Arc 59The Mirror Demon and Eternal Night

Shade recovered the Flower 12 card, confronted Stone Osenfott and the Stone Mirror Demon-Goth, then returned to Randall River Valley as the earth’s distortions worsened. He entered the Eternal Night City event with Luvia, and later faced the God of Black Night with Fiona, who was demanded as its Court Painter.

  • Siris mastered Earth Power from her father’s memory, while Iluna told Shade she would defend the church and meet him at the ritual site.
  • Shade and Miss Sylvia encountered a Karak Great Snake, then Shade entered the Osenfott manor and found Haila dead beside the genuine Flower 12 card.
  • Shade learned the history of Stone and Haila Osenfott, freed Haila, and fought Stone before piercing his heart as she had instructed.
  • Gothe tried to claim Osenfott’s soul, but Shade summoned Desire to referee a wager and won by identifying the Stone Mirror as Gothe’s true body.
  • Shade gained Moon’s Shadow, released Osenfott’s soul, and summoned the Wosente family spirits, who dragged him into True Death, and Haila gave Shade her stone heart and told him cultists had taken Shi Dong’s statue.
  • Shade returned to the Wilde Opera House as the earthquake crisis worsened, then entered the Time Corridor with Luvia to investigate the Eternal Night Maze.
  • Shade and Fiona met the God of Black Night and offered Cinderella’s story, which Fiona painted on stone slabs for its palace.
  • The God of Black Night demanded Fiona as its Court Painter, and Shade promised to save her before using his God’s Radiance.
Chapters 1458–1482 Vol. 15 Read

Ch. 1458Night Banquet

Shade and Siris uncovered Mr. Lathers’s final memory, which gave Siris the Earth Power Miracle and helped her accept her father’s farewell. Back at the Wilde Opera House, the group prepared for the coming Chosen One Ritual as Iluna left to defend the church and promised to meet Shade that night.

  • Siris opened the final prayer cabinet, received a Memory Crystal from her smoky double, and listened to her father’s memory with Shade.
  • The memory showed Mr. Lathers finding a fragment of the Heart of the Earth, and Siris mastered the Earth Power Memory thaumaturgy.
  • Siris covered the statue’s head, said farewell to her father, and returned to the Wilde Opera House with Shade.
  • At dinner, Iluna told Shade she would defend the church and meet him at the Chosen One Ritual site that night.
  • Shade described his preparations and the five Earth Power holders, while Iluna revealed that her Bone Horse could now be used without limit.
  • After Iluna left, Luvia explained that she had agreed to walk with Shade until the end.

Ch. 1459Inside the City, Outside the City

Shade and Miss Sylvia left Randall River Valley to travel to Osenfott Manor, but earthquakes and the Mad Earth's distortions brought monsters into their path. After destroying a Fallen Elemental Giant Spirit in the city, they faced an ancient three-headed snake outside Micott Village, which Sylvia defeated with a spatial spell.

  • Shade and Miss Sylvia rode through Randall River Valley as residents evacuated toward earthquake shelters.
  • After a minor earthquake, Shade destroyed a Fallen Elemental Giant Spirit at the burning Evening News office while Sylvia and Peace Church Arcanists inspected the site.
  • Shade and Miss Sylvia left the city, but another tremor disturbed their journey near Micott Village.
  • An ancient Karak Great Snake emerged from a crater, and Sylvia asked Shade to distract it while she prepared a spell.
  • Shade attacked the snake with Moonlight Wheels and a Holy Silver greatsword as Sylvia used her bracelet to twist the monster and surrounding space into a single point.

Ch. 1460The Card in Hand

Shade entered the demon-tainted Osenfott Manor and found Haila Osenfott dead in the Master Bedroom. He discovered Stone Osenfott’s message and obtained the genuine Flower 12, Founding card.

  • Shade left Miss Sylvia and Sister Devlin outside the manor after giving Miss Sylvia Origin and receiving a space rune from her.
  • Shade opened the demon-sealed manor gate by declaring that dawn had come and entered with a sword made from Priest Augustus’s hilt.
  • Shade crossed the ruined manor and reached the owners’ Master Bedroom without detecting any Power of Time.
  • Shade found Haila Osenfott dead on the bed, with a withered black rose in her hands and Petrified Rose vines growing over her body.
  • Shade read Stone Osenfott’s message, “What you want is below,” and found the genuine Flower 12, Founding Rhodes Card beneath the letter.

