Virgo was sitting in the lotus position above the city wall. A nigh indestructible divine barrier was spread around him and he prayed with all his might to mend the grave wound on his chest.

Though all his focus should have been on healing, his mind kept drifting because the situation was simply too absurd to accept.

The first, and most glaring incomprehensible aspect of it was that he'd been so gravely hurt.

He frowned with his eyes closed as the gears turned in his head.

'The demonic presence appeared and faded as soon as that arrow was shot… no time to react, no time to do anything. Nothing to chase after.'

He huffed.

'That strength was undoubtedly that of a very strong Demon Lord, or at most a newborn Demon Prince. It's surprising that a single arrow carried enough power to pierce through my divine barrier, but that much is… fine. In the first place, priests aren't combat classes, and if that filthy thing used a special technique or sacrificed a few cores… it's still plausible.'

If he could move his hands, he would have clenched his fists.

'But… that arrow definitely came from within the city, meaning that this demon either somehow managed to breach through our defenses or… it'd been there from the start.'

And this was the part that was the most compelling to Virgo. The chances of something like a demon lord infiltrating the city unnoticed were extremely low. Demons weren't known for stealth and even if they were, no less than six transcendentals had gathered at Colosseo for the Rising Stars Tournament.

How could none of them have noticed something like a Demon Lord sneaking in?

Which left only the other option. The demon had been there from the beginning.

'Perhaps it was able to blend in even before we arrived… or was it some sort of magical artifact? If it was already there… with the amount of challengers… and the chaos.. Mayb–

No!'

Virgo stopped himself. He was desperately trying to think of a reason as he simply could not make sense of the situation.

'No matter what, I, at the very least, I should have noticed! How could I not!? I am an Apostle of the Goddess of the Earth for Terras' sake! I should have noticed!'

Hundreds of questions with no plausible answers rushed through his mind as he continuously healed his wound.

Virgo wanted to clutch his hair and grit his teeth, but he remained calm, searching for answers.

In any case, the wound he'd been afflicted with would still take some time to heal. That arrow had been special it seemed, so Virgo would have more time to think.

—-

Marco's situation had been somewhat different to that of his friends. No Knight in golden armor had come to guide him to safety. Instead, as soon as the alarm had rung, the First Prince had appeared next to him, demanding to be escorted to the borders of the city.

As a free man, Marco wasn't used to taking orders, so when the prince demanded an escort, it threw him off.

Still, as the prince had so graciously reminded him, a bet was a bet in the end.

Marco, who could not sully his own honor, could only grit his teeth and follow behind Theron. They walked through the city at a slow pace. One would have expected them to run, or at least make haste, but Theron had refused to rush. He was calm… almost too calm.

Still, eventually, their leisurely stroll was interrupted. Screams erupted within the city, and Marco's senses clawed at him.

Left, right, ahead, and behind them, chilling cries for help could be heard. Yet, for some reason, Marco could not identify the source of the disturbance.

Civilians were undoubtedly being attacked, and yet, Marco could not understand by what exactly. Strangely, the plaza that he and Theron had reached was empty. Besides the two of them, not a single soul lingered within the plaza, as if they had been chased out entirely.

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Marco could only tilt his head and stroke his chin. "What the…"

He turned toward Theron. "Something's strange. It sounds like people are in danger… but it's way too calm here…."

Marco's heart told him to help those people but he sensed that Theron would refuse, and in any case, if he left Theron behind, Marco doubted the frail royal would be able to defend himself.

'Isn't it strange that he doesn't have a single other Knight or soldier with him though….?'

The question lingered in Marco's thoughts but he dismissed it as a result of Theron being an illegitimate child.

With urgency in his voice, Marco spoke to Theron. "Let's get you to safety first, Theron, then I'll circle back and figure out what's happening," he said.

There was a short pause, and Theron shook his head.

"No, we will stay here."

…?

Marco raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Theron sat down on a bench. "We will stay here until this is over. That is my order. Obey, Marco."

Before Marco could say anything in return, a middle-aged woman wearing tattered and dirty clothes walked into the plaza. There were now three people.

Her steps were uneven and devoid of any rhythm. She rubbed her arm anxiously, and an unsettling smile rested on her face.

She looked at Theron. "S-Sir, must we all truly end in such a way…? Is this not… foolish? At least allow the stronger ones to assimilate for a few days…!"

Theron clicked his tongue. "How ridiculous. You know well that with all the eyes around us, this is the only way." He chuckled. "If you're lucky, you might be reborn."

Marco did not understand what was happening. Besides the strange conversation, why was this woman speaking so casually and why would a commoner refer to the First Prince as 'Sir' in the first place?

