Days passed like a quiet current—too fast, too silent.
The Lion Estate remained calm on the surface.
Knights trained.
Orders were given.
Preparations to leave for the capital continued.
But beneath that calm—
Everything was shifting.
Latriys had not woken.
She lay in that same stillness, like a story paused mid-sentence.
And Asuma...
Spent every waking moment fighting a different kind of battle.
"Have you decided?"
Urillia's voice broke through his thoughts.
Asuma sat in the courtyard, watching the Lion Division train with precise, almost mechanical discipline.
"I thought I had one more day," he replied.
"Days pass like flowing water," she said calmly.
He let out a quiet breath.
"You always have a way with words, Princess."
Then he turned slightly toward her.
"But why are you so determined to have me serve the royal house?"
A pause.
"I know there are other options."
Urillia didn't hesitate.
"You have something I want."
"And something I may need."
Blunt.
Honest.
Asuma gave a faint, humorless smile.
"Can you tame a demon, Princess?"
She looked at him.
Sharp.
"Can I tame you?" she echoed. "I don't need to."
Her gaze didn't waver.
"You're still searching for your sister, aren't you?"
That hit deeper than expected.
"...So even you know," he muttered.
"The strongest Black Knight captain retires," she said, "and quietly takes in a boy with unusual potential. Do you really think the upper echelon wouldn't notice?"
Asuma shook his head slightly.
"Didn't know I was that interesting."
She stepped forward.
Then sat beside him.
For once—
Not above him.
Beside him.
"I'm not trying to bind you," she said.
He glanced at her.
"We can help each other."
"You're searching blindly. The empire has reach. Influence. Information."
She turned her head slightly.
"I can help you find your sister."
A pause.
"And in return... I want your fealty."
Asuma let out a quiet breath.
"You want loyalty from someone who could turn into a monster at any time."
Urillia didn't even blink.
"You misunderstand something, Asuma."
Her voice lowered.
"I don't care about the crown."
He frowned.
"I care about who sits on it."
Her golden eyes sharpened.
"I've sworn myself to my sister."
"If I have to bargain with Primordials... shake hands with demons..."
Her voice remained calm.
"I will."
That was the moment it clicked.
This wasn't ambition.
This was resolve.
Cold.
Absolute.
Dangerous.
Asuma stood.
"You're going to start a civil war."
Urillia didn't deny it.
"Maybe."
Then—
"If I do... you'll be by my side."
He looked back at her.
"Will I?"
No answer.
Only silence.
As he walked away—
She spoke softly behind him.
"You don't have another choice, Asuma."
The halls felt colder.
He didn't go to his room.
His feet carried him somewhere else.
Latriys.
He opened the door.
And froze.
The bed—
Empty.
The window—
Open.
"...What?"
In an instant, he moved.
He leapt through the window, landing lightly outside before closing his eyes.
Sensing.
Searching.
There—
A faint aura.
Above.
Not hidden.
Just... still.
Like someone waiting.
He pushed aura into his legs and shot upward.
Landing on the rooftop—
And there she was.
Latriys.
Sitting at the edge.
Looking out into the distance.
The wind moved gently through her hair.
For a moment—
She looked peaceful.
Then she turned.
And Asuma's chest tightened.
That wasn't the girl he knew.
Her eyes—
Wrong.
Not wild.
Not raging.
But not human.
Something deeper stared back at him.
Something that had not been fully sealed.
"...Latriys?" he said carefully.
She tilted her head slightly.
Studying him.
Then—
A faint smile.
Not innocent.
Not warm.
Something else.
"You..."
Her voice echoed faintly—
Layered.
"...smell different now."
The air around her shifted.
Subtle.
But heavy.
The seal had worked.
But not completely.
And standing before him now—
Was not just Latriys.
And not just the Noctyrix.
It was something in between.