* * *

The task of exiting the maze after its meal wasn’t particularly difficult. The knights, following the guidance of Lydon and Kash, easily navigated the maze’s path and left mana markings on the ground to prepare for any potential wandering of their allies. The journey was smooth with no obstacles in sight.

However, the first knights to exit the maze, including Van, Lumen, and Garuel, had their expressions frozen in cold rigidity. It wasn’t because they were feeling the pressure of needing to break the maze to rescue their comrades, nor was it the pressure of continuing the battle without a powerful magician.

“……This is maddening.”

As soon as they exited the maze, the Demon King’s garden unfolded before them. It was vastly different from a human world garden. Withered vines held dark purple roses in full bloom, and the skeletal garden trees twisted into bizarre shapes. Broken decorations and dust-covered chairs were scattered around, with decaying grass and low-saturation flowers, and spider webs occupying every corner.

The garden emitted only an eerie atmosphere. And in front of that desolate garden, rows of demons stood, waiting to greet the humans who had emerged from the maze.

“What is this? You knew about this, didn’t you, fool?”

The ground was packed with demons and monstrous creatures, and in the sky, high-ranking demons, hidden in mist, filled the air. Lydon slipped off Kash’s shoulder and immediately enlarged his body.

“There’s no way I could’ve known……! If I had known, I would’ve……”

Panicked, Kash didn’t know what to do and fumbled, quickly turning to escape. But the attempt to flee was in vain. Lydon tightly held the rope that bound him.

“Isn’t that the youngest of the Solavis family? Hey, why are you with them?”

The chain-like demonic energy immediately snatched Kash’s ankle. Kash struggled to escape, but the force of the energy only grew stronger the more he resisted.

“No, that’s not it!”

“What do you mean it’s not? Haha, could it be…… that I’m imagining what’s happening? Did a High Demon betray their allegiance?”

As the gaze of the High Demons focused more on him, Kash’s face turned pale. Lydon, who had silently been watching Kash, furrowed his brow and spoke.

“Yeah, Kash. What do you mean it’s not? You’ve attached yourself to us, right?”

“What, what are you saying! Shut up, you fairy!”

“Ahaha! What did you just say?”

Cornered, Kash was losing his sanity, but Lydon had no obligation to consider his mental state. Lydon quickly revealed a deadly intent, causing Kash to twist his face in distress.

Even if Kash were to join the High Demons right now, there was no way they would accept him, given that he had lost his combat ability. But even if he joined the humans, Cadel was still missing. He couldn’t be certain he would be protected. And so, Kash hesitated in his decision for his own safety.

“I can hear your little brain rolling from here. It’s noisy, so stop rolling your stupid head.”

Lydon, who had released his mana, instantly severed the demonic energy wrapped around Kash’s ankle. Before the High Demons could take any action, he quickly pulled the rope, descending to the ground. Kash, who was helplessly dragged along by the sudden force, landed with Lydon on the ground. At the sight of the demonic forces scattered across the garden, the color drained from Kash’s face.

“We must destroy the maze immediately. We need to hasten the arrival of our allies.” 

Ector said heavily, surveying the enemies on the ground and in the sky. Lumen, who was also counting the enemies, responded firmly.

“Not right now. Please give us a little more time.”

“……After seeing this, you still say that?”

“If we just have a little more time, Leader, Yozen, and the knights trapped in the maze will be able to escape safely.”

“I, too, am eagerly awaiting Sir Cadel’s return.” 

Ector replied, drawing his greatsword and signaling to Moritol behind him. He intended to join in, but he urged that the maze be broken quickly.

“However, we can’t rush toward a return that’s not even certain. If it were me trapped in there and not Sir Cadel, I would have made the same choice. If we can obtain the Stone of Peace, even if it means sacrificing something small for the sake of human warriors, it’s a small price to pay.”

But just as Ector was about to turn toward the maze.

“No one will destroy the maze until Commander comes out.” 

Van said threateningly, standing in front of Ector. Sharp glares were exchanged between the two, but the tension didn’t last long. Ector’s expression twisted, and a murderous aura radiated from him as if he were about to strike the human before him.

“There’s no time for bickering in front of our enemies. If you continue to obstruct me, you won’t remain unharmed.”

“Try it.”

Even with the enemies practically at their doorstep, he seemed unable to decide what was more important. This wasn’t about loyalty. Clicking his tongue in frustration, Ector raised his greatsword. His warning that Van would not remain unharmed was not a joke.

Van, too, was ready to stand his ground, gripping his sword and releasing his aura in turn. The sudden clash between the knights caused confusion among their own forces while the enemies watched with interest.

