ã€ŠA Tamia&#x27;s Tale, second book: Somnium Oblitumã€‹


 Prologue

    Was it a summer day? I don¡¯t remember.

    The cold was chilling.

    The cicadas kept chirping.

    The smell of an enticing meal.

    An unforgettable memory

    That I can¡¯t shake off,

    Nor give up.

    Tears echo in my ears.

    My heart clenches, my heart clenches.

    Nothing is clear.

    An encounter.

    My beginning.

    Just when¡­

    When will my end come?

    Strapping pouches to his belt, the young man inspected his modest luggage with care. A simple pouch held all he needed: clothes, provisions, and enough water to last a few days. He required little else. With his magic, starting a fire was effortless, and he''d grown accustomed to sleeping on the bare ground.

    Running a hand through his silver hair, he paused to glance at his reflection in the mirror. It wouldn¡¯t do to appear unkempt before the priest assigned to accompany him on his journey.

    ¡°Lupus! Helen is waiting for you!¡± came a shout from the open doorway, the priest''s voice urging him to hurry.

    ¡°Coming!¡± Lupus replied, giving his hair one last quick adjustment before stepping away.

    It was his final day in the holy city. The day he finally became a full-fledged hero and embarked on his journey to save humankind. With a smile, he approached the altar from which he would receive the last benediction of the dragon god Eran.

    In this pristine yet modest chapel, two persons were waiting for him. Grand Priest Johan, the highest authority of the church. His long gray beard cascaded down to his torso, and his face bore rune-like wrinkles, etched deeply like cracks in aged pottery. Despite his advanced years, his commanding presence made it clear he would continue to lead the city for years to come.

    But Lupus¡¯s eyes locked immediately onto Helen. His childhood friend and now a high priest, she was well-versed in healing magic. Her long dark hair provided a striking contrast to his silver locks, and her youthful appearance mirrored his own age.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    ¡°You¡¯re late, Lupus,¡± the young woman pouted. ¡°We were supposed to leave at noon!¡±

    ¡°Now, now,¡± the Grand Priest chuckled, giving a reassuring look to Helen. ¡°There is no need to rush. You¡¯re not going to be late by a few hours.¡±

    Helen¡¯s dark eyes narrowed slightly, but she chose not to argue further. The flowing hem of her blue robe trailed gracefully as she moved, retrieving a golden cup filled with water. Approaching Lupus, she bowed lightly and held the cup out to him with a resigned sigh. ¡°Let¡¯s get this ritual over with,¡±

    Lupus accepted the cup with a gracious nod and drank the water within. As the cool liquid slid down his throat, he turned to the Grand Priest, his expression resolute. ¡°I am ready.¡±

    The Grand Priest gave a solemn nod in return before turning to a long, ornate briefcase adorned with jewels and intricate inscriptions. Opening it carefully, he revealed a magnificent sword that gleamed brilliantly in the light streaming from above. The sword, Avaatam, glowed as if imbued with the light of the heavens. Its blade, long and razor-sharp, was etched with glowing runes that pulsed softly in rhythm, as though alive with ancient power. The guard, an elegant arc of polished steel, was set with a radiant crystal that vibrated faintly, exuding waves of magical energy. The weapon seemed almost too pristine, too sacred, to be wielded by mortal hands.

    ¡°Receive Avaatam, my child,¡± the Grand Priest declared, his voice echoing with reverence as he held the sacred sword by its blade and hilt. With solemnity, he extended it toward the young hero. ¡°May its power guide you to victory,¡± he intoned, bowing his head as he placed the weapon into Lupus¡¯s hands.

    Lupus nodded and examined the blade. It was the first time he had seen it but he could feel its immense power. All of his life he had been trained to be able to wield it, and now, finally, he could see it with his own eyes.

    The legendary blade Avaatam, one of the three sacred treasures of the church. The ring having been lost by the previous hero, Andreas, now only this blade remained. Lupus received it with reverence and attached it to his belt.

    His gaze returned to the Grand Priest, who stepped back, his hands folded before him.

    ¡°You have done well to come this far, young Edensveel,¡± the Grand Priest said, his voice resonating through the chapel¡¯s walls. ¡°Though the road ahead will test your spirit and your strength, remember that you carry not just the hopes of this city, but of all humankind.¡±

    Lupus nodded firmly, his resolve unshaken. ¡°I will not falter.¡±

    Helen, standing quietly nearby, broke her silence. ¡°And do not forget that you are not alone,¡± she added while crossing her arms. ¡°Even heroes need someone to patch them up now and then.¡±

    Lupus glanced at her, a faint smile breaking his otherwise serious demeanor. ¡°I¡¯ll try not to keep you too busy.¡±

    With a soft chuckle, Helen adjusted her robes and gestured toward the chapel¡¯s exit. ¡°Then let¡¯s get moving. The sooner we start, the sooner we¡¯ll be done.¡±

    The Grand Priest raised a hand in blessing as the two began their departure. ¡°Go with the light that brings life, and may its guidance never leave your side.¡±

    As Lupus and Helen stepped out of the chapel into the bustling streets of the holy city, the atmosphere was electric. Townsfolk paused their daily routines to watch the young hero and his companion pass, murmurs of hope and admiration trailing in their wake. The weight of their gazes reminded Lupus of what was at stake, but it also steeled his determination.

    When they reached the city gates, Helen stopped and turned to him, her expression serious. ¡°This is where it all begins, Lupus.¡±

    He nodded, his hand brushing the hilt of Avaatam. ¡°I know. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m sure we can do it.¡±

    Helen hesitated, then reached out and gave his arm a gentle squeeze. ¡°If you¡¯re not okay, don¡¯t hesitate to tell me, understood?¡±

    Lupus smiled softly and shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry I¡¯m fine.¡± With a final glance back at the city he had called home, he turned to face the open road. It was only a few days on a horse before they could reach Fyr, and it was his first step to stop the demon army.

    But first¡­ He had something else to take care of.

    I¡¯m ready¡­ Master. The thoughts resonated in his hand, his fists clenching as he visualized the face of the Bladeless.

    He would find the murderer of his master¡­

    No matter what.

 New beginning

    He was truly an abhorrent person. Despicable, rotten and useless. Useless was the word his mind was stuck on.

    Clutching sand in his hands, feeling the hot sun hitting his head like a hammer, his throat becoming sore from the lack of water¡­ How long had it been since he got here? A few minutes? Hours?

    Tears couldn¡¯t spill as his breath couldn¡¯t even be heard by the desert. As still as the landscape, he stood there, on his knees as his head kept spinning.

    Why?

    He repeated that word over and over again, like a broken record as the events that had transpired kept repeating in his broken mind. Why him? What did he do to deserve all of this?

    As his mind wandered further and further, irrational events turned into rational thoughts.

    Perhaps he did deserve all this. Even while he didn¡¯t believe in fate, destiny or any other almighty divinity controlling his life, he couldn¡¯t help but feel cursed. He never wanted to be in this world.

    All he ever wanted was¡­

    What did he want exactly? He didn¡¯t know anymore. Perhaps he never knew. Perhaps he was too much of a coward to even fight for what he wanted.

    A crow passed above him, croaking as if mocking him. But it fell on deaf ears. He didn¡¯t even glance up. His eyes were burning yellow from the sand below him.

    I truly am a horrible person

    His mind wandered to another set of self-flagellation. But someone came at the right moment to shake up his thoughts. A shadow hovered him, shielding him briefly from the scorching sun.

    The scent of flowers invaded his nostrils, amplified by the heat. ¡°Man¡­ He really sent us packing, didn¡¯t he?¡± a voice came through in a casual tone, accompanied by a sigh. ¡°And I was really liking examining those cars¡­

    The familiar person crouched next to him. ¡°Hey, Luka. Are you okay?¡± she asked, her voice grounding him to the present.

    He raised his head to meet her eyes. There were no words, just incomprehension. Her face turned into a worried frown as soon as she noticed his eyes beginning to shine. That¡¯s when he was reminded.

    Turning away his head, he simply stood up, as if his tiredness had vanished. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    His reply was as short as distant. Saki could sense he wasn¡¯t telling everything and a deep worry gnawed at her mind. One is born from having lived close to humans for a long time.

    ¡°You¡¯re clearly not okay,¡± Saki replied with a sigh. She scratched her head and walked back up to him. ¡°If you wan¡ª¡±

    ¡°Just shut up.¡±

    The succubus stopped in her tracks. For the first time she met him, she felt hurt. His usual rudeness couldn¡¯t compare to the venom he had just spat. His voice, filled with raw intensity and anger resonated within her as she took a step back. The mark from their contract burned her skin, as she felt a mix of emotions flooding her senses.

    Without another word, Luka turned and began walking, his footsteps crunching softly against the sand as his eyes remained locked on the distant horizon. His shoulders were tense, and his movements lacked purpose, as if he were moving just to escape.

    ¡°Just¡­¡± he muttered after a pause, his voice quieter, tinged with regret. ¡°Just leave me alone.¡±

    Saki watched him for a moment, her emerald eyes staring at his back. Her wings spread behind her as she soared in the air. Within seconds, she was hovering ahead of him, blocking his path.

    ¡°You idiot,¡± she said, her tone sharp, though her expression softened with worry. ¡°You don¡¯t even know where you¡¯re going!¡±

    Luka stopped in his tracks, his gaze darting away from her. ¡°I¡¯ll find a village eventually,¡± he muttered, brushing past her with an air of dismissal.

    ¡°A village?¡± Saki echoed, bewildered. ¡°Do you even know where you are? You¡¯re in the middle of a desert you fool! The only thing you¡¯re going to find is death!¡±

    Her words finally made him stop. He looked at her, and for a fleeting moment, something flickered in his eyes¡ªsomething vulnerable. But it was gone just as quickly as it came. ¡°So what if I do?¡± he asked. ¡°Maybe that¡¯s just how things should be.¡±

    Saki froze, her eyes widening with shock as he brushed past her. ¡°What¡­?¡± Her words were stuck in her throat as she tried to process what was going on. It wasn¡¯t his fault that he was sent back here. So why would he be so upset?

    ¡°I understand you¡¯re upset but that¡¯s not how things should¡ª¡± she began as she turned around, but he didn¡¯t even stop. It was clear he wasn¡¯t listening¡ªor at least he acted like it and nothing would change his mind. Like an invisible force pulling him forward, leaving everything behind.

    Without another word, her shoulders slumped. She was missing something. For some reason, returning to this world had broken him more than it should, especially since he was not that alone. He had said how he liked learning magic, how he liked the people here, right?

    ¡°Then why¡­?¡± she whispered to herself, the question carried away by the desert wind. It wasn¡¯t like him to get all down like that. Even when he came back from Ryuuji, he was moody, for sure, but not to that extent.

    Like a detective, she decided to follow him for now. If worst came to worst, she would have to carry him toward a village and hope for the best. Though his steps seemed aimless, she realized he was moving in the right direction. Whether it was instinct or his ability to read the shadows cast by the sun, Luka was heading toward the nearest settlement.

    She just hoped he¡¯d still have the strength to make it there.

    An hour passed, the oppressive heat showing no mercy. Saki¡¯s wings twitched in frustration as she watched Luka¡¯s movements grow slower, his strides shorter and more labored. He was practically dragging his feet now, and even following his sluggish pace was becoming an exercise in patience.

    ¡°Luka,¡± she called, her tone sharper than she intended.

    He didn¡¯t answer, his focus locked on the horizon. His breathing had become shallow, his steps faltering more with each passing minute.

    Saki sighed, gliding down to land softly behind him. ¡°You¡¯re going to collapse before you get anywhere,¡± she said, her voice softer this time.

    ¡°I¡¯ll manage,¡± he muttered, his tone hollow as he forced himself to keep walking.

    ¡°No, you won¡¯t,¡± she countered, stepping in front of him and folding her arms. ¡°This isn¡¯t about being strong or stubborn. You¡¯re dehydrated, exhausted, and¡ª¡±

    ¡°Just fucking leave me alone!¡± he snapped, his voice cracking with anger as he glared at her. ¡°You¡¯re a succubus! Don¡¯t you have better shit to do than follow me around like some goddamn puppy?¡± His eyes were dry and hurting but

    Saki flinched at the anger put behind his words and took a step back.

    Luka didn¡¯t look back. He pushed past her and resumed his staggering pace, each step more strained than the last. His shoulders were tense, and his fists clenched as though the anger he¡¯d unleashed had nowhere else to go.

    Saki stood frozen for a moment, watching him walk away, her chest tightening with a mix of frustration and sadness. There was something unsettling her about how much he could switch up his emotions, from grief to anger in a split second, as if he was a walking time bomb.

    Her emerald gaze lingered on his retreating form as she tried to make sense of it. He was upset¡ªfurious, even¡ªbut at whom? At her?

    She racked her brain, replaying their interactions in search of anything she might have done wrong. But nothing of note came to mind. If she had crossed a line, surely Luka would have told her outright, wouldn¡¯t he?

    Letting out a steadying breath, Saki muttered. ¡°Idiot¡­¡± before she unfurled her wings and started following him again with light steps.

    Luka¡¯s pace faltered even more as exhaustion overtook him. His legs trembled with each step, his knees threatening to buckle, and his breath came in shallow, ragged gasps. Saki¡¯s concern grew with every stagger, her eyes narrowing as she prepared herself to catch him if¡ªor rather, when¡ªhe fell.

    But she wasn¡¯t fast enough.

    Luka¡¯s legs gave out completely, and he collapsed into the scorching sand with a dull thud.

    ¡°Luka!¡± Saki called, rushing to his side in an instant. She knelt beside him, her wings folding close as she gently turned him onto his back. His face was pale, his breath labored, and the heat radiating from his body was alarming.

    ¡°Damn it,¡± she muttered, her voice filled with urgency as she brushed the sand off his face. ¡°I told you this would happen, you idiot.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ help me¡­¡± Luka rasped, his voice faint and broken as he struggled to push her hands away. He shifted slightly, trying to sit up, but his arms gave out beneath him, and he slumped back down.

    ¡°You can¡¯t even lift yourself off the ground,¡± Saki shot back, her voice sharp but cracking with emotion. ¡°Stop being so stubborn!¡±

    She pressed a hand gently but firmly against his shoulder to keep him from trying again. ¡°You¡¯re going to kill yourself at this rate, and for what? To prove you don¡¯t need anyone?¡±

    Luka¡¯s chest rose and fell unevenly as he stared up at her, his brown eyes turning golden with the sun flickering with defiance that quickly gave way to something more fragile¡ªshame, perhaps, or exhaustion too heavy to fight.

    For a moment, he simply lay there, the fight draining out of him. ¡°Why¡­?¡± he murmured weakly, his gaze drifting away from hers. ¡°Why do you even care¡­?¡±

    ¡°Because¡­¡± Saki began but soon cut herself short. She knew saying something half-heartedly wouldn¡¯t satisfy him but she couldn¡¯t tell the truth either.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been helped enough,¡± Luka muttered, his voice tinged with bitterness. He turned his face away from her, his struggle resuming as he tried to sit up again.

    ¡°Luka¡ª¡± Saki started, but he ignored her, his body trembling with the effort.

    ¡°So go away¡­¡± he rasped, his arms shaking as he tried to push himself off the ground. ¡°A loser like me should just stay alone.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Saki said sharply, cutting him off.

    Before he could respond, she slipped her arms beneath him and lifted him effortlessly. His eyes widened in surprise, but he was too weak to fight her off. ¡°What are you doing?¡± he demanded, his voice hoarse and strained.

    ¡°I¡¯m tired of walking with you,¡± Saki said firmly, her emerald eyes blazing with determination. ¡°So now, we do it my way.¡±

    With a powerful flap of her wings, she shot into the air, the wind rushing past them as she ascended. Luka¡¯s protests died in his throat, his strength finally giving out as his head rested limply against her shoulder.

    He said nothing more, his eyes closing as exhaustion finally overtook him.

    <hr>

    He was in a dream¡ªor perhaps a nightmare, one that would never end. The wind rushed past him like a ghost''s whisper, but his consciousness had drifted far beyond the pull of reality. Voices ebbed and flowed at the edges of his mind, too faint to grasp. He felt weightless, as though the world itself had forgotten him.

    But his past remembered.

    It resurfaced now, dragging him back into the shadows he had tried to escape. He saw himself¡ªno longer a man, but a boy: lost, hollow, wandering through life with neither aspirations nor desires. A broken heart, fractured into pieces, until it had shattered his mind.

    He hated it. All of it. The world, its cruelty, and its indifference. But above all else, he hated himself.

    And yet...

    He could not deny them¡ªthose faces around him, etched with concern, offering love he could not accept. They had tried to pull him from the brink more times than he could count, their hands reaching into the abyss to drag him back to life. And what had he done? He had pushed them all away.

    That¡¯s what this moment reminded him of. Trapped. Powerless. A life hanging by a thread, as hopeless as ever.

    He did not deserve their help. Not when he had made it clear he would squander it. He did not deserve their love. Not when he had proven incapable of holding on to it.

    That¡¯s why he couldn¡¯t understand. Why was she helping him?

    But no one answered.

    To trust her would mean trusting himself. But could he?

    Was he even capable of such a thing?

    <hr>

    Saki¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the horizon, where she could see a plume of smoke rising behind the dunes. It was a village she had already been to, small and poor, but its inhabitants were warm and hospitable to travelers.

    The village came into view, its modest collection of stone and wood buildings huddled together against the harsh desert. A few figures moved about the outskirts, their heads lifting at the sight of Saki descending from the sky.

    She landed gently at the village¡¯s edge, careful not to jar Luka as she cradled him in her arms. A middle-aged man with weathered skin and a wide-brimmed hat approached his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

    ¡°Is he alright?¡± the man asked, his voice gruff but kind as he gestured toward Luka.

    ¡°Exhaustion and dehydration,¡± Saki replied briskly, her tone calm but firm. ¡°He needs water, rest, and somewhere cool.¡±

    The man nodded and waved her toward one of the smaller buildings. ¡°Come on, then. We¡¯ll do what we can.¡±

    Saki followed him without hesitation, her wings and tail disappearing thanks to her camouflage magic. The inside of the tavern-like building was simple but clean, the air blessedly cooler than the sweltering desert outside. She laid him down gently on a table, brushing a strand of dark hair from his face as she adjusted his position.

    The man soon returned with a pitcher of water and a damp cloth, setting them near Luka. ¡°I¡¯ll fetch some food too,¡± he said gruffly before stepping out.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Saki murmured, her voice softening as she soaked the cloth in water and pressed it gently to Luka¡¯s forehead. His breathing, though shallow, had grown steadier, and some of the tension in his face had begun to ease.

    As she worked, a curious woman approached, her eyes flicking between Luka and the bandages wrapping parts of his arms and torso. ¡°This man has a lot of bandages on him. What happened to him?¡± she asked, her tone cautious but intrigued.

    Saki hesitated, her emerald eyes briefly darting to Luka¡¯s still face before answering. ¡°He¡¯s been through a lot,¡± she said simply, her tone carefully neutral. ¡°More than I can explain in a few words.¡±

    The woman frowned, crossing her arms as she studied Luka. ¡°Looks like he¡¯s seen a battlefield,¡± she said thoughtfully. ¡°Those aren¡¯t ordinary injuries.¡±

    Saki chuckled at the woman¡¯s remark, unknowing that what truly happened was worse than that. ¡°You¡¯re right. But right now, all he needs is help.¡±

    The man came back moments later, carrying a bowl of steaming stew and a loaf of bread. ¡°Here,¡± he said, setting them on a nearby table. ¡°Food¡¯s ready when he wakes up. You should eat too, miss.¡±

    Saki offered a small, tired smile. Even though she was succubus and didn¡¯t need to eat, she appreciated the gesture. ¡°I will, once he¡¯s stable.¡±

    The man shrugged, wiping his hands on his apron. ¡°Suit yourself,¡± he said casually, but then his eyes narrowed slightly, studying her with a touch of curiosity. ¡°By the way, you¡¯re a succubus, aren¡¯t you? The way you were flying up there¡­¡±

    Saki froze for a moment, her shoulders tensing instinctively. Her heart skipped a beat, though she kept her expression carefully composed. ¡°What makes you say that?¡± she asked cautiously.

    The man scratched his chin thoughtfully, his gaze drifting briefly toward the door she had entered from. ¡°We killed one not long ago,¡± he said casually, as if discussing the weather. ¡°She warned us that more of her kind would come, but I didn¡¯t expect to see you, miss.¡±

    Saki¡¯s emerald eyes narrowed sharply, her mind racing. Her body tensed instinctively, but then her expression shifted as realization dawned. Her eyes widened, a flicker of recognition lighting them. ¡°Wait¡­ you¡¯re¡­¡±

    ¡°Aye, miss!¡± the gruff man interrupted with a hearty laugh, his broad shoulders shaking. ¡°It¡¯s been forty years, but I still remember the day we met!¡± He tapped a finger against his temple, grinning as though recalling a cherished memory. ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡ªI know you¡¯re one of the good ones. We¡¯re not gonna hurt ya.¡±

    ¡°Aye, miss!¡± the gruff man interrupted with a hearty laugh. ¡°It¡¯s been forty years, but I still remember the day we met!¡± He tapped a finger against his temple, grinning as though recalling a fond memory. ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡ªI know you¡¯re one of the good ones. We¡¯re not gonna hurt ya.¡±

    Saki blinked, a nervous smile flashing across her face as she relaxed slightly. Her lips parted as if to speak, but hesitation stalled her. Her gaze searched the man¡¯s weathered face, dredging up fragments of memories long buried.

    ¡°Gerard¡­¡± she finally said, her voice quieter, like rediscovering an old song she thought she¡¯d forgotten. ¡°You¡­ remember me?¡±

    The man chuckled, his cheeks tinged with a slight blush as he nodded enthusiastically. ¡°How could I forget? That night was one of the best of my life!¡±

    Saki blinked again, then burst into hearty laughter, her hand resting lightly on the edge of the table. ¡°Right¡­ You were one nervous guy, weren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Ahahaha!¡± Gerard laughed along, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. ¡°And look at you¡ªyou haven¡¯t changed a bit! Not a wrinkle on ya! So, how old does that make you now?¡±

    Saki¡¯s playful smirk widened as she leaned in slightly, her tone taking on a faux-menacing edge. ¡°Haven¡¯t your parents taught you never to ask a woman¡¯s age, Gerard?¡±

    The man raised his hands in mock surrender, grinning widely. ¡°Fair enough, fair enough! But seriously, it¡¯s good to see you again, miss. Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d get the chance.¡±

    ¡°Likewise,¡± Saki replied, her smile softening as she glanced at Luka. ¡°Though I wasn¡¯t expecting it to be under these circumstances.¡±

    ¡°Life¡¯s full of surprises, huh?¡± Gerard said, folding his arms and leaning against the wall. He glanced at Luka, his curiosity piqued. ¡°By the way, is this your new guy? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re the one who¡ª¡±

    ¡°No, he is not,¡± Saki cut him short, her tone sharp but calm. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ a friend.¡±

    Gerard raised an eyebrow, then nodded knowingly. ¡°I get ya,¡± he said with a grin that suggested he was imagining more than she intended. ¡°No need to explain. None of my business anyway.¡±

    Saki rolled her eyes, letting out a small, exasperated laugh. She turned her attention back to Luka, her expression shifting to one of quiet concern. ¡°Do you have a room for him tonight? We don¡¯t have money, so¡­¡±

    Gerard scratched his chin thoughtfully, his brow furrowing. ¡°I¡¯ve got a free room tonight,¡± he said after a moment. ¡°But if someone comes in the middle of the night needing it, I¡¯ll have to ask ya to leave. Sorry,¡± he added with a sheepish chuckle. ¡°The bed¡¯s only for one, though¡ªif ya catch my drift.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll sleep somewhere else. It¡¯s fine,¡± Saki replied quickly, waving off his concern.

    Gerard gave her a curious look, his brows knitting together. ¡°Oh¡­ You really weren¡¯t joking, huh?¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°Anyway, if it comes to that, I¡¯ll set up a small spot near the stables. Hay and sheets¡ªnothing fancy, but it¡¯ll do for him to rest.¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Saki¡¯s lips curled into a warm smile, her emerald eyes meeting Gerard¡¯s. ¡°Thank you, Gerard. I mean it. I¡¯m glad your kindness hasn¡¯t dulled in forty years.¡±

    The gruff man scratched the back of his head, his face reddening slightly at her words. ¡°Ah, don¡¯t mention it,¡± he said with a chuckle. ¡°Just doing what I can.¡±

    As Gerard stepped away to make preparations, Saki sighed softly, her attention returning to Luka. She adjusted the cloth on his forehead and pressed it a bit more, making droplets of water trickle down his cheeks.

    Why? The question echoed in her mind as she gazed at the young man before her. She had met countless men in her long life¡ªwarriors, kings, cowards, schemers. It wasn¡¯t hyperbole to say she had seen the full spectrum of human behavior. And yet, this man remained a mystery.

    When they first met, he had seemed so¡­ ordinary. A bit rude, sure, and with a cynicism that hinted at a life of disappointment, but nothing like the broken figure lying before her now. Something had happened¡ªsomething that had shattered him in a way she couldn¡¯t yet understand.

    Her mind wandered to his world, the one he had been pulled from. Had the Hatman said something to him?

    Or perhaps¡­

    Saki frowned, her fingers brushing lightly against his temple, as if her touch could smooth away the lines of anguish etched into his face. Perhaps you were broken from the start? she wondered silently.

    That time when he fought Yelena was burned into her mind. The way his behavior switched entirely from a survivor to a calculating assassin. But even then, she had attributed much of his victory to a mix of luck and underestimation on Yelena¡¯s part. Luka hadn¡¯t fought with confidence or experience¡ªhe had fought like someone with nothing to lose.

    Yet he still had so much to lose. The more she thought about it, the less it was making sense. Why fight when you have a home to return to? Why did he try to save her, knowing fully well he was at risk of dying?

    Saki pulled her hand back, her frown deepening. Was that part of you always there? she thought. Or did this world bring it out of you?

    Her gaze lingered on his face, his features softened by unconsciousness yet still shadowed by whatever haunted him. She leaned back slightly, crossing her arms as questions swirled in her mind.

    Then, as if reaching a conclusion, she straightened. Hovering her hand just above his forehead, she closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. Her fingers trembled slightly as she focused, tapping into the faint magical hum that connected her to him through their bond.

    But then, she hesitated.

    Saki opened her eyes in a cold sweat, her breathing becoming ragged as something clutched her chest. It wasn¡¯t right¡ªit was too soon. She wasn¡¯t ready to face whatever truths lay buried within him.

    After all, she had come to respect him. It wasn¡¯t her original plan when she arrived in Sora, but for some reason, she took a liking to him. No matter what of an idiot he was, there was no way he was a fool. Everything he had done until now was calculated to a certain extent.

    Her mind wandered back to their conversation in the carriage, right before the invasion of Sora. It was a moment she hadn¡¯t thought much about at the time, but now it stood out, replaying in her head with unsettling clarity.

    ¡°I guess¡­ I¡¯m a bad person after all,¡±

    He had said it so casually, as though stating an unremarkable fact. It sounded like a confirmation rather than a random thought. He confirmed himself that day that he was a bad person.

    The sun¡¯s shadow began to stretch across the stony tavern, casting long, faint lines across the room. The quiet hum of the place seemed distant, muffled as her thoughts spiraled inward. She glanced down at Luka, still unconscious, his breathing steady but shallow. It seemed clear that he wasn¡¯t going to wake up anytime soon.

    Saki stood, her body stiff with lingering tension. She looked at him again, her gaze softening. With a sigh, she decided it was time to move him. There was no use waiting around for him to come to on his own¡ªif she had learned anything about him, it was that he¡¯d likely push himself past his limits until his body gave out.

    Without ceremony, she lifted him, his form limp in her arms like a sack of potatoes. He was surprisingly light, and as she carried him across the room, she noticed the way his face had softened in sleep, the harsh lines of stress temporarily smoothed.

    There was something oddly intimate about carrying him like this, something that tugged at her chest as she settled him onto the cot in the room Gerard had offered. Saki gently adjusted his position, making sure he was comfortable, though she didn¡¯t think he¡¯d stir any time soon.

    She stepped back, watching him for a moment. Despite the confusion and frustration swirling inside her, she found herself feeling an odd tenderness toward him.

    ¡°Sleep well, you¡¯ll need it,¡± she muttered in a soft voice.

    Saki stood there for a while, her mind whirring, but the silence was all-consuming, only interrupted by his steady breathing. Slowly, she turned away, stepping out of the room to give him the space to rest. For now, that was all she could do. The questions could wait.

    What he needed now was a new beginning. And no matter what he had to say, she had to see it through.

    With her mind made up, she decided to stay at an old friend¡¯s place for the night. Surely that person would help her, or at least provide a place to stay. And if they didn¡¯t want to, well, she had other ways of persuading them. A little mind-control magic was a small price to pay to ensure things went the way she needed.

    After all, no brainwashing has ever hurt anyone, right? she thought to herself with a wry smile.

    The night passed by without a hitch. The next morning, Saki hurried back to the tavern where Luka was sleeping, her mind wandering to the many activities she had in mind. What he needed was to think about something else, get his mind out of his self-absorbing thoughts.

    She arrived at the tavern and made her way to the room where Luka was still sleeping. Gerard told her no one had come tonight so he was able to stay in his room. As she reached the door, she only heard his steady breathing.

    ¡°Still sleeping, huh¡­?¡±

    With a wry smile, she closed the door behind her and stepped closer to the bed, hoping to give him a good fright.

    She leaned in, her grin widening as she prepared to pounce.

    ¡°I hope you¡¯re ready for a good scare,¡± she whispered to herself, her tone playful.

    Then, with a sudden movement, she stopped in her tracks. Her smile disappeared almost as soon as it arrived and she regained a normal stance. Her eyes were riveted on the small chest near the bed, or rather what was on it.

    She said nothing but her heart rate was skyrocketing.

    With trembling fingers, she reached for the rope, tied into a noose. It wasn¡¯t used at all but it was still there.

    A noose big enough to pass your head through.

    Saki¡¯s mind raced, her thoughts scattered as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing. This wasn¡¯t just an oversight; it felt deliberate. She stared at it, her chest tightening so much she felt like throwing up.

    It wasn¡¯t there when she had put him in his bed. The chest had nothing on it.

    Saki¡¯s fingers trembled as she slowly pulled her hand back, staring at the rope in disbelief. This meant Luka had woken up during the night. He had found the rope¡­ and done this himself.

    ¡°What the hell¡­¡± she gritted her teeth in anger, not comprehending how you could get to that point. The simple fact that he hadn¡¯t used it was good but it still felt unnerving and disgusting to her.

    A disgust she couldn¡¯t hide as she grabbed Luka¡¯s shoulder and gave him a shake.

    ¡°Luka¡­ Luka¡­¡± she called out, her teeth clenched as she grabbed him tighter and tighter until he would wake up.

    Something was boiling inside her. She couldn¡¯t believe it, there was no way it was real.

    She shook him harder. Wake up, damn it!

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Luka groaned under the shaking, his head shifting slightly as his eyes cracked open, his vision blurry and unfocused. His expression was hazy, as though he were caught somewhere between sleep and wakefulness.

    He turned his head slowly, his eyes slitted, a faint groan escaping his lips. ¡°What¡­?¡± he mumbled, clearly disoriented.

    Saki¡¯s breath hitched in her throat as her anger began to mix with something deeper¡ªsomething raw. She was no longer sure whether she wanted to scream at him or just shake him until he understood.

    ¡°What is that for?!¡± she whispered angrily, holding the rope in her hand and presenting it to his face.

    With a soft chuckle, Luka turned away from her, comfortably resting his head back on the pillow, as if nothing had happened. ¡°It was for killing myself,¡± he said casually, his voice still hoarse from the sleep. ¡°But I figured it was too painful, so I stopped,¡± he continued, chuckling lightly, as though it was no more significant than a passing thought.

    Saki froze, her heart hammering in her chest. The words hit her like a punch to the gut. He laughed¡ªlaughed as if it was something trivial.

    ¡°You¡­ you were serious?¡± Her voice was barely above a whisper, a mixture of disbelief and horror. She could barely comprehend what she was hearing.

    Luka then sighed and turned his head back to her as if he realized something. Then, with a casual chuckle, he waved his hand dismissively. ¡°It was a joke, a joke¡­¡± he mumbled with a smile.

    Saki¡¯s fingers tightened around the rope and she let out a shaky breath. ¡°Don¡¯t you joke about something like that,¡± she finally managed to say. ¡°That¡¯s not funny.¡±

    Luka¡¯s smile faltered, and for the first time, a shadow of something real flickered in his eyes. But it was quickly replaced with the same indifference, as though the walls had gone back up.

    ¡°Relax,¡± he muttered, though his tone lacked conviction. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. Really.¡±

    Saki opened her mouth to respond, to press him further, to demand answers, but before she could say anything, a knock interrupted the moment.

    Gerard¡¯s voice, soft and cautious, came from behind the door. ¡°Can I come in?¡±

    Saki hesitated for a moment, torn between wanting to stay with Luka and needing to process everything that had just been said. She gave Luka one last, lingering glance before pulling away, her hands still clenched tightly around the rope.

    ¡°Just¡­ don¡¯t do that again,¡± she muttered, her voice more of a plea than a command. Without waiting for a response, she turned toward the door.

    ¡°Come in,¡± Luka called, his voice sounding less heavy, as if the intrusion had already shifted his mood slightly.

    Gerard opened the door slowly, stepping inside with a concerned look on his face. ¡°I¡¯m not bothering you two, am I?¡± he asked, his gaze flicking between Saki and Luka.

    Before Saki could answer, Luka was already up from his bed, surprisingly quick for someone who had been on the verge of collapse just hours ago. He stretched slightly, then held his hand out to Gerard with an apologetic smile. ¡°Thank you for helping me, Mister,¡± he said, his tone sincere but somewhat subdued. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for bothering you so much.¡±

    Gerard took his hand firmly, returning the smile with a warm, reassuring grip. ¡°It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine,¡± the old man said. ¡°Glad to see you¡¯re back on your two feet.¡±

    Saki stood back, watching them interact as his mind still lingered on what she had seen. Luka was acting as if nothing had happened with so much ease it made her shiver. She swore that if she hadn¡¯t seen that rope, she wouldn¡¯t even have noticed a single problem.

    "If there''s anything I can do to repay you," Luka began, bowing slightly.

    ¡°Oh, yeah!¡± Gerard answered. ¡°Can you work a bit today? I¡¯m down a waiter today, he is a bit sick. That would be great and you can even sleep again here tonight!¡±

    Luka hesitated for a moment, as if considering the offer, then nodded. ¡°Sure, I can do that,¡± he said, his tone nonchalant. ¡°Happy to help.¡±

    ¡°Okay then, come! I need yer help!¡± Gerard said with a chuckle, clapping Luka on the back before motioning for him to follow. Without another word, he led the way to the lounge area.

    Saki remained standing in the doorway for a moment longer, watching the two men leave. A sense of unease gripped her chest, but she pushed it aside.

    The morning went on without a problem, as Luka was used to working in a tavern, back at the Blue Falcons¡¯ guild. He slipped easily into the rhythm, greeting customers, taking orders, and moving with the fluidity of someone who had done this countless times before.

    Saki watched him from a distance, her mind still racing. Luka''s facade was back in place, and it irritated her. She had seen this in many others and it bothered her.

    And she hated herself for not having noticed sooner.

    All this time she thought she knew him better than himself but she was proven dead wrong today. It was as if all conceptions she had of him were shattering with each passing day.

    ¡°Luka! Get me the bread from the oven!¡± Gerard shouted across the lounge while serving some customers.

    The tavern was busy, as usual, for a small village. It was still a stop for many travelers on pilgrimage toward the holy city or, even further, Fyr. Pilgrims, merchants, and wanderers passed through, making it a busy hub of sorts.

    Luka carefully approached the large stone oven, the heat radiating from the crackling fire, making the air around it wavy. The heat smeared his face with sweat, making it difficult for him to even see the bread buried deep within the ash.

    With a wooden peel, he began taking them out, one by one. Slowly but surely, he pulled one, two, and three loaves of bread out, setting them aside in a basket. As he reached for the last one, his movement shifted, and for a split second, his grip slipped from the accumulated sweat on his hand.

    The wooden peel clattered to the floor with a sharp crack, and the loaf of bread tumbled from the peel, landing with a soft thud on the ground.

