After Defeating the Demon King: The Enchanted Depths Below - The Ice Witch and the Flame Beastman——A Clash of Values

Consciousness returned. Raewin Arceide's eyes opened. Complete darkness. For a while, he just stared into the black. Nothing. No sound. No sensation. Couldn't tell ceiling from wall. No idea how long he'd been falling. (Where am I?) Slowly, he pushed his body up. Stone beneath him. Cold. Rough texture. His eyes adjusted. The space around him began to materialize. Massive cavern. Crystals in the ceiling glowed faintly blue-white. Deep sea color. Silence became sound. The Abyss Layer. Granadiel's deepest depths. Three months since defeating the Demon King. A place he'd sworn never to return to. Yet here he'd fallen. (Came to shatter boredom. Instead this.) Raewin Arceide laughed bitterly. He stood. Head foggy. Body unharmed. The Holy Sword's doing. Light-attribute magic automatically healed wounds. He surveyed the area. Stone floor. Distant structures. Former residences. Built by the Demon King for his subordinates. The Silent Garden. Familiar place. The Demon King's forces should have been here then— "Who are you?" A voice cut through. From behind. Sharp. Cold. Hostile. Raewin Arceide drew his Holy Sword reflexively. "Daybreak Chain Calevadia." Light-attribute runes traced the blade. He turned. Two women. One: silver-haired, long. Eyes like glacier ice—blue, frozen, emotionless. Perfect distance maintained. Magic circle deployed. Frost clung to her hands. A spirit-race woman. (Luna Sylphine. From before.) One of the Demon King's attendants. Ice witch. Master of spirit magic. Even the old Raewin couldn't afford a single opening against her. The other: red-orange straight hair, long. Beast-folk girl. Fox ears pointed atop her head. Three fire tattoos on her forehead. Golden eyes gleaming like a fox's. Energetic. Innocent. Radiating pure joy. Beast warrior. Leia Terion. Raewin noticed the temperature difference in their reactions. Confusion flickered. "Intruders are eliminated," Luna said. Ice spear raised. Expression unchanged. But her eyes—sharp. Serious. Leia, meanwhile— "Whoa! A real hero!" She bounced excitedly. Tried to run toward him. "Leia. Fall back," Luna commanded, raising one arm. Leia didn't stop. "But it's really him! First time seeing one in person!" Innocent excitement. Childlike. Raewin raised both hands. "I'm not here to fight. Just fell." "Fell?" Luna's eyes sharpened. "Broke through the deep layers to reach the Abyss? Don't lie. Without the Demon King, no one reaches this depth." The ice spear slowly aimed. Raewin kept his sword lowered. No aggressive stance. Neutral. Waiting. "It's true. Didn't invade. Just got lost." "Lost?" Luna tilted her head slightly. "From where?" "The Withered Forest. Upper layer. Fell from there." Silence. Leia stared at him. Excitement faded. Something else bloomed in her eyes. Curiosity. Pure curiosity. "Wait, hold on!" Leia jumped between them. Completely defenseless. "Luna, he's not a bad person!" "Your judgment is worthless," Luna said coldly. "You're always too optimistic. That nature will be your death one day." "But, but—" Leia pleaded desperately. "Really! His eyes are different. Not a bad person's eyes!" Raewin felt slight surprise. Accurate assessment. "You were his attendant. Luna," Raewin asked. "Why are you still here? The Demon King fell. You had every reason to flee." Luna's expression wavered. The ice spear trembled faintly. (Her emotions. Shaking.) Raewin noticed. The mask of complete indifference cracked. Just for a moment. "That is—" Luna started speaking. Then— Ice exploded. Uncontrolled ice crystals detonated around Luna. Her emotional turmoil disrupted her spirit magic control. One ice spear became countless ice arrows. All aimed at Raewin. Leia screamed. "Ah!" Raewin instinctively held his Holy Sword horizontal. Concentrated light-attribute magic into the blade. Ice and light collided. —BOOOOOM! Shockwave erupted. Ceiling crystals shook violently. Smoke billowed. The Silent Garden's air froze solid. Raewin stood motionless. Sword lowered. Completely absorbed the impact. No wounds. Smoke cleared. Luna was pale. Face white. Cheeks faintly flushed. Fear? Or something else? Raewin spoke quietly. "You weren't trying to kill me. That was a control failure." Luna said nothing. Looked away. Leia rushed forward. "Wait, both of you!" Her voice was loud. "Come to the Silent Garden! We'll talk there!" Leia grabbed Raewin's hand. Pulled him along. Forceful. Innocent. "Leia. Don't just—" Luna protested. "It's fine, it's fine! I can tell he's not bad!" Leia ignored her. Raewin looked at Luna. Luna hesitated. Then reluctantly walked forward. Leia pulled Raewin ahead. Luna followed behind. Three shadows moved toward the Silent Garden. The Demon King's residence. Former enemy territory. The hero stepped inside. "Incredible place," Raewin murmured. Vast space. Central artificial spring maintained by magic. Falling water. Stone buildings scattered throughout. Chambers, great hall, bathhouse, kitchen. Ceiling crystals cast pale light. Night light. Moonlit. Luna spoke. "This is our home. I should throw you out immediately, but—" Her voice remained cold. Yet something subtle had shifted. "Luna, don't be mean!" Leia hugged Luna's arm, stopping her. Luna sighed deeply. Raewin observed everything. Built by Demon King Zelvarn Kal. His mark on everything. Perfect magic. Maintained living space. Former enemies still lived here. That fascinated him. His left arm's light rune glowed faintly. The hero's instinct warned. Dangerous. Enemy territory. But— Raewin smiled. Small smile. "What's with that grin?" Luna said sharply. "Sensing danger. But it's interesting," Raewin answered. "This might be the key to shattering boredom. Don't know yet. But not bad." Luna couldn't respond. Cheeks flushed slightly. Looked away. Leia's tail wagged. "Will you stay with us?" Raewin nodded. "For now." In that moment— Luna's heart moved. Small. Definite. Dissonance. This hero. Former enemy. But—something different. Luna looked away. "Anyway. You'll explain who you are. Until then, I'll tolerate this." Leia laughed happily. "Yes! Three of us!" Raewin looked up at the Silent Garden's ceiling. Crystals glowed blue-white. Without that fall, would he have rotted in the capital forever? Thinking about it— Fate was truly strange. What awaited tomorrow? Raewin didn't know. But— It seemed interesting. He thought so. For the first time. Not boring days. Days filled with unpredictable stimulation. Two mysterious girls. Raewin walked forward, smiling, into the great hall. Luna and Leia followed behind. The Abyss Layer's crystals illuminated all three.

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Episode 2

Name: After Defeating the Demon King: The Enchanted Depths Below
Author: Novelia

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