Some months later.
In the arid lands of the Demon Continent, a silver-haired man in a white cloak walked toward a Stone Forest.
The dry heat and oppressive atmosphere of that environment did not seem to affect his serene posture at all.
It was the Dragon God Orsted.
Before arriving there, Orsted had visited the Demon Tribe of the former mercenary Vidette, the one who had once accompanied Rudeus and Sylphiette under the orders of the North Emperor, Larax.
Now, she had settled on the continent, and her lineage had become another point of attention in the Dragon God's calculations.
Upon entering the Stone Forest, his mere presence was enough for the creatures that prowled among the natural columns of rock to disperse in fear.
No monster dared to look at him directly. His destination was the secret place where a teleportation circle was hidden.
As he advanced, his thoughts wandered.
'At least Ajax was still born normally...'
Larax's son with Vidette had been born.
Ajax would be important in the future war against Laplace.
Of course, there were some very big differences in context; in this loop, Ajax was born on the Demon Continent, not in Begaritt, as in previous cycles.
Orsted did not yet know whether this would be an advantage or a risk.
Each small change could cause unpredictable effects, but he decided to let Ajax live in the end.
Reciting the appropriate enchantment, Orsted dispelled the illusion of the Sacred Dragon Emperor Szilard, revealing the entrance to an ancient temple.
He descended the stone stairway to reach the teleportation circle hidden within.
As he walked through the underground corridor, he contemplated recent events.
Orsted was becoming increasingly numb in the face of the growing anomalies of this loop. Rygar, Rudeus and Nanahoshi continued their lives without further drastic changes.
But, beyond them, there were other oddities that seemed disconnected at first glance.
The Sea Race, for example.
In previous loops, even when Laplace returned and spread war across the world, the peoples of the sea remained neutral, supporting neither humans nor Laplace.
But now... they were on the move, and their objectives were unknown.
Another irregularity: the sudden movement of Kalman II. He seemed to be planning something in the Asura Kingdom — something that had never occurred in past iterations.
The only plausible explanation was the butterfly effect.
The emergence of the Kingdom of Gaia and the intervention of the Beast God had created such a wide divergence that even the most distant events were being dragged out of their original orbit.
And then, there was his enemy.
Hitogami.
Lately, he had been... unusually quiet.
The God-Man's manipulations in recent years had been strangely rushed, almost frantic, as if he were in a hurry to fulfill something.
But, after the death of his apostle Lucios Galard, Hitogami simply vanished.
Orsted did not lower his guard; instead, he became even more suspicious.
As he put all the pieces together, he consolidated more and more his theory that this loop was unique.
There were no guarantees that all variables would remain the same in the next regression. That meant he would have to adapt to any changes that presented themselves.
The infinite loop was still his guarantee against the God-Man, but if there were a chance to end his mission now, in this cycle, he would seize it.
'Who knows... the Beast God might even eliminate Laplace alone one day.'
It was a possibility considering his recent actions.
'Although, if that happens, he himself will become the next problem. Since he wishes to kill me to avenge Reidar.'
Still, if everything escaped his control too much, Orsted would need to test, in battle, the full abilities of the Beastly God.
Even if that were a failure, it would serve as information for the next loop.
From Verdia Solarion's words about her daughter confronting Laplace, an alliance between Rygar and the Demon God seemed unlikely.
Finally, Orsted reached the teleportation circle.
In an instant, he was in the south of the Central Continent.
But, upon opening his eyes, something stopped him.
The abandoned building where he found himself contained signs of disturbance.
Someone had passed through there not long ago.
---
Flying Fortress - Chaos Breaker
A beam of light cut the skies like lightning, piercing the monumental gates of the Flying Fortress Chaos Breaker and, in an instant, reaching the Throne Room.
In the center, seated on the polished marble throne, the Armored Dragon King, Perugius Dola, watched in silence.
The armor that covered his body radiated an implacable aura, and his golden eyes were serpentine and threatening, conveying a majesty that seemed to crush anyone who dared look at him directly.
At his side, motionless and impeccable in posture, stood Sylvaril of the Void.
When the light dissipated, revealing the translucent form of one of the Eleven Spirits, a firm voice echoed through the hall:
"Arumanfi, you have returned."
The Light Spirit, Arumanfi of the Bright, bowed respectfully.
"Yes, my lord. I obtained the requested information. And, as ordered, I kept my distance from the Beast God, avoiding any detection."
Perugius nodded slightly.
"Proceed."
Arumanfi began his report at once.
"The Beast God, indeed, was responsible for the death of the Lord of Storms, Zeroth. According to testimony, he did not know the identity of that ancient entity. His motivation was to test his own strength. He faced Zeroth when he was only twelve years old."
Perugius's eyes shone.
"...You are telling me that a twelve-year-old boy sought out an ancestral being to measure his strength?"
"Yes, my lord."
Silence dominated the room for a moment. Until Perugius murmured, in a reflective tone:
"The title 'Apocalypse Beast' suits him very well..."
Sylvaril, who had remained silent until then, stepped forward and bowed.
"Lord Perugius, forgive my insistence, but... what if this monstrosity is, in fact, the reincarnation of Laplac—"
Perugius interrupted her with a wave.
"Enough. Rygar Adoldia is not Laplace, Sylvaril. Do not argue that again."
The woman of the Celestial Race stepped back, biting her lip, and returned to her place in silence.
The truth was that even the Armored King had believed, for a time, in that hypothesis.
Rygar's monstrous magical talent, the clear disagreement with the Human Kingdom of Milis, the absurd proportions of his strength... it seemed to point to Laplace.
But after years of observation and secret investigation, Perugius had discarded the idea.
