Chapter 178: The Night of the Full Moon – Middle (3)

The wolves could not comprehend the situation at all.

The two people most precious to them were glaring at each other, filled with murderous intent, and were suddenly about to start a fight.

Sion was, without a doubt, their true master.

Although currently in a different form, they could recognize her by the essence of her soul.

She was the very person who had cherished them so much five hundred years ago.

On the other hand, Raizein had not shown them as much affection as Sion, raising them with a degree of neglect.

Yet, for the past five hundred years after Sion’s passing, Raizein had cared for them. Naturally, they had developed deep attachments over time.

More than anything, the wolves knew that these two were family.

They still remembered the distant past when Sion would affectionately hold and play with Raizein.

A battle between them was unthinkable. And this was no mere argument—it was a fight to the death.

There had to be some misunderstanding. Perhaps they no longer recognized each other due to their changed appearances.

With that judgment, the wolves attempted to intervene, grabbing at their clothing to stop the fight.

“Woof! Woof woof woof!”

“?! W-wait! Stop! My clothes will tear! Stop it!”

A moment ago, Sion had been exuding determination with a serious expression, but as the wolves pounced on her, she was startled and quickly pressed down on her skirt.

Her flustered, blushing face made her seem no different from any ordinary girl her age.

Meanwhile, Raizein frowned in displeasure, seemingly irritated that the tension had been broken.

“Um, dear wolves? I apologize, but the two of us are in the middle of a very important ritual. Could you please step back and not interfere?”

“Woof!!! Woof woof woof!!!”

“…Who gave you permission to bite at my clothes? Do you have a death wish?”

“Whimper!”

At the chilling tone in Raizein’s voice, the frightened wolves released their grip on Sion’s skirt and backed away.

However, they remained resolute, standing firmly between the two as if to say they would not allow the fight to happen.

Raizein’s frown deepened.

“Do you even understand the meaning of what you’re doing?

This is outright insubordination. Even if you are mere beasts without intelligence, I cannot let such actions slide.”

“Woof! Woof!”

“This is my final warning. Step aside. Even I have a limit to my patience.”

“Woof!! Awooooo!!!”

The wolves all howled in unison, unmoving, unwavering.

Raizein sighed.

“…I see. So no matter how many times I tell you, you won’t move. Very well, then.”

The wolves barked brightly, believing that Raizein had finally understood them.

Whatever misunderstanding there had been, it must have been resolved. Now, the two would no longer fight.

But in the next moment—

Slash!

In an instant, spears of shadow erupted from the ground, piercing through the bodies of all five wolves at once.

“?! Woof… K-kgh…”

“If you continue to defy me, there is only one solution. I will execute you all and use your corpses to nourish my shadows.

I was willing to overlook some insolence in recognition of your service in finding my father, but you have crossed the line. I have no use for rebellious beasts. Now, leave the stage quietly.”

Raizein murmured with a chilling calm, silhouetted against the full moon. Thick, dark blood pooled over the blackened shadows on the ground.

The wolves, betrayed by the master they trusted, could not even scream before they perished.

Sion, witnessing the horrifying scene, widened her eyes in shock.

“Raizein?! You… what the hell—”

“Sigh, finally, those noisy creatures are gone. Now, let me clean up a little. Please wait just a moment.”

Raizein snapped his fingers, and the shadows swelled. The spears that impaled the convulsing wolves swallowed them whole from above.

The shadows devoured the corpses, slowly shrinking as if digesting them. And then…

They vanished completely, absorbed into the darkness, leaving not a single trace behind.

“Mmm, as expected, the taste of magical beasts isn’t too bad.

At least, they’re far more satisfying than that trio I encountered earlier.

I already absorbed quite a bit of life force from that dragon girl, but there’s no harm in stockpiling more.

Especially with the final battle approaching.”

“……”

Sion lowered her head, staring at the empty ground. There was nothing left—not a drop of blood, not a scrap of fur.

Not a single trace that her beloved pets had ever existed.

“…What have you done, Raizein?”

Forcing down her rising fury, she spoke in a controlled voice.

“These Spirit Hounds were my loyal companions, but they were also your pets.

