Published: January 24, 2026
September, 630 of the Four Saints Calendar.
The capital of the Ludain Federation, a neighboring country separated from Kyokutō by the sea, was engulfed in fervor.
This was because the Great Eastern Labyrinth had been conquered (…).
The ceremony celebrating this great achievement was solemn yet splendid, and the crowd filling the square did not hold back their cheers.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly, and finally, the federation chairman, Mr. Gunnar, began his speech.
Standing on the podium, he expressed deep respect to the five young explorers who had accomplished the highest priority mission for humanity: the great labyrinth conquest.
— All of them were just fifteen years old, having recently reached adulthood.
The people cheered loudly at the beginning of this new legend.
Next, Gunnar touched upon the world situation.
He declared that the Ludain Federation, having subdued the Great Eastern Labyrinth, should support the southern Nohitant Kingdom and the northern Junoae Republic, which had their own objectives.
Great labyrinth conquest was a shared mission for all humanity, and nations must unite beyond their borders to achieve it — he proclaimed loudly.
But then, he raised his voice even more.
"...However, a threat on par with the great labyrinth is sprouting right next door to us!"
The crowd murmured.
The chairman paused for effect and gravely announced:
"The neighboring country Kyokutō has fallen into the hands of the demon king."
The square erupted in commotion.
The people had only heard such rumors.
In fact, maritime routes between the federation and Kyokutō had been restricted since recently.
Now that the chairman himself spoke those words, they gained a sense of reality.
That the neighboring country was ruled by the demon king — many took this as a grave threat and frowned.
"According to information, the demon king Orun has unleashed horrific monsters within Kyokutō and seized control of the country through military force. So, who will save our longtime ally? — It will be us, the Ludain Federation!"
The crowd responded with a roaring cheer.
The enthusiasm swelled even more, and the people’s hearts were deeply engraved with the just cause of ‘Recapturing Kyokutō.’
Days later.
Gunnar’s speech became a tailwind even in the parliament.
Under the pretext of ‘saving a friendly nation,’ the Ludain Federation officially approved the deployment of armed forces to Kyokutō.
— However, this was a fact distorted by malice.
Chairman Gunnar’s true identity was the second seat of the Cyclamen Cult, known as the Thunder Emperor — a demon serving the evil god.
Therefore, he knew the truth.
It was not the demon king Orun who had thrown Kyokutō into chaos, but Philly, the first seat of the Cyclamen Cult, known as the Guide.
Still, he concealed the truth and, to align the interests of the demon (Gunnar) and the federation, made fiction into a righteous cause.
Thank you very much for reading until the end.
I hope you will read the next chapter as well.