There were too many incongruities: Rygar did not have green hair, he could use Touki, his magics were different from Laplace's, and his actions did not reflect at all the maddening chaos Perugius remembered of the Demon God.
Still, Sylvaril's doubts persisted.
Perugius signaled for Arumanfi to continue.
"The Sea Race is divided. There is a faction that wishes to maintain the treaty established four hundred years ago, remaining neutral. However, another wishes to march against the Kingdom of Gaia, recover the corpse of their divinity and wash the sea with the blood of the Sacred Beast of the Doldia Tribe, in vengeance."
Perugius's gaze narrowed.
"...And where is Zeroth's corpse?"
"Gaia's artisans used it, my lord. They forged weapons, armor and even medicines from his organs. Remains are still being employed in some kind of research."
The throne seemed to tremble when Perugius rose slightly.
"How despicable. Killing another race's divinity is already an incalculable affront... but dismantling it and using it as a resource... that crosses any limit."
He breathed deeply.
"I suppose that, when beginning such deeds, the Beast God still did not know who Zeroth was?"
"Exactly, lord. He only seemed to discover it some time later."
Sylvaril then spoke once more:
"My lord, the Sea Race has changed little in the last four centuries. If their leadership is still the same, I believe they will not engage in open war against Gaia."
Perugius nodded slowly, but his voice was harsh:
"Yes, if the leadership is still the same..."
The Spirit continued the report.
"As for the Kingdom of Gaia, its situation is singular. The Beast God's dominion is absolute. The nominal king, Gustav Dedoldia, acts only as regent — everyone recognizes that the true sovereign is Rygar. There are rumors that Gustav waits only for the Beast God's firstborn to grow to officially cede the throne to him."
Perugius showed no surprise. A kingdom is more stable when sustained by the absolute power of someone whom no one dares to challenge.
It had been so with Laplace four hundred years ago, but when he was sealed, the Demon Continent separated again.
Arumanfi then detailed: Gaia's generals, its beasts and tamed dragons, the magical weapons forged from new ores, the Combat Temple, the Star Rise Academy, swordsmen who had already reached the Emperor level, mages who used magic without incantation.
With each word, Sylvaril's expression grew tenser beneath her mask, while Perugius furrowed his brow.
This Kingdom... was not like the others.
"...At this rate of growth," murmured the Armored King, "in fifty years there will be no country able to oppose the Kingdom of Gaia anywhere in the world."
When the report ended, Perugius was pondering the future, but before that, he gave a new order:
"Nanahoshi achieved advances in her research. She will come to us soon, bringing some guests. When that happens, Arumanfi, guide them to the teleportation circle."
"Yes, my lord."
In an instant, the Spirit vanished in a flash.
With only Perugius and Sylvaril remaining in the silent hall, the Armored Dragon King rose from his throne and began to walk slowly out.
There was much to think about.
---
Meanwhile, on the Demon Continent...
In the province of Biegoya, heart of the Demon Continent, a tavern buzzed with activity.
The walls seemed to tremble at the sound of laughter and the strong smell of alcohol filled the air.
At the center of the bar, a six-armed Demon King drank beer directly from an entire barrel, as if it were a simple mug.
Around him, several other demons accompanied him, all equally drunk and infected by the festive mood, laughing and celebrating.
Beside him, contrasting with his colossal figure, was a little girl with purple hair and heterochromatic eyes, who stomped her feet impatiently while complaining out loud:
"What do you mean the war is already over, Badi?! We fought for almost a thousand years in our last war!"
The Demon King laughed thunderously, his voice echoing throughout the tavern:
"Bwahahahahaha! Those who don't live long wage wars very quickly! It's not like us, demons!"
One of the other demons, raising his mug and nodding in agreement, added between laughs:
"Hahaha! The King is right, madam! Besides, the Beast God is very strong, Milis didn't stand a chance to begin with!"
The little girl, who was none other than the Demon Empress, Kishirika Kishirisu, clearly did not look pleased with the situation. She grabbed her beer and downed it in one go, mumbling with her cheeks full:
"Tch... everyone just talks about this so-called Beast God. 'Rygar this, Rygar that', 'invincible, implacable'. Grr! I even wanted to meet him up close!"
The Demon King Badigadi laughed again, slamming one of his six fists on the table, scattering mugs and foaming the drink:
"Bwahahaha! He's really amazing! Even Gall was defeated by him very early! But... you want to meet him, huh?! I might get jealous!"
All the demons present exploded in laughter, clinking cups and shouting words of encouragement, until Kishirika, pouting, retorted:
"And I thought I could finally start another war soon, taking advantage of the momentum!"
She then grabbed an entire barrel for herself and drank without hesitation, continuing to complain between gulps:
"He didn't even let me finish growing, damn it!"
The tavern's atmosphere was completely taken over by laughter, shouting and ovations. There was not a single sober soul in the place. The party was at its peak.
Badigadi, an Immortal Demon descended directly from Necross Lacross, one of the Eight Demon Kings, was known as one of the hardest beings to tire in the entire world.
But Kishirika was no slouch — as a demigoddess, direct daughter of one of the Six Original Gods, her vitality and stamina were equally incomparable.
At a certain point, a real drinking battle began between the two.
The crazy competition between them was so ridiculous that all the others present in the tavern ended up collapsing, defeated by alcohol.
Hours turned into days, days into nights.
Until, finally, after countless rounds, Kishirika finally won.
For the first time in a long time, the Immortal Demon King, Badigadi, had lost again to his fiancée in a drinking contest.
And when he woke up, he was no longer in the tavern.
He awoke in a completely different place — an infinite white void.
-----
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