As the blinding fireworks set the night sky ablaze, casting shadows on the bystanders, another figure stood atop a pillar, watching over Samael like a hawk.

Sensing the gaze of the person, Samael's gaze narrowed as he secretly shot a look at Lilith, who was enchanted by the show of lights.

Is he after Lilith? Samael wondered.

Rising from his seat, Samael spoke. "Hey, I'll be right back."

Lilith's forehead creased. "What are you...?"

"Stay here," Samael said before leaving without another word.

Lilith could only hold her chest as she felt worry blossom in her heart. What was happening?

As Samael strayed off, he remained at a distance where he could act fast if the stalker chose to attack Lilith. However, the gaze of the one watching them remained on him.

The stalker silently observed Samael when the boy vanished in the darkness. Sweeping the vicinity with his gaze, he soon shot a glance back.

"Impressive," the assailant said.

"Who are you?" Samael asked, his crimson gaze glowing under the blanket of darkness.

"I am nothing but a judge," the man said.

Samael's gaze narrowed, his hand silently hovering over Crimson Raven's hilt.

"As such, I have come to judge you," the man resumed.

"Enough with your bullshit," Samael said.

"You are, as the rumors say, straight to the point and confident," he praised.

The man was adorned in a white cloak that hid his face; due to this, Samael could not deduce who or what faction sent him. But judging by how he intervened with the ministry, the chances of this man belonging to that place are high.

"Did the church send you?" Samael asked, his fingertips touching the hilt of his axe.

"Why don't you find out?" The man asked as he reached behind him, unsheathing a silver greatsword embroidered with gold.

As such, Samael whipped out Crimson Raven, the aura of his weapon clashing against the man.

Somehow, Samael could feel the blade tremble, almost as though it were being pulled towards the man.

"Now, come," the man said.

But before he could make a move, his gaze widened as Samael appeared inches from his face.

Acting fast, he swung his blade, but he struck nothing but air as Samael exploded into a flock of ravens.

The flock swiftly went behind the man, forming Samael's figure as he struck downward.

Using the momentum of his greatsword, the assailant rotated it back, deflecting Samael's strike to the side.

A small bead of sweat trickled down his forehead as he regained his distance. Just what the hell was happening? This wasn't just some kid!

Without uttering a word, Samael spoke.

"Void Cleave."

The man's eyes widened as his astral compass screamed in a frenzy, prompting him to cast in return.

"Divine protection!"

A golden burst enveloped the man as the Void cleave struck him, sending him flying back as he smashed against the stone floor, stirring the dust as his groans echoed.

As the dust settled, his figure was revealed. The golden halo enveloping his body had ruptured, revealing his wounded shoulder.

The man clenched his jaw as he rose up, uncaring for the damage done.

Too shallow, Samael thought.

However, his focus soon shifted to what happened earlier.

"So you're the assassin the ministry sent after me?" Samael asked.

"You are sharp," the man said as he took off the hood, hiding his face.

"I am Saint Azerel, and I have come to judge you," he said.

"And I must say, you're proving to be more than what the rumors say."

Saint Azerel? A saint? Samael thought when his gaze landed on the man's shoulders.

It was healed.

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He healed that fast, even with the aftereffects of my Void element. He is a Saint, Samael thought.

"Unfortunately, our meeting here today must end. It seems I have attracted too many eyes," he said.

On cue, Samael felt multiple presences inch towards their location with haste.

"I'll see you again, grim hound," Azerel said before a blinding light engulfed the area.

As the light receded, a dozen knights came to view, armed and ready for conflict. However, the saint was gone. Not just hiding, gone.

"Are you okay, sir?" The knights asked.

Samael gave them a nod as they dispatched to scour the surrounding area.

In the midst of the chaos, Lilith squeezed in as she hurriedly held Samael's cheeks.

"Are you okay?!" She asked, worry staining her visage.

Holding her hand, Samael gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm okay."

A sigh escaped Lilith's lips. "What happened there?" She asked.

Samael's gaze landed on the knights as he whispered. "I'll tell you later. Too many ears are listening."

Lilith nodded as Samael dragged her away.

Blending with the crowd of people, Samael spoke. "I was attacked by a saint, one the church sent."

Lilith's grasp tightened. Sensing her fear and anxiety, Samael squeezed her hand a few times.

"It's okay. I can handle him," he reassured.

"Still! They're getting aware of you! Soon, it won't just be saints that will come for you!" She said.

"I know, but I did what I had to. I promised to protect you, and I did," Samael said.

Lilith's visage fell as she felt powerless and useless. Ever since they met, she has been a burden. But she is afraid her powers might hurt all those around her.

Ruffling her hair, Samael smiled. "Hey, I did what I did because I wanted to do it. If it happens again, I will do it again without a second doubt. Don't blame yourself."

Lilith sighed as she nodded.

***

As the night went on, the two decided to return to Lilith's mansion. There, Aphemis waited patiently.

"I heard someone attacked you," she said.

