The magic cards I made are absolutely flawless!

The Demon Realm is now a desolate wasteland where no living being can survive. Deadly poisonous fog shrouds the land, and everything has been destroyed, except for this last remaining Demon King's Tomb.

According to the map of the Holy Kingdom and the Demon Realm in Dekan's memory, as well as the current map of the world, only the Demon Realm was destroyed, while the Holy Kingdom was affected but not completely wiped out.

The Holy Kingdom, which was severely damaged afterward, split into the Saron Empire and many other kingdoms, which eventually formed the present world over many years.

Therefore, in the Shadow World, the Holy Kingdom's northern border, which one would normally reach after crossing the Demon Realm, is now the far north of the Saron Empire, and is also the closest location in the present world to the Demon King's Tomb.

To be on the safe side and avoid being teleported to a completely unknown, critical void space or to an extremely cold and harsh ice field that could lead to immediate death, Dekan also purified some of the Demon King's magic power during this time to ensure that he could teleport a longer distance and land safely in the northern part of the Empire.

If they want to continue south, Sheen's magic power is far too weak, and Dekan will need to spend a lot of time further purifying the Demon King's magic power.

Even now, half a year has passed in the Shadow World, plus the two months that Dekan spent repairing the [Space Jump Gate], and it's unknown where the Empire has annexed to.

If the empire has already annexed the northern kingdoms, then Dekan will need at least a few more months to purify enough Demon King magic to teleport himself back to the southern kingdom.

If this drags on for that long, the Southern Kingdom will probably have already been destroyed.

After calculation, it was determined that the best option was to teleport to the northern border of the empire as soon as possible.

But that's perfect.

It's not a bad thing to be within the empire's borders.

Sheen wholeheartedly agreed to let Dekan, this pest, reach the enemy's heartland from an unexpected starting point.

However, where exactly it will land in the empire depends entirely on luck.

If you're lucky, you might end up in a very safe starting position, giving Dekan a lot of room to maneuver.

If you're unlucky, you might even get a direct audience with the emperor.

Everything is ready.

After adjusting the portal, Dekan turned to look at Sheen and said, as if they were about to set off.

"Do you want to recalculate the energy consumption?"

Sheen asked.

“No problem, I know the distance from the Demon King’s Tomb to the far north of the Holy Kingdom. I have memorized the map that Artis gave me back then.”

Decan, a newly minted historical geographer and space portal engineer, repeatedly confirmed the safe values ​​for the required energy consumption.

"Now take another look at me. Do you think my disguise is convincing?"

Dekan straightened his collar, then turned around and asked Sheen.

Sheen scrutinized Dekan's new look, his teeth gradually hardening with rage.

She seemed very disappointed that she didn't have any reporter equipment.

Finally, she sighed helplessly and said:

"Although there is a slight risk in theory, it's not a big problem. Unless someone knows you very well, they won't think that you are Dekan."

At this moment, Dekan looked completely different.

He has used the [Blood Mimicry] to transform himself into a girl, a half-dragon, a race unique to the Empire.

Similar to the dragon demon, but with more obvious dragon features, including dragon horns on its head, scales on its skin, and completely beast-like pupils.

She also dyed her hair red with a special plant from the Demon King's Tomb and added some makeup.

Although his appearance was still somewhat similar to when he was in the Demon Realm prison, his race and aura had completely changed, and he tried his best to look a little dull.

"I'd like to see just how many more new skins you're going to release."

Sheen crossed his arms and continued to scrutinize Dekan's new appearance.

However, she also knew that she couldn't chat idly anymore; Dekan needed to set off as soon as possible to resolve the war in the present world.

"Remember to come back and save me."

Sheen added.

"rest assured."

As Dekan was speaking, he was about to turn around when he stopped, as if there was something he couldn't bring himself to say.

"What? Are you still a little reluctant to part with it?"

Sheen shrugged helplessly. Although they often teased each other, they were also friends who had been through thick and thin together.

"No, a year has passed. Your [Destiny Divination] skill should be ready again by now, right? Can I use it once before I leave? Let me make the most of your remaining value."

Dekan said it without any hesitation.

Sheen was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then Dekan laughed in exasperation.

"Hehehe..."

After returning from the Shadow World, this guy is even less like a human being.

"Tell me what you want to be divined about. This is only one free divination session for you."

"...Please do a divination for me regarding the question, 'Are legendary materials a necessary condition for legendary magic cards?'"

