The female demon struggled to open her stinging eyes, blinking away temporary blindness as she scanned her surroundings.

The man and the blue-haired girl had vanished completely from the ravaged landscape.

Flecks of light drifted in the air, settling softly onto the ground with faint sparks.

All that remained were the evaporated spring crater and scorched earth wreathed in wisps of smoke.

She strode forward, her slender legs carrying her gracefully. Raising one porcelain-smooth foot, she brought the heel of her shoe down hard, crushing stones beneath it.

"They actually escaped..."

Her crimson eyes locked onto a swirling vortex dancing across the ground. Her voice, cold as winter wind, drifted through the air.

Memories of her battle with that man flashed in her mind. Unconsciously, her fists clenched.

Though it was their first clash, he had anticipated every single move she would make.

In centuries of existence, she had never encountered a human with such prowess.

"An archer with terrifying long-range suppression... who also masters close-quarters swordsmanship to perfection..."

"How could such a monster possibly be born from the weak human race?"

Her clenched fists slowly relaxed. A low, rumbling chuckle escaped from behind her mask.

Her delicate shoulders trembled slightly. She didn't know why, but a wave of pure exhilaration washed over her.

She couldn't recall the last time she'd felt such pleasure—decades ago? Centuries?

"That move just now... it was called 'Swallow's Return,' wasn't it..."

She recalled the three sword strikes Mu Yi had unleashed in his warrior stance.

Three simultaneous slashes from impossible angles left her no time to evade. The deep violet blade light flashed—so sharp it seemed to slice the very air.

Only a grandmaster who had honed swordsmanship to its absolute peak could wield such a technique. In that instant, she had truly tasted the chill of death.

"...A rather lovely name."

The demon folded her massive black wings behind her, speaking softly.

*Crack.*

The grotesque mask covering her face split cleanly down the middle. The silver-polished fracture line gleamed like polished jade.

Silky black hair cascaded down her back. Beneath the shattered mask lay a face carved with exquisite perfection.

Skin like luminous frost-kissed porcelain held a delicate chill. Her serpentine crimson pupils burned with inner fire, while her slender lips curled into a cold smirk.

"By the name of the Lord of Black Heaven—Nidhogg Lolis—I swear this oath: I *will* find you, human. And you *will* die by my hand."

Her slender fingers traced her cheekbone as she fixed Mu Yi's face in her memory, sealing the demon's vow.

No matter where he hid, through mountains of blades and seas of fire—she *would* find him. She never broke her word...

...

...

..

***

***

***

**Holy Light Church**

*Crash.*

The porcelain cup slipped from the silver-haired girl's grasp, shattering on the floor.

Her eyes stared blankly ahead, a sudden chill gripping her heart.

It felt like a premonition of disaster—her heart clenched as if squeezed by an invisible fist.

"Holy Maiden! Let us clean this up! Please don't move—you might cut yourself!"

The nearby acolytes paled, rushing forward to sweep the shards.

*This cup shattered like glass! Who gave the Holy Maiden such fragile ware? What if she'd been hurt? Get an unbreakable cup—NOW!*

"Holy Maiden, are you unwell? You look... troubled."

An elderly man with white hair approached, his eyes filled with concern.

He'd sensed the sudden turbulence in her holy power. The Holy Maiden never made such careless mistakes unless something disturbed her deeply.

"Huh? Oh! Nothing's wrong, really! I just... spaced out for a second."

She tilted her head, sticking out her tongue playfully. Her porcelain-doll face lit up with mischievous charm.

Dusting off her spotless robes, she hopped up from her seat and skipped forward a few steps.

"Grandpa Leon, I'm going to check the sanctuary balcony. No need to follow!"

She made a silly face at the old man before darting out of the hall toward the balcony, leaving behind starry-eyed acolytes and a chuckling elder.

"Hah! Told you she'd get tired of you hovering, Leon. When will you listen?"

Another elder jabbed Leon's ribs with a smirk. *Serves you right for always lecturing me.*

"Shove off, you damn bootlicker. At least I don't grovel."

Leon huffed, puffing his white mustache.

Watching the girl's retreating figure, he smiled warmly. *This* was their Holy Maiden of the Holy Light Church.

Pure. Radiant. As holy and innocent as an angel descended from the heavens...

***

***

***

The girl sprinted to the grand balcony, her expression twisting into a snarl as she glared at the curse mark on her hand.

She yanked the heavy curtain shut behind her, then hastily channeled magic into the glowing sigil.

That unsettling feeling hadn't been an illusion. For one terrifying moment, her connection to the Great Hero had snapped.

Her magic probed the curse mark—and found the bond fraying.

Just hours ago, she'd felt his presence clearly. Now it flickered weakly, sometimes vanishing entirely.

"What is happening?! WHERE IS MY BELOVED GREAT HERO?!"

Rage exploded in her chest. She slammed her fist into the stone wall beside her, crimson pupils burning with fury.

Why was their bond weakening?!

"No... I can't wait any longer. I must find my Great Hero myself... Or those wretched fox spirits will steal him away..."

The saintly purity vanished from her face, replaced by a terrifying, obsessive madness.

"*Restoration.*"

She stared coldly toward the distant town, flicking her wrist. Magic mended the cracked wall where her fist had struck.

The Great Hero belonged to her—and her alone.