Usami was preparing the retreat of her defeated army when a swift response came from the enemy. In the sky hovered a demon cloaked in long garments, wielding a large scythe. His eyes were completely hidden beneath his hair. The soldiers panicked, assuming the battle had resumed. The demon transformed his scythe into a wooden stick, then casually tossed it into his mouth and swallowed it.
Usami, observing from below, immediately sensed the aura of this new arrival—stronger even than the demon she had previously fought. She knew he had the power to destroy their weakened army single-handedly. As the demon began descending, Usami summoned her white painting palette and took a battle stance.
The moment the demon landed, the soldiers unsheathed their swords and surrounded him. But just as they were about to strike, the demon knelt down and shouted, "I come on behalf of the Demon Kingdom's King. My name is Viscount Xavier. I have no intention of attacking you."
Though the soldiers didn't trust him, Usami had no choice but to believe. She stepped out from among her men.
Xavier looked at the short girl approaching him and instantly sensed the strength of her mana. She was clearly an A-rank. Bowing his head, he said, "You must be their commander. It is an honor to meet you."
Usami, wary, used her palette to conjure a dagger and pointed it at Xavier's neck. When he made no move, she pressed it under his chin, lifting his face. "So, you're an envoy? If you're here for peace, I can't help you. You'll need to speak to the border commander."
Looking into her delicate but serious face, Xavier understood he was dealing with someone sharp. Still, he couldn't return empty-handed. "Please take me to that person," he said. "We've already withdrawn our armies from the border so your retreat can proceed safely—but if I'm not with you, someone might still attack."
Usami realized that despite his calm demeanor, Xavier was issuing a veiled threat. If she didn't cooperate, her army might be wiped out. She had no other choice. She reached out and shook his hand. "Alright. We'll take you to her. But your job is to ensure our safety on the way."
Meanwhile, Lila had arrived at the border and ordered her reinforcements to wait there. If they crossed the line again, the Demon Kingdom would trigger a secondary war alert, and retaliation would be inevitable. To prevent that, she anxiously paced back and forth with her arms crossed behind her back, her thoughts consumed by Usami.
Lila: Usami, where are you? Please don't let anything have happened to you. If they've killed you, I'll wipe them out...
Her deep worry gave her the strength—and recklessness—to possibly cross the border if need be. The demon battalion stationed at the border rolled out a red carpet leading to Lila and her troops. Lila unsheathed her sword, standing tall and alert. One of the demon commanders approached her and stood before her.
"Greetings, half-human. Do not worry. Our counterattack has been suspended due to an agreement made with your commander. Twenty thousand demon soldiers have been assigned to guarantee the safety of the retreat path."
Lila narrowed her eyes. "Why should I trust you? I need to ensure the safety of my border."
"If we were to attack, we'd be in the right anyway. But Viscount Xavier was sent by the next Demon King to discuss terms of peace."
Lila understood. But the mention of the Demon King returning sparked an old fire within her. Her heart was racing; her mind clouded. She clenched her fists tightly, restraining herself only because Usami was still alive.
Lila: "Very well. I'll wait here. Once my army is safely across, we can begin peace negotiations."
"We appreciate your cooperation. Peace is essential to the Demon Kingdom."
The demon commander saluted her before retreating. Still worried, Lila kept her eyes fixed on the distance, longing for the girl she loved to return. Eventually, she turned back to her tent, pushing aside her thoughts.
As Xavier and the half-human army continued their journey, the demons stationed along the roadside intimidated any potential threats. Walking beside Usami, Xavier glanced at her face. Seeing her sadness, he gently touched her shoulder and asked, "Is something wrong?"
Usami turned toward him, her cheeks flushing. She found herself affected by his silver hair. Rubbing her hands together shyly, she murmured, "I just… I'm scared that you might kill us."
Xavier looked at her with a surprised expression. "I don't understand you humans. We aren't monsters—we're demons. Our honor and orders are sacred. They will not be betrayed."
His words struck Usami deeply. The belief that demons couldn't be trusted vanished from her mind. She didn't yet know what kind of person the Demon King was—but she had seen what kind of person a viscount could be.
As they reached the edge of the border zone, the demon army and Lila's reinforcements became visible. Usami's face lit up when she spotted Commander Lila. Seeing that, Xavier spread his wings wide. Usami looked at him curiously, but before she could speak, Xavier scooped her into his arms.
Though the soldiers tried to intervene, Usami reassured them. "It's fine." Then Xavier leapt into the air and began flying. Both of them stared out at the sky together.
Xavier: "How does it feel to fly, little bunny?"
Usami: "Not as amazing as everyone says…"
Xavier: "Liar."
Usami: "I can fly too, with my magic!"
Xavier: "Should I drop you, then?"
Usami: "Don't you dare! I can't use my palette mid-air!"
Xavier: "Hahaha, you might be the dumbest half-human I've ever met."
Usami: "You're the dumb one!"
They both laughed as they descended near Lila. Once on the ground, Usami stood up—only to be immediately pulled into Lila's arms.
"Why didn't you listen to me? What if you had died?" Lila sobbed.