Ch. 1461Osenfott's Love Story

Shade investigated Haila Osenfott’s murder by tracing supernatural footprints and Stone Osenfott’s memories, uncovering the couple’s devotion and the contempt Haila’s father showed Stone. The trail continued into the manor, where Shade began viewing another hidden memory.

  • Shade used Guiding Death and Blood Echo on Haila Osenfott and Stone Osenfott, then followed the footprints and Stone’s blood-red phantom through a spatial passage into the courtyard.
  • Shade found a stone fragment near the gate and activated an illusion showing Stone telling Haila Watsont he had bought back the Osenfott manor and planned to ask for her hand in marriage.
  • Shade found another fragment beneath the snow and witnessed Stone and Haila discuss their prenuptial agreement, with Stone promising to love and protect her.
  • After distant explosions shook the courtyard, Shade followed the trail to the mansion entrance and uncovered another fragment.
  • Shade activated the entrance illusion, where Mr. Watsont arrived to sign the prenuptial agreement, insulted Stone, and refused to enter the manor.

Ch. 1462Wedding Night

Shade followed Stone Osenfott’s blood echoes through Wosente Manor and witnessed scenes from Stone and Haila’s courtship, including the poisoned engagement wine and the news of the Wosente Manor Massacre. Stone arrived at the wedding-night bedroom and confronted Shade, who prepared to fight him.

  • Shade watched Stone Osenfott sign Old Watsont’s harsh marriage contract, then spit blood after drinking wine and accuse Old Watsont of poisoning him.
  • Shade followed the blood trail into the manor and saw Haila Watsont question Stone about what he had done to her father before their wedding.
  • Shade found the final stone fragment in the bedroom and saw an illusion of Haila in her wedding dress while Stone read a newspaper report of the Wosente Manor Massacre.
  • Stone Osenfott entered the bedroom with the Old Butler and the maid, explained that he had shown Shade his past so Shade would understand him, and faced Shade as a one-ring Arcanist.
  • Shade raised his sword and prepared to fight Stone, while “She” warned him not to underestimate his opponent.

Ch. 1463A Broken Heart

Shade confronted Osenfott, who asked him to listen while revealing the truth about Haila’s death, his contracts with demons, and how Shade’s recovery of three treasured items helped him become a Ring Arcanist. Osenfott explained that he intended to resist the demon’s control, leaving Shade to decide what to do as the estate’s borrowed splendor faded.

  • Osenfott asked Shade to stay and talk, offering information in exchange for half an hour.
  • Shade demanded instructions for finding Captain Woody’s demon materials and freedom for Osenfott’s butler and maid; Osenfott agreed, and the two demons departed as black smoke.
  • Osenfott told Shade that Haila died of a broken heart on their wedding night two years earlier and that a demon later restored her under their contract.
  • Osenfott explained that recovering his wedding ring, family medal, and sapphire earring restored part of his soul and allowed him to become a Ring Arcanist.
  • Osenfott showed Shade his Destiny Ring and said the estate was decaying because the demon’s power was no longer sustaining its outward splendor.

Ch. 1464No One Is Innocent

Shade freed Haila Osenfott from the seal and learned that she had caused the poisoning that led to her family’s destruction. Before Shade’s duel with Stone Osenfott, Haila revealed that Stone’s heart was abnormal and held the key to destroying his Undying Body.

  • Osenfott told Shade that the Emperor of Kasonlik had ordered his assets seized and said he would start anew if Shade died.
  • Shade questioned Osenfott about his marriage to Haila, and Osenfott left to wait in the courtyard.
  • The maid and butler returned and told Shade to use the Demon Hunting Seal to undo Haila’s seal.
  • Shade burned away the petrified rose vines with the seal, and Haila woke from her slumber.
  • Haila told Shade that she had poisoned the wine to undermine her father’s prenuptial agreement, but Osenfott’s rage led to the Wosente Family’s destruction.
  • Haila warned Shade that Stone’s heart was abnormal and that she knew how to destroy his Undying Body.

