-The Age of Gods-

Destroying entire human kingdoms, burning countless forests of spirits to ashes, and even killing gods. Known as the brutal Demon King, he brought fear to every sentient being that existed in the world today.

His name was Arnos Voldigod.

"... So, what do you think of this proposal?"

Demon King Arnos said these words while sitting on the throne with his arms crossed.

A normal person would obviously be afraid just from the pressure in his words, however, the three people in front of him right now didn't show the slightest sign of anxiety, let alone fear.

The man who could cut through predestined fates, the one chosen by the holy sword, Hero Kanon.

The mother of countless spirits, Great Spirit Reno.

And the creator of this world, the God of Creation Militia.

Including Arnos, they were the four people who would decide the fate of this world. The four people who would be recorded in history, were currently gathered in the audience chamber of the Demon King of Delzogade.

"I see, it's not an unreasonable condition. However, you're proposing peace at this point?"

Hero Kanon spoke first.

"That's right."

"Demon King Arnos, how many people have you killed so far?"

His cold gaze was directed at Arnos.

"Then I'll ask you back, Hero Kanon, how many demons have you killed?"

Demon King Arnos responded to the Hero's words with the same question.

Who started the war? Humans or demons?

At this point, no one could answer this question.

No, this didn't matter. Even if the answer was known, the past would never disappear.

The reason for this, perhaps it was just a trivial matter.

A few members of both sides were killed, and the survivors took revenge for those who were killed.

In the end, it created a vicious cycle.

Because his kind were killed, he took revenge, and was killed because he was avenged.

The hatred between the two races is constantly accumulating, and the chain of tragedies will continue at an unstoppable rate.

Both humans and demons are the same in that they hate things that are different from themselves.

"After all the destruction you have caused, do you think you have the right to say those words?"

"What if I wasn't so cruel!? If you didn't fear the Demon King Arnos, you humans would have slaughtered us demons without a care. That's what you call justice. You don't even have a shred of guilt or fear. You even praise the humans I killed as heroes who sacrificed themselves for humanity."

"That's because the demon race has always committed crimes."

"What if I told you that it was you humans who forced us to do so!?"

"Are you trying to prove that the demons are not at fault in this?"

"There is no justice or crime in war."

His gaze became sharper, Demon King Arnos glared at Hero Kanon.

"Kanon. You are also a human. Do you believe that the world will become peaceful if I, Demon King Arnos, am defeated?"

"Do you still need to ask?"

"No. You should really understand that, that it is just a foolish illusion. In the place where I, the Demon King Arnos, have been defeated, a new flame of hatred will be born. Both humans and demons, if one side is not exterminated, the war will never end, no, I should say..."

Arnos was simply talking.

However, someone who possesses such a huge amount of magical power like him made each word he uttered contain a strong pressure, as if the listeners were under the influence of magic.

"Even if the demons disappear from this world, soon, humans will create a new enemy for themselves. Next will be the spirits, because they are different from you. If you somehow succeed in eradicating the spirits, then it will be the turn of the gods who created this world. And if the gods are also defeated by humans, then of course, humans will turn to start a war fight each other."

"Sure, each of us has a dark side. However, I want to believe in humanity. I want to believe in the kindness and simplicity of humanity."

Kuukuuku, and so Arnos laughed.

The hero Kanon was truly a good person. He knew about the evil side of humanity but still had the courage to believe in the true goodness of humanity.

"Then Kanon. Can you also believe in the kindness of the Demon King Arnos?"

Kanon did not answer immediately.

Whether or not those words were true, he was doubting that.

"As I said earlier. Divide the world into four parts: Human World, Demon World, God World, and Spirit World. Place a wall between the worlds and do not open the door for a thousand years."

In thousands of years, as long as there is no contact, the hatred towards each other will naturally disappear.

"I will convert all of my body's life energy into magical power, and if the three of you cooperate, I can activate a great magic that can accomplish such an impossible feat."

"You are willing to die for peace, while being called the Demon King?"

"That title was given to me by you all! Besides, it's not like I will die forever. I will find a suitable vessel and wait for the time to be reborn. Although it will be two thousand years until I wake up again."

Kanon could only remain silent at this point.

After a while, the Human Hero also made his decision.

"... Alright... I'll believe in you......"

Although he was the one who proposed it, Demon King Arnos couldn't hide his surprise at Hero Kanon's answer.

The Demon King explained everything clearly to the Hero's group.

Accompanied by evidence that there would be no loss for the humans, spirits, and gods.

The remaining problem was emotions. Hatred piled on hatred, repeating itself over and over again.

That was why saying those words, truly required boundless courage.

For the first time, Demon King Arnos understood why he was called a hero.

"Thank you!"

After saying that, Kanon smiled at Arnos.

"I never thought that there would come a day when a Demon King like me would have to thank the Hero."

"And I also never thought that I would receive a thank you from the Demon King."

The two looked straight into each other's eyes.

Although their positions were opposite, their strength and will were acknowledged.

Finally, the long battle had come to an end.

"Let's start soon."

Demon King Arnos slowly stood up from his throne.

He raised his hand in front of him.

At that moment, countless black particles of light began to emerge from everywhere throughout the castle.

Many magical characters began to appear on the walls, floors, ceilings... The drawn out magical characters were compressed together.

