Inside a massive volcanic crater.
Angel stood on a narrow path carved into the volcanic wall, silently watching Toby "bathe" in the lava below... Well, to be precise, Toby in his griffin form.
The elemental tide had yet to recede, and fiery rain was still falling from the sky.
Thus, Toby was soaking in a bath while enjoying a shower, looking utterly at ease.
At Angel's feet lay a severed hand—Dangros. It pressed itself against the edge of the path and peered down into the lava pool below, its gaze fixed entirely on Toby.
Its flame-forged pupils brimmed with obvious admiration.
Dangros's five fingers kept curling and straightening, as though it were bowing in worship before Toby.
Above the lava pool floated a tall "demon" figure, surrounded by flocks of flame finches circling through the air.
This demon was none other than the new king of the Fire Region—Demonfire Midir.
Demonfire Midir was issuing orders to the flame finches. Afterward, they scattered in every direction.
Demonfire Midir then drifted gracefully downward and stopped before Angel, giving a light bow. "I have already sent my subordinates to explain things to Phoenix and the others. The earlier conflict was merely a misunderstanding caused by Dangros's ignorance."
"Please allow me to introduce myself..."
Faced with Demonfire Midir's elegant, courteous gesture, Angel returned the appropriate salute. Yet inwardly, he was still thoroughly bewildered, because he had never expected the situation, which had been so sharply opposed, to take such a sudden turn for the better.
The matter began half an hour ago—
Ermi had created a bout of chaos that even Demonfire Midir had failed to react to. Knowing the moment had come, Angel immediately activated an illusion node and used a Mind Illusion spell to confuse Demonfire Midir.
Ermi, meanwhile, returned to Angel's