Chapter 9: The Blade That Judges

Natsume tried to retreat, but the silver-haired Noa attacked relentlessly.

“Natsume-san, behind you!” Ark warned.

Noa vanished.

A heartbeat later—

BAAAM—!

He appeared in front of Natsume and struck her with such force that her body flew, crashing into the ground. Blood sprayed from her lips.

“AAARGH—!”

As Noa raised his sword to finish her, a massive pillar of magic fell before him, blocking the killing blow.

Airi’s eyes widened.

“This pillar… Lady Yuki.”

Masahiro Yuki had arrived.

“Lady Yuki—”

“Ssssh.”
Her voice was calm—cold even. “I already know. Explanations can wait. For now… I will face him myself.”

“B-but, Lady Yuki—”

Masahiro didn’t respond.
Natsume understood immediately—this was a battle between the strong.

Yuki stepped forward and bowed lightly.

“It is an honor to meet you, Lord Noa.”

Noa did not answer.
He hovered in the air, eyes like a dead star staring through them both.

Yuki continued.

“I am aware my subordinate spoke out of line, so I have come personally to offer my deepest apologies.”

Noa remained expressionless.
Then he raised his sword—

Yuki flinched, bracing for death—

But the blade carved through the remaining Volcanic Boar – Firebelly Tusker, killing it instantly, then sliced the Ground Wave, forcibly closing it.

Yuki let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

Noa finally spoke.

“Human. I spare you this time.
But tell your subordinate—if she speaks carelessly again…”

He lifted his hand.

Inside his grasp—

A faint, glowing spirit core pulsed.

Natsume’s life essence.

“…this sword will not hesitate to sever her life. Or perhaps—”

He tightened his ethereal grip.
Natsume choked, clutching her chest.

“—I will end her myself.”

Ark quickly intervened.

“Lord Noa, please have mercy on Lady Natsume! She was wrong, yes—but she may become someone invaluable to Kamito in the future!”

Noa paused.

After a moment, he released the spirit core. It returned to Natsume’s body.

“Very well. She is forgiven. Do not repeat it.”

Then—

His silver hair faded black. His crimson eyes softened back to yellow.

Kamito collapsed.

Luckily, he fell directly into Yuki’s arms.

“Rest now, Kamito.”
Her voice was gentle, trembling with relief.

The Ground Wave sealed completely.
TAD forces secured the area.

Kamito was taken to Yuki’s estate.

Kamito awoke in an unfamiliar luxurious room.

“Where am I…?”

A calm voice answered:

“You’re at my residence.”

Masahiro Yuki sat nearby, sipping tea gracefully.

Kamito immediately sat up.

“What happened last night? Did… he awaken?”

“Yes. He did. And he almost killed Natsume if I hadn’t intervened.”

Kamito looked down at his hands, trembling.

“I knew it… this power is dangerous.”

“Not dangerous—” Yuki set down her cup.
“—if you learn to control it.”

She smiled softly.

“From now on, you’re not alone, Kamito. You have us.”

“Us?”

The door opened.

Natsume entered, holding Ark’s sheath.

“Natsume…?”

Kamito bowed his head deeply.

“Natsume, I’m sorry for what happened last night.”

“Don’t worry about it. I crossed the line first when I brought up your past.”

“B-but—”

“It’s fine.”
She smiled slightly—a rare sight.
“Besides… Ark helped save me too.”

The tension softened.

Yuki finally asked:

“Kamito-kun, how do you feel after Noa took over your body?”

Kamito thought for a moment.

“Honestly… I don’t feel any pain. Just… exhaustion.”

Yuki exhaled in relief.

“Good. That means you can still be stabilized.”

After finishing breakfast, Kamito hurried home—afraid his mother would worry if he didn’t return.

Yuki and Airi watched him leave.

“Airi-chan, what do you think of Kamito?”

Airi folded her arms.

“He’s dangerous. Extremely. But… also reliable. Especially in critical moments.”

Yuki shook her head.

“Then your evaluation is wrong.”

Airi blinked.
“Eh?”

Yuki lightly held Airi’s hands.

“If you had pushed him any further last night… you wouldn’t be standing here now.”

Airi’s cheeks reddened.

“…Probably.”

Yuki smirked playfully.

“Tell me, Airi—do you think Lord Noa is handsome?”

“E-eeh!? Again with that question? W-well… if I’m honest, yes, he is handsome… but I prefer him in his normal mode…”
Her face grew redder.

Yuki leaned closer.

“Heeh~ don’t tell me you’re falling for him?”

“N-no! That’s not it! You’re misunderstanding!”

“You like him too, don’t you, Lady Masahiro?”

Both froze—
Then turned bright red.

Meanwhile, Kamito reached home.

His mother scolded him mercilessly.

Kamito sneezed.

“Hachuuuh—!”

Airi and Yuki, miles away, also sneezed at the same time.