The window shattered.
Glass exploded across the floor as the intruder landed silently inside the cottage.
Liora barely had time to gasp.
The figure moved like a shadow—fast, precise, deadly. A long black cloak swirled around them, and a silver blade glinted in the candlelight.
An assassin.
But not from the Church.
Cairis's expression changed instantly.
Not fear.
Recognition.
"…You," he said coldly.
The assassin slowly straightened.
Under the hood, pale silver hair slipped forward, and sharp golden eyes locked onto the demon prince.
"My prince," the man said calmly.
Liora blinked.
Prince?
Cairis's crimson eyes narrowed.
"…Rhael."
The name dropped into the room like a blade.
The silver-haired man bowed slightly, though there was nothing respectful about it.
"I finally found you."
Liora's heart pounded. She glanced between them.
"…You two know each other?"
Neither of them answered.
Rhael's gaze slid toward her instead.
And something in his expression changed.
Interest.
"…A human?" he murmured. "No… not just human."
Liora felt the air grow cold.
Rhael's golden eyes sharpened as if dissecting her soul.
"…A witch."
The word echoed in the small cottage.
Cairis stepped forward immediately, placing himself between them.
"Don't look at her."
His voice was quiet.
Deadly.
Rhael lifted an eyebrow.
"…Interesting."
His gaze flicked back to Cairis, amusement appearing in his eyes.
"The great demon prince protecting a human witch?"
He laughed softly.
"That's unexpected."
Liora clenched her fists.
"I'm standing right here, you know."
Rhael ignored her.
Instead, he addressed Cairis again.
"The Demon King sent me."
The words made the room feel heavier.
"Your disappearance has caused… concern."
Cairis's expression didn't change.
"I'm not returning."
Rhael tilted his head.
"You don't have a choice."
The assassin's gaze flicked toward Liora again.
"…Unless the rumors are true."
Silence filled the cottage.
Cairis's eyes darkened.
"What rumors?"
Rhael smiled faintly.
"That the last witch has awakened."
Liora's stomach dropped.
Cairis spoke before she could react.
"Leave."
Rhael didn't move.
Instead, he studied Liora carefully.
"…So it's true."
His golden eyes glowed faintly.
"Your magic is ancient."
Liora felt the power inside her stir uneasily.
Cairis's voice dropped lower.
"Rhael."
The warning in his tone was unmistakable.
"Stop looking at her."
The assassin smiled again.
"My prince… since when do you care about humans?"
Cairis didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he took one step forward.
A terrifying aura spread through the room.
Shadows twisted along the walls.
"…Since she saved my life."
Rhael's eyebrows lifted.
"Oh?"
His gaze slid toward Liora again.
"So you're the one responsible."
Liora swallowed.
"…Responsible for what?"
Cairis answered for him.
"For me staying."
Her eyes widened.
"…Excuse me?"
He glanced at her calmly.
"You dragged me into your house."
"You were dying!"
"Exactly."
His crimson gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary.
"…Which means you're responsible for me now."
Liora stared at him.
"That's not how responsibility works!"
Rhael suddenly laughed.
A real laugh this time.
"This is fascinating."
His eyes glittered with amusement.
"The demon prince who despises humans is now claiming one."
Liora groaned.
"Stop saying it like that!"
But Cairis ignored both of them.
His gaze remained fixed on Rhael.
"You delivered your message."
"Yes."
"Then leave."
Rhael crossed his arms casually.
"…I'm afraid I can't."
Liora felt tension snap through the room.
"Why?"
Rhael's answer was simple.
"Because if the Church learns the last witch is here… they'll send an army."
Silence.
Liora's heart dropped.
"…An army?"
"Yes," he said calmly.
"And not just humans."
Cairis's expression darkened.
"The Church has been developing weapons."
"For demons," Rhael finished.
Liora suddenly felt very small.
"…So let me get this straight," she said slowly.
"The Church wants to kill demons."
"Yes."
"The Demon King wants his son back."
"Yes."
"And now everyone knows a witch lives here."
Rhael smiled politely.
"Correct."
She rubbed her temples.
"…Wonderful."
Cairis glanced at her.
"You're calmer than expected."
"That's because my brain hasn't processed the panic yet."
Rhael chuckled.
"She's amusing."
Cairis's voice instantly sharpened.
"Stop talking about her."
Rhael blinked.
Then he grinned.
"…You really are serious."
Cairis said nothing.
Instead, he turned toward Liora.
"You can't stay here anymore."
Her head snapped up.
"…What?"
"The Church will return."
"I can hide!"
"Not from them."
His crimson eyes locked onto hers.
"You're coming with me."
Her mouth fell open.
"…Absolutely not."
"You don't have a choice."
"Excuse me?!"
Rhael watched the argument with clear entertainment.
"This is incredible."
Liora pointed at Cairis angrily.
"You can't just decide that!"
"I can."
"No you can't!"
"I already did."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"You're unbelievable."
Cairis leaned slightly closer.
His voice softened—but it somehow sounded even more dangerous.
"You saved a demon prince."
His eyes glowed faintly.
"Humans should be careful when rescuing demons."
Liora felt a chill crawl up her spine.
"…Why?"
His answer was quiet.
Because once a demon chooses something…
He never lets it go.
Silence filled the cottage.
Then—
A distant horn echoed through the forest.
Rhael looked toward the window.
"…Too late."
Liora's stomach dropped.
"Too late for what?"
Cairis's gaze hardened.
"The Church."
Another horn sounded.
Closer this time.
Liora's hands began to shake.
"…How many?"
Rhael answered calmly.
"…Hundreds."
The cottage suddenly felt very, very small.
Cairis looked at Liora.
And smiled slowly.
"Looks like you're coming with me after all."
Outside the forest…
Torches lit the darkness.
An entire Church battalion was surrounding the cottage.
And at their center stood a tall man in white armor.
The Grand Inquisitor.
His voice echoed across the forest.
"Burn the witch."
And inside the cottage—
Cairis stepped closer to Liora and whispered softly:
"Stay behind me."
His crimson eyes glowed in the dark.
"Tonight… I start a war."