Chatzkel sat slumped against the wall.
Crimson bangs hung low—
his face buried in shadow.
One leg was gone.
Blood streaked the floor where it should have been.
His body was ruined.
Cuts.
Burns.
Cracks layered over each other.
Most of it his own blood.
"…This can't be…"
Chatzkel whispered, his voice trembling.
(How did I lose…?)
he thought.
(I had the universe on my side.)
He shifted.
Pain flared.
Then—
footsteps.
Slow.
Measured.
(I have to move…)
Chatzkel growled internally.
(Why won't my body respond…?)
(Why can't I regenerate?)
The steps stopped.
Right in front of him.
Silence stretched.
"Are you just going to stand there?"
Chatzkel said hoarsely.
"Kill me already."
He laughed weakly.
"You won."
Haruto looked down at him.
Disgust flickered in his eyes—
not anger.
Not hatred.
Just disappointment.
"You talked about killing me,"
Haruto said coldly.
"And now you're groveling at my feet."
Chatzkel let out a soft, shaking laugh.
Then he looked up.
His eyes widened.
Haruto was reaching toward him—
open hand.
Unhurried.
"Isn't this getting out of hand?"
Hrachya asked quietly.
"Don't worry,"
Lilith replied, her tone calm.
"I don't sense killing intent."
Haruto's hand landed on Chatzkel's shoulder.
The contact made Chatzkel flinch.
He stared at it—
confused.
Stunned.
Green light bloomed.
It rose from the stump of Chatzkel's leg—
not regeneration.
Restoration.
Flesh reformed.
Bone followed.
Blood pulled back into place.
Wounds closed across his body.
Breath returned to his lungs.
"There,"
Haruto said simply, pulling his hand away.
"You're fixed."
He straightened.
Then turned.
Walked away.
Chatzkel's eyes widened.
His body moved again.
He shot to his feet.
"Hey!"
Chatzkel shouted, clenching his fist.
"Where are you going? Fight me!"
Haruto stopped.
Turned halfway.
His eyes narrowed—
cold.
Distant.
"Fight you?"
Haruto said flatly.
"I take that as an insult."
He looked Chatzkel up and down.
"An ant challenging a god who can create its entire species."
His voice dropped.
"You're not even worth three percent of my power."
Chatzkel froze.
Shock locked him in place.
"What…?"
he said, breath hitching.
"You said it yourself—if I destroyed your soul, I'd win!"
"Yes,"
Haruto replied calmly.
"That was my weakness."
A pause.
"Thanks to you—
it isn't anymore."
(My concept and my soul must be destroyed simultaneously.)
Haruto thought.
(Destroy one—I persist through the other.)
(There is no longer a singular death.)
"I never expected someone capable of targeting souls,"
Haruto said aloud.
"So again—thank you."
He glanced back.
"Soul-based attacks don't work on me anymore."
The realization hit Chatzkel like a hammer.
Hrachya stiffened.
Felicia's eyes widened.
Shirin went quiet.
Ronóva smiled softly—
tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Lilith's gaze sharpened.
(Incredible…)
she thought.
(He analyzed the core function of Demonic Dark Flames.)
(Then reconstructed immunity from its nature.)
Her lips curved faintly.
(Just a theory…)
(But if I'm right—)
She looked at Haruto.
(He didn't just survive evolution.)
(He forced it.)
Haruto looked away.
Kept walking.
(Too much responsibility.)
Haruto thought.
"Go apologize,"
Haruto said flatly to Chatzkel—
without looking back.
He reached the table.
Sat beside Ronóva.
Ronóva turned her head slightly toward him.
"You're already exhausted,"
Ronóva said softly.
"You look it."
"No,"
Haruto replied.
"I'm just thinking too much."
"So that's it,"
Ronóva said calmly.
"Your mind won't rest."
A presence shifted.
Hrachya looked up.
Chatzkel stood beside her—
arms stiff.
Jaw tight.
"I apologize for my rude behavior,"
Chatzkel said, eyes turned aside.
His tone low.
Forced.
Hrachya smiled gently.
She nodded once.
"I accept your apology,"
Hrachya said.
Felicia turned toward Haruto.
"As Felicia of the Tenebryn species,"
she said formally,
"I give our full support in the upcoming war."
Haruto nodded once.
(I'm tired of choosing the right words.)
he thought.
"The Vampires will also support you,"
Shirin said smoothly.
"Count the elves in,"
Hrachya added.
"My people will stand with you,"
Chatzkel said, taking his seat.
"To save the universe."
"I'm grateful,"
Haruto said quietly.
"For the trust you're placing in me."
They smiled.
All of them—
Except Chatzkel.
Except Ronóva.
Haruto flicked a finger.
White boxes appeared on the table—
neatly placed before Hrachya, Felicia, and Shirin.
The room filled with scent.
Starry cake.
Chocolate.
Sweet and warm.
"What is that smell?"
Hrachya asked.
Haruto lifted a hand casually.
"A souvenir,"
he said.
"Oh,"
Felicia murmured.
