The vast throne hall was drowned in silence.
"Who are you?" Akitora asked, his deep voice echoing through the chamber.
Himitsu took a step forward. Despite the overwhelming aura pressing down on him, his expression remained firm.
"My name is Himitsu," he said clearly. "I
come from Lunaris."
For a moment, Akitora showed no reaction.
But Himitsu continued, his voice sharpening.
"You sent one of your villains to attack Lunaris," Himitsu said. "I fought him… and I defeated him."
The hall fell silent once more.
Akitora blinked.
For a brief second, confusion crossed his mind.
Inside his thoughts, a realization slowly surfaced.
"...oh."
"...Right."
"I did send someone there."
He leaned back slightly on his throne, mentally replaying distant memories.
"Hah… I completely forgot about it."
The thought almost amused him.
Outwardly, however, his face remained calm and unreadable, just like a true dark lord.
"So you are the one," Akitora finally said. "And now you've come all this way to stand before me."
"Yes," Himitsu replied without hesitation. "I'm here to fight you."
Akitora studied him quietly.
Inside his mind, another problem screamed for attention.
"Tch… My stomach is still hurting."
"Why does this have to happen now?"
He had eaten far too much earlier, and the pain had not faded yet. Still, he refused to let even a trace of weakness show.
Straightening his posture, Akitora let his aura expand slightly.
"I don't fight weak people," he said coldly.
The words struck Himitsu like an insult.
Anger flashed in his eyes, and his clenched fists trembled.
"I am not weak!" Himitsu shouted. "The man you sent was useless. If that's the best you have, then he was nothing."
His voice echoed strongly through the hall.
"Tell me," Himitsu demanded. "Why do you do this? Why send villains to destroy places like Lunaris? What is your true purpose?"
A slow, terrifying smile spread across his face.
"I enjoy it," Akitora said softly.
"I enjoy watching people tremble."
His smile widened.
"I love seeing fear in their eyes. Hearing their voices shake. Watching hope fade from their faces."
His dark eyes gleamed with cruel pleasure.
Himitsu felt a chill run down his spine.
This man was not chasing power or revenge.
He was doing everything purely for fun.
"Then prepare yourself," Himitsu said, his voice cold and steady. "I will fight you."
Akitora let out a deep laugh.
"For you?" He scoffed. "You aren't worth my time."
He waved one hand lazily.
"My daughter will have enough."
Turning his head slightly, his voice rang out with absolute authority.
"Aira."
Footsteps echoed across the stone floor.
From the shadows emerged a tall girl with long black hair flowing freely down her back and deep violet eyes that were calm yet sharp. She wore modern clothes—wide blue jeans, a black top, and a black jacket—standing in stark contrast to the ancient darkness of the castle.
In her right hand she held a sword.
The moment she stepped forward, the atmosphere shifted.
Himitsu felt it instantly.
"This power…" he thought.
"It's different."
She wasn't just strong.
She was dangerous.
There was no doubt about who she was.
Aira—Lord Akitora's daughter.
His only heir.
She resembled her father not only in appearance but also in the heavy, oppressive aura she carried. Throughout the magical world, she was known by a single title—
The Sword Princess.
Aira stopped a few steps in front of Himitsu, her violet eyes locking onto him.
The real battle was about to begin.