Without mercy, they surrounded her, cornering her into a spot she could no longer avoid. In the fierce battle, Elanor fought desperately, but the overwhelming number of soldiers eventually brought her down. They captured her, chained her, and dragged her to a place that resembled a dungeon—or perhaps a torture chamber.

  One of the knights kicked Elanor's stomach hard, sending her crashing to the rocky ground. Her breath was heavy, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. A group of knights stood around her, their eyes filled with hatred and disdain.

  "Get up, demon! Or do you prefer crawling on the ground like an animal?"

  Elanor growled, trying to rise, but the second knight stepped on her back, pushing her into the ground. The insults filled her head, and her anger flared.

  "Someone like you should have been burned long ago. You're not human. You're just a curse that's been allowed to live too long."

  One of them pulled Elanor's hair, forcing her to look forward. Another knight punched her face, sending her back to the ground. Elanor's eyes sharpened, as though ready to destroy anything if her chains were removed.

  They laughed quietly.

  "When the executioner sharpens his axe, your head will be separated from your body."

  Her chest felt tight. Their voices continued to echo in her head. Damn, they'll kill me if this continues.

  "You will never be part of this world."

  They dragged her to the guillotine. Seeing the executioner with his blood-stained axe, one of the knights spat in her direction.

  "I'll kill you all."

  "Huh?"

  In her rage, something inside Elanor snapped.

  "I'LL KILL YOU ALL!"

  The air suddenly grew heavy.

  The knights immediately felt a chilling cold piercing their bones.

  "What is this...?"

  The girl slowly rose. Black feathers tore through her white skin, her beautiful face slowly transforming into a figure resembling a black goat with curved horns. The air vibrated. Her body grew larger, the ground cracked, and a dark aura enveloped her body.

  "AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

  The creature's roar was terrifying, reflecting the anger that had been buried for so long.

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  Her body continued to grow, destroying the roof and emerging into the city. She brought fire with her. In an instant, the once peaceful city was engulfed in flames. The sky, once clear, was now filled with thick dark clouds, and black smoke rose high, blocking the sun.

  The creature roared with a terrifying sound.

  "DEMON!" a knight screamed, horrified at the destruction happening so quickly.

  In the midst of the chaos, a very familiar voice snapped her back to reality.

  "Elanor."

  It was William. How did he get here with his weakened body? He appeared to drag his injured body, his eyes filled with sorrow.

  "Is that you, Elanor?" he asked.

  "William... I... I..." Elanor's voice mixed with the heavy tone of the creature, but William surely recognized her.

  "You've gone too far, Elanor." His old voice was filled with confusion and disappointment.

  Elanor turned and saw her grandfather standing there, his eyes full of sadness. "What have you done? You... you've destroyed everything!"

  Elanor's eyes widened. "I... I couldn't control it. They... they forced me to become like this!"

  With steady steps, her grandfather unsheathed his sword. "Hendrick was right. I should have killed you back then. You've become a threat that can't be left alive. There's no more path for you."

  Tears fell from Elanor's eyes. "William... why do you want to kill me? I... I don’t know what to do."

  Fear consumed her. Her body slowly returned to the form of the little girl crying amidst the destruction. Hearing the sound of the sword scraping against the ground, Elanor realized—the sword was almost upon her.

  Her instincts made her dodge.

  Elanor staggered back, her body trembling. Then she made a decision to run. No matter if she looked like a dog fleeing from its master, she kept running, crashing through wood and debris until she reached a dead-end.

  "You are a demon," William's voice was flat before he swung his sword again. Elanor could only dodge, her body covered in wounds.

  She thought it wouldn't matter if she died at the hands of her guardian, but when she looked into William's eyes, ready to strike, she saw the same thing as in the eyes of the knights and those who despised her.

  In that moment, before William could strike, Elanor grabbed a sharp piece of wood beside her and drove it into William's stomach.

  The old man collapsed. A gaping wound in his stomach, his face pale, blood flowing from his mouth.

  "Why... Grandfather?" she whispered, her voice almost inaudible.

  Elanor held the dying man tightly. "I... I didn't mean to... no, Grandfather..."

  But the response she received was not what she had hoped for.

  "Demon... you took my soul... and in return, what will you give me?" Her grandfather's voice was weak and broken.

  Elanor held his hand tightly. "Grandfather... what are you talking about?"

  "Listen to me, demon... I want this kingdom to change... Give it to me... as payment..."

  The light in his eyes faded. His breath stopped. There was no more sound.

  "Grandfather... no..." Elanor whispered, her body trembling with overwhelming regret. But it was too late.

  The soldiers surrounded her again. In an instant, chains bound her.

  Elanor was locked in a cage, her hands bound. Her face was bruised and confused. After William's death, the judge was determining her fate. Yet, despite being surrounded by soldiers and trapped, someone unexpected came to her rescue.

  A noblewoman, dressed in an elegant black cloak, stepped forward with confidence. Her sharp eyes fixed on Elanor with great interest.

  "I've heard you're a demon who can grant any wish," she said with a hopeful smile. "I will free you. In exchange, you must make the King fall in love with me."

  Elanor looked at her blankly. The noblewoman's gaze was eerily similar to William's when he made his last request. She stayed silent for a long moment before finally answering.

  "I accept your offer."

  "Good. From now on, you are my servant. And please take care of this girl," said the noblewoman to a girl standing beside her.

  A blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl stepped forward, offering her hand to help Elanor stand. "My name is Isabella," said the girl. "From now on, you are under my supervision."