Rainenhal City. Though night had fallen, towering flames lit half the sky. The western district blazed as bright as day.

Roar!

Monster roars echoed nonstop, mingling with human screams of agony. It was a hellish scene.

Crimson flames swept the ground from the impact. Thick, foul black smoke rose from burning corpses. Deathly fire and darkness seemed ready to swallow everything.

The sight was like a fallen sun.

"Miss!"

Yurei Amamiya burst from the villa gate with Albel. In the garden’s center stood Shenluo World, calmly gazing at the distant inferno.

"It’s finally here," Shenluo World said. She turned to Yurei and Albel, smiling gently—as if she’d expected this all along.

"What should we do? Flee?" Albel asked. He watched the nearing monster army and pointed to the villa’s back door. Time to make a run for it. The city’s human defenders were as fragile as paper.

"I’ll stay. The Shinra family’s dictionary has no word for ‘flee’," Shenluo World replied, shaking her head. She’d already sent the maids and servants away. Unspoken reasons bound her here—and that’s why she’d kept Albel.

"So, Mr. Albel, can you protect me?"

"Albel, you live here. You have a duty to protect the young lady," Yurei snapped. Fearing refusal, she drew her katana and aimed it at him.

"I never said I wouldn’t fight. But without a weapon, I’m at a disadvantage," Albel shrugged.

"What’s your attack power now? What weapon do you specialize in?" Yurei realized he was unarmed. She needed to know his base stats first.

Albel: Attack Power 0, Defense 0, One-Handed Sword Mastery MAX.

He’d only hidden his Demon King title. His stats and skills were fully visible—no way to mask them.

"A-attack and defense zero? Are you kidding me?" Yurei nearly dropped her katana. He had insane skills like auto-dodge and counter-damage, but his base stats were beyond pitiful. Zero defense could be compensated, but zero attack? Was he only good for taking hits?

"My attack skills need a special trigger," Albel said helplessly. What could he do? That’s just how he was set up.

"What trigger?"

"A kiss from a pretty girl."

"Die!" Yurei thought he was joking again. She almost slashed him—but remembered his perfect evasion. Instead, she left with one line and charged alone to the villa gate.

"Albel, protect my young lady! I’ll take the front line!"

Albel pouted. I told you, but you didn’t believe me. Not my fault.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Albel. Yurei has that temper, but she’s kind-hearted. Just a sharp tongue with a soft heart," Shenluo World apologized, smiling.

"Uh, it’s fine. I’m used to it," Albel waved it off.

"Then, Mr. Albel, you must protect me well," Shenluo World whispered, finger to her lips in a "shh" gesture. "If you need a kiss, I can offer it for free."

Meanwhile, on Rainenhal’s other side.

"Your Holiness, I see the flames! The demon tide’s that way!"

"The city defenses are breached," a priest observed.

The Light Sanctuary’s knight corps had reached the city’s east. Priests beside Alicia spotted the fiery skyline instantly.

"Urgent. No time to hesitate."

"Exactly, Your Holiness! Lead us to charge!"

"May Goddess Freyja’s glory be with us!"

Alicia’s face darkened. She hadn’t spoken, yet they were already hyped—ignoring her completely.

I’m not dying with these idiots. Last time she met a freak like Albel, the entire Light Sanctuary expedition was wiped out. This demon tide might bring worse. But avoiding Albel-types should be fine. With all these reckless Holy Knights behind her, she could just buff them from the rear and sing hymns.

"Your Holiness, let’s go! I can’t wait to slaughter demon scum!"

"Yeah! My blade’s thirsty!" Holy Knights behind Alicia were itching to fight.

Are you so eager to die? Wait a bit—an overpowered expert might show up. Alicia rolled her eyes. She hated charging, but as Holy Maiden, she had to act.

Suddenly, she didn’t want this title anymore.

Alicia drew her Holy Sword, Excalibur17, raising it high. The golden blade pierced the night like a beacon.

"In Freyja’s name, destroy all who stand in our way!" She spurred her warhorse, leading Holy Knights shouting, "Long live Freyja! Long live the Holy Maiden!"

Alicia cast a holy light buff with her sword, halving dark damage for her knights. The eager Holy Knights charged the demon flank.

"Charge!"

"Kill!"

Light Sanctuary forces clashed with the monster army.

Alicia saw knights busy fighting, not watching her. She tried to slip away—but the High Priest grabbed her shoulder.

"Your Holiness, I’ll protect you!" He raised his staff, chanting a lightning spell. A thunderbolt electrocuted nearby monsters.

Ugh... Alicia’s face twitched. If only she had Instant Teleportation. Her Holy Sword glowed too brightly in the dark.

Monsters were drawn to light. Noticing the golden shine, they gathered—including high-level ones. Holy Knights surrounded Alicia defensively. Their flank attack eased pressure on Rainenhal’s main forces.

"The monster assault is weakening," Albel said back at the villa courtyard. He kicked aside a dead monster’s corpse, watching it turn to ash in the wind.

"Indeed. The gate defenders held," Yurei nodded. No more monsters attacked their area.

"They should appear soon," Shenluo World murmured.

Just as Albel thought the danger passed, her strange words gave him pause.

"They?"

Before Albel could ask, a flute echoed from afar.

"What sound?" Yurei looked toward it, wary.

"I’ll check. I’m not much help here anyway," Albel said. He ran toward the sound—Yurei had handled all the monsters; he’d just watched.

"The monsters are retreating!"

"Yes! Human victory!" Holy Knights cheered, raising weapons. Then, the flute sounded again.

"Someone’s playing a flute?" Alicia sighed in relief—then her heart clenched.

Rumble!

The ground shook violently. Cracks split open; earth collapsed.

"Earthquake?"

"No! Something’s surfacing underground!"

"Quick! Back to the city!" The High Priest spurred his horse toward Rainenhal.

"Run!"

Seeing him flee first, Light Sanctuary members abandoned formation. Late runners fell into the pits.

Alicia urged her horse toward the city. Her Fire Drake chirped anxiously. She’d survived the demons—she wouldn’t die falling now.

Chaos erupted. People crowded; horses collided. Priests, clerics, and Holy Knights tumbled into giant holes.

The High Priest reached Rainenhal’s wall breach first. Scattered, disheveled Light Sanctuary members trailed behind.

"What happened over there?" Albel asked at the breach, seeing a ragged Holy Knight.

"Damn it! The ground split a huge pit. I almost fell in," the knight panted. He tore off his helmet, wiping sweat with lingering fear.

Alicia arrived outside the wall. As she dismounted, she spotted a black-haired youth talking to a knight.

That’s Albel. She reined in sharply. Don’t let him see me—or I’ll be dragged back as a sex slave.

Don’t see me, don’t see me... She pulled on her helmet, turned her horse, and crept past Albel, muttering.

"Hey, wait. Haven’t we met before?" Albel called after her.