Chatzkel frowned.
"What's this?"
he asked.
Haruto leaned back slightly.
Eyes narrowing.
"Wine,"
Haruto said.
"Your kind likes that, right?"
Before Chatzkel—
six bottles.
The liquid inside glowed faintly.
Chatzkel nodded once.
"You're well-informed about my species,"
he said.
(Thanks to Seraphina.)
Haruto thought.
Felicia bowed her head slightly.
"I apologize,"
she said.
"I can't stay any longer."
"I understand,"
Haruto replied.
Soon after—
Hrachya left.
Shirin followed.
Chatzkel departed last.
All to report the Royal Party's decision.
Silence settled.
"It's finally over,"
Haruto said, exhaling.
"Yes,"
Lilith replied warmly.
"And thank you, Haruto—for stepping up."
Haruto tilted his head slightly.
"It was an honor,"
he said, standing.
"To help you, Lilith."
"What will you do now?"
Ronóva asked.
Lilith hesitated.
"I don't know,"
she admitted.
"Our enemies are still far away."
(Far away…)
Haruto thought.
(Then I need to finish the plan.)
"But I still have things to take care of,"
Lilith said.
"I must leave immediately."
Haruto nodded.
"Take care,"
Ronóva said gently.
Lilith smiled.
Then vanished—
"Instant Teleportation".
"Well then,"
Haruto said, turning to Ronóva.
"I guess it's our turn."
He offered his hand.
"Let me take us."
Ronóva shook her head softly.
"How about I lead today?"
she said.
"Is that alright?"
"Yeah,"
Haruto replied.
"I don't mind."
—
Elsewhere.
Outer space.
Infinite spirals of galaxies twisted endlessly.
A white beam tore through them—
faster than light.
Leaving light behind.
Inside it—
Haruto sat cross-legged.
Blank expression.
One hand holding the edge of Ronóva's sleeve.
Ronóva glanced down at him.
Smiled softly.
"What's with that face?"
she asked.
"We've been traveling for thirty minutes,"
Haruto said flatly.
"Of course,"
Ronóva replied.
"Space is infinite. I'm moving millions of times faster than light."
"I know,"
Haruto said.
"But why travel like this when we could use "Instant Teleportation"?"
He paused.
"…Whatever. I won't complain."
Ronóva smiled forward.
"Good."
"We met several species,"
Haruto said.
"I thought we'd see demons or angels."
"What are you talking about?"
Ronóva replied.
"Demons and angels don't exist in this universe. They're just fantasy."
"What…?"
Haruto muttered, startled.
(Then what is Vhalzareth?)
"You're sometimes like a baby,"
Ronóva teased.
Haruto looked up at her.
"Really?"
he said.
"That's how I seem when I lower my guard?"
"…Is that a problem?"
Ronóva's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh no,"
she said softly.
"I like that you can relax around me."
"I like that side of you."
Haruto smiled faintly.
"Is that so…?"
he murmured.
His gaze lowered—
Then drifted.
Down Ronóva's back.
Over the curve of her waist.
Settling, unmistakably, on her ass.
Ronóva noticed instantly.
Her eyes flicked down—
then back to him.
"Find something interesting down there?"
Ronóva asked calmly.
Haruto looked away—
slow.
Caught.
"No…"
he said quietly.
Ronóva narrowed her eyes.
"So my body isn't interesting to you?"
she asked.
"You know you could touch instead of staring,"
Ronóva said softly, a small smile playing on her lips.
"I wasn't staring,"
Haruto replied, quick. Defensive.
Ronóva smiled a little wider.
Then she looked away—
eyes forward.
Choosing silence.
The white light surged.
Like a dream tearing through reality.
It pierced a galaxy—
slipping past countless stars.
Burning lines through the dark.
It cut through a shattered planet—
fragments drifting endlessly.
Passed another—
entirely ice.
Cold. Still.
Then—
An Earth-like world appeared.
Blue. Green. Alive.
The beam slowed.
Stopped.
Vanished.
Haruto and Ronóva stood suspended above the planet—
looking down.
Windless. Quiet.
"Darling…"
Ronóva said softly.
"Why are you trying to save this universe?"
She glanced at him.
"Is it because of your sisters?"
"No,"
Haruto answered immediately.
"They aren't even in this universe."
Ronóva tilted her head slightly.
"Then why?"
she asked.
Haruto's gaze stayed on the world below.
"I know what it's like,"
he said quietly,
"to be abandoned when survival depends on someone else's choice."
His fingers tightened slightly at his side.
"I won't repeat that."
"You're going very far,"
Ronóva said gently.
"For people you don't even know."
Her voice softened further.
"What about you?"
"You always put others first."
Haruto looked at her—
just for a moment.
Then back down.
"I'm not putting myself last,"
Haruto said.
A brief pause.
"I'm choosing what kind of person I remain."
His free hand rested on his knee.
Grip tightening.
"If I only protected what I know,"
he continued quietly,
"my world would shrink until there's nothing left worth protecting."