    Gerard arrived in a hurry after hearing the sharp crack, his eyes widening as he saw the damage. ¡°No way! You broke my peel?!¡± he exclaimed, rushing over to the scene.

    The wooden peel had split in two, the weight of the bread proving too much as it fell to the floor, snapping in the middle before it clattered to the oven. Gerard¡¯s frustration was palpable as he picked up the broken pieces, inspecting them with a sigh.

    Luka stood still, his expression blank, but his body language stiff with tension.

    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± Lula muttered finally, his voice distant. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to.¡±

    Gerard didn¡¯t immediately respond. His eyes flicked from the broken peel to Luka, his frown deepening. After a moment, he shook his head, his anger flaring. ¡°How am I supposed to bake bread now? Should I pull it out with my goddamn arm? Is that it?¡±

    The handle of the peel had broken slightly, but the worst part was the flat surface, cracked with the shock of the fall. It was clear this wasn¡¯t just about the broken utensil anymore¡ªit was the culmination of frustrations that had built up.

    ¡°I¡¯m already in debt, you know that?¡± Gerard continued, his voice rising in frustration. ¡°Argh¡­ Goddamit.¡± He slammed the pieces of the broken peel onto the counter, clearly unable to contain his anger.

    Luka¡¯s expression faltered, and he stepped forward, trying to offer his assistance. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ll¡ª¡± he started, reaching for the broken peel to help clean up.

    But before Luka could get any closer, Gerard lashed out. ¡°Get away from my inn! You damn clutz!¡±

    The room became silent, the words cutting everyone¡¯s breakfast. Luka didn¡¯t respond right away, his eyes cast downward, his body rigid. With a fluid motion, he pulled off his apron and gave it to the man before leaving the building.

    Gerard stood there for a moment, still fuming, but it was clear that Luka¡¯s departure had affected him as well. His anger had already begun to fade, replaced with something else¡ªguilt, perhaps, or regret.

    Even the patrons around the room exchanged glances, some of them putting their cutlery down, looking at Gerard with concern.

    ¡°Come on, Gerard, it was just a peel!¡± one of them spoke up, his voice trying to defuse the tension.

    ¡°I know!¡± Gerard shouted back, his frustration growing. He let out a sigh and leaned against the counter, rubbing his face with his hand. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I¡¯m in deep trouble right now, and that was the last straw¡­¡±

    Saki, who had been quietly observing the exchange, stepped forward, her curiosity piqued. ¡°You didn¡¯t say anything about that.¡±

    ¡°How could I?¡± Gerard muttered, his voice quieter now, laced with shame. ¡°After all this time, it would have been sad, no?¡±

    Saki crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on him. ¡°How bad is it?¡±

    Gerard hesitated, his shoulders sagging as he stared down at the broken peel on the counter. He wasn¡¯t meeting her eyes, clearly uncomfortable with opening up, but the tension in the room was enough to prompt a response.

    ¡°It¡¯s bad, Saki,¡± he said quietly. ¡°I¡¯ve got debts, people breathing down my neck, and I¡¯m barely keeping this place running. Last time the Emperor¡¯s army took everything I had without even paying.¡± He looked up at her then, his eyes hollow and empty. ¡°My wife left me for this guy that traveled to Sora, and now a succubus used my inn and killed three people here before I confronted her.¡±

    Saki recoiled slightly upon hearing his story. She hadn¡¯t seen him in forty years now and it was clear life wasn¡¯t really grateful for his kindness. She could feel the desperation in his voice.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know¡­¡± she murmured, her voice softer now. ¡°Don¡¯t you have any friends that could help you?¡±

    Gerard gave a short, bitter laugh. ¡°Ask for help? Who would listen? Everyone¡¯s got their own problems. And after everything that¡¯s happened, who could blame them for turning away? Everyone is afraid of this place and the village is becoming poorer as time passes. Everyone¡¯s leavin¡¯.¡±

    Even after he had said everything, only a crushing hopelessness took over her. What could she do to help? They had no money and the village¡¯s decline wasn¡¯t something that could be taken care of in a day or two. It was a matter of geographical placement and circumstances more than anything.

    And with the steady decline in population, it was only a matter of time before this town became a ghost of its former self, fading into memory.

    Saki placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, giving him a small, empathetic smile. ¡°You¡¯ll get through this, Gerard. You¡¯re a strong guy. Wait a minute, I¡¯ll go find Luka. I¡¯m sure he will understand.¡±

    Gerard looked at her with a mix of gratitude and resignation, nodding slowly. ¡°Thanks, Saki. I appreciate it... more than you know.¡±

    With one last glance at Gerard, Saki turned toward the door. She needed to find Luka, as she was more worried about him for now.

    As she stepped outside, the radiant sun immediately hit her skin, and a wave of heat enveloped the town, making the air feel heavy. Saki paused for a moment, letting the warmth wash over her, before her eyes scanned the street. It was eerily quiet, the usual hum of activity muted by the oppressive heat.

    Luka was slouched against the wall of a nearby house, the shadow barely shielding him from the relentless sun. His body was tense, his arms crossed so tightly across his chest it looked as if he were holding himself together.

    Saki hesitated for a moment, her heart tightening at the sight. He hadn¡¯t noticed her yet. For once, the sharpness she was used to¡ªthe biting sarcasm and cold indifference¡ªwas absent. All she saw was exhaustion.

    She walked toward him, her footsteps soft on the dusty ground. As she drew closer, she noticed the faint crease between his brows, the way his gaze seemed unfocused and far away.

    ¡°Luka,¡± she called gently, her voice soft but firm.

    He looked up slowly, his movements sluggish, as if it took everything in him just to lift his head.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± she asked, her heart pounding a little faster as she knelt down beside him.

    Luka didn¡¯t answer right away, his gaze flicking away for a moment before meeting hers. The silence between them felt heavy, like he was deciding whether to let her in or not.

    After what seemed like an eternity, he gave a small tired nod. ¡°Yeah,¡± he muttered. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Saki didn¡¯t buy it for a second. The words didn¡¯t match the look in his eyes. ¡°You liar,¡± she called him out.

    Luka flinched slightly at the words, and for a moment, his expression wavered. His shoulders tensed, and he turned his gaze downward, avoiding her eyes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me,¡± he said, his voice flat, almost rehearsed. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    ¡°Then why the rope?¡± she asked, this time showing the elephant in the room. ¡°No one fine would do that.¡±

    As if unable to escape from it, Luka resigned himself.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t¡­¡± He hesitated, the words catching in his throat. Finally, he exhaled shakily, his voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°It wasn¡¯t for anything. Just¡­ a stupid thought.¡±

    Saki¡¯s gaze softened, but her voice remained firm. ¡°You might not believe me, but I¡¯ve seen a lot of humans in my time. And the ones who let thoughts like that fester¡­ it rarely ends well.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not new,¡± Luka countered sharply, his tone defensive. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ resurfaced. Everything that¡¯s been happening lately¡­ it¡¯s like it won¡¯t stop piling on.¡±

    Saki studied him for a moment, her tail flicking lightly behind her as she weighed her words. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make it any less dangerous,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Ignoring it won¡¯t make it go away, Luka.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not ignoring it. It¡¯s just¡­¡±

    He can¡¯t go home anymore. No matter what he tried to do, he always got pushed back in this world. He had said how much he hated it there, how much he didn¡¯t care about the people living there.

    ¡°I am weak. There is no denying it,¡± he finally said, his fists clenching. ¡°I abandoned the people back at Sora because of petty reasons.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Saki blinked, not understanding what he meant by this. ¡°You didn¡¯t though. You saved Morgann and drove back Kaeris. That¡¯s pretty heroic.¡±

    Luka shook his head. ¡°No, I meant when Morgann was losing her father. Before the invasion.¡±

    Saki was a bit lost and she recoiled in confusion. ¡°You¡¯re awfully harsh on yourself¡­ You were bedridden for days after almost getting killed.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true but¡­ I also left Kanami alone.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re worried about her?¡± Saki raised an eyebrow and a faint smirk tugged her lips. ¡°Didn¡¯t know you liked her that much.¡±

    Saki¡¯s smirk faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. Her tail flicked behind her as she considered his words. ¡°You really think you let her down?¡± she asked after a moment, her voice softer.

    Luka nodded, his gaze distant. ¡°I wasn¡¯t there when she needed someone the most. And now¡­ I don¡¯t even know if she¡¯s okay.¡±

    ¡°I heard she was off training back in the mountains of Ryuuji,¡± Saki replied after a pause. ¡°So don¡¯t worry about her. Besides, she¡¯s strong. She¡¯ll be okay.¡±

    Luka managed a faint smile, the tension in his features easing slightly. ¡°I hope you¡¯re right.¡±

    Saki¡¯s tone sharpened just a touch, though her expression remained kind. ¡°Focus more on yourself because you clearly aren¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°I¡­¡± he paused and frowned. She was right and he knew he felt more discouraged than ever. But to top all of it off¡­. ¡°I feel like, I don¡¯t matter at all. Like¡­ I¡¯m not allowed to feel angry.¡± he finally admitted, his fists clenching.

    ¡°Everyone had it worse than me and helped me anyway,¡± he added, the words rolling out of his tongue. ¡°Morgann lost her father, Kanami was alone for a long time¡­ They had insane problems that I can¡¯t even compare. I¡¯m just¡­ selfish for even feeling angry about anything.¡± His voice was laced with bitterness, a knot in his chest tightening at the thought of all the people who had suffered far more than he ever had.¡±

    ¡°You feel angry for being sent here?¡±

    Luka¡¯s silence answered her with a small nod. His anger wasn¡¯t just about what had happened; it was about everything that led him here. Especially now that he knew who did it. That it wasn¡¯t just random. A feeling of helplessness took over him and added to the guilt of not knowing why him. Why was he targeted by the Hatman?

    But he couldn¡¯t stay there and do nothing. His mind and body screamed at him to just give up, stay in one place, and wait for the imminent destruction. But he knew how dire the situation of this world was.

    There was also another thing that drove him nuts. Something from his past that he couldn¡¯t shake off.

    ¡°Also, like I said before, I¡¯m a bad person,¡± he finally stated, full of confidence. ¡°I know you think otherwise but¡­¡±

    The words hung in the air, but Luka didn¡¯t need to say more. His thoughts were loud enough. I killed someone. The thought echoed through him like a terrible refrain, the memory of it making his insides twist.

    Not only did I kill someone, but I forsook my own convictions the moment I got here. No¡­ since a long while ago. The truth was too painful to confront fully, but it was there, hanging over him, and it felt like the core of everything wrong with him.

    Luka wasn¡¯t one to believe in blind righteousness or blind evil. There was no right or wrong in survival. But he felt it. Something he had decided to do long ago, eating at him from the inside, a promise not forgotten but tossed aside.

    Too angry at himself for avoiding the inevitable. Too much of a coward to end his life. Too scared to even fight for what he believed in.

    No dreams, no needs, just a tranquil river going its way until the inevitable death. It was easier that way, wasn¡¯t it? But the longer he stayed trapped in that mindset, the worse it became. His self-imposed numbness was the only thing that kept the flood of guilt from breaking over him.

    And then Saki broke through it all with a sharp, playful grin.

    ¡°Then let¡¯s just say you are one,¡± she said, her voice light as air. Luka blinked, confused, as she crouched down in front of him, tapping his nose with her finger in a teasing gesture. The contact startled him, and for a moment, he almost forgot the weight of his confessions. ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter to me at all. I¡¯ll follow you anywhere.¡±

    She flashed a smile, innocent and unburdened by the darkness that clouded his thoughts, the most genuine expression Luka had seen in what felt like forever. For a heartbeat, he forgot everything¡ªthe guilt, the anger, the weight of his past¡ªand saw only her sincerity, her belief in him.

    It reminded him of an old friend he had. One that he shared everything with. One that would believe in him more than any other.

    Luka stared at her, unsure whether to laugh or to cry, and, for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he felt a flicker of something resembling warmth.

    She had no idea what kind of person he was, she had only met him not long ago. Yet, she was still there, smiling at him, offering him a shoulder to cry on or even just to lean on.

    I really can¡¯t let her down, huh¡­?

    He swallowed hard, his voice thick with emotion, though he didn¡¯t quite know why.

    ¡°I still don¡¯t get why you¡¯re following me¡­¡± he chuckled, his voice thick, as he shook his head in resignation. It was baffling, really. He couldn¡¯t understand it. She had every reason to walk away, yet here she was, unwavering, offering him her presence. It made no sense.

    Saki gave a playful grin, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. ¡°Perhaps I just want a piece of you?¡± she teased, though it was clear it was all in jest. ¡°But I will say I have my own reasons.¡±

    Luka raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. ¡°Your own reasons, huh?¡±

    Saki¡¯s smile remained, though now there was a hint of mystery in her expression. ¡°My own reasons,¡± she repeated, her voice steady. ¡°And no, you¡¯re not going to know them until the time is right.¡±

    ¡°But if you want one,¡± she added, tapping his nose again to annoy him. ¡°It¡¯s because you saved my life.¡±

    Luka stared at her as if he had remembered something.

    That¡¯s right, he had saved her. He almost forgot about it. Luka stared at her for a long moment, his chest tightening as he realized just how much she valued that single act. He almost felt guilty for not remembering it sooner, but as he looked at her¡ªher genuine, unwavering gaze¡ªhe realized that not everything he did was trying to survive. Of course not, he risked his life multiple times to save others.

    ¡°That¡­ That was nothing,¡± Luka muttered, feeling a flush of awkwardness rise in his cheeks. ¡°I didn¡¯t know what I was doing at the time anyway.¡±

    As if a surge of confidence took over him, he stood up and faced the inn.

    That¡¯s right, he thought. He was sent to this world and he managed to save many people in the end. True, he was scared and he still was, but he still saved someone.

    Without waiting for a response, Luka turned and began walking toward the inn, his movements purposeful and intense.

    He pushed the doors open, stepping inside with determination. Gerard, who had been sweeping shards of wood from the floor, paused mid-motion as Luka approached.

    ¡°Hey, I don¡¯t¡ª¡± Gerard started, his brows furrowing, but Luka cut him off with a raised hand.

    Before the innkeeper could protest further, Luka strode to the counter and placed the broken halves of the wooden peel alongside the scattered shards. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out a talisman, its surface blank.

    ¡°What are you¡­¡± Gerard trailed off, his expression shifting from irritation to confusion as he watched the young man¡¯s strange actions.

    Luka didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he knelt by the oven, scooping a handful of ash from its depths. Carefully, he used the ash to inscribe something onto the talisman, his movements precise and steady.

    When the symbols were complete, he stood and pressed the talisman against the two broken halves of the peel, aligning them as if mending a wound.

    The innkeeper leaned forward, his curiosity piqued despite himself. ¡°What are you doing?¡± he asked, his voice gruff but no longer hostile.

    Luka didn¡¯t answer. The talisman began to glow faintly, the symbols he¡¯d drawn pulsating with a soft, golden light. Then, in a sudden burst, the talisman shone brightly, filling the room with an intense radiance before disintegrating.

    When the light faded, Gerard blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dim interior once more. He stared at the peel in disbelief. It was whole again, the cracks and splinters completely gone.

    ¡°You fixed it?¡± Gerard asked, his voice tinged with awe and skepticism.

    Luka nodded curtly. ¡°It¡¯ll hold,¡± he said, his tone matter-of-fact with a faint smile as he stepped back, brushing the ash from his hands.

    Gerard picked up the peel, running his fingers over its smooth surface as if searching for any imperfections. Finding none, he looked up at Luka, his expression unreadable.

    ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re a mage?¡± the innkeeper said, blinking multiple times. ¡°I¡­ I talked to a mage like that¡­¡±

    Luka didn¡¯t respond. He simply bowed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the inconvenience, I¡¯ll be on my way now.¡± Then, without another word, he walked out, leaving Gerard standing there.

    Once outside, Luka walked over to Saki who was about to catch up to him.

    ¡°What did you¡­?¡± she began, glancing back toward the inn where Gerard stood, smiling with the mended peel in hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Saki,¡± Luka bowed once more. ¡°I was an asshole for not considering your feelings and I pushed you away.¡±

    If only she knew how difficult those words were for him to say. The apology came from a place of deep regret, a recognition of how he had treated her, and how unfair it was. Luka had a habit of pushing people away, especially those who were trying to help him. Perhaps it was because he saw their care as suffocating, or maybe he thought he didn¡¯t deserve it.

    But the truth was, it wasn¡¯t just about him. At the core of it all, he had made her worry. And that, more than anything, was unforgivable in his eyes.

    He couldn¡¯t bring himself to burden others with his problems, but she had already done so much. She had flown him here, helped him recover, and even tried to understand the turmoil he was going through. She had done everything for him, and yet he had shut her out. He had pushed her away when she only wanted to help.

    With a relieved sigh, Saki waved him off. ¡°N-No problem. It¡¯s fine, really. I get why you were sad but you do sure come back up quickly though¡­¡± she scratched her head. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡±

    With a positive nod, Luka straightened. ¡°Yup! All thanks to you. Now, I know what I must do.¡±

    ¡°Oh? And what is it?¡±

    He was away from Sora but the demon army menaced the whole world. It was only a matter of time until a full-blown war broke out.

    As he was, he couldn¡¯t do much. He was weak, and the humans were clearly at a disadvantage against monsters like Kaeris.

    And seeing that little creature in front of him, so understanding and carefree¡­

    ¡°It¡¯s time to pay the succubi a visit,¡± he smirked, clenching his fists.

    ¡°Eh¡­ WHAAAAAAT?!¡±

 Dreikheim

    Luka¡¯s behavior was different. Not healed¡ªjust different.

    His plan was also tantamount to suicide but Saki found no objection besides her profound distrust of it. Without hesitation, the next day, he had prepared all of his affairs and was given food and water by Gerard to journey through the desert.

    Their next destination was Dreikheim, a small country in the Inner Tamia, nestled in the shadow of towering mountains. The region was known for its harsh climate, with snow blanketing the land for most of the year. The mountains that surrounded Dreikheim formed a natural barrier, separating it from the demon realm¡ªalso known as The Ark.

    Dreikheim possessed one of the few ways to enter the demon realms, a tunnel passing through the mountains and leading right to the other side. Unfortunately, with the appearance of the desert of Kaal during the events of the great demonic war, it had mostly crumbled and was rendered unusable.

    However, with the desert carving its way through the mountains, a new passage had been discovered two years ago. After Kaal was finally slain by Wrimbo.

    One that Saki knew of, considering she traveled there for¡­ probing information.

    The first day, they stopped at an oasis, allowing Luka to fill his gourd to the brim before boiling its content with fire magic. While the harsh environment of the desert was getting on his nerves, the presence of Saki made it far easier for him to navigate.

    Sometimes, when he felt tired, she flew him for a few kilometers before letting him down for her to recover.

    ¡°So¡­ Are you really sure about that plan?¡± Saki asked, still not looking forward to the idea.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± Luka replied, for what felt like the thousandth time that day. ¡°Why are you so scared to go there? Isn¡¯t that your homeland?¡±

    Saki didn¡¯t reply, instead, she turned her head and sighed. ¡°It¡¯s like jumping straight into the lion¡¯s den. And you¡¯re a gazelle.¡±

    The analogy made Luka crack a wry smile despite the tension. ¡°I would say more like a hippopotamus,¡± he quipped.

    Saki raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by his humor. ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± she replied, rolling her eyes. ¡°Though¡­ maybe your ability to counter brainwashing could prove useful there,¡± she admitted, though her skepticism was still evident. She sighed again. ¡°Still, going to the Ark to ask succubi for help¡ªit¡¯s nuts.¡±

    ¡°I have many ideas to convince them,¡± Luka said, sealing the lid of his gourd. His confidence was unwavering as he set the water aside to cool.

    Saki crossed her arms and regarded him with a mix of skepticism and revulsion. As if she was looking at an absolute loser. ¡°Ideas, huh?¡± she muttered. ¡°With succubi?¡±

    Luka caught her meaning immediately and raised his hand in protest. ¡°Please don¡¯t make assumptions like that. It¡¯s hurtful.¡±

    ¡°Hmm? Really¡­?¡± she replied, her tone dripping with disbelief. ¡°You know, you could always ask me. I¡¯m not going to kill you, unlike the ones there.¡±

    ¡°I said no!¡± he shouted, his teeth clenched. ¡°Dammit, you really don¡¯t trust me do you?¡±

    Saki¡¯s gaze softened slightly, but her words didn¡¯t. ¡°From a guy who had suicidal thoughts not longer than yesterday? Yeah,¡± she said bluntly.

    Luka froze, her words hitting harder than he¡¯d expected. He looked away, his frustration replaced by a mix of shame and hurt. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ fair,¡± he muttered, his voice quieter now. ¡°But you are a good succubus,¡± he added, his tone earnest. ¡°So there are probably many others like you there, right?¡±

    Saki¡¯s expression shifted immediately. Her teasing demeanor vanished as she narrowed her eyes, her gaze dropping to the ground. She looked... uncomfortable. Ashamed, even. The sight sent a pang of unease through Luka.

    ¡°What?¡± he asked cautiously, his voice softer now. ¡°Did I say something wrong?¡±

    Saki let out a slow breath, folding her arms tightly as if shielding herself from something. ¡°Just¡­ When we get there, stay close to me at all times, okay?¡±

    Luka hesitated, his brows knitting together. ¡°Okay. I trust you, Saki.¡±

    Saki looked up at him, her usual mischievous grin replaced by something far more solemn. ¡°Good,¡± she said quietly.

    The night went on quietly and the two of them resumed their journey back to Dreikheim. At long last, the golden sands began to give way to something different. The arid air grew colder, carrying with it a sharp, biting chill. The first patches of frost appeared underfoot, a stark contrast to the relentless heat they¡¯d endured. Before long, the barren desert transformed into a snow-covered land, its vast expanse dotted with clusters of pine trees.

    Luka paused for a moment, taking it all in. His breath came out in visible puffs as he adjusted the scarf Saki had lent him. ¡°This¡­ is Dreikheim?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with awe.

    They were just in the desert not long ago and now the temperatures had shifted considerably.

    Saki nodded, her eyes scanning the frostbitten landscape. ¡°Yup!¡± she said in a cheerful tone. With her hands, she then gathered some snow and formed balls. ¡°Dreikheim is actually a small town further in, close to the mountains,¡± she explained as she threw the snowball toward a tree.

    Luka watched as the snowball Saki threw hit the tree with a soft thud, scattering into a spray of powder.

    ¡°We were just in a desert a second ago!¡± Luka exclaimed, his teeth chattering as he pulled the scarf tighter around his neck. ¡°What kind of broken world is this?¡±

    Saki chuckled, brushing snow off her gloves. ¡°Well, that¡¯s just how things are now,¡± she said, gesturing to the frost-covered expanse around them. ¡°Kaal went on a rampage, reshaping everything. Covered the land in sand, messed up the climate¡ªyou name it. We¡¯re talking about a dragon god after all. They don¡¯t exactly do things halfway.¡±

    Luka shook his head in disbelief, his breath visible in the frigid air. ¡°A dragon god¡­¡± he muttered, staring out at the snow-covered landscape. ¡°I don¡¯t want to meet one.¡±

    ¡°Yup, me neither,¡± Saki said with a mischievous grin, scooping up another handful of snow. ¡°Speaking of things you don¡¯t want... snowball fight!¡±

    Before Luka could react, Saki¡¯s snowball hit him squarely on the head, exploding in a puff of white powder.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Luka yelped, brushing the snow from his hair. ¡°Not fair! I don¡¯t even have gloves!¡±

    Saki stuck out her tongue, already rolling another snowball. ¡°No excuses! The one who gets hit the most buys the other a drink!¡±

    Luka¡¯s frustration bubbled over, and with a wicked grin, he began gathering mana at his fingertips. ¡°Oh, really?¡± he smirked, crouching down and shaping the snow into a solid ball. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡±

    ¡°Balweiln!¡± But before he could launch his attack, Saki raised her hands and chanted something under her breath. The next moment, a powerful gust of wind whipped through the air, scooping up an entire patch of snow and hurling it directly at Luka¡¯s face.

    "W-WAIT! That¡¯s cheatin¡ªWhoa!" Luka''s words were cut off as the snowstorm enveloped him, the icy powder blinding him for a moment.

    He stumbled backward, unable to stop the onslaught, his hands flailing as he tried to shield himself. Saki, meanwhile, was laughing uncontrollably, clearly enjoying what she''d unleashed.

    ¡°Oh, this isn¡¯t fair at all!¡± Luka grumbled through a mouthful of snow, trying to wipe his face clean.

    ¡°You liar! You were about to use magic as well!¡± Saki teased, still grinning from ear to ear. ¡°Remember our contract? I can feel what you feel.¡±

    Luka, now fully covered in snow, sighed dramatically, looking like a snowman. ¡°Fine, fine. I deserved that,¡± he said, his voice muffled by the snow. ¡°You win.¡±

    Saki jumped in victory and struck a pose by putting a hand on her hips. ¡°Saki¡­ Victory!¡±

    Luka slowly picked himself up from the snow, brushing off the excess and giving the succubus a playful glare. ¡°Don¡¯t think this is over though. Next time you¡¯re going to know what cold feels like.¡±

    After all, it was unfair. She was still barely wearing anything besides gloves and a slightly warmer jacket.

    ¡°What can I say,¡± Saki strutted forward, a smug look on her face. ¡°Perks of being a demon, am I right?¡±

    Luka shot Saki one last mischievous glare as they both continued walking through the snow-covered landscape. Their ulterior little snowball fight gave him enough heat to keep on going, even after being turned into a snowman by Saki. He swore under his breath he would have his revenge at one point until they saw the rise of smoke coming from a village far away.

    Nestled at the base of the mountains, Dreikheim appeared as a peaceful haven amidst the stark whiteness of the snow. Smoke rose from the thatched roofs of the homes scattered along the hillside. Each house stood on its own plot of land, surrounded by small farms and stables¡ªplenty of space for a family to sustain itself. Despite the cold, the village looked warm, its central area bustling with people, creating a sense of life and community.

    As they drew closer, Luka felt the shift in atmosphere. The warmth of the homes, the flickering torches lining the streets¡ªeverything about Dreikheim was a welcome contrast to the relentless chill of the snow-covered wilderness they had just crossed.

    To Luka, it felt like they had arrived in the northern reaches of Sweden. The Nordic influence was unmistakable in the wooden and clay architecture, with planks placed vertically along the homes to support the heavy, snow-dusted roofs. It was a place where the cold was no stranger, but the people here had learned to live in harmony with it, carving out a home in the frostbitten landscape.

    Further into the village, the mountains had been carved and dug deep, creating high lodgings with sweeping views of the village below. Runes were etched into the stone exterior walls of these troglodytes, faintly glowing with a soft blue light that made Luka pause to wonder what their purpose could be. It wasn¡¯t just decorative¡ªthere was a mystical aura surrounding the inscriptions, and he had the distinct feeling that there was more to this village than met the eye.

    As they approached the central area, where the village seemed to converge, Luka¡¯s eyes landed on the remains of a statue¡ªwhat was once a grand monument, now reduced to a pedestal with broken legs.

    ¡°What happened to this?¡± Luka asked, stepping closer to inspect the pedestal. The stone looked recent.

    Saki¡¯s gaze followed his, and she tilted her head. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s a statue of Wrimbo,¡± she explained, her fingers tracing the stone. ¡°It was destroyed by a bunch of idiots not long ago.¡±

    ¡°Wrimbo?!¡± Luka asked with wide eyes. ¡°You mean¡­¡±

    ¡°Yup,¡± Saki beamed a smile. ¡°That guy saved Dreikheim two years ago. In honor, they built this statue for him. Though I heard he wasn¡¯t that delighted¡­ He is quite humble after all.¡±

    Luka chuckled, taking in the story. ¡°You sure do know a lot about him¡­¡±

    ¡°I said I¡¯m a fan!¡± she shot back. ¡°Of course I know everything about him!¡±

    ¡°Well, you should keep quiet about it,¡± a voice came from right behind them. Luka and Saki turned around in surprise, both momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected presence. A hooded figure stood just a few feet away, their posture commanding but relaxed, their face hidden beneath the dark hood.

    Luka immediately sensed something was off. As the figure stepped closer, the hood fell back slightly, revealing the creature''s unsettling features. His skin was scaly, with a greenish tint, and his eyes¡ªyellow and slitted like a serpent¡¯s¡ªpierced through Luka with an intensity that made his skin crawl.

    ¡°Hmm? Are you travelers by any chance?¡± the creature asked, its voice smooth but with an edge of suspicion, as its yellow eyes flicked between Saki and Luka.

    Luka felt an involuntary shiver run down his spine. That thing was definitely a demon.

    Saki, however, seemed unfazed. ¡°We¡¯re just passing through,¡± she said casually. ¡°We¡¯re going to the Ark.¡±

    The creature tilted its head, his eyes narrowing. He pulled off his hood and revealed his face. Its green scales contrasted with his yellow-slitted eyes and his sharp teeth like a shark made him look menacing. Luka immediately recognized the demon as a Dragonkin. A mix of a human and dragon, known for their incredible strength and their combat abilities. His green tail slowly uncoiled out of his cloak and he approached his face from Saki¡¯s.

    ¡°The Ark, huh?¡± the Dragonkin rumbled, his voice deep and gruff. ¡°What does a succubus want with a man in the Ark, I wonder?¡±

    Saki didn''t flinch, her expression unwavering. Luka felt the air tense as the creature sniffed the air, his nostrils flaring. The sudden shift in his demeanor made the hairs on the back of Luka¡¯s neck stand up. The Dragonkin¡¯s hand moved behind his back, and the gleam in his eyes turned darker, more calculating.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Please, she isn¡¯t hurting me,¡± Luka spoke up quickly, raising his hand in protest. He could see how quickly things could escalate, and he didn¡¯t want to make things worse. ¡°She¡¯s just helping me with something.¡±

    The Dragonkin¡¯s scaly lips curled into a sneer, and he took a step back, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Helping you? Explain yourselves.¡±

    Saki narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, clearly unamused. ¡°What, are you a guard or something?¡±

    The Dragonkin snorted. ¡°No. But I am tasked with protecting this village from demons.¡±

    ¡°Granbell, that¡¯s enough.¡±

    The Dragonkin, Granbell, froze, his head jerking slightly toward the new speaker. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before stepping back, lowering his hand from behind his back.

    A tall figure emerged from the shadows, a man dressed in dark fur and leather armor, with a long cloak flowing behind him. His face was strong, weathered by time, and his eyes held an unwavering calmness that contrasted with Granbell¡¯s tense demeanor. His long flowing hair was a black streak that blended with the surrounding whiteness of the village.

    Stroking his beard, the man took in the duo and sighed. ¡°Forgive Granbell,¡± the man said, his voice warm. ¡°He¡¯s a bit tense right now. We¡¯ve heard of what happened to Sora and everyone is on guard.¡±

    He raised his arms in a welcoming gesture and smiled. ¡°My name is H?rvarr Draai, Jarl of Dreikheim. What brings you here?¡± He gave Luka and Sai a scrutinizing look, but there was no malice in his gaze, only cautious curiosity.

    Granbell remained silent, his posture stiff but obedient. It seemed like he had no intention of continuing the confrontation now that the new figure had intervened.

    Saki puffed her chest and bowed in respect. ¡°We¡¯re just passing through, O Jarl. We will leave for the Ark tomorrow.¡±

    Luka added, trying to ease the tension, ¡°We¡¯re not looking for trouble.¡±

    H?rvarr frowned deeply. ¡°The Ark? Why?¡±

    ¡°That girl is a succubus,¡± Granbell interjected, his voice edged with suspicion. ¡°She might take him to their land and¡ª¡±

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to stop you right there,¡± Luka raised his hand in protest, cutting off the Dragonkin before he could finish. ¡°I asked to go there. Saki here is just guiding me.¡±

    H?rvarr scratched his head and sighed deeply. ¡°We will talk about this in my house. Please escort them, Granbell,¡± he commanded, turning and heading upward.

    Before they could even protest, Granbell shot them a glare, signaling they were to follow the Jarl. Luka exchanged a confused glance with Saki, but she simply sighed and followed suit without a word.

    Granbell led the way, his heavy steps crunching in the snow, his tail flicking behind him in irritation. The tension in the air was palpable, and Luka couldn¡¯t help but feel like they were being watched from every angle.

    Every passerby seemed to stop what they were doing, casting worried and suspicious glances at the newcomers as they moved through the village.

    Finally, they reached a large troglodyte house perched atop a long stairway, the highest dwelling in all of Dreikheim. A large wooden sculpture of a dragon stood proudly above the entrance, its fierce form carved with intricate detail. Runes were etched into the stone door, faintly glowing with an eerie blue light.

    The warmth inside was a welcome relief from the biting cold, and Luka stepped in first, his breath catching as the cozy, aromatic air hit him. The scent of cooked meat and herbs filled the space, mingling with the earthy undertones of wood and stone.

    A massive fireplace dominated the center of the room, crackling with the energy of a roaring fire. Above it, multiple iron bars were suspended, each holding large cuts of meat slowly cooking over the flames. The room was warm, with flickering shadows dancing on the walls, adding to the homely yet imposing atmosphere.

    Luka glanced around, noticing the thick tapestries on the walls depicting scenes of battle and victory, fights against dragons or even other armies with a man riding a horse, raising his sword high. The low, wooden furniture gave the room a rustic yet grand feel, fitting for a Jarl.

    Granbell closed the door behind them with a heavy thud, and H?rvarr gestured them to sit along a long table, his expression now more composed.

    ¡°Make yourselves comfortable. It¡¯s been a long day, I¡¯m sure,¡± H?rvarr suggested. He sat across them, on his throne at the end of the table, his hands folded in front of him. His eyes flicked over to Granbell, who stood stiffly near the entrance, never taking his eyes off them.

    ¡°Now,¡± the Jarl began, taking a more relaxed stance as he leaned back against the back of his throne. ¡°You wish to go to the Ark. Is that correct?¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Luka gulped and nodded warily.

    With a snap of his fingers, the Jarl turned his head toward a nearby room. ¡°Frida! Come here please!¡±

    With clicking steps, a woman entered the room. Her long, flowing dark hair cascaded down her shoulders as she stepped up to the Jarl with an expression that was both annoyed and curious. ¡°What is it, father?¡± she asked, her tone sharp but respectful.

    ¡°I want your expertise,¡± H?rvarr replied. ¡°Is this man brainwashed?¡± He gestured to Luka. He then glanced briefly at Granbell, signaling him to stay alert and keep an eye on Saki.

    The woman, Frida, paused, her eyes narrowing as she studied Luka carefully. She seemed to be sizing him up, her gaze sweeping over him with an intensity that suggested she wasn¡¯t easily fooled. The room fell silent as she approached him.

    Her green eyes bore into him and she pulled out a small satchel from the pouch attached to her waist.

    Luka couldn¡¯t help but recoil upon sniffing the air, the aroma of powerful herbs attacking his nose with a burning sensation. She held the satchel near his nose and gently asked him to take in the scent.

    ¡°I know it doesn¡¯t smell good, but please breathe in.¡±

    Luka hesitated for a moment, the strong, pungent smell of the herbs almost making him gag. The scent was overwhelming, sharp and bitter, but he knew better than to refuse outright. With a deep breath, he inhaled the burning aroma, wincing as it stung his nostrils.

    Frida watched him carefully, her gaze never leaving his face as she observed his reaction. The silence in the room was heavy, only broken by the crackling of the fire.

    ¡°Now, ask your question, father,¡± Frida ordered.

    The Jarl leaned forward, his face unreadable as he directed his attention to Luka. ¡°Do you still intend to go to the Ark?¡±

    Luka¡¯s chest tightened, the aftereffects of the herbs still stinging at the back of his throat. He opened his mouth to respond, but his voice faltered as he gasped for breath, still reeling from the overwhelming sensation. ¡°Yes!¡± he choked out, his words strained. ¡°Get that off me... or I¡¯m going to¡ª¡±

    Luka¡¯s body shuddered as the last of the burning scent seemed to linger in his lungs. Panic clawed at him, but he forced himself to steady his breath. The room seemed to spin for a moment before his mind cleared, though he still felt the remnants of the strange sensation.

    Frida raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t speak immediately, her lips pressed into a thin line as she observed Luka¡¯s condition.

    ¡°He is not brainwashed,¡± she finally said, her voice cool and professional. ¡°Sorry for putting you through this.¡± She withdrew the satchel from his nose, packing it back into her bag with a swift motion.

