In a majestic and solemn silence, Judge Gaius tightened his grip on an ancient tome, its cover adorned with a mysterious blue crest. The moment he pried the pages open, the world shifted; the green grass vanished, and the light of day flickered out, leaving the surroundings swallowed by a void of darkness. Only a single, massive lantern remained, casting a solitary beam of light upon the judicial dais.
Breaking the silence, the Judge looked toward Andre and spoke in a dignified tone:
"Since you are ignorant of what transpires around you, boy, know that this is the 'Book of the Old Covenant.' It is the foundation of your world, the origin of the Covenant Beasts, and matters far greater still..."
"What do you mean by 'greater matters'?" Andre asked in wonder. "And did it create the monsters?"
Gaius replied:
"It did not create them, but the very parchments upon which the monsters' contracts were written—including that of the Frost Covenant Beast—are pages from this book. Within it, judgment shall be passed upon you both... Shall we begin?"
At this, the Demon Lord intervened with restless boredom:
"What is there to talk about? Tell me! That 'curse' has destroyed everything; what is left?"
The Judge responded coldly:
"Do you mean the breach of the covenant that leads to both your deaths? Worry not; you are not dead yet." He paused, then redirected his gaze toward the demon. "Lord of Demons, are you still searching for your brother's lineage?"
The Demon Lord exhaled a breath of rage mingled with despair:
"If you mean my revenge, it no longer matters. That human's line has ended. The only way to meet him now is to find him in Hell."
A cunning smile played across the Judge's face.
"What if I told you his lineage still exists? That one of his descendants stands alive before you?"
In an instant, the Demon Lord's gaze transformed into a blazing inferno of malice. "If that is true," he vowed, "I promise to tear every limb from his body until nothing remains."
The Judge gestured toward Andre. "What do you think, boy? He says he will tear you apart."
Realization dawned on the Demon Lord, and he erupted into a fit of bitter, mocking laughter.
"So, the brat of that cursed man truly lives... and he is my vessel as well! What a cruel irony of fate. Since I no longer have need of you, let me release you from this misery!"
The Demon Lord lunged with blinding speed, but the Judge was faster. He struck a single blow with his gavel, and steel chains erupted from the void, binding the demon from every side and shielding Andre. The demon let out a terrifying shriek—like a starving beast denied a feast after centuries of fasting.
"Calm yourself, Demon Lord," the Judge commanded firmly.
Andre interrupted, his voice trembling with shock:
"You're saying I'm a descendant of the First Hero? How? My family's founder was named Marcus, and the Hero was Arthur!"
Gaius pulled back the veil of truth:
"Quite simply, because the current ruling power erased your identity. If your family were to rule again, everything they have built over the years would crumble."
When Andre pressed for more details, the Judge fell silent, offering only a cryptic warning:
"You must discover that for yourself. For the moment you learn the truth, you will never be the same again."
The Demon Lord screamed, cutting them off:
"If he won't tell you, I will! Andre, descendant of the First Hero, take pride in your family... They slaughtered billions of my kind! Be proud of your blood-soaked heritage!"
Stunned, Andre looked to the Judge. "Is this true?"
The Judge nodded. "Yes. But the secret is deeper than mere killing."
The demon thrashed, shattering some of the chains. "Deeper?! Are you joking? All those souls extinguished—is there anything more important than that? Damn you all!"
He tried to attack again, but the chains tightened until he was completely paralyzed. In the height of his fury, he repeated a single phrase: "I will kill you... I will kill you."
The words echoed in Andre's ears, dragging him back to his dark past as a criminal. He was the one who used to whisper "I will kill you" to his victims with cold indifference. But hearing it now from the Demon Lord felt different; it was pure terror, like a lone wolf cornered by a pack of hunters.
The Judge severed their thoughts, declaring:
"Let us resume the judgment."
He continued:
"Andre, Demon Lord... you are both currently suspended between life and death. To settle this, a final battle will be held between you. The victor returns to his world; the loser remains imprisoned forever within this book."
The Demon Lord protested:
"There is no need for a fight. I have already defeated him. It is my right to return."
"Remember, Demon Lord," the Judge countered, "in the ancient war that shaped the world, this boy's ancestor was the one who defeated you and sealed you in the book. Under the current contract, you won and seized his body. The result is a stalemate... this duel is the tiebreaker."
The demon laughed with ecstasy.
"So I can tear him apart in peace? I accept. Boy, you cannot imagine the joy that fills me. I shall devour you alive!"
The demon's words and predatory gaze were enough to shatter Andre's spirit, but in that pivotal moment, Andre struck his chest hard, gathered the fragments of his courage, and shouted:
"Listen, demon! I don't mind the fight, but let's add a condition."
"And what is that?" the demon sneered.
"If I defeat you," Andre replied, "you will tell me who caused all these tragedies—from the orphanage to the Frozen Village."
The demon smiled craftily.
"Why not? You quench your thirst for knowledge, and I quench mine with your blood. I agree."
Both sides prepared for combat. In Andre's hand, a sword manifested, embedded with a glowing gem that shifted colors with elemental power at his will.
And then... the drums of war began to beat.