Chapter 37: No one can truly know their own heart.

“Regretfully, Cassius—they’re ready.”

Isabelle’s reply straightened Leanna’s spine. Teresa, second squad captain, swept Cassius a dark, cold glance.

“Plan swiftly. Your Majesty said—each day, hundreds die in fortress.”

Cassius opened mouth—Isabelle cut.

Mars hurried on.

Beyond plan: select demon abilities. Others unknown—limited aid.

“Danger—flee. Third Army guards perimeter. Ignore Cassius.”

Pre-entry, Mars to Knights—earnest. Nora’s view improved.

Dong-dong—

Camp drums. Leanna led to west gate. Nobles, aides watched sky from tents.

God’s Sight mirrored Knights.

Emperor’s obese form beside Cassius. Bows.

Emperor eyed Knights.

“Entered?”

“Yes, Majesty.”

“Seen them—can subdue demons?”

“Impossible. Month training—LV15 beyond expect. Stops here.”

Cassius recalled girls, smirked.

“Fortress entry—face that demon. Cost me, Third Army elites. Girls’ mindset—no escape.”

“Majesty—watch. Rose Knights yours soon.”

Emperor nodded, provoked Isabelle.

“Good. Not too many deaths—or worthless.”

“Relax. Breakdown—I’ll intervene.”

…

Knights unaware mirrored. Unconcerned.

West gate: blood, rot stench.

Once solemn—silent. Corpses everywhere. Girls uneasy—some pale.

Dungeon: monster corpses, bones.

Fresh gore—normal shock.

Soon—Melin walked: surroundings lily field unbloomed. Teammates gone.

Familiar home.

Creak—

Door. Woman smiled.

“Child—home.”

“Mother?”

Maryl.

How inside? Melin at table. Steaming childhood dishes.

“Eat—cooling.”

Urge. Melin held utensils—still.

Fortress memory distant—dream?

No Knights. Anna Town girl—ordinary, happy.

“Stunned? Work trouble?”

Maryl worried, apron-wiped, approached.

Next—

“Sorry, Mother.”

No sign—Melin stabbed heart with knife-fork.

Gentle Maryl—fell, face twisted.

Voice warped.

“Y-you… desired life? Dare strike mother? Sink in—good?!”

“Maryl” clutched chest, gasped. Confusion, pain.

Melin loomed—cold.

“Beautiful life—fight to guard.”

Celis’s truth.

Not time enjoy. Goals. Lily promise.

Hand to empty waist—knight sword materialized.

“Abyss demon—heart-peek weak.”

“…Meaning?!”

“No Celis—this desired?!”

Fury—sword light slashed.

…

Camp.

Sight: Knights froze post-gate—like puppets.

Small red demon appeared.

Cassius grinned.

“Heh—Nightmare Demon. Weak combat—peers deepest desires. Illusions terrifying. Few escape.”

“Few self-aware, resist temptation. My hundreds, Third Army squads—lost.”

“Meet it—tsk. Knights…”

Words cut—three seconds: girl slashed.

Schlick—

Imagined head sever.

Terrifying Nightmare—toppled. Head gone, neck smooth. Blood sprayed.

Death woke Knights.

Camp—silent.