A few days after the crusade, the news of the war between the Sacred church and the Marigold royal family had spread to every end of the world. There was one reason for this, it involved Devil King Rory.
Rory had disappeared from the world for over a century, yet he was still considered a popular figure. The reason was because the world still felt the effects of some of the actions he and the rest of Pandemonium had done.
So him suddenly reemerging sent the world in a frenzy. Especially since, he announced his return by fighting against the all mighty Sacred Church.
Many questions started to rise.
Where was Rory all this time? What had he been doing? What about the rest of pandemonium? Is he making a comeback?
Everyone racked their brains to try and figure out the answer to these questions.
Somewhere in a vibrant country. There was a certain cave that led to an underworld world filled with countless reptile people.
“M-My Liege! My Liege!”
A thin child that looked like it was part reptile ran through the underworld shouting. He held a newspaper in his hands as he ran towards the leader’s home.
“Hmmm….What is it Kirk? I still have a hangover from last night.”
Hearing the child calling for them, the leader of this underworld partially opened his and peeked out. Other than his reptilian eyes, none of his physical features could be seen.
“My Liege! This is big news!”
The child, Kirk lifted the newspaper so that the leader could see it.
“?!”
The leader’s eyes budged out in shock when he saw the picture of a familiar figure.
“BOSS?!”
Somewhere exist a forest country where animals and the beast race lived in harmony. This forest was ruled by one king. He had countless races under his rule and was feared and revered by all the surrounding countries, despite his true name and appearance being a mystery.
This king, who wore a mask and hunting attire, was currently sitting on the corpse of a giant hydra which he hunted for his breakfast. He was looking at a newspaper.
“Devil King Returns?!”
This was what the title read. The king smiled when he saw Rory’s picture.
“Looks like you’re finally back.”
He stood up and threw the paper to the side. He took a deep breath and then shouted-
“I’ve been waiting forever, Boss!”
*BOOM!*
His shout sent out powerful shockwaves which caused countless trees around him to burst apart.
“The day we once again rampage through the world is near! However, that’s only if you’re still strong! If you’re weak I’ll kill you with my own hands and rampage in your honor!”
His voice held so much power that it causing the entire forest to shake.
“That is the least I can do for my brother!”
At a certain house on the outskirts of a certain city. There were countless children running about playing. A woman wearing the attire of a Scared Church nun, sat and read a newspaper.
“Looks like he and Sacred church still hate each other guts.”
The woman said with a smile.
“I’m sure the others are thrilled to hear of your return.”
“Sister, what are you reading?”
That’s when a young girl came up to her and spoke to her. The sister smiled and put the down the paper.
“Nothing, darling. How about we play with the others?”
“Okay!”
The young girl held the sister’s hand and helped her up out of her chair. The sister and the young girl walked hand in hand. The sister took one last glance at the paper.
She smiled and shook her head.
“Well, if our paths cross again then we’re definitely bond by fate.”
In a certain bar, somewhere in the world.
“Did you hear?”
“Yeah, the devil king is apparently back.”
“Damn, I always thought that he was an urban legend, but I saw some of damages he caused in the Marigold Kingdom….He’s a beast.”
“If he’s real then the rest of pandemonium is real as well.”
“Looks like they’re making a comeback.”
“What do you think, Howard?”
A group men asked the bar’s waiter, who was cleaning up a table.
“Hm? About what?”
Howard asked.
“About Pandemonium. Do you think they’re making a comeback?”
“Who knows? It depends on what the others think. The devil king doesn’t own them after all.”
Howard finished cleaning up the table and went outside to throw away the trash. Once he did, he stood in silence and gripped his face. He pulled and his face was torn off. He was wearing a mask. His radiant green hair and pointy ears were the only thing that could be seen from behind.
“Looks like things will get busy again.”
After saying that “Howard” disappeared into the shadows, never to be seen again.
At a certain graveyard. Someone was walking back and forth in a trouble matter. In front of them was a newspaper with Rory on it.
“Ahhh, what should I do? What should I do?”
Their voice sounded like they were panicking.
“They’ll come find me, I just know it!”
The person held their head and started screaming.
“If they do I might try to kill them!”
At a large stadium in a certain country. A woman sat in a room reading the article on Rory. She had an excited yet cruel smile on her face.
