Journey Through Worlds: Starting as the Supreme Sovereign

But Saigō held such things in even greater contempt. In his view, absolute power was everything; all other methods were merely auxiliary.

It was only because this world's power level was too low that such a situation could arise.

But if the power level were any higher, the true rulers would only be those who wielded power, rather than those who controlled the world through laws between people.

The present world lay within the bounds of order, and politicians used that order to control everything.

Yet Saigō was a demon. Among the Six Great Devils of Zoroastrianism, one was Chaos itself, so Saigō disdained this so-called order.

Still, Nangong Nayue's expanded authority allowed Saigō to learn more of this world's true information through the rulers of String God Island.

"The Fourth True Ancestor... Sin God Cain... the Great Calamity..."

Saigō rubbed his chin. Though String God Island had much information, it was far from complete, especially regarding events from thousands of years ago. What was recorded here was little more than speculation.

To truly learn the more detailed history, he would likely have to seek out the three True Vampires of this world.

"Holy Annihilation... an interesting thing. Some of the intelligence and materials the Artificial Island Management Corporation gave little Natsuki were also vague and incomplete."

"...It seems those people are still hiding something. No matter—they cannot run. Once I find an opportunity to deal with them, I'll know everything I want to know."

Saigō sneered. The people of this world lived by order, but as a demon from beyond this realm, Saigō could not care less about such things.

If he wanted to kill, he killed. If he wanted to destroy, he destroyed. He was that unrestrained. After all, even in Yggdrasills, his morality value was negative.

Had his contract with Nangong Nayue not allowed Saigō to seize this world's nourishment for his own growth, he would have already caused havoc here without restraint.

His essence resided within that dark space. Even if he encountered an unbeatable enemy in this world and was killed, he would be resurrected once more in that darkness.

The only beings who could truly and completely kill him were likely those who had reached the level of Domain Holder.

In a sense, Nangong Nayue had indeed saved this world.

Because of her, the chaos of Saigō the demon was temporarily restrained.

In order to obtain nourishment for his growth, Saigō rather liked this sort of idle life.

Yet even in his idle days, Saigō had found something interesting.

"By searching for information on 'Holy Annihilation' online, I found that ordinary people consider it a historical phenomenon left behind from ancient times—a relic."

"...But according to the Artificial Island Management Corporation's intelligence, 'Holy Annihilation' is actually a ritual activated by Sin God Cain."

"And the purpose of this ritual is actually—'to distort the Heavenly Principles'!"

The moment he saw the ritual's effect, intense curiosity arose within Saigō.

How exactly did this ritual distort the principles of this world? What was its underlying mechanism? To what extent and over what range could it distort them? All of it made Saigō itch with impatience.

"Though I can keep stealing this world's nourishment by doing nothing, stillness eventually gives way to movement. Perhaps it is time for me to start moving."

Since he was curious about Holy Annihilation, he only had to seize it.

Whether as the human Saigō or the demon Saigō of today, whenever there was something he wanted, he would do everything in his power to obtain it.

"Sin God Cain is far too elusive... So if I want to find everything connected to Holy Annihilation, the simplest and clearest target is this 'nonexistent' Fourth True Ancestor!"

Saigō swiftly settled on his primary target.

To achieve his goal, he would have to proceed step by step.

The Fourth True Ancestor was said to have no blood relatives or clan, to stand alone, seek no dominion, and merely command twelve calamity incarnations—the world's strongest vampire.

To ordinary people outside, this was merely a distant legend. The so-called Fourth True Ancestor did not exist.

But based on the Artificial Island Management Corporation's records and Saigō's prior understanding of this world, he naturally knew that the Fourth True Ancestor did exist.

In truth, if he wished to investigate Holy Annihilation, it would be better to seek the other three True Vampires rather than the Fourth True Ancestor.

But those three True Vampires had lived for thousands of years. They possessed their own Night Empires, countless subordinates, and vast influence.

Making an enemy of any one True Vampire was effectively making an enemy of a huge nation. Saigō was alone, and he did not yet possess overwhelmingly superior strength, so directly provoking those three True Vampires would be exceptionally unwise.

