For the first time in a while, Yuto released all his emotions, which overflowed like a tidal wave crashing onto the shore.
Crimson energy exploded, shaking the atmosphere and the surrounding buildings.
Then, in front of everyone, the energy condensed and formed a solid layer that wrapped around Yuto's body like skin.
However, seeing how terrifying and devastating the energy wave was, the people around them scattered with pale faces.
The group behind the pink-haired woman moved, especially the blonde-haired woman.
She took out a long staff, and instantly, a magic circle was created on the ground, spilling a thin golden layer that turned into a barrier.
Not just her, but Kaelion, the man with the golden sword, and the two other women moved.
But Yuto was a step faster. His body vanished, he pushed Gonzo behind him, and a red line cut straight toward the pink-haired woman.
Clang!
Sparks flew from the clash of his power and the golden cage protecting the woman and her group behind.
Yuto's eyes narrowed, and he channeled a little more of his Demonic power into the sword.
A menacing light emanated from the sword, echoing furiously like a distant echo.
"Die!"
His voice was flat, devoid of any emotion.
It was ironic that the person devoured by his own emotions couldn't even express a bit of emotion in his words.
The stopped sword flinched, and cracks began to appear, making the people behind the woman grit their teeth.
Crack!
The cracks spread, and finally, the sword gradually cut through the barrier between him and the girl.
However, faster than his sword, a shadow blocked Yuto's view, and it broke through the darkness that enveloped his heart.
Heavenly Qi overflowed and expelled the Demonic energy from his head.
Yuto saw Gonzo spreading his arms wide.
'What!'
The ground below shattered instantly as Yuto transferred the force, which was one step away from beheading Gonzo and the pink-haired woman.
The rattling sound of his black sword echoed in the silent street. The smell of death vanished, replaced by an absolute tension that made time feel as though it had stopped.
Dust rose, then was blown away by the roar of a wind that broke the conflict.
Yuto's crimson eyes were still fixed on the group behind the girl in front of him. He glanced to the side, seeing the stern expression of the man who was looking at him with a furrow in his brow.
"Yuto, calm down."
"Gonzo, you're siding with the people who caused you trouble."
"That's not it. I just don't want you to become a state fugitive for killing an Imperial Princess."
'Imperial Princess.'
Upon hearing the word 'princess,' Yuto's eyes widened, not out of shock but because Elias's memory resurfaced.
The memory of the day when Elias needed support from someone he considered special, but it was all just an illusion.
No one saw his true self, and they only burdened Elias with their selfish, one-sided thoughts.
His hand gripped the sword tighter, and his Demonic aura began to seep out again.
"So what? They're the ones who mess with the people close to me! I'm sure they sent her to pressure your family, especially Marni and Shery. Why should I let them live?"
The air froze; they could even hear the flapping wing of a bird that soared in the sky.
Yuto's words sounded arrogant, but it wasn't a bluff.
He was serious about wanting to eliminate an Imperial Princess and the people who had caused him injustice, all to protect those closest to him.
A few seconds passed, then one person burst out laughing, holding his stomach.
"Hahaha, so that's it. You're doing all this to protect us."
Gonzo let out a long sigh and held the black sword near his neck, then slowly slid it away.
"Thank you, Yuto. But you don't need to do it, because they didn't come here to threaten me; they just wanted to..."
Without finishing his sentence, the man turned and let the group behind the princess approach.
Two women.
One was a short woman with white hair and a stiff expression like a robot, and the other was a tall woman with long, wavy green hair.
She had a seductive body and revealing clothes. Her eyes burned with desire as she gazed at Yuto.
Yuto remained silent. The Princess stepped forward while pinching the hem of her red dress.
"I apologize for my late introduction. My name is Celestina Solgrand. The third princess of the Solgrand Empire."
Celestina straightened her posture and stepped aside to give the two women some space.
"Nefictos and Ferinel."
The women nodded to the princess's words. They bowed their bodies and spoke in unison,
"We apologize for what we have done."
From the tone and emotion coming from their mouths, everything was filled with sincerity.
But Yuto exhaled sharply and replied with indifference.
"Whatever."
With a wave of his hand, his black sword disappeared, and Yuto turned, intending to enter the library to continue his search for information.
"Hey!"
A sharp tone stopped Yuto's intention to leave.
His expression hardened, and he turned to find the pink-haired princess with her arms crossed, glaring at him.
"..."
"Don't you have any manners? These two clearly came to apologize, and all you can say is 'whatever'?"
"What do you want, princess?"
"Princess? How audacious you are. I am an Imperial Princess, and my name is Celestina."
"So? What do you want, princess?"
Yuto repeated his question, causing a blue vein to pop out on the Princess's forehead.
The girl pointed to her side where the two women were still bowing.
"Look at how sincere they are? And you, answering half heartedly, isn't that too cruel?"
Her loud voice drew the attention of many people who had scattered back to their group.
Of course, that reignited the embers in Yuto's heart as he faced the arrogant princess in front of him.
"Fine, you may leave!"
The boy's blunt answer ignited the fire in the princess, who stomped her heels hard and approached Yuto.
"You! I told you not to brush off their sincerity, and you just..."
"What's your problem, anyway? You suddenly come into other people's business and try to act like a piecemaker. This has nothing to do with you. It's between me and them, so stay out of it!"
Yuto's sharp words made the princess's mouth gape. Her trembling fingers curled into tight fists as she roared.
"Of course it is! They are subjects of my father. As his representative, I beg of you to reciprocate their sincerity fairly. And don't try to run away with that half-hearted resolve!"
Yuto paused for a moment and tried to rethink what had happened.
'Run away, huh?'
Without knowing why, her words stabbed like sharp knives, sapping his consciousness.
His eyes shifted to the two women who were still bowing, and he let out a long sigh.
"...I forgive you, but this is the last time. Next time, I won't hesitate."
"Thank you."
The two women straightened up and glanced at Yuto, who was facing the princess with a sharp glare.
"Are you satisfied?"
The princess pouted, feeling a little dissatisfied with the slight threat behind Yuto's words.
But it was better than before as her lips curled into a grin.
"...Well, but maybe you should improve the way you talk."
"Say the girl who is acting high and mighty in front of others."
"Oh, you noticed? Of course I am. I'm an Imperial princess after all."
'Whatever.'
Yuto's eyes nearly rolled to the back, seeing the arrogant attitude of the princess beside him.
He shook his head and turned, seeing a small sign hanging on the entrance door of the Library that read: "Closed for the day."
'What the hell!?'