Vintermoor Royal Security Office
That evening, Damian and his three companions arrived at the Vintermoor Royal Security Office.
Although it was late in the day, the stone building that served as the kingdom's security center was still lit by lanterns. Several guards could be seen standing guard at the entrance, while officers were still busy compiling reports after the Hunting Game.
Damian approached the reception desk. "We're from Zephyrus Academy," he said, showing his Hunting Game participant ID card. "We'd like to check the data on one of the participants."
The guard hesitated. "Participant files aren't accessible to just anyone."
Before Damian could explain, another officer recognized them.
"Aren't they the third-place team?" The guard looked back at Damian and Liam and nodded slowly.
"Okay. You may view the data related to the Hunting Game participants. But you can't take the documents out."
"Thank you," Damian replied.
Shortly after, they were led to the archives room. Wooden shelves filled the room, stacked with folders and documents from various years.
Rin began to leaf through the files, arranged by participant number. A few minutes later, he finally found the document they were looking for. "Found it."
On the front was a name written:
Kaldric Vorn.
Rin quickly opened it. Everyone immediately approached.
"Name: Kaldric Vorn."
"Region of Origin: East."
He paused for a moment before frowning.
"Is that all?"
Damian joined the file.
There was no kingdom name, no city of origin, not even any family records or travel history. Almost all the identity fields were left blank.
"This doesn't make sense..." Rin muttered. "Participant data is usually much more complete."
Damian tapped the table lightly, thinking. "Something feels off here. Either someone erased his records... or he deliberately hid his identity."
Liam took a deep breath. "Then we still don't have enough evidence to arrest him."
The atmosphere fell silent again.
A few moments later, Liam seemed to remember something. "Oh yeah!" Everyone turned to him. "Tomorrow there will be an awards ceremony for the top three in the Hunting Game. The King of Vintermoor will hand out the prizes directly to them at the palace. Bloodfangs won first place… that means they'll definitely be there."
Damian immediately raised his head. His gaze sharpened. "Right."
He slowly closed Kaldric's file. "Then… tomorrow is our best chance."
Tessa crossed her arms. "Your plan?"
Damian looked at his three companions one by one. "Tomorrow we'll meet the King, and before Bloodfangs can leave Vintermoor… we'll reveal their true identity."
The Next Day – Vintermoor Castle's Main Hall
The main hall of Vintermoor Castle was filled with nobles, royal officials, Hunting Game participants, and knights, lined up neatly on both sides of the room.
At the end of the hall, the King of Vintermoor sat on his throne. Three podiums had been set up directly in front of him.
The royal officials stepped forward.
"This year's Hunting Game awards ceremony officially begins!"
Cheers filled the hall. One by one, the winners were called.
"Third Place... Damian Kade and Liam Ashveil of Zephyrus Academy!"
Applause echoed.
Damian and Liam walked to their podiums and respectfully received their medals from the King.
A moment later...
"Second Place... Kael Fenrir!"
Kael simply nodded curtly.
"And First Place... Team Four, The Bloodfangs!"
Kaldric Vorn stepped forward calmly.
His smile was the same as yesterday.
But to Damian… That smile felt far more sinister.
Damian glanced toward the back of the hall. Rin nodded slowly. Tessa signaled that all the evidence was ready. Liam clenched his fists.
Damian took a deep breath. Then he stepped forward. "Your Majesty."
The hall fell silent.
The King turned. "Is there something you wish to say?"
Damian bowed respectfully. "I wish to present something to Your Majesty."
He handed the King a written statement containing the findings they had recorded the previous night. The King began to read them.
As time went on... His expression grew more serious. "What does this mean?"
Damian raised his head. "We discovered that Kaldric Vorn's identity was never clearly recorded. Furthermore... We also discovered the symbol used on their team's robes. The symbol is identical to the symbol of the Demon Lord Azareth Velnir's domain."
The room immediately filled with whispers. The nobles exchanged glances.
The King slowly turned his gaze to Kaldric.