“Damn, that Rory. To think that he was having so much fun and left me out of it.”
She rubbed a pair of swords beside her.
“I want to cut up those church bastard too, you know.”
She put down the paper.
“I’ll make sure to cut him to pieces when I see him.”
“Ma’am, everything is ready.”
She heard a knock on her door.
“Coming.”
Her voice and demeanor instantly had a drastic change. She now seemed harmless. She stood up and walked out of the room. The moment she did, cheers could be heard coming from the stadium.
Marigold Kingdom.
“……”
Rory slowly opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling above him.
“Oh, sleeping beauty’s finally awake.”
He turned his head and saw Amelia next to him.
“How long have I been out?”
Rory asked.
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“About a week.”
“I see. That’s pretty short.”
“Do you normally stay asleep longer than that after losing control?”
Rory nodded.
“It wouldn’t be strange if I was out for a month. However, I would only go to sleep after wrecking havoc and finding a safe place to rest. So I don’t have to worry about being defenseless.”
He explained.
“So, how many people did I kill?”
“Who knows? You completely erased an army from existence. It was impossible to know the exact amount.”
“And the country? Does it still exist?”
“For the most case.”
“I see.”
Rory sat up.
“Serket?”
“She’s busy leading the reconstruction of the city. I’ll tell her that you’re awake.”
“You do that.”
Amelia quickly left the room and went to call Serket.
“……..”
Rory got out of the bed in silence and noticed that he was wearing some pajamas. Since it was black and white, he knew that Serket was the one who changed him.
“Just a week, huh?”
He clenched his fist.
“As I thought….”
He smiled.
“I’m able to use more of my strength now. Looks like my theory about me regaining more control over my strength the more I lose control was true.”
He started to hop in place.
“I wonder if I should just lose control again a few more times. Maybe I’ll regain full control then.”
He threw a kick and stopped his leg in the air. He smiled.
“Just kidding. If I did that, I would hurt them. I’ll just have to take it easy.”
He brought his foot down and said.
“Now then, let’s drink.”
Over the next couple of days, Rory was forced by Serket to help and fix the city. With the help of those two and numerous citizens, the city was near full repair. With that being the case, Rory made a decision.
“It’s time to leave.”
He told the others.
“Where’s the rush? You could stay a bit longer.”
Said Serket.
“Yeah, Liam’s wedding is coming up. Can’t you wait till then?”
Asked Xavier. He was still covered in bondages, and could barely walk on his own.
“Sorry. While I do love to see a beautiful brides, I find weddings boring and tedious if I’m not sleeping with the bride. Well, in this case brides.”
Rory replied.
“Man, you’re really scummy, you know that.”
Said James. He too had yet to recover from his injuries.
“Is there a reason you need to leave right now?”
Liam asked. He didn’t seem to mind Rory’s ill joke.
“I’m a free spirit, Liam. If I’m chained down to one place too long I feel like I’m going to die. I have to keep moving.”
Rory replied.
“So when are you leaving?”
Christi asked.
“Hmm…..Now.”
“Huh? Isn’t that a little too sudden?”
Amelia protested.
“I’m a in the now kind of person. I live for the moment!”
“That doesn’t make any sense….”
“It doesn’t need to as long as I said it.”
Rory started laughing. He then stood up.
“Besides, it would become a problem if people knew where I was. I need to stay on the move.”
“I see. Then it can’t be helped then. Besides I’m already used to your whimsical behavior.”
Serket stood up and walked up towards him.
“Give me a shout if you need me.”
She put her hand on his shoulder.
“Why would I need a fossil’s help?”
Serket smiled and started to crush his shoulder with a vice grip.
“Ow, ow, ow! I’m sorry! It was a joke! A joke!”
Rory cried out. Serket let him go and gave him a worried look.
“Be careful, don’t die on me.”
“Hmph. I won’t die before you.”
Rory answered with a cocky tone. Serket nodded.
“Take care.”
“Same to you.”
Around a hour later.
“I still can’t believe we’re leaving so suddenly.”
Amelia complained. She and Rory were currently walking down a path that led to the nearest border, where they could leave the country.
“What’s the problem? Didn’t you want to travel the world?”
