Chapter 24: The Uninvited Guest

After successfully finding an inn, the six of them spent the afternoon exploring the city of Nazaria. The magnificent port city, with its Roman architecture, captivated them. After a while, they decided to split up. Layla and Danny went to check out the market, while Seraphine and Natalia chose to visit a local temple. Shion and Leonix, left alone, walked toward the harbor, looking for a quiet place to talk.

A cool sea breeze greeted them. Large ships were docked, and the lanterns on the pier were beginning to light up. The night view of Nazaria was truly calming, but Shion's mind was not.

"Leon," Shion began, her voice soft. "I want to ask you something. After all this is over, what's your plan? Will you go back to your old world?"

Leonix stared out at the sea. His eyes, usually so bright, now looked solemn. "Yes, I will definitely go back."

Shion held her breath. "What will you do there? Take back your throne?"

Leonix smiled, a small smirk appearing on his face. "Of course. I'll take it back."

Shion was silent for a moment, then let out a small laugh. It wasn't a laugh of mockery, but of relief. She knew Leonix was just joking. In the future, Leonix returned for a peace mission, not to wage war. Shion knew that. Still, there was one question that bothered her. Had time changed?

Suddenly, Leonix touched Shion's shoulder. "Hey. Are you okay?"

Shion flinched. Her face flushed, and she immediately turned away. "I-I'm fine," she said, a little nervously.

Leonix raised an eyebrow, confused by Shion's behavior, but before he could ask, a deep voice greeted them.

"A beautiful night view, isn't it?"

An old man with white hair and a white beard stood behind them. His eyes were a sharp blue, and in his hand, he held an old wooden staff carved with strange symbols. Shion and Leonix immediately went on high alert. The man noticed their expression and let out a small laugh.

"Don't worry," he said in a calm voice. "I mean no harm. My name is Sebastian Albert. And I know... who both of you are."

Leonix and Shion exchanged glances. A threatening magical aura emanated from them.

"Wait," Albert said, raising his hands. "I didn't come to fight. I came to cooperate."

Without warning, Albert activated his magic. A glowing magic circle appeared beneath their feet, and in an instant, they vanished from the harbor, appearing in a stark white room.

The room was pristine white, with no windows or doors. Only the three of them were there, with Albert's magical aura cloaking the entire space. Leonix realized it was high-level teleportation magic.

"How did you—"

"I know who you really are, Lord Demon King from another world," Albert interrupted. His eyes stared directly into Leonix's. "I think you're more worthy of being my master than Oberon."

Shion stiffened. The words were shocking, but on the other hand, she saw that Leonix was not surprised at all.

"Oberon has gone too far," Albert continued. "He exterminates those who disagree with him, even fellow demons. Besides... who wants to live with hatred?"

The words resonated with Leonix. He and Shion exchanged a glance. They understood, but they didn't fully trust him.

Albert saw the doubt in their eyes. "You don't have to believe me. I'll prove that I'm on your side." He turned to Shion. "I also know Ilulu."

Shion was startled. "Natalia? How?"

"Back then, when she arrived in this world, she was dying and badly wounded. I was the one who helped her, even transferring her soul into the body of a dying human. She's one of the Demon Generals from my original world, and I'm... the Sixth Demon General."

Leonix and Shion tensed. A Demon General.

"Alright, I'll trust you," Leonix said, taking charge of the conversation. "Now, who will be our threat?"

Albert smiled. "The threat ahead is Lucifer and Daemos. They will arrive in this city in a few days to find a powerful seed."

Shion was shocked. The plan she knew from the future was that Lucifer and Daemos came for Seraphine, but now the target was different. "A seed? Who is it?"

Albert turned to Shion. "Fate has changed."

Albert vanished, and the white room shattered into a million pieces. They were back at the pier, in the exact same spot they had been. Leonix and Shion stared at each other, filled with questions.

Leonix looked toward the city. "Who is the carrier of this seed of destiny...?"

Shion still thought it was Seraphine. But for Leonix, it was the little girl he had seen at the harbor—the fox girl who radiated the same warm light as Seraphine in the future.

"What's wrong, Leon? You look confused," Seraphine's voice brought him back to reality. The other four had returned, along with Layla, Natalia, and Danny.

Layla gave a mischievous grin. "Ooh, you two were here alone! A date, huh?" Shion's face immediately flushed red.

But Leonix didn't care. He was only thinking about how to find the little girl who carried the seed of destiny. "It's nothing," Leonix said, pretending. "I was just thinking... we're going to fight The Truth Seeker early."

Danny looked puzzled. "Why them? They weren't on the schedule."

The scene ended in darkness. In a dimly lit room, Lucifer and Daemos, two monstrous demonic figures, received orders from Oberon.

"We will eliminate Sebastian," Lucifer said, his voice cold. "He is considered a traitor. And... we will also take the carrier of the seed of destiny."