Time seemed to have stopped, and for a brief moment, he wished it truly had. The sky was pitch black, devoid of moon or stars. The clamorous music had long ceased, and the lights of Giabella-Face no longer shone. The carousel and Ferris Wheel stood still.0

In the heart of the quiet night, Eugene and Noir were intertwined. Eugene looked at Noir with quivering eyes. She was smiling brightly, her lips streaming with blood. He saw the gaping wound in her chest where the sword remained embedded.0

This time, the strike was not shallow. It hadn't missed its mark. The plain sword had pierced Noir's heart precisely.0

He noticed the necklace, now red with the blood that spurted from her wound. Unknowingly, Eugene swallowed his breath, wishing he could turn his gaze away.0

Noir's hand moved. Her trembling hand reached toward Eugene. It was possible that she still had strength left in her. Despite having driven her to this point and piercing her heart, she was still the Queen of the Night Demons. Perhaps to her, death still felt strange and distant.0

"…Ahaha."0

Her bloodied left hand touched Eugene's face, leaving streaks of red on his cheek. Noir chuckled as she moved her hand downwards. She slowly caressed Eugene's throat.0

"Haha..."0

She stopped. Noir did not grip his throat. She didn’t dig her nails into his neck or tear it open. Instead, she touched him with the gentleness and delicateness of handling a fragile piece of art. She saw Eugene’s eyes tremble with each gentle touch. She saw his cheeks twitch and his lips contort.0

"Hamel,” she called out.0

Her lips, stained red with blood, parted. Noir whispered with a mischievous smile, "In such a beautiful moment, why do you wear such an expression?"2

Everything about that expression was satisfying to her. Noir chuckled and moved her right hand, groping towards the hand that held the sword hilt.0

"Such...1