Tanimaki Sets Off on an Adventure (Part 1)

"Hello, this is the Nekota residence. Oh, Luminous?"

A phone call had come to the Nekota family from Luminous, the Queen of the Republic of Meows and Debiru's mother.

"It's been a while. I'll put Debiru on."

Mama handed the phone to Debiru.

"What?! I'm heading to the palace right now!"

Debiru's face turned pale. It seemed that some kind of emergency had occurred.

"Debiru! What's wrong?" Mayutan asked worriedly.

"It's Dad! He collapsed!"

"Dad" referred to Kylie, the Demon King.

Together with the Nekota family, Debiru hurried to the Demon King's palace.

When they arrived and entered the Demon King's bedroom, they found Kylie lying in bed, barely conscious. At his bedside stood Luminous and a doctor, quietly watching over him.

"He suddenly collapsed. Even the doctor doesn't know what's causing it."

Luminous spoke with tears welling in her eyes.

"This... isn't an ordinary illness."

Mayutan's expression darkened.

"Someone has cursed him."

"W-What...?" Luminous gasped.

"Your Majesty, do you have any idea who might be responsible?" Mayutan asked.

"Yesterday, a sorcerer named Undo appeared in my dream and said, 'I will curse the Demon King to death.'"

"I'll use my clairvoyance and find out!" Debiru said.

"No! It's too dangerous. We'll use this instead."

As he spoke, Mayutan pulled a small scroll from his Three-Dimensional Pocket, unrolled it, and attached it to the wall.

"When activated, this screen will reveal whoever is casting the curse on the Demon King. The target, however, won't notice they're being observed."

Mayutan activated the device.

At once, the image of a hideous old cat appeared on the screen.

His face was covered in age spots. His eyes were murky like a poisoned swamp, and his lips were drained of all vitality. He looked less like a living creature and more like a messenger from hell.

"Who is this guy, meow?" Tanimaki asked.

"That's Undo."

Luminous's voice trembled.

"He was a sorcerer who once tried to conquer the Republic of Meows. I sealed him away myself."

"Does that mean Undo's seal has been broken?" Mayutan asked, his face tense.

"That's the only explanation."

Luminous lowered her gaze.

"And if that's true, it means I no longer possess the power needed to seal him again..."

A grim expression spread across her face.

"Has Undo become stronger than he was before he was sealed?" Mayutan asked.

"Perhaps. I can't say for certain," Luminous replied.

"But it's possible his hatred has amplified his magic. Magical power is closely tied to one's spirit."

"Hatred? Did something happen between the Demon King and Undo in the past?"

In response to Mayutan's question, Luminous slowly began to tell the story of the two men's past.