“Yeah, but I guess I was starting to think of that place as my home.”
“Oh? If that’s the case, why did you turn down James proposal?”
Before they left, James stun everyone by suddenly proposing to Amelia. Amelia didn’t take a second to turn him down. He got turned down faster than it took for him to go on his knee.
“You completely shattered his spirit.”
Rory said with a laugh.
“He’ll bounce back. He’s strong willed after all.”
Amelia replied.
“I admit that I admired him, but I didn’t have the slightest intention of marrying him.”
“Well, you’re already stronger than him. So there’s not much he can offer you, who seeks strength.”
“Don’t make me sound like a shallow person who only loves strong people.”
“Why not? I’m that kind of person.”
“And that’s why you’re so hated. That and you’re a prick.”
“Speaking of strong.”
Rory stopped and looked up ahead. He saw someone walked out from behind a tree.
It was Reina.
“Tsk.”
Amelia clicked her tongue in irritation when she saw Reina.
“It doesn’t look like you’ve come to say goodbye.”
Rory ignored her and said.
“I didn’t. I was fired.”
“Fired? I see. Christi let you go.”
Reina nodded.
Just before Amelia and Rory left, Christi called Reina.
“What? You want me to go with Rory?”
“Yes. I’ve completed my goal, and it’s time for you to complete yours.”
“But, what about you?”
“I’ll be fine. After this whole ordeal, I’m a lot closer to my brothers now, so I doubt another fight for the throne will break out. My mother is also here, so everything will be fine.”
“But you can’t be so sure.”
“Don’t worry, boss. We’ll watch over the Prince in your stead.”
Roc walked into the room with the rest of Boomslang and said.
“You’ve devoted so much to protect us, so now is the time we allow you to be free.”
“But….”
“Reina, will going with them bring you closer to your goal?”
Christi asked her.
“Well, yeah.”
“Then go. Our agreement was just until I protected my country anyway. You’ve already helped me do it. So you don’t need to worry about us anymore.”
He and all of Boomslang smiled at her.
“Go and live your life, Reina Megal.”
“I see. So that’s what happened.”
Rory said after hearing Reina’s recollection.
“I’m always up for traveling with another beauty, but….”
He looked at Amelia, who was glaring at Reina, and then back at Reina, who was glaring back at her.
“Can you two even travel together?”
“I refuse.”
Both of them said at the same time.
“I see. So you can. Alright, let’s go!”
Rory completely ignored them and continued walking. Behind him, the two girls were bumping shoulders as they walked. Eventually they start to fight it out. Rory then had to separate them, and walk between them.
It looked like a scene of a father stopping his daughters from fighting.
“Hahaha.”
Back at the city walls, someone was watching the interaction among the three and laughed. This person was Richard.
“How do they look?”
Serket walked up behind him and asked.
“Looks like they’re off to a fun start.”
Richard replied. He leant on the wall, while watching Rory in the distance.
“Looks like everything went the way you wanted.”
Serket said. Richard nodded.
“There was some mishaps, but everything turned out fine.”
“I see. Even though my sons and husband almost died, I’m glad that your plan went as planned.”
“Oh, please. You know that I would never put them in real danger. The only reason they’re alive is because of me.”
“True. But you must understand my anger when I saw their pathetic states.”
Serket glared at him. Richard didn’t look at her, but he felt the pressure she was giving off.
“Well…..I’m sorry.”
He apologized after a while.
“I’ll only accept that apology because you couldn’t help it. If it was someone else, they would’ve died. You better be glad that I raised you as my own.”
Serket folded her arms and said.
“By the way, why don’t you stop using that appearance now. I don’t think it has any meaning now.”
“I guess you’re right.”
Richard’s figure started to distort right in front of Serket’s eyes. Soon his body started to break apart into light particles leaving behind a body with of a smaller and more slender frame.
This didn’t shock Serket in the least. She silently watched as “Richard” faded away and someone else appeared.
Soon who stood in front of Serket was Richard, but a woman. She had short darkish purple hair, a voluptuous figure, and was dressed in a revealing leather jacket and a skirt. On her chest was a tattoo of a demon.
This was the woman who had transformed into a female guard and made Rory and Amelia meet each other, way back at the Buchse Kingdom.