Ch. 1465Death of the Demon Man

Shade learned that Haila’s Stone Heart sustained Stone Osenfott’s immortality, and that destroying it after Shade pierced Stone’s original heart would free them both. Shade fought Stone and his reflected doubles in the burning, snow-covered courtyard, ending the chapter by striking Stone with Moonlight Slash’s fourth form.

  • Haila explained that Stone had taken her broken heart and replaced it with a Stone Heart, then placed her heart in his own chest to share her pain.
  • Haila told Shade to pierce the heart in Stone’s chest so she could remove and destroy her Stone Heart, and asked him to take Stone away afterward.
  • Shade emerged into the courtyard and fought Stone Osenfott, using Flame Attachment to set his sword ablaze.
  • Stone summoned twelve reflected doubles, but Shade defeated them with his sword, Moonlight Ring, and Great Sin Chains.
  • Shade broke Stone’s Stone Sword, then used Moonlight Slash’s fourth form to pierce Stone as he flew backward.

Ch. 1466Moon on a Moonless Night

Shade killed Stone Osenfott after revealing that Haila had kept secrets about the destruction of the Wosente Family, then faced the Demon over their contract. The Demon recognized Shade as the Moon required by the contract, began turning Osenfott into an undead, and offered Shade a choice of six rewards.

  • Shade confronted Stone Osenfott with the possibility that Haila's secrets might have changed their fate, then stabbed him through the heart.
  • Stone Osenfott died, but his soul emerged from his body as the Demon arrived and claimed Shade had fulfilled their agreement.
  • The Demon explained that Shade counted as the Moon in the contract, but Osenfott rejected that interpretation and returned to his corpse as an undead.
  • The Demon began petrifying Osenfott, but Shade blocked it and demanded the payment promised in their deal.
  • The Demon presented six rewards for Shade to choose from, including the Sage Level Relic Eternal Fire, which stirred the Primordial Fire within him.

Ch. 1467Demon's Reward

Shade chose information about Desire as his reward from Gothe, then refused to let the demon claim Osenfott’s soul. With Osenfott escaping and the manor sealed against Shade’s allies, Shade prepared to fight the demon.

  • Gothe presented Shade with five treasures and a note warning that the ancient lady connected to Desire was more dangerous than the demon.
  • Shade chose the note about Desire, and Gothe made the other rewards vanish.
  • Shade stopped Gothe from taking Osenfott’s soul, and Osenfott escaped while Gothe revealed that he was destined to meet the Guardians.
  • Shade tried to summon help with his Rhodes Cards, but Gothe explained that it had sealed the manor and its surroundings.
  • Gothe rejected Shade’s proposal for a wager and warned that Osenfott’s fate would unfold; Shade drank the Golden Potion and readied his weapons.

Ch. 1468Pursuit

Shade lured the Stone Mirror Demon-Goth from Osenfott Manor to the Ailong River and fought it while drawing it toward a trap beneath the ice. After the demon broke his sword and the Golden Potion wore off, Shade revealed that he had summoned a far more powerful being, which erupted from the river.

  • Shade escaped the burning woods in Red Butterflies form, with the Stone Mirror Demon-Goth pursuing him and inflicting wounds along the way.
  • Shade reached the Ailong River and attacked the demon with Moonlight Slash, but it stopped time, broke his sword, and sent him flying.
  • Shade smashed a hole in the ice and dropped something into the river, then explained that he had chosen his reward to confirm the demon’s attitude toward her.
  • The Stone Mirror Demon-Goth realized Shade had summoned her as cracks spread through the ice.
  • A gigantic, beautiful Mermaid-like figure burst through nearly a thousand meters of ice and landed among the floating ice downstream.

Ch. 1469The Demon's Rules of the Game

Shade summoned Desire to make the demon Gothe accept a wager for Osenfott’s soul. Desire agreed to referee a one-hour animal-identification game in Gothe’s labyrinth, which began as Gothe started building his domain.

  • Shade greeted Desire, who recognized his Pride and the scent of a mother dragon.
  • Shade asked Desire to make Gothe accept a wager: if Shade won, he would claim Osenfott’s soul; if he lost, he would remain at Osenfott Manor that night.
  • Desire accepted a note about herself from Shade as payment and agreed to referee the game.
  • Gothe set the rules: he would create a labyrinth within the burning forest and Osenfott Manor, take an animal’s form, and hide while Shade tried to identify and catch him within an hour.
  • Desire barred both players from directly harming each other during the game and declared it begun.

