Chapter of the Midnight Sun

**Chapter of the Midnight Sun** (白夜の章, , *Byakuya no Shō*?) is the sixth chapter in *Hagane no Houkou* side story.

## Story

On the day of the total solar eclipse, a massive barrier stretched across the sky. As the world was about to be blanketed in the pale night, a single flash pierced through. People called it the "Ceremony of Subjugation of the Celestial Demon".

This special ritual had been carried out for thousands of years to maintain peace and sanctity. It involved releasing the Arrow of Ourin at the barrier to break it. Beyond the barrier lay a powerful force that could become a god or a demon, depending on how it was used—a double-edged power entrusted to the honored warriors known as the "Byakuya Knight", the rulers of the heavens.

This is a story from long before the ceremony's inception. Darkness born from a solar eclipse had given rise to countless Gates. For the Demon Beasts, it was the perfect time for activity, regardless of day or night. The Makai Knights were unprepared for this.

With the cooperation of the Makai Priests and the people, they began to vanquish Demon Beasts one after another. However, they did not anticipate that the barrier in the sky would become a Gate. From it emerged a type of Demon Beast unlike anything they had seen before. It was not described in any Madou Book, and no Makai Priest or Madou Tool could understand it. The white-faced Demon Beast grinned with impunity.

The Byakuya Knight realized it instantly. These puppets were advance troops sent by its own Demon Beast. They were born from nothingness, endlessly pouring forth. So there was only one thing to do: to possess the white-faced Demon Beast. He dispersed the puppets and soared into the sky. The crimson "sebata" on his back resembled wings. He rode his steed and traversed the air. His appearance restored courage in the hearts of the people, which had begun to fade. Even the Demon Beasts that coexist with humans spread their wings following the Byakuya Knight.

White-faced Demon Beast, feast your eyes on this world of light while you can. Soon, all you'll see is darkness.

"This is needless to say, but after this, the Byakuya Knight sealed the white-faced Demon Beast."

The old man said with great enthusiasm, and the boy, perhaps influenced by his fervor, asked excitedly, "Dad, could it be that this Byakuya Knight..."

"Yes, that's right..."

BANG! CLANG!

A loud noise from the other side of the door interrupted the father's words. The boy, the old man, and the father exchanged smiles.

"It's Mom."

The boy hurried toward the door. When he opened it, the room was filled with scattered objects: brushes, paint, canvases, pencils. Sitting in the middle of the mess, a woman sighed.

"I did it again..."

"Welcome back, Mom."

"Uh, yeah, I'm back..."

While hastily picking up her art supplies, the mother said this somewhat shyly, as if to cover her embarrassment.

"Mom, have you finished preparing for your solo exhibition?"

"Yeah, thanks to everyone's help."

Although the father and mother didn't exchange words, they seemed to communicate through their smiles. The old man smiled as well, understanding their unspoken conversation.

"Since I've been away and caused trouble, I'll make dinner today, and I'll put my heart into it."

"What...?"

The smiles disappeared from the faces of the boy, the old man, and the father.