As the last of the townsfolk took their supplies and stepped away, the charity event came to an end. The gathered people murmured among themselves, casting glances at Valen—some filled with awe, others with gratitude, and a few with barely concealed fear.

  Valen rose from his seat, stretching slightly before brushing the dust off his coat. He glanced at the dispersing crowd and smirked. "That was a nice experience," he said, his tone laced with amusement. "They’re lucky I was here in person. Next time, they won’t be so fortunate."

  Kaelion stepped forward, one of his clones bowing slightly. "Your name will be known as a benevolent demon, Master."

  Valen chuckled, pleased with the thought. He crossed his arms, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. "The Sovereign will continue to manage the cult for now. It’s not time for me to step into that world just yet. I need to build my reputation, little by little, and grow stronger." His fingers tapped lightly against his arm, his mind already calculating the steps ahead. "It’s only a matter of time before I reach the Sovereign’s level. It might take a century… but I’ll get there."

  A sudden, suffocating pressure filled the air. Valen's body tensed as the overwhelming presence rolled out from the tomb like a storm. The townsfolk, still lingering nearby, felt it too—they staggered back, eyes wide with fear.

  Valen and Kaelion turned toward the entrance just as a figure emerged from the darkness. A metallic demon with red patterns glowing across his body stepped out.

  Both Valen and Kaelion frowned, instincts flaring in warning. Before either could react, something even more shocking happened.

  Alice, standing beside Kaelion’s clone, placed a hand on its shoulder. A dark flame erupted from her palm, consuming the clone in an instant. It didn’t even have time to resist—its body crumbled into nothingness.

  Valen’s eyes widened. “What are you doing?” he demanded, his voice sharp.

  Alice said nothing.

  Before he could press further, the metallic demon moved in a flash.

  Pain.

  Valen coughed as a sword plunged into his chest. Blood spilled from his lips. His body screamed at him to react. He forced himself to move—muscles coiling, instincts taking over.

  With a desperate burst of strength, he kicked off the ground, tearing himself away from the blade before it could pierce deeper. He landed several feet away, clutching his wound, and golden light flared around him as he poured healing magic into his body. The pain dulled, but the shock remained.

  His gaze locked onto the attacker. “Who are you?”

  The metallic demon’s form blurred, shifting as the red patterns dimmed. Flesh replaced metal, and his face became clear.

  A familiar face.

  The man smirked, rolling his shoulders as if testing his body. “Your reaction is fast,” he said. “As expected of a Heavenly Demon. You managed to shift your body just enough to avoid a fatal strike.” His gaze sharpened. “I commend that.”

  Valen’s breath hitched.

  Kaelion took a step forward.

  Both of them spoke at once.

  “…Arayn?”

  Arayn smirked, tilting his head slightly. “Surprise.”

  Valen’s expression darkened. “You fool,” he spat. “If you were alive, you should have reported it to the cult. The ritual succeeded—you would have been accepted. There’s no need to fight.” He exhaled sharply, suppressing his growing irritation. “I will give you a chance. If you bend your knees and swear allegiance, I will pardon this offense.”

  Laughter rang through the air. Low at first, then growing louder, filled with genuine amusement. Arayn shook his head, his smirk widening.

  “I’ve always wanted to leave the cult,” he said. “I just needed the right opportunity.” His crimson eyes gleamed with certainty. “I’m leaving.”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Valen’s fingers curled into fists. “Are you so adamant about getting revenge?”

  Arayn’s laughter died down. He met Valen’s gaze, unwavering. “Don’t misunderstand,” he said coolly. “This isn’t about revenge. I just think slaying the Heavenly Demon is a worthy achievement.”

  Valen’s expression turned cold. “Then I will make you regret that decision.”

  Valen’s gaze flickered to Kaelion. No words were needed. Kaelion gave a slight nod, and in the next instant, he and his clones retreated. They were about to report this betrayal to the cult.

  Alice was faster to react. With a wave of her hand, spheres of black flame shot forward, twisting through the air like living entities. They locked onto Kaelion and his clones, pursuing them relentlessly.

  Arayn vanished. A blur of movement, an afterimage left in his place. Before one of the clones could react, a blade pierced through its back. The illusion shattered, revealing Arayn, his body materializing from nothing. He leaped into the air, high above the battlefield.

  Valen’s eyes widened. He had thought Arayn was still before him.