    Luka took in a deep, relieved breath, the air tasting much clearer now that the pungent scent had dissipated. His chest still ached from the lingering effects, but he was beginning to feel more grounded.

    Frida glanced at her father, her gaze cool but respectful. "He''s not under any kind of external influence."

    The Jarl nodded, though his expression was still pensive. "Thank you, Frida. You can back to your alchemy.¡±

    Frida bowed slightly, her footsteps echoing as she left the room. Luka, still trying to regain his composure and gritting his teeth at the sound of Saki¡¯s muffled giggling, finally met the Jarl¡¯s gaze. ¡°Why are you taking these measures? Seriously...¡±

    H?rvarr studied him carefully, his eyes sharp. After a long pause, he sighed deeply. "We cannot trust a succubus. Many people have been brainwashed and escorted to the Ark before, only to never be seen again." His gaze shifted toward Saki, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What makes you different?"

    Saki leaned back in her chair, unfazed by the scrutiny. "Well, I¡¯m just helping him. He wants to go there of his own will, right?" She glanced at Luka, her grin widening as she waited for him to confirm.

    Luka hesitated, but nodded slowly. ¡°I do. I¡¯m not being forced.¡±

    The Jarl¡¯s expression softened, though he remained cautious. "Your resolve is clear, young man. But as the Jarl of Dreikheim, it''s my duty to protect this village. We¡¯ve had our share of problems with people going to the Ark¡ªmany have vanished without a trace."

    Granbell stepped forward, his tail flicking in agitation. "I still don¡¯t understand. Why would a human like you risk your life to go there? Do you have a death wish?"

    ¡°I could ask the same,¡± Luka coughed, his voice strained. ¡°What is a demon doing here on broad daylight?¡±

    The room fell quiet for a moment, and Granbell¡¯s posture stiffened at the remark, though he didn¡¯t respond. H?rvarr, however, was quick to defuse the tension. "Granbell is the last of his tribe," he explained, his tone even but firm. "He¡¯s earned our trust. He¡¯s been under our protection here and hasn¡¯t harmed a single human."

    Luka glanced between the Jarl and Granbell, a question lingering in his mind. "And you trust him, just like that? Even with everything that¡¯s happened in Sora?" he asked, his voice cautious yet curious.

    H?rvarr met his gaze, his expression resolute. "Yes. He¡¯s proven himself. Granbell has fought alongside us, defended this village from multiple demon outbreaks already, and shown loyalty when others would have turned their backs."

    Luka took a moment to process the weight of the Jarl¡¯s words, but then his eyes shifted to Saki, and he spoke again, more resolutely this time. "I¡¯m not here to cause trouble. I have my reasons for wanting to go to the Ark. But I¡¯m not going to let fear or suspicion stop me. I¡¯m going, with or without your approval."

    Saki, leaning forward with an amused glint in her eye, added, "And I¡¯ll be guiding him. No harm in that, right?"

    Granbell glared, but it was clear the conversation had reached its limits for now.

    H?rvarr gave a long, considering look at Luka before nodding. "Very well. But not right now. I ask of you to stay for the night here.¡±

    Granbell stepped up in protest. ¡°My Jarl! Allowing a succubus to sleep here would be¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Granbell.¡± H?rvarr glanced at Saki. ¡°I will ask you to sleep in a room closed from the outside, demon.¡±

    ¡°Fine by me. But don¡¯t you dare hurt Luka, okay?¡±

    ¡°You have my promise. You will both have the best hospitality possible, within reason, of course.¡±

    Luka nodded quietly, accepting the terms. It was better than anything they had hoped and he had no other choice anyway.

    Granbell¡¯s growl of protest was ignored as he stood rigid, clearly not satisfied with the decision, but it was clear that the Jarl had made his ruling. After a tense silence, H?rvarr gestured toward the door.

    "Granbell, see them to their rooms. And remember, this is a courtesy, not a sign of trust. Keep that in mind."

    Luka glanced at Saki, who gave him a playful wink as she stood up. They would follow Granbell¡¯s lead, but tonight, at least, they would have a chance to rest¡ªbefore the journey to the Ark continued the next day.

    Granbell¡¯s glare lingered as he turned toward the door, his tail flicking behind him in irritation. He clearly wasn¡¯t pleased with the Jarl¡¯s decision, but he wasn¡¯t about to argue further.

    ¡°Follow me,¡± he muttered, his voice low, and strode toward the hallway. Luka and Saki exchanged a brief look before following, their footsteps echoing in the stone corridor.

    Granbell led them to a small, unadorned room near the back of the hall. The room was simple: a bed with thick furs spread across it, a wooden chest for storage, and a small window that let in only a sliver of pale moonlight. It was cozy enough, but the starkness of the surroundings gave it a cold feel.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be locked in here until morning,¡± Granbell said as he opened the door, glaring at Saki one last time before stepping aside. ¡°Don¡¯t try anything.¡±

    Saki didn¡¯t flinch as she stepped past him, giving him a playful smirk. ¡°Relax, big guy. If we wanted to escape, we would¡¯ve done it already.¡±

    Granbell didn¡¯t respond, simply giving one final glare before he closed the door behind them with a loud thud.

    Luka stood in the middle of the room, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. ¡°This is... a lot, isn¡¯t it?¡± he muttered to himself.

    Saki flopped onto the bed with a dramatic sigh. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s kind of nice to be treated like royalty for a change, even if it¡¯s by someone who doesn¡¯t trust us.¡±

    Luka glanced at her. ¡°Yeah, but I don¡¯t think that¡¯s their idea of hospitality.¡±

    Looking around the room, even though it was cozy, it still had the air of a prison.

    Saki raised an eyebrow, pulling herself into a sitting position. ¡°Still, no guy for me tonight...¡± She sighed dramatically, her lips pulling into a playful pout. ¡°And I bet you¡¯re not going to let me¡ª¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Luka interrupted firmly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

    She sighed theatrically, flopping back down onto the bed. ¡°I figured¡­ though I was hoping for something a little more exciting than a cold, lonely night.¡± She rolled over and buried her face in the pillow before raising her head slightly to glance at him. ¡°Man, I¡¯m hungry¡­¡±

    Luka rubbed his stomach absentmindedly, realizing only now how much he could use a proper meal. The reminder of food made his stomach growl, but the thought of sneaking past Granbell or trying to find something to eat seemed like a bad idea.

    ¡°Do you think they¡¯re going to give us food?¡± Luka asked, looking out the window at the snowy landscape beyond.

    Saki rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°I already have food here, but he doesn¡¯t want to give me any¡­¡±

    ¡°Just shut up already¡­ We are bound by contract, you¡¯re not going to die.¡±

    Saki snickered, clearly enjoying the moment. "Yeah, yeah, no need to remind me. But still... a little snack wouldn¡¯t hurt. It¡¯s been ages since I had something good.¡±

    Luka shot her a sharp glance, frowning. ¡°You had guys every time we arrived in a town! I couldn¡¯t even wake you up in the morning without risking seeing you naked with a guy.¡±

    Saki raised an eyebrow, her grin widening as she smirked at him. ¡°Oh, come on, Luka. You act like I¡¯m the only one having fun here. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve never thought about it.¡±

    ¡°Honestly? No. I don¡¯t want to die.¡±

    ¡°And yet you¡¯re going there¡­¡±

    Luka tensed. There was something chilling about the way Saki talked about her homeland. Was it that bad?

    Before his thoughts could go on, a knock on the door startled him. Granbell entered with a platter of food, his expression still tight, eyes cold.

    ¡°Now you¡¯re doing room service, draggy?¡± Saki asked, rolling over the bed.

    ¡°Hmpf. It¡¯s not like I want to.¡± Granbell grumbled, setting the platter down on the small table in the center of the room. He made a point of glaring at Saki, but said nothing more.

    Luka sighed in relief, his stomach growling louder at the sight of the steaming food. It was hearty, roasted meats with a side of vegetables and bread, and though it wasn¡¯t the most luxurious meal, it was exactly what he needed right now. He immediately moved toward the platter, eager to fill his empty stomach.

    But first, something interrupted his meal. He glanced back at Granbell. ¡°Thank you for bringing us food. I didn¡¯t think we would be welcomed this well.¡±

    Granbell¡¯s eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer. ¡°Think of it as your last meal before going there,¡± he snapped, his voice dripping with disdain.

    Luka¡¯s appetite faltered for a moment, but the hunger gnawing at him quickly overpowered the unease. He sat down and began to eat, trying to ignore the uncomfortable weight of Granbell''s gaze.

    Saki, still sprawled on the bed, raised an eyebrow. ¡°Well, that¡¯s cheerful.¡± She swung her legs off the bed and made her way to the table, eyeing the food. ¡°I know Luka is an idiot for going there but isn¡¯t that a bit premature to talk about ¡®last meals¡¯?¡±

    Granbell didn¡¯t answer, and instead, his eyes turned cold as he glanced at the door. His posture remained rigid, every muscle in his body seeming to brace for something, though no one in the room could quite tell what.

    Luka shifted uncomfortably but pushed the thought away, trying to refocus on his meal.

    Saki picked up a piece of bread and took a bite, her eyes still on Granbell. ¡°You know, Granbell, you don¡¯t have to act like we¡¯re about to commit some horrible crime. We¡¯re just... passing through.¡±

    Granbell¡¯s eyes flicked toward Luka, his lips curling into a sneer again. ¡°I distrust humans like you,¡± he said, his tone thick with disdain. ¡°You reek of evil, just like that man. And don¡¯t start me on succubi. Your appetite dwarves those of the great dragons of the mountain.¡±

    Saki paused mid-bite, her expression momentarily faltering. ¡°Is that so?¡± she replied, her tone amused but edged with something darker. She leaned forward, clearly intrigued, though her lips curled into an almost predatory smile. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯ve had some... unpleasant experiences.¡±

    Granbell¡¯s jaw tightened, but he didn¡¯t respond. His gaze had returned to the door, his eyes narrowing as though he was listening for something just outside the room.

    ¡°What man?¡± Luka finally asked, unable to leave the question in his head unanswered.

    ¡°Hazuki Ryuuji.¡± Granbell spat as if he was cursing the name at the same time.

    Luka stopped. He felt as if the world was as small as him now that the face of the man drew itself in his mind.

    ¡°I see now¡­¡± Luka muttered, putting aside his bread in disgust.

    ¡°Your eyes look like his and you smell the same,¡± the dragonkin growled. ¡°And you know him?¡±

    Saki, who had been quietly watching, looked between them, a mix of surprise and realization crossing her face. ¡°Wait, you know him? Luka, do you know him?¡±

    Luka took a breath, trying to steady himself. ¡°Yeah... I know him. He¡¯s a demon hunter. He was with Yelena, asking questions about you, Saki. But I played dumb. I didn¡¯t give him anything.¡±

    Saki paused mid-bite, her eyes narrowing slightly as she absorbed the information. ¡°Ah,¡± she said, her tone shifting. ¡°Figures¡­¡±

    Granbell¡¯s eyes were locked onto Luka, his expression no longer as hostile but still filled with suspicion. ¡°So you know him. And you protected a demon?¡±

    Luka stared back, unflinching. ¡°Yeah,¡± he said, his voice firm. ¡°So what? It¡¯s not like he¡¯s my friend or anything.¡±

    A flicker of incomprehension passed in the dragonkin¡¯s eyes as he examined Luka. Was he misguided? He thought he was the same but¡­

    ¡°Why are you going to the Ark?¡± he finally asked. ¡°To kill demons?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Luka shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m here to get the succubi on humanity¡¯s side for the war against Kaeris.¡±

    There was a brief silence in the room as Granbell processed the answer, his features unreadable.

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible,¡± Granbell muttered, his eyes flicking to Saki before settling back on Luka. ¡°But¡­ as long as you¡¯re not an enemy of the demons, I don¡¯t care.¡±

    Luka, confused by the sudden shift, pressed further. ¡°Wait, you didn¡¯t say anything about fighting against Kaeris. Are you not with him?¡±

    Granbell scoffed, his irritation rising as he slammed his tail against the floor in frustration. ¡°No way. I would never side with a monster like him.¡± He narrowed his eyes, his voice growing colder. ¡°Besides¡­ I¡¯m fighting to avenge my tribe.¡±

    Clenching his fists, the dragonking growled. ¡°That Ryuuji bastard¡­ I¡¯ll kill him.¡±

    The dragonkin clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as a growl rumbled from deep within his chest. ¡°That Ryuuji bastard¡­ I will kill him.¡±

    With that, he left the room and slammed the door behind him. The room grew quiet once more, leaving the duo with a concerned look on their faces.

    Saki, still holding her half-eaten bread, let out a quiet breath. ¡°Well, that escalated quickly¡­¡± she muttered, looking at the door as if expecting Granbell to burst back in at any moment.

    Luka ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. ¡°Kanami¡¯s dad isn¡¯t really loved, huh¡­¡±

    ¡°Wait.¡± Saki¡¯s eyes widened, her voice muffled slightly by the bread she was still chewing. ¡°Hazuki is Kanami¡¯s dad?!¡±

    Luka paused, his brow furrowing. ¡°You didn¡¯t know?¡±

    Saki shook her head, clearly stunned. ¡°I mean, I¡¯ve heard of him. I know about Hazuki Ryuuji¡ªthe demon hunter. But Kanami¡¯s dad?¡± She blinked a few times, trying to process the new information. ¡°That¡¯s... a twist I didn¡¯t see coming.¡±

    Luka leaned against his chair. ¡°Yeah¡­ When I saw the guy for the first time, I was wondering myself but there is no doubt now.¡± his face grew darker. ¡°But that means he probably killed Granbell¡¯s tribe. Explains why he is so angry¡­¡±

    Which also meant there were other demons against siding with Kaeris. That simple information gave Luka a flicker of hope. Perhaps he could find some other races willing to help?

    A brief silence settled over them, the weight of their situation hanging in the air. Luka then stood up, stretching his tired muscles. ¡°Anyway, time to sleep.¡± He patted his stomach, now content from the meal, and moved toward the bed. ¡°We¡¯ve got a lot ahead of us tomorrow.¡±

    Saki yawned and stretched out on the bed. ¡°Yeah, we do. Rest while you can.¡±

    With a slouch, he slumped in the bed and pulled some sheets over him. Then, he took off his jacket and pulled out some talismans from it and a pen.

    Saki raised an eyebrow as she watched. ¡°Still writing your talismans, huh? You¡¯ve been diligently doing this every night.¡±

    Luka glanced up briefly, his hand still moving with practiced precision. ¡°I¡¯m still Daji¡¯s disciple,¡± he replied, his voice steady. ¡°I can¡¯t slack off on my magic.¡±

    With an expert hand, he wrote multiple symbols on them and poured his mana into the paper.

    He had to get ready after all.

    The road ahead was going to get more dangerous.

 Sominium Vale

    The Gateway. It was the sole passage through the colossal mountain range that divided the northern part of the continent, its gaping maw carved deep into the earth by a powerful magic. Beyond this shadowed tunnel lay the Ark¡ªa realm shrouded in ash and despair, home to the demonkind. Few dared to traverse the Gateway, and fewer still returned.

    Luka and Saki stood at the entrance, dwarfed by the towering cliffs that framed the ominous passage. The air here was heavier, colder, as though the mountains themselves were warning them to turn back. The faint sound of howling wind echoed through the tunnel, carrying with it a faint scent of humidity.

    "So, this is it," Luka murmured, his breath visible in the biting air.

    ¡°Yup,¡± Saki replied, her voice uncharacteristically subdued. She folded her arms, her emerald eyes scanning the entrance with a mixture of apprehension and nostalgia. ¡°Last chance to change your mind, you know.¡±

    "This is also where I leave you," Granbell added. He had been tasked by the Jarl to escort them, especially to remove the stone blocking the path.

    The dragonkin stepped forward and placed his hands on the side of a boulder as big as a car. With just the strength of his muscles, he lifted it and tossed it aside with a thundering crash. Dust and small stones scattered, revealing the dark maw of the Gateway.

    Ugh¡­ I should really not mess with him, Luka thought. Seeing a guy casually lift a boulder this heavy made his skin crawl both in excitement and fear.

    Either way, he turned to the dragonkin and presented his hand. ¡°Thanks for everything, Granbell.¡±

    Granbell snorted, his yellow eyes narrowing. "Don¡¯t thank me. I still think this is a terrible idea. You are no warrior, after all.¡±

    Without another word, Granbell turned and began walking back toward Dreikheim, his heavy footsteps echoing against the jagged cliffs.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. I wonder what the Ark looks like,¡± Luka said, stepping first inside the tunnel. A few steps further and the temperature seemed to plummet, and the dim light of the outside faded into darkness. Saki followed close behind, her eyes shining in the darkness.

    Looking back, he was even surprised at how much her light shone in the dark. ¡°You¡¯re like a little lamp,¡± he noted, chuckling to himself.

    "And you¡¯re about to walk into a pile of dung. Careful."

    "Wha¡ª!" Luka stepped back just in time before stepping into some kind of mess. He stumbled slightly, catching himself against the cold, damp wall of the tunnel.

    Saki smirked, her laughter echoing softly through the dark passage. "You¡¯re welcome," she said, brushing past him. "Maybe try watching where you¡¯re going."

    The tunnel stretched on for what felt like an eternity, its walls lined with jagged, uneven stone that seemed to pulse faintly with an eerie blue light. The air grew thicker, laced with a faint sulfuric tang that made Luka¡¯s nose wrinkle. Tracing his fingers on the walls, he could even feel a substance similar to ash sticking to his fingers.

    After a while, they found light at the other end of the tunnel. One that he was already very familiar with. An oppressive heat had now replaced the cold stony corridor and the change of temperature made Luka¡¯s skin shiver.

    Right in front of them, the desert had taken over the tunnel and expanded further in. As if the mountains had disappeared, the tunnel cut right at this place, the ground even.

    ¡°Damn¡­¡± Luka took in the sight, appalled. ¡°You told me about it but seeing it is something.¡±

    Saki nodded as she took in the vast expanse of sand. ¡°Kaal¡¯s rampage reshaped everything here. The desert ate the mountains and left this scar. For a long while, no one could take this path.¡±

    Luka swallowed hard, his throat dry. "It¡¯s like walking into a furnace. How do people even live here?"

    ¡°They don¡¯t,¡± Saki replied. ¡°The Ark is further in the desert. At least we are lucky that the goblins were mostly wiped out by the rampage. This mountain range used to be their home.¡±

    She started forward, her wings spreading wide. ¡°Now, grab onto me, I¡¯m going at full speed.¡±

    "Huh... Okay," Luka replied, his voice uneasy but compliant. He stepped closer, hesitant, before gripping onto her waist.

    "Hold tight," Saki said, her tone half-serious, half-amused.

    Before Luka could prepare himself, she launched into the air with a powerful beat of her wings. The ground blurred beneath them as they soared forward, the rush of wind and heat stinging Luka¡¯s face. The landscape stretched endlessly, dunes rising and falling like waves in a golden sea. The oppressive heat radiated upward, but Saki¡¯s pace offered a welcome breeze.

    "Wow," Luka muttered, his grip tightening instinctively as they ascended to avoid a jagged rock formation jutting out of the sand. ¡°You¡¯re going way faster than usual!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because I¡¯m in a hurry. I¡¯m tired of deserts so I¡¯m using my stocked-up energy.¡± Saki called back, her voice carried by the wind. ¡°Still afraid of heights?¡± she smirked.

    ¡°Just a bit!¡± Luka clenched his teeth. Even after experiencing this feeling multiple times, he couldn¡¯t get used to it. To him, humans weren¡¯t meant to fly.

    After a while, the sand began to give way to a strange ash-like terrain filled with rocks and bordering the sea.

    Saki¡¯s pace never slowed, and Luka couldn¡¯t help but marvel at her energy, at the power in her wings that propelled them ever forward.

    ¡°I thought you were hungry yesterday,¡± Luka said, trying to mask his unease with a half-joking tone.

    Saki gave a quick glance back, her grin still visible despite the wind. ¡°I am still hungry, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m about to die.¡±

    ¡°Huh.¡± Luka nodded, trying to steady his nerves. But before he could say anything else, he felt the wind rush past him as Saki dove downward with sudden speed, the ground rushing up to meet them.

    His grip tightened instinctively around her waist, and Saki''s wings flared out, slowing their descent. She landed with an effortless grace, her magic supporting her weight and allowing her to float just above the ashen earth. Her feet finally touched the ground, and she turned to tap Luka on the shoulder, who was still clutching her with his eyes shut tight.

    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived. Stop latching onto me, you¡¯re heavy.¡±

    ¡°R-Right, sorry.¡± With a heavy breath, Luka stepped down and moved away from her. His boots filled with ash, and he shook them out in disgust. The sand he could handle, but ash? That was another story.

    ¡°Why is there ash everywhere?¡± He asked, his irritation creeping in. There were a few dead trees scattered here and there, but none of them explained the presence of so much ash, blanketing the ground in an endless layer of grey.

    Saki glanced around, her gaze scanning the desolate terrain. She opened her mouth as if to say something but then quickly shut it and turned her head toward him with a smile. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever thought about it.¡±

    Luka frowned, his gaze scrutinizing the landscape. ¡°It feels¡­ wrong. Like this place was never meant to be.¡±

    Saki didn¡¯t respond immediately, her eyes focused on the distant horizon. After a long moment, she spoke again, her voice softer. ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t believe in destiny?¡±

    ¡°Right¡­¡± Luka muttered, looking back at her, but still caught up in his thoughts. ¡°Still, it¡¯s weird. The only thing that could explain it is a powerful magic.¡± He then clapped his hands and raised his hand above his eyes to shield himself from the sunlight. ¡°Now, where is your hometown?¡±

    Saki didn¡¯t answer and instead turned around and looked at him with pleading eyes. Her short brown hair fluttered against the wind, and for a moment, her face softened, only to be replaced by a deep scowl.

    ¡°Luka¡­¡± she finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. She lowered her gaze, shifting uncomfortably before looking back at him. ¡°Before we go, I want to tell you something.¡±

    Luka blinked, momentarily taken aback by the seriousness in her tone. ¡°What is it?¡± he asked, his brow furrowing, suddenly unsure of what to expect.

    Saki hesitated for another moment, her eyes briefly flickering to the horizon before returning to him. ¡°I need to tell you about the way succubi treats humans¡­¡±

    Her body tensed, and she could feel her heart burn in her chest. Just thinking about it made her stomach churn, a nauseating disgust welling up inside her. But no matter how much she wanted to voice her thoughts, the words felt trapped. Luka had this misguided idea of bringing succubi to humanity¡¯s side, but it was an impossible, reckless plan. A part of her wanted to warn him, to explain just how dangerous it could be, but she knew he wouldn¡¯t understand.

    No words could explain to him what was waiting.

    The only thing she could do was hope for the best and protect him to the best of her abilities.

    She swallowed hard, pushing down the urge to say more, and instead, just let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Nevermind¡­¡± She shook her head, a bitter smile pulling at her lips. ¡°You¡¯ll see when we get there.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I can tank it.¡± Luka smiled at her, seeing her unease.

    She hoped so. Deep inside her, she hoped that Luka wouldn¡¯t fall into utter despair upon seeing the town, but another part of her wished he did. Because if he could support it, then it wasn¡¯t normal.

    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Because if he could support it, then it was not normal.

    With a step forward, she lead the way, deeper into the Ark, the last home of the demons.

    After several more hours of walking without interruption, they arrived at a small valley. The ash had faded, replaced by dark rock, and the sky had gradually shifted to a deep shade of purple, casting everything in a strange, eerie light. Luka could feel a subtle yet powerful oppression in the air, his lungs struggling with the strange flowery scent that lingered, thick and heady.

    Without hesitation, Luka¡¯s gaze hardened. Chanting softly under his breath the control spell, he switched off multiple emotions inside him in a preemptive manner. He was walking straight into a town full of manipulating demons, capable of brainwashing even the strongest of warriors through emotions.

    However, thanks to Daji, he had learned the nuances of brainwashing and how he could easily protect himself from it. He could thank his nature for having the Control trait, one of the few spells capable of providing absolute defense against any form of manipulation, suggestion, or mental influence.

    They then descended a set of stairs leading right toward the entrance of the town, enclaved in the valley. From up there, it looked like a fairly normal human town, almost as big as Eran, the capital of Sora.

    But the closer they got, Luka saw a few things that made him tick. The houses had farms just like any other town and some buildings had strange scriptures on it, which he didn¡¯t want to assume.

    As they reached the foot of the stairs and stepped into the town¡¯s outskirts, Saki stopped her steps, her wings folding tightly against her back. She stood still for a moment, looking up at the buildings with a heavy expression.

    ¡°This is it,¡± she sighed, her voice strained. ¡°Welcome to Sominium Vale, the only haven of the succubi.¡±

    Luka looked around in awe at the buildings scattered here and there. The houses were modest, their wooden walls worn with age but reinforced with the same dark stone surrounding the valley. Some buildings had faint glowing signs on them but he couldn¡¯t quite read them as they were too far away.

    Saki turned to him, snapping her fingers to draw his attention. ¡°Luka, one last time¡ªstay close to me. Are we clear?¡±

    ¡°Geez, you¡¯re way more tense than me,¡± Luka chuckled. ¡°Calm down, everything will be okay. I just need to see their leaders.¡±

    ¡°Then the queen,¡± Saki replied, her tone shifting to something more serious. ¡°She lives in the center of the town, her manor next to the¡­ place.¡±

    Luka raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her choice of words. ¡°The¡­ place?¡±

    Saki didn¡¯t elaborate. Instead, she just gave him a hard look, her expression warning him not to ask any further questions. They would get there soon enough, she seemed to imply.

    ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Luka muttered, his hand instinctively reaching his pockets. ¡°Lead the way, my dear captor.¡±

    Saki raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s our cover?¡±

    ¡°Of course, what did you expect?¡± Luka chuckled. ¡°A free human in this town isn¡¯t something natural, right? I kind of figured how humans would be treated here before even coming.¡±

    He waved his hand dismissively, stepping confidently in front of her. ¡°So, lead the way. Don¡¯t worry¡ªI won¡¯t say a word until we arrive.¡±

    Saki gave him a long look, her expression unreadable, before finally nodding and stepping forward.

    They entered without a problem as no guards were standing outside of the gate. Well, actually there was no gate as it was an open city with only one way to leave. The streets were bustling, filled with succubi going on with their daily lives.

    Luka walked alongside Saki, with her giving him glances every few seconds to check on him. By now she expected to see him looking embarrassed but nothing short of it was shown on his face.

    Suffice to say, the demons of the night weren¡¯t very accustomed to wearing clothes, even in broad daylight. Shame wasn¡¯t part of their vocabulary. If it weren¡¯t for the control spell he¡¯d cast earlier, Luka would have had a hard time avoiding the awkwardness of the situation, especially with the array of bare-skinned figures walking around them. But the spell kept his emotions in check, allowing him to remain unaffected, at least on the outside.

    This emotional clarity allowed him to focus on his surroundings, and he couldn¡¯t help but notice the architecture. The buildings were mostly uniform¡ªconstructed from what appeared to be the same dark stone and strange materials. He noticed they resembled wood at first, but as he studied them more, he grew unsure. It was something unfamiliar¡ªsomething he didn¡¯t recognize. His lack of expertise in architecture made it hard to decipher, but the consistency of the design felt deliberate.

    He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something about the town wasn¡¯t quite right. It wasn¡¯t just the people, or the strange atmosphere in the air. There was something in the way the structures stood, as if they were both ancient and unnervingly new at the same time.

    Saki turned to him as they walked, her gaze scanning the streets. ¡°What do you think?¡± she asked, her voice low but with an edge of curiosity. ¡°Is it what you expected?¡±

    Luka glanced around once more before responding. ¡°It¡¯s... different. I thought it¡¯d be more... chaotic, maybe. But it¡¯s almost peaceful here.¡±

    His words hung in the air for a moment, but the moment he arrived near a farm, everything changed.

    Saki abruptly stopped, her wings stiffening as she realized just how bad the situation could be. A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead, and her mouth went dry. Luka, still walking beside her, had his gaze fixed on the idyllic scene in front of him, unaware of what he was about to see.

    Rows of crops, modest structures, a handful of succubi tending to them. But as Luka took in the details, his eyes froze on the small figures¡ªchildren, playing in a fenced-off garden, their laughter filling the air.

    The fence surrounding them was no ordinary boundary. It hummed with magical energy, almost as if it were a warning, a force field meant to deter anyone from approaching. The children looked happy, and carefree as they played around with a ball.

    His shoulders tensed and his fists inside his pockets clenched.

    Of course, it was obvious. Succubi do not need any other food to survive.

    The ¡®animals¡¯ here for them were humans.

    Saki turned around, seeing Luka¡¯s tense arm from the corner of her eye but she couldn¡¯t speak. His eyes were saying everything. A silent acknowledgement before sliding toward Saki¡¯s.

    ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you? Keep going.¡± Luka said, his tone calm as if he had seen nothing. ¡°Everyone is watching us.¡±

    Saki swallowed hard, her heart heavy with the weight of what they had just witnessed. She knew Luka¡¯s control over his emotions was extraordinary, but the sight of human children being used as nothing more than livestock for energy should have rattled even him. Still, he wasn¡¯t breaking, and for some reason, that seemed to weigh even more on her.

    ¡°Right¡­¡± Saki nodded after a brief pause, forcing her feet to move forward.

    As they walked, Luka¡¯s fists kept clenching. Saki felt the mark of their contract burn in anger, a raw anger that made even her blood boil.

    Luka was angry.

    It was a relief, she thought. He was a better comedian than she expected.

    However, that was misguided as Luka¡¯s fear wasn¡¯t directed toward their way of life. Luka pressed on, visiting the city like a tourist, his gaze cold yet calculating as he observed his surroundings. Shops for potions and clothes lined the streets, and there were humans scattered in the crowds, chained up like cattle, paraded and treated like nothing more than commodities. ¡®Hotels¡¯ with twisted advertisements boasting their ¡®specialty meals¡¯ for demons.

    Luka¡¯s eyes narrowed, but he remained silent. Even from the corner of his eye, he could see two succubi arguing over a stolen item, their voices escalating until a third group intervened to break up the tension. It was a typical day in Sominium Vale, it seemed¡ªtension under the surface, a constant push and pull between those who held power and those who were used.

    Luka¡¯s sharp gaze moved further down the street, catching sight of homeless succubi, their hands outstretched with signs begging for a sliver of compassion. Some of them looked so weak, so famished, that they didn¡¯t even move anymore¡ªno strength left to fight for survival.

    Soon, they arrived at the ¡®place¡¯. A large space with a fountain at the center and a stage, supposedly to give speeches to the whole population. But today, on it, was¡­

    ¡°Come on, two hundred bronze coins for this specimen!¡± The voice rang out, filled with sickening excitement. A well-clothed succubus in a fur robe swung a hammer lightly against the bare, chained man, tapping it against his shoulder as though he were a mere object, a commodity to be sold. His hollow eyes reflected no life, only emptiness, as he stood there, completely stripped of dignity.

    Around her, a crowd gathered, eagerly raising their hands to bid, each one seeking to outdo the other in a twisted game of ownership. One succubus called out gleefully, ¡°Three hundred!¡± followed by a laugh that carried too much joy for such a grim spectacle. The others murmured in agreement, some eagerly nodding, eyes sparkling with malicious delight as they watched the auction unfold.

    Saki, who had been walking beside him, stopped short. She hadn¡¯t wanted to come this far into the heart of the town. Her eyes were dark with suppressed emotion, and she stared at the manor in front of the place, not giving even a single glance at the auction going on. It was a dark, looming structure, its tall iron gates guarded by grotesque gargoyle statues that seemed to watch over the entrance like silent sentinels. The air around it felt colder, and the garden beyond the gate, manicured yet eerily silent, only added to the ominous aura of the place.

    Luka, however, couldn¡¯t help but take in the scene, curiosity filling his eyes. One of the succubi near him turned around and gave him a teasing look. ¡°Would you like to go up there too?¡± she giggled.

    Saki stepped up and gave her a menacing look. ¡°He is not for sale,¡± she shot.

    The succubus blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sharpness in Saki¡¯s tone. She hesitated, then backed off with a soft laugh, clearly deciding it wasn¡¯t worth pursuing the matter further. ¡°Well, suit yourself,¡± she said nonchalantly, turning her attention back to the auction.

    Saki gave Luka a lingering, concerned look, but he simply shrugged, his smile faint but steady. There was no breaking his calm exterior, despite the horror they had just witnessed. His ability to compartmentalize everything, to stay focused, was something Saki found both unsettling and admirable.

    "We should get going," Luka murmured, his voice almost too casual for the weight of the situation.

    Saki couldn¡¯t help but frown, her worry growing. "You¡¯re taking this pretty well..." she whispered, her words more an observation than a question. It troubled her how Luka seemed unfazed by the atrocities around them. She could see the tension in his posture, the subtle tightening of his fists, but his face remained neutral, as though he were simply walking through a disorienting dream.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±

    "Alright," she muttered, not fully convinced, but nodding anyway. "Let¡¯s go."

    They arrived at the towering iron gate. To Saki¡¯s surprise, it wasn¡¯t locked. The heavy metal doors swung open with a low groan as they pushed them aside, allowing them to enter at will. Saki stepped forward cautiously, her senses on high alert, and gestured for Luka to follow.

    Inside, the contrast was stark. The grim atmosphere of the town outside gave way to opulence, and Saki couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of unease settle in her chest. The grand entrance was lined with towering columns made of smooth marble, leading into a large foyer. A rich velvet carpet stretched down the length of the hall, its deep crimson color glowing faintly under the dim lighting.

    Luka glanced around, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The mansion was lavish¡ªornate tapestries hung from the walls, and chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Everything reeked of power and wealth on the surface.

    Saki stepped forward, her shoes creating soft sounds on the carpet. Luka followed suit but they were soon interrupted by a bunch of human butlers.

    ¡°May I ask who invited you?¡± one of them asked, addressing directly to Saki.

    Saki paused, her gaze narrowing slightly at the sudden interruption. The human butlers stood in a neat row, their expressions vacant yet obedient. Their hands were clasped together in a rigid, practiced manner. They were all well-dressed in a crisp mix of white and black, their attire impeccably tailored and spotless.

    Saki¡¯s lips tightened into a thin line. She wasn¡¯t fond of being questioned, especially not here. "I didn¡¯t realize an invitation was required," she said smoothly, running her hand in her hair in a flourish.

    The butlers exchanged a brief glance before one of them, slightly more assertive than the others, stepped forward. His expression was polite but cold. ¡°The queen expects all visitors to be properly announced,¡± he said, his voice devoid of warmth.

    Luka, who had been silent until now, took a step forward and placed his hand on Saki¡¯s shoulder. ¡°From now on, leave it to me.¡±

    With a confident strut, he stepped in front of the butlers who looked intrigued by the sudden development.

    ¡°Tell Your Majesty that we¡¯re here on urgent business. I, Luka, hero of Sora have a proposition to make.¡±

    Saki froze, her mouth dropping open in disbelief. ¡°Hero?!¡± she exclaimed, her eyes wide, unable to hide her surprise.

    The butlers, too, seemed taken aback by Luka¡¯s bold proclamation, their eyes flickering with uncertainty.

    "Yes, hero," Luka said with a playful smirk, brushing off Saki¡¯s shock. ¡°You¡¯ve heard of me, haven¡¯t you? I¡¯m famous around Sora now. Unless you want me to start recounting the tales of my exploits, I suggest you relay my message to the queen.¡±

    Saki glared at him, her face flushed with a mix of exasperation and disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re actually going full pretentious mode?¡± she muttered under her breath, but Luka just shrugged it off, his smirk never faltering.

    The butlers stood still for a moment, their expressions unreadable. Finally, the more assertive one inclined his head slightly, his eyes narrowing just a fraction. ¡°Very well, hero of Sora. Please wait here while we inform the queen.¡±

    With that, the butlers turned, moving swiftly through the ornate doors at the far end of the foyer, leaving Luka and Saki alone once again. Saki exhaled sharply, the tension still lingering in the air.

    ¡°Luka, I swear sometimes you scare me a lot,¡± she muttered, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice, despite her frustration. ¡°Where did all that confidence come from?¡±

    Luka simply shrugged again, his eyes already drifting around the luxurious surroundings. ¡°I would be lying if I were to say my control spell didn¡¯t have a part in all of this. I blocked my fear, also other emotions.¡°

    Saki couldn¡¯t help but raise an eyebrow at him. "You just... suppress everything?" she asked, incredulous.

