Deep within the Demon Race territory, inside the royal palace.

With a ripple of spatial energy, several disheveled figures materialized in a hidden chamber.

"Hah... hah... hah..."

Back on familiar ground, the gaunt man immediately collapsed to his knees, trembling as he gasped for air. His hands frantically patted his vital spots.

"I—I’m alive! All my organs are still here!!!"

"Wahh... We made it! Thank goodness!"

The maid sobbed into her hands, tears mixing with relief.

Their emotions teetered on the edge of collapse.

They’d actually escaped the Judgment Knight’s spear—completely unscathed!

Even high-ranking nobles would’ve been obliterated instantly before him.

As for the demon girl—

She stood frozen. Unmoving. Unresponsive. Her expression remained blank, as if utterly broken.

She couldn’t even recall how she’d returned. She’d simply obeyed Luyi’s orders, ending up here.

*Are we really alive?*

She couldn’t forget Lanette’s crushing seventh-rank pressure bearing down on her at the last moment.

Nor the Dark Whale leaping from the city walls—the casual slash that scarred the Judgment Knight’s face and made him hesitate to pursue.

"So... so terrifying..."

As her mind slowly returned, her face paled. Her frail frame trembled violently.

But when her right hand brushed something soft and smooth, her shattered heart seemed to mend slightly.

Perhaps in this cold world, only this warmth could...

"Enjoying the view?"

"Eh?!"

The voice behind her shattered her fragile calm.

She suddenly remembered—she’d been squeezing Luyi’s thigh!

"S-sorry, Lady Luyi!"

She carefully set Luyi down and bowed deeply, her body nearly folding at ninety degrees. "A thousand apologies!"

"I’ll let it slide this time."

Luyi’s lips twitched slightly as she turned away from the Abyssal Demons.

Her thigh throbbed.

Not just now—even during her fight with Lanette, the demon girl had clamped down in panic, refusing to let go.

To keep from being thrown off mid-battle, Luyi had endured it silently.

"Still... reaching this place means my plan worked."

She sighed.

Now the Demon Race would take the blame for killing the Champion and abducting the Virtuous Maiden.

And far from the Sacred Court’s reach, her powers as the Demon Sovereign and Constellation Dragon would stay hidden from the bishops.

But...

"I feel awful about Shiriri."

She shook her head, a troubled look crossing her face.

Shiriri—the shy, insecure girl who always leaned on her.

The only thing Luyi had taken was the birthday gift Shiriri sewed for her a year ago.

"Better a short pain than a long one."

Disappearing now was kinder than letting Shiriri watch her execution when her secrets inevitably surfaced.

Besides... Shiriri would grow up someday.

Separation was inevitable. Luyi had merely brought it forward.

"Still... there’s always a silver lining, right?"

She tried to console herself.

Maybe Shiriri would mope for a few days, then slowly heal.

Years later, grown into a stunning woman with a slender waist and long legs—stronger even than her grandfather—she’d smile wryly remembering the night her golden-haired best friend was taken by demons. The pain would’ve faded with time. She’d have made peace with it.

"...Still."

Worry lingered.

"We’ll meet again," she whispered to herself.

"Now then—"

She turned to the recovering Abyssal Demons.

"Tell me about this territory."

***

This land was called the Soulfall Domain.

Its ruler, the Soulfall King, bore the name Higret Dieselson.

And the girl’s true identity? Princess Alices, seventh daughter of the Soulfall Domain.

"Wait—you’re a princess?"

Luyi blinked when the demon girl reintroduced herself.

She’d vaguely heard the team call her "Your Highness" earlier.

"Huh?"

Alices flushed crimson after a moment’s confusion, her gaze darting away. "W-what’s wrong...? Can’t I be a princess of the Soulfall Domain?"

"Well... it’s not that you *can’t*..."

*But you have zero princess aura.*

Alices was undeniably beautiful—dark crimson hair with natural waves, pale gold eyes glowing faintly in the dim room, a delicate nose, and small crimson lips. Even pouting in displeasure, she looked adorable.

Yet Luyi sensed no regal presence.

Only... ordinariness.

Mediocre talent. No commanding aura. A quiet lack of confidence.

At first glance, Luyi had pegged her as disposable cannon fodder—a character meant to die dramatically when the team faced annihilation.

"Haaah..."

Alices simply sighed.

She was used to this.

Only her tiny personal guard truly treated her as royalty.

Her father was disappointed. Her brothers looked down on her. And now Lady Luyi too?

After all, that’s who she was.

Always falling behind. Always letting others down.

"Still... your performance at the Azurewind Holy Court was impressive."

"!"

Luyi’s praise made Alices snap her head up.

*Lady Luyi... praised me?!*

*Is this... approval?*

"L-Lady Luyi..."

Luyi saw light ignite in Alices’ eyes.

Like a neglected puppy finally receiving a treat. Like a drought-stricken wildflower catching sudden rain.

Utterly pitiable.

Yes, Alices was weak.

But she was also pure.

To Luyi, she stood apart from the other Abyssal Demons—from this entire tainted realm.

Alices remained a delicate glass flower.

While this Abyssal Demon world...

"I *can* sense energy here similar to my own power."

"But this place is filthy. So foul it makes my stomach churn."

"Even the Abyssal Demons’ strength is built on this filth."

Frankly, in Luyi’s eyes, they didn’t deserve the name "Demon Race" at all.