Algor, the Star Spirit known as the "Demon Star," wasn't truly some unforgivable embodiment of evil.
Her real problem… was her personality.
Anything she liked—anything at all—she would use her Gift to petrify, then preserve as part of her "collection."
And that "liking" wasn't limited to objects.
It extended to people.
Even to other Gifts.
With a power that dangerous, paired with a temperament that troublesome, it was only a matter of time before Algor was labeled a Demon King. And because she wielded her authority so recklessly, punishment had come swiftly and mercilessly.
Even after Ren Kuroda completely released her power, when Algor hugged him and shyly confessed her affection—
A small, very serious part of her still wanted to turn him into stone and keep him forever.
However, under Little Garden's rules, Algor now belonged to Ren.
Though the pendant that once shackled her soul had been crushed, she could still faintly sense that attacking Ren would bring consequences she would not enjoy.
When Ren overheard her murmuring against his chest, "It's such a shame I can't turn you into stone…" in a tone of genuine regret—
He very nearly lost control of his bladder.
Because he hadn't felt even the slightest hostility from her.
Which meant—
In Algor's mind, turning someone into a stone statue for her collection wasn't an act of aggression.
It was an expression of love.
The reason her worldview had become so distorted was simple: she had always been alone.
No one had ever corrected her.
To outsiders, she was a Demon King who abused her powers and petrified people at will.
In reality, she was just a dangerously overpowered child with a completely warped moral compass.
Once they understood the root cause, the responsibility of "re-educating" Algor fell squarely onto Leticia's shoulders.
And the next morning—
Ren found himself with not one, but two loli maids trailing behind him.
Leticia, apparently, had discovered a surprising talent for mentoring younger girls. In her eyes, Algor was an excellent candidate for refinement.
One blonde maid loli could perhaps be brushed off as coincidence.
Add a purple-haired one of equal cuteness—
And people would start assuming you had very specific tastes.
Ren was deeply troubled.
But being mistaken for a deviant was still preferable to living in constant fear of spontaneous petrification.
Fortunately, Leticia's "training" proved highly effective.
After a week of travel, although Algor still occasionally felt the impulse to petrify things she liked, she now understood one critical rule:
She was not to use her Gift on living beings.
If she did—
Ren would dislike her.
And that was unacceptable.
Even during her earlier berserk state, Algor had retained her memories. The person she hated most now was Luos.
He had sealed her power.
Stripped her rationality.
Summoned her when needed and discarded her when not.
Outside of battle, she had no freedom at all.
Compared to that—
Ren was wonderful.
He had freed her.
Broken her chains.
Treated her as a companion.
All her life, Algor had been alone. Others feared her petrification Gift. Her beauty had incited jealousy among her so-called sisters, who had cursed her.
But traveling alongside Ren and Leticia—
She began to experience something new.
Companionship.
And with it, she grew increasingly attached to both of them.
—
The Northern District of Little Garden's lower levels was in a festive uproar.
A new Floor Master was about to assume office, and a grand celebration was underway.
Although still part of the lower levels, the North felt markedly different from the East.
If the Eastern District leaned toward Eastern cultural aesthetics in clothing and daily life, the Northern District bore strong influences reminiscent of ancient Greece and ancient India. Flowing garments, ornate jewelry, draped fabrics in vivid colors.
From street decorations to the wares sold in market stalls, the atmosphere felt more Western in tone.
And unlike the East—
Red-scaled lizardmen armed with weapons patrolled the streets openly and in great numbers.
"I've heard," Leticia explained as they walked, "that the new Floor Master of the Northern District is Sandora Teldrake of the Community 'Salamandra.' She's only eleven years old."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Sandora carries the bloodline of the Star Sea Dragon King. Her talent is extraordinary. But at eleven… assuming the role of Floor Master naturally invites controversy."
Leticia gestured subtly toward a passing patrol.
"To prevent disturbances during the inauguration festival, 'Salamandra' has increased security."
Ren and his group had been in the North for a couple of days now.
He had chosen this district because its incoming Floor Master was young—and because there were rumors of Demon King activity in the area.
However, during these past few days—while participating in various festival Gift Games to earn funds—Leticia had uncovered some information that left Ren thoroughly speechless.
"'Salamandra'," she said carefully, "has formally invited the Eastern District's strongest Floor Master… Whiteyasha."
Ren stopped walking.
"You're kidding."
Leticia shook her head.
"And that's not all. I believe I saw Black Rabbit and Izayoi in the streets earlier. From a distance."
Ren's face went blank.
"They were chasing each other," Leticia added dryly. "Creating quite a commotion. Eventually, a 'Salamandra' patrol unit intervened and took them away."
Ren stared at the sky.
"Is this some kind of cosmic joke? Is there a will of the world that refuses to let us rest?" he muttered. "We travel thousands of miles to the Northern District, and those idiots still follow us like vengeful spirits…"
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"If Black Rabbit and Izayoi are here, there's no way the other problem children stayed obediently behind in 'No Name.' So after days of travel… we still end up running into them?"
Whiteyasha's presence, at least, made sense. With Sandora's youth drawing criticism, inviting a powerhouse like Whiteyasha to stabilize the situation was a reasonable move.
But why was "No Name" here?
What did the Northern District's Floor Master inauguration have to do with them?
Leticia hesitated before continuing.
"There's something I should have mentioned earlier. 'Salamandra' and 'No Name' were once close allies. Sandora—the girl about to become Floor Master—was childhood friends with Jin and Lily."
Ren's expression shifted.
"Let me guess. After 'No Name' lost their banner to a Demon King… 'Salamandra' unilaterally dissolved the alliance."
Leticia lowered her eyes.
"Yes."
Ren shrugged lightly.
"Well, 'Salamandra' is the dominant Community of the North. Maintaining an alliance with a nameless, fallen Community would've drawn criticism."
He paused thoughtfully.
"But if this were just about congratulating an old friend… with Black Rabbit's stingy personality, there's no way she'd let Izayoi and the others spend money on a Gateway."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"So why are they really here?"