“Well, it’s still not your real form, but it’s the one the world’s most familiar with so I’ll let it slide, Mio.”
Serket said.
The woman, Mio, was a member of pandemonium (the demon) with the position of the Heart, while Rory was the Brain. In other words, she was the second-in-command of Pandemonium as well as the one who had the role of being the demon’s (Rory) heart.
She was the mysterious Richard, who once controlled the previous war.
“I apologize for all the trouble I caused, Mother. It’s just that whenever I take a form, my personality matches that form. Even now, this form is that of a scheming seductress. Hence I can only think about manipulating everything while in it.”
Said Mio.
“I know. That’s why I won’t get mad. That’s just how your animus works.”
Serket said. Mio smiled, and then the aura around her changed again. It now had a mischievous feeling, which made her feel like a trickster.
‘Looks like her new personality has already taken over.’
Serket thought after sensing the change.
“But it really does feel good to see a good plan come together.”
Mio turned her attention back to Rory.
“Amelia and Reina has grown just as I hope they would.”
“As I thought, you’re the one who put Amelia in that back bush country.”
“I won’t deny it. I placed her there under the care an old friend of mine. Too bad he died though. I always told him that he wasn’t cut out to be king.”
Mio sighed.
If Amelia was here, she would finally realized why the king of buchse country took so good care of her who was a foreign orphan.
“I can understand why you put her there after what happened at her country, but why did you make her meet up with Rory? I doubt he arrived there by coincidence and met her by chance.”
“Because I thought they needed each other. Amelia needed a home and Rory needed a heart, especially after finally regaining control over himself again. I dropped him in that country for that purpose.”
“Then why not reunite with him?”
Mio shook her head.
“We’ve already failed him. We have no right to call ourselves his family anymore.”
“So you gave him a new family?....I think I’m starting to understand what you’re planning.”
Serket said.
“Some years ago, Reina, who was Rei’s grandniece stumbled into this country, a country that I was the queen of. She even met my son, who claimed that his father gave him the order to go to the border, when neither Xavier or I had no recollection of giving such an order.”
Mio smiled when she heard Serket’s mumblings.
“You, you guided Reina here and then guided Rory and Amelia here to meet her.”
Mio nodded.
“Reina was a pitiful child, so I felt I needed to grant her happiness. That’s were Christi came in. I also wanted to groom her for the day she would also join Rory’s family. I led Rory here by waiting until he was drunk and showed him my true appearance. He would always chase after me no matter which direction I went, and Amelia would follow him.”
This was the reason why Rory and Amelia took over a month to reach the next town after leaving Buchse. They were being led in the direction of this kingdom. When they past thrift Grace Town, Mio didn’t need to lead them any further.
“Mio……You’re like last boss level.”
Serket said. Mio laughed.
“I told you, this form is great at manipulating everything.”
She clenched her hand.
“I Can’t stop controlling everything even if I wanted to.”
She smiled.
“Amelia and Reina, those two were handpicked by me to be Rory’s family, and I’m sure they’ll be more in the future.”
“You’re trying to replace Pandemonium, aren’t you?”
Mio turned and faced Serket.
“We can no longer be Rory’s family, so the least we can do is become stepping stones for his new family. Don’t you think so?”
“But what about Rory? Do you think he’ll accept that?”
“He already has.”
“Huh?”
Serket was confused.
“Don’t you think it’s strange that he didn’t realized who I was? If you could with a glance, then why couldn’t he?”
“True. Your animus doesn’t work on Pandemonium members, after all.”
Mio nodded. She recalled the first day Rory and Amelia came to the palace. The moment he saw Richard, he stopped and stared at her for a while, and even warn Amelia that not everything is what it seems.
“He knows, and accepted what I was doing. Or rather, I think he sees this as a game between us.”
She turned and looked back at Rory. The moment she did, she saw him look back towards her direction and showed a sly smile.
“This is a game to see who will give in first. Will I successfully replace us and fade away, or will he win us back and keep both his old and new family?”
Despite being separated by several miles, the two could feel each other’s gaze and intentions.
The two then whispered in unison-
“I will get you back.”
“You will leave us behind.”
Marigold Saga End!!!
Comeback Saga Begins!!!!