Azurewind Roundtable.
The leaders of Azurewind Holy Court gathered here, the meeting hall thick with tension.
The bishop had abandoned his seclusion, appearing alongside the Judgment Knights—a sign grave enough to speak volumes.
The last time this Roundtable saw such a gathering was ten years ago, when the fourth-grade beast tide surged toward Azurewind City.
Lanette recounted his battle with the mysterious Demon tonight. The golden-haired middle-aged bishop listened intently, his expression solemn.
Each word tightened the strings of the leaders’ hearts.
“This… is everything I faced and felt during that interception.”
Lanette fell silent. His words plunged the room into deeper contemplation.
“A presence more terrifying than high-tier Abyssal Demons…”
“Pure darkness—shadow arts that defy all norms…”
“And that chilling pressure capable of freezing abilities?”
The bishop murmured.
“Especially the last.”
That casual sword strike had shattered Lanette’s defenses, sealing his near-seventh-tier power. The seal still lingered; even now, its ancient, soul-shaking weight haunted him like an inescapable shadow.
“If his true strength was merely fifth-tier, not even the authority of the Soul-Imprisoning Clan—the fourth Abyssal Demon bloodline—could cripple a Judgment Knight so severely.”
“And… since Lanette sensed an Ancient Dragon’s gaze within the seal… could his true identity be tied to that forbidden dragon lineage erased by the Supreme Sanctuary?”
“The forbidden dragons?”
A leader paled at the mention.
“Impossible. That bloodline was eradicated. Chronicles record the gods’ descent—their eternal banishment. Not a single creature bearing their blood survived.”
Lanette denied it, yet doubt flickered within.
They’d only read of that lost dragon clan in history books.
But when speaking of starry skies, endless night, and dragons… only that forbidden lineage wielded such unique authority.
“They claimed an accord with the Champion—to seize the powerless Virtuous Maiden?”
“Yes. Though it could be slander against the Champion, sowing discord. Yet… such arrogant Demons would scorn such lies.” An elder spoke after careful thought.
They couldn’t rule out the Champion’s betrayal.
“The abducted Virtuous Maiden is Luyi. No past memories. No aptitude for cultivation. But an innate, profound affinity for elements.”
“Also… someone reported seeing the Champion—supposedly en route to his trial—sneaking into her quarters with ill intent tonight.”
“Strong affinity… yet unable to cultivate…”
The bishop repeated the words, eyes closed, searching for connections.
“A ‘purest vessel’?”
“No. Nothing is as it seems. If we delve deeper…”
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, gleaming sharply. “Could she—”
If so, everything made sense.
That Demon of forbidden dragon blood sought Luyi not for capture—but for sacrifice.
This was far more tangled, far more terrifying than they’d imagined.
“Your Grace?”
Lanette had never seen the bishop lose composure before the assembly.
“Matters have escalated beyond our authority.”
The bishop shook his head. “In days, I journey to the Supreme Sanctuary to report this.”
“…”
The weight on every heart grew heavier.
The image of the Demon girl now haunted them like a chilling specter.
*Had we recognized the Maiden’s uniqueness sooner, we could have offered her to the Supreme Sanctuary.*
Regret flickered in the bishop’s eyes—fleeting, then gone. His stern mask returned as he commanded the knights and leaders: “While I’m absent, maintain maximum alert. Defend this Court at all costs.”
“What of Blackstone City beyond the walls?”
“Ignore them. Act only if they move against Azurewind.”
“This meeting is adjourned.”
…
A Demon beyond the fourth Abyssal sequence.
A suspected forbidden dragon.
The Demon girl’s shadow now draped over every mind like an unseen shroud.
Rain fell over Azurewind City in the deep night.
“Where’s Miss Shiriri? Has anyone seen Miss Shiriri?”
“D-did she get caught in the explosion? Is she missing?”
“Shut your mouth! If she’s hurt, the Sage will flay us alive!”
Amidst the battlefield cleanup, guards finally recalled Shiriri’s accidental entry into the combat zone. Knights began searching.
“Miss Shiriri…?”
They found her in a building’s shadowed corner.
The girl crouched against the wall, head bowed, silent.
Rain tangled her silver hair, streaming down her cheeks—mingling with tears.
“Miss Shiriri, are you hurt?”
*She must be terrified.*
The knight stepped forward to comfort her—then froze.
He dared not move closer.
Shiriri’s hands gripped the crystal dagger’s blade, knuckles bone-white.
Blood dripped from the edge, staining the rainwater beneath her crimson.
From her small frame radiated a sorrow so vast, so crushing, it stole his breath.
“Sister Luyi…”
“I should have come sooner…”
Her whisper slithered through the rain, icy enough to send chills down his spine.
He’d never imagined this shy, timid girl could harbor such terrifying resolve.
“I won’t run from my feelings anymore. I won’t stay powerless…”
“I’ll find you. I’ll catch up to you… wherever they take you…”
“Champion or Demon Race—anyone standing between me and Lady Luyi… I’ll wipe them out. I’ll erase them from this world. Every last one.”
…
This night promised no sleep.
A golden-feathered beast tore through the rain curtain, soaring toward the distant Supreme Sanctuary.
In the downpour, worry, regret, and sighs mingled.
As if the ancient war buried in history books was drawing its curtain open once more.
Meanwhile, the architect of it all—the abducted Virtuous Maiden, Miss Luyi—had already slipped back to Blackstone City with the Demon squad.
Then, via a spatial teleportation array, vanished into Demon territory.
