—Deep within the Ville Forest.

A disturbing scene sprawled across the forest.

Corpses of powerful monsters that inhabited the Ville Forest lay scattered across the area, and a single monstrous being was feasting upon them.

From its jet-black body sprouted two horns, two wings, and a thick tail. With surprising speed for its slim frame, it devoured the monsters one by one.

"Not enough... still... need... more."

With that hideous form, it was unsettlingly abnormal to hear it speaking—even in broken human language.

"Well, well, what a pity. It seems the monsters in this area have already fled... perhaps they're heading beyond the forest?"

Suddenly, a man appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. A single horn protruded from his well-defined face, one eye was black, the other red, and he was dressed in dark attire.

"Dino-sama!"

"Continue your meal. I went to the trouble of killing them without turning them into magic stones, so consume them all and gain strength. Once you've done so, carry out your orders to attack that town over there."

"Understood. Strong... heroes... I will kill them."

The creature resumed devouring the corpses of monsters. The man watched with disgust and, after spitting out his disdain, turned his gaze toward the town at the forest’s edge.

In that town resided powerful wielders of holy power. For us demons, that power could prove to be a threat. His current actions were meant to eliminate it preemptively. At the moment, even a lower demon like a Lesser Demon should be capable of completing the task.

"Ah, this is becoming quite entertaining. All of this... is for the sake of bringing this world under our control—"

With that, the man vanished from the spot, leaving only the monstrous creature behind.