The Dark Triad—the name given to the three who ruled over the Spade Kingdom.
At their head stood Dante, the eldest. His younger brother Zenon ranked second, while the third was a deceptively harmless-looking girl named Vanica, with a touch of mischief and cuteness.
Zenon had left for the Diamond Kingdom several months prior and had not returned.
Vanica too had departed on an excursion only days ago.
That left only Dante within the kingdom.
"Time to test the waters..."
The night was draped in darkness, pale moonlight spilling down from the heavens.
Using Disguise Magic, Ethan once again reshaped himself—like undergoing a meticulous "surgery."
His build, appearance, even the aura he gave off—all completely different.
"But what attribute should I reveal...?"
As he slipped through the shadows toward the royal palace, he pondered the choice.
He possessed many magical attributes, but that didn't mean he had mastered them all.
Confidence was good. Blind confidence was suicide.
The members of the Dark Triad were devil hosts—each one terrifying in strength.
That was why Ethan had always restrained his impulses, unlike Sasuke who would recklessly charge in to face all three head-on.
Meanwhile, in the palace throne room, Dante sat calmly upon his seat, listening to reports.
Military matters, trade concerns, and—
"Oh? I didn't expect this Uchiha Trading Company to be so capable. In just two months, they've revived the entire market..."
Dante chuckled, his voice tinged with amusement.
Though devil hosts, they were not devils themselves. Their violent rebellion sixteen years ago had been brutal, yes—but necessary.
No throne was won without bloodshed.
Yet stabilizing a kingdom required more than fear. A kingdom was built of people. Without people, there was no nation to rule.
And rebuilding what had been destroyed was far harder than tearing it down.
The Uchiha Company clearly had talent.
"But, my lord," a subordinate ventured, "this company has ties with nobles of every rank... I fear they may harbor ulterior motives—"
Dante laughed, the sound booming.
"Fear? Fear that they scheme against me? With the devil's power at my back, what do I have to fear? If they're loyal merchants, fine. If they dare betray me, I'll erase them with a snap of my fingers."
Confidence radiated from him, unshakable.
"Enough. Keep an eye on the Heart and Clover Kingdoms. Continental unification... won't take much longer."
A gleam of ambition lit his eyes.
This was his dream, and the devil's will as well—to grasp every life, every destiny in his hands.
Then—
"Unification of the continent? Ha! That toad's croak might snap its own tongue!"
A mocking voice rang through the hall, slippery and taunting, as if from every direction.
"Who's there?!" Guards rushed forward, forming a protective wall before Dante.
But in the next instant, the floor ruptured.
Thick vines burst upward, entangling the soldiers one by one and dragging them screaming into the ground.
Dante arched a brow, resting his chin on his fist, utterly calm.
Such attacks were not new—when they had seized the Spade Kingdom, remnants of the old regime had often lashed out.
But it had been more than ten years since anyone dared.
So whoever this was... they were either a fool unaware of his power, or—something else.
[Tree Magic — Silent Binding Vines!]
Unseen, the spell's roots exploded across the hall, wrapping Dante in an instant, binding him tight and immobile.
Whoosh! Dust swirled as Ethan appeared before the throne, a smile tugging his lips.
"You're calm. I'll give you that. But honestly... your calm face is pissing me off."
He clicked his tongue. Normally, he was the one to play it cool. Having someone else do it in front of him—it grated.
To let an unknown spell strike so carelessly—was Dante mocking him?!
[Tree Magic — Root Burial!]
The vines surged, enveloping Dante in a massive tree. Ethan clenched his fist.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion shook the palace, flames tearing the ceiling apart.
The blast rattled the entire castle, alarms ringing out as soldiers poured toward the throne room.
Outside, civilians stared at the rising firelight.
"Look! That's the royal palace!"
"Impossible—Dante-sama lives there!"
"It's under attack! Gods above..."
Panic spread through the streets.
Back inside, Dante emerged from the smoke—untouched.
His body was cloaked in writhing black matter, a devil's power radiating like a storm.
Twin wings unfurled from his back—unlike Asta's single incomplete one, Dante's transformation was whole, flawless.
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
"So this is the devil's power... no wonder he acts so smug. I'll admit—it's impressive."
Dante's lips curved.
"Dark magic, hm? Interesting. Whoever you are, if you wield the power of the underworld... then you'll stay here forever."
The air warped as his demonic aura swelled, pressure crashing down like a mountain.
The battle for the Spade Kingdom's throne had begun.
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