Portable magic device and planned disasters 1

Every member of the alliance had returned to their respective kingdoms, but Sudirja had not forgotten his original plan.

He wanted to create a portable magic device.

He was indeed inspired by Jack, and so he intended to make one. For that reason, he entrusted everything to William.

William, who still understood very little about this world, was reluctantly forced to agree.

To begin the research, Sudirja gathered a great number of researchers. They were clearly not human.

These researchers were of the demon race—a race ready to do anything, for demons were essentially born from the destruction of nature itself.

Sudirja observed all the researchers gathered in the laboratory he had established.

Yet among all the researchers, he noticed something odd. One researcher was absent—the demon named Pusmoko. And among those present, there was one demon whose name was not on the roster.

That demon knew he was being watched. He knew Sudirja was suspicious of him, and so he had already prepared a plan.

“Who are you?” Sudirja asked. “I’ve never seen you in this laboratory before.”

“My name is Kolo Berung. I am Pusmoko’s brother,” the demon replied with a bow of false humility.

Of course, his words were nothing but deception. His real name was Jenggolo—one of the spies from the Demon Kingdom of Dahaluk, ruled by Demon King Darmusdra.

Jenggolo had prepared his disguise well, but he also knew that a single misstep would expose him.

Sudirja was somewhat suspicious, not entirely convinced by the demon’s claim. He wanted to investigate further, but doing so would only delay the research.

However, Sudirja already had a plan—he prepared a trap question.

“What is your brother doing right now?” Sudirja asked.

Jenggolo froze. He hadn’t expected such a clever question. He knew it was a trap—there was no correct answer.

If he stayed silent, Sudirja would know he was lying. If he answered, the result would be the same.

Sudirja already knew the truth—he had only asked to bait him.

“He’s conducting experiments in Jagrapati,” Jenggolo stammered.

Naturally, Sudirja knew this was a lie. All demons from Jagrapati had been loaned neuropentals by him. To confirm, all he needed to do was contact Pusmoko telepathically.

“Pusmoko, are you conducting research in Jagrapati?” Sudirja asked via telepathy.

“No. I’ve always documented all my research to you,” Pusmoko replied.

“Do you know a demon named Kolo Berung?” Sudirja asked.

“He’s my brother, but it makes no sense for him to be in our lab,” Pusmoko replied.

“Just as I thought,” Sudirja muttered in his mind.

“If someone claims to be my brother, it’s likely the demon named Jenggolo—a spy from the Kingdom of Dahaluk,” Pusmoko explained.

“In that case, I will—”

“Just pretend to be fooled. I’ll be free from my binding seal soon,” Pusmoko interrupted via telepathy.

“Alright, let’s get started then. For this research, I appoint him as the leader!” Sudirja declared, patting William on the shoulder.

William was confused by Sudirja’s decision—why was he chosen as the research leader when he knew barely a drop of knowledge? Even if he understood the goal of the research, he still didn’t know what exactly to do.

Sudirja knew what William was thinking—he could clearly see the confusion on his face.

“Since the research leader knows nothing yet, guide him until he can direct you properly!” Sudirja instructed.

The Jagrapati researchers nodded without protest. They didn’t mind a beginner as leader—as long as he was willing to learn, they would follow his guidance.

Jenggolo knew William was inexperienced. That was exactly why he intended to use him—to exploit his ignorance to cause a disaster, allowing himself to evolve into a demon king, just as Sukmo Lawu and the new demon named Jack had done.

Of course, the other demons knew Jenggolo’s plan. They would not let him evolve—they were ready to become demon king themselves if it meant stopping him.

“Alright, start the research!” Sudirja shouted.

Everyone went to their respective stations, some preparing magic circles.

Once satisfied, Sudirja left the lab—but before he could exit, someone grabbed his arm, stopping him.

“What is it, Puspo Geni?” Sudirja asked, looking at the demon holding him.

“The demon claiming to be Pusmoko’s brother is a spy…” Puspo Geni whispered.

“Yes, I know…” Sudirja whispered back. “Let’s just pretend we don’t. According to Pusmoko, that demon is named Jenggolo, a spy from the Kingdom of Dahaluk…”

“Understood…” the demon whispered.

Puspo Geni knew that if he wasn’t careful, Jenggolo could learn of his suspicions. So he decided to watch Jenggolo in secret.

He formed a tiny magic circle in his palm—so small that only detection magic could reveal it.

Puspo Geni then moved in a way that resembled a dance. It wasn’t meaningless—it was a non-vocal incantation.

Nothing seemed to happen, but Puspo Geni’s view changed—he could now see every part of the laboratory, even without physically being there.

“How is it, Puspo Geni?” another demon researcher asked.

“If I hadn’t used this magic, I’d say Jenggolo had already won,” Puspo Geni replied.

“Where’s William?” the demon asked.

“In the storage room,” Puspo Geni answered.

“Do you have a plan?” the demon asked.

“You don’t need to worry, Bentolo. Every flame in this lab is already a part of my body,” Puspo Geni replied.

Meanwhile, in the storage room, Jenggolo was setting his plan in motion. He didn’t know he was being watched.

He was overjoyed, convinced his plan had succeeded.

He drew a magic circle on the floor, chanting a majestic-tier spell. On purpose, he pronounced one word incorrectly.

The laboratory caught fire and began to collapse, forming something that appeared to be a demon core in the process of birth.

“Sorry, that was an accident,” Jenggolo bowed in feigned apology.

Of course, it was all premeditated. William forgave the demon before him, not realizing he was being deceived.

Silently, Jenggolo tried to give mana to the core—but it had already received mana from two unknown sources. One of them vanished shortly after.

“Lan karmo lan rupo lan rogo lan roso kan asmo dadi rupo nyoto tak gawekno asmo, asmomu Gendono dadio nyoto,” a voice chanted.

William didn’t recognize the voice, but Jenggolo did—it was Pusmoko’s.

When Jenggolo turned toward the source, he saw a figure standing there—muscular, with a wolf’s head and two pairs of goat horns.

“How did you break free from my seal, Pusmoko!?” Jenggolo shouted.

“You underestimated the loyal subordinate of Demon King Semar!” Pusmoko roared.

“Hah! You’ll be dead soon—I’ve already become a demon king!” Jenggolo laughed loudly.

“You should know—I’ve become a demon king as well. And not just me… I can feel someone else has given mana besides me,” Pusmoko replied.