Ch. 1470Labyrinth

Shade used Night Watchman to injure the Stone Mirror Demon-Goth as its domain formed, then entered the burning forest Labyrinth to pursue its traces. Guided by the Source of Chaos and the Demon’s black marks, he fought through monsters and Osenfott’s corrupted dead while pressing toward the Labyrinth’s depths.

  • Shade summoned Night Watchman through the shattered coordinate Runestone and struck the Stone Mirror Demon-Goth with Moonlight Slash as the Labyrinth domain took shape.
  • Shade followed the Demon’s black traces into the burning forest and used the Source of Chaos to choose a route through the Labyrinth.
  • Shade fought an eight-legged flaming spider, killed it with Night Watchman, and collected the flawless ruby it dropped.
  • Shade battled stone sculptures and half-Demon bandits as they attacked him along the route.
  • Shade rejected the Demon’s attempt to shame him for killing its minions and continued fighting to clear his path.

Ch. 1471Different Worries

Shade rescued a squirrel in the Demon’s burning labyrinth and continued toward its exit despite being injured. In Randall River Valley City, Iluna and Luvia learned that Shade’s allies were being pulled away as supernatural threats spread, leaving the Night Watchman’s fate uncertain.

  • Shade rejected an illusion of Margaret and Prince William, then rescued a squirrel trapped beneath a fallen tree and was injured when burning trees collapsed on him.
  • Shade healed himself, hid the squirrel, and continued through the labyrinth toward the Demon’s exit.
  • Iluna learned that the Church wanted her to use a fragment of the Heart of the Earth to develop Earth Power, while reports arrived of fossil creatures and Elemental Lifeforms appearing around the city.
  • Iluna realized Sister Devlin had left the Moon Worship Ruins, leaving Shade without his most important helper.
  • Luvia divined Earth for Iluna and Shadow for Shade, then told Miss Rita Swift to get the Night Watchman inside Osenfott Manor despite its spatial barrier.
  • A maid reported that a Fallen Earth Elemental Giant Spirit was advancing through the city and that two Peace Church Arcanists could not stop it.

Ch. 1472Snake and Bear

Shade reached Osenfott Manor after enduring the burning Labyrinth and had to identify which of five captured animals was the Demon before the countdown ended. By the chapter’s end, he had narrowed the suspects to a large Snake and a brown bear but had not chosen between them.

  • Luvia ordered Miss Swift to investigate the nearby Snake Heart Society Arcanists and told her to keep track of Sylvia and contact the Church about Saint Byron's Red Moon Witch.
  • Shade ran through the burning Labyrinth, resisted its tempting illusions and obstacles, and reached Osenfott Manor exhausted.
  • The Demon challenged Shade to identify it among five animals, and Shade gathered a tiger, lion, gray squirrel, brown bear, and large black Snake.
  • Shade and the tiger recognized each other, while the rescued big-tailed squirrel identified the gray squirrel as his wife and reunited with her.
  • Shade ruled out the lion using the butler's clue, leaving the Snake and brown bear as the final suspects.

Ch. 1473The Answer

Shade discovered that Stone Mirror Demon-Goth had hidden in the animals’ reflections, exposed its true form, and claimed victory in their game. The demon then transformed and attacked Shade as the manor’s destruction unfolded, and Shade fought back with the Night Watchman while waiting for Doctor Schneider to arrive.

  • Shade rejected using Little Mia or the God of Gambling’s blessing and realized the demon might be hiding somewhere other than the animals themselves.
  • Shade used a water curtain as a mirror and seized Stone Osenfott’s reflection, revealing the ancient stone mirror that was the demon’s true body.
  • Shade declared that he had won the game, while the demon accepted the contract but warned that Shade had already failed by coming close.
  • The demon’s domain collapsed as the black snake died and the other animals fled; Shade returned to Reality World amid the burning manor and saw Haila Osenfott, Miss Sylvia, Osenfott, and Ms. Handel.
  • The demon transformed and attacked Shade, who stabbed its mirror body with the Night Watchman as the Rhodes Cards scattered and Origin appeared.
  • The mirror cracked and Stone Osenfott vanished, but the demon spoke of being born from mortals’ darkest secrets while Shade counted down the seconds until Doctor Schneider arrived.

