

　"Alright," Kazuhiko said. "That's good enough for me."

　He paused.

　"Second question."

　"Is it true you're trying to bring back the Chaos Dragon?"

　"Yes."

　Silence.

　I let it sit.

　"If what I've heard is accurate," Kazuhiko said quietly, "your mother was the Chaos Dragon."

　"Yes."

　"And your father was an archdemon."

　"Yes."

　Everyone in the room understood, all at once, exactly what I was actually planning.

　"That's not something that can be allowed," Vorath said.

　"Agreed," Skorne added.

　I looked at both of them, entirely flat.

　"I don't think that's even possible," Elaria said.

　"How would you resurrect a core that was split in two?" Kronara asked. "But I agree with Kazuhiko regardless. I don't like this."

　"One thing after another," Aeos muttered.

　Nao stayed silent.

　Aeon stayed silent.

　Nyxara and Divo did too.

　"The reason we're opposed," Elaria said, "is that the Chaos Dragon brought nothing but destruction."

　"That destruction happened," Aeon said finally, "because her core overloaded."

　Everyone looked at him.

　"Some arrogant individuals interfered with it," he added.

　His gaze drifted, slow and deliberate, toward Vorath and Skorne.

　Something in my chest went very cold and very still.

　"Kai," Himari said immediately. "Calm down."

　I didn't answer.

　"Not here," she said.

　"Oh, yeah, that's true," Nyxara added casually. "I and the previous Demon Lord before Belial were the ones who stopped her core from fully detonating."

　The room understood, all at once, that there was considerably more history here than anyone had realized.

　"Regardless," Kazuhiko said, "I'm sorry, Kai. I can't allow it."

　I looked at him slowly.

　"I understand your point," I said.

　Then—

　"Or maybe I don't."

　My eyes went cold.

　"Doesn't matter."

　"My parents were killed," I said. "They called it an abomination. A dragon and a demon, having a child."

　I let that sit.

　"But that was just a cover story. The truth is they wanted my mother's power."

　A pause.

　"As for my father — I don't even know if he's still alive. We'll find out soon enough."

　"I was a child when they died," I said. "I finally found a way to bring my mother back."

　I looked at Kazuhiko directly.

　"And now you're telling me you won't allow it."

　My aura began spreading through the chamber, unhurried, absolute.

　"Firstly," I said, looking at him directly, "who gave you the authority to decide that?"

　Silence.

　I turned toward Vorath and Skorne.

　"Aeon said someone interfered with my mother's core and caused it to overload."

　My eyes settled on them.

　"And his attention was directed at the two of you."

　"I want you both to understand something," I said. "No matter what happens — I will end both of you."

　I let that land fully.

　"There is nothing anyone in this room can do to stop me from bringing my mother back. And anyone who decides to stand in my way becomes my enemy."

　Kazuhiko considered that for a long moment.

　"Oh. Is that so."

　A pause.

　"Prove it, then. Face me. If you win, do as you please."

　Another pause, colder this time.

　"If you lose, I'll personally destroy the core."

　Divo cut in immediately.

　"I think that's enough, Kazuhiko. You remember I'm here, don't you?"

　"If he wants to bring my niece back," Aeon added, "I have no objections."

　"I don't care what you have to do," Nyxara said, smiling. "Just don't break my toy. Otherwise you'll have to deal with me."

　"I don't mind," Nao said quietly, the first words she'd offered the whole meeting. "I'm just here to enjoy the show."

　"You too, Nao?" Kazuhiko asked.

　"I'm not supporting anyone," she said.

　"Fine," Kazuhiko said. "But if anything goes wrong, I destroy the core myself."

　Frederica announced the meeting's formal conclusion, and the room began emptying.

　Elaria approached me before I left.

　"I'm finding you increasingly interesting, Kai. I'd like to know more."

　Nyxara caught me next.

　"Hey, Kai."

　"Don't hey me," I said. "Weren't you supposed to be staying at Horizoncrest in case something happened?"

　"Oh."

　A pause.

　"Right. Sorry — forgot I was already invited to this."

　"You almost lost it back there," Chloe said as we walked toward the exit.

　"Agreed," Himari added.

　I didn't answer either of them.

　We left through the mist gate, entirely unaware of what was waiting for us on the other side.

　Elsewhere, in a chamber that held no light at all, Nao Shimizu stood alone with Jiro beside her.

　"It went according to plan," Jiro said.

　"Excellent," Nao said.

　She was quiet for a moment.

　"Now," she said, "what will you do?"