The tension in the icy forest was palpable. Viola stood stunned, trying to process the audacious plan Diablo and Leon had just revealed.
"We're going to infiltrate the Demon World and retrieve the Dark Angel Sword from the Demon King," Diablo repeated, his voice brimming with confidence.
Viola shook her head, her voice trembling. "You're insane! The Demon King is invincible, ominous, and far beyond any of our capabilities. This is madness!"
Leon's mischievous grin widened. "Madness? Or brilliance? Sometimes, Viola, the line is thinner than you think."
Diablo added with a low chuckle, "Dear sister, we're not planning to defeat the Demon King right now. First, we acquire the Dark Angel Sword—a weapon forged from the darkest magic in existence. With it, Leon will have the power to challenge the Demon King when the time comes."
Viola's heart raced. "Even if you get the sword, it's suicide. You'll be hunted down the moment you step into the Demon World!"
Leon's calm demeanor didn't falter. "That's why we're going in with a plan. Diablo has lived in the Demon World his entire life. He knows its secrets, its weak points. And with my reality-altering abilities, we'll move undetected."
Diablo smirked. "You'll see, sister. We're not walking into our deaths—we're creating a new destiny."
Viola remained unconvinced but realized arguing was futile. She let out a resigned sigh. "Fine. But when this backfires, don't say I didn't warn you."
Leon nodded, his gaze sharp. "Good. Then it's settled. We leave in two days. Prepare yourself."
Meanwhile, in the Human World
Far from the schemes of Leon and his allies, the Human World faced its own brewing storm. In the grand halls of the Raizen Palace, King Lucus sat upon his throne, surveying reports from his trusted grandson, Aron.
"My lord," Aron began, his tone grave, "we've spotted unusual creatures near the World Border."
King Lucus leaned forward. "Describe them."
Aron hesitated. "They resemble humans but have dark skin, horns on their heads, wings on their backs, red eyes, and an ability to use fire magic."
Lucus's expression darkened. "Demons," he said, his voice a low growl. "They've infiltrated the Human World."
Aron's eyes widened in shock. "Demons? But how—?"
"There's no time for questions," Lucus interrupted. "We must act quickly. Find this creature at all costs."
With urgency, Lucus used his ominous powers to locate the demon. Hours of intense focus led him to a cave near the borderlands. What he discovered chilled him—a hidden army of a thousand demon soldiers, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Lucus immediately summoned his royal army commanders, his assistant, and Aron. "The demons are hiding in a cave near the borderlands," he announced. "We must eliminate them before they can act."
One of the commanders stepped forward. "My lord, if I may, this could be an opportunity to test the new weapon prototype from Luna DeGrace Company. Its potential could turn the tide of any battle."
Lucus considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Use it, but only at 30% power. We must be cautious."
Aron volunteered to wield the weapon. "Give me two days to train, and I'll take care of it."
Lucus agreed, and preparations began. Aron trained tirelessly, mastering the weapon's devastating capabilities. On the appointed day, he was ready.
The Strike on the Cave
The operation was swift. Aron, equipped with the prototype weapon, leapt from a helicopter, parachuting toward the cave. Hovering above his target, he unleashed the weapon's power—a meteor-like blast that obliterated the area in seconds, leaving behind a massive crater.
"Mission complete," Aron reported, confidence in his voice.
Back at the palace, Lucus and his advisors celebrated the apparent success. "A perfect weapon indeed," Lucus's assistant remarked.
But when the flames subsided, Aron approached the site to confirm the victory. What he saw turned his blood cold—there were no demon bodies. The cave was empty.
"How is this possible?" Aron muttered. "Nothing could have survived that blast."
He relayed the unsettling discovery to Lucus, who quickly realized the truth. "The Demon King," Lucus said gravely. "He teleported them away before the attack. This was a ruse. He's planning something far more sinister."
In the Demon World
In the grand throne room of the Demon Castle, the Demon King sat, his laughter echoing through the dark halls. "Fools," he said, amused. "Did they really think they could destroy my army so easily?"
A demon messenger entered, his face pale with worry. "My lord, I bring troubling news. Commander Diablo, who led the attack on the Vampire Nation, has not returned. He hasn't reported back either."
The Demon King's smile faded, replaced by a stern expression. "Diablo… could he have betrayed us?"
The messenger hesitated. "It's possible, my lord. Shall I send scouts to investigate?"
The Demon King leaned back, his gaze distant. "No. Not yet. If Diablo has turned traitor, he'll reveal himself soon enough. Until then, let him play his games. We have other matters to attend to."
Back to the Plan
In the Dark Forest, Leon, Diablo, and Viola began their preparations. Diablo outlined the Demon Castle's layout and the location of the Dark Angel Sword. "It's heavily guarded," he warned. "But with my knowledge of the secret passages, we can reach it undetected."
Viola folded her arms, skepticism etched on her face. "And what about the Demon King? He won't just sit idly by while you steal his prized weapon."
Leon smirked. "That's why we have a distraction planned. Diablo will lead the Demon King's forces on a wild goose chase, buying us enough time to retrieve the sword."
Viola sighed. "This is still madness. But if we're going through with it, we'll need more than just a plan—we'll need luck."
"Then let's hope fortune favors the bold," Leon said, his confidence unwavering.
As the trio finalized their strategy, the wheels of destiny turned. The lines between allies and enemies blurred, and the stakes grew higher. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but one thing was certain: the Great War on Valentine's Land was only beginning.