Dekan had previously asked Sheen about information regarding legendary cards.

Sheen told Dekan that Avalon, the legendary card maker of the Kingdom Federation and a ninth-rank master card maker, had asked Sheen to divine information about the Red Legend many years ago.

The question Avalon posed at the time was: "What is missing between the Crimson Epic and the Red Legend?"

The divination result was: "A lifetime."

After leaving with this ambiguous result, Avalon has yet to successfully create a Red Legend.

Even after a long time, Avalon never made any more magic cards, as if it had abandoned the role of card maker.

Dekan naturally wouldn't ask the same question repeatedly.

Dekan also knew that, just as it was difficult for [Destiny Divination] to accurately divination about the tenth-order shadow world with a ninth-order rank.

Even with its Crimson Epic grade, it's difficult to predict the relevant issues regarding the Red Legend grade.

It has a greater chance of providing a definite answer unless a more specific question is posed.

Without much hesitation, Sheen took out a card and began divination. The ninth-tier Crimson Light Epic card transformed into a flowing halo that swirled around Sheen's hand, and her pupils instantly turned into flawless pure white, like a god surrounded by stars looking over the truth.

The answer is no.

Soon, Sheen returned to normal, completed the divination, and retrieved the [Destiny Divination].

Dekan frowned.

He was quite certain that the Crimson Light Epic had reached the limit of its production technology, and the only way to improve it might be by adding legendary materials.

Therefore, he originally suspected that this might be a prerequisite for breaking through to the Red Legendary grade.

However, Sheen's divination results told him that it was possible to create a red legendary item even without legendary materials.

So what he lacks is something else.

"Phew, if only I could talk to Avalon."

Dekan sighed and began activating the [Space Jump Gate].

Avalon may have been pondering this issue for many years.

He didn't know when it started, but Dekan felt that there was a legendary red card waiting for him to create it, as if it were within reach, yet as elusive as the moon's reflection in water.

The closer you get to it, the farther away you feel from it.

If he could figure out the answer, he might have a sliver of a chance to create the Red Legend with his master and achieve one of the ultimate goals in his life.

Just as he was thinking.

"Master Pain, hurry up and descend upon the Empire! Let those foolish Imperials witness the power of the Pain Pope! I'll just sit here and wait to win!"

Sheen, like a cheerleader, waved her arms and encouraged Dekan.

"You are the most unlucky cute girl I have ever met."

Dekan, his thoughts interrupted, disappeared into the Demon King's Tomb with a face full of black lines.

……

Inside an underground temple in the northern part of the empire.

Surrounded by steep stone walls on all sides, this is a hollowed-out space inside the mountain.

However, no one would discover that a dilapidated temple was hidden here.

Several clusters of lights hanging on the stone wall cast flickering shadows.

Inside the spacious, secret chamber deep inside, a group of figures in black robes emerged.

They circled an ancient altar, performing a bizarre dance.

In the dim firelight, their shadows stretched long.

As their ritual proceeded, the space around the altar seemed to be distorted, enveloped in a chaotic black mist, making it impossible for anyone to discern what was being conceived there.

In front of the altar, a high priest, who appeared to be a leader, knelt on the ground, as if presiding over the ceremony.

Suddenly, the door to the secret room was pushed open.

"Oh no, the Imperial army has invaded!"

The messenger, who had just rushed in from outside, finished shouting at the top of his lungs when a sword pierced his chest. His eyes widened as he coughed up blood and fell to the ground.

Accompanied by the sounds of falling to the ground and heavy footsteps, wave after wave of imperial troops stormed into the secret chamber.

However, none of this seemed to shake the people who were carrying out the ritual.

"Return from hell..."

They chanted in unison, as if ten thousand people were speaking at the same time.

"Great and merciful Lord of Calamity, you are the Lord of phenomena and consciousness, possessing supreme authority. I cannot silently retreat from your protection. Lord of Calamity, please save me, guide me out of the wrong paths and labyrinths. If you exist in my heart, please never leave this place again. May you always be by my side, for everything is your blessing!!"

Hearing the chanting from the secret chamber, the imperial soldiers felt a chill run down their spines, but without hesitation, they charged into the crowd and began to slash.

But the cultists allowed the Imperial Army to cut them down, and they did not stop the ritual even when the ground was splattered with scarlet blood.

Finally, at a certain moment.

The earth roared! The sky outside the temple seemed to be stained with a blood-red hue.