Before the final battle, I personally commanded them to serve as your guards.”

And if my thoughts were correct, these beings had faithfully carried out their duties by your side for the past 500 years. Did you not feel even a shred of affection for them?”

“There was some, of course. That’s why I have cared for and nurtured them so diligently until now.”

“Then why did you harm your own subordinates? Why, exactly? Could it be… because they acted against your will just now?”

“Oh my, what other reason could there be?”

Raizein replied with a bright smile.

“Father always used to say, [A ruler must never forgive those who dare to bare their fangs at their superior. Even if that subordinate has followed orders without issue until now.]

I simply followed that teaching to the letter, thoroughly and without hesitation, rooting out the seeds of rebellion before they could grow. Why, is there a problem?”

“….!”

At that moment, a shock like a hammer blow struck her mind.

Yes. That was right. Now that she heard it, she remembered.

There was indeed a time when she had placed the most promising candidate for the next Demon King, Raizein, on her lap and taught her exactly that.

She herself had said it—no matter how loyal a subordinate had been, the moment they revealed even a hint of treachery, they must be purged immediately.

Had that been a mistake in education? No, it had not.

In demon society, that principle was an undeniable truth. Those who dared to harbor ambitions beyond their station had to be eliminated as swiftly as possible.

Showing mercy half-heartedly would only invite another rebellion. In the demon world, there was no such thing as genuine loyalty.

Only rule by iron fist, drenched in blood and screams, was permitted in that ruthless world.

Yes. That was what they were. But why had she forgotten until now?

Long ago, she had acted exactly as Raizein was acting now. Without hesitation, she had cut down rebels who pleaded with crocodile tears for mercy.

That was the nature of demons. That was the demon realm.

A gathering of beings devoid of the concept of morality. A place where notions like love and tolerance were nothing more than jokes.

“……….”

Sion closed her eyes.

Raizein was not wrong. She had only followed the teachings Sion had given her.

Likewise, Sion was not wrong either. She had merely taught Raizein the truths that were valid in that time and that world.

And, of course, the slaughtered wolves were not at fault.

Then who was to blame? Who was responsible for the deaths of her beloved pets?

She did not know. But even if she could not find the answer, she at least knew what she had to do now.

“Long ago, Esther once told me something.”

With her eyes closed, Sion slowly murmured.

“‘Demons are the most pitiful beings in the world.’ No human suffering under extreme poverty or oppression could ever compare.”

At the time, she had not understood the meaning of those words. But now, she finally did.

“…?”

Raizein tilted her head in confusion.

“Pitiable? Demons? Why? We are clearly far stronger and more superior than feeble humans, aren’t we?”

“You wouldn’t understand at this moment. Even if I explained, it would not reach your heart.”

Of course not. It had taken Sion three years to realize it herself.

The Hero Lier and their companions—if not for the three years she had spent with them, her heart would have remained just as impoverished.

“But don’t worry. There is a way to teach you.”

With those words, Sion raised Exia.

Ever since her reincarnation, she had never fought at full strength.

There had always been restrictions—winning would cause complications, someone was watching, there was someone nearby she had to protect, or her opponent was an ally.

For various reasons, she had always held back her power. And it had been so natural that she had never even found it frustrating.

But in this moment, Sion decided to cast off all those restraints for the first time.

The possibility of someone witnessing her overwhelming strength? It didn’t matter.

If her identity as a fake hero was exposed, she could just go into hiding or rely on Mana for support.

The loss of status, her comrades’ honor, her friends’ confusion—none of it mattered. Compared to the weight of this moment, they were all trivial concerns.

Raizein had challenged her, staking her claim to the throne of the Demon King. Then Sion, too, had to respond in kind.

Under the name of the strongest Demon King who once brought all demons to their knees—Sien Astaroth.

“Come, my daughter.”

Sion pointed her sword at Raizein and declared:

“I shall teach you. The weight of the burden a ruler must bear.

Why, in the distant past, no one dared to question my claim as the absolute ruler.

I shall show you now.”

At that moment, a ferocious killing intent spread from her, pressing down upon all creation like an unstoppable force…