Morning came slowly.
Gray clouds covered the sky.
Cold wind swept across the wasteland.
---
And in the distance—
The army of humanity appeared.
---
An endless sea of silver armor.
White banners waving proudly.
Thousands of soldiers marching in perfect rhythm.
---
The Holy Vanguard had arrived.
---
From atop the settlement walls—
Everyone watched silently.
---
Grik swallowed hard.
"…That's definitely more than ten thousand."
---
Lucian leaned against the wall with a grin.
"Nice."
"Now this looks like a real war."
---
Lilith cracked her neck.
"…I can already tell this is going to be annoying."
---
Karn remained silent.
Watching carefully.
---
Ruun stood beside Rai.
"…Their formation is flawless."
---
Rai's eyes stayed fixed on the approaching army.
---
Then—
The soldiers stopped.
---
A massive distance remained between both sides.
---
Silence covered the battlefield.
---
And then—
One figure rode forward alone.
---
Silver armor.
White cape.
Black horse.
---
Leon Valcrest.
The Hero of Humanity.
---
His presence alone changed the atmosphere.
Heavy.
Sharp.
Overwhelming.
---
Even the outcast demons felt it.
---
"…Strong…"
Grik muttered.
---
Lucian's grin widened.
"Oh yeah."
"He's definitely strong."
---
Leon stopped several meters away from the settlement gate.
---
His blue eyes calmly scanned the walls.
The demons.
The humans.
The mixed races living together.
---
For the first time—
His expression changed slightly.
---
Confusion.
---
Because the reports…
Were true.
---
There were humans inside the settlement.
Working alongside demons.
Laughing.
Living.
---
Not prisoners.
Not slaves.
---
Together.
---
Then Leon's gaze landed on Rai.
---
Standing atop the wall.
Black hair moving in the wind.
Ice blue eyes calm as ever.
---
The pressure between them intensified instantly.
---
Lucian whispered excitedly,
"Oho…"
"Now this is getting interesting."
---
Ruun narrowed his eyes.
"…Both of them are measuring each other."
---
Leon finally spoke.
His voice carrying across the battlefield.
---
"…Are you Rai?"
---
Rai answered calmly.
"…Yes."
---
Silence followed.
---
Then Leon asked the question directly.
---
"…Are you the Demon King Vessel?"
---
The outcasts tensed immediately.
---
Lucian grinned.
Lilith cracked her knuckles.
Karn's hand moved toward his sword.
---
But Rai remained calm.
---
"…Yes."
---
The battlefield froze.
---
Even the human soldiers behind Leon reacted.
Whispers spread instantly.
---
"…He admitted it…"
"…He's insane…"
"…That monster…"
---
But Leon kept staring at Rai.
---
"…Then why?"
---
Rai's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Why what?"
---
Leon looked toward the settlement.
At the humans living inside.
The children.
The workers.
The outcasts.
---
"…Why protect them?"
---
Silence filled the wasteland.
---
Then Rai answered.
Simple.
Direct.
---
"…Because no one else would."
---
The wind blew between them.
---
Leon's gaze sharpened.
---
"…Demons killed my comrades."
---
Rai answered calmly.
"…Humans killed theirs."
---
Neither side spoke for a moment.
---
Because both knew the truth.
---
Lucian whispered from behind Rai,
"…This is weirdly peaceful."
---
Ruun elbowed him lightly.
"…Quiet."
---
Leon slowly stepped off his horse.
---
The pressure around him increased slightly.
---
"…You understand what you are?"
---
Rai nodded once.
"Yes."
---
"…Then you understand why humanity fears you."
---
Dark energy flickered lightly around Rai.
---
"…Fear doesn't justify slaughter."
---
Several soldiers behind Leon became angry.
---
"Watch your mouth!"
"He's a demon!"
"Monster!"
---
Leon raised one hand.
Silencing them instantly.
---
Then—
He looked directly at Rai.
---
"…I came here prepared for war."
---
The air grew tense again.
---
"…But what I see…"
---
His eyes scanned the settlement one more time.
---
"…does not match the stories."
---
Lucian blinked.
"…Wait."
"Are we not fighting?"
---
Lilith sighed in relief.
"…Please don't jinx it."
---
But suddenly—
A scream echoed from the human army.
---
"COMMANDER!"
---
One soldier pointed upward in terror.
---
The sky had changed.
---
Darkness spread unnaturally above the battlefield.
---
Black cracks appeared in the air itself.
---
Ruun's eyes widened instantly.
"…No…"
---
Karn's expression hardened.
"…The Abyss."
---
The cracks spread wider.
Faster.
---
A massive pressure descended upon everyone.
Humans and demons alike.
---
The soldiers panicked.
---
"What is that?!"
"MONSTER!"
"DEFEND THE COMMANDER!"
---
Leon immediately drew his sword.
---
Rai's eyes turned crimson slightly.
---
Because he recognized it instantly.
---
The Abyss had arrived.
---
And this time—
It came openly.
---
A distorted voice echoed across the sky.
---
"…FOUND YOU."
---
The battlefield trembled violently.
---
Humans.
Demons.
Outcasts.
Soldiers.
---
For the first time—
Everyone faced the same enemy.
---
And the war between humanity and Rai.
Stopped before it could even begin.