The forest fell unnaturally silent. The trees seemed to still, their leaves frozen as if straining to catch the dialogue between light and shadow. Sora took a measured step forward, her white radiance sharpening into a focused, blade-like aura.
"State your name," she said, her voice a cool chime. "And your intent."
The humanoid demon chuckled, placing a clawed hand over his chest in mock courtesy. "Mor'gan Urroreth," he replied. "A Greater Demon of the Primordial Demonic Bloodline."
Null's vision blinked as Fantasy Omniscience flashed within his mind:
[[ Entity Identified: Mor'gan Urroreth •Classification: Greater Demon (Rank: B-)
•Threat Level: Lethal.
•Recommended Action: Immediate Withdrawal.]]
Sora's gaze remained locked onto the demon's molten-gold eyes. "So you're the one who demonized that mana-beast."
Mor'gan's lips curled into a sharp, arrogant grin. "Oh? You make it sound so crude. 'Mutated' implies carelessness. I merely unshackled its true, entropic nature."
"You infused it with Demonseed Miasma," Sora scowled. "You forced an essence inversion for the sake of a weapon."
"And I'm proud of it," Mor'gan laughed, full of disdain. "Nature is inefficient. Weak. It required refinement, and I was charitable enough to provide it."
"Great. Evil and pretentious." Null muttered under his breath.
Mor'gan's eyes flicked to him, his expression souring into lethal irritation. "Watch your tongue, insect," he hissed. "You are breathing in the presence of a superior being."
Sora stepped forward, shielding Null with her presence. "So you admit the maisma corrosion of this forest was your doing."
"Admit it?" Mor'gan's curved horns glinted in the dim light. "Indeed, i admit. {Saintess of Living Radiance}."
Sora's brow furrowed. "You know my identity?"
"Of course," Mor'gan purred, his voice dripping with sudden malice. "Who wouldn't recognize a Rising jewel of Eden Academy's freshman class? Especially when the one in question is the Successor to the Sacred Cathedra."
"I didn't realize the denizens of the Abyssal Damnation kept track of academy rankings," Sora said flatly.
"When a person glows like a divine relic, it tends to draw eyes."
"Then let's return to the primary, concern" Sora said, shifting into a combat-ready stance. "How did you get here? What nefarious objective do you have for this village?"
"Nefarious Objective?" Mor'gan smirked. "You make it sound so personal, Saintess. The truth is entirely mundane. I'm a mercenary. A contractor, if you prefer. A client paid me to terraform this woodland and harvest some sacrifices."
"You're doing this for money?" Null asked, incredulous.
"Of course." Mor'gan shrugged with exaggerated nonchalance. "Did you expect a vendetta against humanity? A desire to sow chaos?"
"Please, I am a professional. I fulfill contracts. Nothing more."
Sora's expression hardened into cold disgust. "You murder innocents for a ledger. That makes you viler than a zealot. Who holds your contract?"
Mor'gan wagged a clawed finger. "Client confidentiality, miss. Professional ethics."
The demon paused. A predatory realisation flickered across his molten-gold eyes. "Though... now that I think about it..." His grin split wider, "This is a remarkably lucrative encounter."
He studied Sora like a merchant appraising a rare gem. "Oh, this is immaculate. The Successor to the Sacred Cathedra, Here in a rural backwater without a single elite escort? Just you, a weak companion, and a forest that won't tell tales."
He took a deliberate step forward. Dark mana crackled around his form like a rising storm. "Do you have any idea how much your head is worth? Damnation pays fortunes to extinguish humanity's next generation of heroes before they can mature. And you? You're the highest-value asset on the board."
※
Beneath the overt tension of the conversation, a private telepathic-link opened between Sora and Null, pulsing with quiet urgency.
[A mana transmission is detected]
[Private Mana Channel initiated– Sora → Null]
(Null-san. Listen carefully. Do not react.)
Null's eyes remained fixed on the demon, but his awareness shifted. (I'm listening.).
(This greater demon is far beyond my initial assumption,) Sora's voice echoed in his mind. (My probability of victory is… marginal.)
(Marginal but not zero, right?)
A microsecond of cold calculation passed through the link.
(Possible, but not optimistic.)
Null's jaw tightened. So this would be a very hard fight.
(I will erect a Celestial Asylum around you. Once it is in place, I will engage Mor'gan directly.)
(While I hold his attention, you must withdraw.)
(Alone?)
(Yes. Trust in me.)
"Oh?" In the physical world, dark orange flames erupted around Mor'gan's boots as he shifted his weight, sensing the thin thread weaving through mana . "Plotting your last prayers, Saintess?."
Sora didn't flinch. Her radiance sharpened into a lethal brilliance. "Just estimating the effort required to end you."
Behind her, the Vow of Celestial Asylum began to isolate Null, a stark contrast to the foreboding battle about to unfold.
(Move on my mark,) Sora projected one final time through the link. (Trust my light.)
"I wonder if you're capable of it," Mor'gan taunted, his maisma rippling like a predator about to strike.
"We will find out," Sora responded defiantly.
In a fraction of a heartbeat, the dark orange hellfire and the pristine white radiance collided, tearing the clearing apart.
------------------------------