Elyra stared at Ren in disbelief.
"You… don't know who Azhryel is?" she asked.
Ren blinked. "Should I?"
She searched his face for even the smallest hint of deception—but there was none. He truly didn't know.
How is that possible?
Azhryel… the Demon General whose name echoed across battlefields and noble halls alike. Even children of noble clans knew that name.
Elyra's expression shifted subtly.
Perhaps… he's from a very low-caste family. That would explain it.
Ren gently placed his hand over her wound. A faint green glow surrounded his palm as healing energy flowed into her body. The demonic energy left behind by the beast slowly dissolved.
Her breathing steadied.
"You're healed now," Ren said calmly.
Elyra looked at him with surprise again—this time softer.
"Thank you."
Ren gave a small nod. "If you need a place to rest, you can come to my village."
For a moment, she considered it.
But she shook her head. "I have duties in my clan."
There was something in her voice—pride, responsibility.
Without another word, she turned and disappeared into the forest.
Ren watched her leave, his expression thoughtful.
Vaelwyn Clan…
In his mind, a different thought echoed louder.
I must remove all the demonic energy from my body.
If anyone sensed it… if anyone discovered what he and Senjo truly were…
They would not only be hunted.
They would be executed.
And the village would suffer with them.
When Ren returned to the village, the atmosphere shifted immediately.
Children ran past him. Smoke rose gently from cooking fires. Laughter filled the air.
Senjo approached with a grin.
"So," Senjo crossed his arms, "do you have a pet now?"
Ren looked at him blankly.
"The beast," Senjo clarified. "You were gone long enough."
Ren shook his head. "I had to kill it. It wounded a girl."
Senjo raised a brow. "And where is this girl now?"
"She returned home."
"Hmm."
Ren continued, "She's from the Vaelwyn Clan."
Senjo's playful expression faded.
"The Vaelwyn Clan?" he repeated. "That's one of the noble bloodlines."
Ren nodded. "We need to hide our demonic aura completely. No traces. If anyone detects it, we're finished."
Senjo didn't joke this time.
He closed his eyes and focused. His energy shifted—compressing, sealing itself deeper within.
"Done," he said quietly.
As they stood there, the village elder approached slowly.
His old eyes carried warmth.
"Young Leader," he said respectfully.
Ren immediately bowed slightly. "Elder."
The old man smiled. "The people have chosen well. You think of them before yourself. That is what a true leader does."
Ren's expression softened.
"They are my people now," he replied. "Their safety is my responsibility."
The elder laughed gently. "You speak like someone much older than your years."
Ren lowered his gaze modestly. "And I must thank you… for trusting me."
The elder waved his hand. "No. You earned it."
Later that day, Ren walked toward the training grounds.
Senjo stood before a group of village men and children, guiding them through martial techniques.
"Balance your stance!"
"Don't rely only on strength!"
Ren observed quietly for a moment.
Then he stepped forward.
Everyone immediately straightened.
"Train harder," Ren said calmly, but his voice carried authority. "Not just your bodies—but your minds."
The villagers listened carefully.
"If you are strong physically but weak mentally, you will fall at the first sign of fear. Strength without discipline… is useless."
The wind blew softly as he continued.
"Protect your families. Protect your lives. But most importantly—control your hearts."
Silence followed.
Then one voice shouted—
"For Leader Ren!"
Another followed.
Soon the entire training ground echoed with cheers.
"We will grow stronger!"
"For Ren!"
Ren smiled faintly.
Not with pride.
But with quiet determination.
That night, the village gathered around a small bonfire.
Children sat eagerly as Ren recited an old poem—one about courage, loss, and finding light even in darkness.
His voice was calm.
Gentle.
For that moment, he wasn't a hidden demon.
He was simply their leader.
Their protector.
When the night grew deeper, he returned home with Senjo.
They sat across from each other, simple food placed between them.
Senjo broke the silence first.
"So… what now?"
Ren looked up. "What do you mean?"
"We built a village. We protect them. We train them." Senjo leaned back. "But what's next?"
Ren didn't answer immediately.
Senjo smirked. "Maybe it's time you marry."
Ren stared at him.
"I knew you would say that," Ren replied flatly.
Senjo burst into laughter. "Then why don't you?"
Ren sighed. "Choosing a life partner is not simple."
"In this world," he continued quietly, "we barely know anyone."
Senjo tilted his head childishly. "What about the girl from the Vaelwyn Clan?"
Ren's chopsticks paused mid-air.
"I don't even know her properly."
"But we could," Senjo grinned. "I know where the Vaelwyn Clan is. We could go and investigate."
Ren immediately shook his head.
"No."
Senjo blinked. "Why not?"
"Because destiny should not be forced," Ren replied calmly. "If something is meant to happen… it will."
Senjo pouted slightly, then changed topics.
"There's a tournament soon. All four noble clans will participate. Even some smaller clans are allowed to compete."
Ren narrowed his eyes. "And?"
"Can we join?"
The air shifted slightly.
"If they discover our true identity…" Ren said slowly, "we would put everyone here in danger."
Senjo leaned forward. "Then we don't reveal it."
Ren looked at him.
"We train only our human cultivation," Senjo continued. "No demonic aura. No suspicious techniques. Just pure human strength."
Ren remained silent.
A tournament between noble clans…
It would be dangerous.
But it would also be an opportunity.
To measure their limits.
To step closer to the world they had been hiding from.
Finally—
Ren nodded once.
"We will participate."
Senjo grinned widely.
And somewhere deep within Ren's eyes…
A flicker of something ancient stirred.
Not the leader of a small village.
Not just Ren.
But something far greater.
Something that the world had long forgotten.