Usami held her back tightly, tears streaming down her face, but said nothing.
Xavier cleared his throat to interrupt the emotional moment. Commander Lila wiped her tears, stood up, and straightened herself. Xavier extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Border Commander. I'm Viscount Xavier."
Lila shook it firmly. "I'm Commander Lila. Speaking with a demon like this… feels strange."
As the rest of the army arrived, Lila invited Xavier into her tent. He followed her inside, observing the standard military layout—a simple table and chair, with important documents scattered on top.
Lila gestured for him to sit and took her own seat. Xavier crossed one leg over the other and said, "Time for business."
Lila clasped her hands over the table, her expression firm. "I assume you were sent here to negotiate peace. Normally, I'd accept immediately if personal benefit was at stake—but the honor of my empire is on the line. Why seek peace after launching the first attack?"
Xavier straightened his posture, spreading his aura throughout the tent. His eyes narrowed.
"Attacking us would typically justify a counterattack. But the Demon King has fallen. His son now aims to claim the throne. We are currently occupied with internal affairs and the Tafavu Empire. Commander Rodius, leader of the mages, insists on peace to avoid further conflicts in your lands. So yes—peace is critical right now."
Lila knew the demon standing before her was smart. No matter how much she tried to push him, she could tell he was well-prepared. Still, she had to say the right things—if not for herself, then to avoid the wrath of her superiors. She closed her eyes and spoke calmly:
"What benefit will this bring us? And how do you intend to compensate for the military damage we've suffered?"
Xavier thought for a moment before standing up. Placing one hand on the table, he leaned toward Lila and replied with cool confidence:
"We will not attack you again. Can you find a better deal than that?"
Lila immediately grasped the weight behind his words—a silent warning hidden beneath diplomacy. She picked up a sheet of paper and handed it to her advisor, instructing them to begin drafting the terms.
Xavier spoke first.
"Then allow me to state our conditions. First: the Half-Human Empire will not engage in any hostilities against us for the next five years. Second: since it was your side that initiated the attack, you will pay 500 gold coins as war reparations."
Lila nodded, unfazed. "Very well, your terms are reasonable. In return, our first condition: the defeated army will be allowed to retreat beyond your borders without interference. Second: the Demon Kingdom will not make any military movements near our border during the next five years following the payment of the reparations."
Xavier gave a faint smile. "Fair terms. By the authority granted to me by the Demon King's heir—and my own rank—I accept this agreement."
With both parties signing the treaty, the peace agreement was finalized. The Demon Kingdom honored their word and allowed the army to pass through safely, retreating back across the border. Likewise, once the Half-Human Empire's army was secured, they began their own withdrawal.
Later, Lila sat inside a carriage, facing Usami. The young girl stared silently out the window, but Lila's eyes remained fixed on her. Sensing the gaze, Usami turned toward her, her expression curious. When she saw Lila's flushed face, she smiled playfully.
"Why are you blushing, Lila-onee-san?"
Lila gripped her dress nervously, flustered. "I'm not blushing…"
Usami giggled and moved to sit beside her. As the tension faded, the two began to talk.
Lila: "Why did you fight like it was your last battle, Usami?"
Usami: "I was simply fulfilling my duties as a commander of the Empire."
Lila: "All we asked was that you fight—not throw your life away so recklessly!"
Usami: "If I don't gain experience, I'll never be worthy of the Heaven's Executioners."
Lila: "You don't need to become one. Just because you were born with powerful magic doesn't mean you should suffer for it."
Usami: "Say what you like, but I've already dedicated my life to the Empire. Even if our leader were to kill me, I'd keep going."
Lila: "Why won't you listen to the people who care about you, Usami? What if the enemy had killed you in battle?"
Usami: "How am I supposed to fight with thoughts like that in my head? The strong win battles—and I lost. I should've died. Shouldn't you be happy I didn't?"
She turned away, scowling, her eyes focused again on the scenery outside. Lila watched her in silence—until she noticed a tear trickle down Usami's cheek. She reached out and gently turned her face toward her.
Though Usami resisted, Lila pulled her into a hug.
"Don't talk about yourself like that, Usami!" Lila said, her voice trembling. "You're the girl I love the most… You carry your mother and father's blood. You're a rabbit—rabbits are meant to be free. But you don't even want that freedom…"
Usami softly patted Lila's back, managing a gentle smile.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'm strong. I won't let the blood of my fallen family be spilled in vain. That wouldn't be very ladylike of me, would it?"
Lila froze in surprise. She held Usami by the shoulders, eyes wide.
"Did… did you just call me Mom?"
Usami's face lit up with joy. "Yeah. You're as kind as a mother to me. Can't I call you that?"
Lila pulled her into another tight embrace, tears of joy streaming down her face.
"Of course you can. I'll gladly be your mom—as long as you promise never to stop smiling."
As their carriage moved steadily toward the border city, the two finally found peace with each other. Yet waiting for them in that city was a future neither could foresee. And before they could even think of that future, there was someone they still had to answer to...
The one known as the true ruler of the Empire.
What judgment awaited them?
That answer would come only when they arrived.