“He is… you could say he was an old friend of mine. However, we got into a disagreement millenniums ago and I’ve never heard from him ever since then. I didn't even know he was still alive.” The former king replied.

The people of the king’s generation were either dead from old age or died in the war. The ones that didn’t die were mostly heavily injured or like the king, retired, since they didn’t have much energy left to work anymore. The others that didn’t fall in these two categories were the ones that had fled the demon realm.

“What!” Kazuki exclaimed. Everyone in the room except for the former queen were stunned. The former queen also knew the enemy so she wasn’t so surprised.

“Then is he targeting us because of your disagreement?” The king asked, still feeling stunned. Does this mean that they were just dragged into the fight between the older generation?

“Possibly.” The former king looked apologetic.

“What did you guys disagree about? Was it something so big that he had to resort to killing all of us?” Kazuki asked.

“Well, sigh… I guess I have to tell you of the whole story…” the former king said as he tried his best to recall everything that happened during the war.

— — —

Thousands of years ago in the Valen clan’s manor (where the palace currently is)

“Mr. Valen! We have decided that we need a leader and we think that you are the most suitable!” An elf called out to one of the two men standing by the window.

“Let’s talk about this matter later, Michael.” The man said as he glanced at the group of elves that were walking towards the two of them.

“Wait! I told you that you can’t rule the demon realm alone! It’s impossible!” The man named Michael shouted back, startling the group of elves.

“Even if that’s so, having two rulers will just make more trouble when decision making is needed. You know that the way we think are totally different. We can't possibly come to the same decision. Delaying things just because of our disagreement will makes things worse.” The man walked away with a grim face.

“Our different opinion could lead to a better solution!” Michael didn’t give up as he still tried to persuade his friend.

“Stop pretending! Don’t think that I didn’t notice how much you want to be the ruler of the demon realm! You’ve always been way too ambitious and greedy. I know that you have poisoned the other ruler candidates and that in the cup of tea over there, there’s some poison inside.” The man said as he glanced sharply at the tea cup on the table.

He had noticed that there was poison in the cup but he didn’t want to believe that his friend wanted to kill him so he had pretended to drink it just to test his friend. However, the expression he saw on Michael’s face the moment the man pretended to drink the tea, he knew that his suspicions were right. He was feeling really disappointed right now.

Michael’s face became pale at the mention of the tea. He thought that his friend was foolish and easy to trick so he had let his guard down slightly. Who knew that his friend would know about all his schemes.

“You elf there! Why didn’t you choose me as the new ruler?! I have better grades than this guy ever since high school. My job also pays higher than his!” Michael berated the elf that had spoken up earlier.

“T-that’s because vampires have the highest amount of magical power. Plus, Mr. Valen also has the most magical power in the demon realm currently.” The elf stuttered slightly.

“We angels also have high magic powers, almost as high as the vampires!” Michael argued as he fluttered his proud white wings.

“Vampires are still higher though…” the elf muttered a he felt overwhelmed by Michael’s argument.

“You!” Michael looked like he was about to punch the poor guy when suddenly, the man standing behind him spoke up in a menacing voice.

“It’s obviously because of the way you think, Michael. You are too selfish and proud. Even if you were able to settle the war, will you really be willing to help others, to help the demon realm return to its former peace?” The man questioned.

“Of course I’ll help them!” Michael replied immediately.

“What I’m asking is that will you, personally, lend help to others. I know you would spare no effort to dispose of those that you deem useless, just like how you’ve killed many demons that seemed like a threat to your position.”

“Hah! If you knew all about that, aren’t you afraid that I’d also kill you girlfriend to leave you feeling despaired and snatch your position as the rule away?” Michael said in a hysterical voice, his face twisted with evil.

“You don’t dare to. I know that you’ve been wooing her behind my back, even threatening her with my life.” The man replied with a disappointed voice. How low had his friend gone…

“Hmph! Who knows… Just you wait! I’ll make you all regret not choosing me as the ruler!” Michael shouted before he shoved the group of elves away and made his exit.