Tensura: The First Reason

Disclaimer: We own nothing; this is merely our interpretation.

True Dragons.

—Déjà vu? Yes. Is it a mistake? No.

The pinnacle of power in this world. For beings like them, they already possess the ultimate power from birth.

Even without a power like an Ultimate Skill, users of Ultimate Skills would still find it difficult to battle a True Dragon without an Ultimate Skill.

That is how strong these beings are.

It's not a stretch to say that by just casually existing, they are already the world's strongest.

At this point in time, there were only three True Dragons in existence.

The first is none other than the Star King himself, the creator of the Cardinal World and every other world that dwells in infinite space, extending to other dimensions.

The second was born to rule over the concept of deceleration, and the third over flames and acceleration.

However, now there was another who was just like them and unlike them.

With Twilight's theory, they had a vague sense of his origin though of course they didn't come to the conclusion it was so.

Some time ago. In the Heavenly Star Palace. The beginning of all creation—

"Hn?"

"What is it, Twilight?"

"No. I was just wondering if Lady Velzard would participate in the Ivarage Subjugation."

Twilight shifted his gaze over to Velzard, who smiled as her hands crossed just below her chest.

However, as if to address the proud and smug look she had on her face at the moment—

"Hm. I don't think there's any need for Velzard to be involved in the first place."

"Hah?"

Exasperated, she was.

After all, in response, rather, as if to wipe the smug off her face, Veldanava had said such, making the frost dragon let out a sound like that.

However, Veldanava didn't change his perspective for reasons unknown.

"Could this be what they call a 'test' for us?"

Twilight raised an eyebrow as he mused. Surely, he wouldn't know what the creator could be thinking about.

But if Veldanava was excluding Velzard, one of their strongest assets, it could only mean he had a purpose in mind.

Twilight interpreted it like this.

"There will come a time when I will completely withdraw my hands from humanity. The ones who will be in charge of humanity by then will no doubt be the three of you."

He looked over at Twilight as he said such.

Currently, Guy, Dawn, and their Primordial subordinates have returned back to the Cardinal World.

All that was left here was Veldanava, Velzard, and Twilight.

By three of them—Veldanava was referring to Twilight, Guy, and Dawn, with Twilight as the father of all races, and Guy and Dawn as the preservation and destruction.

A trinity, so to speak.

It was a spur-of-the-moment idea for the creator. And perhaps, it was from here the creator was slowly beginning to harbor feelings he wouldn't and shouldn't have.

Let me just pass on my work to them and just watch from afar.

This was his thought.

"What do you mean by that?" Twilight asked, tilting his head slightly.

But as he did, he then let out a forced smile.

"Well, since you're considering retirement, I might as well consider that too."

But then again— "No, Twilight, it's not time yet. There's still a lot left for you to accomplish. I have high hopes for you, you see."

Twilight, who had finally thought he could leave his duties behind and enjoy a life filled with nothing but experimenting with magic…

Veldanava just had to say this, didn't he?

Additionally, looking at the creator, who was smiling at him like a superior requesting something from their subordinate…

He can't deny, can he?

Besides, even if Veldanava didn't insist, Twilight would comply.

Their relationship had always been like this. And Veldanava liked him for it.

"You intend to work me to the bone, don't you?"

Twilight sighed in resignation while Velzard let out a pout.

She hadn't even heard such words from her brother, dammit!

"Brother! Why did you exclude me? With my power, someone like Ivarage would be—"

"Velzard."

Veldanava silenced her protest before she could continue.

It was the usual talk about the age of humanity coming and whatnot.

There were already individuals capable of safeguarding and guiding mankind.

These included the demon lords, whose numbers he believed would only grow.

"If people like them exist, there's not much people like me or Velzard can do but watch over the people I've left the work for."

"Twilight, on the other hand, still has a lot to accomplish for me."

Veldanava added, though her glare only intensified toward the Divine Ancestor.