"Kaldric Vorn. Explain."
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
Several seconds passed... There was no response.
Then...
Kaldric laughed softly. "Heh..."
His laughter grew louder and louder. "Hahaha..."
He looked at Damian with a cold smile. "You're indeed a smart boy, Damian Kade. But curiosity can be a dangerous thing."
His gaze turned sharp. "And don't ever mention the name of Demon Lord Azareth with your filthy mouth." You're not worthy."
Crack...
The necklace around his neck began to crack. Crack after crack spread across its surface.
CRACK!!
The necklace shattered into pieces.
Instantly...
Two black horns emerged from his head. Kaldric's eyes turned fiery red.
A demonic aura filled the entire hall.
"DEMON!!"
Shouts immediately rang out from all directions.
The nobles ran.
The royal soldiers immediately drew their swords.
Kaldric raised one hand. A black shadow spread across the hall floor.
"Today, Vintermoor will remember the name of Demon Lord Azareth."
The shadow exploded. Dozens of monsters emerged from it.
Four members of the Bloodfangs also emerged, shedding their disguises.
"Demon!"
"Attack them!"
The royal hall instantly turned into a battlefield.
"Liam!" Damian shouted. "Protect the people!"
"Ready, Master Damian!" Liam immediately drew his two revolvers.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Meanwhile...
Rin created a wall of wind to protect the King and the nobles. Tessa incinerated any monsters that tried to approach them.
Damian himself charged directly at Kaldric.
CLANG!
His forged ice sword met Kaldric's black axe.
However...
The difference in their strength was too great.
"Still too slow," Kaldric said with a laugh.
BOOM!
A single stomp from Kaldric's foot cracked the marble floor.
In an instant... He appeared right in front of Liam.
BANG!
A punch struck Liam in the stomach.
"UGH!!" Liam's body was sent flying, shattering one of the hall's pillars.
"Liam!" Damian immediately attacked.
However...
BANG!
A hard kick struck Damian in the face. Damian's body flew several meters before hitting the wall. Blood dripped from the corner of his lips.
Tessa gritted her teeth. "Damian!"
"I can't leave the people…" Rin continued to strengthen her wind magic to prevent debris from falling on the people.
Kaldric slowly raised his axe. "Farewell."
The axe swung down at Damian.
CLAAANG!!
A giant black sword blocked the attack.
Everyone turned.
Kael Fenrir stood before Damian.
His gaze remained as calm as ever. "If he can't defeat you, let me do it."
Kaldric smiled faintly. "Kael Fenrir, I should have killed you during the Hunting Game."
Kael raised his sword. His aura instantly filled the entire hall.
"I won't let a demon wreak havoc on my territory."
The battle between the two monsters began. Waves of mana continued to collide, making the entire palace tremble.
Damian slowly stood up. Despite his wounds, he still held Setsu'ryū.
Kael glanced at him. "If you can still stand, follow the rhythm of my attacks."
Damian nodded. "Okay."
For the first time… They fought side by side.
Damian's ice magic combined with Kael's water magic, forming a white storm that engulfed Kaldric's body.
BOOOOOOM!!
A massive explosion filled the entire hall.
When the light dissipated…
Kaldric and the entire Bloodfangs had vanished. All that remained were smears of blood… And a black symbol.
The symbol of the Kingdom of Abyssus Caelum.
Damian clenched his fists. "...They escaped."
Kael stood beside him. "They did come with an escape plan."
Damian lowered his head. "...I'm still too weak."
Kael stared at Damian for a moment. "You're wrong."
Damian looked up.
"What you lack isn't strength. But experience… and the ability to use that power." Kael turned to leave the hall.
"You have great potential. Don't waste it."
A few steps later, Kael stopped without looking back. "Perhaps we'll meet again, Damian Kade."
Damian fell silent.
Kael smiled faintly. "Until next time."
As soon as he finished his sentence… Kael's body vanished from where he stood.
Damian simply stared at the now-empty door.