Ronóva's eyes narrowed slightly—
listening.
Haruto exhaled.
Shoulders easing.
"That doesn't mean I ignore myself,"
he said.
"It means I don't let comfort decide my actions."
Then—
finally—
He looked at her.
A faint smile.
Almost gentle.
"You're wrong about one thing, though,"
Haruto said.
"When it comes to you…"
His voice lowered.
"I don't put anyone before myself."
Ronóva smiled.
Slow. Soft. Understanding.
"I understand your reasons now,"
she said.
Haruto smiled back.
The white beam returned.
They descended—
Landing gently within the Elarion Skyhold Kingdom.
The capital—Skyhold Citadel.
Ronóva stood beneath a starry blossom tree.
Pink petals drifted around them.
Haruto stood in front of her.
Stone stairs stretched both ways—
upward.
Downward.
Iron rails dividing them.
Trees lining the path.
Ronóva placed her hands behind her back—
fingers interlaced.
"Since you're here,"
she said softly,
"would you walk with me?"
Just the two of us… darling."
Haruto's eyes softened.
"Yes,"
he replied.
They walked side by side.
No words.
They didn't need them.
People passed—
glances turning.
Whispers spreading.
Recognition bloomed.
Princess Ronóva.
And beside her—
curiosity.
Ronóva stopped before a small bakery—
quiet. Cozy.
She turned to Haruto gracefully.
"You'll treat me?"
she asked.
"Of course,"
Haruto said with a smile.
He opened the door.
Warm light spilled out.
He stepped aside—
holding it for her.
Ronóva passed him.
Haruto followed.
The door closed softly behind them—
a bell chiming gently.
The bakery glowed.
Pastel colors.
Glass cases filled with cakes and sweets.
Flowers hanging like a suspended garden.
"Welcome~"
said a girl with brown hair—
curly tips.
Emerald-green eyes.
"Please take your time,"
she added warmly.
"Thank you,"
Ronóva said politely.
"I'll have a raspberry milkshake—
and a triple chocolate milkshake."
The girl's eyes widened—
just a flicker.
Then she composed herself.
"Two milkshakes coming right up,"
she said cheerfully, turning away.
Ronóva brushed a finger against the back of Haruto's hand.
Slow. Intentional.
Their fingers intertwined—
hidden between them.
She looked up.
Haruto was already looking down.
Their eyes met.
"You like chocolate milkshakes,"
Ronóva said softly,
"right?"
Her thumb gently traced over his knuckles.
Waiting.
"I didn't have a favorite milkshake until now,"
Haruto said quietly.
Ronóva smiled.
Her grip on his hand tightened—
just a little.
The girl placed a straw into the triple chocolate milkshake.
She hesitated.
Her eyes flicked toward them—
just once.
(Princess Ronóva… and that guy?)
(He's… absurdly hot.)
She shook her head slightly—
forcing the thoughts away.
Then she placed the final straw into the raspberry milkshake.
"All done,"
the girl said, setting both glasses down gently on the counter.
"How much?"
Ronóva asked.
"It's on the house,"
the girl replied immediately.
"Huh… it's fine. I'll pay,"
Ronóva said calmly.
"Please don't,"
the girl said quickly.
"My father would scold me if I charged you—
even if you insisted."
Ronóva hesitated.
Then smiled.
"Alright then,"
she said softly.
"I don't want you getting in trouble."
She took both milkshakes.
"Oh—"
the girl added, leaning in slightly.
"If you want to enjoy some quiet…"
"There's a special place outside."
Haruto and Ronóva exchanged a brief glance—
surprised.
A moment later—
They sat beneath a white umbrella.
A small round table between them.
Flowerpots surrounded the space—
petals catching the breeze.
Milkshakes resting untouched.
Haruto looked up.
The sun was setting behind Ronóva—
afternoon light framing her silhouette.
Warm. Soft.
"Ronóva,"
Haruto said quietly.
"Are you really going to join the war with us?"
She didn't hesitate.
"If you're about to tell me not to fight,"
Ronóva said firmly,
"then don't bother."
"I'm going."
Haruto didn't answer right away.
His eyes lowered.
Softened.
"The thought of something happening to you…"
he said quietly.
"I can't breathe."
Ronóva shifted in her seat.
Shock flickered across her face.
(If I lose someone I care about again…)
(I won't be able to bear it.)
Haruto's fingers tightened around his glass—
knuckles whitening slightly.
Silence stretched between them.
Heavy. Honest.
Ronóva slowly stood.
She stepped around the table—
closing the distance.
Then—
She crouched in front of him.
Hands resting gently on his knees.
"Look at me,"
Ronóva said softly.
Haruto lifted his gaze.
Her expression was calm—
but resolute.
"I won't disappear,"
she said.
"I'm not fragile."
"And I won't leave you behind."
She reached up—
brushing her thumb just beneath his eye.
"You carry the weight of entire worlds,"
Ronóva continued quietly.
"But you don't get to decide this alone."
Her lips curved faintly.
"I fight because I choose to,"
she said.
"Just like you."