Zelanus was healing his wounds.

Not the ones he had sustained during the battle with Milim. Rather, it was the result of the forced Life Reconstruction he had undergone.

Peliod’s death had been unexpected, and though it threw off his plans slightly, it was ultimately not an issue. Because even that had been within the bounds of Zelanus’ calculated harmony.

All the Insectars were designed to belong to Zelanus. Peliod had given birth to them with that exact intention. Thus, even in death, their power would return to him.

Originally, that power would have returned to Peliod, and she would have evolved into an even more powerful existence. But now, bypassing that procedure entirely, all her power returned directly to Zelanus.

The result: Zelanus’ Life Reconstruction “Devastator Virus”.

Yet even that meant nothing to Zelanus, whose ability Darkness Multiplication Devour allowed him to consume even his own body. He raised the strength of his own vassals, and then consumed them as nourishment. The stronger his vassals became, the more his own power increased. Their wisdom, strength, experience—everything became Zelanus’ own.

That was the very essence of Zelanus’ Ultimate Skill: King of Life.

He had indeed hoped Zess would surpass him, but deep down, Zelanus had been confident that such a thing would never happen. Had it been accomplished, he was ready to pass on King of Life, but that day never came. In the end, Zess died and became nourishment for Zelanus.

(It wasn’t quite the right time yet, but he had matured enough.)