Magnus

Overview

Magnus is the Demon King of the Demon Realm and the sovereign under whom demonkind is unified. By the time of Volume I, he has ruled for more than six centuries and lived for seven hundred and fifty years. He is protected by three royal knights, although the history presented in the prologue stresses that this protection is not necessary for a ruler described as ancient, powerful, brutal, and cunning.

Magnus remains a distant but decisive force in the human history around the Tower. After Shun intervenes in the Hikari Civil War, the punishment for that transgression is said to be meted out by Magnus. The precise price is not made public. Human rulers fear favouritism toward the Lord of the Tower, but none dare question the Demon King or risk renewing the Demon War.

The oath beyond death

Volume II reveals the punishment behind Magnus's hold over Shun Sato. After Shun abandons neutrality for Yumi Raijin, Magnus imprisons and starves him, then offers survival under the Unbreakable Oath. The first biological son must enter the Demon King's service at maturity unless he defeats the court's strongest Royal Knight. Magnus also subjects Shun to crushing gravity and orders him to survive.

Magnus dies in his sleep one year later, denying Shun the vengeance he wanted. The oath remains because Magnus worded it around the Demon throne and title rather than his own life. His final cruelty is consequently institutional: Ryuji Sato owes service to any recognized Demon King, including Akiyama Magnus.