Moreover, she had this nagging feeling that the woman’s prolonged absence meant she was brewing some terrifying ultimate move.

A shiver ran down Ledyah’s spine. She couldn’t deny that part of her worry stemmed from exactly that.

“Astolfo, where has that woman gone?”

This was absolutely *not* concern. Absolutely not.

Ledyah cleared her throat lightly, masking her inner fluster. She kept her voice steady as she asked the maid beside her.

“She wasn’t around all afternoon. Didn’t even show up for dinner. Could she be... preparing something underhanded?”

Ledyah had almost blurted out, *“Has she already run away?”* but swallowed the words just in time.

For some reason, she firmly believed Noah would never simply flee the Demon King’s Castle—even if she had the power to do so.

“As for the Holy Maiden... after making a sandwich with black pepper and grilled chicken, she took it up to the observatory. Said the night was lovely and she wanted to stargaze through the telescope.”

Astolfo glanced up. Indeed, the night was clear and cloudless. A brilliant waxing moon draped the landscape in a silvery sheen.

Nightlight grass in the garden swayed gently under the moonlight, its soft glow soothing weary hearts.

Such weather truly was perfect for admiring the moon from the observatory.

“Alone? Tch. She could’ve just invited me along.”

Ledyah pouted slightly, a flicker of displeasure crossing her face.

“Astolfo, have the kitchen prepare an extra portion of those pastries. This king will take them to the observatory.”

This was definitely *not* loneliness. Definitely not.

She simply recalled avoiding Noah all afternoon. Guilt pricked at her—she worried Noah might feel lonely. That’s why she’d go up.

*Yes. That’s it. Exactly.*

She was only worried *for her*. She absolutely wasn’t lonely herself!

Ledyah’s lips curled. As a Lich, her species possessed exceptional regenerative abilities, especially potent at night.

After a full day’s recovery, back at her peak, Ledyah felt confident again. She itched to challenge Noah’s authority once more.

Still, caution urged preparation. After two days, even she felt a trace of unease remembering Noah’s gentle yet bottomless allure.

Her fingers closed around the test tube hidden in her sleeve. Imagining Noah leaning against her shoulder like a docile bird under the moonlight, Ledyah’s smile deepened.

...

“There. Perfect.”

Noah disassembled the massive telescope at the observatory’s center into over a dozen parts, stacking them aside to clear a large space.

With chalk, she drew a grand circular magic circle on the floor. At key nodes, she placed scented candles blended with moonbloom, deepsleep blossoms, and other arcane materials imbued with lunar essence.

She snapped her fingers. Holy flames of healing ignited atop the candles—fleeting golden sparks that gave way to steadily burning pale violet flames.

A mysterious, distant fragrance instantly filled the circle, like a dream’s call from a faraway homeland.

Noah inhaled deeply. Every trace of restlessness and confusion vanished. Her usually hazy, bewitching eyes turned crystal clear.

Above, a near-full waxing moon hung in the sky. Though not the ideal time for the ritual, Noah’s intuition overruled caution.

Standing at the circle’s heart, she spread her arms wide, bathing in the pure moonlight, and began the incantation:

“Form of sky, form of night, form of stars, form of moon.”

The violet flames flared brightly. The candles blazed like stars returning to their rightful places.

“Stars and moon unite as one; heaven and earth merge as one hue.”

“Light returns to us; glory returns to the valiant souls.”

Noah uncorked a vial and poured potent ancient dragon blood onto the circle. The golden liquid flowed like molten gold along the chalk lines, transforming them into a radiant golden magic circle.

Pure white moonlight connected with the golden circle. Primordial energy, guided by the candles’ fragrance, surged toward Noah at its center.

She shed her formal attire, leaving only the light Goddess Robe. Silver moonlight illuminated her delicate face and fair mounds.

Tilting her head up slightly, she smiled with quiet confidence—like the moon adored by all stars.

Her goddess-like purity fused seamlessly with the moon’s immaculate glow.

“I heed the ancient call. I awaken the noble, ancient blood within. I merge with the brave, unyielding soul.”

The White Dragon Blood Ring on her left hand blazed fiercely, its golden flames domineering and fierce, as if burning away all impurities.

The Embrace of Rosemary on her right hand glowed with a cool, gentle azure light. Like during the moon-essence fusion, it shielded Noah’s mind, its mint-like chill keeping her lucid.

“I anchor the wedge of reality. I affirm my present existence. I become the cornerstone of this world.”

“I shall pass the Trial of Fusion. I shall transcend both worlds. I shall bind myself to this reality.”

“In the name of the Healing Saintess, the Moon’s White Dragon.”

Blood-red light from the White Dragon Blood Ring and pale blue light from the Embrace of Rosemary twined together. The pure white moon descended slowly. Its radiant light swallowed Noah and the circle whole.

For that instant, heaven and earth truly seemed to merge.

...

“...Huh?”

A surge of power from the Demon King’s Castle jolted the Tower Knight awake. She stared toward the observatory, blinking in confusion.

“The moon tonight... it’s so huge...”

“And why is it full?”

She felt the world’s mana turn vibrant and pure. The perfect full moon had stirred the very laws of mystery.

Even at the Demon Race’s distant borders, demons felt their mana dancing with excitement.

Moonlight purified mana’s impurities. For a fleeting moment, every being felt their life essence elevate.

Magicians and mystic scholars alike would remember this night—the peak of their mortal existence.

Curious, the Tower Knight raised her sniper rifle. Peering through the scope, she saw only blinding white light obscuring the observatory.

She lowered the rifle, enhancing her vision with magic, straining to pierce the holy radiance.

The white glow gradually dimmed. Where the circle had been, a one-meter-tall dragon egg—or perhaps a cocoon binding some great being—now stood silently at the observatory’s heart.