But the Fourth True Ancestor was different. Without any blood relatives or clan, the Fourth True Ancestor was also alone. In a one-on-one fight, Saigō feared no one.

"The True Vampires and Familiars of this world have their merits as well. The Fourth True Ancestor's Familiars are all weapons of vast destructive range, suited for large-scale legion battles."

"...Those abilities happen to complement mine. Then I'll find a way to take them!"

Saigō muttered, forming a thorough plan.

Saigō himself did not possess any large-scale attack abilities. Even the contagious Aging was merely a gradual DEBUFF, incapable of eliminating an opponent in one stroke.

His abilities were best suited for one-on-one combat. Aging could render all power ineffective, and as long as someone was touched by his aura of death, Aging would take their life.

Even when facing a siege, Saigō remained entirely fearless. His abilities were enough to neutralize every attack directed at him.

Yet at the same time, Saigō lacked the absolute violence to destroy everything in a single blow. His power was closer to the uncanny.

The Fourth True Ancestor's Familiars, however, were all wide-ranging calamities. In Saigō's view, they could completely make up for his current shortcomings.

Having made his decision, Saigō rose to his feet. He went into the apartment's bedroom and glanced at the sleeping Nangong Nayue.

Even though Nangong Nayue was now only a puppet formed from magical power and her body would not grow tired, her mind could not endure indefinitely. She still needed sleep.

After looking at Nangong Nayue once more, Saigō activated the ritual of Space Control, turning into black flames and vanishing from the apartment as he headed for the Prison Barrier.

The Scribe Witch's True Wish

This was an ancient, weathered castle. From the outside, it carried a heavy sense of age, as though no one had lived here throughout the long passage of countless centuries.

Yet even so, the castle did not look dilapidated. On the contrary, it appeared clean and orderly, as if someone had always been tending to this old fortress.

The Prison Barrier was not a ritual invented by Nangong Nayue, nor was it created by the Artificial Island Management Corporation.

This ancient magic had existed since the distant past.

Through his knowledge of this world's history, Saigō discovered that many of this world's myths resembled those in his memories.

But those myths were neither false tales fabricated by humanity nor events that had truly occurred in reality. They were alternative truths that humans had altered slightly, becoming the myths of today.

The most straightforward example was the Bible, which Saigō knew so well. In this world, it was instead the Lost Holy Scripture.

As one of Zoroastrianism's Great Demons, Saigō had not found any records related to Zoroastrianism in this world.

That explained why Nangong Nayue, despite being a knowledgeable mage, had failed to recognize his Mother of Evil Gods divinity.

In this world's myths, places such as the underworld, hell, and purgatory were all Prison Barriers. Prison Barriers appeared in countless myths throughout the world, ancient and modern.

The Prison Barrier of String God Island was the first one discovered by the Artificial Island Management Corporation.

It had originally been an abandoned Prison Barrier.

The Artificial Island Management Corporation repaired the damaged Prison Barrier, altered its magical structure, and finally had Nangong Nayue inherit it.

"One of the most interesting things about this world is that modern magic has developed far beyond ancient magic."

This was something that greatly interested Saigō.

Aside from certain core technologies known as the Celestial Tribe, this world's modern magitech was stronger than that of ancient times. This was a standard magical civilization.

Even some excavated prehistoric ruins did not necessarily contain technology stronger than modern technology.

Thus, in this world, older was not necessarily better. On the contrary, most technology was better in its modern form.

Outside the ancient castle stood an enormous barrier. The entire castle existed within another dimension—within Nangong Nayue's dream.

Under normal circumstances, aside from Nangong Nayue herself, no one could enter the Prison Barrier so easily. They could not even find its location.

But Saigō was Nangong Nayue's contractor—and the Party A of that contract.

Through his contract with Nangong Nayue, Saigō could easily come here without even disturbing her dream.

The castle was divided into countless rooms, every one of which was a prison.

Those held within these prisons had lost their freedom. They could only look despairingly at the twisted sky and pass through unknowable years.

