Chapter 28 – The King: In Rage

Night — Southern Street

The moon was thin and pale—no more than a silver scratch across the sky. The southern street lay cloaked in darkness, lit only by flickering lamps casting long shadows. Rank 3 demons lined the edges of the road like sentinels, blocking every escape route.

Ainz and Rose stood back to back, surrounded by snarling Rank 4 demons. Fear clung to the air like smoke.

"Hey," Rose said quietly, glancing at Ainz, "do you have a plan?"

Ainz gulped. "Even if I push past all my limits, I might only manage two… maybe three of them. No more."

Rose chuckled darkly. "You're really useless, you know that?"

Ainz pouted. "Harsh."

"Forget it. I've got a plan—but it's risky. We might be able to take out the Rank 4s, but listen carefully. If even one of those Rank 3s realizes we're overpowering them and they jumps in, we're dead."

Ainz ducked an incoming attack, barely dodging. "Wait, what are you saying?"

Rose sighed. "Just follow my lead, alright?"

They both dodged again, leaping through the air. A demon lunged behind them, its claw aimed for Rose. Ainz moved without thinking, shielding her with a drone as it shattered in a burst of sparks. They landed hard.

Rose's eyes flared. She activated her ability.

A wave of psychic disruption rippled through the demons' minds. All the Rank 4s winced, grabbing their heads.

"Now, Ainz!" Rose shouted. "Full power!"

Ainz's drones ignited, blades humming. He dashed forward and sliced through two demons, then fell back. "Whoa… I thought you said your powers don't work on Rank 4s!"

Rose wiped blood from her nose. "They don't work completely. But I can give them a nasty headache for a few seconds. That's all the time you'll get—use it wisely. I can't do this often."

The demons, snarling, recovered and charged. Ainz dodged again, moving fast.

Rose clenched her fists and pushed again. Another psychic shockwave hit. The demons staggered, kneeling from the pressure. Ainz struck, cutting one more down.

But they regained focus quicker this time.

Rose trembled, exhausted. "Damn it… this isn't working. I can't keep it up…"

Ainz, panting hard, kept evading. "What are you talking about? We're doing great! Just a bit more—we'll finish them off, and Arsh will come for sure!"

Then it happened.

Blood trickled from Rose's eyes.

She let out a piercing scream.

Ainz froze. "Rose? What's happening?!"

Her body pulsed—red… darker red… crimson waves of corrupted energy poured off her. Eerie voices screamed in her ears, howling madness. She shut her eyes tightly, trying to resist.

Then… she opened them.

Deep, dark crimson.

Her aura exploded like a wave of terror. Even the Rank 4s froze. The Rank 3s stiffened.

Ainz took a step back. "Rose, what's happening to you…?"

She stood still. Her eyes were emotionless—like a sea with no bottom.

Ainz swallowed his fear and reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Hey… are you—"

She suddenly turned, swinging her fist at his stomach.

But it never landed.

A warm hand caught hers midair.

Arsh stood there.

One hand in his pocket, the other wrapped calmly around Rose's wrist. "It's okay," he whispered. "I'm here now."

He pulled her into a gentle hug.

Her eyes faded slowly—from deep crimson to light… to normal. She collapsed in his arms.

A Rank 3 demon lunged toward them—

—but was sliced cleanly in midair.

Arsh handed Rose to Ainz with a calm but sharp tone. "Take care of her. I just need to… teach them some manners."

Ainz gulped, cradling Rose. He glanced at Arsh—his eyes were not calm. They burned.

The Rank 4 demons trembled. They turned to run, But it was too late.

In a blink, Arsh appeared holding the severed heads of two.

The Rank 4 Demons approached the Rank 3

"Sir, please save us!" one Rank 4 screamed, rushing to the Rank 3s.

The Rank 3s stiffened as Arsh's death glare locked onto them.

One tried to run.

His head rolled a moment later.

Another demon whispered, "Idiot… You never turn your back when facing Arsh…"

"Then what do we do?!"

"Fight. Even if it's suicide, running is death too."

"…How much chance do we have to win?"

".0001%—and that's if we're lucky enough to scratch him."

The Rank 3s launched themselves toward Arsh, now standing in the middle of the street. His katana shimmered in the moonlight. One hand still in his pocket.

They came from the air, five of them——but Arsh vanished.

In a flash, one fell, his throat cleanly cut.

No sound. Only silence and death.

Ainz watched in awe. "This… this isn't normal. Arsh isn't just killing them. He's showing them what fear is. He's punishing them… for touching his sister."

The demons tried forming a line—only to blink and see their comrades already lying dead.

