Chapter 1: An enemy is an enemy, after all!

“Viel!!!”

“Serena!!!”

With roars of fury, the youngest Demon King in history, Viel, swung his demonic blade, unleashing a slash interwoven with red and black that collided with the oncoming silver sword energy.

The two legendary weapons clashed, like two frenzied beasts, each intent on devouring the other.

The terrifying surge of energy shook the very space, causing the Demon King’s castle to crumble—this deathmatch, which had raged for seven full days and nights, had finally entered its final stage.

The one locked in combat with Viel was none other than his fated nemesis—the Silver Sword Princess, Serena.

Crash!

After seven continuous days of mortal struggle, both the Demon King’s and the Sword Princess’s weapons reached their limits and shattered simultaneously, sending them flying from the force of each other’s sword energy.

“Cough… cough…”

Viel, slammed against the wall, had his vision blur. The Demon King’s mask cracked and fell to the ground.

A bead of blood seeped from his temple, tracing down a face that was almost delicate in its beauty.

The young Demon King gritted his teeth, forcing his body to stand, struggling to focus his crimson eyes as he fixed his gaze on the human girl below, clad in silver armor.

Memories surged forth—scene after scene of him and her flashing rapidly before his eyes.

What should have been a beautiful first meeting, under the relentless push of fate, caused every encounter between them to drive them further apart, until they stood on completely opposite paths.

From the initial faint sweetness, drowned by endless bitterness that followed, the childish promise of their youth ultimately could not withstand cruel reality.

“Again and again, again and again, again and again, again and again, again and again—!!!”

Viel repeatedly raised his hand, pounding the rubble around him, hysterically venting the violent storm of emotions within.

“Stop struggling and just die already!”

“Your existence threatens humanity.”

Serena, her breathing ragged, lifted her head. Though her voice was weak, she faced the young Demon King directly. A trace of sorrow she herself hadn’t noticed flickered across her beautiful face.

“My mission is to end you.”

“…You’re really annoying.”

Viel’s lips were nearly bitten through. He slowly raised the broken remnants of the Demon King’s blade, pouring the last scraps of his meager magic into the fractured edge. Killing intent surged as he resolved to end the fight—and with it, the tangled grievances between them.

He took a step forward, leaping down from midair toward Serena.

The nearly exhausted Silver Sword Princess gripped her broken sword tightly, swinging the final strike of her life with murderous intent.

Splat!

The two shattered blades pierced Viel and Serena’s chests respectively, striking true at their vitals, causing both hearts to gradually still.

“Urgh…”

Viel collapsed to the ground. Blood flowing from his chest pooled on the floor like a small stream, spreading beneath Serena.

His body grew colder, his vision blurred. He felt everything around him slipping away, the flame of life like a candle flickering in the wind, on the verge of extinction.

“…Go to hell, Viel.”

In her final moments, Serena murmured softly.

The barely audible words stung Viel, causing his unfocused pupils to suddenly contract.

“…Heh.”

He laughed—whether mocking her or himself, he didn’t know.

Through the mingling of their blood, he could sense Serena’s soul detaching from her body.

Using the blood link as a medium, he poured every last ounce of his strength into unleashing the Demon King’s power, casting a curse upon their souls.

“You…!?”

Serena was stunned. In the face of death, instead of seeking release, Viel had made a mad choice.

Under the curse’s effect, their souls were forcibly bound together, inseparable.

“If I’m going to hell, Serena, you’re coming with me to its deepest depths,” Viel declared. “This is the ending our fated rivalry deserves!”

…

The human world, the Holy Land.

“Lady Sword Princess has fulfilled her mission, but to achieve this great feat, she paid with her own life.”

The cleric watched the crystal symbolizing Serena’s soul fluctuations gradually calm, announcing the truth to the crowd in a silent voice.

The people rejoiced, yet mourned Serena’s passing.

“Sigh.”

The elder of the Holy Land let out a long sigh, his heart heavy with grief as he stepped before the crowd.

“Then, as planned, let us guide Lady Sword Princess’s soul to return.”

“Yes!”

As the cleric prepared the guidance ritual, he froze, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

“N-No, something’s wrong—someone is interfering!”

“What?”

The elder frowned, unable to comprehend. This should have been impossible; no mishaps could occur.

A warrior of such power, indispensable to humanity—even her soul after death must be reincarnated within the human world.

“What do we do now?” the cleric asked anxiously.

“Gather the clerics, activate the holy relic, and initiate the forced soul recall ritual!”

“The holy relic?! But to use it, per protocol, we need approval—”

“This is the highest priority!” the elder’s voice brooked no argument.

“Yes!!”

The cleric dared not delay, immediately carrying out the elder’s command.

Soon, the clerics were assembled, bringing the crucial holy relic.

Under the elder’s direction, they activated the grand holy array, awakening the relic and beginning the forced recall ritual.

“Lady Sword Princess, may your wandering soul return!”

“Elder, how is the effect?”

“…It worked!”

The elder was elated.

It felt different from past soul returns, and though he had doubts, ensuring Lady Sword Princess’s soul returned and reincarnated among humans was what mattered most.

…

…

Seventeen years after the Demon King’s fall.

A pink-haired girl sat before a mirror, her eyes blooming like pink cherry blossoms, her soft, round cheeks impossibly cute. Her white silk-stockinged legs dangled lightly, and she wore luxurious blue-and-white saintess robes.

What should have been a symbol of sanctity showed little of it on her, instead radiating innocence and childlike charm.

She was Via·Sheliford, the future saintess of the Holy Land.

“Hehe~”

A silly grin spread across Via’s soft face.

“What are you grinning about, little sister?”

Behind Via stood a red-haired girl who looked nearly identical to her, carefully brushing her hair with a sandalwood comb.

Her name was Sophie·Sheliford, Via’s twin older sister.

Though they wore matching saintess robes, on Sophie, they fit perfectly—sacred and noble, as if she were born for them.

“Nothing, really. I’m just happy being with you, big sis~” Via replied.

She had grown up with her sister and cared for her more than anyone.

“Just because of that?”

“Yep! I want to be with you forever.”

In her heart, Via secretly added a timeframe…

Forever!

“Will Via never grow up?”

“Can I stay like this forever?” Via blinked.

“Sure you can.”

Sophie smiled gently, continuing to tidy her sister’s hair with care.

Knock, knock, knock.

A knock came from the door.

“They’re probably rushing us. Tonight’s an important banquet—we need to represent the Holy Land and meet His Majesty the Emperor,” Sophie said. “We’re ready. Let’s go.”

“Okay~”

Via nodded.

Sophie set down the comb, finished helping Via dress, and left the room first.

Via stood from her chair, ready to follow, but remembering the banquet’s importance and that she couldn’t afford any mistakes, she turned back to check her appearance one last time.

But upon seeing the mirror, she froze.

Reflected in the future saintess’s eyes was not herself, but a black-haired, red-eyed demon boy.

He stared with an expression bordering on fury, as if demanding to know what she was doing.

“Who… are you?”