---
**[Scene - Ironwood Kingdom – Throne Hall]**
The throne room of King Arvedis Ironwood was silent.
Only the crackling of the golden flames in the hearth accompanied the King's brooding, his brow furrowed in deep thought.
> "He appears... and vanishes again like smoke and shadows," Arvedis murmured.
Beside him, Princess Alisa stood.
> "Father, he once saved me. Isn't he punishing evildoers? Is that not right?"
> "He is no hero, Alisa," the King interjected. "He is bound by no honor, no loyalty, no law."
Alisa bit her lip.
> "But... he isn't wrong either."
The King did not respond. He simply stared at the now-empty space where the magical screen had appeared.
> *Who are you, Shujin? What are you truly after?...*
---
**[Scene - The Academy – Morning News]**
Whispers echoed through the school corridors like wildfire.
> "Did you hear? The Darkness Lord appeared again."
> "They say he burned the Duke alive with just a look!"
> "He saved the Demi-human slaves... Is he a hero or a villain?"
Students huddled in groups, shouting their opinions.
Among them, Ryuto sat quietly, dissecting every word with his hands clasped.
> *So... it's him.*
That night, the Goddess Elmyria had given him only one command.
> "Eliminate the Darkness Lord."
But the more he learned, the more he hesitated.
> *Shujin destroyed a corrupt Duke and saved the oppressed... Shouldn't that be a hero's work?*
---
**[Scene - The Academy - Garden Courtyard]**
Bathed in golden sunlight, Kuro and Ryuto sat together on a bench.
After a moment's hesitation, Ryuto finally asked.
> "Hey, Kuro…"
> "Hm?"
> "What do you think about this 'Darkness Lord Shujin'? Everyone's talking about him."
Kuro turned his face, his silver hair capturing the last of the sun's rays.
His expression was unreadable.
> "He's dangerous," Kuro said coldly.
> "You really think so?"
> "He's unpredictable. He follows no law or order. Someone who acts like that can't be trusted. And he doesn't solve things with law and reason, only with power and force. Someone like that will only end in ruin one day."
Ryuto looked down at his hands.
> *Then why does he...*
Yet, Kuro's words were firm enough to cast doubt on Ryuto's suspicions.
---
**[Scene - Late Night – The Dormitory]**
That night, Ryuto sat on the dormitory roof, staring intently at the distant city lights.
> "Will you show yourself tonight, Shujin?"
He waited, he watched.
But nothing happened.
Meanwhile, Kuro was in his room, sipping tea with Rei seated nearby, flipping through a Devil Guild report.
> "He's watching," Rei murmured. "That transfer student is persistent."
> "I know," Kuro replied.
> "Shall we eliminate him?"
Kuro shook his head.
> "Not yet."
> "Does Kuro-sama trust him?"
> "No," Kuro's eyes glinted faintly. "But I know what he's searching for... and it's not us."
Rei smiled.
> "How cruel, Kuro-sama."
> "Is cruelty not a form of mercy... for a justice greater than oneself?"
---
**[Scene - The Academy - Morning Class]**
During the first class, Princess Alisa arrived late to the courtyard, her guards respectfully parting the crowd.
She scanned her surroundings sharply.
> "Is that the new transfer student?" she whispered to her attendant.
Her eyes landed on Ryuto, who was quietly lining up.
He gave her a polite nod, and Alisa returned it, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was hidden behind those calm eyes.
> *He's... different.*
She didn't know it was a divine magic more potent than any she had ever seen, lying concealed.
Nor did Ryuto know—that his enemy wore the smile of a harmless, ordinary person, sitting just meters away from him.
---
**[Scene - The Goddess's Realm - Elmyria's Thoughts]**
High above the stars, the Goddess Elmyria watched.
> "Found you."
Behind her, the four remaining deities stood uncomfortably.
> "Will Ryuto kill him?" one asked.
Elmyria said nothing at first… then answered.
> "This boy Kuro... is a rebirth of the darkness, but which path he will walk, we cannot predict."
> "Though Ryuto and the Shadow Lord are friends now, when the truth is found..."
She looked down upon the mortal world.
> "...only one will survive."
---
✦ **To be continued...**