“Eheh. Don’t you think you jumped to conclusions here?” Yoichi chuckled, scratching the back of his head. His companion’s euphoria seemed out of control.

“Absolutely not. I’m serious! I just feel fortunate to have the honour of travelling by your side, Yoichi-Sama!” Enatsu chuckled, hanging his head. ​​

Enatsu may be exaggerating, but… what he says is not wrong. If no other tamer in the world can know the exact evolutionary stage of his demons, I have a huge advantage. Yoichi reflected, who had not immediately realized that aspect of his unknown powers.

“Um… in the euphoria of the moment, I forgot to tell you that the level of the Inoshuma is higher than Kenji’s”, Yoichi stated. “It’s more than midway to level 10” he chuckled.

“That’s not so hard to understand. You didn’t tame an ordinary Inoshuma. The one you fought against was a unique specimen, forged by a thousand battles”, Enatsu acknowledged, thinking back to the battle.

“It fought honourably until the last second,” Yoichi answered. “Without Kenji’s skill, I would never have been able to knock it out,” he added.

“That’s one other piece of business.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I mean Kenji’s powers are definitely above average. I’ve seen other tamers fight with the Nekages during my travels, but none of them had that power,” Enatsu remarked with conviction. “What level is Kenji?” he continued.

“Er… level four” Yoichi said. His statement gave Enatsu something to think about.

“So… a Nekage evolves once level 15 is reached, then level 35. That means Kenji is not even close to its highest level. If its powers are so strong already from this level… I dare not imagine what may happen at level 50!” Enatsu exclaimed, shaking his head.

“Is level 50 the maximum level of a demon?”

“As for the ‘normal’ demons, yes. Old legends tell that ancient demons were able to cross that threshold. However, not having a master, their high level made their capture practically impossible”, Enatsu explained.

“Is Valgoth an ancient demon?” Yoichi interrupted. “I am referring to the demon that made Emperor Gonshiro immortal” he specified.

Enatsu looked intently at his friend, astonished at his keen memory. “Correct. Valgoth is an ancient demon. You don’t have to be an expert to imagine that their skills are much stronger than those of other demons”, the merchant confirmed.

“You told me that Valgoth was Gonshiro’s Oracle. That means he didn’t tame it,” Yoichi reflected, crossing his arms.

“Yoichi… that was just a legend. None of us ordinary mortals have ever met Emperor Gonshiro and his Oracle. You know, that was my favourite story when I was a kid. the idea that there could be beings so powerful that no one could kill them made me daydream,” Enatsu remembered, looking upwards. “Then my father broke my every dream, teaching me the trader profession and weighed myself down” he continued, going back to reality.

“Well, I am not a child, but knowing nothing of this world, I might as well be. Is there really anything that can kill Emperor Gonshiro and his evil Oracle? If there were a way to do that, I am sure his death would mark the end of the war that has lasted for hundreds of years.

“When I was a kid, my favourite storyteller was my grandfather. I am almost sure that, to make me happy, he modified the legends so that I liked them more. If I think about it now, it makes me smile, but… he believed that only the flame of a dragon-demon could kill Gonshiro,” Enatsu said with watery eyes.

“Eh? This dragon thing is new to me. You never told me about it!”

“As I told you, it’s just a fairy tale invented by Grandfather Yanatsu. According to him, before humans walked the lands of the world we know today, dragon demons ruled undisputedly, commanding all other demons, including ancient ones,” Enatsu began, resuming his narration.

“They were the undisputed rulers of Lumya, and their goal was to maintain the balance between light and darkness, peace and chaos. On a cold winter’s day, Kogath, the King of ancient evil demons, gathered in a single army all those who intended to rebel against the hegemony of dragons.”

“Hold on. Didn’t you say dragon demons kept the balance? Why would anyone rebel against the balance of things?” Yoichi inquired, astonished and interested in the tale.

“As usual, Yoichi… everything happened because of us.”

“Because of us? You mean… us ‘human beings’?”

“Theryon, the youngest and most visionary of the dragon demons that ruled Lumya decided, in agreement with his brothers, to create a new race of living beings. That race was us, human beings. According to his view of things, humans would be so intelligent and wise that they maintained world peace, helping dragons to hold that heavy burden,” Enatsu continued.

“Did dragon demons create humans? Okay, this is definitely a fairy tale!” Yoichi stated with conviction. Just as he uttered those incredulous words, the young tamer realized that anything he believed impossible was possible in the magical world of Lumya. Trying to think outside the box, he waited for an answer from his friend.

“I told you. It was a way to keep me good when I was a kid and prevent me from whimpering,” the merchant chuckled. “However, according to my grandfather’s story, the dragon lineage was totally exterminated that day. When humans were born, they inherited Lumya and its energy, but it was imbued with the wickedness of ancient demons. In conclusion, Grandfather Yanatsu claimed that Kogath, the most evil of demons, had reincarnated himself in Valgoth, who was born at the same time as Gonshiro.”

“Wow. Well, apparently, in your grandfather’s words… no one can ever stop the rule of the Immortal Emperor of Kamakiri. Maybe I wouldn’t have preferred to get an answer to my question,” Yoichi thought aloud. A strong feeling of unknown ran through his body, turning into goosebumps on his arms.