In one such room, an incomparably beautiful woman with gorgeous fiery eyes, dressed in a Twelve Layered Robe kimono, sat quietly before a vanity.

She had phoenix eyes, a graceful face and arched brows, a delicate and immaculate nose, and lightly powdered skin tinged with healthy pink.

The woman merely sat there with dignity, like an attendant painted within a scroll, evoking the gentle figure of a Yamato nadeshiko.

Sendou Aya, who was drawing her fine brows before the vanity, wrinkled her delicate nose slightly. Slowly, she turned and looked at the demon who had abruptly appeared behind her.

"You came."

After offering that faint greeting, Sendou Aya turned back around and continued drawing her dark brows.

Yet her seductive fiery eyes remained fixed on the mirror before her, vigilantly watching Saigō behind her.

"It seems you're living quite well here. You even have a luxurious private room."

Saigō examined Sendou Aya's "cell" with interest.

It was fairly spacious, around fifty square meters—about the size of a standard one-bedroom apartment.

The furnishings inside were simple, but it had everything: a bed, table, chairs, and even a vanity where a woman could apply makeup.

Aside from her lack of freedom, Sendou Aya was living a fairly decent life here.

As one of Nangong Nayue's closest friends, Nangong Nayue would not go so far as to mistreat Sendou Aya in that regard.

Compared to the criminals in the other prisons, Sendou Aya's life was already exceptionally good.

Yet upon hearing Saigō's words, Sendou Aya curled her lips and sneered. "...If you were locked in a cell and never saw daylight."

"...Would you really think such a life was good after losing your freedom?"

Saigō considered Sendou Aya's words. After pondering for a moment, he said, "...Well, if it were me, I would go mad trying to destroy everything."

"...Don't humans have a saying that they would even cast aside their lives for freedom?"

A curve formed on Sendou Aya's moist cherry lips as she gave a soft laugh. "...It seems you demon are quite honest. For now, I can still endure this."

"...But I do not know when I might go mad—mad enough to want to destroy everything."

Saigō sat on the bed in the cell. It was somewhat messy, making it clear that Sendou Aya had never intended to tidy it.

A faint fragrance lingered on the sheets, identical to the scent of Sendou Aya's body.

"You want to destroy everything? Even little Natsuki?"

Saigō asked with a smile.

"Of course. She imprisoned me in this cell and took away my freedom. If I ever get out, I will tear Nangong Nayue into ten thousand pieces."

"...I will also make String God Island crash and burn, so she can fall into the same despair as I have!"

Sendou Aya spoke viciously, her expression like that of a stunningly beautiful evil spirit.

"Is that truly your plan?"

Saigō asked with a beaming smile.

"Of course. That is my plan."

Sendou Aya snorted coldly.

"But that plan contradicts the wish you made in your contract with a demon. Perhaps others do not know what you wished for when you made that contract—not even little Natsuki knows."

"...But you cannot hide the contents of your contract with a demon from me, Sendou Aya!"

The Scribe Witch's expression abruptly changed, and she appeared somewhat nervous. "...What are you talking about? My wish is to see this world's true form!"

"...I want to prove that a world without magical power is the world's original state!"

Saigō slowly shook his head, his tone teasing. "...Stop deceiving yourself, Sendou Aya. Perhaps you do indeed hold such an idea, but it is only your means, not your goal."

"...Otherwise, why did you only take action and use the Dark Oath after little Natsuki made a contract with me?"

"You had long since spoken your true wish, but Natsuki failed to notice it."

"...Your wish is to save all Witches, especially Pure-blooded Witches. You want to save the souls of these tragically fated Witches from the hands of demons."

"After much contemplation, you decided that the best method was to create a world without magical power. Then demons would not exist, and Witches would no longer need to sell their souls!"

"...Your previous purpose in using the Dark Oath was actually to eliminate me and grant Nangong Nayue salvation."

"That is also why you were so shocked when you saw that I could still manifest in that world without magic."

"...Your true wish is to change the tragic fate that Witches are destined to become Witches. Ha, are you some kind of magical girl?"

Upon hearing Saigō's words, the Scribe Witch clenched her pearly teeth and fell silent.