"It’s about Klaus. The thing inside him—it isn’t Klaus anymore."
Kaname’s eyebrows shot up. Sylvia’s gaze sharpened.
"Knights Order Captain Leonhardt, Klaus’s father, is dead. The one who killed him was undoubtedly the entity that has taken over Klaus’s body."
The four of them stared at me, eyes wide with the weight of that confession. I continued, relentless.
"During the chaos of the Kingdom Festival, Klaus’s body was hijacked by another existence—right in front of my eyes."
I paused for a beat before delivering the next blow.
"A Transcendent dwelling within Ancient Magic. A former Demon King named Verdict."
The words detonated like a bomb in the small space. All four of them let out simultaneous gasps of shock.
"Wait, sorry. Hold on. I’m having a little trouble processing this—" Sylvia waved her hands as if trying to physically steady the air around them. "A former Demon King named Verdict... dwelling inside Ancient Magic? What does that even mean?"
"You all know about Ancient Magic. It’s magic that the Kingdom considers a taboo even to research. The truth is, a 'Will' resides within that magic. Apparently, these Wills are Demon Kings from the past who succeeded in destroying the world, eventually becoming magic itself."
I took a breath and pressed on.
"One of those Wills is Verdict—a man with red hair and red eyes who manipulates blood magic. He plotted to be resurrected in this world... and he succeeded. By deceiving me."
"Albert-kun, you were deceived? How?"
"The truth is, I can use Ancient Magic."
Faced with yet another staggering revelation, the four of them recoiled again. However, this seemed slightly easier for them to swallow than the rest.
"I see... so that’s the source of your off-the-charts strength, Albert-kun..."
"Hmm, I guess it makes sense that Milia-chan-sama would lose to that."
I saw the realization dawn on them; they hadn't been able to grasp the depths of my power before, and this finally provided the answer.
I felt a pang of guilt for keeping it a secret. But in this kingdom, being exposed meant being branded a criminal. Still, I trusted these people. I knew they wouldn't breathe a word to anyone.
"Because of that connection, I became Verdict’s contact point. Without realizing it, I played a part in his resurrection."
The confession felt like spitting out bitter, stagnant water. Just the memory caused a fracture in my emotions. I would never forget this humiliation.
Now—it was time for the main point.
"That Verdict is the one who stole Aristia's heart."
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
"He unleashed only her vessel. That thing out in the schoolyard—that is her body."
Before their minds could even begin to process the implications, I stated the conclusion.
"Aristia is the Demon King."
Silence.
This silence was different from the ones before. It was a heavy, suffocating stillness, as if the very air had frozen solid.
Eventually, words began to trickle out.
"No way... her?"
"...I see... so that’s how it is..."
"Truly... truly unexpected..."
Sylvia, Milia, and Kaname each voiced their agitation in their own way. It was only natural. That listless girl who loved food, who got herself buried in the snow during our snowball fight, and who laughed with that silly "Uhehehe"—she was the Demon King.
Only Luna’s reaction was different.
She was completely frozen, her expression a harrowing mix of shock and pure rage. Eventually, her gaze dropped slowly, landing on her own right hand. It was the hand she had used to pull the snow-buried Aristia to her feet.
She had held the hand of a Demon King.
Luna’s face went deathly pale as she squeezed that hand into a fist, her knuckles turning white. I knew how distraught she must be. I’d have to find a way to help her through this later...
I continued my explanation.
"The real Aristia, as you all know, is a pacifist. she has no desire to destroy the world. This means that if I reclaim Aristia's Will from Verdict and release it, everything will go back to the way it should be."
Back to the original, lazy, unmotivated girl who just wanted friends.
"I’m going after Verdict. I’m going to take back Aristia's heart."
The three of them, excluding Luna, caught their breath.
"Do you know where he is?" Sylvia asked.
"I'll use this."
I raised my left hand and deployed a single petal of my Ancient Magic Shield, Tria Petal. The flower-like fragment spun in my palm before coming to a sudden halt.
