When the edges of the Kingdom of Saint Veronica unfolded before my eyes, gazing at the endless horizon, I couldn't help but wonder, what can humans do when their strongest weapons have failed?

From billions of people, now there are only around six billion left, half wiped out completely.

Winter is white, representing the fading of life.

I want to leave this city, leave everyone behind, because my mission is far from over!

Standing at the top of a tall building, I look towards my next destination.

"Ah, where should I go next?"

In the prosperous and bustling city, the traffic along the streets is a beautiful sight, but I need to find a place where they don't exist.

The area to the east of the city is no longer under human control, the government claims the land is abandoned.

But is it really abandoned?

We don't know for sure...

That night, a dark figure passed by, and a border guard fell to the ground. Suddenly, the entire team of border soldiers mysteriously vanished.

"I think it's time to liberate my comrades, the holy war is about to begin here!"

I don't have much time left. Edward's plan is still being carried out, and if he resurrects Satan...

I can't help but think of the scenes I saw in my dreams, the sky covered in mirages! Thanks to my sister Youmu, I have returned to the time before Satan's resurrection, so I should be able to...

I raise my hand above my head, gathering the magical energy in the air.

"To personally defeat Edward and stop the destruction!"

But for now, I don't have enough power to defeat him. I can sense that he has awakened the guardian of the Temple, while the power I possess right now is no match for even one guard.

My school life has also come to an end.

(Two years later...)

Beep beep beep...!

Cars are stuck bumper to bumper on the road leading out of the city, and a woman in a purple coat watches it all.

"Hehe, they think they can escape the city and be saved? They're beyond help!"

Two years have passed, and the world has become cold and chaotic. Humanity is in a panic.

Continuing to stoically eat her lollipop, Reimu's face remains expressionless, while Chiyori's patience is wearing thin.

"Boss, that kid has shown great courage, but when will he come back?!"

Chiyori can't help but pat Reimu's head. Reimu, Chiyori, and the leader of the group, Yukari, are all at a loss because they have never been so afraid before. They've never seen such a desperate situation.

The mercenaries of the Shinomiya Group are evacuating people everywhere, and houses are tilting and collapsing little by little.

As I mentioned before, when humanity's most powerful weapons fail, what hope is there left?

And why must humans struggle? Is senseless killing their destiny?

How many secrets are there in this world that we don't know about?

"I've always... always wanted to see you!"

Yukari tightly places her hand on her chest, silently praying.

"Hahaha, finally... finally it's complete. My little Prince of Satan, you are beautiful and worthy of our admiration..."

Edward turns his wheelchair and arrives at the center of the enormous crystal pillar. Here, things that don't exist in this world, or rather, the original substances, appear.

"Leader, hurry back!"

General Ozu tries to pull Edward back onto the stage, but it's already too late.

The crystal pillar collapses, burying over a hundred people, including Edward.

"Ahahaha... Ahh...!"

With a scream, Edward disappeared without a trace.

The battle escalates, smoke fills the city, and there are only six months left until human destruction...!

"King, can we really just let them be?"

"Hahaha, what weak humans! Run faster for our amusement!"

A teenager with bright red hair and fair skin was being dragged on a brown horse, being pursued by two bird-like creatures with black feathers.

"Damn it, what are those freaks? They look so strange!"

The teenager clenched his teeth and whipped the horse's hindquarters with his whip.

"Run faster, go faster!"

As the monsters drew closer, the teenager felt helpless. He could only urge the horse to gallop towards the jurisdiction of the government army for safety.

"Hahaha, it seems that the foolish and ugly human boy thinks he's safe in the big city up ahead. It's laughable!"

"Yes, let him see his so-called sanctuary..."

The teenager's excitement faded as he caught sight of the city. It was no longer a city, but rather a ruin!

"It's a lie, it must be a lie..."

The teenager froze on the horse, and the bird-like creatures took advantage of the moment to catch up. One of them stabbed the horse's hind leg, causing both the teenager and the horse to fall into a pit of sand.

"Spit it out!"

With a mouthful of sand, the teenager couldn't finish speaking before the bird-like creature raised its scythe in the air!

