The forest was quiet again.
Too quiet.
Liora stood in the center of the clearing, staring at the place where the soldiers had vanished.
Her golden chains of magic had faded back into the earth. The runes glowing beneath her feet slowly dimmed until the forest looked normal again.
Normal.
Except for the demon prince standing beside her with an arm still around her waist.
"…You can let go now," she said flatly.
Cairis looked down at her.
"…Can I?"
Liora turned her head slowly.
"That wasn't a suggestion."
He sighed softly, but his arm loosened. Not entirely. Just enough that she could step away if she wanted.
She didn't.
Not yet.
Because something was wrong.
She could feel it.
The forest still felt… tense.
Watching.
Waiting.
Cairis noticed it too.
His crimson eyes scanned the trees.
"…They're running faster than I expected."
Liora frowned.
"Who is?"
"The soldiers."
"That seems normal."
"Not when they're this terrified."
His voice was thoughtful.
"And not when they know exactly what they just found."
Liora felt a chill crawl up her spine.
"…What do you mean?"
Cairis looked at her like she'd just asked why fire burns.
"They're going to report you."
She blinked.
"…Report me for what?"
"For being exactly what you are."
Liora crossed her arms.
"I'm a gardener."
Cairis stared at her.
Then he laughed.
It was quiet at first.
Then louder.
Soon he was openly laughing in the middle of the forest.
Liora glared.
"I don't see what's funny."
"You froze an entire squad of Church soldiers with instinct magic."
"They attacked me."
"You caught a rain of arrows mid-air."
"They were rude."
"You summoned royal-level binding spells without chanting."
"…That was an accident."
Cairis wiped a tear of amusement from the corner of his eye.
"You're adorable."
Liora turned away, irritated.
"…This is exactly why I didn't want to use magic."
Her voice was quieter now.
Cairis tilted his head.
"…Why?"
She hesitated.
For a moment, the confident witch vanished.
What remained was a girl who had spent years hiding.
"…Because people don't like witches."
Cairis blinked.
Then he looked toward the direction the soldiers had fled.
"…That's not quite accurate."
Liora frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"They don't hate witches."
His voice was calm.
"They fear powerful witches."
She didn't like the way he said that.
"Define powerful."
Cairis looked directly at her.
"…You."
The word hung between them.
Liora looked away quickly.
"…You're exaggerating."
"I'm not."
"Plenty of witches can do what I did."
"No."
His answer was immediate.
Cold.
Certain.
"No they can't."
He stepped closer again.
Close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from him.
"Liora."
Her name sounded different in his voice.
Deeper.
More dangerous.
"Do you know how many witches can cast instinct magic without words?"
She shrugged slightly.
"…Some?"
"None."
Her stomach dropped.
Cairis continued calmly.
"Do you know how many witches can freeze arrows in mid-air with pure will?"
She swallowed.
"…Some?"
"Also none."
The forest suddenly felt colder.
Liora stared at the ground.
"…You're lying."
"I'm not."
He crouched slightly so their eyes met.
His crimson gaze was no longer teasing.
Now it was serious.
Focused.
Hungry.
"You're not just a witch."
The wind stirred gently through the trees.
Leaves whispered across the forest floor.
"You're something much rarer."
Liora felt her heart start pounding.
"…What?"
Before Cairis could answer—
A sound echoed through the forest.
Distant.
But unmistakable.
A horn.
Cairis's head snapped toward the sound.
His expression darkened instantly.
"…That was fast."
Liora stiffened.
"What was that?"
"The Church."
Another horn echoed in the distance.
Then another.
Closer this time.
Liora's face paled.
"…They brought reinforcements?"
Cairis laughed softly.
"Reinforcements?"
His smile turned sharp.
"No."
A third horn echoed.
Much closer now.
Cairis looked toward the trees.
"…They brought hunters."
The word landed like a stone.
Liora's stomach twisted.
"…Hunters?"
"Witch hunters."
Her blood went cold.
Cairis stood slowly.
His eyes gleamed with dangerous excitement.
"…Now things might get interesting."
Branches cracked somewhere deeper in the forest.
Boots.
Many boots.
Dozens.
Liora turned slowly.
Shapes began emerging from the shadows between the trees.
Black cloaks.
Silver armor.
Weapons glowing faintly with holy enchantments.
Witch hunters.
At least thirty of them.
And at their front—
A tall woman with pale silver hair tied behind her back.
Her eyes were ice blue.
Cold.
Unforgiving.
She stepped into the clearing and immediately stopped.
Her gaze locked onto Liora.
"…So."
Her voice was calm.
Deadly calm.
"The Church's report was correct."
She slowly drew the glowing sword at her hip.
Holy runes burned along the blade.
"A witch."
Her eyes shifted slightly.
Landing on Cairis.
And for the first time—
Her expression changed.
Just a little.
"…And a demon prince."
Cairis smiled.
"Oh."
His voice dripped amusement.
"You recognize me."
The woman didn't smile.
"I've hunted demons for twenty years."
Her sword glowed brighter.
"And you're at the top of my list."
Liora whispered under her breath.
"…This is bad."
Cairis glanced sideways at her.
"Relax."
The witch hunter raised her sword.
The entire squad spread out behind her.
Perfect formation.
Then she spoke one final sentence.
The words that made Liora's heart sink.
"By order of the Holy Church…"
Her blade pointed directly at Liora.
"Liora Valen, you are hereby declared a Heretic Witch."
The hunters raised their weapons.
Holy magic ignited across the clearing.
Cairis sighed.
"…Well."
His eyes slowly began to glow crimson again.
"I guess we're doing this."
Then he stepped forward.
Standing between Liora and thirty witch hunters.
The demon prince smiled.
"Try not to die."
Liora stared at his back.
"…That's your advice?!"