Ch. 1474Miracle Moon's Shadow

Shade recognized the black moon within himself and awakened the Moon's Shadow Golden Miracle Spirit Rune, defeating Stone Mirror Demon-Goth. Doctor Schneider arrived and destroyed the weakened Demon while Shade was unconscious, and the chapter ended with Shade waking to learn the battle was over.

  • Shade saw his reflection as a black moon and realized it was the moon's shadow.
  • The Stone Mirror shattered, and Shade inscribed the Golden Miracle Spirit Rune Moon's Shadow, gaining a thaumaturgy that enhanced his Moon Power.
  • Luvia saw the silver pillar of light from Osenfott Manor and prepared for Shade's return and another departure.
  • Doctor Bill Schneider found the wounded Stone Mirror Demon-Goth and recognized it, then defeated it with his own grotesque power.
  • Shade woke, and Doctor Schneider told him that Gothe would likely not appear again for several thousand years.

Ch. 1475Osenfott's Fate

After defeating Stone Mirror Demon-Goth, Shade recovered and learned that Doctor Schneider had captured Stone Osenfott’s soul. Shade gave Osenfott a chance to repent, but when he refused, Shade let the Wosente family’s vengeful spirits drag him into True Death.

  • Shade recovered from the demon domain, and Doctor Schneider told him that Miss Sylvia had gone to stop a Dragon while Ms. Handel had captured Stone Osenfott’s soul.
  • Shade released Osenfott’s soul from the bottle, and it returned to his undead body beneath the snow.
  • Shade offered Osenfott a choice between death and a worse death if he repented, but Osenfott insisted that his murders and robberies were not wrong.
  • Osenfott begged to see Haila Osenfott, but Shade refused and reminded him that he had shown no mercy to his victims.
  • Shade summoned the five Wosente family spirits from their photograph, and they tore out Osenfott’s heart and dragged him through a rift into True Death.

Ch. 1476Winter Flower and Autumn Flower

Shade defeated the demon at Osenfott Manor, received Haila Osenfott’s final gifts, and learned that cultists had taken an unfinished statue made by Shi Dong. He then met Desire at the lake and asked for an autumn flower, but she invited him to perform for her instead.

  • Shade put away the demon remnant and Haila’s heart, then went upstairs to speak with Haila Osenfott.
  • Haila gave Shade a stone heart pierced by a black rose, told him cultists had taken Shi Dong’s unfinished statue, and confirmed that she still loved him before fading away.
  • Shade took the black rose and found Haila’s completed portrait of his true face in the back garden.
  • Shade went to the Ailong River dock, where Desire appeared in the water holding an autumn flower.
  • Shade asked Desire what price she wanted for the flower, and she asked him to perform for her.

Ch. 1477A Brief Respite

Shade completed the Four Seasons Flower and returned to Randall River Valley City with Miss Sylvia, where Luvia and the others treated his injuries. With the earthquake expected soon and his body still suffering from demonic corrosion, he prepared to continue the fight despite needing time to recover.

  • Desire appeared in the water, asked Shade to perform a story of his desire before dawn, and promised to kiss him if he failed; Shade took the flower and turned it into a toy.
  • Shade retrieved the Perfume Bottle and reflected that he had completed the Four Seasons Flower, Osenfott was dead, and he still had the Third Candidate as a fallback.
  • Shade and Miss Sylvia returned to the Wilde Opera House through a spatial vortex, where Luvia embraced him and the others began treating his injuries.
  • Miss Sylvia reported that Doctor Schneider had stayed behind at Osenfott Manor to retrieve stolen demon-summoning materials and erase traces of the battle.
  • Luvia explained that the city remained secure, but Iluna might have to act after the earthquake revealed the ritual's location; Tifa warned that Shade's demonic corrosion would take at least an hour to treat.

Ch. 1478Great Earthquake

Shade rested at the Wilde Opera House with Luvia and Mia until the great earthquake struck Randall River Valley, marking the earth’s twisted fourth stage. After sensing the largest distortion northeast of the city, Shade and Luvia entered the Time Corridor to investigate the Eternal Night City event.