One survivor panicked, turning to flee—

His arms and legs were severed in a blur. Then his scream stopped—his head hit the ground.

Arsh returned to Ainz's side, calm once more. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I'll take care of her now."

Ainz handed Rose over. "I thought… you'd spare one. Y'know, to send a message."

Arsh adjusted her gently in his arms. "I never planned that. Even one survivor could ruin her peace. This is her vacation."

He paused. "You're hurt."

Ainz looked down. "Just a scratch."

"You want me to carry you?"

"I'm fine. I'll get back to base in my suit."

Arsh nodded. "See you there."

He vanished.

Ainz grinned and shot off in full boost. "Let's see if I can beat you back."

Later — Safe House

Arsh laid Rose gently on her bed, covering her with a blanket. He brushed her hair and whispered:

"Sleep well… my little princess."

He stepped out, quietly shutting the door.

Meanwhile — Luna's Dorm Balcony

The night sky stretched endlessly, black and star-specked. Luna stood on the balcony, her hair dancing in the wind. She wore a simple night suit, arms crossed, still blushing, but eyes confused.

Her phone rang. She pulled it out—"Mama (from Hospital)" glowed on screen.

She answered. "Hello, Mama. How are you?"

A soft, fragile voice responded, "Hey, Lu. I'm fine. But you don't sound fine."

Luna sighed, leaning on the railing. "How do you always know everything?"

Her mom chuckled. "So… you found someone?"

"What?! No! I mean—maybe! I'm not thinking about him—okay, fine, maybe but how'd you catch me always."

Her mom laughed again. "Because you're Luna, my beloved daughter. You never wavered, even under pressure. But if you're confused now, it must be something new. Something like… love."

Luna exhaled, softly. "I think… I've fallen for someone. But I don't know if he likes me back. He's always there for me, always kind. But… maybe he just cares. Maybe he sees me only as a friend. Why would someone like him love someone like me? I'm just… a normal girl."

Her mother replied gently, "Luna… Love always finds a way to express itself—through care, frustration, an some time through nervousness. And don't you ever say you're just normal. In the eyes of someone who loves you, you'll always be the most beautiful. But that's not something what I can answer, why don't you tell him what's in your heart. Ask him, gently?"

Luna blushed. "What if he says no? What if I lose him as a friend?"

"Then he was never truly yours to begin with. But if he is your friend, he won't walk away just because you were honest."

Luna sighed. "You always make it sound so easy."

"It's not easy. It's brave. But you're my daughter. You've always been brave."

"I love you, Mama."

"I love you too. Now let me hang up before the nurse catches me. And bring him to meet me sometime!"

The call ended.

Luna stared up at the stars, heart full, mind restless.

Safe House — Moments Later

Ainz stumbled in, panting. "Yes! I beat him back!"

Arsh stepped out from the hallway.

Ainz groaned. "You've got to be kidding me… I used every boost, and you carried Rose also,—how are you so fast?!"

Arsh smiled. "Footwork, my friend. Now, let me see that wound."

He cleaned and bandaged Ainz's arm with practiced hands.

"Thank you," Arsh said softly. "You did well today."

"I didn't do much," Ainz muttered. "Rose… she was the one who saved us. I couldn't even touch those Rank 4s alone."

"But you stood between her and death," Arsh replied. "That kind of courage saved her—and helped her fight back."

Ainz looked up. "That aura… that was a Demon Lord's presence, wasn't it?"

"Yes," Arsh said quietly. "But my sister… she's stronger. She's been holding him back for years."

"Damn," Ainz whispered. "She's incredible."

"Did you eat dinner?" Arsh asked.

"Not exactly, but I am full," Ainz answered. "Rose made me taste many sweets."

Arsh stood. "Rest up. You've earned it."

He turned to go, then paused. "Did Rose say what she was looking for?"

Ainz tilted his head. "I don't know full, but she is saying, Something about… a pineapple sweet?"

Arsh blinked, then chuckled. "Right. Of course. Thanks."

And with a gust of wind, he disappeared.

Demon Base — Moments Later

Greed sat on his broken throne, fuming. He gripped the armrest and crushed it like paper.

He stood, unsheathing his black sword, and cut down a kneeling demon in fury. "How did everything go wrong?! I wanted chaos! Blood!"

"Then stop acting like a brat," a deep voice echoed from the shadows.

A tall, muscular figure stepped forward. His aura was heavier—colder.

"Gluttony…" Greed growled.

"We need an army, not tantrums," Gluttony said. "But you're right. It's time."

Greed grinned slowly. "Then let's start a real war."

The two brothers laughed in the dark.