    Luka¡¯s gaze flickered back to her, a flicker of regret in his eyes. "I know how this sounds. I would do anything not to suppress my feelings this way, but sometimes... I have no other choice." He paused, looking away as if unsure of how to explain himself.

    Saki¡¯s expression darkened, a frown pulling at her lips. ¡°Don¡¯t rely on it too much. It feels like you changed completely.¡±

    Luka¡¯s eyes met hers. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I always had it in me. I just stopped cowering like an idiot. I¡¯ve had enough of being afraid."

    Saki¡¯s frown softened but she remained silent. For now, she would just observe.

    Before she could take in the surroundings again, the butlers returned, their footsteps muffled against the plush carpet as they moved to stand before Luka and Saki.

    The cold, polite smile of the lead butler returned, and he gestured for them to follow.

    ¡°Please, the queen is ready to see you now,¡± he said, his voice as monotone as ever.

    Saki shared one last glance with Luka, and they both followed the butlers down the grand hall.

    It was time to meet the queen of this land.

 Morality

    It was a sight he truly despised.

    A place where succubi lived in their twisted version of ¡®peace,¡¯ unbothered by the outside world, as they indulged in their warped daily routines. Humans, stripped of their dignity, were treated as nothing more than livestock, their suffering reduced to a backdrop for the succubi¡¯s charade of civilization.

    They mimicked human behaviors, wore human clothes, and structured their society in eerie imitation of the very beings they subjugated. The grotesque parody of humanity left Luka with a bitter taste in his mouth.

    When he¡¯d first stepped into this place, a part of him had held out hope. Hope that it would be something different¡ªa land untouched by the vices of man, a magical haven that might enchant him.

    Oh, how misguided he¡¯d been.

    The ornate doors swung open with a creak, revealing a grand lounge draped in opulence. The queen reclined lazily on a Roman-style couch, her golden hair cascading like liquid sunlight over her shoulders. She was plucking grapes from a silver platter and eating them one by one, her movements languid and indulgent.

    On either side of her, two other succubi lounged in a tangled heap of limbs, their laughter soft and teasing as they played with one another like cats bored with their prey. The air was thick with the sickly sweet aroma of incense, and the flickering light of enchanted chandeliers cast dancing shadows across the walls.

    The queen¡¯s golden eyes shifted lazily to Luka and Saki as they entered.

    ¡°So,¡± she drawled, her voice smooth and rich like honey. ¡°You¡¯re the ones who demanded an audience. How bold of you to walk here uninvited.¡± Her gaze lingered on Luka, sizing him up, before flicking briefly to Saki.

    Luka stepped forward, enticing a frown on the two others who clearly didn¡¯t enjoy his bold attitude. With a relaxed posture and his gaze unwavering, he began.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be blunt. With the war brewing against the demons, mankind needs all the help they can get. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here to ask for your help in the matter.¡±

    The room fell silent, the queen looked stunned. The two other succubi who were playing with one another burst into laughter.

    ¡°Ahahaha! What the hell? Who does this human think he is?¡± one of them cackled, clutching her chest as she doubled over, tears forming in her eyes from laughing so hard.

    The other smirked, leaning lazily against the queen¡¯s couch. ¡°Oh, this is rich,¡± she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°You think we would lower ourselves to fight in your little war? How precious.¡±

    Saki tensed beside Luka, her wings shifting uncomfortably as the mockery unfolded. But Luka remained still, his expression calm, his gaze fixed on the queen. The two subordinates were not his goal.

    After all, the queen wasn¡¯t laughing at all, she was dead serious and conflicted.

    After a while, she raised her hand, and the laughter ceased instantly.

    With a sharp gaze toward the two others, she clicked her tongue and locked her eyes back onto Luka¡¯s. ¡°First off¡­¡± she began, leaning forward slightly. ¡°I would like to ask you a question.¡±

    Luka inclined his head in a slight bow, his voice steady and respectful. ¡°Ask away.¡±

    The queen placed the cluster of grapes on the silver platter, her movements deliberate, as though choosing her next words carefully. Her gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Why did you present yourself as a hero?¡±

    ¡°Because otherwise you wouldn¡¯t have given me an audience,¡± he replied with honesty.

    A flicker of amusement crossed her face, brief but noticeable. She leaned back slightly, tapping a manicured nail against the edge of the platter. ¡°And what makes you think I would accept your demand?¡±

    ¡°Because only an idiot would let Kaeris kill your only source of food.¡±

    The two subordinate succubi sprang to their feet, their faces twisting with fury.

    ¡°How dare you¡ª!¡± one of them hissed, raising her hand, dark magic crackling in her palm as she prepared to strike.

    Saki stepped up, shielding Luka with her arms raised.

    ¡°Enough,¡± However, the queen snapped her fingers and cast a menacing glare toward the two aggressive succubi. ¡°He is a guest.¡±

    The two subordinates froze, their magic dissipating as they reluctantly stepped back. Their gaze lingered on Luka with gritted teeth, clearly not hiding their hostility.

    Saki exhaled slowly, her wings folding back into place as she lowered her arms. She glanced at Luka, her expression tense but grateful for the queen¡¯s intervention.

    The queen returned her focus to Luka with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re right. But what makes you think we haven¡¯t already pledged allegiance to the liberator?¡±

    ¡°Because a guy like him would not stop at just destroying human civilization. He intends to wipe out humanity.¡±

    At least that¡¯s what Daji told me, he thought.

    ¡°And I refuse to believe that a leader like you didn¡¯t consider such a possibility,¡± he continued.

    The queen closed her eyes in deep thought and exhaled slowly.

    After a tense pause, she spoke. ¡°I accept to help. But on one condition.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± the two subordinates exclaimed in unison, their faces a mix of shock and outrage. ¡°You would listen to him?¡±

    The queen¡¯s golden eyes flicked to them, silencing their protests with a single, icy glare. ¡°Enough,¡± she said coldly, her tone brooking no argument. ¡°My decision is final.¡±

    Her gaze returned to Luka, calculating. ¡°I cannot go into war unprepared. And most of the succubi under my command are independent¡ªthey barely respect my authority. I need more than promises.¡±

    Luka nodded, understanding. ¡°What do you need?¡±

    ¡°There is a succubus that proposed me a plan. One that could give me the support of a good portion of the city. Help her in achieving it, and you may have what you desire.¡±

    Luka¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°And what is this plan?¡±

    The queen leaned forward, her posture rigid. ¡°Multiple factions of my kind are fighting for power. They believe the current balance of power is fragile, and they want to see if destroyed in favor of something more¡­ chaotic. I, on the other hand, am fighting to protect my brethren.¡±

    Before Luka could respond, one of the subordinates interrupted with a pout. ¡°I wish you¡¯d let us go outside more often, Queenie¡­¡± she murmured, her tone full of mock disappointment.

    The queen barely acknowledged the comment, her expression cold and unamused. ¡°A ¡®no¡¯ is a ¡®no.¡¯¡±

    The other subordinate leaned forward, her voice dripping with skepticism. ¡°And you¡¯re going to let this Dreamweaver realize her plan? Imagine if she intends to overthrow you!¡± the other exclaimed.

    The queen¡¯s gaze turned frosty, her patience wearing thin. ¡°Her plan is a good one,¡± she replied, her voice hard as steel. ¡°Don¡¯t make me repeat myself.¡± She then turned back to Luka, her demeanor shifting back to calm but no less commanding. ¡°She lives in the slums. Her¡­ ¡®house¡¯, is filled with chemicals and potions. You can¡¯t miss her. Tell her I sent you.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Luka said, turning toward the exit.

    As he reached the door, the queen¡¯s voice stopped him.

    ¡°You there,¡± she called, her tone softening as she gazed at Saki. ¡°Who are you?¡±

    Saki stiffened under the queen¡¯s intense scrutiny, but her voice remained steady. ¡°I¡¯m Saki. Luka¡¯s friend.¡±

    The queen studied her for a long moment, her golden eyes sharp. ¡°Friend?¡± she repeated as if tasting the word, before a slight smirk curled at the corner of her lips. ¡°A friend, hm? I know almost every succubi here but I¡¯ve never seen your face.¡±

    ¡°I was born outside,¡± Saki responded, her tail twitching slightly at the attention.

    The queen¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, her expression unreadable. ¡°Outside, you say?¡± she murmured. ¡°Why are you following that human?¡±

    Saki could hear the two subordinates snicker, their mocking laughter low but evident, as they exchanged knowing glances at the word ¡®friend.¡¯

    Saki¡¯s tail twitched in irritation, but she kept her composure. ¡°I¡¯m not following him. I¡¯m¡­ helping him.¡±

    The queen¡¯s gaze lingered on Saki for a moment longer, as if weighing her words, before she gave a slow, deliberate nod. ¡°Helping¡­ I wonder if it¡¯s out of goodwill¡­¡± she muttered under her breath pensively. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re so intent on helping him. I hope you can protect him here, otherwise he won¡¯t last long,¡± she smirked before waving them off.

    Saki straightened, her eyes narrowing just a touch as the queen¡¯s words sank in. ¡°I can protect him.¡±

    The queen didn¡¯t reply, her gaze moving past them with disinterest as she leaned back into her throne, signaling the end of the conversation.

    Luka turned to Saki, offering a brief but reassuring glance. ¡°Let¡¯s go. We have work to do.¡±

    With one last glance at the queen, Saki followed him out.

    <hr>

    As they stepped through the massive doors and into the manor¡¯s hallway, one of the subordinates spoke up to her queen.

    ¡°She is a Dreamweaver too, isn¡¯t she?¡± she said, her tone laced with disdain.

    ¡°I believe so, yes,¡± the queen answered casually, swirling the dark wine in her goblet.

    ¡°What an idiot,¡± the subordinate continued. ¡°She should¡¯ve eaten him before coming here. I¡¯ll be laughing my heart out when she finds him dead tomorrow.¡±

    The queen chuckled softly, but there was no real warmth in the sound. ¡°What, you intend to pay him a visit?¡±

    ¡°Of course, my queen,¡± the subordinate replied, licking her lips with a predatory gleam in her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve had such delicacy.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s hope you survive, then.¡± the queen sneered as she took a gulp of wine.

    <hr>

    Meanwhile, Luka and Saki finally left the manor and found themselves at the place again. The auction was still going, despite having already sold the man they had seen earlier.

    ¡°So¡­¡± Luka started, looking around. ¡°Where are the slums?¡±

    ¡°This way,¡± Saki pointed left, her hand gesturing toward a narrow, dimly lit alley that seemed to lead deeper into the city¡¯s underbelly. ¡°It¡¯s not the brightest place, so prepare yourself.¡±

    Luka shrugged. ¡°These are slums. I don¡¯t expect much to be honest,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Let¡¯s make sure we find a place to sleep at least for tonight.¡±

    Saki sighed. ¡°That¡¯s the least of our concerns. There are no places here where you are safe, Luka.¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll just count on you to protect me,¡± Luka teased, passing by her and giving her a casual pat on the shoulder.

    Saki¡¯s tail flicked with irritation, but she said nothing, keeping a steady pace as they walked through the increasingly rundown part of the city. The air grew thick, filled with the smell of decay, and the succubi they passed seemed more wary than before.

    The further they went, the darker the streets became. The purple sky that lit the city became further dimmed as if the veil covering it stopped short here.

    This is not normal¡­ His teeth ground together as he surveyed the surroundings. There was something unsettling about this place¡ªsomething far worse than even the human farms he¡¯d seen before. The air itself felt oppressive, almost suffocating. The smell of rotting corpses hung thick in the air, and succubi slumped on the cold ground, their gazes vacant, indifferent to the world around them. It felt like a place where life and death mingled indistinguishably, a forgotten corner of the world where even hope had no place.

    Looking at Saki, he could tell she wasn¡¯t enjoying her time here. Furthermore, he had learned she wasn¡¯t from this place but born elsewhere.

    Then how does she know so much about this place? He thought. The more his mind raced, the more he realized how little he knew about Saki. She was an itinerant performer back when he met her in Sora, but¡­

    How old was she? Where did she come from?

    He had no answers. He didn¡¯t even know how long her species could live or even how they reproduced. And after a bit of a walk, Saki spotted a nearby shack that looked a lot like the queen¡¯s description.

    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    The building was made of dark, worn wood, and the faint glow of blue torches flickered at its entrance. The air around it smelled faintly of flowers¡ªviolet ones in particular¡ªa stark contrast to the harshness of the surrounding slums.

    ¡°That¡­ looks like it,¡± Saki muttered, her eyes scanning the shack, as if she were taking in every detail.

    Luka glanced at her, brow furrowed. "Let¡¯s knock at the door.¡±

    Before Luka could even raise his hand to knock, the door creaked open abruptly, as if it had been waiting for them. The sudden movement caught him off guard, and he instinctively stepped back, his hand reaching toward his pocket.

    A figure stood in the doorway, silhouetted by the dim light inside. The scent of flowers grew stronger, mixing with the fain, metallic tang of chemicals in the air. The succubus didn¡¯t speak at first, just stood the, eyeing them carefully through the lens of her glasses.

    ¡°Please do not knock, the door is very fragile.¡± the woman finally said, her voice smooth but monotone.

    ¡°T-That much?¡± Luka stammered, a bit taken aback by the implications. However, he quickly composed himself as he took in the figure in front of him.

    If it wasn¡¯t for being in the Ark, he wouldn¡¯t even realized she was a succubus. Her long, straight brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her calm demeanor suggested a certain detachment from the world. The faint purple hue to her pupils, however, revealed her supernatural nature.

    What Luka noticed the most was her white coat, similar to those used in laboratories, worn over a black shirt.

    Saki was the first to step forward. ¡°You¡¯re living here?¡±

    The succubus gave a slight nod. ¡°Yes. I assume you¡¯re here for something¡­ specific?¡±

    Luka couldn¡¯t shake the odd feeling creeping down his spine. Despite her seemingly calm demeanor, the way she studied them felt like she was sizing them up¡ªprobing them for weaknesses.

    Saki didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°We¡¯re here because the queen asked us to assist you.¡±

    The woman tilted her head slightly, as if considering Saki¡¯s words. ¡°I see.¡± She stepped aside, motioning for them to enter. ¡°Please come in.¡±

    Luka hesitated but followed Saki inside. The interior of the shack was nicer than the slums but still worn out. Shelves were lined with jars and vials of unknown substances and somewhat held together with books. Speaking of books, many others were scattered on the floor, either in piles or opened and stacked against the foot of the bed.

    A small desk, barely holding together due to makeshift repairs, sat against one wall, cluttered with more books and scribbled notes, its surface covered in patches of ink stains. Above it, a small glass window had been shattered, with jagged edges still clinging to the frame, letting in only a trickle of dim light from the outside.

    The woman closed the door behind them, the sound echoing softly in the cramped room. ¡°Did you have to bring your food with you?¡± she asked, glancing at Luka and then at Saki.

    ¡°Huh¡­¡± the man scratched his cheek. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m the one sent here to help. I made a deal with the queen.¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± Saki nodded. ¡°Luka is my friend, nothing more.¡±

    The woman studied them for a moment, her gaze flickering from Luka to Saki, then back again. Then, as if she was satisfied she turned around and opened a drawer to pick up a book from it. Casually, as she flipped the page, she resumed the conversation.

    ¡°It¡¯s rather¡­ unusual for the queen to let a human do as he pleases here,¡± she remarked, her eyes flickering up to meet Luka¡¯s briefly before returning to the pages in front of her.

    ¡°I¡¯m here because I thought succubi could help mankind in the fight against Kaeris.¡±

    The woman didn¡¯t respond right away, her gaze focused on the book as she flipped another page, the sound of the rustling paper the only noise in the room. Then, with a deliberate motion, she paused, pointing at something in the book and nodding in acknowledgment. ¡°I see,¡± she said slowly. ¡°So the queen asked you to help me in return. She is conniving as always¡­¡± She sighed, as if the mention of the queen was a burden, and then closed the book with a soft thud.

    There was a long silence before she spoke again, her voice more detached now. ¡°Then I¡¯ll explain what you can do for me. I¡¯m preparing a spell that will help the lower-class succubi restore their mana,¡± she explained.

    Luka took in the new information, his brows knitting together. ¡°I saw that... A lot of succubi live here, in the slums.¡±

    The succubus nodded, her hands slipping casually into her pockets. ¡°Right. Well, many succubi are starving. With my invention, we could stop that.¡±

    ¡°Which explains why the queen said she would have more allies after that...¡± Luka murmured, piecing together the fragments of their conversation.

    She gave him a dry, knowing look. ¡°Exactly. Our faction could easily depend on the queen¡¯s power and then pledge allegiance to her.¡±

    ¡°Wait,¡± Saki interjected. ¡°I thought you were the one that was creating this spell.¡±

    The succubus gave her a cold look before answering. ¡°I depend on the queen¡¯s resources. Our contract stipulates that my invention will return to her hands.¡±

    ¡°Anyway,¡± the succubus continued, her tone shifting as she approached Luka with an analytical gaze. ¡°The question is what can you bring to me. You look¡­¡± She grasped his wrist with a swift motion and studied his palm with an intense focus. ¡°Rather weak.¡±

    Luka remained silent, but an unease settled over him. He couldn¡¯t explain it, but something about her made him feel exposed¡ªvulnerable. The succubus before him was unlike any other he¡¯d encountered so far. All the others he had seen, including Saki, had worn revealing clothing and had played some form of seduction, whether consciously or not. But this one¡­ she was different. She didn¡¯t care about any of that.

    It was as if the typical game of charm and allure meant nothing to her. Her focus was sharp, calculating. Her eyes didn''t seem to see him as a man or a potential meal¡ªjust another piece in whatever grand scheme she was weaving.

    Luka could feel his heart rate quicken, a strange tension building between them as she continued to examine his hand.

    Finally, she released his wrist and stepped back. ¡°I¡¯m not impressed,¡± she said flatly, her tone devoid of judgment, only clinical. ¡°But perhaps you have other qualities. For now, that will do.¡±

    ¡°I know I have little mana,¡± Luka nodded. ¡°But I can use magic.¡±

    The succubus lowered her gaze, her eyes flickering over him with a critical intensity. ¡°I can tell,¡± she said, almost dismissively, as she turned away. ¡°The jacket you¡¯re wearing is close to a divine artifact, and you possess the control trait.¡± She paused, as if considering her next words carefully. ¡°I can already tell you use a form of magic that relies on either enchanted objects or magical items.¡±

    Luka¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He hadn¡¯t expected her to notice the jacket so quickly¡ªlet alone identify the magic it was imbued with. The garment wasn¡¯t anything special in appearance, and no one ever noticed its unlimited storage capacity.

    ¡°So, you know about my jacket...¡± Luka said, trying to mask his surprise.

    She gave him a sidelong glance, her lips curling into something that might have been an amused smirk, though her expression remained mostly impassive. ¡°I can tell an amateur from a pro at a glance. Besides, I¡¯ve seen this type of magic before.¡± She opened another drawer, pulling out a small pouch. With a fluid motion, she untied the knot and began pulling out vials¡ªmore than the pouch should reasonably hold.

    Saki blinked, her eyes widening at the sight. "So you have the same..." she trailed off, clearly astonished by the display.

    The succubus didn¡¯t look up from her task as she packed the vials away. "Anyway," she sighed, seeming mildly inconvenienced by the exchange. "It¡¯s nothing special. But it can come in handy. Besides, I need some help, so you¡¯ll do."

    She turned abruptly, picking up a crystal ball from the desk. Blowing on it lightly, she scattered a fine dust into the air, making it swirl around them like mist. "Do you know how to perform scrying?"

    Luka frowned, uncertain. "Scrying? You mean using magic to see distant places or people?"

    ¡°Exactly,¡± she replied. ¡°I need someone who can find specific things for me. Can you do it?¡± She leaned forward, handing him over the crystal ball.

    Saki looked at him with skepticism and even he was a bit taken aback by the question. He had never even tried it before.

    It was magic in the realm of divination, a highly random and unpredictable form of magic that demanded years of practice and experience. There was no way he could pull it off.

    ¡°You can¡¯t do it, huh?¡± she sighed.

    He gave a half-hearted shrug. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯ve never tried.¡±

    She clicked her tongue, as if she had already written him off. "I figured as much." She took the ball back from him and placed it on the desk. "Maybe you¡¯re not as useful as I thought."

    ¡°Besides, it¡¯s soon night,¡± Saki interjected. ¡°Maybe we could see what to do tomorrow morning?¡±

    The succubus turned her head and cast a sideways glance at her. ¡°You¡¯re quite hopeful. I don¡¯t think your ¡®friend¡¯ here is going to survive the night. If you¡¯re a succubus, you should know why.¡±

    ¡°Huh? What do you mean?¡± Luka¡¯s voice dropped with confusion, his brow furrowing.

    ¡°Every girl you passed on the way here,¡± she explained slowly as if she realized they were slow to understand. ¡°Each and every one of them saw you as a potential snack. They¡¯re going to arrive once you sleep and try to take you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, that?¡± Luka shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it will be fine.¡±

    The succubus¡¯ expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°You really think so? You¡¯ve already made yourself a target. Succubi can¡¯t restrain their hunger like others. And once you fall asleep¡­ It¡¯ll be over for you.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but I got a Saki, so no worries,¡± he said patting his friend¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Yup!¡± Saki pumped her fist. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll watch over him at night.¡±

    The succubus narrowed her eyes, studying them both. ¡°You mean you¡¯ll eat him?¡±

    ¡°What? No!¡± Saki protested, her face flashing with shock.

    ¡°But you are¡­¡± she trailed off, her brows furrowing. ¡°Nevermind. I wish you good luck and hope to see you tomorrow.¡±

    She turned her back to them and went back to her desk, her attention now fully absorbed by the scattered books and vials.

    Luka cleared his throat awkwardly, glancing at the woman. ¡°Do¡­ do you have an idea where I could sleep though?¡± he asked, his voice carrying a hint of weariness.

    The succubus didn¡¯t even look up as she responded, her tone cold but not unkind. ¡°There are many abandoned shacks around here. You can take one.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, miss¡­¡± Saki trailed off, hoping for some kind of response or acknowledgment, but the succubus remained silent, too absorbed in her books to offer further conversation.

    With no more words exchanged, Luka and Saki exchanged glances. Luka gave a small, resigned sigh, and Saki gave him a reassuring nod.

    As they left the room, the door creaked shut behind them, leaving them in the cold and dark alleyway.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go and find a place to rest,¡± Luka said, his tone flat, eyes scanning the dark alleyway for any sign of an abandoned shack.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m already spent,¡± Saki muttered, rubbing her eyes.

    <hr>

    After what felt like an hour, they finally found a small place to rest. It was isolated enough for them to feel safe and it wasn¡¯t as destroyed as the other shack they had found. Next to a wall of stone from a cliff, the shack looked hastily built and even construction material was scattered around on the ground.

    ¡°We can rest here for the night,¡± Luka suggested, pushing the door open. It creaked loudly but didn¡¯t fall off its hinges. Inside, the shack was bare, save for a few remnants of what might have been furniture¡ªbroken chairs and a dusty bed leaning against the wall.

    ¡°Better than nothing,¡± Saki agreed, stepping inside with a tired sigh.

    Luka shut the door behind them, the wooden planks groaning against their weight. The shack wasn¡¯t much, but at least it offered some form of shelter from the night¡¯s chill of the Ark. They both settled down, Luka sitting cross-legged against the wall while Saki leaned against the stone wall, her head tilting back.

    With a deep exhale, Saki slumped to the floor. ¡°I¡¯m so tired¡­ I hate this place.¡±

    ¡°Explains why you didn¡¯t want to come here,¡± Luka chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re not even from the valley.¡±

    Saki¡¯s lips curled into a small, tired smile. ¡°I vastly prefer human settlements. Even if I have to hide.¡± She let out a long sigh, her eyes fluttering shut. ¡°But no, you HAD to come here and drag me along.¡±

    ¡°Okay, don¡¯t twist the story here. You¡¯re the one who¡¯s following me.¡±

    Saki opened one eye, giving him a sideways glance. ¡°It¡¯s not too late to leave and head back to a safe place, you know.¡±

    ¡°What, you still want to walk?¡±

    ¡°No, please! I beg, anything but that.¡±

    ¡°Then shut up and rest.¡±

    Saki let out a soft laugh, settling back against the wall. ¡°Fine, fine. Rest it is.¡±

    ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll get some sleep. I count on you for my safety.¡±

    With that, he threw himself on the dusty bed, letting out a small grunt as he settled into it. The bed creaked under his weight, but it held up. He tugged a threadbare blanket over himself, staring up at the cracked ceiling for a moment before closing his eyes.

    Saki glanced over at him, shaking her head with a fond but exasperated expression. She glanced around the room, then finally let herself slide into a more comfortable position against the stone wall. Her legs stretched out in front of her, her arms crossed, but even in her exhausted state, her senses remained sharp.

    ¡°Say, Luka¡­¡± she said, her voice soft. ¡°You said nothing about this place yet. Aren¡¯t you¡­ Disappointed? Angry?¡±

    ¡°Why? Does it matter to you?¡±

    ¡°Of course it does¡­¡±

    Luka didn¡¯t answer immediately. His eyes remained closed, but the question lingered in the air between them. He shifted slightly on the bed, the old wood creaking under him, but his mind was still. He wasn¡¯t sure why Saki¡¯s question was making him pause.

    ¡°Humans are nothing but food to succubi. I told you they were evil creatures¡­¡± she continued, her arms crossing around her legs.

    ¡°Evil?¡± Luka whispered, his eyes opening to the ceiling. ¡°You¡¯re different. You like humans. It¡¯s just a matter of perspective.¡±

    ¡°You think I¡¯m better than them?¡± Saki chuckled.

    ¡°Yeah. I mean, you don¡¯t kill anyone. That means we can coexist, in a way.¡±

    Saki stayed silent, leaving the sound of the creaking wood to fill the air. Luka waited for her to say something, but when she did, it wasn¡¯t what he expected.

    ¡°I really didn¡¯t want you to come here¡­¡± Her voice was strained, quieter than before, as though she was working through something heavy. ¡°Now you must hate me.¡±

    Luka blinked, taken aback by her words. He turned his head slightly to glance at her, seeing the way her posture had tensed.

    ¡°Why would I hate you?¡± he asked. ¡°I don¡¯t hate you. I don¡¯t even know you enough to hate you.¡±

    ¡°You saw how succubi treated humans here. Do you want to know why I traveled from city to city?¡±

    Luka shifted slightly, giving her his full attention. ¡°Why?¡±

    Saki let out a slow, almost defeated sigh. ¡°Because I couldn¡¯t stand it. I couldn¡¯t be around that. I realized that we were nothing more than monsters that needed to disappear.¡±

    ¡°Humans are amazing,¡± she whispered with a tinge of admiration. ¡°You support each other, you create magnificent things, you live your dreams¡­ You¡¯re kind. Of course, you¡¯re not perfect either but¡­¡±

    ¡°I was like them before.¡± she finally said, her voice dropping low. ¡°Just like the succubi of this city.¡±

    It was a long time ago. From that day onward, she swore she would never hurt a human ever again.

    ¡°I killed a man,¡± she admitted. ¡°Usually, the process is pleasant for them but¡­¡±

    He was crying. Lashing out and fighting for his life, knowing that he was slowly being devoured by her.

    He called out for help. But no one answered.

    At the time, she was weak. So she could only do it slowly and it dragged on. For multiple minutes, the man screamed and screamed until his voice broke out.

    She was starving and there was no other way.

    Even if that man had saved her life.

    ¡°See?¡± she said, her voice laced with bitterness. ¡°That¡¯s the kind of person you¡¯ve been traveling with. All these succubi that treat humans as livestock? I was like that before.¡±

    ¡°You have every right to be angry. I¡¯ve fooled you after all.¡±

    Saki¡¯s voice dropped and she stared at the floor. Luka was silent, his gaze never leaving her. It was true, she did fool him. He always thought she wasn¡¯t a murderer but¡­

    She wasn¡¯t human but a succubus.

    ¡°But you¡¯re not doing it anymore, right?¡± Luka¡¯s voice was quiet but firm, pulling her from the haze of her memory.

    Saki blinked. Her lips parted as if she were going to say something, but the words wouldn¡¯t come. She stared at him, her eyes glistening.

    She wanted to deny it, to say she was beyond redemption.

    After all, it was only one thing. She hadn¡¯t told him everything yet.

    But above all, she couldn¡¯t understand how he could just dismiss it so casually.

    ¡°It was to survive, right?¡± he continued, his eyes staring at the ceiling. ¡°Then no one can blame you.¡±

    ¡°What are you¡ªI killed someone!¡± she cried out, her voice cracking.

    Why? Why wasn¡¯t he angry at her, or vengeful? Why wasn¡¯t he denouncing this city, the unfair treatment of the humans living there?

    Luka turned his head toward her, meeting her gaze. His expression was calm, but there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes¡ªempathy, perhaps, or a quiet understanding. ¡°I¡¯m not saying it¡¯s okay, Saki. I¡¯m saying I understand. You didn¡¯t have a choice.¡±

    Her breath hitched, and she shook her head vehemently. ¡°Don¡¯t excuse it. Don¡¯t try to make it sound better than it was. That man... he didn¡¯t deserve to die like that.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps¡­¡± Luka admitted.

    ¡°Then what do you have to say to those who auctioned those humans earlier? Or the kids?¡± Saki stared at him, her lips trembling. ¡°How can you forgive me so easily?¡±

    Luka sat up slightly, leaning his elbows on his knees as he let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I hate this city,¡± he said, his gaze dropping to the floor. ¡°But not for the reasons you speak of.¡±

    ¡°What¡­ What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I hate this place because it¡¯s clear it¡¯s a twisted imitation of human society. An exaggerated one, if you like. It¡¯s like someone took all the worst parts of how humans treat each other, amplified them, and turned it into a way of life.¡±

    ¡°Listen, Saki,¡± Luka continued, his tone softer now. ¡°I don¡¯t hate succubi. And I certainly don¡¯t hate you. In fact, I respect you¡ªbecause you¡¯re trying. You¡¯ve chosen to fight against your nature. That takes strength.¡±

    She opened her mouth to argue, but Luka held up a hand, stopping her.

    ¡°The truth is, I can¡¯t stand here as a human and point fingers. Our world is full of its own horrors. We create systems of suffering too¡ªfarms where animals are bred and slaughtered, forests torn down for profit, entire communities trampled for industrial progress. And we tell ourselves it¡¯s necessary to survive, to thrive.¡±

    ¡°What they¡¯re doing to humans here, it¡¯s no different,¡± he finally said.

    Saki stared at him, her eyes wide with a mix of horror and disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ serious?¡±

    Luka nodded. ¡°Completely. What I hate about this city isn¡¯t the fact that succubi are predators. It¡¯s that, despite being a species above humans, despite being capable of so much more, they¡¯ve fallen into the same cycle of greed, cruelty, and indulgence. They¡¯ve made the same mistakes we have.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t blame them for creating these systems either, because we¡¯re no better and sometimes, certain ways of life are necessary.¡±

    She blinked, stunned by his perspective. ¡°You mean to say¡­ you expected more of us?¡±

    Luka shrugged. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be above us, aren¡¯t you? The predators of apex predators. And yet, this city isn¡¯t proof of superiority¡ªit¡¯s proof of fragility. Proof that succubi are just as vulnerable to their own vices as humans are. In the end¡­ You¡¯re like us.¡±

    Saki¡¯s lips trembled as she processed his words. ¡°You really believe that?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Luka said firmly. ¡°And that¡¯s why I respect what you¡¯re doing, Saki. You saw through it. You refused to let yourself become part of this system again. That¡¯s strength¡ªnot just for a succubus, but for anyone.¡±

    Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn¡¯t bother wiping them away this time. Instead, she sat silently, the weight of Luka¡¯s words sinking deep into her heart.

    What was he even saying?

    He truly didn¡¯t know anything.

    Then, with a strained voice, she asked. ¡°So you¡¯re saying¡­ Their way of life is evil?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Luka replied, shaking his head. ¡°I have no right to judge what¡¯s evil or not. People¡ªbe they humans or succubi¡ªlive based on what they¡¯ve been taught, what they know, and what they need to survive. It¡¯s not my place to label that as evil.¡±

    Saki looked at him, confusion flickering in her expression. ¡°Then what do you call this? The auctions, the humans in cages, the farms? If it¡¯s not evil, what is it?¡±

    ¡°Selfishness and optimization,¡± Luka said after a moment of thought. ¡°It¡¯s selfishness, and it¡¯s a system optimized for the people here¡ªsuccubi, specifically. But calling it evil¡­ that makes it easy to dismiss, doesn¡¯t it? If the people here are evil, then...¡±

    He trailed off, his eyes darkening as a bitter thought surfaced.

    My world is far worse.

    ¡°Never mind,¡± Luka said quickly, shaking his head apologetically. ¡°I¡¯m talking too much. Let¡¯s get some sleep. We have work tomorrow.¡±

    Saki stared at him, her emotions swirling.

    The more she thought about it, the less she understood him.

    ¡°Alright,¡± she said softly, almost hesitantly. ¡°Goodnight, Luka.¡± She glanced at him one last time before lying down, her thoughts heavy with everything he had said.

    One thought swirled in her mind, relentlessly.

    Who was Luka? What kind of life did he have before coming here to have such thoughts?

    She didn¡¯t know.

    What she did know, however, was that Luka was unlike anyone she had ever met. He wasn¡¯t just special in the sense of being different¡ªhe was rare, someone who could look at a broken system and see past the blame and hatred. Someone who could look at her, see her darkness, and still choose to stand beside her.

    Perhaps the world didn¡¯t see Luka as extraordinary. Perhaps no one else would.

    But to her, he was.

    If he could accept her for what she was¡ªbroken, flawed, and trying¡ªthen maybe, just maybe, she could learn to accept herself too.

    The thought brought a fragile warmth to her chest, enough to steady her restless mind.

    The night deepened, the city¡¯s noises fading into the background.

    For the first time in a long while, Saki felt a glimmer of peace, a fragile hope that maybe, with someone like Luka by her side, she could face whatever the future held.

    And as sleep finally claimed her, a quiet determination began to take root in her heart.

    No matter what lay ahead, she wouldn¡¯t let Luka¡¯s faith in her be in vain.

    The night settled, and with it, a quiet promise.

 Queen of Dreams

    It was a long time ago. A distant dream of her past and of a future she was denied. Born from a noble family, the only rival clan to the Dantheas, it was soon revealed that she was different.

    The Soliminium Vale was separated into three factions. The Dantheas, were led by the formidable queen who shared the clan¡¯s name. Her rule was absolute, unyielding since the beginning like the roots of an ancient tree.

    The Dantheas¡¯ strength came not just from their queen¡¯s leadership but from the race that formed the backbone of their clan: the nightlords.

    Ever since the dawn of this continent, only two ¡®races¡¯ of succubi existed. The first being the ones specialized in seduction and life drain, capable of twisting the minds even of the most hardy warriors, the Nightlords.

    The Nightlords were the first and most dominant race of succubi, their powers rooted in seduction and life drain. Masters of manipulation, they could twist the minds of even the most steadfast warriors, leaving behind nothing but hollow vessels to fuel their insatiable hunger.

    They were perfection incarnate¡ªbeautiful, deadly, and eternal.

    And yet, there was another race of succubi, lesser-known and far less prolific.

    Where the Nightlords thrived in the art of domination and allure, the Dreamweavers carved their existence in the realm of the unseen. Subtle and mysterious, Their power lay in the enigmatic dream factor¡ªa rare genetic trait that enabled them to manipulate dreams, craft intricate illusions, and plant whispers deep within the minds of others.

    However, the Dreamweavers were far weaker than the Nightlords. With their overwhelming power, the Nightlords dominated and oppressed the Dreamweavers, viewing them as lesser beings. Any Dreamweaver deemed too ambitious or zealous was swiftly purged, their existence considered a blemish on the perceived perfection of succubus society.

    The Dreamweavers were seen as a disgrace, a burden that held back the greatness of the Nightlords. Unable to defend themselves effectively, as their talents were tailored to influencing humans rather than their own kind, the Dreamweavers gradually retreated. Over time, their numbers dwindled, and they became a marginalized and fragmented group within succubus society.

    Living in the slums and excluded from all but the most menial tasks, the Dreamweavers formed a small, isolated community. This was the second faction of the Soliminium Vale¡ªa faction without unity, leadership, or purpose. They bore no name, for they were not a collective force but a scattered remnant of what once might have been.

