The Author's POV

Ka Mankut.

Within the confines of Melandoir lies a city that resides next to the world tree. It was once a prosperous and magnificent city that belonged to the elves; some even contend that it was the most powerful planet within the Hoag Galaxy, located approximately 600 million light years from the Milky Way Galaxy.

The city was primarily known for being next to the world tree, a colossal tree that bore special fruits every year and granted the elves unrivalled sensitivity to the mana in the air.

[Astra year - 1T08]

On this date, the planet that was once hailed as the most powerful planet in Hoag's Galaxy was conquered, and the world tree became corrupted, bearing fruits of something known as the devil fruit, a fruit that granted demons the magical property of purifying their bloodlines and the ability to surpass their natural bloodline limit.

From then on, demons became an unstoppable force in the universe, and galaxies trembled at the mere mention of their names.

*

The journey toward Ka Mankut was fairly unobstructed, and rightfully so.

Aside from the fact that we were humans, there was nothing else that particularly stood out about us, with the possible exception of our ranks.

In spite of this, the fact that we were all now capable of absorbing demonic energy was sufficient to prevent the nearby forces from becoming interested in us.

Not that they would pay any attention to us, to begin with.

Given that we had a map that was only partially detailed, navigating around such locations proved to be as easy as breathing, and other than the fact that it increased the amount of time it took for us to reach Ka Mankut, there was absolutely nothing that could be faulted about the situation.

Two days after arriving on the planet.

"We're near."

After coming to a complete stop and clearing the area in front of me of any vegetation, I reached into my dimensional space and extracted a few black hoods, which I then passed out to the others.

"Wear this for now. Although it is highly likely that we're not the only humans on this planet―granted that there probably used to exist a planet similar to earth in this galaxy―It is still best if we wear this to hide our faces. You might never know what happens."

In this world, one could find more than just demons.

It was widely known that this planet was one of the most significant in the known Galaxy, and there are likely to be a great number of contractees living on the planet.

As a result, it wouldn't be all that surprising if the four of us were able to move freely about the city without being bothered by anyone.

However, I knew that it was best to remain on the side of caution.

I knew too little about this planet to take any risks.

"Make sure that your face is covered enough that people don't see it. We wouldn't want trouble coming our way the moment we step into the city."

"Alright, alright."

Melissa snatched the robe from my hands, annoyance evident on her face.

Sadly, it seemed as though the effect of the contract was taking place, and Melissa was returning to her old self.

couldn't say I

"..."

"Give it here."

not excluded from the effects of the contract; Jin's words became cruder, and

also put

is going to be longer than

soon as I was certain that it covered every part of my face, I turned around to check on the others to ensure that they, too, were wearing

"Let's get going."

the hood a little further and headed in the direction of the city marked on the

our destination—about two kilometres—and by the time the thicket of trees began to

to a stop the moment that the city became visible for everyone

is not what

of

like we've gone

was able to make out the silhouette of the city

it had more of a medieval feel to it, despite the fact that there were no massive walls surrounding the

"Are those carriages?"

"They are..."

city, and I noticed that there were indeed carriages heading toward the

weren't carried by horses because the monsters that carried them were much scarier and larger than horses could ever be... but it was

when I turned to look at the

hued walls, colours, and engravings adorned the walls, arches, and pillars

the doors' arches were carved with zigzags and adorned

larger structures were constructed as cathedrals with steeply pitched roofs

we do? Should

"Yeah."

at Amanda's words, snapping out of my short lived

want to admire the city. For now, let's go in and familiarize ourselves with the

was important at the moment was to gain as much information as possible

Everything else came later.

"Let's go."

headed

followed me

***

Alliance headquarters, Earth.

should we proceed from

front of Kevin's desk

eyes were currently looking down on Kevin, who was quietly sitting on

at the exact moment that Octavious's brows started to furrow, Kevin set the pen down

our next

the papers across

the paper and

reading the document, his expression slid into a serious one, and he cast a sidelong glance in Kevin's

is this

"Fairly accurate."

his chair, his expression

inform the members of the alliance to gear up and get ready