The knights advanced again.
Armor clashed. Boots crushed the broken branches scattered across the ruined forest floor.
Holy magic burned along the edges of their swords like pale fire.
Liora's heart hammered painfully against her ribs.
"…They're coming again."
Cairis didn't move.
He stood beside her, tall and calm, as if an army wasn't marching toward them.
His crimson eyes scanned the battlefield slowly.
Calculating.
Cold.
Then he spoke quietly.
"Stay close."
Liora swallowed.
"…That's easy for you to say."
But she still stepped closer.
Because the moment she moved away from him—
Her magic began stirring again.
Silver sparks flickered across her fingertips.
Cairis noticed immediately.
His gaze dropped to her hands.
"…See?"
Liora groaned softly.
"I hate this."
"You'll get used to it."
"I don't want to get used to it!"
He didn't respond.
Instead, his focus shifted forward again.
The knights were nearly upon them now.
And at their center—
The Grand Inquisitor stepped forward.
His white armor glowed faintly with holy magic.
His gaze swept over the battlefield before settling on Liora.
"…Witch."
The word echoed across the ruined forest.
"You have one chance."
Liora stiffened.
"Come quietly."
His eyes flicked toward Cairis.
"And we may allow the demon prince a quick death."
Cairis chuckled softly beside her.
"…How generous."
The Inquisitor ignored him.
His gaze remained locked on Liora.
"Your bloodline should have died centuries ago."
Liora felt something inside her chest tighten.
"…I didn't ask to be born."
"No," the Inquisitor agreed calmly.
"But you will choose how you die."
The knights raised their weapons again.
Liora's hands began trembling.
Cairis noticed.
Without looking at her, he reached out and gently grabbed her wrist.
Her magic instantly steadied.
"…Stop panicking."
"I'm about to be executed!"
"Not while I'm here."
His voice was so calm it almost sounded bored.
The Inquisitor frowned slightly.
"…You think you can protect her?"
Cairis finally stepped forward.
Shadows curled around his boots as he moved.
The air grew colder instantly.
"…I don't think."
His crimson eyes gleamed.
"I know."
The Inquisitor's expression hardened.
"Kill them."
The knights surged forward again.
This time faster.
More aggressive.
Spears aimed directly at Liora.
Before she could react—
Cairis stepped in front of her.
And raised one hand.
Darkness exploded outward.
Shadows burst from the ground like living creatures, slamming into the first wave of soldiers.
Men screamed as they were thrown across the battlefield.
But the knights kept coming.
Too many.
Far too many.
Liora could see it clearly now.
Even Cairis couldn't fight them all alone.
"…Cairis," she whispered.
He didn't turn around.
"Stay back."
More knights rushed them.
Holy blades clashed against dark magic.
The forest shook again.
But this time—
Several soldiers slipped past Cairis.
They rushed directly toward Liora.
Her heart skipped.
"…No!"
One knight raised his sword.
"WITCH!"
Before the blade could fall—
Cairis moved.
Faster than human eyes could follow.
He appeared between them instantly.
His hand shot forward.
The knight's armor crumpled like paper as he was hurled violently through the air.
The other soldiers froze.
Cairis slowly turned toward them.
And for the first time—
His aura exploded completely.
Dark energy flooded the battlefield.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
His crimson eyes burned like fire.
"Listen carefully," he said quietly.
His voice carried across the entire forest.
Every knight.
Every soldier.
Even the Grand Inquisitor looked at him.
Cairis grabbed Liora's hand.
Firmly.
Possessively.
And pulled her beside him.
She gasped softly.
"…Cairis—"
But he cut her off.
His voice echoed across the battlefield.
Cold.
Absolute.
"This woman…"
His grip tightened slightly.
"…belongs to me."
The world seemed to stop.
Liora's eyes widened.
"…WHAT?!"
But it was too late.
The magic reacted instantly.
Silver light erupted from her body.
Dark energy surged from Cairis.
The two forces collided violently in the air above them.
The sky itself seemed to crack.
Wind exploded across the battlefield.
Every soldier was thrown backward.
Trees bent violently under the pressure.
Even the Grand Inquisitor stumbled slightly.
Rhael watched from the edge of the battlefield.
And laughed quietly.
"…Oh."
His golden eyes gleamed with interest.
"…That's much stronger than I expected."
At the center of the chaos—
Liora stared at Cairis in shock.
"…What did you just do?!"
He looked down at her calmly.
"I claimed you."
Her jaw dropped.
"You WHAT?!"
"It was necessary."
"For WHAT?!"
He glanced toward the stunned soldiers surrounding them.
"For that."
Liora looked up.
The magic storm above them was still swirling violently.
Silver and black energy twisting together like a living thing.
The bond between them had just grown stronger.
Much stronger.
The Grand Inquisitor slowly stood up again.
His expression had changed.
No longer confident.
Now…
He looked cautious.
"…So the rumors were true."
His gaze locked onto Liora.
"The witch has chosen a demon."
Cairis corrected him calmly.
"No."
His arm wrapped around Liora's waist suddenly.
Pulling her closer.
"I chose her."
Liora's heart nearly exploded.
"…STOP SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT!"
But Cairis ignored her completely.
His crimson eyes remained fixed on the Inquisitor.
"…Leave."
The word echoed like a command.
The Inquisitor studied them both carefully.
Then slowly…
He smiled.
"…Interesting."
He turned away.
"Retreat."
The remaining knights hesitated.
"But sir—"
"That wasn't a request."
The soldiers immediately began withdrawing into the forest.
Within minutes—
The battlefield was empty.
Only broken trees and cracked earth remained.
Silence returned.
Liora slowly turned toward Cairis.
"…You."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
Her face turned red.
"You can't just claim people in front of armies!"
"It worked."
"That's not the point!"
He tilted his head slightly.
"…You're still alive."
She groaned.
"I hate you."
He smiled faintly.
"…No, you don't."
Before she could respond—
Rhael's voice interrupted.
"Well."
They both turned.
The silver-haired demon looked extremely entertained.
"That was dramatic."
Liora pointed at Cairis.
"He started it!"
Rhael ignored her.
Instead he looked at Cairis.
"…You do realize what you just did."
Cairis didn't respond.
But his expression darkened slightly.
Liora frowned.
"…What?"
Rhael smiled slowly.
"You didn't just claim her."
His golden eyes gleamed.
"You activated the bond."
Liora froze.
"…What does that mean?"
Rhael's answer was simple.
"It means the magic between you two just became permanent."
Silence.
Liora looked at Cairis slowly.
"…Permanent?"
Cairis didn't deny it.
Instead—
He smiled.
Liora stared at him in horror.
"…You bonded us permanently?!"
Cairis's crimson eyes glowed faintly.
"…I told you."
His voice was quiet.
"Once a demon chooses something…"
His gaze softened slightly as he looked at her.
"…he never lets it go."