At present, the various intelligent races still knew far too little about the peculiar beings known as devils. Much about their nature remained shrouded in mystery, veiled by the limits of mortal understanding.0

The common image of a devil was that of a cunning deceiver—one who toyed with the hearts of mortals, forged treacherous pacts, and exploited cunning loopholes with schemes woven from the threads of human greed.0

In the aftermath of many great historical upheavals—sudden civil wars, loyal ministers who became regicidal traitors overnight—one could often find faint, flickering traces of devilish meddling in the shadows.0

But… what of the events where no such traces could be found? Did absence of proof imply non-interference?0

Was it not more likely that they guided the course of events from the shadows, smiling all the while as things unraveled toward ruin and their own "amusement," mocking mankind's blindness to their own manipulation?0

Each devil was a singular entity. Those known to Wang Yu were "One," who inhabited the soul of Charles Ryder; and "Seven," who was slain within the mindscape forged...0