"Alright, game over."

"You... it can't be, why are there Fallen Angels here?!"

He couldn't believe his bad luck. The Fallen Angels were known to be the most powerful army of Lucifer, with supernatural powers that defeated the human special forces on the front lines.

"Well, when I was just a little bird, you humans seemed really impressive."

The ones who had been bullied and abused now had their revenge.

They became more and more furious, with hatred filling their minds.

"It seems you still want to kill this brat. What do you think?"

"I..."

"What are you afraid of? If you're scared, I'll handle it!"

Seeing its companion's fear, the bird-like creature couldn't help but mock a little. Then it swung its scythe towards the teenager's position.

Clang!

The two weapons collided. A man in a black robe with golden patterns engraved on it stood in front of the teenager, using a golden spear to defend against the attack.

"...Your Highness!"

The bird-person who had first noticed the man quickly saluted.

"Didn't I say not to kill humans with soul imprints? Are you just ignoring my words?!"

He seemed very angry, and the punishment this time might be severe.

The man looked at the teenager, supported him, and sighed.

"I'll let it go this time, but there can't be a next time. You'll be confined for thirty days when we return!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The teenager watched everything in a daze, gazing at the man who had pulled him back from the edge of death, and quickly thanked him.

"Thank you... sir, may I ask who you are?"

"What...?! You don't even know the name of the revered Lord Asura, whom all beings worship?"

The bird-person's temper was hot-tempered. It stood up from the ground, but didn't dare to rage like before.

Before the teenager could ask his savior's name, the bird interrupted him.

"Stop!"

The bird spoke too much. The punishment of being confined to the city for a month seemed too lenient.

The man wondered if he had been too lenient with them.

"It seems I'll have to make you participate in some compulsory labor after we return to change your rotten temper."

"Uh... Your Highness, isn't that a bit harsh?"

"Harsh? With birds like you, being a little harsh is the only way to get through to you!"

Watching his companion being punished, the bird-person companion sneered.

The scene left the teenager at a loss. From what he knew, Lord Asura of Lucifer was a merciless demon. The government had accused him of killing many people, leaving only a few survivors in cities which used to be inhabited by millions. Among those innocent victims was the teenager's mother!

The yellow sand brushed against the boy's cheek, and the man gently squatted down to wipe away the dirt and sand from his face. The man had the ability to see into the hearts of people, and he could tell the boy's thoughts at a glance.

"I know you hold grudges against us for causing the death of your parents, but one day you will understand us, because you are different from your parents!"

"I... I don't understand. I know you are a good person, but why do you have to kill indiscriminately..."

He couldn't understand the man's logic, but the moment their eyes met, the man and the boy, the answer was already clear to him.

"It's pointless, I'm not wrong, and neither are you!"

The man turned around and called out to him, "Follow me... You have nowhere else to go, right? Don't worry, Edge City is not just for humans like you. There are many of our companions there."

Faced with the enemy who killed his family, the boy hesitated.

Because there were images in his mind that he couldn't forget - his parents being dismembered by soldiers in armor, and his sister burned alive in the fire.

These memories, like a slide show, kept the chains of hatred firmly locked in his mind.

Without any hesitation, the boy picked up his sword for self-defense, and in the moment when the man was off guard, he thrust the sword into his back. The sharp edge of the blade protruded from his chest.

"Sorry, but this is where it ends... I... I will avenge my parents and my sister!"

The boy roared like a madman, pulled the sword out of the man's body, and then smiled with relief.

But the two fallen angels who watched the scene did not seem to stop everything, they just looked at the boy's foolish actions with a hint of mockery.

"Done stabbing? Then let's go home!"

In the moment of the boy's distraction, he looked at the man's back again. It seemed like he had stabbed him in a dream just now. Not just the wound, even his clothes were intact.

"What's your name?"

The man pretended as if nothing had happened and asked for his name.

"I... My name is Paroni."

His voice clearly lacked confidence, but the man nodded slightly and reached out for a handshake that symbolized friendship.

"Alright, from now on I'll call you Paroni, okay?"