So, what exactly was going through Kai’s mind at this very moment?
He was desperately trying to figure out what to say next.
Driven purely by curiosity about Talulah’s bizarre physical state, he had walked over to chat in a moment of hot-headed impulsiveness.
But now he realized they were definitively enemies, so what were they supposed to talk about?
Kai honestly had no clue.
It wasn’t like they could just make small talk about the weather, right?
Talulah Kaschey was also deep in thought, calculating exactly how to escape from the terrifying monster standing before him…
In Kaschey’s long, wretched life, he had indeed encountered Demon Kings before.
However, he knew with absolute certainty that this man did not need the title of Demon King to display his supreme dominance.
In fact, it was the Demon King’s crown that desperately needed him to validate its own authority.
Truth be told, if Kaschey could actually use Arts right now, he would have instantly abandoned Talulah and transferred his consciousness into a new vessel.
He cared nothing for Reunion’s failures; this would just be one minor setback among thousands of long-standing conspiracies.
As long as he survived, he could always weave new plots.
As long as the land of Ursus remained, the Black Snake’s machinations would never truly vanish.
Losing a pawn like Talulah would be a pity, yes, but nothing more than that.
[Beep, beep.
Sir, we have safely evacuated.] Rhodes Island’s communication came at the perfect time.
The two individuals, who had just been awkwardly staring each other down, simultaneously breathed a silent sigh of relief—though, outwardly, they both maintained their stoic facades.
“Kaschey, do not make an enemy of Rhodes Island.
Remember my words,” Kai warned.
In truth, Kai’s mindset had not yet evolved to match his apocalyptic power; the desire to simply keep the peace and avoid conflict still dictated his actions.
However, if Kai had known exactly what Reunion had done to Chernobog, he likely would have let his temper snap and eradicated the entire organization on the spot.
After Kai departed, Kaschey was genuinely terrified.
But unwilling to give up his grand scheme so easily, he ordered the entirety of Reunion to hunker down inside the core city, dispatching only Crownslayer toward Lungmen.
The survivors of Chernobog finally earned a brief moment of respite.
Yet, as ordinary people began donning discarded Reunion uniforms to freely indulge their darkest desires, the city’s descent into violent chaos became unstoppable.
Meanwhile, a small splinter group within Reunion—Phantom Crossbowmen, Yeti Squadron members, Guerrilla Defenders—gathered in secret.
They hailed from various divisions, but at this moment, they all converged in one location and revealed their true allegiances.
“What did we just witness?!
A Demon King who shouldn’t exist has seized the throne.” “Yes, we saw him…
A Demon King capable of bringing the entire world to its knees.
Go, notify the Royal Courts!
Tell them our Demon King has returned!
Not the one spoken of in prophecy, but the true Demon King!” ….
“Doctor…
your hidden trump cards never cease to amaze me.
His very existence is enough to plunge the entire world into a storm.
Whether an entity like him joining Rhodes Island is a blessing or a curse remains to be seen.
However, the suffering on this land demands that we possess the strength to fight back.
Therefore, I commend your actions today.
You pulled Rhodes Island out of the center of a deadly vortex with minimal casualties.
But…
can you guarantee that you have the means to keep such a supreme being in check?” Image: Kal’tsit “Kal’tsit, Kai is the person I trust the most right now.
I hope you can understand that,” the Doctor replied evenly.
“I understand.
Doctor, whether your amnesia is genuine or simply the next move in your grand chess game, please remember that Amiya places her absolute faith in you.
I hope you will not betray her trust.
If that supreme being requires anything, you may consult Closure directly.
I imagine she will be more than eager to offer her services to the Demon King.” “Kai has already returned the crown to Amiya,” the Doctor noted.
“Even so…
the world will only recognize him.
A hybrid of Draco and Sarkaz blood—he is, without a doubt, the true Demon King,” Kal’tsit stated.
Peering into the medical bay, Kal’tsit observed Kai casually chatting with Hibiscus and Folinic.
Even her perpetually tranquil eyes flickered with undeniable admiration.
Wherever he stood, the world naturally fell under his absolute control.
The Originium that all of Terra deeply feared dared not show even the slightest hint of volatility in his presence.
Yet, he remained incredibly gentle and peaceful.
Despite possessing the most exalted bloodline, he treated everyone he met with genuine respect.
