Low-ranked devils launched a sudden assault on the Devil Hunters, emerging from unknown origins. Confusion spread like wildfire. Where were these devils coming from?
Captain Kaito Takeda of Devil Hunters Team 10 scoffed, brushing the blood off his blade.
> "They're all small fry," Kaito muttered. "If their whole army is this weak, this isn't the war we were expecting. Right, Captain Obito?"
Obito, standing nearby, didn't share the same overconfidence. His eyes narrowed.
> "My master once told me—no matter how weak your enemy may seem, never underestimate them, Kaito."
Kaito smirked in response, full of overconfidence, but Obito's warning hung heavy in the air.
---
Inside the Castle…
Takeshi walked briskly toward the throne room, a chill creeping down his spine. As he turned a corner, he froze.
Three royal generals—renowned for their strength and loyalty—lay motionless on the stone floor, their bodies savagely stabbed and lifeless. Blood pooled beneath them.
"No..." Takeshi rushed over, checking one of their pulses. Nothing.
He stood, heart pounding, and ran toward the throne room. When he entered, he stopped dead in his tracks.
There, slumped over the royal seat, was King Lucien—his younger brother. His chest had been impaled by the Royal Sword, blood staining his white robes. And in the throne, seated calmly with a devilish smile, was someone else.
Takeshi's rage ignited like wildfire. Mana surged around him, so powerful that even those outside the castle could feel the pressure in the air.
> "Captain Obito!" Nuro, vice-captain of Team 7, shouted. "What is this—?!"
Obito's expression darkened.
> "I know… it's Master Takeshi."
---
Meanwhile…
Ruka, Ryuji, Fumiko, and Leoric were being escorted toward the shelter. Chaos reigned as citizens ran in all directions, trying to flee to safety. Fumiko trembled in fear, and Ruka held her tightly.
> "Do you know where my older brothers are?" Leoric asked the nearest soldier, his voice heavy with worry.
> "They're on the battlefield, young lord," a Devil Hunter replied. "They'll help lead the front lines alongside His Majesty."
Leoric looked down, disheartened.
> "I'm the only one doing nothing…" he whispered.
> "Don't worry," Ryuji said with a grin. "Our time will come."
> "Look who's talking," Leoric muttered with a faint smile.
> "Haaah?! Got a problem?!" Ryuji snapped.
> "Shut up, both of you!" Ruka hissed. "Can't you see the situation? People are terrified for their lives!"
Their argument was cut short. Four devils appeared out of nowhere.
The soldiers and Devil Hunters quickly formed a protective circle around the young nobles.
---
Back Inside the Castle…
Takeshi, despite his anger, forced himself to calm down. The oppressive mana pressure slowly faded, replaced by cold determination. He walked to Lucien's side, kneeling.
He gently removed the sword from his brother's chest.
> "I'm sorry… so sorry, Lucien," he whispered. "As your brother, I failed to protect you. I'm ashamed—but I'll protect this kingdom for you. No matter what it costs."
He closed Lucien's eyes and carefully laid his body on the ground.
Then he stood, eyes cold.
> "Why are you hiding in the shadows… Valoric?"
From the shadows, a sinister voice responded with a smirk.
> "How are you so sure I'm Valoric?"
Takeshi narrowed his eyes.
> "The first prince, Zeric, was under the protection of Lucien's elite guard… or so I was told. But at a time like this, why wouldn't the second prince, Valoric, also be under protection? You managed to kill the king and his generals without resistance. That's only possible if they let their guard down. Which they would do… for a royal face. The Royal Sword pierced the king's chest. So tell me, Valoric—why did you do this?"
The figure stepped into the moonlight, revealing the face of the First Prince—Zeric.
Takeshi staggered back in disbelief.
> "Zeric…? Obito said you were with the elite guard. Then where's Valoric?!"
> "I killed him," Zeric said casually. "And the one with the elite guard? That's not me. Want to know the truth?"
Zeric raised a hand—and Takeshi's mind was flooded with a vision.
---
A Flashback...
Zeric, wandering the castle late at night, followed strange whispers to a forgotten corridor. Hidden behind a stone wall was a door he'd never seen. He opened it, descending into darkness.
> "I've lived here my whole life and never saw this place…" he muttered.
He entered a vast underground chamber. A faint red stone lay on the ground. Curious, he picked it up—but a wave of dread swept over him. He dropped the stone.
A black circle formed behind him. As he turned, a shadow lunged and struck him. From that moment, everything changed.
Now possessed, Zeric relived how he murdered the three generals. He appeared before them, greeted warmly. The king was preparing for battle.
> "Young lord?" one general asked. "The king is getting dressed. He'll be ready soon."
> "Dressed in the armor of our predecessors?" Zeric sneered. "Are they older than me, or just pathetic?"
Without warning, he beheaded the man. The other two drew their weapons—but didn't last long.
Zeric walked into the throne room, where King Lucien welcomed him.
> "Zeric? Why are you here?"
> "Father," he replied in an eerily different tone. "This battle may be our last. I just wanted… one final hug."
They embraced.
> "Don't worry, my son. I'll always be—"
A gasp. Blood.
The king looked down to find the Royal Sword in his chest. He collapsed, betrayed by the one he loved most.
---
Back on the Road…
Outside the shelter, chaos continued.
The group managed to defeat two devils, but another—a C-rank—brutally crushed a soldier's heart.
Ruka shielded Fumiko from the sight.
Just then, an A-rank devil descended and effortlessly killed the remaining devils.
> "Wait… he's killing his own kind?!" Ryuji shouted.
> "You idiot," Leoric muttered. "He's stronger than them. Maybe even A-rank or higher…"
The remaining soldiers, desperate and angry, charged at the lone devil. But he slaughtered them in seconds.
The devil began approaching the children.
> "Ryuji, grab Fumiko!" Ruka commanded.
> "What?! Let me fight, Mom!"
> SLAP.
> "This isn't a joke! You and Leoric can't handle him! Take Fumiko and run. NOW!"
Ryuji, tears in his eyes, hesitated—but Leoric grabbed his arm, pulling him away.
They ran, Ryuji glancing back at Ruka.
She smiled—then faced the devil alone.
As the children fled, the devil struck. Ruka's body fell, motionless.
---
To Be Continued…