Chapter 45 – The Demon’s Sword and the Crimson Moon

A cold wind blew through the halls of Kuragami's domain, carrying the scent of blood and ash. The torches lining the stone walls flickered as he sat on his throne, fingers resting against the hilt of his sword. His violet eyes glowed in the dim light, a silent storm raging within them.

Before him, Saphira stood, her black eyes locked onto his. She had changed—no longer the golden-haired, bright-eyed girl she once was. Her transformation was complete. Her once radiant hair had turned midnight black, cascading over her shoulders, framing her flawless yet cold expression. Her eyes—pure black, endless as the abyss—held nothing but power and unwavering loyalty.

Kuragami observed her in silence. She was no longer Alexander's daughter. She was something more now—his sword, his shadow, his most trusted blade.

And yet, something about her presence unsettled him. Not in fear, but in something deeper.

She was perfect.

Too perfect.

The girl who once hesitated now slaughtered without blinking. The girl who once clung to ideals now crushed them under her heel. Kuragami had forged her into something terrifying, yet he couldn't deny the feeling creeping into his chest.

Perhaps it was admiration.

Perhaps it was something more dangerous.

Saphira stepped forward, her boots clicking against the marble floor. She stopped before him, kneeling on one knee. Her voice was soft, yet unwavering.

"You summoned me, Kuragami."

He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. For a moment, he simply stared at her, his violet eyes shifting to gold—just for a second. Saphira's gaze flickered, but she said nothing.

"Stand."

She obeyed without hesitation, rising to her feet, her black hair flowing behind her.

Kuragami's voice was low. Commanding. Unreadable.

"Your training is complete, but I need to see something."

Without warning, he vanished.

Saphira's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before instinct took over. Her sword was already drawn, her body moving in a blur. The sound of steel clashing echoed through the hall as Kuragami reappeared behind her, his blade barely an inch away from her throat.

She blocked it.

A test.

Kuragami smirked, but his gaze held something deeper.

"Not bad," he murmured.

Saphira exhaled, lowering her sword. But before she could speak, Kuragami closed the distance between them in a blink.

Her breath hitched.

His fingers brushed against her jawline, tilting her chin up. His violet eyes pinned her in place, searching—for what, even he didn't know.

"You've changed." His voice was softer now, almost thoughtful.

Saphira's black eyes narrowed slightly. She didn't understand.

"You told me to become stronger," she replied.

"You told me to become your sword."

Kuragami's smirk deepened, but there was something else behind it. He could see it now—the shift in her demeanor, the way she reacted to him, the way her once-unshakable composure faltered only when he was close.

It amused him.

It intrigued him.

"Yes," he murmured, leaning in just enough for her to feel the weight of his presence. "And yet, when I look at you now, I wonder… is that all you are?"

Saphira stiffened, her black eyes searching his. Was this another test? Another form of manipulation? Or was it something more?

A flicker of something unknown passed through her gaze.

Kuragami saw it.

And for the first time, he found himself entertained.

"You think too much," he whispered, his fingers grazing her cheek before pulling away.

Saphira exhaled sharply, gripping her sword tighter. Her pulse was quick, but not from fear.

Kuragami straightened, his expression unreadable once more.

"Come," he ordered, turning on his heel. "We have another demon to claim."

Saphira hesitated only for a second before following, but something within her had shifted.

And Kuragami knew it.

—⛧—

The Forest of Hollow Cries

The air was thick with the scent of decay and power. They had entered the domain of the Fifth Strongest Demon—a place where even the shadows whispered in agony.

The Demoness of Greed—now named Selphira—walked behind them, her golden eyes gleaming.

"We are close," she said, licking her lips.

Kuragami's violet eyes shifted to red, his power swelling.

Ahead of them, a massive fortress loomed, black as the abyss, pulsing with dark energy.

Saphira stepped forward, gripping her sword. She didn't need to be told. This fight was hers.

Kuragami watched, his violet eyes flickering with interest.

"Don't disappoint me."

Saphira smirked.

"I won't."

She vanished.

The battle began.

—⛧—

Blood and Fire

The Fifth Strongest Demon was beautiful—but deadly.

A demoness with crimson hair, eyes like molten gold, and a presence that oozed greed and desire.

"You dare challenge me?" she sneered.

Saphira's black eyes burned with cold fury.

"Enough talk."

She moved—a blur of darkness and steel.

The demoness barely had time to react before Saphira's blade sliced through the air, aimed straight for her throat.

The clash shook the entire fortress.

Demonic energy exploded, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. The 500 demons in the room backed away in fear.

Kuragami watched from his throne of shadows, his gaze cold and calculating.

Would Saphira win?

Of course, she would.

The real question was—how brutal would she be?

He wanted to see it.

He wanted to see just how deep his creation had fallen.

Saphira's blade danced, carving through flesh, severing limbs, painting the floor in blood.

The Fifth Strongest Demon fought back, her power roaring, but it wasn't enough.

Not against Kuragami's sword.

And when Saphira's final strike fell—

The Fifth Strongest Demon knelt before Kuragami.

"You win," she whispered, blood dripping from her lips.

"Kill me."

Saphira raised her blade—but before she could strike, the demoness's lips curled into a smirk.

"You are brutal, but you are mere servant."

Her golden eyes locked onto Kuragami.

"You are the prince of demons, the son of Rimuru."

Saphira froze.

Kuragami's gaze didn't waver.

"And what of it?"

The demoness chuckled, kneeling before him.

"I will follow you."

Silence.

Saphira clenched her jaw, but Kuragami smirked.

"You misunderstand something."

The demoness frowned.

"Saphira is not my servant."

Kuragami's gaze softened—just for a second.

"She is my sword."

Saphira's breath caught. For the first time in her life, she didn't know what to say.

A faint pink hue touched her cheeks.

And Kuragami saw it.

And he smirked.

—⛧—

To Be Continued…