    Finally, there was the third and most recent faction. Its rise was marked by the emergence of a noble Nightlord named Valeria, a charismatic and ruthless figure who sought to reshape the Soliminium Vale in her image. Unlike the established order of the Dantheas, Valeria embraced the chaotic and destructive nature of the succubi, claiming that this raw, untamed power was their true nature.

    Valeria rejected the rigid traditions and protection of the Nightlords and instead preached a doctrine similar to the law of the jungle. A world where the strong eat the weak, dominate the weak, and impose their rule far beyond the Ark. Her faction, though still in its infancy, grew rapidly as she attracted followers who resonated with her vision. To them, Valeria was more than a leader¡ªshe was a symbol of what the succubi could become if they cast off their chains of order and restraint.

    And it was into this fractured society that she was born, a child of nobility from the only rival family to the Dantheas.

    But for all the honor and privilege her lineage should have bestowed upon her, there was a flaw, one that could not be ignored. She was a Dreamweaver.

    In a family that prided itself on Nightlord perfection, a Dreamweaver was not merely a disappointment¡ªit was a disgrace.

    And so, without a name, without an identity, without even the faintest acknowledgment of her existence, she was abandoned.

    It was the remnant of a dream, one she had clung to since she was a child¡ªa fleeting memory of what could have been, of a life stolen before it had even begun.

    As faint sunlight filtered through the heavy veil of the city, she stirred. The dim rays, muted by the ever-present fog of the Vale, signaled the start of another day.

    She straightened in her chair, her body aching from the awkward position she had fallen asleep in. Her books, now slightly crumpled, lay open on the table before her. She blinked, her vision blurry as she adjusted to the morning light. With a weary sigh, she removed her glasses and rubbed her tired eyes.

    As usual, her limbs felt weak, her feet entirely numb. It was a sensation she had grown used to over the years, though it never ceased to frustrate her.

    ¡°Hey, sister, are you awake?¡±

    A familiar voice echoed in her ear. She turned her head slowly, spotting the figure leaning casually against the frame.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Are you going to get big sister for breakfast?¡± she replied.

    The figure smiled faintly and exited the door. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll get her. You should prepare too, your hair is a mess.¡±

    She nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips despite the lack of feeling in her demeanor.

    With that, she looked at the young succubus walking away, and returned to her morning routine. Flipping through the books, she took out with an expert hand a glove from her drawer.

    ¡°Perhaps this one could help him¡­ If he¡¯s still alive, that is.¡±

    The dizziness took over her once more. She gripped the edge of the desk tightly, her vision blurring from the strain. With a sigh, she reached out to her drawer once more and pulled out a small capsule. Opening it carefully, she took out a tiny pill and brought it to her lips. Swallowing it in one swift motion, she closed her eyes and waited as the drug worked its way through her system, dulling the discomfort but never quite erasing it.

    For a moment, she remained still, her breathing steadying as she clung to the fragments of energy the capsule provided. When she opened her eyes again, the world felt marginally clearer, though the weight in her chest persisted.

    She flexed her fingers experimentally and then her toes, a small sense of relief washing over her as sensation returned to her feet.

    Her gaze flickered toward the capsule sitting on the desk, and a heavy sigh escaped her lips. ¡°Only four left¡­¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ Let¡¯s wait for them to arrive.¡±

    <hr>

    Earlier that night¡­

    The moon hung low in the sky, casting its glow over the shadowed alleys of the slums. A group of three succubi moved with caution, their steps light and silent against the cobblestone streets. Their forms were shrouded in cloaks, the fabric blending seamlessly into the darkness around them.

    The leader of the group, a tall succubus with curved features and piercing crimson eyes, raised a hand, signaling for the others to halt. Her gaze swept the alley ahead, scanning for any sign of movement.

    ¡°Keep quiet,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible over the faint rustling of the wind. ¡°The last thing we need is to draw attention.¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Behind her, the second succubus, slightly smaller and more nervous, shifted her weight uncomfortably, her hood pulled tight against her face as she glanced around the desolate streets. ¡°Are you sure, Lilith? The queen might not be happy about this¡­¡± she murmured softly.

    ¡°Shut up you damn weakling,¡± the leader spat, her eyes casting a slight glow on her face. ¡°That human dared to enter here, and he knows what¡¯s coming for him. I only picked you because I can use your powers to drain him in his dreams. Don¡¯t forget your place.¡±

    The second succubus winced, falling silent, her head slightly lowered in submission. She couldn¡¯t argue; Lilith was one of the highest-ranking nobles of the valley. The third succubus, a thinner and more agile figure, gave a barely noticeable nod, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.

    Lilith turned her attention to the third succubus, her voice colder now. ¡°And you keep on guard. Knock out any unwanted visitors, okay?¡±

    The third succubus straightened, her posture more disciplined than the others. With a swift motion, she gave a formal bow, her voice strong and steady. ¡°As a knight, I shall not fail.¡±

    ¡°Stop speaking like that, damn it¡­¡± Lilith muttered, irritation creeping into her tone. ¡°You fucking oddball.¡±

    The third succubus didn''t flinch at the insult; instead, she simply nodded and fell into position, her eyes scanning the alleyways ahead, her body tense and ready for action.

    Lilith sighed but then licked her lips. She was anticipating her nightly stroll this whole evening and was drooling just from the thought of ending this impudent guy¡¯s life.

    ¡°We¡¯re getting close,¡± Lilith muttered, her gaze fixed on the small, makeshift structure in the distance¡ªa hidden spot reported to be where the human had been staying. Her lips curled into a dark smile at the thought of ending this trespasser¡¯s life, the thrill of the hunt building in her chest.

    The second succubus, still uneasy but doing her best to keep up, glanced over at Lilith. ¡°Are we really going to kill him?¡± she asked in a trembling voice, her nerves clearly getting the best of her.

    Lilith shot her a sharp look, her eyes flashing dangerously. ¡°Of course we are,¡± she said, her tone colder now, full of disdain. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you care about a random human?¡±

    ¡°Eeek!¡± the succubus recoiled in fear and trembled slightly. "B-but... if he managed to come this far without falling into the veil''s grasp, doesn¡¯t that mean he¡¯s dangerous? What if he can fight back?"

    Lilith paused for a moment, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Dangerous? Please. No human can resist what we do to them, especially with your powers of Dreamweaver.." Her tone turned cold, more mocking than ever. "It doesn¡¯t matter how immune he is to the veil. And you¡­¡± She gestured toward the second succubus, her voice dripping with condescension, ¡°You¡¯re going to do exactly what I say. You¡¯re here because I need you for your skills, not because I care about your concerns.¡±

    The third succubus, who had been silent up until now, moved forward. "Do you want me to slit his throat now?" she asked, her hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at her waist.

    Lilith¡¯s eyes widened with shock. "What? No, you numbskull!" she snapped. "I¡¯m going to devour him! You¡¯ve already done enough by telling me where he is."

    The third succubus blinked but didn¡¯t flinch. "But spying missions are boring," she muttered under her breath, her tone almost petulant.

    "Boring?" Lilith shot back. "You have no right to complain. You do what you¡¯re told, and you do it quietly. You¡¯ve no idea how lucky you are to be here at all."

    Lilith took a sharp, excited breath, her impatience boiling over as she turned to face the others. With a gleam in her eye, she stepped forward. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get close and enter his dream. Follow me.¡±

    After approaching the hideout, the warrior succubi confirmed that he was indeed sleeping there. With a wicked smile, Lilith approached the Dreamweaver and ordered her to start the process.

    ¡°Now, get in his dream,¡± she said after grabbing her wrist.

    Trembling with unease, she closed her eyes and obeyed. Her powers activated, her hands glowing slightly with a blue light as she focused on the nearby dreams of humans. Of course, since only one human was in the vicinity, it was far easier for her to locate it.

    The connection was made swiftly, and as the Dreamweaver¡¯s powers took hold, Lilith¡¯s own mind intertwined with the human¡¯s dream. It didn¡¯t take long for the three of them to find themselves in the strange and hazy dreamscape.

    She held the Dreamwear¡¯s wrist tightly and looked around in anticipation of seeing the helpless state of the human here. Even while not being used to visiting dreams, she was still getting used to it fairly quickly.

    ¡°Now, where is he?¡± she asked, looking around with a smug grin.

    The second succubus, still nervous, squinted into the hazy distance and pointed forward, her voice small but certain. ¡°Hum¡­ I think he is further in¡­¡± She gestured toward a door that seemed out of place, standing starkly in the dreamscape as though it didn¡¯t belong. ¡°It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen a door in a dream so well represented¡­¡± she added, her voice trembling as anxiety crept up her spine.

    Lilith waved off the comment with a dismissive flick of her hand, her grin growing wider as she took a few steps forward, her posture filled with arrogance. ¡°Bah, he¡¯s probably just very imaginative,¡± she said with a dismissive chuckle. ¡°Now, come here little human¡­ Miss Lilith has a surprise for you~¡±

    She moved toward the door with light steps and turned the knob. But as soon as she cranked it open, a shrill scream stirred her chill attitude.

    ¡°Kyaa!¡±

    The small Dreamweaver screamed as she found herself swallowed by the ground, the dark haze they stood on sinking further until her body completely disappeared.

    Lilith froze, her confidence faltering as she looked beneath her from the fear of going through the same fate.

    ¡°M-My feet are stuck as well!¡± The other succubus cried out, panic lacing her voice. She yanked out her dagger and slashed at the ground in desperation, but the blade met no resistance, slicing through the ethereal haze as if it were air. The more she struggled, the faster she sank, her body disappearing inch by inch into the dark mire.

    ¡°Lord Lilith! Please help me! It¡¯s cold benea¡ª¡± Her plea was abruptly muffled as the shadows consumed her entirely, her outstretched hand the last part of her to disappear.

    Lilith stood frozen, her breathing sharp and erratic. The icy grip of fear coiled around her chest, squeezing tight. None of this was supposed to happen. No human should be able to overpower a Dreamweaver within the realm of dreams. And yet¡­

    She clenched her fist and raised it in the air. ¡°Show yourself, human!¡± she snarled, her voice echoing in the emptiness. ¡°You think you can scare me? No one can die in a dream except you!¡±

    ¡°No one can die, you said?¡± a voice answered, but hollow and distant, laced with a feminine tone.

    ¡°What? Who is there?¡± Lilith asked, her head spinning around in search of the voice.

    Suddenly, the door disappeared and she found herself in front of a huge dark castle that stretched out to the horizon. A coldness gripped her heart as an oppressive feeling overwhelmed her senses.

    Her breath itched, taken by the imposing structure in front of her, far larger and wide than the city she lived in.

    ¡°What¡­ is this place?¡± she muttered under her breath. It was perfectly materialized. If she wasn¡¯t in a dream, she wouldn¡¯t even have believed it could exist.

    Towers stretched endlessly upward, piercing into the dark void above, while others twisted impossibly downward into an abyss, defying the natural laws of architecture. The entire structure seemed alive, floating in the ether as though it were not just part of the dream but the very essence of it.

    No, the dream was the castle.

    ¡°I must say, you¡¯re quite courageous to invade my friend¡¯s dream,¡± the voice repeated, closer now and sharper in its clarity. Lilith¡¯s gaze darted upward, locking onto the figure of the green-eyed succubus standing on one of the castle¡¯s towering battlements. Her silhouette was imposing, the calm confidence radiating from her only adding to the unease creeping up Lilith¡¯s spine.

    ¡°Pfff¡­ A Dreamweaver protecting a human?¡± Lilith scoffed, forcing an uppity tone into her voice. She folded her arms across her chest, masking her unease behind a facade of arrogance. Her crimson lips curled into a smirk, though her mind raced for a way out of this nightmare.

    ¡°Where has your pride gone, little one?¡± she added mockingly.

    Her taunt was a bluff, a desperate attempt to gain any kind of upper hand. Deep down, she knew the truth: without another Dreamweaver¡¯s power to counter this bizarre realm, she was hopelessly outmatched.

    And to add insult to the injury, she knew that in real life she could easily defeat her. She cursed under her breath as she searched for her own slave that brought her here.

    ¡°What have you done to my friends?¡± Lilith asked. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be so ruthless as to sink your own kind into a nightmare. Especially one as helpless as that little Dreamweaver.¡±

    ¡°You mean that little Dreamweaver with no name?¡± Saki raised an eyebrow. ¡°Is she your friend?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Lilith answered with a smirk. ¡°Aren¡¯t you horrible? Making her sink into such darkness¡ª¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think you get what¡¯s going on here,¡± Saki interrupted her with a stern look. ¡°I¡¯m baffled you even had the gal to lie to me here.¡±

    Lilith¡¯s smirk faltered, and for the first time, genuine unease flickered across her face.

    ¡°Dreams are MY domain,¡± Saki continued. ¡°You other succubi are nothing to me. You could all go die and it would save me the trouble.¡±

    ¡°What¡­?¡± Lilith¡¯s crimson eyes widened in terror as the dreamscape around her began to shift violently in response to Saki¡¯s words. The ground beneath her feet grew unbearably hot as rivers of molten lava erupted from the dark haze, spilling and spreading rapidly. The searing heat licked at her skin, forcing her to stumble back in alarm.

    Saki¡¯s gaze never wavered, her cold expression unrelenting. ¡°Just so you know,¡± she said, her voice devoid of any sympathy, ¡°you can die here. And it won¡¯t be the kind of death you¡¯re used to. No... you¡¯ll be trapped in a loop of nightmares, suffering endlessly for eternity.¡±

    Lilith dropped to all fours, the weight of fear crushing her as she scrambled to distance herself from the encroaching lava. ¡°Who the hell¡­ What in the world are you?¡± she stammered, her voice trembling with a mix of confusion and terror.

    It didn¡¯t make sense. This was a human¡¯s dream, but the level of control Saki exhibited was downright absurd. No Dreamweaver should be capable of such overwhelming power, not enough to rewrite the very rules of their existence. For centuries, the Nightlords stood supreme because succubi could not kill one another in dreams. Yet here she was, facing a power that defied all convention.

    ¡°The queen of dreams,¡± Saki answered, her voice calm but laced with an undeniable authority. A faint smirk tugged at her lips as she gazed down at Lilith, who remained frozen in fear. ¡°Remember it well.¡±

    Lilith¡¯s crimson eyes darted frantically, her mind struggling to process the revelation. This wasn¡¯t some ordinary Dreamweaver playing games¡ªthis was something far more dangerous, far beyond her understanding or power to confront.

    Saki took a step forward, her presence seemingly intensifying with each word she spoke. ¡°You came here thinking you could manipulate and devour. But you underestimated me, and more importantly, you underestimated my desire to protect him.¡±

    Lilith¡¯s mouth opened to respond, but no words came out. She could feel the oppressive heat of the lava closing in around her, yet none of it dared to touch Saki, who stood untouched as she stepped closer.

    ¡°I will release the three of you from here,¡± Saki continued, her gaze never leaving Lilith¡¯s trembling form. ¡°But heed this warning: never¡ªever¡ªthreaten my friend¡¯s life again.¡±

    With a dismissive wave of Saki¡¯s hand, the dreamscape shifted again, the searing lava receding into the shadows. The oppressive castle began to dissolve, replaced by a vast, tranquil void. Lilith felt the suffocating grip of the dream loosening as she was flung back to consciousness.

    The last thing she saw before waking was Saki¡¯s unwavering, piercing gaze¡ªpromising that there would be no second chances.

 A succubus without a name

    Stretching his arms languidly, Luka yawned as the violet sun rose in the sky, the immovable veil of the Sominium Vale covering every nook and alley of the city.

    Luka sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes lazily. The deep sleep had been one of the best he¡¯d ever had, but something nagged at the back of his mind. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he had forgotten something important. His gaze drifted toward the window, where the misty light of dawn seemed almost surreal.

    There was something oddly comforting and unsettling about having a day shrouded in night by this veil.

    Suddenly, a knock on the door startled him, making him sit up straighter. The door creaked open, and Saki entered the small shack, with a pack filled with bread and a bucket full of water. With a smile, she greeted him.

    ¡°Hey there, sleepyhead. Morning¡¯s already really underway, you know?¡±

    Luka blinked, still a little dazed, and gave her a half-smile. "I feel like I¡¯ve been asleep for ages," he murmured, rubbing his eyes again. "But something feels off... like I¡¯m forgetting something important."

    Saki set the bucket down with a soft clink and winked. ¡°If you forgot about it then it must not be that important,¡± she said. ¡°I brought you some water and bread from the¡­ shop.¡± Her face twisted into a brief grimace as she mentioned the word, but she quickly shook it off. ¡°Anyway, fill up because we¡¯ve got some work today.¡±

    Luka sat up fully now, his body still sluggish with the remnants of sleep. He glanced at the bread and water, his stomach growling faintly in protest. ¡°Yeah¡­ We need to help her with whatever plan she has.¡±

    ¡°Is it okay if I leave you alone for a while though?¡± Saki asked. ¡°I need to check a few things up in the city.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me,¡± Luka nodded with a piece of bread in his mouth. ¡°I can defend myself here.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± Saki sighed. If only he knew he could have died tonight without her help. ¡°Still, try to be careful, okay?¡±

    ¡°Yeah don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll go see¡­ Huh¡­ What¡¯s her name again?¡±

    Saki looked down at Luka and sheepishly glanced away. ¡°Who knows? Perhaps she doesn¡¯t know either¡­¡±

    Luka raised an eyebrow but didn''t press the matter further. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll figure it out. You go do what you need to.¡±

    Saki gave him one last concerned glance before turning and heading out, leaving Luka to finish his breakfast in peace. He chewed slowly, still pondering the feeling that something was off. Saki¡¯s behavior was.

    And somehow he had a sinking feeling in his stomach, similar to the one he had when facing Kaeris.

    Finishing his bread, Luka wiped his mouth and stood up. ¡°Time to see what I can do,¡± he muttered to himself.

    There was no time to whine or worry too much about everything. He had one job, and he would make sure to achieve it to completion.

    As he stepped out of the shack and into the misty slums of Sominium Vale, the familiar stench of decay filled his nostrils, and the knot in his stomach tightened once more.

    The streets were littered with shadows, their edges bleeding into the perpetual haze that cloaked the city. The distant sounds of murmurs and faint laughter seemed to blend with the oppressive silence of the Vale, making it hard to discern what was real or imagined.

    Luka¡¯s gaze flicked to the alley to his left. His eyes narrowed as he saw a group of succubi lying on the ground, their bodies unmoving. They were scattered across the alley, their eyes empty and glazed over as if they had been drained of everything that made them who they were.

    A shiver ran down his spine as he moved closer, the sickly-sweet scent of the succubi''s presence mingling with the stench of the streets. These succubi were far from ordinary¡ªsomething about them felt¡­ wrong.

    He crouched down near the closest one and reached out cautiously. Their skin was cold, like lifeless porcelain. Whatever had happened to them, it wasn¡¯t normal.

    Luka¡¯s stomach churned. "What the hell happened here?" he muttered under his breath. There was no sign of struggle, no blood, just stillness.

    ¡°They died of hunger,¡± a familiar voice rang out from behind him. Luka looked up, startled. Standing there was the succubus they had met yesterday, still wearing her out-of-place white lab coat. Both hands were shoved into her pockets, and she regarded him with a cold, detached gaze.

    ¡°You were supposed to arrive earlier. It¡¯s already noon.¡± Her voice was matter-of-fact, offering no hint of emotion.

    ¡°Oh, hi¡­¡± Luka scratched his head apologetically. ¡°So you came looking for me in the end?¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± she nodded. ¡°I saw your friend pass by earlier so I figured you were still alive,¡± then she readjusted her glasses and leaned closer, her voice dropping slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s because of dumb luck or¡­¡±

    Luka stepped back and shot her a determined look. ¡°So¡­ What do you need me for? Do you have an idea?¡±

    With a quiet sigh, she straightened up and turned around. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s go back to my home. I¡¯ll explain it to you there.¡±

    Without waiting for his response, she began walking down the alley, her lab coat fluttering slightly in the wind. Luka hesitated for a moment, then followed. As usual, the place was gloomier than the slums but the scent of herbs and flowers made it more bearable. Luka sat on a chair near the bed and she did the same near the desk.

    ¡°For my invention, I need a few things,¡± she started explaining. ¡°First off is a lot of magical energy, but that will be covered by the queen. Next is a bunch of ingredients.¡±

    ¡°Ingredients?¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± she continued, pulling out a small parchment from the drawer and unfolding it to reveal a list of strange and arcane materials. ¡°I need rare components that are difficult to gather in Sominium Vale. Some of them are dangerous to obtain, but it¡¯s the only way to make the spell work.¡±

    ¡°So¡­ Your invention is a spell then?¡± Luka asked, his interest piqued.

    The succubus glanced at him, her expression serious. ¡°It¡¯s a grand spell. A ritual on the scale of divine magic.¡±

    Luka leaned in to examine the list. There was something he didn¡¯t like about all of this. ¡°And this spell¡­ what exactly is it supposed to do?¡±

    The succubus paused for a moment, her expression flickering with something that might have been uncertainty. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared. She met Luka¡¯s gaze, and for the first time, there was a hint of discomfort in her demeanor.

    ¡°It helps succubi restore their mana,¡± she said finally, her voice steady but with a touch of hesitation.

    ¡°How?¡± Luka raised an eyebrow unconvinced.

    The succubus sighed, her eyes briefly darting away as if trying to collect her thoughts. ¡°This is a secret,¡± she muttered, clearly frustrated. ¡°I am still an inventor at heart. I don¡¯t go around and share every detail.¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    Luka chuckled slightly, amused by this change in her attitude. ¡°Fair enough,¡± he said. ¡°I will help with whatever I can.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re okay with that answer?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going to explain it to me?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Then I said I was going to help, so I will,¡± Luka replied with a confident smile.

    The succubus studied him for a moment, then shook her head. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t trust people so easily,¡± she muttered, but there was a faint amused edge to her voice now. ¡°I¡¯ll also need your magic to create the spell. Your trait is Control, right?¡±

    ¡°Yup,¡± Luka nodded.

    ¡°For the first time, I feel like the stars are aligned. I¡¯ve been looking for someone like you for a while,¡± she smirked. ¡°If you are good enough, I might be able to complete it soon.¡±

    With that, she turned around and began fidgeting with her flasks full of different liquids. Luka watched her intently but his mind was wandering to different possibilities.

    What was she going to create, exactly? He had no clue. But if she were to succeed then perhaps she could save the succubi that are starving to death in these slums.

    His gaze shifted to the list of ingredients still sitting on the worn desk. They were quite simple and could easily be found in his world but it seemed in that one, they were rare. All of them alluded to flowers, usually those used in perfumes.

    He shook his head slightly, clearing the doubts from his thoughts. Doubting never got him far but he knew to trust his instincts. For now, he would simply observe and help the best he could. After all, this could end up beneficial for the war against the demons in the long term.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Luka said aloud, standing and rolling up his sleeves slightly. ¡°Tell me what you need me to do.¡±

    The succubus glanced back at him over her shoulder, her expression unreadable for a moment before she turned fully to face him with eyebrows raised. ¡°I will need to gauge how precise your Control magic is. But¡­¡± she looked intently at his arms and readjusted her glasses. ¡°What¡­ Is that?¡±

    ¡°What is what?¡± Luka asked, his gaze following hers. When he saw where her attention had landed, he instinctively yanked his sleeves back down, hiding the talismans clinging to his skin. He had completely forgotten he had those talismans sticking to his body and was so used to having them here that he didn¡¯t feel them anymore.

    The succubus crossed her arms, her mauve eyes narrowing. ¡°Those talismans. What are they for?¡±

    Luka hesitated, he couldn¡¯t reveal her their true purpose. Mainly to defend himself. But without trust, where could he go?

    ¡°These are insurance,¡± he said finally. ¡°I¡¯m not going to lie to you, it¡¯s a trick I learned to use spells stronger than I can produce naturally.¡±

    Her gaze remained fixed on him, assessing, calculating. After a moment, she gave a small nod, as though she had come to some private conclusion. Without another word, she turned away and walked over to her bed. There, she crouched, opening the drawer of the bedside table.

    From within, she pulled out a small, timeworn talisman. Its edges were frayed, and the inscriptions on its surface had faded with age. She held it delicately, almost reverently, as she straightened and walked back to Luka.

    ¡°I found this a long time ago,¡± she said, her voice quieter now, tinged with a faint trace of something softer. ¡°It¡¯s old, worn, and probably useless by now, but¡­¡± She extended the talisman toward him. ¡°Here. As a token of gratitude for helping me.¡±

    Luka blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the gesture. He reached out and took the talisman. ¡°I¡­ Huh¡­ Thank you.¡±

    She shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t read too much into it. I was¡­ mistaken about you earlier.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±

    ¡°What I¡¯m saying is, you¡¯re not a mage,¡± she sighed. ¡°But a magic user. Those are different. You do not pursue the secrets of magic for themselves but to gain power. For survival.¡±

    Luka¡¯s lips turned into a line. ¡°Are you making fun of me?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she said quickly, shaking her head. ¡°It¡¯s just an observation. Magic users are just different, that¡¯s all. But I must say¡­¡±

    She frowned and gazed at him from head to toe. ¡°You don¡¯t look that used to fighting. You¡¯re physically weak too. I know a lot of succubi who could arm wrestle you and win.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t need that. Really.¡±

    ¡°And you clearly lack confidence,¡± she continued, undeterred. ¡°The way you carry yourself¡ªit¡¯s hesitant, unsure. You¡ª¡±

    ¡°Do you ever shut up?¡±

    The succubus stopped mid-sentence, startled. She took a step back, adjusting her glasses as her gaze darted to the floor. ¡°S-Sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to.¡±

    Luka sighed, running a hand through his hair. ¡°No, it¡¯s my bad. But seriously, you should stop saying everything that goes through your head.¡±

    ¡°It helps me focus,¡± she explained. ¡°I know a lot of my peers don¡¯t like me because of it, but when I notice something, I can¡¯t help but explain it.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ See¡­ You look all gloomy but you¡¯re a real chatterbox, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Only if there¡¯s something substantial to say,¡± she replied matter-of-factly, nodding as though her habit was perfectly reasonable.

    Luka chuckled softly and shook his head. ¡°Can we go back to the task at hand then? We have work, right?¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± she nodded. ¡°Let me see your hand, I want you to use Control magic.

    A few hours passed, the sun commencing its descent slowly but surely to announce the end of the day. Luka had to pass a whole battery of tests specifically designed by the succubus to test the wide range of his abilities.

    Once finished, she turned back to her occupation, carefully writing on a piece of paper with ink and feathers while Luka began to do his daily routine.

    ¡°Do you really have to do this?¡± she asked, glancing over from her work to watch Luka¡¯s form rise and fall with each movement.

    Luka paused, taking a moment to catch his breath, sweat starting to bead on his forehead. ¡°If I don¡¯t do this, Kanami will scold me once I see her again.¡±

    ¡°Kanami?¡± she asked, her curiosity piqued.

    ¡°She¡¯s a friend,¡± Luka replied quickly, not wanting to delve into details. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    The succubus nodded in acknowledgment, her gaze returning to her paper. ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t pry. Still, it truly is inconvenient that you humans need to do exercise to stay in shape.¡±

    Luka, now stretching his arms above his head, shot her a surprised look. ¡°What? You don¡¯t need to?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she said, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. ¡°We succubi only need magical energy to survive. The more we have, the stronger we become.¡±

    Luka blinked at her. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ kind of unfair, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°To you, it seems that way, but¡­¡± she sighed. ¡°You saw the slums, right?¡±

    She was right. In theory, it sounded far simpler to survive than humans but when he thought about it, the only way they had to gain mana was through humans. His chest tightened slightly as he remembered the state of the city and he couldn¡¯t help but ask her about it.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you angry that a lot of your peers are dying while others are just getting everything?¡±

    The succubus didn¡¯t immediately respond. She stared at the paper in front of her, almost as if she were reading it, but Luka could tell her mind was elsewhere. After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice quieter.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you angry to see your peers used like cattle here?¡± she finally asked, her eyes glancing at him.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Luka sighed. ¡°Complicated.¡±

    The succubus raised an eyebrow, watching him closely. ¡°Complicated? Is it really?¡±

    Luka shifted uncomfortably, trying to find the right words. ¡°Yes, it is. If I were to say that what you¡¯re doing is wrong, then that would make me a hypocrite. Where I come from, it¡¯s far worse for animals, if you see what I mean.¡±

    ¡°And you would rather not be a hypocrite than be angry?¡±

    Luka¡¯s gaze faltered, his eyes fixed on the floor for a moment as he searched for the right way to express the complex emotions stirring inside him. ¡°It¡¯s not just about being a hypocrite,¡± he began. ¡°It¡¯s about seeing the bigger picture. Yeah, it¡¯s hard. It¡¯s painful even, watching what¡¯s happening here to humans. But¡­ Everyone suffers. It¡¯s not just us, but you as well. And it¡¯s not just demons or succubi exploiting humans, we do it to ourselves too.¡±

    The succubus sat quietly for a moment, her fingers still poised above her paper but not writing, taking in his words. Finally, she looked up at him, her gaze intense. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying that because suffering is universal, you¡¯re okay with it?¡±

    Luka bit his lips and remained steady. ¡°I think it¡¯s inevitable.¡±

    ¡°Inevitable, huh¡­¡± she echoed in a whisper, her gaze returning to the paper.

    She hated it but he was right. Although, she wasn¡¯t wrong either. That man would rather suffer and accept the harsh reality rather than fight it.

    Somehow, being a hypocrite was far worse for him than fighting for his people.

    ¡°So, you are okay with succubi living with humans,¡± she concluded.

    Luka didn¡¯t answer.

    ¡°We cannot live with one another,¡± she continued. ¡°We are in a relationship that is completely at odds on both sides. Succubi cannot live without feeding off humans, and humans cannot survive knowing that they are prey.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure? Saki is capable of feeding without killing, you know?¡±

    She turned around and raised an eyebrow. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ She just takes what she want and then just leave. At least that¡¯s what she told me, and I believe her since I never heard of a guy dying when she was there.¡±

    The succubus studied him for a long time, her eyes narrowing as she weighed his words. She was searching for any sign of deception, any flicker of uncertainty in his expression. But Luka remained calm, his face open, offering no hint of falsehood. Finally, with a long, defeated sigh, she dropped her gaze and rubbed her temples as though to stave off an approaching headache.

    ¡°I see¡­¡± she muttered, as if the idea were difficult to accept. She paused, contemplating. ¡°Well, let¡¯s just say you are lucky to have found her.¡±

    Or perhaps he wasn¡¯t lucky at all, she thought. That succubus, why was she following him in the first place? But now she was clear on one thing with what he just said, she was not normal.

    Feeding without killing would amount to nothing to them. It only delayed the inevitable by only a few hours at best. It was not a sustainable way to survive, the succubus would end up starving to death anyway.

    ¡°Anyway, you should go away for now. You did everything I needed. If you could look for the ingredients, I would appreciate it.¡±

    ¡°On it!¡± Luka stood up, stretching his limbs.

    As he left, the succubus remained seated, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of her paper. The dull sensation in her feet had returned and she sighed. In a way, she found the young human admirable. Being able to stay here without losing it was far more impressive than he would let on. Not many could have the composure he had.

    On the corner of her eyes stood a hidden paper beneath a stack. She took it and looked at it longly. It was the plan to realize the spell.

    Before he arrived, she didn¡¯t think much of it but now something ached deep inside her just by looking at it.

    In this city where the strong eat the weak based on bloodlines, it was her last chance to save the succubi of the slums. There was no need for sadness or remorse in this task.

    Just like him, she would find the will to survive, no matter the cost.

    For her lost sisters.

    For the succubi like her¡­ who were given no name.

 Nature

    It¡¯s not always fun to be a demon. For all the time she could remember, she felt alone. Not that she was per se, as she was surrounded by many of her peers for a long time. Yet, she never felt anything else other than loneliness.

    Humans and demons are mostly the same. Although¡­ To her, humans were far more fickle and undisciplined. Easy to sway, depending on their desires. Yet, hard to tame as they sought freedom more than anything else.

    It was that same freedom that demons sought to hold one day. One that pushed the Liberator to take action. For long, long years, the demons were confined to the Ark, a rude and arid place where little life could flourish. It was truly an unsightly land, filled with monstrosities and nothing but ash. However, they had no other choice but to live here.

    Succubi might prey on humans, but the risk was as great as the reward. She knew that more than anyone, and yet¡­ She took a great risk, a risk for her freedom¡ªor perhaps another prison, she wasn¡¯t sure.

    Suffice it to say, her vision of humans didn¡¯t change but her respect grew. They were not so different, she thought.

    And here, in the Sominium Vale, everything was done so that humans couldn¡¯t rebel. A haven for succubi, who were persecuted and couldn¡¯t live normally outside of the Ark.

    Still, it was no utopia, far from it. As she gazed down from a balcony, anger boiling inside her, she sighed in annoyance.

    Humans and demons weren¡¯t so different. But demons could never become humans.

    As they would always be prisoners of their own nature.

    ¡°Hey, you, human!¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you with the jacket. Where is your owner?¡±

    ¡°Oh, at home. I¡¯m just doing an errand.¡±

    ¡°Wanna switch owners? I¡¯ll take good care of you.¡±

    ¡°Sorry but no. I can¡¯t do that.¡±

    ¡°Ah, bummer. Then go fast.¡±

    It was one of the many conversations Luka had during his little walk around the city, and while it was common, he still couldn¡¯t get used to it. Night was coming and he had already done a good chunk of the city on foot, gazing at the display of goods the shops had to offer.

    He adjusted his jacket, keeping his head low as he passed another group of succubi lounging outside a caf¨¦. Their sharp eyes tracked him briefly before losing interest. It was truly odd to be watched carefully by everyone around, like a piece of meat in the middle of a lion¡¯s cage.

    Still, he couldn¡¯t help but take this situation with a grain of salt. He had already found an ingredient thanks to a human slave pointing him toward a certain shop in the slums. Who could¡¯ve known someone had Opium there?

    In the meantime, he also found out what kind of material they used to build their houses. As he thought, those were built with magic and were not meant to last, as he saw a building vanish before his own very eyes, with no one caring about it like it was a normal occurrence. Only the roofs were made of real wood, floating slightly thanks to some kind of levitating crystals disposed about everywhere.

    After lingering in the fresher, less oppressive air of the upper districts, Luka made his way back to the slums. The sights there never failed to weigh on him. Despite knowing they were demons, he couldn¡¯t stop the knot tightening in his stomach. The Dreamweavers here were gaunt, their eyes hollow, their steps slow and listless. Meanwhile, the Nightlords uptown basked in opulence, with more than enough "food" to provide for everyone.

    ¡°I swear¡­ It¡¯s as if they didn¡¯t care about this part of the city.¡±

    He glanced up at the sky, where the purple veil shimmered faintly. This contradiction gnawed at him. If these Dreamweavers were so neglected, so unwanted, why did the veil extend to shield them as well? It didn¡¯t add up.

    His thoughts were interrupted by a small tug on his sleeve. Luka turned to see a young succubus¡ªno older than a child by human standards¡ªwith wide, hollow eyes staring up at him. Her frail frame trembled as she struggled to remain upright, her legs clearly too weak to hold her.

    She clearly couldn¡¯t stand anymore as she desperately tried to push her legs but no strength came out of them. Luka hesitated, his eyes darting from all directions before taking her hand away and putting her in a more comfortable position.

    She tried to use some kind of magic on him, and he felt a slight jolt the moment she grabbed him, but nothing happened. She was just too weak.

    He left her there without saying a single word and continued his walk towards the shack of¡­

    Now that he thought about it, he didn¡¯t ask her name. She had given him a talisman and he was helping her, yet he didn¡¯t know a single thing about her. And she was so different from the others, just like Saki, in a way.

    The streets darkened as night fully claimed the Vale. With two very faint knocks on the door, he pushed it open and entered inside, his footsteps creaking on the rotten wood.

    ¡°Hey there, got one ingredient,¡± he said, holding up a small cloth bag with some flowers inside.

    Saki was the first one to greet him with a pout. ¡°It¡¯s already night, where were you all this time?¡± she asked, her arms crossed.

