The golden chains burned brighter.
Noctyrix screamed.
Her essence—dense, writhing shadow—was dragged out of Latriys' body inch by inch. The demon resisted violently, claws of darkness digging into the vessel it had claimed.
But the covenant was absolute.
The Draak Eyes glowed like twin suns.
With one final violent tug—
The chains ripped the Noctyrix free.
A storm of black mist erupted outward, carrying with it the stolen aura of Talagra's massacre. The demonic energy dispersed into the sky, stripped of cohesion.
What remained of the Seven-Star's essence was compressed—
And forced back into Latriys under a renewed seal.
The chains tightened once.
Then faded.
Latriys' body went limp in Asuma's arms.
The monstrous horns were gone.
The red multiplicity of eyes vanished.
She looked normal again.
Sleeping.
Asuma exhaled shakily. The Blood Primordial's power surged reflexively, closing his burns and torn flesh.
"You're safe..." he whispered, blood slipping from the corner of his mouth. "Good..."
Beside him, Urillia released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
It's over.
The city was ruined.
Thousands were dead.
But the calamity had been contained.
She allowed herself a single, fragile thought—
This nightmare is finally—
A blur of gold cut through her vision.
No one sensed her arrival.
No footsteps.
No aura flare.
Only a streak of sunlight.
A blade pierced Asuma clean through the chest.
Steel burst from his back.
Time froze.
Amira's eyes widened in horror.
Leon's breath caught.
Urillia turned sharply.
Standing behind Asuma was a tall woman with long untamed blonde hair and a mantle of white lion fur resting over her armor.
Her golden sword gleamed, embedded in his chest.
Her presence was overwhelming.
Controlled.
Authoritative.
"The Apostle of Blood," she stated coldly.
Captain Serria Fion.
The Lioness of Azel.
The 6th Division Black Knight Captain.
No one had seen her move.
She had crossed the battlefield unseen and struck before any could react.
"Asuma!!" Amira screamed, charging forward in fury.
She didn't make it two steps.
Morgan, Serria's second-in-command, moved like a battering ram. His fist slammed into Amira's abdomen with brutal precision.
The impact knocked the air from her lungs leaving her unconscious in his arm.
Leon drew his bow.
An arrow was halfway to release—
When a knight of the 6th Division struck him from behind. He collapsed before the shot left the string.
Within seconds, Serria's division had formed a tight perimeter around the scene, shields up, blades drawn.
Professional.
Efficient.
Absolute.
Asuma swayed but did not fall.
He tightened his hold on Latriys instead.
His eyes lowered to ensure the blade had not pierced her.
"Ah..." he murmured weakly. "You're safe."
Blood ran freely from his mouth.
"Remove your sword immediately!" Urillia commanded.
Her voice cut through the chaos like a blade.
Serria did not move.
"I will not, Princess," Serria replied calmly. "Any immediate threat to the royal bloodline is dealt with. The man before us carries the aura of the Blood Primordial. He is directly tainted by a Monarch of the Seven. Such individuals are to be executed on sight."
Her golden eyes were unwavering.
"No hesitation."
Her journey, meant to take a day, had been shortened through a strategic mountain pass discovered years prior. She had arrived sooner than expected.
And she had arrived to find a man wielding primordial blood.
To her—
There was no ambiguity.
Only protocol.
Urillia stepped forward despite the circle of knights.
"In the name of the Azel Royal House," she declared, her voice cold as winter steel, "and by the authority of the Great Phoenix, I command you—lower your weapon."
The air tightened.
Serria met her gaze.
Seconds stretched.
Then—
A sigh.
The sword slid free from Asuma's chest.
"Being saved by a princess," Serria said flatly, stepping back, "you are fortunate."
She turned.
"Secure the city. Eliminate any remaining demons."
"Yes, Captain!" her knights responded in unison before dispersing with military precision.
Serria remained.
Watching.
Urillia stepped to Asuma's side. She placed her hand against his back, channeling magic into the wound.
The demonic aura around him was fading rapidly now.
The Blood Primordial's presence retreated like a tide.
He collapsed forward, barely conscious.
The battle had drained him beyond limit.
For a moment—
Urillia simply looked at him.
This reckless, defiant, dangerous boy.
He had defied a Seven-Star.
Broken an Alter Reality.
Forced a royal covenant to function properly.
And now lay dying for it.
He was a threat.
Undeniably.
But also—
A weapon.
And perhaps something more valuable than even he understood.
Her expression remained composed.
But in her golden eyes flickered something new.
Not fear.
Not suspicion.
Interest.