Castle in the Air Hiraku sees the flying castle in the distance slowly approaching the village. Kuzuden (or Kuzu for short), the demon who rules the castle, contacts them with the intent to attack the village, but immediately surrenders after being intimidated by Hiraku's power. Kuzu explains that the castle is called the Sun Castle, which used to belong to demigods before the demons took it over following a past war, and he is a descendant of the demons. He actually cannot control the castle, which is also filled with monsters. Hiraku deducts that Tia's kind are formerly demigods. They form a plan to infiltrate the Sun Castle to rid it of monsters while Hiraku spends time with Urza and the young beastpeople. Kuzu is eventually defeated and brought to the village where Hiraku shares food with him. Beezel comes for a brief visit. Hiraku decides to visit the castle personally, but finds it mostly in ruins. He and his companions notice a demon and his young daughter, who is trying to protect an innocent monster. Hiraku convinces her to keep it as a pet. In the throne room, Kuzu shows them the sentient crystal that controls the castle. It will only swear loyalty to those who have demigod genetics; it may not work for Tia's kind as they aren't demigods anymore as demigods all long extinct. The crystal eventually agrees to make Kuzu the operator of the castle, granting him full control. Seeing how poor the demons living in the castle are, Hiraku decides to provide them with food from the village. His group discover a hidden library and a secret chamber where a large crystal is located. They meet Bell Foguma, the chief assistant to the Sun Castle's original ruler, who made the crystal in the throne room. Hiraku is granted the Sword of the Sun to defeat Kuzu, which will set her free from her position. He reluctantly takes the sword despite not having any interest in defeating Kuzu, but proceeds to turn it into soil. Bell is not bothered by that as she is at last free.

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