    ¡°I could ask you the same. What were you doing in the city for so long? I didn¡¯t even see you the whole day.¡±

    Her confidence faltered for a moment, and she glanced away nervously. ¡°I was¡­¡± She hesitated, clearly searching for a suitable excuse. ¡°Checking up on the city. Seeing if we could find a better place to stay or maybe¡­ allies.¡±

    ¡°And?¡±

    She let out a heavy sigh, dropping her arms. ¡°Found nothing. I swear, everyone here is a glutton. All they care about is themselves.¡±

    The other succubus tried to stifle a chuckle. ¡°She¡¯s not wrong.¡±

    Luka set the bag on the table and leaned against it, crossing his arms. ¡°You don¡¯t even know the amount of time one of them asked me to follow them. I swear, they aren¡¯t even subtle about it.¡± If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°It¡¯s because they don¡¯t know how to hunt anymore,¡± the other succubus remarked, her tone dripping with wry humor. ¡°They¡¯re all so used to living here without any real challenges, other than deciding what the next trend in clothing or perfume will be, or squabbling over trivial nonsense.¡±

    ¡°It seems you don¡¯t like them,¡± Saki noted.

    She shrugged, her glasses glinting in the dim light. ¡°I simply do not care. Most of them wouldn¡¯t last a week outside the Vale. They¡¯re just prisoners of their own nature.¡±

    ¡°Prisoners of their own nature?¡± Luka echoed, intrigued. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±

    She tilted her head as she examined a small vial. ¡°Demons are creatures of instinct, Luka. Succubi in particular are prisoners of their instinct to feed on humans. Other demons aren¡¯t so different. Goblins are driven to procreate and multiply endlessly. Dragons hoard treasure and guard their territories obsessively. Dragonkin dedicate their lives to achieving some ideal of warrior perfection, never questioning if there¡¯s anything more to strive for.¡±

    ¡°You already realized it, didn¡¯t you?¡± she continued, her eyes glancing toward him. ¡°This city is poorly advanced for its age. We¡¯ve been here since the beginning of the continent, and yet we are only able to mimic human technology and customs.¡±

    ¡°I noticed that it was a simple mimicry but¡­ I didn¡¯t think you were that stagnant.¡±

    ¡°Well now you know,¡± she ended, putting down her vial and flipping through the page of her book, showing multiple sketches. ¡°Succubi aren¡¯t drawn towards innovation. They simply indulge in hedonism and get whatever they can.¡±

    ¡°And what makes you different?¡± Saki interjected, her tone surprisingly cold.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s obvious,¡± she answered with a faint smile while looking at Saki. ¡°Just like it¡¯s obvious you aren¡¯t like us.¡±

    Saki recoiled a little, her gaze dropping low.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± the succubus sighed. ¡°You¡¯re not annoying at least.¡±

    Although she was right. In truth, she wasn¡¯t that different from the others. It was just a simple trick she found at the expense of her own health that helped her keep her sanity in check.

    Succubi like her had no other choice but to indulge in their desires, especially if they were starving. But, at a certain point, at the edge of starvation and sustenance, their thoughts become clearer, and it is at that very moment that they are able to use their whole thought capacity.

    And now that this strange succubus accompanying this human was standing before her, most of her doubts were clear.

    ¡°You should go and rest now,¡± she continued. ¡°I will need you tomorrow morning. And this time, don¡¯t wake up too late.¡±

    Luka yawned, stretching as the weight of the day settled into his limbs. ¡°Right, I¡¯m feeling a bit sleepy too,¡± he said with a grin. ¡°See you tomorrow!¡±

    Saki gave a curt nod, her gaze still fixed downward, her thoughts distant.

    The succubus watched them leave, her thoughts swirling. A faint smile tugged her lips as she opened the bag Luka brought, a nice poppy plant tucked inside. However, her heart began to ache once more and the feeling in her limbs began to disappear again.

    ¡°Hey sister, they left?¡± a voice rang out from the door.

    ¡°Yes, they did. You can come in now.¡±

    The figure entered the shack and sat on the bed. ¡°Hey, hey, are these your new friends?¡±

    She chuckled as she opened the drawer from her desk. ¡°Hardly. He is just of use to me, so I¡¯m being polite.¡±

    The succubus looked at the young figure, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she placed the poppy bag back down on the table. Her fingers lightly traced the edges of the delicate petals, the pain in her chest beginning to stir once more. She didn¡¯t answer right away, her eyes distant, lost in thought.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been alone for so long,¡± she finally said, her voice quieter than before. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±

    ¡°Aww¡­¡± the young figure pouted. ¡°It¡¯s no good you know? If you stay so closed off, you will end up all alone.¡±

    The younger succubus tilted her head, a teasing grin playing at the corner of her lips. ¡°But you do care, don¡¯t you? Just a little bit?¡±

    ¡°Care? I suppose I do¡­¡± she chuckled again. ¡°It¡¯s the first time in ages that I¡¯ve talked to a human. I had forgotten how interesting they were.¡±

    She rubbed the back of her neck, feeling a chilling cold press down on her. With her gaze cast on the flower, she picked up the small box from the drawer.

    The younger succubus giggled, uncrossing her legs and leaning forward. ¡°Hey, do you think your plan will work?¡±

    ¡°Maybe,¡± her voice softened. ¡°Maybe not. I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°If you do, no one will ever be hungry again. Isn¡¯t that wonderful?¡± the young figure giggled happily as she leaned on the bed, thrashing her legs around.

    ¡°It would be truly wonderful, yes¡­¡±

    ¡°Although, do you think he would hate you for it?¡±

    She stopped. Her heart began to beat like a drum and a cold sweat began to pour down the back of her neck.

    ¡°He is just human, I don¡¯t care if he gets mad. I¡¯m working to save my race,¡± she continued.

    ¡°Really?¡± the young succubus continued. ¡°I mean it¡¯s great and all but¡­ Do you prefer us over them?¡±

    No. I hate you.

    "Emotions have no place here," the older succubus repeated firmly, her gaze hardening as she set the box down, her hands trembling slightly despite her efforts to appear composed.

    The younger succubus tilted her head slightly, watching her closely, the teasing grin still on her lips.

    ¡°He reminds you of him, doesn¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°No, hardly.¡±

    Stop talking.

    ¡°Just¡­ go away. I will play with you later,¡± she shot back, her hand opening the small box containing the four remaining pills. With a single move of her hand, she shoved it inside her mouth and swallowed it.

    ¡°Okay! See ya later then sis!¡± the young succubus jumped off the bed and ran outside, leaving her alone.

    The older succubus remained seated, her breath coming in shallow, steady intervals as she let the sharp sting of the pills take effect. The warmth spread through her body like a slow, controlled fire, quieting the tremors in her hands, the pressure building in her chest. The discomfort began to fade into something familiar, almost comforting, though she knew well the cost of this temporary peace.

    She sat still for a few moments, staring at the empty space where the younger succubus had been. A faint laugh echoed in her mind, and she felt her jaw tighten.

    He reminds you of him, doesn¡¯t he?

    No, he didn¡¯t at all. Otherwise, every human would remind her of her father. He was just¡­

    She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes.

    ¡°Why is he so understanding?¡± she sighed. She hated it. It would have been much simpler if a demon hunter had come instead.

    No, it had to be a human willing to look past nature itself.

    Emotions have no place here, she lied to herself. After all, she was doing all of this for her sisters in the first place.

    In the hope of a better future for the succubi of this world.

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t move.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± she turned around just in time to see a certain Nightlord grinning ear to ear, and next to her a human servant as tall as a giant, holding a mace. She had long brown hair like that of a flamboyant Lion¡¯s mane and eyes that could pierce and charm even the coldest of hearts. Wearing a red cape and a velvet robe, she was holding a whip in her hand, the weapon of choice for her race and clan.

    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± the Nightlord¡¯s voice was low, mocking, dripping with cruel amusement. ¡°You¡¯re coming with us, Dreamweaver. If you even think about screaming or trying to fight back, you won¡¯t live to regret it.¡±

    She said nothing, her lips pressing into a thin line as she took in the two figures before her. The Nightlord¡¯s familiar presence was suffocating, her aura pressing down on her like a heavy weight.

    ¡°Mother¡­¡± the sound escaped her lips but was soon interrupted by a slap on her face.

    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that you mistake,¡± Valeria replied, her hand shaking from the stinging pain of the slap she gave her. ¡°Bra?us, take her. I don¡¯t want to stay in this disgusting place any longer.¡±

    The giant, Bra?us, obeyed without a word, his enormous hands wrapping around her slender arm with unnatural force. He pulled her to her feet, the pressure in his grasp nearly too much to bear. She was completely at their mercy, unable to defend herself.

    As soon as she met the air of the slums, she saw another group of succubi running toward them, holding a bag. ¡°We captured the young man, as per your instructions, mistress Valeria,¡± she reported, lowering the bag before her.

    Valeria''s eyes gleamed with malice as she turned her gaze to the bag. A dark, twisted smile curled on her lips. ¡°Good. We will show this fool exactly what it means to wander into the Vale. He¡¯ll make a fine gift for Laura.¡±

    The words hit like a punch to the gut. She knew who Laura was, and that succubus was a psychopath even amongst her peers. The thought of what would happen to him made her stomach turn.

    ¡°No!¡± she screamed, her voice rising in panic as her mind raced. She struggled against Bra?us''s unyielding grip, desperate to break free. ¡°Please, don¡¯t take him! He doesn¡¯t deserve this!¡±

    ¡°I told you not to scream!¡± the whip of Valeria came down, hitting her in the face.

    But Valeria was unmoved. ¡°I told you to be quiet,¡± she hissed, her voice cold as ice.

    Before the succubus could react, the sting of a whip cut across her face, the sharp crack reverberating through the air. Her head snapped to the side with the force of the strike, the pain blinding, but she did not cry out even as blood trickled down the wound.

    Bra?us dragged her forward, his strength making escape impossible. As they walked, the group of succubi with the bag moved toward Valeria¡¯s side, waiting for her orders.

    ¡°Wait!¡± A voice erupted from the other end of the alley. Saki was running at full speed, her side dripping with blood from what seemed like a stab wound. Gritting her teeth, she used both her flight and legs to speed herself up.

    ¡°How is she still moving?¡± one of Valeria¡¯s servants gasped, eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°We stabbed her multiple times!¡±

    Valeria clicked her tongue in annoyance and stepped forward. ¡°What a disgrace, letting a target live like that.¡± With a snap of her finger, a blade of wind was created and flew forward.

    With a snap of her fingers, a blade of wind materialized in the air, sharp and deadly, hurtling toward Saki with blinding speed.

    Saki saw the attack coming, but the wound in her side had sapped her strength and she took the full blow. A large cut appeared on her abdomen, breaking through the skin and flesh as warm blood seeped out of it. With one final step in shock, she staggered forward and fell down on the hard ground.

    ¡°There,¡± Valeria shook her hand with a smirk. ¡°That¡¯s how you do it. Now, let¡¯s go home.¡±

    Without another word, the group left the slums and headed to the other side of the city.

    The dreadfully known place of the Velvet palace, home of the third faction willing to rule the Sominium Vale.

 Velvet Palace

    ¡°Who told you to rough him up like that?!¡±

    One of her servants flinched, their head bowed low. ¡°B-But Mistress Valeria! You told us to sneak up on him and give him a good blow to the head!¡±

    ¡°Not with a mace, you idiots!¡± Valeria¡¯s crimson eyes flared with irritation. ¡°If we hadn¡¯t arrived at the palace sooner, he¡¯d be dead by now! Do you understand the disaster that would¡¯ve been?¡±

    The servant shrank back. ¡°W-We¡¯re sorry, Mistress! We didn¡¯t¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Valeria snapped, cutting them off with a dismissive wave of her hand. ¡°He¡¯s supposed to be a gift for Laura. A breathing, conscious gift. A corpse is no fun to her!¡±

    A tense silence fell over the room as Valeria exhaled deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose as if the incompetence around her was a physical weight.

    ¡°Just leave him in the cell next to the Dreamweaver,¡± she said finally. ¡°Chain them both to the wall. And don¡¯t give her enough slack to reach him. I don¡¯t want her to hurt him before Laura has her hands on him.¡±

    The servants exchanged uneasy glances before nodding hastily. ¡°Y-Yes, Mistress Valeria!¡±

    Without another word, they carried the unconscious human into the dark depths of the palace dungeon, his limp form draped over one of the servant¡¯s shoulders. The cell door groaned open.

    The Dreamweaver was already inside, slumped against the cold stone wall. Her face was pale, a streak of dried blood trailing down from the gash on her cheek. She glared at the servants as they entered.

    The human was dumped unceremoniously on the opposite side of the cell, his wrists shackled to the wall. The chains clinked loudly as they secured him in place, leaving just enough space to keep the two prisoners apart.

    One of the servants turned to leave, but not before muttering under his breath, ¡°I feel sad for this guy. I can¡¯t imagine what Laura is going to do to him.¡±

    ¡°Shut up,¡± a succubus shivered. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be reminded of that time when I had to pick up her leftovers¡­¡±

    With a heavy clang, the iron door slammed shut, plunging the cell into near-total darkness. The faint torchlight from the corridor outside flickered through the bars, giving enough light to see in front of her.

    Her purple pupils shone brightly in the dark, like those of a cat in the shadows. With a sigh, she let her head rest against the wall. She turned her gaze to the unconscious human across from her with a frustrated frown on her face.

    ¡°See? That¡¯s what happens when a human comes here¡­¡± she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible over the distant dripping of water in the dungeon. ¡°You¡¯re going to get yourself killed, and in the most horrible way possible.¡±

    The human stirred slightly, a soft groan escaping his lips as his head lolled to the side. He wasn¡¯t fully awake yet, but it was clear the blow to his head had been severe.

    From the corridor outside, the faint sound of heels clicking on stone approached. A shadow appeared just beyond the bars, and Valeria¡¯s voice echoed in the prison.

    ¡°Now, I suppose you¡¯re asking yourself why I brought you there,¡± she said, her tone commanding.

    The succubus didn¡¯t respond, her jaw tightening as she glared at Valeria through the bars.

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t look at me like that. You should be thanking me. I¡¯m going to give you as much material as needed to complete your little project. Although, it will be for me, not for that stupid queen.¡±

    ¡°If you think she¡¯ll let you take it, you¡¯re delusional.¡±

    Valeria laughed, a soft, elegant sound that was both mocking and condescending. ¡°Danthea?¡± she scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder with a flourish. ¡°She is clearly past her prime. And unlike her, I haven¡¯t grown soft and decadent.¡±

    She stepped closer to the bars, her sharp features gleaming with pride. ¡°My servants are already retrieving everything from your pathetic little hideout. You¡¯ll work for me day and night until the spell is finished. No excuses, no delays. Do you understand?¡±

    The succubus¡¯s jaw clenched as she bit back the retort that threatened to escape. She hated the thought of being Valeria¡¯s pawn, but she had no choice. Not here. Not now. With a reluctant nod, she acquiesced, the movement small but sufficient to satisfy the Nightlord.

    ¡°Good,¡± Valeria purred, her smile widening with satisfaction. She turned on her heel, her cape flowing behind her as she prepared to leave.

    ¡°On one condition,¡± the succubus spoke suddenly.

    Valeria stopped mid-step, glancing over her shoulder with a raised brow. ¡°Oh? And what condition could you possibly be in a position to demand?¡±

    The succubus straightened, meeting Valeria¡¯s gaze with calculating eyes betraying no emotions. ¡°The human stays here. I need him to complete the spell.¡±

    Valeria¡¯s expression shifted, a flicker of intrigue crossing her face before her lips curved into a sly smile. ¡°Interesting. I didn¡¯t think he would be that important.¡± She turned fully, her hands resting slightly on her hips. ¡°How quaint. Fine. He stays¡ªfor now. But don¡¯t think for a second that I¡¯ll tolerate any insolence. His usefulness will determine his survival.¡±

    Without wasting any more time she spun on her heels and walked away. As the heavy door creaked shut, the succubus exhaled slowly, her gaze drifting to the unconscious human across the cell.

    ¡°You¡¯re lucky I need you alive,¡± she muttered.

    Still, the weight of her circumstances bore down on her. Everything she had fought for¡ªthe hours, the pain, the sacrifices¡ªwas slipping through her grasp. The spell she had poured her life into would now serve Valeria, a self-serving tyrant who cared nothing for the Dreamweavers or their plight.

    Her thoughts turned to the slums, to the sisters she had promised to save. The vision of lifting them from poverty, of giving them a chance at dignity, was fading like smoke on the wind. Valeria¡¯s greed ensured that the slums would remain as they were.

    ¡°Whatever¡­¡± she sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll finish my spell and die like I was supposed to anyway.¡±

    There was no need to worry too much about it. She was already on a time limit anyway, and she knew it was unlikely she would see the fruit of her labor herself.

    But as her gaze flicked to the human again, a small pang of something stirred within her. Pity? Curiosity? She wasn¡¯t sure.

    She knew of his naive plan to unite succubi and humans to stand against Kaeris, a laughable dream at best. Succubi weren¡¯t built for unity, and certainly not for standing alongside the very creatures they were designed to prey upon. It was foolishness¡ªpure and simple.

    Still, she couldn¡¯t deny the faint pull of intrigue when she looked at him. There was something¡­ Odd about him, a thing she couldn¡¯t quite place. Perhaps he just had this natural air around him that brought people together.

    But questions could wait. Her body ached, and her mind begged for respite. She leaned her head back against the wall, closing her eyes.

    ¡°A little sleep can¡¯t hurt¡­¡± she whispered before fading into a deep slumber.

    A deep slumber for a succubus was nothing more than a shutdown. The reason why Dreamweavers couldn¡¯t fight back against the Nightlords, was because dreams were foreign to them.

    Dreamweavers were the closest to humans in that regard, capable of dreaming like any normal person.

    Usually, she was dreaming of her past, of simpler days.

    Yes, she was an outcast, even amongst outcasts. Dreamweavers were avoiding her, except for a few who made her their sister. From birth, she was odd. With a knack for understanding things quickly and an insatiable curiosity, it was as though her lustful nature had turned into a lust for discovery.

    She sought to understand this very world, their very nature. Why was it like this? How does it work? Her curiosity was insatiable, her mind a relentless seeker of truth.

    But it was that same oddity that created a certain loneliness, clinging to her. There was a distance between her and her peers, a divide that could not be crossed. While they were all self-centered and only searching to please themselves, she sought to repair the broken, discover the unknown, and improve the squalid conditions of their existence.

    She first created the veil covering the city, which finally stopped all the attacks from the other demons and sometimes careless and dangerous hunters who approached the city. She created a system that built magical houses, which at the time looked more like tents as succubi didn¡¯t even bother to build anything.

    She created the pills made of condensed magical energy and human dreams, a complex mix of alchemy and Dreamweaver magic, enough to sustain one of her kind for a day. However, it was far from perfect and hard to produce as Dreamweavers had little access to humans at all.

    But despite her contributions, she remained an outsider. She was a Dreamweaver, after all.

    So she sought more, something to finally answer the question gnawing at her mind from birth.

    Why are we, the predators of mankind, so inherently ignorant and foolish? Why do we cling to a stagnant existence, unable or unwilling to evolve? Could we not be more?

    Her fascination with humans fed these questions. They were flawed, yes, but they were also brilliant. Capable of invention, discovery, and growth, humans were always striving to improve their lives, often at great cost to themselves. That relentless drive, that refusal to remain stagnant, captivated her.

    She admired them, even envied them, though she would never admit it aloud. Humans had something her kind lacked¡ªa will to progress, a spark that refused to be extinguished.

    And she wondered, often in the quiet of her solitude, if her people could ever find that spark within themselves. Could the Dreamweavers evolve, as humans had? Could they break free from the chains of their nature and become something greater?The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    So she embarked on a long, centuries-old journey to finally get the answers to everything.

    When she returned, her answer finally reached, she gave up on everything.

    She opened her eyes.

    ¡°Hum, unusual.¡± ¡°Hm, unusual,¡± she muttered, her voice rasping softly in the quiet of the cell. She stretched her neck, her muscles stiff from her sleeping position.

    She then quickly cleaned her glasses and put them back on with a soft hum.

    She wasn¡¯t used to dreaming in such a way¡ªnot of questions, not of her own life. Her dreams were typically fragmented memories, faint and unimportant snippets of her past. But this? This had been different.

    For someone who had lived so long, it was only natural there was much to dream of. Yet this was unnerving.

    Her gaze fell to the human across the cell, still unconscious but stirring slightly. She frowned. Was this strange dream connected to him somehow? No, it couldn¡¯t be. He might¡¯ve had a role in it, but it was mostly the hopeless situation that reminded her of it all.

    She couldn¡¯t change this society, no matter how much she tried. They were doomed to never evolve.

    She sighed deeply and straightened, her thoughts drifting back to the spell she had promised herself to complete. With a slight appliance of magic on her eyes, she could sense that her furniture had been brought into the cell while she was asleep.

    Without hesitation, she reached for the drawer in the desk and pulled out the small box. She opened it, but saw nothing inside, the two last pills were gone. She felt a small sting of irritation but brushed it aside when her fingers found a folded note tucked in the interstice of the drawer.

    Unfolding it, she read the message written in neat, precise handwriting:

    ¡°You¡¯ll be provided for as long as you work. The rest is irrelevant.¡±

    She rolled her eyes, crumpling the note in her hand. Typical.

    ¡°They didn¡¯t have to confiscate it, though,¡± she muttered, placing the box back into the drawer with a resigned shrug.

    Her fingers lightly tapped the desk¡¯s surface as she assessed the tools she had left. Despite the frustration, she couldn¡¯t deny a small comfort in having her workspace, even under these conditions. She pushed the chair back and sat down, resting her hands on the desk.

    With a deep breath, she began working as usual. The incantation wouldn¡¯t write itself.

    A few hours passed, and she already finished a good quarter of what she had to do. Her eyes were strained from the intense reading and the little light she was provided by the candle next to her. As she rubbed her eyes, she noticed that the human was opening his eyes slowly, a groan escaping his lips.

    From time to time, the servants of Valeria were to come inside the cell, attend to his wounds, and treat him with some healing magic. It looked like it had some effect in the end.

    ¡°Where¡­ am I¡­?¡± he groaned, his hand caressing his head as he took in the surroundings. ¡°Dammit, did I got kidnapped again?¡±

    ¡°Is it a common occurrence for you?¡± she asked dryly, her gaze not lifting from the parchment in front of her.

    His head turned toward her, his eyes slowly adapting to the somber environment. ¡°Kind of. Not really, actually. I got kidnapped once.¡±

    She finally glanced at him, her expression as unreadable as ever. ¡°At least last time, you were lucky to escape. This time might be different.¡±

    Her tone wasn¡¯t threatening, yet it carried a weight that sent a shiver down Luka¡¯s spine. There was a sadness in her words, a quiet resignation that unsettled him.

    ¡°If you¡¯re saying that, then I¡¯m guessing I¡¯m in serious trouble,¡± he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

    ¡°You¡¯re in the Velvet Palace,¡± she continued, her hand returning to work on the parchment. ¡°Mansion of Valeria.¡±

    ¡°Valeria?¡± Luka echoed, intrigued.

    ¡°She is a third party in this city. She seeks to overthrow Danthea, the queen, and bring the succubi together to conquer humanity.¡±

    Luka frowned. In theory, it sounded like a good plan for them but it seemed the succubus in front of him wasn¡¯t really keen on the idea. ¡°You don¡¯t seem to like that.¡±

    She paused for a moment, the pen in her hand hovering over the parchment. Her lips pressed into a thin line before she responded. ¡°It would be pointless.¡±

    Pointless, huh¡­ Luka echoed the thought in his mind. From his short time here, she seemed like the type to work hard for her fellow succubi but it seemed more complicated.

    Her eyes were hollow, completely focused on the task at hand without even a spark that b betrayed a flicker of emotion.

    The sound of the pen scratching on the paper filled the cell, only interspersed by the occasional soft ¡°plick¡± of water droplets falling from the damp ceiling.

    ¡°So,¡± Luka began cautiously, his eyes scanning the surroundings. ¡°Why am I here? And do you know where my friend is?¡±

    The grating on the paper stopped abruptly. Her eyes stayed riveted on the desk she was sited to.

    So that¡¯s what that was. The emotion she was feeling. It was that girl dying that made her mad more than anything.

    ¡°She¡¯s dead,¡± the succubus said flatly, her tone betraying no hint of emotion.

    ¡°Huh?¡± the words hit Luka like a punch to the gut before fading almost as soon. ¡°What are you talking about? She¡¯s still alive.¡±

    ¡°Impossible,¡± she cut in sharply. ¡°I saw her get cleaved in half by Valeria.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but our contract is still here,¡± Luka finally said with a smile and raised his left arm up in the air, showing the mark embedded on it.

    The succubus blinked rapidly, her hand frozen mid-air as though her mind was struggling to keep up. The mark on Luka''s arm gleamed faintly in the dim light, the unmistakable signature of a contract etched deep into his skin. She adjusted her glasses hurriedly, leaning closer to examine them.

    ¡°You¡­ You¡­¡± she stammered, her brain short-circuiting. ¡°You made a soul-bond contract with her?¡±

    ¡°Well, yeah¡­¡± Luka sighed. ¡°She was severely wounded some time ago and I figured the only way to save her was through a contract.¡±

    For the first time ever since he met her, he saw a genuine expression of shock on her face.

    ¡°That¡¯s the first time¡­¡± she whispered, her eyes searching the papers below her. ¡°So I was right¡­¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    In a hurry, she opened a drawer and removed everything contained in it. After that task was completed, she removed the false bottom and pulled out a small notebook from it. With a slight puff of air, she blew the dust off of it and opened it.

    With her eyes darting around the lines, she began writing around the last pages.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Luka asked as he tried to stand up to see what she was writing from his spot.

    ¡°Nothing that concerns you.¡± she flatly said before putting the pen down and closing the notebook.

    "Come on, you can''t just say that and leave me hanging. What''s in that notebook?"

    Her expression hardened, the mask of detachment returning as she placed the notebook back into its hidden compartment. "It''s nothing that will help you. Focus on staying alive instead."

    Luka leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms. ¡°I¡¯m alive¡ªfor now.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not going to last. You will need to help me complete the spell otherwise Valeria will give you to Laura.¡±

    ¡°And¡­ is that bad?¡± he asked hesitantly.

    ¡°Do you want to die in the most miserable of ways?¡±

    Luka shook his head quickly. ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Then you¡¯ll work with me,¡± she said, turning back to her desk, her voice brooking no argument.

    Luka hesitated before speaking again. ¡°But once the spell¡¯s done, what¡¯s stopping them from sending me to her anyway?¡±

    ¡°Nothing. They definitely will.¡±

    Luka stared at her, his teeth clenching. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m just being used here.¡±

    Her hand froze mid-motion, but she didn¡¯t look at him. ¡°Yes,¡± she sighed. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what you were from the beginning. I hope you didn¡¯t expect a warm welcome in coming here.¡±

    ¡°I did not expect a warm welcome but at least a bit of mercy,¡± he sighed as well.

    Suddenly, a realization seemed to strike him. He started patting his body in a frantic search, his fingers running over his chest, down his sides, and across his legs.

    ¡°Shit¡­ Shit¡­¡± he muttered under his breath, panic creeping into his voice as his hands frantically checked the pockets of his jeans.

    ¡°What are you doing? Stop touching your inner thigh, it¡¯s embarrassing.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not¡ª!¡± he snapped back, his face flushing, but he quickly fell silent as he pulled his hands away from his body. ¡°They took my jacket! And they got rid of all the talismans on me!¡±

    The succubus couldn¡¯t hide the faint smile that tugged at the corner of her lips. ¡°You¡¯re utterly fucked now, aren¡¯t you?¡± she said softly, her tone almost sympathetic.

    ¡°Oh shut up!¡± he shot back, his limbs growing restless. ¡°Without those, I can¡¯t fight back. I can¡¯t protect myself!¡±

    Her smile deepened, a brief flash of something unreadable crossing her face. Her heartbeat began to accelerate, and something inside her stirred.

    With a sudden jerk, she bit her lips, enough to draw blood at the startlement of Luka.

    ¡°What the¡­?¡± he trailed off, surprised by her sudden movement.

    ¡°N-Nothing¡­¡±she stammered, her voice shaky in a way that didn¡¯t match the calm persona she had carefully built. She quickly wiped the blood from her lips, but her hands trembled, betraying her composure. ¡°Just¡­ stop making any noise from now on. And stay still¡­¡±

    Luka¡¯s brow furrowed in concern, but something in her tone made him pause, his instincts kicking in. She wasn¡¯t the same, and he wasn¡¯t sure whether that was a good or bad thing.

    He sat back down, his posture stiff, his eyes trained on her as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.

    With a painful expression, she began writing more and more, the movements of her hand turning frantic as her breath became labored.

    For the next few hours, she barely moved. Her hand continued to scratch furiously across the paper, her breath labored, uneven, as though she was fighting some invisible force. Her legs trembled under the desk, her lips quivered, and her hands shook violently, yet she didn¡¯t look up from her writing.

    Luka remained still, his mind racing, trying to understand what had caused this sudden shift. He stayed quiet, as she had told him, but it didn¡¯t make the situation any less unsettling.

    Until a knock on the bars startled the both of them. A succubus entered the cell and without even sparing a glance at the both of them, deposited a single pill on the desk.

    ¡°Here, your ration for today.¡±

    Without another word, the succubus left the cell and walked away.

    ¡°A pill? What¡¯s that for¡ª?¡±

    Luka didn¡¯t even have the time to observe it that the succubus with the glasses immediately gulped it down, her breath labored.

    For a moment, he feared she might collapse but instead, she calmed down and the trembling in her limbs wore off. With a few shaky breath, she readjusted her glasses and looked up at him.

    ¡°You can speak now,¡± she said, not without effort. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for making you witness such a sorry state.¡±

    ¡°What the hell is that pill?¡± Luka asked as he rose to his feet.

    ¡°Food,¡± she replied as she still was catching her breath. ¡°An invention I made some time ago. It was supposed to help the Dreamweavers but instead, they were enslaved further to create these.¡±

    Luka¡¯s mind raced as he processed her words. "You made that pill?"

    She nodded slowly, her gaze distant. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s human essence condensed, dreams made form. It was meant to be an easy access to food for the Dreamweavers but since it can also be consumed by the Nightlords¡­¡±

    ¡°They decided to put the Dreamweavers to work instead to create them.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. It was a total failure. Again.¡±

    Luka felt a knot tie in his stomach.

    ¡°I was shaking earlier because I was without them for too long,¡± she explained. ¡°So my nature¡­ took over for a bit.¡±

    Luka blinked, processing what she¡¯d said. ¡°Wait, succubi are all like that when they¡¯re hungry?¡±

    She sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping even further. ¡°No. Just me.¡± She paused, then added, almost reluctantly, ¡°I haven¡¯t eaten a human in decades. So my body is craving that need.¡±

    Decades¡­? His eyes shot out of his eyeballs. How old was she?

    ¡°That¡¯s cheating, you still look young,¡± Luka pouted, his arms crossed.

    She looked at him, a faint smile pulling at her lips, but it didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°Do you think eternal youth is a blessing?¡±

    Luka faltered, caught off guard by her response. ¡°I mean¡­¡± He trailed off, uncertain how to continue. It was an odd question.

    ¡°Were you conditioned to think eternal life is a curse?¡± she asked, her voice strangely gentle, as if she could see through him. ¡°That¡¯s what most human cultures teach in their stories.¡±

    ¡°Is it unusual to want to live forever?¡± Luka asked lowly, his figure retreating slightly in a corner.

    ¡°Are you ashamed of that thought?¡±

    Luka shifted uncomfortably. ¡°Why all these questions?¡±

    She leaned back in her chair, studying him intently. There was something in her gaze that made him uneasy. It was like she was peering into his soul, dissecting his every thought.

    ¡°I find it curious,¡± she said. ¡°A lot of humans wish for eternal life, but that is all I know from my birth.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re dying, right?¡±

    ¡°True¡­¡± her smile was peaceful. ¡°I will soon die. But if I wanted to, or rather, if I were to eat again, I could live longer.¡±

    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you do it? Because the Nightlords are monopolizing everything?¡±

    ¡°I want to die,¡± she finally stated, her gaze unwavering. ¡°Or, rather, I find no reason to live anymore.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, no reason?¡±Luka chuckled nervously, trying to make light of her words. ¡°There are plenty of reasons to live, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    Her gaze softened, but there was an underlying sadness in her eyes. ¡°Perhaps¡­¡±

    She couldn¡¯t shake the thought. In a sense, he was right. Every day could be different, every encounter is a reason to live for. This boy clearly had a deeper wish that he could live forever, or at least longer, she could see it.

    Having lived for so long, it was simple to decipher people¡¯s thoughts. Even if each individual was different, patterns existed.

    However, she didn¡¯t care much about living anymore. Not because he was wrong, but because it was simply a matter of circumstances. Once she achieved her final work, she would die and leave the world behind.

    Her gaze hardened as she focused on Luka, breaking her silent reverie. ¡°Tell me, Luka,¡± she began, ¡°If your life was nothing but a lie, would you still accept to live on?¡±

    Luka tilted his head, clearly considering her question. ¡°Does it really matter that it¡¯s a lie?¡±

    ¡°Of course. That¡¯s¡ª¡±

    She stopped herself. His response had come too quickly, too confidently. It was as if he had already answered this question in his mind.

    ¡°Your life is your life,¡± Luka continued, a certain clarity in his eyes. ¡°Even if it¡¯s a lie, you can still make it yours. No need to overcomplicate things. Otherwise, you start to go crazy and want to end it all.¡±

    He let out a long, steady breath, and his voice became more contemplative. ¡°Like, thinking if you¡¯re really you or just acting in front of people. Wondering if you¡¯re really living the life you wanted. Questioning the meaning of your life. All of that is pointless because it holds no answers.¡±

    ¡°Still¡­¡± he chuckled bitterly, his gaze dropping. ¡°I understand why people could ask such questions. Especially when everything turns to shit and you feel like there is no hope.¡±

    That human, is he¡­?

    Or at least he may have been once like that.

    Her thoughts stilled as she gazed at him. That resignation, that quiet acceptance of the futility of it all¡ªit reminded her of something she had long buried. The same hopelessness she had seen in countless others before their untimely end.

    He was younger, but the look in his eyes told her that it had already touched him.

    She broke the silence, her voice soft but insistent. ¡°Enough talk for now,¡± she said, her focus returning to her desk. She opened a drawer, retrieving something she had carefully hidden. ¡°Come, I need your help with the spell.¡±

    Luka nodded, snapping out of his contemplative state. ¡°Okay, no problem.¡±

    He was just a human, true. But he could still help her.

    Such a pity that his life would end soon.

    A smile formed at the corner of her lips.

    He would have made a great apprentice.

 Rescue Operation

    ¡°She has been abducted?¡±

    The queen almost felt her glass slip through her fingers when she heard the news. A week later, In the morning, when one of her subordinates was supposed to check on the nameless scientist, they found the shack empty, and a few Dreamweavers passing by told them everything.

    ¡°It looks like another one of Valeria¡¯s plans,¡± the butler said, bowing slightly.

    ¡°Damn¡­ That bitch really never let go, does she?¡± Lilith, who was standing nearby gritted her teeth. ¡°

    The queen¡¯s sharp gaze darted to Lilith. ¡°What else do we know?¡±

    The butler cleared his throat. ¡°The Dreamweavers managed to save one of their kind. The same one that arrived here with the human.¡±

    Lilith¡¯s face went pale, and her gaze flicked toward the floor, avoiding the queen¡¯s piercing eyes.