Its pointed tip aimed straight toward the student dormitory.
"I’ll track Verdict with this. Aristia's heart should be with him."
Sylvia spoke up again. "...Then, what about the Vessel of the Demon King that Leon-kun is fighting? Are you just going to leave it?"
"I’ll leave that to Leon. While he holds her off, I’ll release her heart. Once I do, the Rampage of the Vessel will stop."
"...In other words, you aren't going to defeat Aristia-chan? You won't kill the Demon King?"
"Exactly. The only one I’m going to kill is Verdict. And I will be the one to do it."
I looked each of them in the eye.
"I want to borrow your strength. We cannot afford to lose this fight. But Verdict is powerful, and I have no idea what we’re walking into. So please, lend me your strength."
I bowed my head deeply to them.
"...However, the risk of death is high. I won't force anyone."
I waited for a response, wondering who would speak first. It was Kaname.
"My loyalty has been pledged to Lord Albert from the beginning. I have no objections. To face a former Demon King who once destroyed the world... there is no greater honor!"
"The loser is the property of the winner, so Milia-chan-sama belongs to Lord Albert," Milia added with a playful smile. "If you command it, I’ll follow you to the very ends of hell."
Sylvia was next. "I’m your kin, aren't I? I’m not about to say no. Woof-woof!"
"...Regardless of being my kin, I want you to make this choice for yourself."
"Seriousness doesn't suit you, Albert-kun. I only said it like that because the mood was so heavy. My answer is the same either way. I told you, didn't I? I’ve decided to do my best to grant your requests."
"Thank you."
That was three of them.
But one person remained silent. Every eye in the room naturally turned toward Luna.
Sylvia called out to her, concern lacing her voice. "Luna-chan? What about you? If you’re scared, it’s okay to step back."
Luna didn't answer immediately. She bit her lip, looking agonized and conflicted as she struggled with a decision. Her fist tightened even further. Eventually, she looked me dead in the eye.
"Lord Albert. I... cannot agree to this."
It was a flat, cold rejection.
I had expected this to some degree. Watching her since we entered the room, I felt the odds of her accepting my plan were slim. Luna hates the Demon Race with every fiber of her being. She could never forgive the Demon King, the pinnacle of the creatures she loathes.
Even if Aristia was technically innocent of the crimes Luna suffered, to her, the Demon King was the ultimate target for all her resentment. There was no logic to it, only a sludge-like, festering hatred.
"I will fight alongside Hero Leon," she continued. "I choose to defeat the Demon King. Even if she is the Aristia I once knew, I will kill her."
I had no words to offer.
In truth, I had one final card I could play. Because she had entered into a blood covenant and become my kin, she could not disobey my orders. I could simply command her to "come." I could crush her free will and turn her into my pawn.
But I would never do that. This choice had to be hers.
"I understand, Luna. Do as you see fit."
"...You won't... command me?"
"I respect your will. I gave you power, just as I promised. But I didn't give it to you so I could trample on your feelings. I gave it to you so you could see your own will through."
"Thank you very much."
Luna bowed once, then turned and walked toward the door of the training ground.
Our paths had officially diverged.
I had nothing left to say to her. As I watched her back retreat, I wondered if this was truly the right thing—not for me, but for her. A battle against the fully awakened Aristia would be catastrophic. The chances of Luna surviving were abysmal. There might actually be more of an opening against Verdict.
But that was an arrogant thought. Verdict was just as dangerous, and there was no guarantee any of us would survive either. If the risk was high no matter what, then she should be allowed to walk the path she believed in.
"...Thank you for everything, Lord Albert."
With those final words, Luna stepped out of the training ground.
Our directions were set. Breaking the heavy silence that followed her departure, I spoke.
"Let’s go. Aristia is waiting."
Her heart is stolen. She has no voice, and no way to call for help.
'See you tomorrow, Albert-kun.'
I’m going to go fulfill that promise now.