Endless darkness surged from the pitch-black rift into the outside world.
Chilling crimson murderous intent mingled with terrifying heat.
The earth around the rift’s edge had turned to scorched blackness—no ordinary life could approach.
Alices stood beyond the charred zone, staring blankly at the scene before her.
She had witnessed the darkness erupt skyward, the bloom and wither of that blood-red burst.
Even though the cataclysm had erupted nearly a hundred meters underground, the suffocating pressure it unleashed felt no less intense.
Raindrops fell but vaporized before touching the ground, swallowed by the searing heat radiating from the darkness.
Mist swirled thickly over the area.
Then, as a faint silhouette of a young girl slowly emerged from the blackness, understanding dawned on her.
This scene, too, was Luyi’s doing.
“Let’s go.”
The golden-haired girl approached her, speaking calmly—as if she’d merely completed some mundane task.
“......”
After a brief silence, Alices nodded and followed Luyi away.
Neither spoke as their figures vanished into the desolate landscape.
......
Far off, Salros gazed at the darkness and crimson glow, frozen in place.
This was only the second time since enrolling at Stellar Abyss Academy that he’d felt such shock—after witnessing Luyi’s talent.
Even someone as powerful as him dared not approach the rift’s lingering aura.
Only when most of the darkness had dissipated could he finally step into the dangerous fissure.
......
Urgent footsteps splashed through muddy paths.
The Second Prince abandoned his pursuit of Wilk, now racing in the opposite direction.
He needed no confirmation from Salros. That pitch-black force—tearing at the fabric of the world—said everything.
Earlier, he’d dismissed Luyi as just another toy Alices brought home: cute, amusing.
But now—
“Must not touch her...”
“That girl Alices brought back... absolutely untouchable!”
He muttered to himself, cold sweat beading on his temples.
......
By now, Luyi had returned Alices to their quarters.
After washing up and changing clothes, Alices sat curled on the edge of the sofa like a frightened rabbit.
Today’s events had overwhelmed her.
Betrayed by blood for the first time—nearly killed by her own kin.
Witnessing Luyi risk everything to wear the Abyssal Shackles for her sake.
And for the first time... glimpsing a fragment of the Demon Sovereign’s true power.
Wilk was dead.
Him and his lackeys—utterly annihilated.
He’d been nothing but a failed prince who’d stolen a sliver of demonic power. Even imperial heirs would’ve perished facing that star woven from darkness and blood.
Thunder rumbled outside. Rain hammered the window.
Alices’ small frame trembled, looking even more fragile in the storm’s glow.
*Is she afraid of me?* Luyi wondered.
After all, Alices had seen annihilation descend.
And she’d watched Luyi kill her brother.
“......”
Luyi suddenly wanted to comfort the trembling girl.
“Luyi-sama...”
But Alices spoke first, her voice small and trembling with gratitude.
“Thank you.”
The one who’d imprisoned her—who’d truly tried to kill her—was her half-brother.
The one who’d pulled her from that shadowed world, who’d come when she needed saving most... was Luyi.
She knew who truly cared.
“Fourth Brother was right. I shouldn’t have been so naive... so foolish. I dragged you into an irreversible place...”
“I understand now. I won’t cling to unrealistic fantasies anymore.”
*Huh?*
*But I haven’t said anything yet!*
“This won’t happen again. Never.”
Her voice was weak but unshakable. Luyi turned to face her.
“I won’t show mercy to enemies anymore...”
“And from now on... I stand with you, Luyi-sama. Always.”
These words cost Alices every ounce of courage she had left.
They were her true heart’s vow.
A promise made to Luyi in the storm-lashed night.
Her first true change of heart.
......
The rain poured on.
Even deep into the night.
Most of the darkness had faded when the Eighth Prince finally dared step onto the scorched earth, inching toward the rift’s edge.
“Such terrifying aura...”
“Such crushing pressure...”
He murmured.
Though royal Abyssal Demon Realm blood flowed in his veins, the lingering darkness made his face pale. His Source of Magic trembled, nearly spiraling out of control.
At the pit’s bottom, he found nothing but a final wisp of blood-tinged flame burning like living fire.
He reached out to touch it, to feel its power.
“Ugh—!”
The instant his fingers brushed the flame, his mind felt torn apart. Agony seared his hand—but his soul froze with unnatural cold.
His knees buckled. Only by stumbling back several steps did he regain control.
He lifted his hand: a burn mark remained. The fading flame hadn’t truly harmed him.
“But the level of this flame’s power...”
He stared, stunned.
In strength, this last ember was feeble.
But in essence—it reminded him of his father, the Dark Emperor.
Its dignity matched imperial might!
“Could something left by the Star Devouring Demon Emperor still linger beneath the city?”
The Eighth Prince retreated further, scanning the area. “Or... did another of my kin act before I arrived?”
“Was a great power involved?”
But who in the Abyssal Demon Realm—besides the few ancient beings—could rival an emperor’s level?
And which of them would hide quietly within Stellar Abyss Academy?
“......”
His thoughts spiraled.
*What if Luyi is a reincarnator?*
The idea struck him suddenly.
Nine stars igniting. Sky-beasts bowing. It matched the tropes of those reincarnation novels he’d secretly read in the capital.
But which mighty being had she been in her past life?
No great power had fallen this century.
Well...
Except for the one who rebelled a hundred years ago. The one his father executed. The name never spoken.
His aunt.
Connecting the dots... it almost fit—
*No!*
He shook his head violently, trying to rattle the thought loose.
*That’s impossible!*
“No, it can’t be... haha...” he forced out. “She’s long dead. Can’t be alive. Can’t be reborn. The royal histories state it clearly!”
“Besides—that traitor had silver hair. She was fierce. And short. Miss Luluie’s taller... and far gentler, far prettier...”
He crushed the theory.
......
“Achoo—!”
At that exact moment, in a cheap inn, Louise sneezed.
“Who’s thinking of me? ...My despicable imperial brother?”
She snorted coldly, eyes fixed on the desolate zone. “Past midnight now. Time to uncover the source of that terrifying power...”