In a world where suffering was the central theme, his existence was so flawless that it almost felt unreal.
“Oh, Doctor, Dr.
Kal’tsit, you’re both still here?” Kai greeted them.
“Your Highness Kai, though it may be presumptuous, I must ask—why are you here?” Kal’tsit inquired.
“Uh, so direct?
Well, it’s not exactly a secret.
Someone told me the Doctor is the savior of this world, so I’m here to protect her,” Kai answered honestly.
“…Are you not afraid that this is merely a deception?
On this land, conspiracy is the eternal melody,” Kal’tsit warned.
“That wouldn’t bother me.
Although I don’t fully understand Rhodes Island right now, I trust my own eyes.
Every Rhodes Island operator I’ve met on the way here has been a good person.
I’m actually really glad I showed up when I did; saving good people is always a good thing.” “You must have grown up in a peaceful and tranquil place, surrounded by family and friends who loved you dearly,” Kal’tsit observed.
“Hahaha, yeah.
Grandma Hera treats me really well.
Come to think of it, she’s a little bit like you—like a fine wine aged to perfection by time.
It’s a shame she’s not in this world, or I’d definitely introduce you two.
Oh, right, Dr.
Kal’tsit, now that the checkup is done, can I go grab some food?
I’m getting a little hungry.” “Of course.
Kai, Doctor, please follow me.
I am certain you will find Rhodes Island’s cafeteria meals to your liking,” Kal’tsit replied.
As Kal’tsit turned around, a faint, genuine smile slowly spread across her usually tense, feline features.
Countless years had honed her ability to see into the very core of a person.
Just like Kai, Kal’tsit placed her trust in what she saw and heard.
In that moment, she suddenly felt that the words she had once spoken to Theresa might actually become a reality.
Image: Doctor “D-Doctor…
you’re actually a girl?!” Kai exclaimed.
“?” “Sorry, you’ve been wearing that mask the whole time and your voice sounds all synthetic, so I naturally assumed you were a guy!” Kai explained hastily.
“…” A look of pure exasperation washed over the Doctor’s cute face.
Mid-bite into her vegetable salad, she puffed out her cheeks in mild annoyance, looking exactly like an adorable little squirrel.
“Kai, that is incredibly hurtful to say to a girl!
Even if my face is covered by a mask, can’t you see my obviously feminine curves?” the Doctor complained.
“Sorry, Doctor, but I honestly couldn’t tell.
You might want to start stocking up on papaya milk—there’s always a chance for a late growth spurt,” Kai teased.
“You jerk!” The operators dining at nearby tables cast curious glances at Kai and the Doctor, though none dared to approach and strike up a conversation.
A few operators with sharper hearing almost burst out laughing upon catching the duo’s banter, quickly typing out what they heard into the internal terminal chat groups.
Anonymous: The conversation between Mr.
Kai and the Doctor is hilarious!
I thought they were supposed to be super serious people!
Anonymous: I know, right?!
Especially the Doctor.
She’s kept that mask and heavy protective suit on ever since returning to Rhodes Island.
I thought she was all business, but she’s actually so cute!
Anonymous: Mr.
Kai is seriously the nicest guy.
When he was getting his checkup in the medical department, he did everything Hibiscus asked without a single complaint.
He even grabbed a metal file and scraped off some of his own horn shavings for us!
The only problem is that he’s unbelievably tough.
The reinforced needles designed for Wyverns couldn’t even pierce his skin, and he completely ruined three files.
Anonymous: Speaking of which, did the medical staff figure out his Originium Arts?
Not being able to use Originium is such a huge handicap~ Anonymous: Mr.
Kai called it a ‘Divine Domain.’ It’s an innate ability he was born with, just as natural as breathing.
He actually has no way of turning it off.
Anonymous: What?!
Then what’s he going to do?
Anonymous: He mentioned he’s going to compress the ‘Divine Domain’ down to a one-meter radius around himself.
He just needs a little time to adjust.
He said he should be able to manage it in a day or two.
Anonymous: Mr.
Kai is so unbelievably handsome.
Can someone please sneak a few photos of him for me?
Anonymous: Hehe, has Lava finally reached that age?
Anonymous: It’s not like that!
I just think those horns are really cool.
Anonymous: Agreed!
You can’t just slap massive horns like those onto anybody and make it work.
They really are cool.
Anonymous: Right?!
That’s what I’m saying!