Chapter 16: The Aftermath – A Question Unanswered

The battlefield lay silent, but Ren felt anything but peace.

A strange sensation crawled beneath his skin, an unsettling energy that hadn’t been there before. His breath was steady, his wounds were manageable, yet his body… felt wrong.

He shook his head, pushing the feeling aside.

Turning, he made his way to Rex, who was still motionless on the bloodstained ground.

Kneeling beside him, Ren placed a hand on his chest. Rex was breathing—slow, but steady. His injuries weren’t fatal. Just knocked out cold.

A sigh of relief escaped Ren’s lips.

Then—

A shadow loomed over him.

Ramiel.

The warrior lord stopped a few feet away, his heavy war hammer resting against his shoulder. His sharp gaze locked onto Ren, but it wasn’t his usual look of judgment or mild disapproval.

No.

This was something else.

Ramiel’s eyes narrowed. Then, without warning, he pointed at Ren.

“…That energy,” he muttered. “What are you?”

Ren froze.

His heart skipped a beat.

The tension in the air was suffocating. Ramiel wasn’t just asking—he was demanding an answer.

But before Ren could speak—

“Ren! Rex!”

Alys came running.

Her crimson cloak fluttered behind her, her eyes frantic with worry. She dropped to her knees beside them, scanning their wounds.

Ren winced as she reached for his arm.

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“You’re hurt,” she muttered.

“I’m fine,” Ren said quickly. He pulled away and motioned to Rex. “Heal him first.”

Alys hesitated, then nodded. Placing her hands over Rex’s wounds, a soft golden light pulsed from her fingertips.

Ramiel watched in silence, his question still unanswered.

Ren clenched his fists.

He didn’t know what was happening to him.

But one thing was clear—Ramiel did.

And that meant… Ren would have to find out soon.

The battle for the kingdom had ended. The demons had been pushed back.

But the war?

The war was only beginning.

As the dust settled, reports came flooding in. Information gathered from captured demons and spies revealed a terrifying truth—

The Four-Star Demon Lords had already claimed territories across Frya.

Each one had carved out their own domain, fortifying their armies and preparing for the next great assault.

With the Demon King’s location still unknown, the war council had no choice but to split their forces.

Each team would be assigned to eliminate one of the Four-Star Lords.

To ensure success, every team would be accompanied by a Pillar—one of the strongest warriors of the kingdom.

Nine teams were formed, each led by a Pillar, tasked with eliminating a Demon Lord.

Their targets were scattered across the land:

* Eallonia – A once-prosperous land, now a cursed wasteland.

* Shadow Region – A place where even the strongest warriors fear to tread.

* Perfect Valley – Deceptively beautiful, but harboring horrors beneath.

* Ancient Forest – Home to forgotten creatures and dark secrets.

* Slelghard – A kingdom now ruled by demons instead of men.

* Ash Plane – A region covered in eternal fire and ash.

* Edara – A ruined city, a battlefield of past wars.

* Boiling Realm – A scorching land of molten rivers and endless heat.

* Sky Realm – A floating continent, believed to be where the Demon King himself resides.

Only Commander Michael remained behind to protect the kingdom, as the Demon King’s exact location was still unknown.

The war was far from over.

It was only beginning.

The grand hall of the kingdom was eerily quiet, despite being filled with warriors, strategists, and the most powerful fighters in Frya. A massive war map was spread across the table, marked with symbols representing each Demon Lord’s territory.

The atmosphere was tense. No one spoke as Commander Michael stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, his gaze sharp. He was staying behind to protect the kingdom, but his presence still commanded respect.

Then, Ramiel’s voice broke the silence.

"We move out in three days."

The warriors straightened. The countdown to war had begun.

Michael nodded. "Each team will be accompanied by a Pillar. Your missions are simple—eliminate the Demon Lords and reclaim the regions they’ve stolen. We will push the demons back, one stronghold at a time."

Ren stood at the back of the room, arms folded. His body was healed, but the strange sensation from earlier still lingered. He had brushed it off, but Ramiel’s words haunted him.

What are you?

He clenched his fist. I’m just me.

But deep down, he wasn’t so sure anymore.