Romeo opened his eyes.
A tall, unfamiliar ceiling loomed above him. Soft light filtered through high windows, but there was no warmth in it.
His body felt… light. Too light.
He slowly rose to his feet and looked at his hands.
He couldn't feel any power.
"…My power?"
There was no response.
His power percentage didn't even reach one percent.
He took a few steps around the room. The stone floor was cold. The palace was vast and silent.
The door opened.
A servant with animal ears bowed deeply.
"You're awake, Sir Romeo."
Romeo asked emotionlessly,
"Where am I?"
"The Aetherfang Empire."
The name echoed in his mind.
The land of the beastfolk. An ancient, beautiful nation with overwhelming military strength.
Romeo muttered,
"…So this is it."
The servant continued,
"The Dragon Knight brought you here from the Northern Mountains battlefield. The Queen ordered that you be taken to her the moment you awoke."
Romeo paused.
"Alright."
The Queen's hall was vast and silent.
Tall pillars, dark curtains, and light with no clear source.
She sat upon the throne.
Lunaria.
Beautiful… but not warm.
Her eyes were like the surface of a deep lake—calm, yet dangerous.
Romeo stepped forward.
"…This level of beauty is unbelievable."
A faint smile appeared on Lunaria's lips.
"Your compliment… is interesting."
Silence.
Then she spoke calmly.
"I heard you helped my forces greatly in the Northern Mountains war."
Romeo raised his gaze.
"Your forces?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"The Blood Divine… and the Divine Dragon."
The silence in the hall grew heavier.
Lunaria said,
"We were not protecting the mountains."
She stood up, her footsteps soundless.
"We were guarding what was sealed there."
Romeo asked,
"What?"
"The Demon Divine."
Her voice was low, but firm.
"One of the Six Divine Eyes. A being that, if freed, could bring an army of demons into the world."
Her gaze pierced straight into Romeo's eyes.
"The Divine Dragon, the Three-Headed Dragons, and the Blood Divine… were its guardians."
A brief pause.
"And now… thanks to King Aldaric, the seal is breaking."
Romeo clenched his fist.
"My power?"
Lunaria replied softly,
"Almost zero. It was absorbed."
Silence.
"If you wish to become strong again…"
She turned her back to him.
"You must live as an adventurer in my land."
Romeo said coldly,
"So this is the only way."
"Yes."
A short pause.
"And perhaps… Zerothrax may help you."
The name felt heavy.
Romeo thought to himself:
The Divine Dragon… at least twenty-five percent freedom of power.
He said aloud,
"Fine."
Lunaria glanced at him.
Her smile was faint and unreadable.
Romeo turned away.
"I want to see the city."
And he left without saying goodbye.
At the same time, in the Sun Kingdom.
The coronation hall was filled with people.
The First Advisor announced loudly,
"Before all the people of the Sun Kingdom—
Prince Lucen is declared the successor of the great King Aldaric!"
Cheers erupted.
"Long live King Lucen!"
Lucen stepped forward. His face was calm, but his eyes were heavy.
The crown was placed upon his head.
After the ceremony—
Lucen said,
"Wind Knight, transfer the Ogre forces to the Elven Kingdom. According to my father's pact, we will protect their borders."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Send a declaration of peace to the Ogre Queen.
And a formal alliance proposal to Queen Lunaria."
A pause.
"I also intend to form a pact with the Giant King."
The First Advisor nodded.
"And the Northern Mountains?"
Lucen narrowed his eyes.
"Send a one-hundred-man unit to patrol the area."
The Northern Mountains — After the War
The Wind Knight entered the ruined mountains with one hundred soldiers.
The land was cracked.
The air was heavy.
The silence was unbearable.
The Wind Knight spoke quietly: "After the war… this place is completely destroyed.
The atmosphere here… it's terrifying."
Suddenly—
A sound.
Not an explosion.
Not a scream.
Just
bursting.
In a single instant, the heads of every soldier exploded.
Blood rained down onto the stone.
Bodies remained standing—
Headless.
The ground turned crimson.
Only one remained alive.
The Wind Knight.
His breath caught in his throat.
"…!"
A voice echoed from within the mist: "So… it's you again."
The Wind Knight clenched his teeth. "Blood Divine…"
But the mist parted.
And what emerged—
Was not a god.
A massive shadow, its body twisted and broken, eyes burning like the gates of hell.
The ground melted beneath its steps.
The sky darkened further.
The voice was deep. Mocking. "No."
"I am the Demon Divine."
The earth trembled.
"The Demon King."
Its gaze locked onto the Wind Knight.
"From this moment on…
This frozen mountain range is mine."
It smiled.
Not human.
Not divine.
"Deliver this message to King Lucen."
It stepped forward.
The pressure crushed the air.
"The Demon has awakened."
"Go hide in your little mouse hole."
A pause.
"Hide…"
A horrifying laugh echoed through the mountains. "Ha… ha… ha… ha…"
The Wind Knight roared: "How dare youuu—!"
Suddenly—
Gone.
Pain beyond comprehension.
He looked down.
His arm was missing.
Blood erupted like a fountain.
"AAAAAAA—!
My arm…!
My armmmm—!"
The Demon Divine moved closer.
Too close.
It whispered: "Talk less."
Its eyes gleamed.
"Do what I said…
If you value your life."
With his last strength,
The Wind Knight teleported away.
The Sun Palace
The Wind Knight appeared in the center of the hall
And collapsed.
One arm.
His mouth filled with blood.
Lucen rushed forward. "What happened?!
Wind Divine!"
The Wind Knight gasped. "…A… demon…"
Blood spilled from his lips.
"In the Northern Mountains… it has taken control…"
His eyes trembled.
"It's the Demon Divine…
One of the Six Divine Eyes…"
"It says…
The Northern Mountains belong to it. Completely."
Suddenly—
Blood burst from his eyes.
Lucen shouted: "What's happening to you?!"
Light enveloped his hands. "Divine Light—
Holy Healing!"
Nothing happened.
The light shattered.
"Why… isn't it working…?"
The Wind Knight smiled weakly.
His voice broke.
"Unelis…
Please… hold on…"
His vision faded.
"I'm sorry…
Your Majesty…"
"…that I couldn't…
protect… your father—"
His head fell.
Silence.
Lucen whispered: "…Unelissssss…"