"Michael, don't panic! Reaching the conclusion so quickly that the Commanders have taken Claire's soul isn't right. If the Commanders had taken her, the atmosphere of the city would have changed by now," Mercy said, gripping Michael's hand.
"I'm not panicking, Mercy… I'm afraid. For her. Those Commanders wouldn't waste even a moment imprisoning Claire's soul in the Infinite Prison, and then not just Claire, but the very existence of humanity would fall into danger," Michael said softly—and it was the first time in centuries that this ancient Demon Slayer had used the word fear.
Hearing Michael's words, Stephnie and Lily grew restless as well. Until now, they had believed that if they managed to find Claire in the garden, everything would, to some extent, be fine. But everything Michael had told them so far was a sign that Morwenna's death had not ended anything; instead, it had marked the beginning of a new threat.