  • Miss Sylvia reported that the Great Witches were fighting in the eastern city and arranged to remain at the Opera House with Shade.
  • Luvia and Tifa persuaded Shade to rest, and Luvia sang him to sleep while the whisper told her that Stone Osenfott’s death had changed Destiny and that more danger remained.
  • A violent earthquake shook Randall River Valley, and Luvia told Shade that it had begun as the earth entered its twisted fourth stage.
  • Shade and Luvia inspected the Opera House, then used Miss Benanis’s ritual to locate the largest distortion northeast of the city.
  • Shade and Luvia entered the Time Corridor for the Eternal Night City event, with forty minutes to break through the Eternal Night Maze and uncover the truth behind the curtain.

Ch. 1479The Last 3028

Shade reunited with Fiona in Fifth Epoch Eternal Night City and learned that the gift meant for the God of Black Night was the First Epoch stone slab, which still existed in the Sixth Epoch. With the proposed deal likely doomed and Fiona unable to recall the backup plan, they prepared to face the god and promised they would meet again.

  • Shade arrived at Twilight Place and found Fiona waiting in a tent, knitting while wearing his coat.
  • Fiona greeted Shade with a hug and kiss, then noticed the lingering effects of his encounter with Stone Mirror Demon-Goth.
  • Fiona recalled that Miss Feliana planned to offer the God of Black Night a First Epoch treasure depicting the Ancient God of Silver Moon and the Sun God defining day and night.
  • Shade realized the stone slab still existed in the Sixth Epoch and concluded that Fiona's offer would fail, while Fiona remembered only that a backup plan existed.
  • Shade and Fiona packed their belongings and prepared to meet the god, then exchanged messages and promises to meet again.

Ch. 1480God of Black Night

Shade and Fiona entered the God of Black Night’s hall, where Shade’s Sun and Moon radiance helped them cross the darkness and reach the god. Shade offered a First Epoch stone slab and asked permission to establish a school, but the silent god gave no sign of accepting the offer.

  • Shade and Fiona left the Twilight Place and entered the Hall of Night with Little Mia tucked inside Shade’s coat.
  • Little Mia’s Sunlight and Shade’s Moonlight combined, illuminating the hall and revealing figures trapped in the night.
  • Shade and Fiona reached an invisible barrier, and the God of Black Night descended before them.
  • Shade’s body cracked as his God’s Radiance emerged, spreading warmth and light over Fiona.
  • Shade respectfully offered the stone slab’s story to the God of Black Night, then asked what else they should give in exchange for permission to establish a school.

Ch. 1481Story of Night and Blessing

Shade negotiated with the God of Black Night by offering a midnight story to adorn its palace, and Fiona used her ability to paint the tale onto six stone slabs. As Shade told Cinderella’s story and Fiona painted its opening scenes, she asked whether it would have a happy ending.

  • The God of Black Night agreed to let Shade and Fiona adorn its palace with a story.
  • Shade asked Fiona to paint the tale using her power to paint in the night, and she agreed.
  • Fiona painted Cinderella doing housework while her stepmother and Elder Sisters prepared for the Prince’s ball.
  • Shade told how Cinderella prayed beneath the moon and received help from an old woman who transformed a pumpkin, mice, and Cinderella’s clothes.
  • After painting the old woman’s gifts, Fiona asked Shade whether the story would be happy.

Ch. 1482"Court Painter"

Shade told the God of Night the story of Cinderella while Fiona painted its six scenes, and the god accepted their offering. When the god demanded Fiona stay as its Court Painter, Shade prepared to burn God's Radiance to get her out before his time ran out.

  • Shade narrated Cinderella's story as Fiona painted six scenes on stone slabs, and the God of Night accepted the tale as decoration for its palace.
  • Shade asked the god for territory in the mortal world and a way to leave, and the god agreed to let them go if they replaced the First Epoch stone slab offering.
  • The God of Night demanded Fiona as its Court Painter, and Shade realized the god's silence had been meant to delay him.
  • Shade promised Fiona he would take her safely out and embraced her as the god's night pressed in around them.
  • With seconds remaining, Shade ordered God's Radiance burned to save Fiona, despite having only one drop of divinity.
Arc 59 of 174