Deep within the Forbidden Forest, atop an ancient ruin’s altar.

Albel stood frozen, staring at the Aberrant Core in his palm.

The Aberrants had been eradicated a decade ago. That meant the first Holy Maiden of humanity hadn’t sealed them away—she’d slaughtered them outright.

Then why had an Aberrant-corrupted Treant attacked the elven village? And why now, precisely when he’d set foot on this island after ten years?

*"The human Holy Maiden foresaw someone who could save the elven village arriving here ten years ago."*

The Elder’s words echoed in Albel’s mind. Alusa had mentioned the island was shielded by the Elder’s barrier—ordinary humans couldn’t enter.

Yet he and Alicia had been teleported here by the human High Priest.

Wait. The Light Sanctuary’s sudden declaration of war against him was suspicious too. His power surpassed all Twelve Demon Kings combined. Even if humans had forgotten the terror of a decade past, they wouldn’t recklessly attack.

Unless…

Albel’s head snapped up. Humanity had *deliberately* attacked his territory. The High Priest’s teleportation was premeditated. And the first Holy Maiden’s prophecy from ten years ago…

She’d orchestrated his arrival on this island a decade in advance. That’s why humanity attacked him now—and why they sent him here. The Treant assault was bait to lure him to this altar.

In short: the human Holy Maiden had engineered everything to bring *him*, ten years later, to this exact spot.

But why? She’d killed the Aberrants yet left their Core here. Was she waiting for *him* to claim it?

Albel almost saw the faint smile on the Holy Maiden’s lips as she was sealed away after that battle a decade ago.

“Al? What’s wrong? Where’s the Aberrant?”

Alicia tugged his sleeve, cradling the Fire Drake. She frowned at him, puzzled. He was just staring at a rock.

“The Aberrant is gone.”

Albel snapped back to reality. He pocketed the Aberrant Core and turned to Alicia.

“So… we don’t have to fight a twenty-star beast?”

Relief flooded Alicia’s face. She hoisted the Fire Drake overhead and spun in a joyful circle.

“Mm. Let’s return. But keep this secret from Alusa and the others.”

Albel narrowed his eyes slightly. This felt too neat. He had to warn this blabbermouth Saint not to spill anything.

“Why?”

Alicia tilted her head, predictably questioning.

“No reason. If you blab, I’ll twist your head off.”

Albel shot her a glare. *Why does this idiot Saint always have ten thousand questions?*

“Ugh… fine, I won’t talk! You just love scaring me.”

Alicia pouted, muttering under her breath.

“With the Aberrant dealt with, we should focus on getting home.”

Albel pushed the puzzle aside. One less fight was a blessing. He needed to return to Verdandi.

“Yay! Home! Ho—”

Alicia’s cheer died instantly. She lowered her raised hand, voice deflating.

“…Can you not treat me as your sex slave?”

She tugged his sleeve again, voice barely a whisper.

“Of course not.”

Albel ruffled her hair with a smile. *I just plan to take you home as my wife.*

***BOOM…***

As they turned toward the elven village, a deafening roar shook the ground behind them.

“An earthquake?”

Albel spun around—and froze. The altar had split cleanly in two, revealing stone steps descending into darkness.

“So this place was hidden all along…”

Albel inhaled sharply. The Holy Maiden hadn’t just wanted him to claim the Core.

“Al…”

Alicia grabbed his sleeve, trembling. Her eyes pleaded with him not to go down.

“If you’re scared, wait here.”

Albel stepped toward the stairs. The truth behind the Holy Maiden’s scheme had to be down there.

“Then hurry back, okay?”

Alicia’s shoulders slumped with relief. She waved, clutching the Fire Drake.

“Mm.”

Albel gave a distracted nod and descended. He needed answers.

The stairway was short, its walls lined with a cold, smooth metal he recognized. Glowing gem-like lights dotted the passage at intervals.

At the bottom stood a circular metal platform, bathed in eerie blue torchlight.

***CLICK!***

The moment Albel entered, the chamber blazed with light. A beam shot from the platform’s center, coalescing into a human figure.

Silver hair. Tall frame. Breathtaking beauty.

Albel flinched backward. He knew her—the first human Holy Maiden, sealed a decade ago. But her clothes were bizarre, like something from another world.

He reached out. His hand passed straight through her. Just a hologram.

“When you see this, I’ll already be asleep.”

The Holy Maiden’s voice made Albel jerk his hand back.

“But it’s fine. All part of the plan. I’ll wake again.”

Her holographic eyes locked onto his.

“You may have forgotten me. But I remember you. I’ll fulfill our dream alone… then take you home. To where only we belong.”

Her expression twisted, feverish.

“I’ll love you forever, Xiu.”

The image dissolved. Darkness swallowed the chamber.

“What… was that?”

Albel stared, stunned. Was that message meant for *him*? Was this why the Holy Maiden brought him here?

*Xiu?* His past life’s name?

He tried reactivating the hologram. Nothing. The chamber felt dead.

“What nonsense is this…”

Albel pressed a hand to his throbbing temple, leaning against the wall. Fragments of memory threatened to surface.

“Al! AL!”

Alicia’s panicked cries echoed down the passage. Albel sprinted toward the sound.

“What’s wrong?”

He caught Alicia as she crashed into his arms. *Could she really be this scared alone?*

“O-outside! A dragon! A sixteen-star dragon!”

Alicia pointed a shaking finger toward the exit, trembling violently.

“A dragon?”

Albel blinked. Why would a dragon appear now? He hurried upstairs, Alicia clinging to his heels.

“Holy shit.”

Albel stopped dead. Alicia hadn’t lied. A colossal black dragon sprawled across the altar grounds, its wings blotting out the sky. Sixteen stars glowed above its head.

***Bahamut.***

***ROAR!***

Bahamut blasted fire at Albel—but his unique ability reflected it back, scorching the dragon’s snout.

“Alicia. Ready.”

Albel pulled her close. An attacker meant an enemy. Time to kiss and summon Demon Sword Laevatein.

***SKREEE!***

The Fire Drake in Alicia’s arms suddenly shrieked. It zipped into the air, circling her head aggressively.

“Little Grey! Come back!”

Alicia jumped, straining to grab the tiny dragon. Her fingers brushed its tail—just out of reach.

Albel watched the Fire Drake challenge the sixteen-star beast. *Bold little pest. Just like its idiot owner.*

***GRRRROOOOAAAR!***

Bahamut’s roar shook the earth. The Fire Drake squeaked, instantly retreating into Alicia’s arms to shiver.

*Tch. Still relying on me.*

Albel rolled his eyes. *All bark, no bite. Just like this Saint.* He yanked Alicia forward and kissed her.

He smacked his lips. *Kissing her so often… it’s lost its spark.*

“In the name of a beautiful maiden’s kiss—I summon the Demon Sword: Laevatein!”

Albel raised his hand. A blood-red blade materialized in his grip.

*Missed the Aberrant. A dragon will do. Maybe it’ll drop something valuable.*

“Demon King Albel.”

Bahamut’s voice boomed as Albel lifted Laevatein, readying Ragnarok.

“I have waited here ten years. At last… you’ve come.”