On the Horizon of Night
On the night's horizon, where the moon cloaked itself in a veil of pale light, the echoes of faint footsteps began to resonate through the air. Everyone had rested after long and grueling training, but this tranquility did not last.
As they breathed in relief after an exhausting day of intense drills, a sudden wave of caution swept through the atmosphere—as if the air itself had frozen in place. The feet that had been moving slowly across the ground began to draw nearer, and the shadows looming on the horizon shifted strangely, as though accompanied by beings of darkness.
Akira suddenly stopped speaking, his eyes turning toward the horizon. A sharp gaze, piercing through the darkness. It was as if a malevolent spirit were creeping through the air from afar.
"Prepare yourselves," Akira said, his voice filled with a deep warning tone, as though an instinct were driving him to readiness. "There's something unnatural about this group."
Those words struck like lightning, prompting everyone to immediately assume combat stances. Velgrynd moved swiftly, the energy around her transforming into tongues of red flame, while Velzard abruptly lowered the temperature, sending an unfamiliar chill radiating from her snow-cloaked body—ice gathering at her feet.
At the same time, despite the clear exhaustion on Honoka's face—worn out from training—she stood firmly beside them, determined to repel any incoming attack. She sensed something in the air, as if what was about to happen surpassed any previous training.
As the three figures approached, Akira began to discern their features.
A tall man, with eyes red like burning blood, his wavy hair a dark shade of smoldering rouge—as if fire dwelled within him. He carried an overwhelming aura, drawing eyes as though the entire world lay under his dominion. He seemed a born leader, one destined to conquer and command. He stood before them in full pride, his attire revealing his muscular frame.
Behind him was a woman dressed in a red maid's uniform, with long blue gloves. Her bright blue hair cascaded gently around her face, and her calm blue eyes observed them carefully—as if anticipating a specific reaction.
Beside her stood another woman, also in a red maid's uniform but with green gloves. Her long green hair curled loosely, while her sharp green eyes reflected piercing scrutiny. She, too, possessed striking beauty, yet something in her expression hinted at more than mere allure.
The three figures halted before Akira and his team. The tension in the air thickened, but Akira did not shift his stance. He studied the man who appeared to be their leader and slightly raised an eyebrow.
"Who are you?" Akira asked in a low voice, yet one brimming with strength and seriousness. "What brings you here?"
Despite his question, Akira already recognized the group. The lone man was none other than Guy Crimson, the Primordial Red—also known as the First Demon Lord. The women behind him were Primordial Blue and Primordial Green.
Upon hearing of two kingdoms destroyed in a single night—one of them the mighty Super-Sorcery Kingdom—Akira knew that Primordial Red, now called Guy Crimson, had been summoned to this world, becoming the First Demon Lord.
Yet, despite this knowledge, Akira showed no outward sign of recognition. This was tied to memories from his past life—memories even Velgrynd, who had seen his current life's recollections, could not access. This included the System's memories as well.
"...The air here... is different. Not just because of the energy... but how these beings perceive the world. Are they truly from this world? No... something about them screams danger, defiance of the ordinary. They intrigue me more than anything I've faced in centuries." —Guy mused, staring at the four before him.
"Guy Crimson. We were traveling when I sensed powerful presences nearby and decided to investigate." Guy spoke casually, but his wariness of sudden movements was evident. The strength of Akira and the others was unmistakable to him, despite their suppressed auras.
Though cautious, excitement flickered in his eyes. The prospect of battling a True Dragon thrilled him, and he harbored no doubt in his ability to win. His confidence stemmed from power honed since the dawn of history through endless battles.
The sternness on Akira's face softened slightly, as if he'd detected something in his opponent's demeanor. His gaze turned questioning, as though Guy Crimson's power meant nothing to him.
"Do you truly believe your strength could interest us?" Akira said quietly, without a trace of concern. "You're just an ordinary creature before us, no matter your aura."
"...Heavy words. Not just a challenge, but a declaration of superiority. This boy... I can't place his race. Yet, there's something in his voice... in his stance. This level of confidence belongs only to those who've transcended life and death." —Though Guy felt a flicker of anger at Akira's words, he remained composed, analyzing everything with care.
As Akira's words hung in the air, Velgrynd and Velzard stood beside him, utterly indifferent. Each seemed lost in their own world.
Velgrynd, whose veins thrummed with the supreme power of a True Dragon, regarded Guy Crimson with profound apathy—as if his abilities were trivial to her. She showed no tension or caution, her face cold as stone, as though this confrontation were beneath her.
Meanwhile, Velzard—the embodiment of lethal frost—stood so still that the very air recoiled from her, unable to endure a True Dragon's might. Her unwavering eyes never left the three beings before them, yet she seemed to pay them no mind. To her, their strength, however great, was insignificant compared to her own.
"Guy Crimson..." Velgrynd said tonelessly, idly twirling a strand of her silver hair. "Even if you've honed your power since the dawn of history, it remains far from matching a True Dragon's."
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