This Demon King of Delzogade was a giant magic circle that Arnos had prepared.

"This body is the entrance to magical power."

Arnos stepped forward and exposed his defenseless body.

First was the Great Spirit Reno, then the God of Creation Militia, who extended their hands and pointed them towards the Demon King.

What came out from there was an extremely pure white wave. It was like looking at a star at close range, an extremely bright light. An infinite amount of magical power.

Even if it was said to be transmitting magical power, if Arnos were to receive it without any defense, then it would definitely cause extremely serious consequences for his body.

Finally, Hero Kanon drew out his holy sword.

"Have you prepared the reincarnation magic yet?"

"It's done. Go ahead."

A large amount of magical power resonated with each other, sparks were emitted, and they began to scatter, the sound emitted was loud enough to deafen the ears of normal people.

Unable to withstand the activation of a great magic that was brought together by all the magical power in the world, the Demon King of Delzogade began to collapse.

Kanon stomped his foot on the floor and pushed the holy sword forward.

The magical power that was put into it caused the blade to turn into a beam of light that sucked everything in, piercing through the heart of the Demon King Arnos.

"Gofuu..."

Blood began to flow from Arnos' chest.

The corners of his mouth curled into a deep red.

With this, his ambition was finally fulfilled.

He was fed up.

This war, this barren world. He was tired of it.

"..... Hero Kanon. Thank you once again. If you were to reincarnate in two thousand years....."

"We will be friends."

Fuuu, and the Demon King Arnos smiled.

"Goodbye."

The demon king's body disappeared in a white light-

In a mountain in Fuyuki city, a man was diligently drawing a summoning magic circle, when he finished drawing, he placed a statue on the magic circle.

He raised his hand and cast a spell to summon the spirit.

"From the dust, you come. And from the dust, you will return. Spirits of the past, hear my call. Come forth and become my strength!"

A dazzling light burst from the magic circle, and from within it, a figure gradually emerged. It was a man with silver hair and crimson eyes, exuding an air of majesty and power.

The Demon King Arnos Voldigod had awakened.

He looked down at his summoner, the corners of his mouth curling up into a smile.

"Two thousand years, I have finally returned."

The man looked at Arnos with eyes filled with surprise and fear.

"You... Who are you?"

Arnos looked straight into the man's eyes, his voice filled with power.

"I am Arnos Voldigod, the Demon King of the Age of Gods. And you, the one who summoned me, tell me...human? Never mind. How has this world changed?"

The man thought in his mind

"Anos Voldigoad, there is no one by that name in history, although this guy clearly doesn't look like a heroic spirit."

Anos saw the man stay silent so he just shrugged and walked away, the man saw that and called out loudly.

"Hey, where are you going? Heroic spirits must stay by their master's side!"

"Heroic spirits?" Anos turned to ask.

"Heroic spirits like you must serve the Master like us, do you understand?" Anos, the man who said that, only raised his eyebrows a little and then pointed his index finger at him. Before he could understand, he snapped his fingers and his body was shattered into thousands of pieces. Anos immediately used a magic called Demon Cultivation <Azheb>.

The owl that had just been reborn after its painful death, now transformed into a cursed object, trembled as it looked into Anos Voldigoad's majestic red eyes. It was no longer human, no longer had the will to resist, only knowing that the royal robe had just transformed itself.

"Now then, tell me what you know." Anos repeated, his voice not loud but carrying a pressure that made the owl tremble.

It cried out, its voice hoarse but still retaining a bit of humanity:

"Noble religion! This world has changed a lot! The place we are standing in is Fuyuki City, and I-I was originally a mage of the Orthodox Shining Star, coming here to participate in the Great Holy Grail War!"

"The Great Holy Grail War?" Anos raised an eyebrow. "Something that can really interest me?"

The owl trembled, nodding repeatedly. "Yes! The Great Holy Grail War is a grand magical ritual! The greatest mages will summon heroic spirits from the past to fight for an object called the Holy Grail! The winner will be granted a wish!"

Anos raised his eyes, as if absorbing this information. A battle between the strongest heroic spirits, for an object that can grant wishes? What an interesting proposal.

"So you summoned for that reason?" Asked the second.

The owl hesitated a bit, then cried out in a designer way: "I... I don't know why you appeared! I was prepared to summon a powerful heroic spirit, but-but I didn't think it wasn't a real heroic spirit!"

Anos laughed softly. "A heroic spirit? You underestimated me."

A swing of his hand, a magic appeared under his feet. The surrounding space shook slightly, as if the world itself was rushing towards your existence.

"World Area, Barrier of Small Rules. The thoughts that can limit me to the so-called 'Heroic Spirit'?"

An accelerating pressure was detected, causing the surrounding air to become glassy. The houses in Fuyuki City in the distance shook.

Anos Voldigoad was never a Heroic Spirit.

The Demon King.

And has returned.

-

The owl was in a panic, sensing the existence of the enemy it had summoned. It was unknown what it had done, but it was certain... the world would no longer be the same.

"Now then, lead me to the place where this war is taking place." Whenever the command was given.

The owl set up its wings and flew up, heading towards the center of the city, where the Great Holy Grail War was taking place.

A new era had begun.

End chapter 1.