However, in the next moment.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion erupted from the maze, shaking the ground. At the sudden tremor, everyone gathered in the garden scrambled to regain their footing. One High Demon, furrowing his brow, muttered as he searched for the cause.

“The maze has collapsed……?”

As the thick fog that had covered the area lifted, the maze, crumbling like a domino, revealed its true form. The rear forces, still within the maze, quickly retreated, and those in the front lines, pushed forward by the retreating soldiers, found themselves naturally clashing with the enemy.

The battle began with the impatient advance of the monsters. However, the High Demons in the sky did not rush to take action.

The maze, which had been in place for a long time, was a reflection of the late king’s peculiar tastes. The lower-ranking demons had always been on edge as they passed through its winding paths, enduring the anxiety of crossing the maze’s belly.

Of course, this was not the case for the High Demons. As they watched the maze collapse, they did not feel any sense of relief or satisfaction. Only shock flooded their minds.

What had destroyed the monstrous maze that even the late king had abandoned due to its overwhelming nature? The human knights who were hastily escaping the maze were not the ones to blame. In the gradually clearing mist, they could easily identify the source of this calamity.

A dark aura emanated from the human figure. It was a sinister presence like none they had ever encountered before. It spread like a nightmare, twisting and scattering as it followed his every step.

“Commander……?” 

Even in the midst of battle, Van had been desperately trying to guard the maze from any potential attack from Ector. His expression, filled with despair as the maze crumbled uncontrollably, now showed a clear sense of confusion.

Amid the crumbling debris of the maze, one man walked forward, standing tall. It was undoubtedly Cadel Lytos. However.

“Don’t come any closer, Van. Keep everyone away from me.”

“Wha, what……?”

“It’s dangerous.”

A pitch-black shadow descended upon Cadel’s shoulder. His bright eyes, pale skin, and even his white uniform—all of it seemed unsettling, drained of color. Was it Yozen’s dark energy? It was hard to be certain, but the energy surrounding him was thick and unstable, almost as if he had been cursed by a wraith.

Van, despite his concerns that Cadel might be in danger, obediently followed the command. The knights, not understanding what was happening, moved to avoid Cadel, naturally opening up the center of their ranks. Cadel, surrounded by darkness, moved slowly forward.

Lumen, Garuel, and Lydon quickly noticed the strange aura around Cadel and showed signs of tension.

“What happened, Sir Cadel?”

“Did you destroy the maze, Sir Cadel? What about the other knights who were swallowed up……?”

Ector and Moritol demanded an explanation, but Cadel merely gave a brief glance and continued to move forward. He soon reached the front line of the forces. After creating a barrier around the knights who were fighting the monsters, he ordered them to fall back.

As the confused knights gradually withdrew, only Cadel remained in front. His subordinates were about to rush to his side in concern, but there was no need for that.

“I’ll buy time until the rest of our allies arrive. I’ll deal with the enemies on the ground, while you handle the enemies above.”

Standing boldly in front of countless enemies, Cadel turned his back on them without hesitation. The soldiers were stunned by his composed demeanor, while the enemies were provoked by his defiance. The closest dozen or so monsters, without hesitation, lashed out at his back with their claws.

Fwoosh!

Their attacks didn’t even come close to Cadel. Every claw, every tendril of demonic energy aimed at him was effortlessly sliced apart, falling to the ground like paper torn to shreds.

It wasn’t just that. Cadel was clearly not taking any action. There was no sign of him gathering mana. Yet, screams scattered through the gaps of the enemy as bodies, struck by attacks, flew into the air. It was as if an invisible force was performing a sword dance.

It couldn’t be Cadel’s power. Every enemy that targeted him was dying. Even those who merely showed killing intent or tried to attack him were torn apart. Blood sprayed around him in all directions, but strangely, not a single drop of blood touched Cadel. Even the droplets of blood elegantly altered their trajectory and avoided him.

Even amidst this strange phenomenon, he remained calm, conveying tactics and emphasizing that no one should approach him. He had clearly awakened something. There was no doubt that Cadel had learned something and that power was manifesting.

But where was this power coming from?

In the midst of the confused team members, Lumen’s voice broke through.

“Look down. Leader’s shadow……”

Following Lumen’s words, Garuel’s eyes widened. A dark shadow stretched across the ground where Cadel stood. It wasn’t Cadel’s shadow. It was much longer, larger, and even the movements of its limbs seemed independent of Cadel’s own. As Garuel traced the shape of the shadow, he muttered softly.

“It’s Sir Yozen’s shadow……”