The continent housing the Kingdom and the religious state of Célie is called the Hendia Continent.

Hendia stretches far from east to west, with the Kingdom situated in the eastern region.

To the east of the Kingdom and Célie lies the Great Star Sea, a vast expanse of ocean. However, not far from both nations, there is a single island.

Surrounded entirely by the sea, the island’s perimeter is lined with reefs that seem to repel intruders. Upon closer inspection, these are not mere rocks but enchanted elemental stones. Any ship attempting to pass through would be struck by explosive magic, shattering its hull and sinking it with ease.

Reaching the reefs themselves is no simple feat either. Powerful aquatic monsters inhabit the surrounding waters, maintaining their own ecosystem. They indiscriminately devour any who approach, be it ship or beast.

Among these, the strongest monsters claim the reefs as their territory, turning the area into a treacherous haven for deadly creatures.

Thus, the island is layered with barriers to deter any intruders.

With ships unable to navigate the perilous waters, both the Kingdom and Célie concluded that breaching the island is unrealistic. This conclusion was drawn after suffering numerous costly and devastating failures.

On this island stands a massive rocky mountain known as Oniiwa Mountain. Its weathered surface resembles the face of a demon. Near its summit, precariously perched on the cliffs as though it might fall at any moment, lies a single castle.

This castle is the namesake of the island and the root cause of the recent surge in monster activity, which has troubled nations across the world.

The castle’s name is—the Demon King’s Castle.

Home to the Demon King and their followers, the opulent castle stood unchanged in its imposing splendor.

The island itself is called Demon King Island. Here, the Demon King’s Ten Fingers were once again holding a secret meeting—.

"What of the Empire?"

"Everything is proceeding smoothly, without any oversights."

Two robed monsters sat across from each other at a table, both humanoid in form. Yet glimpses of their bodies revealed unnatural, inhuman shapes. Their faces were obscured by deeply drawn hoods, hiding their identities.

"The eastern front is a disaster—damn that Kissinger..."

"It’s a pity about the Célie matter. I hear it had something to do with a hero?"

"Yes, apparently so. But the details remain unknown."

On the table before them lay numerous game pieces arranged over a map of the Hendia Continent. The flickering light of a candle cast long shadows of the pieces, giving the eerie impression of malevolent hands stretching across the world.

"The emergence of a hero is a serious issue for us. Before their fangs grow strong enough to reach the Demon King, we must nip them in the bud. This task falls upon none other than us—the Left Hand of the Demon King’s Ten Fingers."

"Indeed. The Right Hand’s members do nothing but act recklessly, despite being granted the Demon King’s fingers... Truly disgraceful."

"Kissinger is dead, and Icicle is missing... Even we of the Left Hand are in shambles. We cannot afford any more mistakes."

"We must, without fail..."

"Yes, before the Demon King takes action, we will eliminate all threats. We will slay the hero, destroy the human nations, and offer the world to the Demon King."

"That is our mission. The reason we exist."

"All for the Demon King."

Thus, the Demon King’s Ten Fingers began to move, Blissfully unaware that

Kissinger's belief that Bruno was the hero was mistaken,

and the fact that a certain turtle belonging to Bruno’s family was, in truth, the strongest being on Earth—.