Shiro chased after Dino.
Shiro, who wasn't accustomed to flight, was quickly left behind. He needed to rely on [Spatial Motion] just to keep up.
He could only curse himself for focusing solely on martial arts, swordsmanship, and craftsmanship before regaining his memories, almost disregarding magic and other aspects. Even his innate magic, [Star Magic], wouldn't have developed if it weren't for his father being strict with him.
Unlike Milim, who lived the life of a normal girl, Shiro—her brother—had to undergo relentless training, specifically in controlling his power. Shiro inherited his father's [Imaginary Collapse], forcing Veldanava to be thorough in teaching him how to control it to the point that not even a sliver escaped his body.
In the original story, it was said that only with the assistance of a Manas could one control [Imaginary Collapse] to a degree. But Shiro was able to accomplish it without such assistance. The only reason this was possible was highly likely due to it being inherent to Shiro, unlike Rimuru, who had acquired it through an [Ultimate Skill].
Nevertheless, controlling [Imaginary Collapse] was a hassle. A single mistake on his part, and he might accidentally kill those around him. That's why their family was forced to live atop a mountain, far from the populace. Shiro's occasional release of energy couldn't harm his family.
Despite losing his original [Imaginary Collapse], his father, Veldanava, was still able to manipulate and calm down Shiro's [Imaginary Collapse] as if it were nothing. His mother, Lucia, on the other hand, was a 'Divine Nature' and highly proficient in [Holy Magic]—so much so that even Luminous Valentine, with the support of her citizens, couldn't compare to her. Only Velgrynd, after traversing dimensions and accumulating vast amounts of faith, had a chance to compete with his mother in terms of [Holy Magic].
Milim, on the other hand, was a Dragonoid. Despite not reaching her full potential, a mere occasional release of [Imaginary Collapse] couldn't harm her unless it specifically targeted her.
Shiro's reminiscence was cut short as his gaze lingered on the ruins up ahead. As far as the eye could see, it was utter destruction.
He immediately recognized the familiar residual energy emanating from the ruins—it was Dino's. Shiro smiled bitterly. He felt conflicted. If his past life's memories hadn't returned in time, he might have followed Dino in a crusade to purify the Cardinal World.
For the past sixteen years, Shiro hadn't connected with the world, staying secluded in the wilderness, only meeting a few people sent by his uncle, Rudra, to take care of simple things like food and clothing. If not for his past life's memories, Shiro doubted he would even feel pity for other people's lives. Even now, he was still affected by sixteen years of detachment from society.
Just as Shiro was about to continue chasing after Dino, a strange energy began to enter his body, making him raise an eyebrow.
[The required amount of soul needed for the evolution has been confirmed.]
Shiro's [Unique Skill: Great Sage] rung in his mind.
[Notice: "10,000,000 Souls" has been absorbed.]
[The "Harvest Festival" will now commence.]
Souls—millions of souls—began rushing into Shiro, the souls of those Dino had killed.
Dino, currently a pure Seraphim, couldn't possibly absorb souls. And he was so engrossed in his carnage that Shiro doubted he even cared about collecting them.
Shiro could feel it—a large seed deep inside him beginning to crack as it was nourished by millions of souls. The souls were like gasoline thrown onto an already blazing flame, intensifying the already immense power within him to a higher degree.
Before Shiro could even think to resist, he was encased in a cocoon as the [Harvest Festival] began.
[Emergency measure before "Sleep Mode" commence.]
[Notice: "Invisible Barrier" has been deployed.]
Guy Crimson, who had been planning to intercept the rampaging Dino, stopped mid-flight after sensing a familiar presence growing stronger by the second. Grinning, he changed direction, heading straight toward Shiro's location.
Guy did not abandon his duty as the Arbiter of the Cardinal World, as his original target, Dino, had already halted his rampage, regaining clarity after sensing Shiro's presence rising by the moment.
Both hurriedly rushed toward Shiro's location.
Shiro, on the other hand, had completely succumbed to sleepiness, brought on by the forceful evolution into a True Demon Lord—something he hadn't felt in a long time since reincarnating as a Dragonoid.
Dragonoids are the irregular and miraculous offspring of a True Dragon (Veldanava) and a High Human (Lucia). Like Dragonewts, they are a visual mix of humans and dragons, possessing human-like appearances with scales, wings, horns, and tails. However, they can hide their draconic traits at will to appear as normal humans.
They are a type of Divine Being, and although they are merely imitations of True Dragons, they still possess immense power comparable to—or even greater than—that of True Dragons. As divine beings, they possess an immortal material body that will never age.
Originally, Milim Nava was the only one of their kind. But due to Shiro's influence, two such anomalous existences had been born.
