Koharu secretly approached the area where the attacks were happening, hiding behind a rock to observe what was going on.
Across from the Golden Shield stood a silhouette wrapped in black smoke. When it spread its wings, the sky darkened.
In one swift motion, the smoke twisted, and a colossal sword descended from the heavens.
BOOM!
When it struck the golden surface, sparks rained down like a storm. The shield trembled—but did not break.
The silhouette rose higher, swinging one of its wings. This time, the smoke turned into chains, lashing toward the shield.
The chains hissed and strained, clashing against the radiant surface. Each impact burst into blinding flashes, and the chains shattered, retreating into mist.
The silhouette ascended once more.
Its black aura sharpened, forming a spear that stretched toward the sky.
When it hurled the weapon, the air screamed as it split.
BOOM!
At the moment of collision, the heavens blazed; light and darkness intertwined.
Yet the shield remained intact.
Inside the Golden Shield, the entire army of the Angelic Kingdom had assembled in formation. Under the command of General Prince Kaito, they retaliated against the shadow:
Arrows of light, sacred flames—each one pierced through the shield, but the smoke from the creature's wings devoured them.
The soldiers shouted in panic:
> "That demon… it must be Koharu!"
"We should have executed her! Sending her into the Void wasn't enough!"
Koharu's chest tightened.
At that moment, her brother's voice rose from within the roar.
> "Hold your positions!"
"The Golden Shield has protected us for a thousand years—it will protect us today! No matter what happens, stand your ground!"
The soldiers steadied themselves once more, praying as they continued their assault.
But the silhouette kept changing form—blade, chain, spear…
Each strike shook the heavens, each light countered the darkness, yet no scar marked the shield.
Koharu narrowed her eyes, watching—until her gaze caught something deep within the creature's chest.
There was light there.
Small, but indescribably pure.
A heart hidden inside the black smoke—and within that heart burned the purest white aura she had ever seen.
For a moment, her breath stopped.
> "This… can't be possible…"
She stared, unblinking.
How could something they called a demon carry such light?
How could it feel… so peaceful?
The sounds of battle faded away.
She could only see that light.
And with every heartbeat, a whisper echoed through her mind:
> "That… can't be a demon."