"Grandma, you're back!" Lilith said as she hugged the woman.

"Yes, an assassin from the church went after me," Samael confirmed.

Aphemis's visage darkened. "Who was it?"

"A saint," Samael revealed.

The atmosphere within the room fell grim as Aphemis clenched her teeth.

"A saint? Which one?" she asked.

"He goes by Azerel," Samael said.

"That confirms it. The cardinal of justice is indeed after you now as well," she said.

"Not only that, but he even sent one of his personal disciples. He wants you dead, and fast," Aphemis resumed.

"For a while, I will plant some of my men on your trail."

"No," Samael intervened.

"I can handle him myself," he said.

"You are facing a saint, not some random hillbilly," Aphemis said.

"I know, and my answer remains unchanged," Samael insisted.

"I can handle him on my own," he said.

A sigh escaped the demon's lips. "Then do as you please." However, she took out an item in her storage remnant before throwing it.

Upon catching the item, it was some form of brooch with a ruby in the middle.

"Keep that with you at all times. If someone attacks you, I'll know right away," she said.

Samael nodded as he rose up. "I'll be taking my leave now."

Lilith followed suit as she held Samael's hands, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed.

"Be careful," Lilith said.

"I will," Samael said as he left.

"What was that?" Aphemis asked.

"What was what?" Lilith asked as she avoided the woman's questioning gaze.

"You know what I'm talking about," Aphemis said.

"I don't know what you're implying," Lilith said.

"The hands, what's with the holding hands," Aphemis clarified.

A sigh escaped Lilith's lips. "Fine. Me and Samael... we... we... I don't know what we are, but we're something more than friends now," she confessed, her cheeks glowing red.

Aphemis could only shake her head as she watched her granddaughter shy away like a squirrel.

There was no doubt they were dating now.

"So you two are dating?" Aphemis asked.

Lilith's entire face became crimson red. "What are you talking about?! It's not like that."

"Then what is it? You say you're more than friends now; you hold hands and speak such sweet words. If that's not dating, then I don't know what is," she said.

"I don't know either," Lilith said as she stared at the floor.

"Just... just don't do anything beyond holding hands," Aphemis reminded the girl sternly.

She was once in her position. She knows how unstable a demon's emotions can get. She isn't even worried about Samael; she was worried for Samael.

"Grandma!" Lilith screamed.

"What?" Aphemis asked.

"I'm not some... beast!" She denied.

"Oh shush! I was once in love; I know how bad it can mess with your rationality," Aphemis said.

"Ugh!" Lilith exclaimed as she went to her room.

Sitting in her bed, she slipped down as she stared at the ceiling.

Dating...

Lilith's cheeks flushed red as she hid her face behind a pillow.

Thinking about it, they were definitely dating now.

"Then take me."

Lilith could feel her entire face heat up as she remembered what happened earlier.

How could she say such vulgar things? It was so... so unladylike!

Then again...

Remembering Samael's sweet words and intense yearning for her, she couldn't help but feel her heart beat wildly in her chest, along with a sense of blinding pleasure and the urge for more.

She wanted to be held in his arms, to feel his warmth, and to be wanted. She wanted more...

Lilith shook her head as she sat up straight.

What was I thinking?! She thought.

What got into her?! What were those thoughts?!

I must be tired, she thought as she went up and took a bath.

Meanwhile, Samael arrived home without much trouble. He was cornered by the knights earlier as they asked a few questions, but he made sure to refrain from giving any sensitive information.

"I heard you were attacked," Ajax said, surprising Samael.

"I thought you had a subjugation?" he asked.

"I rushed here after hearing about the news," he said.

Samael sat down as he felt exhaustion finally dawn on him. Not physically, but mentally. There were so many things happening at once.

"I was attacked by a saint named Azerel," Samael said.

"A saint?" Ajax asked.

"Yes," Samael confirmed.

"You managed to fend him off?" Ajax asked.

"Well, we didn't really fight. It was more like he was measuring me," Samael said.

"It doesn't matter. Now that we know he's after you, you have to be more vigilant and ready," Ajax said.

"If he's a saint, there's a huge possibility he has a subzone—something you don't have," Ajax said.

"So how do I fight someone with a subzone?" Samael asked.

"That's the tricky part," Ajax said.

"You don't."

"As far as I know, there are only two possible ways to win against a subzone. Either face it with your own zone or keep the user from using it," he said.

"So I overwhelm him?" Samael asked.

"Basically, yes," Ajax said.

"Knowing your fighting style, this shouldn't come off too hard," he said.

"So what's your plan now?" he asked.

Samael fell deep into contemplation.

"I... I don't know."

"I feel as though my existence is becoming not only a threat to myself but to Lilith as well," he said.

Ajax fell silent.

"That's why you have to become strong. Only then will you be able to protect those you wish to protect," he said.

"As much as I'd like to sugarcoat it, I can't. You're facing a saint. This is a person beyond human limits. He is dangerous, and he is after you," Ajax said.

"In the end, it's kill or be killed."

"So, kill."