    ¡°She said she was going to organize a rescue mission,¡± the butler continued. ¡°Shall we send some guards to help her?¡±

    The queen raised a hand, silencing him. ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°May I ask why, Your Majesty?¡±

    ¡°I cannot enter in direct conflict with Valeria,¡± the queen sighed. ¡°If she ever find some of my soldiers near her palace, it might give her an excuse to declare a full-blown war.¡±

    Another succubus interjected. ¡°So we just let her do as she pleases? And what if she gets her hands on the spell before us?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry,¡± Lilith said, though her voice wavered slightly. ¡°If that girl goes there¡­¡± She paused, inhaling sharply as her hands trembled. ¡°Valeria won¡¯t stand a chance.¡±

    The queen frowned at the sight of her most trusted subordinate visibly shaken. ¡°That Dreamweaver? You¡¯re saying she¡¯s capable of taking on Valeria alone?¡±

    Lilith hesitated before nodding, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°She is no mere Dreamweaver, Your Majesty. She¡¯s¡­ dangerous.¡±

    ¡°Dangerous?¡± The queen¡¯s brow arched, skepticism lacing her tone. ¡°Explain.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not just a Dreamweaver. I¡¯ve seen her in action before. She has powers that go far beyond their kind¡ªpowers that defy explanation. If she¡¯s truly determined, there¡¯s no stopping her.¡±

    ¡°And if Valeria provokes her?¡±

    Lilith shuddered. ¡°Then let¡¯s just pray that Valeria¡¯s arrogance is her downfall and that the Dreamweaver¡¯s wrath ends there.¡±

    The queen leaned back in her chair, her expression unreadable. ¡°I see. But how do you know all this, Lilith? You seem more familiar with her than you¡¯re letting on.¡±

    Lilith¡¯s gaze darkened, her voice dropping to a near growl. ¡°Because I¡¯ve fought her before. And I barely survived.¡±

    ¡°Ah, so you tried to snack on the little human, hmm? Couldn¡¯t contain yourself, and she humbled you instead. How interesting¡­¡±

    Lilith¡¯s jaw tightened, her silence confirming the queen¡¯s suspicions.

    ¡°Very well,¡± the queen said, turning her gaze toward her butler. ¡°We¡¯ll let this play out. Keep me informed of every development, no matter how insignificant. And if the Dreamweaver shows any signs of betrayal, I expect to know immediately.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty,¡± the butler bowed in reverence and took his leave.

    As the door closed behind him, the queen¡¯s eyes returned to Lilith, the faintest hint of curiosity lingering in her gaze. ¡°Lilith, I wonder¡­ what does it feel like to face someone who shatters even your confidence?¡±

    Lilith didn¡¯t answer. Instead, she bowed slightly, retreating toward the shadows of the chamber.

    Back in the slums, Saki had fully recovered from her wounds, thanks to the care of the succubi who had taken her in. The underground network of their dwellings was crude but resourceful, carved into the earth with walls of stone and wood, illuminated by the faint glow of dreamfire¡ªethereal blue flames that burned without heat.

    Now, in the heart of one such shelter, Saki stood at the center of a circle formed by other Dreamweavers. Their faces were grim, their postures tense, as if preparing for a battle none of them wanted to face.

    ¡°So¡­ the Velvet Palace is at the top of the Vale? On that ridge over there?¡± Saki asked, pointing toward the distant rise visible through a narrow slit in the stone wall.

    The palace was perched on the ridge like a predator looming over its prey. The V-shaped valley in which the city was built seemed to funnel all attention to its peak, where the immense structure stood, defiant of the queen¡¯s rule. Its bricks were a deep, menacing red, and a forest of dead trees encircled it like a barrier of twisted sentinels.

    ¡°Yes,¡± one of the older Dreamweavers answered, her voice heavy with apprehension. ¡°The Velvet Palace.  ¡°It¡¯s probably where they went.¡±

    Saki narrowed her eyes, studying the imposing structure. ¡°It¡¯s bigger than I imagined. Almost rivaling the queen¡¯s manor.¡±

    ¡°It is,¡± another Dreamweaver confirmed. ¡°It¡¯s also a brutal place. Many like us were captured and sent there to work as slaves.¡±

    ¡°And Luka is probably there¡­¡± Saki¡¯s jaw tightened, as well as her fists.

    The group shifted uneasily, their fear palpable. One Dreamweaver, younger and frailer than the rest, spoke up hesitantly. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s worth risking yourself for a human? That place¡­ no one comes back from it.¡±

    ¡°And Valeria is a powerful Nightlord. Her power rivals even the queen,¡± another stood up, her face pale, showing her own weak state.

    ¡°Luka¡¯s my friend,¡± Saki sighed with a slight shake of her head. ¡°He¡¯s very important to me. More than anything else.¡±

    As if they had heard something incredible, the whole group let out a quiet sigh of awe.

    ¡°I-I know the tunnels that lead there!¡± a small succubus suddenly piped up, raising her hand. Her diminutive frame and wide, earnest eyes made her stand out. Though Saki had met her when she tried to invade Luka¡¯s dream. ¡°I¡¯ve used them to visit a friend who was taken there.¡±

    Saki jumped with joy. ¡°You think you can guide me there?¡±

    The small succubus nodded. ¡°Yes! I can get you there!¡±

    ¡°Ah, no, that¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Saki chuckled. ¡°I want you all to go there through the tunnel.¡±

    The enthusiasm in the room instantly deflated. ¡°You want us to go near the palace?¡± one of the older Dreamweavers exclaimed, her voice rising in protest. ¡°No way! That¡¯s suicide!¡±

    Saki crossed her arms, her expression unwavering. ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to risk your lives unnecessarily. I¡¯ll be the one drawing attention to myself. I need you to use that distraction to get inside, save Luka, and free as many prisoners as you can.¡±

    ¡°You make it sound simple,¡± another muttered bitterly. ¡°Do you even understand what you¡¯re asking?¡±

    ¡°I do,¡± Saki said firmly. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m taking on the riskiest part. I¡¯ll storm the front and cause as much chaos as possible. If all goes well, most of Valeria¡¯s forces will focus on me, and you¡¯ll encounter minimal resistance.¡±

    The older Dreamweaver shook her head, her voice rising with frustration. ¡°That¡¯s madness. You¡¯ll die within seconds! You don¡¯t stand a chance against Valeria¡¯s army.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Do you have so little faith in me?¡± Saki gave them a smug grin. ¡°I am very powerful you know?¡±

    The room fell silent. All of the Dreamweavers looked at each other, uncertain, until the small succubus stepped forward. ¡°I will do it. Like I said.¡±

    Her courage made the other look down in shame and some of them even left the campfire. Saki looked at the older one, her gaze pleading for help.

    ¡°Sorry, but if I get a hold of your guy, I¡¯m taking him for myself. And I doubt you would want that, right?¡± she smirked devilishly.

    ¡°I-I won¡¯t do that,¡± the smaller one said. ¡°I just want to save my friend¡­¡±

    Saki¡¯s grin softened into a determined smile as she placed a hand on the small succubus¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Thank you. Your bravery means more than you know.¡±

    The small succubus blushed slightly but nodded resolutely. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±

    She then turned to the rest of them, her gaze hardening. ¡°You know this might be your only chance to get back at Valeria, right? Aren¡¯t you dissatisfied with the way you¡¯re treated here?¡±

    The older Dreamweaver chuckled and shook her head. ¡°We¡¯re all nameless people here. No one will remember us whether we save the others or not. Besides, as I said, most of them would eat your little human the moment they save him.¡±

    Saki¡¯s expression turned cold, her piercing gaze silencing the older Dreamweaver. ¡°Touch Luka, and I promise you won¡¯t live to regret it.¡±

    ¡°Suit yourself,¡± she chuckled. ¡°But if you go there for just a human, you won¡¯t live long either.¡±

    Stolen novel; please report.

    With that, most of the Dreamweavers left the campsite, leaving only Saki and the small succubus.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s just the two of us now.¡±

    The small succubus hesitated, glancing at the empty spaces where the others had stood moments before. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry they left. I wish they could¡¯ve been braver.¡±

    Saki placed a reassuring hand on the succubus¡¯s shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s okay. They made their choice, and we¡¯ll make ours. Let¡¯s save our friends.¡±

    The small succubus nodded, her nervous energy giving way to a faint glimmer of determination. ¡°Once you start invading the palace, I will search for your friend.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± Saki said, gripping the hilt of her whip. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    After Saki helped the small succubus pack some supplies, she decided to leave her at the entrance of the tunnels, in case she needed to know the location for later. But as they approached the entrance, the small succubus stopped abruptly.

    Saki turned, her brow furrowing. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Why are you doing this? I mean, really. I know you said Luka¡¯s important to you, but¡­ why risk so much for him? For a human?¡±

    Saki frowned, a cold gaze lowering on the girl. ¡°To you, he is nothing more than a human, huh?¡±

    ¡°I mean¡­¡± she turned her eyes away. ¡°Humans are just food, right? There¡¯s no way a succubus could be friends with one.¡±

    Saki¡¯s gaze grew colder, a fierce anger bubbling beneath the surface, but she contained it, choosing instead to focus on the succubus¡¯s words. Slowly, she stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°You really believe that?¡±

    "You really believe that?"

    The small succubus bit her lip, glancing downward. ¡°I mean, I¡¯ve never really¡­ talked to one.¡±

    Saki¡¯s expression softened, and for a brief moment, she seemed lost in thought. Then she nodded slowly, her tone changing. ¡°I used to think like that as well.¡±

    The succubus blinked, surprised by Saki¡¯s admission. ¡°You did?¡±

    Saki nodded slowly. ¡°Humans are foolish, impulsive creatures, easily swayed by their basest desires,¡± she spat as if recalling a mantra she had said a million times. ¡°Their dreams are our nourishment, their lives our toys.¡±

    ¡°At least until you meet one that is willing to give his whole self for another,¡± she finally said, her voice dropping to a quiet whisper. ¡°When I was utterly and completely defeated, on the verge of death after a great fight against humans, one of them saved me.¡±

    ¡°That human you¡¯re trying to rescue?¡±

    Saki let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. ¡°No, not him.¡± Her lips twisted into a melancholic smile. ¡°The one who saved me¡­ he¡¯s gone. Dead.¡±

    The small succubus took an uncertain step back. ¡°Then why¡­?¡±

    ¡°Because I killed him. Now go.¡± she finally said, her head urging her to enter the tunnel.

    With a confused look on her face, the small Dreamweaver stepped forward with a bag on her back. Saki watched as she disappeared in the darkness, her heart heavy.

    She had no right to play the judge, not to them. But she hated it. All these succubi were so¡­ Wrong.

    Just like she was a long time ago.

    But unlike them, she had a choice. A choice she never made until recently.

    With a bitter smile, she looked up and spread her small wings. A small amount of energy coated her body, and her green eyes flared. The wind picked up, making her dark brown hair flutter against the wind, and she flew up.

    In a straight line, her face taking the full blow of the wind as she arrived right above the ridge and the Palace. She had a few minutes until the small succubus would arrive, but she decided she could already cause a lot of damage.

    There was no guard at the entrance, after all, no one would even dare approach the place. With a powerful beat of her wings, she dove toward the building, her heart pounding with anticipation. Her booted feet connected with the first-floor window with a resounding crash, splintering the glass as if it were little more than fragile paper.

    She landed gracefully in the room, the shattered remains of the window scattered around her like confetti. Her green eyes burned with determination, and she stood tall, arms at her sides as she surveyed the room. ¡°Let the rescue operation begin!¡± she declared, her voice ringing with raw confidence.

    The sound of her words was still echoing in the air when the first of the guards rounded the corner, alerted by the destruction she had caused. They froze in surprise, but Saki didn¡¯t wait for them to react.

    ¡°Balweiln!¡± she shouted and launched multiple wind blades summoned at the tip of her fingers toward the guards.

    Meanwhile, in the deepest cell of the Palace, the nameless succubi was polishing her spell.

    It had been a week of being trapped in this place, one week of tireless work. But it was soon completed. The runes were carefully crafted, and thanks to the human¡¯s control spell, the whole process of stabilizing it was completed yesterday.

    Which meant he held no usefulness toward Valeria and had already been gifted to Laura that same day.

    The succubus¡¯s eyes narrowed as she polished the runes. There was little she could do to stop what was happening now. That human would die a probably horrible death soon and nothing could stop it.

    Something clutched at her heart every time she thought of it. It was not in her best interests to get emotional but she still hated it. He was nothing special on his own, except the fact that she learned that he was from another world, and that his view on life was refreshing.

    And the way he thought about magic was extraordinary. His talent was clear, despite the lack of mana that burdened him. It made her wonder what he could accomplish if he had more time, more resources.

    He was a living paradox¡ªdepressive yet joyful, cunning but open, and sometimes, in the most unexpected moments, filled with a wisdom that made their conversations intriguing. Even after only a week, she mostly understood what he felt. Perhaps it was her ability as an old Dreamwear that had scoured the continent, or perhaps it was just a good alchemy between them but¡­

    She dropped the stone in her hand, her thoughts a jumbled mess.

    Yes. I could consider him a friend. Or a rightful successor, she thought, her mind drifting to the implications of the idea. It was dangerous, a foolish notion that could get her into trouble. But the realization stuck with her. It was true, whether she liked it or not.

    ¡°I miss him,¡± she whispered, the words slipping from her lips before she could stop them. She blinked, startled by the sound of her own voice. It had only been a day since he was gone, but the silence that had followed in his wake was unbearable. She hadn¡¯t realized how much his presence had filled the emptiness of her own thoughts until now.

    Something was missing. Something vital.

    He had been the one person who had seen her, understood her in ways no one else could. A kin, a kindred spirit who didn¡¯t need her to explain everything. Even though he rarely spoke of it, she could see the hunger in his eyes¡ªthe thirst for knowledge, for magic, for science. That insatiable curiosity. It was like looking into a mirror, seeing her own reflection, but through the eyes of someone who was still full of wonder.

    Too bad he would die soon.

    It only shows how wrong this world is, she finally thought, her mind locking onto the task at hand and pushing aside the emotions inside her.

    ¡°Hum¡­ Miss? Are you there?¡± A familiar voice echoed in the prison, making her head spin.

    There, outside of the cell, she saw a small Dreamweaver packing a bag walking aimlessly, as if looking for something¡ªor rather someone.

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you.¡± The succubus returned to her work, her tone indifferent as she continued shaping the spell. She knew the little Dreamweaver since she was coming here almost every day to see her.

    ¡°Miss! You¡¯re still here!¡± The small Dreamweaver stepped closer to the bars, a big smile stretching across her face. ¡°Quick! I¡¯m getting you out of here!¡±

    The succubus raised an eyebrow, her gaze drifting to the eager expression of the smaller succubus. She examined her carefully, her mind still swirling with confusion. Is she mad?

    ¡°What?¡± She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied the little Dreamweaver. ¡°Are you so far gone from hunger that you¡¯ve lost your senses? You should leave.¡±

    The smile on the small Dreamweaver¡¯s face faltered for a moment, but then she shook her head vigorously, stepping forward with a determined expression. ¡°No, Miss! I¡¯m serious! I¡¯m getting you out! I¡¯ve found a way.¡±

    The succubus sighed, turning her attention back to the runes. She had no time for delusions or misplaced optimism. Yet, something about the little one¡¯s words caught her attention, just enough to make her hesitate.

    Before she could respond, a tremor shook the entire building, causing the water droplets from the damp ceiling to fall more steadily, a rhythmic pattering echoing in the otherwise silent room. The ground beneath her feet rumbled, and she could hear footsteps and shouts from above, growing fainter as they moved away from the prison.

    ¡°What is going on¡­?¡± she muttered, glancing upward at the ceiling, her senses alert to the strange disturbances.

    ¡°While she¡¯s distracting everyone, we should free everyone here!¡± The small Dreamweaver worked frantically at the lock, using thin wires to try and pick it open. She glanced up with a determined expression. ¡°The guards won¡¯t be paying attention for long. We have to hurry.¡±

    The succubus stood silent for a moment, her mind weighing the options. Being locked here wasn¡¯t so bad but it would be better for her spell to be used by Danthea. Opportunities like these were rare, and she knew to take them.

    ¡°Fine,¡± she said, her voice laced with an edge of reluctant agreement. ¡°Let me take some things before leaving.¡±

    The small Dreamweaver¡¯s smile widened, and her hands continued their work on the lock, the metal clicking as she skillfully maneuvered the wires. The tremors above were growing stronger now, adding urgency to the moment.

    ¡°We¡¯re almost there, Miss,¡± the little succubus said. ¡°Just a little more.¡±

    She hastily took the runes and placed them in her pockets, popped up a pill in her mouth, and went on to join the Dreamweaver.

    With a soft click, the lock gave way, the door creaking open. The little Dreamweaver beamed up at her, the joy in her eyes infectious despite the situation. She looked inside the cell and her smile faltered. ¡°Wait, where is the human?¡±

    The succubus with glasses stepped out, her hands in her pocket as she surveyed the space around them. ¡°Now go free the others, I have something to do.¡±

    ¡°W-What? But I can lead you to the tunnel so we can get out of here!¡±

    ¡°No need,¡± she shook her head. ¡°I have something important to do first here.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t leave you! You¡¯re my friend!¡± the little Dreamweaver protested, her voice trembling with desperation as she reached out.

    The succubus reeled back in shock, her face turning into disgust and confusion. ¡°What are you talking about? I was right, you are mad aren¡¯t you?¡±

    The small Dreamweaver¡¯s face wavered, and for a brief moment, a flicker of hurt crossed her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something more, but before she could utter another word, a sudden sharp crack echoed through the air.

    The succubus froze, her heart thudding in her chest. A bolt, quick and silent, pierced through the little Dreamweaver¡¯s skull. The small succubus¡¯ body jerked as the force of the strike threw her back, and blood splattered across the white coat and glasses of the succubus.

    The quiet innocence of the small Dreamweaver, who had offered to help, was now swallowed by the cold brutality of the world. She was dead. Just like that.

    The little succubus¡¯ body crumpled to the ground in a soft thud, and the succubus took a slight step back from the slight shock.

    In front of her, there she was. A guard who was cloaked in an invisibility spell, holding a pocket crossbow.

    "I knew it," the guard muttered, her voice dripping with contempt as she loaded another bolt. "Something fishy was going on¡­ Go back in your cell, Valeria needs you alive.¡±

    Oh, now I remember, she thought. The face of the little Dreamweaver hadn¡¯t resurfaced in her mind until now. There was a similar situation, just like that one. While she was taking a stroll around the slums, she found her being bullied by a group of Dreamweavers who stole her pills.

    That day, she stepped up and used some of her inventions to save her. Because she couldn¡¯t stand seeing the pills she had created being stolen like that from others.

    ¡°So that¡¯s why you called me friend¡­¡±

    She came to the realization too late. Now it held no meaning whatsoever. With a sigh, she turned around and faced the cell, her eyes hollow.

    ¡°Good, now close the door,¡± the guard ordered.

    As she was told, she grabbed the handle of the door and began closing while her back was facing the guard, only to stop mid-way. While closing, she stepped on some blood coming from the small succubus who tried to help her.

    Ah¡­ They really are all foolish.

    The guard¡¯s impatience flared, and the lash of her tail snapped against the stone floor with a sharp crack. ¡°Hey, close the damn door!¡±

    Everything is pointless. Yet, her heart tells her something else.

    ¡°What if I don¡¯t?¡± she asked, her eyes glinting from the light coming from the torch on the wall.

    The guard¡¯s grin only deepened, her eyes gleaming with malice. ¡°I¡¯ll force you.¡±

    ¡°How old are you?¡± The succubus¡¯ voice was calm, almost detached as she raised an eyebrow, her eyes never leaving the guard.

    ¡°Why does it matter? Now get on the damn cell!¡±

    ¡°Haven¡¯t your parents told you to respect your elders? You even splashed my precious glasses with blood.¡±

    With a quiet sigh, the succubus took off her glasses, her fingers delicate as she wiped away the blood from the lenses, though without the proper material, all she could do was smear it, coating the surface in a red haze. She could hardly see through the mess, but that didn¡¯t matter. Not anymore.

    The casualness of the succubus in front of her made the guard waver a bit, her anger flaring out. ¡°Get in the damn cell or I¡¯ll skewer you!¡±

    ¡°Considering your immaturity and the fairness of your skin, I believe you¡¯re quite young. Thirty years old perhaps? They only take the young ones for guard duty.¡±

    The guard¡¯s face reddened, the heat of her anger rising. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you regret that, you little¡ª¡± But she was cut off by the succubus¡¯ next words.

    ¡°You¡¯ve learned nothing and you already desire to throw away your life? Killing me would have grave consequences, and you know that.¡±

    For a moment, the guard faltered. The defiance in the succubus¡¯ voice, the calm authority she exuded, made her hesitate.

    The succubus, still holding the door halfway closed, took another step forward, her gaze unwavering. ¡°So go ahead,¡± she said, voice softer now, almost bored. ¡°Skewer me, if you want. But know this¡­ I won¡¯t be the one to break.¡±

    The guard¡¯s grip tightened around her crossbow, the sound of her teeth clenching filling her ears. She could only watch as the succubus stepped up, closer and closer, her gaze locked onto hers.

    ¡°I¡¯m waiting,¡± the succubus said as she walked up, her hands stuffed casually in her pockets. ¡°Or perhaps you¡¯ve changed your mind?¡±

    ¡°Get in the fucking cell or I¡¯ll break your arms and throw you there myself.¡±

    The succubus gave a faint, almost amused smile. ¡°But if you break my arms, I won¡¯t be able to work anymore, will I?¡±

    The guard¡¯s eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on the crossbow as she growled. ¡°Then I¡¯ll break your legs!¡±

    ¡°Now that¡¯s better. For once you¡¯re thinking.¡±

    Her eyes shone as she looked her in the eyes.

    ¡°However, it¡¯s a bit late for you to survive now.¡±

    With a flick of the wrist, she pulled her right hand from her pocket, which was now fully covered by a glove with strange inscriptions on it. While talking to her, she grabbed it onto the desk and was busy putting it on while her hand was in her pocket.

    ¡°Balweiln.¡±

    An inscription etched on the palm began to shine.

    With a swift movement of the arm, a wind blade was created, powerful enough to split the guard in two before she could even shoot to defend herself. Blood painted the walls as the light faded in her eyes and her body crumpled to the floor.

    The succubus clutched her side in pain after she launched the spell. ¡°Dammit¡­¡± she breathed heavily. ¡°I used too much mana.¡±

    She gritted her teeth, picked up the crossbow, and took back a more relaxed posture before climbing up the stairs.

    She had to find him, even if he was dead.

 Crimson Garden

    The light finally reached his eyes. After being abruptly taken away from the cell, he found himself being dragged by a group of succubi and taken to another place.

    The cold familiar breeze of the Ark caressed his face, and the blindfold covering his eyes was removed. There, he found himself in a place that contrasted with the opulence and dazzling lights of the city.

    A sea of dead trees, towering high above the ashen soil. Behind him, the Velvet Palace, and a multitude of humans as lost as him.

    ¡°Heya! Thank you all for coming here! My name¡¯s Laura!¡± A cheerful voice rang in his ears as he took in his surroundings.

    He was surrounded by men of every age. Old to young, all types of people were there and there were about ten of them.

    In front of the group, another succubi was there. She was unlike the others. Her long crimson hair cascaded down her back, vibrant against the gray environment, and her gold-irised eyes were open wide with cheerfulness. She wore a tattered black robe that swirled around her, exposing glimpses of alabaster skin marked with intricate crimson tattoos.

    ¡°Welcome to my garden,¡± she continued, spreading her arms in a welcoming gesture. ¡°I hope you enjoyed your stay at our lovely prison. Trust me, this place is even more fun!¡± She almost jumped with joy as she watched intently each human in front of her.

    The group exchanged uneasy glances, murmurs breaking the silence as they shuffled nervously.

    ¡°What is this place?¡± a man in his thirties shouted. ¡°Get me out of here you demon!¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± She tilted her head, her lips turning into a wicked grin. ¡°A volunteer?¡±

    The man stood up and began pointing his finger at her. ¡°We don¡¯t have to listen to you! Everyone follow me! She¡¯s just one demon, and there are ten of us!¡±

    Oh¡­ This can¡¯t go well¡­

    For a moment, the succubus said nothing. Then she began to giggle, like a kid about to pull a prank. Before anyone could react, she vanished. In the blink of an eye, she reappeared directly in front of the man, her face mere inches from his.

    ¡°Allow me to demonstrate.¡±

    Without waiting and ignoring the man¡¯s abrupt step back, she forcefully kissed him on the lips while giggling.

    ¡°Gyaaaahh!¡±

    The man cried out in pain almost as soon, his body contorting in every direction.

    Everyone stood there, too terrified to even move.

    His limbs twisted unnaturally, bones cracking under the strain of the muscles being atrophied. The color drained from his skin, leaving it ashen and lifeless as if all vitality were being siphoned away, his hair fell out, turning white in a few seconds. His fingers curled inward, snapping like brittle twigs, while his eyes bulged grotesquely before drying up like prunes with a sickening squelch.

    Then, with a resounding crack, his withered body collapsed into a heap¡ªa hollow shell of skin and bone.

    ¡°There!¡± the succubus chirped, stepping over the corpse as she licked her lips with relish. ¡°This is what happens when I catch you. So¡­¡± Her eyes gleamed with sadistic delight as she clasped her hands behind her back. ¡°You¡¯d better start running.¡±

    The men erupted into chaos. Some stumbled to their feet, others tripped and scrambled, their movements clumsy in their blind panic.

    ¡°This is the game!¡± she announced, spreading her arms wide as if addressing an adoring crowd. ¡°If you make it out of the forest, you¡¯re free! But if I catch you¡ªit¡¯s bye-bye!¡±

    Free? Luka¡¯s stomach churned. She couldn¡¯t possibly mean that. This whole thing reeked of a twisted game.

    The sight of the man¡¯s desiccated corpse seared itself into Luka¡¯s mind, and for a split second, he froze. Reality crashed over him like a wave, and he realized just how trapped he was. The ¡°garden¡± wasn¡¯t just a forest of dead trees¡ªit was surrounded by an impenetrable barrier. Without his talismans, escape was impossible.

    But before he could gather his thoughts, the others had already fled, vanishing into the forest in a frenzy of screams and frantic footsteps. The succubus, standing casually over the crumpled remains of her victim, turned her attention to him. Her golden eyes locked onto his, and she smiled.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to run?¡± she asked sweetly, tilting her head like a curious child.

    The question snapped Luka out of his paralysis. Without thinking, he turned on his heel and bolted, his feet pounding against the ashen ground.

    Her voice followed him, light and playful, like a cat toying with a mouse. ¡°Good choice!¡± she called out, her laughter echoing through the dead forest. ¡°Be beware of traps!¡±

    Traps?

    The word barely registered as Luka sprinted through the forest. He weaved between the dead, skeletal trees, their gnarled branches reaching out like claws. The ground was treacherous, littered with brittle bones and jagged roots that threatened to trip him with every step.

    A full skeleton leaned against a nearby tree, its fleshless skull grinning eerily at him, the bark behind it stained a deep, rust-colored red. Another corpse lay slumped further ahead, its torso twisted unnaturally. Luka¡¯s heart pounded in his chest, the cracks of breaking bones beneath his feet resounding in the oppressive silence.

    From the hazy mist, he heard a scream, a fleeting cry which was soon followed by silence, then another. He could hear men crying somewhere nearby, their sobs blending into the surroundings and echoing randomly.

    Still, he kept running. Until he found another one of the humans standing there, tears cornering his eyes.

    The sight of the man brought Luka to a halt, his heart hammering against his ribcage. The other human was trembling, his face pale, and tears glistening in his wide, panic-stricken eyes. He clutched a jagged stick in his shaking hands, holding it out defensively, as if it could ward off the horror that hunted them.

    Luka skidded to a halt, his heart hammering. He didn¡¯t call out, instinctively lowering his voice as he scanned the surrounding trees. His eyes flicked to the man¡¯s face, then to his trembling hands. The man¡¯s lips quivered as though he wanted to speak, but no words came.

    Luka crept closer, his movements careful. ¡°Hey,¡± he whispered, keeping his tone low and steady. ¡°We need to move. Standing here is¡ª¡±

    A branch snapped somewhere behind them.

    The man flinched violently and stepped back, his stick wobbling in his grip. Luka¡¯s head whipped around, his breath catching in his throat.

    When he turned back to the man, his blood ran cold. A thick, blood-slicked branch had speared through the man¡¯s chest, its surface pulsing grotesquely as though alive. Luka¡¯s stomach churned as blood dripped steadily to the ground, pooling in dark streaks on the ashen soil. The man¡¯s mouth opened in a silent scream, his body trembling uncontrollably as his cheeks hollowed and his skin sagged.

    ¡°What the¡ª¡± It took every ounce of willpower for Luka to not scream. That thing was sapping his life force just like she did, but in a more violent and slower way.

    The tree¡¯s roots began to writhe, creeping toward Luka with an almost predatory intent. They snaked across the ground, thick and gnarled, as if sensing his presence. Meanwhile, the man¡¯s body was hoisted off the ground, dangling limply as the roots burrowed beneath his skin, creating grotesque bulges that crawled across his body like parasitic veins.

    The man¡¯s eyes rolled back as a root pushed its way up his throat and burst from his mouth in a sickening squelch. His limbs spasmed, jerking unnaturally, before hanging lifelessly in the air.

    However, before he could even begin to think, a root sharply surged forward in an attempt to pierce Luka.

    He dodged to the side, stumbled backward and hit the ground hard, before rolling down on a slight incline, the loose, ashen soil clinging to his clothes.

    Gasping, Luka scrambled to his feet, glancing back only briefly to see the man¡¯s lifeless husk entangled in the tree¡¯s writhing roots.

    ¡°What the fuck is this¡­ This is a nightmare, right?¡± Luka muttered to himself, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. His mind struggled to process the horrors unfolding around him. He shook his head, forcing himself to focus, and turned to sprint again.

    He ran blindly for several meters, the skeletal forest blurring around him. Finally, he stopped in a small clearing, free of any nearby trees. His chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath, sweat trickling down his face despite the chill in the air.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    With a glance to the ground, Luka steadied himself. His breathing slowed as his mind sharpened, and he crouched low, placing his palm flat against the ashen soil.

    ¡°Control.¡±

    A faint blue light spread from his hand, rippling outward like a scan. It was subtle, invisible to most, but Luka could see it clearly as it traveled through the garden, touching every corner of the cursed domain.

    The light returned to him like a wave, and he gritted his teeth as the truth became clear.

    ¡°This whole place¡­¡± he muttered. ¡°It¡¯s her domain. She¡¯s tied to every single thing here.¡±

    The parasitic trees, the mist, even the ground beneath his feet¡ªit all pulsed with the same energy. This wasn¡¯t just a forest, it was an extension of herself, and each person getting killed by one of the traps became nourishment for her.

    That cruelty reminded him quickly of Yelena Vintera, but with a more childlike approach. She was just toying with them as if this was all just a game for her.

    Still, he couldn¡¯t just give up. There was no way out, but perhaps if he could go back to the Palace, he could find a way to survive.

    After all, the game was to escape, but she didn¡¯t specify in which way to escape.

    With a soft sigh, he glared ahead. The cries of the others hadn¡¯t stopped, but Luka had made his decision. His spell had given him direction¡ªhe could see the safest path to follow, the way to escape. He had to take it, even if it meant abandoning the others.

    It¡¯s not wrong to abandon them, he thought. This was a matter of survival, after all. Saving people he didn¡¯t know was absurd when the situation was this hopeless.

    And no matter how much his heart ached, his didn¡¯t turn back.

    Luka pushed forward, running again with a determined pace, ignoring the fading screams behind him. He had a chance to survive. He had to take it.

    And then, as he sprinted through the mist, he saw someone. Another person was running in the same direction, the same frantic panic in their eyes.

    Luka¡¯s instincts screamed to avoid them, but something about the figure made him hesitate. At least until he saw the thing running after him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll catch you~!¡±

    Luka¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he turned his head, spotting the crimson-haired succubus, casually walking after him with a smile on her lips. Her steps were light, almost too slow to even seem threatening¡ªbut still, she was closing the distance.

    It didn¡¯t make sense. He wasn¡¯t running slower, and she wasn¡¯t running faster. Yet, despite the pace, she seemed to be gaining on him. Luka¡¯s mind raced with confusion. How could she be so close? How could she move like that, without even appearing to try?

    Luka¡¯s body surged with adrenaline, and he veered sharply to one side, desperate to break free from both the succubus and the stranger ahead. He sprinted faster, pushing his limits as his lungs burned.

    But when he glanced back, his blood ran cold.

    There she was¡ªstill there, at the exact same distance. She hadn¡¯t moved a single inch closer or farther. It was like a nightmare, a dream where no matter how fast you ran, no matter how hard you tried to escape, you couldn¡¯t get away.

    The succubus then caught up to the other man, her fingers curling around his face with an unsettling gentleness. Luka didn¡¯t dare to watch. He carefully analyzed the situation instead and his eyes began to dart around in search of an escape.

    This wasn¡¯t a dream, or at least, she wasn¡¯t a Dreamweaver. However, this whole place was her domain, which meant¡­

    ¡°That bitch¡­¡± he cursed, his fists clenching in the face of the utter hopelessness of the situation. ¡°I¡¯m not moving at all. This forest moves instead along with her.¡±

    This was absurd. How many monsters would he meet again?

    But there was no time to dwell on the matter. For now, he had found a makeshift way to escape the clutches of her spell. Crouching down once more, he chanted under his breath.

    ¡°Control: zone.¡±

    If you couldn¡¯t escape her domain, you just had to create your own and overlap it. At least, that¡¯s what he thought.

    ¡°Oh? You¡¯re a mage?¡± The voice of the succubus, eerily close startled him and he avoided it just in time before she grabbed him. Luka¡¯s heart raced. He couldn¡¯t let her touch him¡ªif she did, it was over. The thought of her fingers on his skin sent a shiver down his spine. He dodged again, barely avoiding the grip that came far too close.

    ¡°Huh? You can move?¡± she raised an eyebrow in confusion.

    Taking this opportunity, he began running again, his breath labored from fatigue, the effort starting to wear on him. Now that he undid the control her spell had on him, he could sprint at his leisure until he arrived at the Palace.

    However, the whole place had shifted, and now, he found himself in a big clearing, the ground covered with beautiful white flowers.

    This is definitely a trap¡­

    And he was right as he approached closer, he saw a bunch of other men from earlier lying on the grass, their minds elsewhere and giggling as if they were daydreaming. However, upon closer look, the flowers beneath them were tainted red and their bodies were beginning to dry up as well.

    Luka¡¯s hand shot up to cover his mouth, a reflex to block out the thick, drug-like scent that now filled the air. His mind began to cloud, just for a moment, before he shook it off.

    The flowers emit a pollen that clouds your mind¡­ he clenched his teeth. He had no other way to go and doing a detour was out of the question. He heard light steps and branches cracking behind him, startling him.

    The succubus¡¯s voice reached him, light and amused, just as he feared.

    ¡°Oh? Did the flowers catch some of them?¡±Her laugh sent an icy chill up his spine. He forced himself into motion, mouth still covered as he pushed his legs forward with all the strength he could muster. But it wasn¡¯t enough. His mind scrambled for a solution. He had no mana left to fight her off with his usual magic, but¡­ there was one last gambit. One final risk.

    ¡°Svelto!¡± Using the little bit of mana he had, he pushed his legs further, enhancing them. Then with a gamble, he began gathering his mana in a way he had never done before.

    His left arm began to glow, the contract between him and Saki shining brightly.

    ¡°Balweiln!¡± he shouted, creating a mad gust of wind around him, pushing off all the pollen around him.

    ¡°Aww¡­ He escaped again.¡± the succubus¡¯s voice pouted from behind him, but Luka didn¡¯t waste a second. He didn¡¯t look back. His lungs burned, his body screamed in protest, but he pushed forward, the Palace now visible on the horizon.

    Just a few more meters. He could make it.

    Almost there...

    And then, as the Palace loomed ahead, the ground beneath him began to shake.

    Not again.

    His feet moved faster, his pulse hammering in his ears. Just a few more steps. Just a few more¡ª

    And then the ground shifted beneath him.

    He jumped.

    ¡°Caught you~!¡±

    Right into her arms.

    His stomach dropped as she smiled down at him, her eyes glinting with amusement.

    ¡°You¡¯re the last survivor, congratulations!¡± she announced, hugging him like a proud parent. ¡°Too bad you didn¡¯t make it! You were so close!¡±

    Luka tried to push back with all his might, but her grip was as strong as a bear.

    It was over.

    ¡°Why¡­¡± Luka whispered, his teeth clenching in frustration.

    He could understand many things here. He could even accept the harsh reality of how humans were treated in the city.

    But this was something else. It was cruelty for the sake of it, nothing more.

    ¡°Why?¡± Laura tilted her head in confusion. ¡°Come on¡­ This can¡¯t be your last words, right? Do better.¡±

    Luka¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps, his mind struggling to make sense of it all. There was no grand plan, no escape left. He had completely and utterly lost.

    ¡°Let go of me!¡± Still, he didn¡¯t give up. He thrashed around with all of his might, trying to escape from her hold. With a jerk, he then enhanced his arm and punched her in the gut, making her flinch for once.

    That single punch broke her hold and he fell on his back, the ash cushioning his fall.

