The story begins in a desolate village ravaged by slaughter, where a tall, unnaturally beautiful woman with silver hair and ice-blue eyes, named Byakuren, walks through the carnage. She is emotionless, observing the scene with an almost detached air. Her serene demeanor is shattered when she encounters a group of orcs, brutish demi-humans known for their ferocity and reproductive habits. These orcs, intoxicated by the bloodshed and fire, approach Byakuren not to flee, but with lustful intent, their primal instincts dulled by their frenzy. Byakuren, perceiving their malevolent gaze as an offense, unleashes her power. With a casual gesture, she impales one orc with an ice shard, and then annihilates the rest with a barrage of ice projectiles, turning them into frozen statues.
Among the ruins, Byakuren discovers a young girl, Alfra, buried beneath debris and severely burned. Despite her critical condition, Alfra weakly reaches out to Byakuren, mistaking her for a goddess. This interaction elicits the first hint of expression from Byakuren, a slight smile.
Alfra awakens in a luxurious, unfamiliar room, cared for by a kind, elderly butler named Takashiro. She is bewildered by her surroundings, which resemble a noble's estate. Byakuren enters, and Alfra, still awestruck by her beauty, addresses her as "Goddess-sama" again. Byakuren corrects her, stating she is the opposite of a goddess, and begins to question Alfra about her name, age, and condition. Alfra recalls the horrific massacre of her parents and her own near-death experience, being impaled and thrown into a fire by an orc. Byakuren, not a healer but observant, confirms Alfra's injuries have mostly closed but cannot guarantee full recovery. She promises Alfra a light meal.
Later, Byakuren questions Alfra about her name, age, and well-being. Alfra, still recovering from her trauma, struggles to articulate her pain. Byakuren, impatient, explains that Alfra was in a dire state and that she, not being a doctor, can only assess external healing. Alfra remembers her parents' deaths and her own agonizing ordeal. Byakuren gently forces Alfra to face her, demanding to know where she hurts. Alfra, mesmerized by Byakuren's cold, captivating eyes, claims to be fine. Byakuren then instructs her to rest and promises a meal.
Alfra, wanting to know Byakuren's name, calls out to her. Byakuren reveals her name is Byakuren and tells Alfra to call her as she pleases, without unnecessary formality. Byakuren's commanding presence, far exceeding that of any noble Alfra has known, intimidates her, but Byakuren insists on a more casual address.
Alfra, left alone, reflects on Byakuren's beauty and the stark contrast to her own parents' loving demeanor. The memory of her parents' brutal deaths floods back, intensifying her grief. She realizes she should be dead, recalling the spear and the fire. She discovers no wounds on her body, attributing her survival to Byakuren.
The next day, Alfra is bathed by a maid named Fermat, a cheerful demoness from the western region. Alfra inquires about Byakuren's name, suspecting she might be from the eastern demon territories. Fermat reacts with shock and anger, scolding Alfra for addressing Byakuren by name, explaining the disrespect it implies among demons. She reveals herself to be a demon and that Byakuren is a high-ranking individual. Fermat explains that in demon society, names are significant, and addressing nobles casually is a grave offense. She apologizes for her outburst, clarifying it wasn't due to Alfra being human but a general rule. Fermat, intrigued by Alfra's survival and Byakuren's favor, accepts Alfra's name.
Fermat explains the history of the demon territories, including the ancient human invasion and the subsequent decline of western demons. She also reveals her own age of 360, highlighting the long lifespan of demons. Alfra is astonished by the revelation of demon longevity. Fermat, noticing Alfra's thinness, offers her more food and comments on her appearance, leading Alfra to see her reflection in a mirror for the first time.
Byakuren, observing Alfra's reflection, dismisses the importance of her chest size, stating it's merely decorative. She then instructs Takashiro to bring a large breakfast for Alfra.
Byakuren and Takashiro discuss Alfra's unusual recovery. Takashiro notes that giving high-ranking demon blood to humans typically results in death, making Alfra's rapid healing extraordinary. They speculate about the cause, considering Alfra's unique nature. They also discuss the history of human attempts to hunt demons for their blood and organs, and the failed human invasion of demon territory decades prior. Byakuren recalls an encounter with Count Gaen, who incited orcs against humans.
Byakuren decides to continue giving Alfra her blood, instructing Takashiro to monitor for any changes. Takashiro expresses concern about the potency of Byakuren's blood, but Byakuren smiles enigmatically.
Alfra, bored in her room, considers leaving. Byakuren enters and permits her to explore. Byakuren then takes a small amount of Alfra's blood, observing its properties. She notes that Alfra's blood, when combined with her own, exhibits unusual healing and resistance properties, though she remains perplexed by the exact mechanism. Byakuren promises to explain later.
Byakuren begins teaching Alfra about magic, specifically ice and snow manipulation, while Alfra struggles to manifest any power. Byakuren eventually instructs Takashiro to teach Alfra combat skills, specifically Aikido, a martial art focused on redirecting force. Alfra shows promise in physical training, her strength and agility enhanced by Byakuren's blood.
Four years pass. Alfra has grown, and her training with Takashiro has progressed. Byakuren's demeanor has softened considerably towards Alfra, showing affection and concern. She worries about Alfra's physical development and her interactions with Fermat, who seems to have a negative influence. Byakuren also expresses concern about Alfra's lack of human interaction and the potential for her to be ostracized by humans due to her upbringing.
A significant turning point occurs when Byakuren, after a conversation with Takashiro, decides to take Alfra to the capital. This decision is met with strong opposition from Byakuren, who fears Alfra will want to leave her. Alfra, however, declares her unwavering devotion to Byakuren, stating she needs nothing else as long as Byakuren is with her.
A powerful demon named Senka arrives, revealing himself as a demon king aspiring to unite the demon territories. He proposes a political alliance with Byakuren, intending to make her his empress. Byakuren, torn between her past promises to Senka and her growing affection for Alfra, requests time to consider. Senka, however, insists on a swift decision, implying a threat if Byakuren refuses.
Alfra, witnessing Byakuren's distress and the implied separation, becomes terrified. She clings to Byakuren, desperate to prevent her departure. Byakuren, despite her internal conflict, is forced to agree to Senka's terms, promising to bid farewell to Alfra before leaving.
The narrative then shifts to Byakuren's internal struggle. She reflects on her past, her cold upbringing, and her inability to feel affection. She acknowledges her growing attachment to Alfra, which conflicts with her desire to return to her former detached self. She resolves to distance herself from Alfra for both their sakes, believing Alfra would be happier among humans.
Alfra, heartbroken by the prospect of separation, refuses to eat, her distress evident. Takashiro, witnessing this, offers Alfra advice on how to keep Byakuren by her side, hinting at a family tradition. Alfra, motivated by her desire to stay with Byakuren, begins eating again.
Byakuren, pleased by Alfra's renewed appetite, visits her. Alfra, emboldened by Takashiro's advice, attempts to confess her feelings and assert her claim over Byakuren. Her actions, however, are clumsy and driven by a misunderstanding of intimacy, leading to a chaotic and awkward encounter. Byakuren, though initially confused and even slightly injured, eventually succumbs to Alfra's affections, realizing her own feelings have changed.
The story concludes with the passage of time and the looming threat of war among demon factions. Byakuren and Alfra's relationship has deepened, but the external pressures of the demon world and Senka's ambition cast a shadow over their seemingly peaceful existence. The narrative hints at a future conflict and the difficult choices Byakuren will have to make regarding Alfra's safety and her own destiny.