Something was off.

Theron waved his hand dismissively. "Don't make me report you for treason. Execute the plan as intended and if you manage to survive, you will be rewarded."

The woman clenched her teeth and the hand wrapped around her arm tightened. The series of events that ensued made Marco's eyes widen.

Dark, murky energy rose around her. Claws grew from her fingers, wings sprouted from her back, and her previously auburn hair turned jet black. Then, as the dark energy surged, two short horns erupted from her head, and in the center of her forehead a single golden line slowly materialized.

Marco sensed it immediately. Suddenly, the woman was exuding great amounts of demonic energy.

He frowned. She wasn't anything he couldn't handle… a weak Mono at best… but still, a demon was a demon. Was this a secret technique of theirs? How had he not sensed anything until now?

Without hesitation, he stepped before Theron and he raised his fists. "Stay behind me, Prince, I'll take care of this."

Theron scoffed. "Fly away now and I'd rather not see your face again."

The demon clicked her tongue . She took flight and clenched her fists until black blood spilled.

Marco's fists dropped.

What was happening?

He couldn't wrap his head around the situation.

He turned to look at Theron. "...What's this? How did you get the demon to leave? Is this some kind of special skill?"

Of course, Marco wasn't stupid, but still, Theron was a Prince. The First Prince of the mighty Empire! Theron Lucien Viremont Von Hazemar!! How could he collude with demons!?

There had to be another reason.

Marco laughed awkwardly. "Ah! I see! You were some kind of double agent all along, weren't you!? That mak–"

Theron burst out in laughter, clutching his stomach. It was unlike the rigid behavior he'd shown till now.

He then pushed the jet-black hair out of his face, and he smiled. "How do you think the demonic army was able to get past the hundreds of barriers surrounding Colosseo, let alone attack it?"

Marco did not answer.

"That's right. It was me. I and I alone. Can you guess now why there isn't anyone besides you escorting me?"

There was a dangerous look in Marco's eyes. He came to a certain conclusion after witnessing the woman who had turned into a demon. For some reason, there were demons whose energy could not be sensed.

Marco grit his teeth. "Were you… always a demon?"

Theron smiled. "Pff. Of course not. But you've heard of demons turning humans into their kind, no?"

Yes, there was something like that, although rare due to the pride of demons and the complexity of the process. But it was not unheard of. Bel had even suggested it to Verity during their first encounter, though he was not seriously considering it.

"But why?" Marco asked. "If anything, a royal like you should be the last person to be made into a demon, wouldn't that be so?"

"Didn't I tell you? The Empire has rejected me my entire life." He began shouting, and he slammed his chest with his palm. "Look at me! I'm perfect! I have no flaws! And yet! And yet!! That decrepit old man refuses to give me the throne!"

Realizing how unsightly his outburst was, Theron let out a sharp breath and calmed down. "In any case, I know what your next question is going to be. You're likely wondering how the demons were able to hide themselves within the city unseen by all, right?"

Using this chance to extract information from Theron, Marco nodded. He was already prepared to bash the man's face in, but if he wanted to give up valuable intel, Marco would not stop him.

Theron fixed his expensive-looking royal coat, and his lips curled into an eerie smile. He stepped toward Marco and his finger landed on his chest. "Stay curious! Why would I tell you now… when you'll soon become a demon and see all of it for yourself?"

Marco's expression darkened and he let out a long sigh. He raised both of his fists and Aura began to surge within him. "I guess I'll just have to beat the answer out of you…!"

Theron's eyes widened, and cold sweat began dripping down his temple. He stepped back clumsily. "W-Wait! At least hear me out!!"

Marco ignored him, and and red Aura crawled up his fist. "Save your breath."

Theron raised both of his hands. "W-Wait!!" but just as the blow was about to connect, Theron smirked. "Stop."

Marco froze. 'W-What!?? This is… a demon's ability! But to completely freeze me like this he'd have to be at least a third-ranked demon… a Triune!!'

Though he could not speak, his eyes told everything that needed to be told.

Theron patted Marco's back, and he spoke as he walked away. His demonic form revealed itself. His jet-black hair turned white, horns grew from his skull, and a symbol was drawn on his forehead. A cross. One step below a Triune.

Seeing Marco's confusion filled Theron with glee. "Just stay put for now… and remember Marco my friend…You gave me your word, didn't you?

…Words have more power than you may think."

—

In another part of the city, Verity had somehow been separated from his companions. Demons had appeared out of nowhere, and in the midst of battle, he had found himself no longer surrounded by allies.

He was currently locked in a fierce battle against a Mono, struggling to find her cores.

"Damnit! Why are you all so hard to kill!"

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