  Arayn’s voice rang out in an ancient demon tongue. Crimson energy surged around him, then condensed into dozens of red fangs that tore through the air, seeking Kaelion. Each one exploded upon impact, sending shockwaves through the narrow streets.

  The last Kaelion clone darted into an alleyway, slipping into the shadows. Arayn’s gaze locked onto him. A red beam erupted from his palm, intensifying with demonic energy, closing in for the kill.

  Valen reacted instantly. A radiant beam of holy light shot forth, intercepting Arayn’s attack. The two forces clashed in midair, the impact shaking the ground beneath them.

  Alice was already moving. From her outstretched fingers, a dark flame arrow tore through the air. It struck the last Kaelion, consuming him in an instant. His body disintegrated, vanishing into the void.

  Valen stretched his hand forward as if trying to grasp something just beyond his reach. His voice trembled.

  “No… no…”

  His expression darkened, his eyes clouded with grief. The weight of loss pressed against his chest, suffocating.

  Memories surged forth. Kaelion, his most trusted right hand, the one who had followed him through countless adversaries. Before that… before loyalty, there had been something else.

  ---

  Years ago, he had faced Kaelion in battle, but not as an ally. Kaelion had been a doppelganger—a demon that stole bodies. Valen had uncovered the truth. The Kaelion standing before him had murdered and replaced the original, taking over his life, his identity.

  Valen had defeated him, forcing him to his knees.

  Bloodied and trembling, the doppelganger looked up with pleading eyes.

  “Spare me.”

  Valen stood over him, spear in hand. “Have all the people in this mansion been replaced?”

  Kaelion hesitated. “No…”

  Valen had seen through the lie. He pressed the tip of his spear against Kaelion’s throat. “If you don’t tell the truth, I’ll execute everyone in this mansion. Every single one.”

  A flicker of fear crossed Kaelion’s face before he finally bowed his head. “Yes… they have.”

  He expected death. Expected his end at the hands of him. Instead, Valen lowered his spear and held out his hand.

  Kaelion stared at it, bewildered.

  “I don’t know the original Kaelion,” Valen said. “I don’t care about him. But if you swear loyalty to me, I will pardon you. I will even help your family prosper.”

  Kaelion’s lips trembled. He hesitated for only a moment before lowering himself to the ground.

  “…I swear.”

  At first, their relationship had been nothing more than an arrangement—practical, convenient, and superficial. Kaelion had sworn loyalty out of necessity, not devotion. Valen had accepted him, but not as a true retainer—merely a tool, useful and nothing more. Yet, time had a way of shaping bonds in ways neither had expected.

  Kaelion proved himself time and time again, not only in battle but in his presence. He always accompanied Valen everywhere. He did not just follow orders; he anticipated them. He did not just serve; he adapted, learned, and grew beside Valen. What had once been forced obedience turned into something real.

  Valen, too, changed.

  At first, he had kept Kaelion at arm’s length, wary of betrayal. However, Kaelion never faltered. He did not seek power for himself, did not scheme in the shadows. He was simply there as a loyal retainer. Slowly, that loyalty became something Valen trusted, and in turn, he gave his own.

  Kaelion was no longer just a retainer.

  He was family. And now, that family was gone.

  ---

  Valen clenched his jaw, his body trembling with the weight of the loss. His eyes burned with something beyond rage, beyond sorrow.

  Alice and Arayn had taken Kaelion from him. They would pay for it.

  He lowered his arm and turned to face Arayn. “…You’ll regret this.”

  Arayn paid no mind to Valen’s grief, his crimson eyes shifting instead to Alice. She met his gaze with a knowing smile.

  "Welcome back," she said softly.

  Arayn studied her for a moment, taking in the power radiating from her. He smirked. "Look at you. You’ve reached expert class. As expected of a Dark Saintess."

  Alice chuckled, though there was something wistful in her eyes. "There are still so many things I want to say, but it seems we don’t have the time for that now."

  Arayn exhaled through his mouth. "Yeah. You can go. Let me handle this."

  She hesitated for a fraction of a second, then nodded. "Thanks, Arayn... for coming back."

  His only response was a slight smile and a lazy wave of his hand, dismissing her.

  She turned away but paused just before leaving, throwing one last glance over her shoulder. "Don’t you dare go before meeting me. I have a lot to say."

  This time, Arayn didn’t reply. He couldn't make that promise. His grip tightened around his sword, the crimson glow along its edge pulsing like a heartbeat. Then, without another word, he took a step forward, his gaze locking onto Valen.