---
The night covered the land in silence. The city of Valerion seemed quieter than usual, devoid of people.
---
**[Scene - Ryuto's Side – West of Valerion]**
Ryuto landed silently, investigating the area where the dark aura had flared. The trees swayed gently in the night breeze, but the place was empty. No signs of battle. No demon. No Rei. No Shujin.
He narrowed his eyes.
"How strange…"
He muttered to himself, "That presence… was astonishing. It can't just vanish without a trace."
Ryuto clenched his fist, frustration simmering beneath his composure.
---
**[Scene - Selvaria and Lucien – East of Valerion]**
Elsewhere, in the opposite direction Ryuto had headed, Selvaria and Lucien appeared on a forested cliff edge, looking down at a lifeless plain.
Lucien crossed his arms. "It's empty..."
Selvaria narrowed her eyes, sensing the remnants of powerful magic.
"...A diversion?" she voiced her guess.
Lucien nodded subtly. "Perhaps. But that Aura was not normal. If that was Shujin's doing, then he's playing a deeper game."
Selvaria's voice dropped lower.
"And now… he threatens both sides. Humans and demons."
Lucien frowned, looking at the sky. "We must focus on Ryuto. He is the key. Not Kuro."
Selvaria gave a single nod. "For now."
---
**[Scene - Demon Territory – Ruins of the Eastern Demon Fortress]**
Shadows stretched across the crumbling fortress. Inside the throne hall, demons knelt, trembling, as a robed figure entered. His footsteps echoed like death.
It was Shujin.
No one dared speak as he approached the dark, vacant throne once ruled by the Eastern Demon Lord.
He sat.
The oppressive dark angel, Chronael, turned behind him, silently subjugating time itself.
A brave, yet shaking, demon stepped forward.
"Darkness Lord Shujin-sama," it said, bowing low. "Are you here... to claim the seat of the Eastern Demon Lord?"
Shujin laughed. Low. Cruel.
"Why would I claim it?" he said. "My reason for coming is simple - no demon shall become the Eastern Demon King."
The demons trembled. Shujin's eyes glowed through his mask.
"Understand this - if anyone dares to ascend…"
"I will eradicate you all. Every last Eastern demon."
The entire hall fell deathly silent.
The demon swallowed hard. "Y-Yes, Darkness Lord. No one will dare seize the throne."
Shujin stood.
His robes flowed behind him like the night itself. The fortress shook - not from his magic, but from his will.
He left.
And left them alive.
The demons remained kneeling in pure terror.
From that moment on, the Eastern demons ceased threatening humans - not out of respect, but out of pristine, primal fear.
---
**[Cutscene - Goddess Realm ]**
In the celestial palace above Velgrith, the Goddess Elmyria stood before her divine mirror. The surface felt blank and emotionless.
"But… I cannot see him," she whispered with worry.
The four gods behind her exchanged severe looks.
"We have tried tracking him with various magics," one said. "Even divine sight cannot reach Shujin."
Another added, "He walks between existences. Not quite human, not quite demon. Not even a shadow in the light."
Elmyria sighed. "Then we must rely on Ryuto. He is our only hope. No... for all of Velgrith..."
---
**[Cutscene - Return to the Academy – Ryuto's Return]**
Ryuto returned to his dorm, breathless. He collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Why…" he whispered.
"Why couldn't I find Shujin…"
The question was more piercing than any wound.
---
**[Cutscene - Kuro's Dorm – Late Night]**
The silver-haired boy appeared silently on the dormitory stairs. His robes shifted into his school uniform. His dark robes vanished into the air like smoke.
Shujin was gone.
Only Kuro remained.
Rei was waiting for him outside, hands behind her back, her face bright with a soft smile.
"Kuro-sama. Did you remember?"
He sat beside her, his hand gently stroking her hair.
"I always remember my promises, Rei."
Rei giggled softly, her cheeks flushing as his hand brushed through her silky hair.
"~Master really keeps his promises... and so quickly."
"I said I would," Kuro said softly. "And I never lie."
Rei tilted her head, looking at him affectionately. "Did you know, Kuro-sama, that you're becoming... truly more human?"
Kuro didn't answer. He just looked up at the stars.
"Perhaps," he sighed.
Rei leaned against his shoulder.
"I'm glad I can be by your side, Kuro-sama."
He wasn't smiling.
But he couldn't deny it either. Kuro might have thought that Rei was something... more than just a tool to be used.
---
✦ **To Be Continued...**