Moreover, compared to Milim, Shiro was even more absurd, as he had possessed both [Maze Craft] and [Imaginary Collapse] since birth, making him no different from a cheap copy of his father, Veldanava.
[Report. Individual Shiro Nava's Demon Lord evolution will now begin.]
[Report. Individuals belonging to his genealogy will receive a gift.]
On a vast expanse of paradise, a cute little dragon sleeping atop a floating mountain opened its eyes as it heard the Voice of the World mention its master's name.
It was like a gospel.
It immediately tried to stand up, planning to hurry and accompany its master at this momentous event, but a sudden wave of exhaustion hit it hard. Before it could resist, it fell unconscious, asleep like a baby.
It wasn't just Guy and Dino who felt Shiro's ever-growing presence.
Across the Cardinal World, the moment his energy surged, powerful beings turned their attention to the phenomenon. Some were intrigued, others cautious, and a few deeply affected on a personal level.
In her labyrinth, Ramiris wad surrounded by a chorus of spirits. The moment Shiro's presence flared, the voices grew louder, speaking his name with reverence.
"Shiro Nava?" she muttered, blinking.
She looked up at the walls of her labyrinth, offering a silent condolence to Veldanava and Lucia while acknowledging Shiro's evolution with a quiet congratulations.
"I hope to meet you soon, Shiro Nava?"
Unlike others, she held no ounce of fear or wariness to Shiro's overbearing power. She simply watched.
In the frozen northern continent, where ice covered the land in an eternal frost, Velzard sat on her seat, a cake in her hand. Her expression, usually indifferent, softened as she felt Shiro's power surge.
She was surprised.
To think that Shiro, who was already incredibly strong, could grow even stronger.
Of course, she knew Shiro. He was her nephew—her brother's son. Unlike others who were only now realizing his existence, she had been aware of him from the start.
"…He's finally revealing himself."
Velzard smirked, amusement flickering in her usually cold blue eyes. Others might be wary of his power, but she wasn't. If anything, she felt an odd sense of pride.
Yet, deep down—though she wouldn't admit it—a tinge of jealousy stirred within her.
A jealousy so strong that even the other soul occupying her body couldn't help but feel the same.
Let's see how much you've grown, little one.
Far away, in a grand imperial palace, Velgrynd and Rudra stood in silence.
Veldanava was dead. Lucia was gone.
The weight of their loss was suffocating, pressing down on them like an unshakable burden. Velgrynd clenched her fists, her gaze unfocused. Rudra, usually composed, was visibly shaken.
Then, like a beacon cutting through the darkness, a presence surged into their senses.
Velgrynd's breath hitched. She knew this presence.
"…Little Shiro?"
Tears stung the edges of her vision, but she wiped them away, inhaling deeply. She had no time to grieve now.
Shiro was awakening.
She needed to be there for him.
"…I won't lose you too," Rudra muttered gloomily, his voice heavy with grief.
Without another word, he accompanied Velgrynd as they left the palace, heading straight toward Shiro's location.
However, as they drew closer, Rudra's gloomy expression gradually eased, replaced by a flicker of excitement.
Somewhere in the world, Veldora, who was rampaging as usual while evading his sisters, suddenly came to a complete stop.
His golden eyes widened slightly as he felt the unmistakable presence of his nephew.
"…Shiro?"
A flood of memories hit him all at once.
He remembered when Shiro was just a small child—barely five years old. At the time, Veldora constantly getting into trouble with Velgrynd and Velzard. He often hid behind Veldanava for protection.
Then there was that day.
The day when tiny Shiro, with his innocent-looking face, grabbed his tail.
And slammed him into the ground.
Left and right. Over and over again.
Like a toy.
He could still hear Velgrynd and Velzard giggling in amusement.
"…That little brat," Veldora muttered, a complicated mix of fondness and mild trauma crossing his face.
And now, that same child was awakening into something even more absurdly powerful.
He felt a sudden sense of fear.
Outside of those who personally knew Shiro, the rest of the world had a different reaction.
Luminous, Dagruel, Glassord, and other powerful beings—all at the level of True Demon Lords or higher—felt the surge of power. Unlike Ramiris or the True Dragons, they did not feel familiarity. They did not know who Shiro was.
But they felt his overwhelming strength.
And it made them wary.
"Who… is this?" Luminous muttered, setting down her wineglass as her eyes narrowed.
Dagruel, usually indifferent to most matters, tensed slightly.
Even Glassord, ever composed, sharpened his gaze.
They had never met him.
But just from this alone, they knew—
This wasn't someone to take lightly.
As for those below the level of True Demon Lords, they had no way of comprehending what was happening. They didn't know what was awakening.
They just felt it.
A primal, suffocating fear.
Like an apex predator watching them from the shadows.
Like prey before a hunter.
They shivered.
Something had changed in the world.
And whatever it was…
It was beyond them.