    ¡°Ow! That hurts!¡± she screamed in protest before massaging her side. ¡°Fuck off, you human!¡±

    With a swift kick, she dug her heel into his abdomen, making him gasp in pain. Luka gasped for breath, clutching his side where she had kicked him. The pain was sharp, almost blinding, but he refused to let it show. She had been toying with him, reveling in his struggle, but now she seemed genuinely upset.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I hate mages,¡± Laura spat. ¡°You always think you have a chance.¡±

    Luka slowly pushed himself to his knees, his whole body trembling with exhaustion and pain. Some part of him screamed to just give up and let it happen but he just couldn¡¯t.

    He raised his hand in an attempt to create a fire spell, but his mana came short and he had run out of fuel after that last punch. The spell simply fizzled in the air, making Laura explode with laughter.

    ¡°Pffff! Ahaha! Seriously? I knew guys had sometimes performance issues but this is embarrassing,¡± she grinned.

    ¡°Fuck you,¡± he whispered, his voice hoarse but filled with fury.

    ¡°Yes, fuck you,¡± she echoed while grinning ear to ear.

    As she leaned in to give the final blow, Luka closed his eyes shut. There was nothing he could do, the pain from the blow paralyzed him and there was no way out.

    He braced himself for what was to come.

    But then, something changed.

    A warm sensation trickled down his face. Drop by drop, cold against the heat of his skin. His eyes fluttered open in confusion. What was this?

    A bolt had pierced Laura¡¯s throat. Blood seeped from the wound, staining the air around them with its dark, metallic scent. Her eyes widened in shock, and she turned around, looking over her shoulder in disbelief.

    The nameless Dreamweaver in a white coat, the crossbow aimed at her sneered from afar. Then, casually, she reloaded her weapon and shot another bolt which pierced the succubus¡¯s skull.

    For a moment, Laura was still. The world seemed to pause. Then, her body went limp, her grip on Luka gone, her life snuffed out by the precision of the Dreamweaver¡¯s shot.

    Luka lay there, gasping for air, his body still racked with pain. He looked up at the Dreamweaver and smiled, relief flooding through him.

    She saved me!

    But as she drew closer, his smile faltered. There was something unsettling in her eyes, something cold, almost predatory. The same hunger that had been in her gaze before, but this time it wasn¡¯t directed at their enemy.

    Before he could react, she raised her crossbow again. In a flash, she traced a quick, precise motion with her fingers, and another bolt flew through the air. It slammed into Luka¡¯s hand, pinning it firmly to the ground.

    Luka cried out in pain, his body jerking violently as the bolt embedded itself deep into his flesh. His world spun as the sharp pain lanced through him.

    ¡°Stay¡­ Still¡­¡±

    Her voice was hoarse and strained. Her cheeks were flushed and her skin was glistening with sweat as she lowered herself down on the ground.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± she whispered as she knelt closer and began straddling him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± she repeated.

    She couldn¡¯t admit it. Not to him. But after everything, being so close to death, she only wanted one thing: To live.

    And for a succubus, that meant consuming, and taking from others. Hunger had taken over her, and she had no other choice than to do it. Otherwise, she would disappear soon, just like the rest.

    Her fingers trembled as they hovered just above his skin, and the silence between them was suffocating, broken only by her soft breaths. Luka could see the conflict in her eyes, the inner turmoil that twisted her face into something unreadable. She was struggling, her mind at war with her own nature, and yet it wasn¡¯t enough to stop her from leaning down further.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± she murmured again, her voice strained. Her breath tickled him, the heat emanating from her warming him in the cold forest.

    Luka''s heart pounded. Her voice cracked, the words coming out like a confession. She wasn¡¯t just apologizing to him. She was apologizing to herself.

    She had denied it for so long. The reason why she fought in the first place. A better future for the succubi, and no matter how hard it was, she had always tried her best.

    To her, Luka was in a way not much different. There was no right or wrong in this, just survival. She knew he understood it better than anyone, she could see it in his eyes, the cold acceptance of her actions.

    For the first time in her life, she had met a human who could understand another species and accept them wholly, without any morality behind it.

    He embraced their nature and even excused it.

    There was no judgment, only facts.

    Yet, she couldn¡¯t lean closer. His right arm, his weakest, was pushing her back.

    She used everything, she pushed with all her might, she even bit her lips to muster all the strength she could.

    He didn¡¯t even flinch.

    Luka¡¯s face twisted into pity and worry rather than anger.

    She is so light¡­  Too light.

    Lighter than an infant, as light as a feather.

    And still, she struggled, her voice breaking into sobs as she tried to force herself closer. "Ah¡­ Ah..." she gasped, each word like a plea for something she couldn¡¯t quite name.

    Luka didn¡¯t move, he didn¡¯t even push her away. He accepted her strength wholly and met it with everything he had, with no malice or grudge behind it.

    Because at that moment, he understood. There was nothing to fight. There was no right or wrong. There was only the will to survive, and the choices that came with it.

    Her body finally collapsed on him, light and fragile, as if every ounce of her strength had been spent just trying to hold herself together.

    With a sigh, he pulled out the bolt from his hand, not without wincing and biting his tongue, and held her in his arms.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡± he finally whispered to her, as he forced a smile despite the pain.

    Even if she were to die, he couldn¡¯t accept to die himself.

    That was the only answer she needed. She had tried to survive¡­

    ¡­And that was enough for her.

 To move forward, no matter what

    ¡°Who the hell is she?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s tearing through us like we¡¯re made of paper!¡±

    Meanwhile, in the Velvelt Palace, Saki continued her advance. Bolts, wind slashes, even daggers and swords, she was dodging them all as she made her way toward the north aisle, where the lord of the place was supposed to be.

    Or at least that¡¯s what the first few guards she met told her the moment she kicked them in the face.

    With a bat of her wings, she leaped from one wall to another, narrowingly avoiding multiple bolts shot at her. Then, with a smooth flick of her wrist, her whip crackled the air and their fingers, making the succubi drop their weapons in pain.

    Another squad of guards charged her, their hands shining as they prepared their magic. She kicked off a nearby pillar, her boots leaving deep cracks in the marble as she propelled herself forward like a missile.

    ¡°Saki kick!¡± she yelled, the force of her strike hitting one guard square in the gut. The impact sent him flying into the others, scattering them like bowling pins.

    Before they could regroup, she spun around, her whip coiling like a serpent and snapping onto the ankle of another guard. With a violent tug, she yanked her opponent off their feet and slammed them into the ground.

    ¡°Saki spin!¡± she shouted, laughing as she used her momentum to deliver a crushing blow to the next guard¡¯s side.

    Another lunged at her, their blade raised high. Saki sidestepped effortlessly and drove her fist into their face with a resounding crack.

    ¡°Saki punch!¡±

    The remaining guards hesitated, exchanging nervous glances. But one mustered the courage to approach from behind, their weapon poised for a sneak attack.

    Without even turning, Saki shot her elbow backward, striking the guard in the neck. They crumpled to the floor, gasping for air.

    ¡°...Saki elbow,¡± she exhaled, straightening her stance. She flicked her whip back into her grip, her eyes scanning for more challengers.

    The guards that remained standing began to back away, their resolve faltering. ¡°Anyone else?¡±

    That simple sentence made the remaining guards question their loyalty to Valeria, and in a matter of seconds, they all scattered away, leaving Saki alone to enter the north aisle.

    With a smug grin, she strode forward, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor. Reaching a set of towering double doors, she pushed them open with both hands, stepping into an expansive chamber.

    There, she saw multiple mutilated bodies on the bloody sand, and in the middle, a single giant man of more than two meters tall.

    Valeria, who was sitting on the throne, let out a throaty chuckle as she gazed upon the newcomer. ¡°Oh? A new challenger? I don¡¯t recall asking for one to come.¡±

    Saki stepped forward, her whip coiled at her side and her eyes glinting with determination. ¡°I figured you needed your ass kicked.¡±

    Valeria¡¯s smirk widened, her sharp nails tapping rhythmically against the armrest of her throne. ¡°Bold words for a Dreamweaver. But tell me, do you recall how the last one fared? Or perhaps you¡¯d like a demonstration.¡±

    With a sharp gesture, she snapped her fingers. The hulking giant in the center of the room turned to face Saki, his expression cold and devoid of mercy. His massive broadsword, nearly too large for a single man to wield, gleamed ominously as he hefted it with ease in his left hand.

    ¡°Bra?us,¡± Valeria commanded her arm raised like a conqueror. ¡°Show her true pain!¡±

    The giant¡¯s eyes locked onto Saki, and with a guttural roar, he charged.

    Saki readied herself, her legs slightly apart to keep a good footing. The giant swung his broadsword with terrifying speed, and the battle started.

    And after what felt like an hour, the battle stopped. Valeria¡¯s back against the wall, her hand raised as she was pleading for mercy.

    Never in her life had she seen something like this. This wasn¡¯t a battle, it just wasn¡¯t fair. This girl couldn¡¯t be a Dreamweaver, nor a Nightlord.

    ¡°P-Please, spare me!¡± the Nightlord pleaded as Saki¡¯s unharmed form towered her. Her crimson eyes, wide with terror, darted to the whip in Saki¡¯s hand. The giant Bra?us didn¡¯t die in the battle but was so exhausted he couldn¡¯t move anymore. It had become a battle of endurance rather than might and Saki had easily won.

    ¡°Spare you?¡± Saki tilted her head as she stared down at the trembling figure of the Nightlord. ¡°Like you spared those other succubi perhaps?¡±

    Valeria¡¯s lips quivered. ¡°I-I made a mistake. I didn¡¯t know you were¡ª¡±

    The whip snapped on the ground, making Valeria flinch. ¡°Shut your trap. ¡°You don¡¯t even try to have a shred of dignity, and you dare call yourself a lord? The one who¡¯s supposed to lead the Vale?¡± Saki¡¯s gaze turned into pure disdain, her face contorting in disgust. ¡°Look at you. Groveling like a worm, begging for your pathetic life. You¡¯re a disgrace¡ªnot just to your title, but to your kind. Have some respect for the power you wield. For the lives you¡¯ve ruined.¡±Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Valeria shrank further, her once-proud frame trembling under Saki¡¯s unrelenting judgment.

    Saki leaned in, her voice dropping to a low whisper. ¡°Do you know the difference between a lord and you, Valeria? You rule with power biggest you¡¯re the biggest fish in this pond. But a true lord looks at the sea. And in there, you¡¯re nothing.¡±

    Valeria¡¯s lip trembled as she opened her mouth to speak, but the sharp glare from Saki froze her in place.

    She straightened her whip snapping again. ¡°And unfortunately for you,¡± Saki continued, her tone icy and final, ¡°I have a human to protect. Your time is up.¡±

    ¡°Wait!¡± Valeria¡¯s desperate cry barely left her lips before Saki moved.

    Without hesitation, Saki summoned a wind blade that cut the throat of the woman. The Nightlord¡¯s eyes widened in shock as she clutched at her neck, blood pouring through her trembling fingers.

    ¡°Come on, little fish,¡± Saki taunted, her voice calm and chilling. ¡°Try to breathe.¡±

    Valeria collapsed to her knees, her gasps growing weaker until the life drained from her eyes.

    Saki watched impassively as the once-feared Nightlord crumpled to the ground, and, with a flick of her wrist, her whip coiled back around her.

    She turned and walked away without a second glance, her heels clicking against the marble floor. ¡°I hope you understand now how miserable your species is,¡± she muttered, as she headed toward the exit.

    <hr>

    Meanwhile, the scene was vastly different.

    The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon as Luka and the nameless succubus made their way back to the shack. It had been a long day of surviving and navigating through the narrow tunnels, but they finally reached their destinations.

    He reached for the door, but as he pushed it open, the old hinges gave way with a loud creak, sending the door tumbling to the ground.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s one way to do it,¡± Luka muttered, half-laughing at the unexpected turn of events. He stepped inside and moved toward the center of the room, where he gently lowered the succubus¡ªstill draped around his neck¡ªinto a nearby chair.

    Her breath had become regular but she was still deeply exhausted. Her limbs were falling off along her body and she barely could lean properly against the back of the chair.

    Luka followed by sitting on the bed while searching for some bandages of replacement for his hurt hand. He found some pieces of soft paper and used them as a makeshift band-aid for now.

    Then, he rubbed his hand over his tired face and leaned back against the wall. ¡°Phew¡­ Finally some rest¡­¡±

    The succubus didn¡¯t respond. Instead, she had a vacant look, her mouth opening and closing with each breath, as if she was sleeping awake. A strand of hair passed over her eyes, but she didn¡¯t move to push it away. She seemed too exhausted, as if her life hanging on by a thread.

    ¡°You okay?¡± Luka asked quietly, though he wasn¡¯t sure if she could hear him. Or if she even cared at all.

    The succubus didn¡¯t respond, but her eyes slowly drifted shut, her head tilting forward as she gave in to the weight of her body.

    Luka leaned back, staring at the ceiling, his mind wandering back to what had just transpired. Being kidnapped again and the time he had spent with her in that cell, working on the spell to save their kind.

    But did they deserve it?

    The images flooded his mind again: blood, screams, the sickening crack of bones breaking. He closed his eyes as the memories tried to drown him, but they didn¡¯t go away. His mind kept repeating the same word, over and over.

    I hate it. I hate it.

    His mind kept repeating that same word ever since he had left the so-called ¡°garden¡± of that psychopath. Why did he even come here? These barbaric creatures cannot even work together, so how could he expect them to work with humanity, even in dire times?

    Still, that was hypocrisy to him. Humans weren¡¯t better anyway, they were also psychopaths in his world, too many to count.

    Hell, the atrocities Vlad Tepesh had committed in his life were close to what Laura had done.

    And yet, here he was, caught between two worlds that were just as corrupt as the other. Two sides that had never truly tried to understand each other, both capable of endless destruction. None of them were better and yet¡­

    A small whimper pulled him back to reality. The succubus opened her eyes and shifted slightly in her chair.

    ¡°Yo,¡± Luka raised his hand in a welcoming gesture. ¡°You dozed off? You were out ever since we left the dead forest.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ Tried to kill you¡­¡±

    Luka nodded, his face serious. ¡°You did.¡±

    There was an awkward silence between them, but neither looked away.

    It was true, she did try to kill him. Yet, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to hate her. After spending a whole week in that cell with her, even if their interactions were nothing more than either silent work or small philosophical debates, he couldn¡¯t hate her.

    The succubus shifted again, her face still weary but her gaze clearer now. Her voice trembled slightly. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you¡­ kill me?¡±

    No, he couldn¡¯t hate her because¡­

    When they were in that cell, she said something that struck him to the core.

    ¡°Because¡­¡± Luka muttered, his eyes lowering to the floor.

    He couldn¡¯t bring himself to finish his sentence. Perhaps because he was still immature, or perhaps because he felt it was silly. Anyway, the succubus simply shook her head and smiled faintly.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I understand now¡­¡±

    As ever, she was able to read him like a book, and Luka returned the smile, albeit a small one. It was strange, how easy it was for her to see through him, yet he couldn¡¯t fully do the same for her.

    ¡°I need to go, now,¡± she continued as she pushed herself off the chair.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡±

    ¡°To Danthea¡¯s manor,¡± she replied, her voice steadier now. ¡°The spell is completed, and I need to present it to her. I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s launched tomorrow in the central place where they sell off slaves.¡±

    Luka raised an eyebrow. It was oddly specific, but he understood what she had to do.

    "You sure you want to go alone?" he asked, feeling a mix of curiosity and concern.

    She nodded. ¡°Yes. I need to go alone.¡±

    And then, as she turned to leave, her footsteps faltering slightly, she paused.

    ¡°Luka.¡±

    He blinked, catching her eyes one more time. ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay to be angry,¡± she whispered, her lips curling into a faint smile. ¡°It¡¯s okay to be a monster sometimes.¡±

    With that, she pulled out a small book and dropped it before leaving the shack with unsteady steps.

    ¡°But never betray yourself,¡± she added over her shoulder, her voice softer now, as though she had said something she wanted to for a long time.

    Her last words left her mouth and Luka watched her go. Luka¡¯s mind raced, trying to make sense of what she had just said. It was so sudden, so unexpected, and yet¡­

    He knew it was important.

    His gaze drifted back to the book she left, the same one that was hidden beneath the false bottom of her desk in the cell.

    The same one she was hiding from him.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a coincidence, huh¡­?¡± he muttered under his breath as he pondered on whether or not to give her back.

    But he knew better than that. She dropped it on purpose. After a few moments, he leaned and picked it up. Upon opening it, he remarked that many pages were old and worn, probably by time itself as Luka figured she had been around this world for a while.

    Yet despite the visible signs of age, the book had been meticulously cared for. As he opened the first page, the faint smell of ink and paper filled the air. The writing was precise, each word neatly placed¡ªalmost too neat, as if it had been written under duress, or in the hope that it would outlast time.

    Luka flicked through the pages, scanning the contents. His fingers brushed over the faded ink, absorbing the strange, cryptic symbols, the half-finished sentences, and the fragments of thoughts that seemed to have no clear order.

    However, it soon became clear. This book was her most prized possession.

    The result of her life.

    When night had finally come, the moon high in the sky, a small sigh escaped his lips. He closed the book and with a bit of magic, burned it, leaving no trace whatsoever.

    Because in truth, this journey had finally begun.

 Viola Cornuta

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re finally here,¡± Saki¡¯s voice was as sharp and cold as the morning air. She stood in the doorway, her arms crossed as she watched Luka finally return.

    ¡°Where have you been? Did you sleep somewhere else?¡±

    Luka barely spared her a glance as he brushed past, his movements stiff and purposeful. Without missing a beat, he grabbed her hand. ¡°Come with me.¡±

    Saki¡¯s eyes narrowed at his sudden boldness, but as she looked him over, a sharp concern settled in her chest. His face was drawn, the bags under his eyes heavier than she remembered. There was a weariness about him, the kind that only came from lack of sleep¡ªor worse. She noticed the way he moved: sluggish, almost like he hadn¡¯t rested at all.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you got your jacket back and everything but¡­¡± she remarked, her gaze taking in his features. ¡°Where did you get that glove?¡± she asked, her eyes locked on his left hand.

    Luka didn¡¯t respond immediately, his eyes focused on the path ahead. He walked without pause, his grip on her hand tight but not harsh. ¡°She left it in the cell. I went back to get my things. Found it there.¡±

    In truth, it had been carefully placed on the desk with a note attached to it.

    ¡°She?¡± Saki echoed with concern.

    ¡°You¡¯ll understand soon,¡± Luka sighed as he dragged her outside and headed towards the place.

    With growing dread gnawing at her, Saki followed him into the slums. The streets were unnervingly quiet, save for a few succubi loitering in the shadows, their movements sluggish from hunger or despair.

    ¡°Where are we going?¡± she asked, her voice tight.

    ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± he replied curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

    The sounds of shouting, laughter, and clapping echoed in the distance, drawing their attention. As they approached, the familiar sight of the central gathering place came into view. A crowd of succubi was gathered in a large circle, their voices raised in joyous shouts and playful laughter.

    In the middle of it, the nameless succubus in her usual white coat was standing on the platform. The small runestones floating in the air formed a circle.

    The scene felt surreal to Saki, like a strange dream, and her unease only deepened. She couldn¡¯t help but feel that something monumental was about to happen¡ªsomething that might change everything.

    Luka carefully walked around the crowd and they finally found themselves behind the platform, right next to the queen who was sitting there on her throne.

    ¡°Glad to see you could come,¡± she said as she saw the duo arrive. ¡°Your assistance in perfecting this spell has been most invaluable. Today, we solve the plight of our kind.¡±

    ¡°The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty,¡± Luka replied, a thin smile curling his lips.

    Saki flinched as his grip on her hand became painful. She shot him a worried glance, but he didn¡¯t look at her.

    The queen rose from her throne, her voice booming as she addressed the gathered succubi. ¡°Today marks the dawn of a new era! No longer shall we be slaves to hunger! No longer shall we wither in the shadow of despair!¡±

    Saki, her heart racing, turned to Luka. ¡°Luka, what¡¯s happening? Is it already over?¡±

    A snicker left Lukas¡¯s mouth as cheers erupted from the crowd, a deafening roar of approval. The runestones surrounding the caster flared brighter, the spell nearing completion.

    Luka didn¡¯t immediately respond. His eyes were fixed on the platform, his gaze intense but unreadable. After a long moment, he nodded slightly, the faintest hint of resignation in his expression.

    Saki¡¯s chest tightened as the intricate circle above the city shimmered into view. Her heart raced, the sight dredging up memories she had long buried.

    ¡°L-Luka¡­¡± she stammered, her voice trembling.

    The runestones around the nameless succubus began to glow brighter as she carefully worked the spell. The sky soon turned brighter as an intricate circle appeared above the city.

    ¡°This is the beginning of a new era,¡± the queen declared, her voice booming. ¡°Our kind shall no longer be shackled here in the Ark!¡±

    The air crackled with a tense energy that made Saki¡¯s skin prickle. She had seen magic before, but this¡­ this was different. The magic that pulsed through the runestones felt similar. Too similar to what happened two years ago.

    ¡°L-Luka¡­?¡± Saki trembled slightly, as panic rose in her.

    She knew that spell.

    He didn¡¯t respond immediately, his eyes locked on the platform. A faint snicker escaped his lips, but it didn¡¯t sound like the Luka she knew. It sounded cold, bitter even. The crowd roared with excitement, but Saki¡¯s heart felt heavy with every passing second. She could sense the tension in the air, and she could see the hunger in the eyes of those gathered around them.

    They were hungry and they were finally about to gain satiety.

    The caster spoke the incantation in a low, steady voice, her glasses falling down on her nose as her expression remained emotionless.

    She was too tired, and she knew what was to come.

    In this land, she was given no name, no aliases, as no other succubi even cared about them. They were not humans, nor were they capable of change.

    In truth, they couldn¡¯t be more different than humans. It was that fundamental difference that changed everything for her. She hated them. Hated this city. Still, she had her sisters to protect.

    That¡¯s why, it¡¯s the last thing she will ever do.

    Deep inside her, she knew it was already over, but a flicker of hope remained. All that was left was his decision.

    The circle shimmered, the spell about to break loose.

    The queen stood, her lips curling into a smug grin. She turned her gaze to Luka, her confidence radiating off her like heat. This fool, she thought, he had no idea what he had worked for.

    But her grin faltered when her eyes fell on what he held in his hand.

    A talisman.

    The queen¡¯s smugness melted into alarm.

    It¡¯s okay to be a monster. It¡¯s okay to mourn. It¡¯s okay to be angry.

    Because this place couldn¡¯t be more fake.

    ¡°Balweiln.¡±

    The word slipped from Luka¡¯s lips like a curse.

    A single blade of wind cut through the air, slicing with deadly precision.

    His hand clenched Saki¡¯s tighter than ever, almost painfully, as the spell shattered into sparks.

    The caster froze mid-chant, her voice cut short as the wind blade struck her in the back. A gush of blood spilled from her, soaking the pristine white of her coat. The magical energy she had summoned dissolved into harmless embers, dissipating into the air.

    The crowd''s jubilation faltered, confusion spreading like wildfire. The nameless succubus crumpled to the ground, her body trembling as she gasped for air, her hands reaching for the wound that had nearly split her open.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Saki¡¯s heart stopped for a moment, her breath caught in her throat as the scene unfolded before her eyes.

    But before the murmurs of confusion could rise into panic, Luka raised another talisman.

    ¡°Echo.¡±

    A voice¡ªeerily similar to the queen¡¯s¡ªrang out, its tone imperious and disdainful.

    ¡°This spell belongs only to the Nightlords! Did you really think peasants like you could wield such power?¡±

    The crowd turned toward the queen, their eyes wide with confusion and betrayal.

    ¡°Ahaha! We shall keep that spell for ourselves and use it to wipe out the Dreamweavers for good!¡±

    The queen¡¯s face went pale, her eyes darting across the sea of angered faces.

    ¡°I-I didn¡¯t say¡ª¡± she stammered, but it was too late.

    The Dreamweavers¡¯ fury boiled over, years of resentment erupting in an instant. The crowd surged toward the platform, their roars a cacophony of rage and desperation.

    The Nightlords on the platform moved to contain the mob, their practiced discipline and magic holding the chaos at bay for now.

    The queen whirled toward Luka, panic etched into her features. ¡°You¡ªare you the one who¡ª?¡±

    Her accusation was cut short as explosions echoed across the city. One after another, they lit up the skyline, the tremors shaking the ground beneath them. Smoke billowed into the sky, and the sound of collapsing structures mingled with screams.

    Saki stood still, realization dawning over her.

    Ah¡­ Now I get it.

    He was aware of the spell, of its effects. When did he realize? she thought. That this spell was meant to enslave humanity itself. Similar to the grand scale spell Zaran used two years ago to sacrifice all of Sora to kill Kaeris, this one was meant to enslave all of the Sora for the benefit of succubi.

    A large-scale charm spell,  that no man could break.

    And Luka had stopped it.

    As the explosions spread, they consumed everything in their wake. Buildings collapsed one after another, their falling rubble disappearing into clouds of dust. Screams and cries for help rang out, swallowed by the deafening roar of chaos.

    On the platform, talismans planted beforehand detonated, catching the crowd in bursts of fire and shrapnel. The Dreamweavers recoiled, their rage turning to confusion as panic rippled through their ranks.

    The queen stumbled backward, her movements frantic, her grandeur stripped away. She tripped on the edge of her throne and fell to her knees at Luka¡¯s feet.

    Her wide, terrified eyes met his.

    Time seemed to slow.

    ¡°Why?¡± she choked out, her voice trembling. ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±

    Luka¡¯s gaze was cold, unyielding. He didn¡¯t answer her question. Instead, he raised his gloved hand, pointing a single finger at her.

    ¡°Esfleto.¡±

    A small pebble, propelled by fire, shot forward with deadly precision. It struck the queen¡¯s skull with a sickening crack, burying itself deep.

    Her body jerked once before crumpling lifelessly to the ground.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    In the end, that was the only thing he could do. Spending the whole night, preparing each talisman carefully while making no sound, camouflaging them with other talismans that rendered an area invisible.

    A carefully planned attack to eradicate one thousand succubi in a day.

    And every step, every street he came across, it was the same thing. Aiming at a running, helpless creature, shooting, and moving on.

    Saki did nothing. No sound came out of her throat, no plea, no warning, nothing. If Luka wasn¡¯t holding her hand, he wouldn¡¯t even realize she was there.

    Shoot. Move on. Shoot. Move on.

    The pattern repeated over and over, unbroken.

    How many succubi did he kill? It didn¡¯t matter. As long as there was one left, he would keep searching. Some offered resistance, but amidst the crumbled buildings, the upheaved land, the smoke, and thanks to his glove¡­

    It was no problem.

    The city burned until it returned to ash, just like the land they inhabited. This place was desolate before their arrival and would become desolate once again.

    A succubus darted out from the shadows, her wings tattered and her face streaked with soot. Her eyes widened in fear as Luka turned toward her, his hand already raised.

    ¡°Please!¡± she begged, her voice cracking. ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t do anything! I just¡ª¡±

    The spell struck her head before she could finish, the fire consuming her as she crumpled to the ground.

    ¡°That was the last one,¡± Luka breathed out slowly as he took in the scenery.

    He surveyed the remains of the Sominium Vale¡ªa city now reduced to ash and rubble. The acrid stench of smoke mingled with the metallic tang of blood, and the distant sound of crumbling structures punctuated the silence.

    It was a hard work that paid off. Now, the threat they posed to humanity was gone.

    Victory, he had told himself. This was what victory looked like. Yet, as his gaze swept over the destruction, an inexplicable tightness coiled in his chest.

    And then he saw her.

    Among the ruins, she stood.

    Her glasses were shattered, the frame barely clinging to her face. Her once-pristine white coat was torn, its fabric stained with soot, ash, and blood.

    Yet, somehow, she stood.

    She was clutching her side, her hand trembling slightly. Each step she took was small and deliberate, the effort etched into her face.

    She walked toward him.

    And so he did. Matching her pace, her walked toward her, the tightening in his chest unbearable.

    Leaping over the crumbled remains of buildings and weaving through the destruction, he ran as fast as his legs could carry him. His gloves scraped against jagged edges, his boots kicked up clouds of soot, but he didn¡¯t care.

    All that mattered was reaching her.

    He wanted to call out, to say something¡ªanything¡ªbut the words never came.

    Because, of course, she bore no name. She never had one.

    Her steps faltered, her body swaying slightly as she turned her head toward him. Her lips curved into a faint, almost serene smile. It wasn¡¯t a smile of joy or relief but one of quiet acceptance, as though she had known this moment would come.

    Her eyes softened, meeting his one final time.

    And then they closed.

    She took one last step forward¡ªlight, fragile, as if gravity itself was too much to bear¡ªbefore collapsing.

    Luka¡¯s outstretched hands caught her just before she hit the ground, his knees slamming into the rubble as he cradled her limp body.

    Her weight pressed against him, lighter than he remembered. She had stopped breathing, and the only thing moving was her long hair, fluttering gently in the wind. Yet, her smile remained, unmoving, etched into her lifeless face.

    This was their defeat. Humanity had won.

    This is probably what she would have wanted to say.

    Luka held her close, his head bowed, the tightness in his chest now a hollow ache that refused to leave.

    Without another word, he stood, carrying her in his arms. Her fragile form seemed smaller now, as if she were disappearing into the world she had fought to protect.

    He remembered a place¡ªa single sanctuary mentioned in her book, one she had written about with rare wonder. A place she visited frequently.

    Far from the city, far from the Vale, it lay hidden: a flowerbed of violet blooms nestled within a small cave.

    It was one of the few peaceful places left in this ashen world.

    When Luka arrived, the sight of the flowers swaying softly in the wind stirred something deep within him. Among the blooms stood two simple tombs, carved into the stone, blank and unmarked. They bore no names, no words, only their silence.

    And so he dug a third tomb between them, his hands steady despite the weariness that clung to his bones. The soil yielded to his efforts, and when it was done, he lowered her into the ground with the same care he had shown in carrying her.

    Luka knelt before the three graves, his head bowed, the ache in his chest now an unbearable weight. He had no words to offer, no prayers to give. Only silence.

    Saki¡¯s footsteps echoed behind him.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you kill me?¡± Luka¡¯s voice came out cracked as he knelt there, looking at the tomb.

    ¡°Why should I?¡± Saki replied, her voice softer than ever. She stood a few meters away, her shadow covering him. ¡°That spell was going to enslave everyone back in Sora, you knew that.¡±

    ¡°I could have only stopped the spell and gone on with my life.¡±

    ¡°You know that¡¯s not true,¡± Saki sighed. ¡°They would have either tried to get revenge or found another way to recreate the spell.¡±

    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you stop me?¡±

    She knelt beside him, her gaze quiet and knowing, like someone who had seen this all before. Her eyes met his, and in them, there was an answer he hadn''t expected.

    ¡°There are many reasons,¡± she said softly. ¡°But that¡¯s not what you want to hear right now, is it?¡±

    Luka¡¯s eyes remained locked on the tombstones, the earth now settled over her resting place, the silence between them becoming suffocating. His breath hitched in his chest as his hands tightened into fists at his sides.

    Then, out of nowhere, he picked up a piece of wood and etched a small stone at the end of it. After a few minutes of working, he aimed it at the stone he placed in lieu of a tombstone and started graving it.

    Using his reinforced fists as a hammer, he picked the stone, inch by inch. The wood splintered slightly as he carved, his knuckles raw from the constant pressure. He focused on the task at hand, the rhythm of the strikes grounding him in something tangible, something he could control, even if everything else in his world felt like it was slipping through his fingers.

    As the name began to take shape, a familiar pang shot through him, like a reminder of something he had tried to bury.

    Luka paused, his breath coming out in shaky gasps as the final stroke of his fist settled into the stone. His eyes flicked over the word now etched into the surface¡ªa single name.

    Violet

    It was arrogant to even consider naming her now. Hell, it felt disgusting even to him. What right did he have to name her? She had never asked for it, never needed it.

    But he wanted to do it. No, he needed to do it.

    Because she was the only one who ever understood him.

    Saki didn¡¯t speak for a long time, and Luka didn¡¯t expect her to. There was nothing left to say.

    He finally stood up, his body feeling heavier than before. His eyes never left the stone, the name he had carved into it¡ªan act that felt both revulsing and relieving.

    Saki remained beside him, unmoving. She didn¡¯t speak, but her presence was undeniable. The steady pulse of her quiet breath was the only sound that filled the space, the wind outside rustling through the flowers, as if nature itself was waiting for him to do something. But what was left to do? What could he say? How could he justify this?

    Finally, as if he had reached a conclusion, he turned toward her and for the first time this day, looked at her.

    ¡°You look like shit,¡± Saki sighed. "And I''m going to be blunt here¡ªnothing, no one, is going to fix what you''ve done. You have to bear this yourself."

    Luka barely reacted. I know that already, he thought. No need to tell me.

    ¡°There¡¯s no one who will console you, or absolve you,¡± she continued, her face serious. ¡°You¡¯re a murderer, and that fact will never change.¡±

    Luka simply stared at her, knowing there was no need to argue here. After all, why argue what was true?

    ¡°You did what you had to do, that¡¯s it,¡± she finished, her face softening.

    ¡°I know.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± Saki smiled. ¡°I was scared you would laugh.¡±

    Is she serious right now?

    ¡°Huh¡­ Not that I thought you would, of course,¡± Saki took a step back, sensing the shift in Luka¡¯s mood. Her face morphed into something apologetic.

    The look he gave her made her flinch, a shiver running down her spine.

    Luka ignored her sudden change in demeanor. ¡°Anyway,¡± he muttered, stepping out of the cave. ¡°We have things to do.¡±

    ¡°Again? Don¡¯t you want to rest for a bit?¡± Saki called after him, her voice edged with concern.

    Stop being stupid, if I rest now I¡¯ll break.

    ¡°We¡¯re going back to Dreikheim,¡± he said, his tone firm, unwavering. ¡°I need to see something with my own two eyes.¡±

    Saki frowned, confusion flickering across her features. ¡°Dreikheim? Why?¡±

    Luka paused, his gaze distant as he stared into the horizon.

    Everything that was written down in her notebook. Her whole life. If what she wrote was true¡­

    Then his perception of this world would change forever.

 Ex-chapter: Before the dawn...

    It truly was a beautiful sky. In the middle of the night, the Vale was surprisingly very calm. For so-called ¡°creatures of the night¡±, succubi slept for most of it, or stayed indoors, unaware of anything happening outside.

    I gazed up at the sky, its purple shade caused by the veil covering the city from any outside influence. How funny, the first time I activated it, I thought it had quite the charm to it. After all, I was the one who made it. A no-name Dreamweaver like me.

    I used to think it would bring us together, but it did nothing. That valley I¡¯ve spent my whole life in, I wonder, will it continue tomorrow, after I¡¯m gone?

    There was so much I wanted to tell him, so much I wanted to say. But in the end, I wasn¡¯t able to say a word.

    My body was failing me now. I could no longer feel my fingers or toes, and the strength was slowly draining from my limbs. The cold seeped into my bones, like the chill of the last hours of the night.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    ¡°No matter if he sticks to the plan I gave him, or if I manage to use that spell we crafted together, I will disappear¡­¡± I whispered, sprawled on the hard ground, far away from the plaza or the slums.

    Even with the veil activated, it was the perfect place to look at the stars. The stars above were a mystery to me. They were always there, distant and unchanging, yet I had never understood what they truly were. He might have known. He was from another world, after all. He had seen things I could only dream of, experienced wonders that were beyond my comprehension. I wondered if he ever looked up at the same stars too.

    A faint smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I remembered the time we had spent together, crafting that spell. Even if he didn¡¯t know what it was meant for, he was still hardworking, and surprisingly quick to understand things.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I chose him¡­¡± I sighed, my smile softening. I didn¡¯t know what he was preparing, but I had seen him wandering the streets, his expression firm, his hands trembling. He looked like someone ready to do what must be done, no matter the cost.

    But would he follow the plan in the end? Or would he falter? The fate of mankind rested on his shoulders now, whether he wanted it or not. It was a heavy burden, one I had placed on him. Perhaps it was cruel of me, but I had no other choice.

    ¡°Ah¡­¡±

    It was a good life nonetheless.

    I thought I was going to die miserably and alone, with no hope of any kind for the world.

    But as my eyes close, a new dawn will begin.

    And with it, a new star of hope¡­