" Well, for your brother, you destroyed his soul. So, well, you can only blame yourself." retorted Diavolo while laughing.

" Thank you for cheering me up, Master. This disciple is full of energy and joy upon learning that he destroyed his brother’s soul."

"Ah ahah," Diavolo chuckled while patting his shoulder.

"The death is only a form of astral projection when the body is destroyed." added the black elf.

Kaiser frowned.

’ Astral Projection? `

" What do you mean? You mean that I can see Ruby’s soul again?" he asked. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"As long as her soul is not destroyed it is possible, but well we would first need to know if she is in paradise. Because in hell it is quite complicated to survive..." explained Diavolo.

Kaiser stared at the black elf while narrowing his eyes.

"Why do I have the impression that you are giving me false hopes?"

"Because that is the case. Hahaha, I did not lie to you but it is more difficult than it seems," replied Diavolo. "Anyway, I have something that can cheer you up."

Kaiser threw the butt of his cigarette and crushed it with his heel, resuming his nonchalant posture.

"What is it?"

Diavolo leaned toward him, his heterochromatic eyes shining intensely.

"A girl in distress needs your help baby boy... But before, we are going to go see some whores... Nyo hoho !"

Kaiser sketched a mocking smile.

" You are really not going to change Old man."

***

The rumors had spread through D’yggdrasil to Babylon and even to the Empire of Alexandria with the speed of a powder trail, fueled by the recent exploits of the singular duo formed by Diavolo and Klein.

After solving many complex problems and performing exorcisms that many judged impossible, their renown had reached new heights, particularly within Jezabel Of Sun’s faction. The rumor was that they had managed the feat of eliminating a human possessed by an Archdemon, a prowess that commanded respect even among the Holy Cathedral.

It was in this context that Ingram Del Luna, the Patriarch of the Luna Clan himself, was demanding their immediate assistance.

***

The arrival on the lands of the Luna Clan plunged Klein and Diavolo into an almost supernatural environment.

The members of the clan, all albinos, displayed skin of an immaculate pallor and hair of an absolute white that recalled fresh snow.

Their moon eyes, were white with silvery reflections, fixed the arrivals with a hypnotic intensity, capturing the ambient mana thanks to their three hundred and sixty degree vision.

The Patriarch Ingram, a figure of authority with an imposing stature despite the weight of worries, welcomed them humbly.

They walked in silence toward an isolated dwelling, located far in the heart of the sacred forest that surrounded the Yggdrasil.

As they progressed, the air became heavier, charged with an unpleasant smell.

Klein quickly noticed the presence of an imposing magical barrier, a dome of pure energy designed to block and contain the demonic mana that threatened to saturate the surroundings.

Ingram stopped in front of the shimmer of the translucent wall.

Ingram took a deep breath.

" Klein ... Diavolo ... I thank you for coming so quickly ... " began the Patriarch. " My beloved granddaughter, Sierra, has remained asleep for months. We have tried everything, but she does not wake up. What is more terrifying is this demonic mana that escapes from her body without interruption ... "

Diavolo, readjusting his posture observed the barrier with a mysterious smile.

" Nyo-ho ho ... It seems that the evil is deep, old elf ... " murmured the black elf in an eccentric tone.

An awkward silence settled.

" Do not pay too much attention to what he says patriarch... He is a bit messy... "

Ingram ignored the remark as requested and continued, his gaze fixed on the house in the distance.

" It is becoming stronger and stronger. Her own mana seems to be corrupted by this dark influence, and the mana circles of her body are saturated ... "

" I called various high-level priests, but they could do nothing more than slow down the propagation of this mana on her mana circles. My anguish grows day by day. If I call upon the Holy Cathedral again, you know what will happen ... "

Klein nodded. He knew the methods of the Cathedral. For the Paladins and the members of the clergy, the exorcism of such advanced corruption inevitably involved purification by the death of the host.

The Patriarch sighed.

" After the death of her mother, she is all I have left ... She is the heir of our lineage, the future of our clan ... So, I beg you, forget my rank as Patriarch... Just help this father who wants to save his daughter... "

Klein observed the man in front of him. He knew perfectly well that the elves of Yggdrasil were extremely proud and haughty beings, often considering humans as inferior, and black elves were generally very poorly regarded.

Seeing Ingram Del Luna, the leader of one of the four great clans, lower himself in this way to beg for their help made the situation clear. It was an act of desperation...

"Do not worry patriarch, we are handling the situation ..." declared Klein in a calm voice.

Ingram seemed relieved, his features relaxing slightly. He deactivated a section of the barrier to allow them passage.

At the very moment they crossed the threshold, a surge of demonic mana rushed toward them. The energy was viscous, charged with hatred and corruption, seeking to seep into every pore of their skin to devour their own vital force. The ground under their feet crumbled and the vegetation inside the perimeter was already black and dried up, consumed by the toxicity.

" Let the master handle it, baby boy ..." he launched at Klein.

At a speed that defied the naked eye, Diavolo raised his hands and began to chain complex mudras.

< Mystic Spells: Kartarimukha ... Prana Mudra! >

Instantly, a shockwave emanated from his hands that disintegrated the demonic mana, freeing a passage toward the dwelling where the young elf rested.

" We can advance in complete tranquility now ... " added Klein while adjusting his gloves.

They progressed toward the entrance of the house. The interior was plunged into a semi-darkness broken only by a few weakening mana crystals.

The smell of sulfur was stronger here. They finally reached Sierra’s bedroom.

The young girl was lying on a bed of white silk. Her hair, of a pure white like her father’s, was spread on the pillow, but her face was tense with invisible pain. Black veins, pulsing with a demonic glow, ran under the pale skin of her neck and arms. Despite all that, nothing could hide her supernatural beauty...

" The sleeping beauty," murmured Klein.