You are suddenly putting me in a tough spot, aren't you…

Twilight thought so with a slight roll of his eyes.

But if Veldanava was doing this, it was for the safety of the Cardinal World, no?

World population had already been divided among Twilight's creations, from humans to other species.

Well, that was his primary assignment.

Sure, he may not have been the best with his work, especially neglecting it over the course of many years.

Yet, Veldanava still had trust in him.

"I can trust your wisdom, right?"

"Why are you asking this of me?"

"Very well. Here's the thing—"

While their conversation continued, let us shift focus back to the present.

The perspective moves from the Star Palace, the starting point of all creation, to the world below.

Or rather, a world connected to it via a special channel.

A passage secretly used by Twilight and Veldanava to ascend and descend from the Star Palace, apart from the gate—The heavenly tower.

It was a specially granted request to the Divine Ancestor.

That is to say, Feldway nor the other angels are aware of this.

The reasoning had been clear. Firstly, Feldway had bad takes concerning Twilight and his works in general.

Actually, that was all but enough reason.

Incidentally, there were other ways to reach the Heavenly Star Palace, but that was reserved for those who possessed the key.

And of course, you'll come to be surprised to know that there was only one owner of the key.

Only Veldanava's sister, Velzard, was allowed to open the gates to the Heavenly Star Palace were the Star Palace locked.

And it will come to be that, out of every way to get to the Star Palace, with only one narrow method of getting there…

Twilight possessed a special back channel to the Star Palace.

But putting all that about the Gates to the Heavenly Star Palace aside.

The focus was now on the two Demon Lords, completely stranded on a deserted continent at the edge of the Cardinal World.

"It's hotttt. I'm burning. I'm being deep fried."

"Damn bat, pipe down! Besides, someone like you shouldn't be affected by mere sunlight."

"Hah? Who told you that? Let me tell you in case you don't know. The sun is every vampire's weakness, be they Transcendent High-Bloods or not."

"Gah, bullshit! Besides, it's your fault we're here in the first place, no?"

It all began when Guy said he wanted to go to the Land of Giants. As a result of what he had said—

Dawn chimed in with the words, "I know a shortcut."

Now, they were looking at a land in the far distance, separated by a sea.

The rules Guy himself enforced when he started his journey were simple, you see:

Guy had forbidden the use of flight or teleportation or skills to make the journey more entertaining.

He now regretted it. Very much, to say the least.

This bastard…

Guy thought, exasperated, fuming, almost cursing himself for letting the bat Demon Lord take the wheels.

No, he gave the wheels to the wrong person to steer.

"Are you really sure the Land of Giants is over there?"

"Is it over there?"

For a moment, Dawn tilted his head to the side as he thought about it.

Even then, he hadn't really been in the Cardinal World for long.

Most he had seen were maps and occasional teleports here and there, from Eden to the Labyrinth to the Star Palace and whatnot.

Now…

"Hm. I remember a land being over there. That must be the Land of Giants!"

"Must?!?!"

It was rather unfortunate because both of them ditched Misery, Raine, and Blanc, leaving them behind and literally wandered off.

Rather, it was more of Dawn's fault. No, Guy too had a hand in it. He regrets it now.

"Hm. No, I'm sure about it!"

Dawn declared, pointing confidently to the faraway land.

Well, the land in question was so ridiculously far away that one would barely see the so-called "land in the distance."

However, that didn't matter.

"… If you say so. Then, how do we get over there in the first place?"

Even though Guy had a vague idea that the Land of Giants was by the west, pinpointing the exact place without using magic was the problem.

And note: the Primordial himself was the one who banned them from using magic or skills.

Of course, he regrets it.

If he breaks such a rule now… no, his pride would never allow it.

And like so, they found themselves in a scorching desert at the far edge of the Cardinal World.

"Fuck! I knew I shouldn't have trusted you! Land of Giants, my ass! Where the hell even are we?!"

"I could have sworn…"

"Kuh! Dammit all!"