The Damned Demon
chapter-624

Under the flickering lights of an abandoned bathroom, a woman clad in a black mask and cap entered after making sure nobody else was nearby.

With a flex of her palm facing the floor, an electric wheelchair materialized out of thin air, the ring on her finger briefly glowing.

She quickly shed her jacket, top, and pants, revealing a simple white bra and panties and yet highlighting her natural beauty.

With deliberate movements, she donned casual gray pants but only pulled them up to her upper thighs. Standing before the grimy mirror, Anna's gaze fell on the small metal discs embedded into the sides of her hips, glinting ominously under the flickering white lights.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, she summoned a small circular tool resembling a mini-screwdriver into her hand. Positioning it against the left disc, she used it like a key, slowly and painfully twisting it out. "Urgh…" Her face twisted in agony, and a groan escaped her lips as tears welled up in her eyes from the excruciating pain. No matter how many times she had done this, the pain would never let her get used to it. Each time, it hurt with a different yet equal intensity.

Finally, with a soft click, the disc came free, and instantly, her left leg went limp, causing her to grasp the sink for support.

Gritting her teeth, she repeated the agonizing process with the right disc. Each movement was a torment, and when the second disc popped free, her right leg also gave out. Letting herself collapse on her knees, she crawled with great effort into the wheelchair, her body shaking from the ordeal of removing the discs, the lingering pain causing her entire body to tremble.

She then applied a small patch on the small bloody holes left behind on the side of her hips.

After regaining her composure, she dressed in another casual top and shirt, giving herself a long, hard look in the mirror. The reflection that stared back was a mix of pain and determination, which she found herself unable to look at for a second longer.

Wheeling herself out of the bathroom, Anna navigated her way through the deserted streets, and finally, after catching a bus, she reached the orphanage where she worked.

As she entered the classroom, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The room erupted with the joyful shouts and smiles of children, all of whom were thrilled to see her.

"Miss Anna!" they cheered, their young voices filled with genuine affection and excitement.

Anna's face, so recently marked by pain, transformed as she greeted them, "Good afternoon, everyone!" Her voice carried warmth and a renewed spirit, the somber shadows in her eyes chased away by the light of the childrens' innocent joy.

Seeing them made her remember her own past and friends, especially how these kids all stuck together and how innocent they were.

"Miss Anna, can we please continue the story of the monsters in the tower from yesterday?"

"Yes, yes! What happened after the monsters imprisoned the brave Hunter? Will he be able to save the trapped princess in the tower?" The children excitedly asked one after the other, their eyes wide with anticipation and excitement.

Anna softly smiled as she nodded and said, "Well…there is a lot going on but the brave Hunter…"

Minutes seemed to pass quickly as everyone got immersed in their teacher's story, wishing the class wouldn't end anytime soon.

—

In the heart of the Draconis Kingdom, the air was thick with excitement and the clamorous sounds of celebration. The streets of the kingdom were alive with anticipation, a tumultuous welcome brewing for the return of their king, Drakar, from his extended war business travels. What was supposed to be a week-long absence had stretched into two months, sparking a fierce competition among the noble draconians, especially the princes and princesses, to orchestrate the grandest procession for their ruler's return.

They didn't care if they had to threaten and force their own people to come up to the streets to throw praises at the king. All they needed was to make sure they would get noticed by him.

Seeing how busy and serious their king was regarding the war against the Bloodburn Kingdom, they had no doubt the Bloodburn Kingdom was going to be annihilated from the annals of history, especially the Bloodburn King. Their king would definitely make sure of it.

High above and far away from the bustling streets, in the seclusion of her grand room's balcony, stood Lysandra. Her gaze fixed on the spectacle unfolding below as Drakar's chariot, a magnificent and dark creation adorned with the emblems of their dynasty, rolled through the throngs of cheering subjects. Despite the joyous uproar, a deep frown creased Lysandra's brow, her thoughts far from celebrations.

She had been planning a secretive visit to see Asher and to meet with Agonon, and Drakar's untimely return threw her plans into disarray. Since their unexpected encounter in the serpent's cave, Lysandra had deliberately avoided meeting Asher, fearing Drakar's inquiries if he learned of her late return that day. She had hoped to manage Drakar's expectations and win some trust with her diligent work in his absence. She wanted to ensure everything was perfect for Drakar, to keep him pleased and uninterested in her affairs.

But as days turned to weeks, with Drakar altering his plans on a whim, her anxiety only mounted.

Now, watching him return, she felt a pang of frustration mixed with an inexplicable emptiness after waiting for all these weeks—a longing for what Asher made her feel, which now seemed more like a curse. She regretted the feelings that had been stirred within her, wishing she could return to her previous self so that she wouldn't waste time thinking about unnecessary things.

She then took a deep breath and decided to see Asher tomorrow after making sure Drakar doesn't suspect anything.

In the heady lit ambiance of a luxurious brothel, Drakar lounged with nonchalance, surrounded by a bevy of succubi who attended to his whims with seductive grace. The room, drenched in opulent decor and filled with the heady aroma of exotic incenses, vibrated with soft, suggestive laughter and the clinking of fine crystal. Drakar, enjoying the respite from his travels, sipped from a glass poured by one of the enchanting succubi.

However, the sultry atmosphere was abruptly pierced by a knock at the door, followed by a formal announcement that cut through the mirth like a cold blade, "Your Majesty, Prince Rhygar wishes to speak with you."

With a click of his tongue, Drakar's face contorted into irritation as he pushed away the women with a dismissive gesture, "Why is this idiot bothering me now? Just send him in," he grumbled, his voice slurred slightly from the alcohol.

Rhygar entered, his posture rigid with the formality required in the presence of the king. He bowed deeply, his face a mask of solemnity, "Your Majesty."

"You can't wait until I get back to the palace. This better be important or I will lash you for wasting my time," Drakar snapped, eyeing Rhygar with visible annoyance.

Rhygar, maintaining his composure under his father's withering gaze, glanced momentarily at the lingering succubi, "It's important, but can we talk alone?" he requested, his voice steady but urgent.

With a skeptical scowl, Drakar gestured dismissively, and the succubi quickly exited the room, their forms a blur of movement as they retreated. Once alone, Rhygar took the seat beside his father, his expression fraught with concern.

"I happened to notice something, but it might not be anything at all. Still, I felt that you would want to know," Rhygar began, his voice cautious.

"Just spit it out instead of toying with words and wasting my time," Drakar commanded, his patience thinning.

Taking a deep breath, Rhygar hesitated, then divulged his observations, "It's about Mother. I didn't ask because I know she might not tell me what's really going on, but while you were away, on a certain day, she returned to the kingdom very late at night."

Drakar rubbed his forehead, his irritation evident, "Is that it? What's so strange when she has returned late many times after her duties? I heard she was great with her work while I was away."

Rhygar cleared his throat, pressing on with his revelation, "I know, but that day, the strange part was that she hadn't visited any of her vassals, nor was she spotted anywhere on any official business."

The room tensed as Drakar's frown deepened, a shadow passing over his face, "Is that so? I will just get the facts out of her tonight and see for myself," He said, an ominous glint glowing in his dark, fiery red eyes.

Rhygar quickly interjected, "That might not be good, Father. If we confront her, she might hide it or won't tell us to not worry us. I also noticed her disappearing someplace from time to time in the past few months, but I have never thought much about it until now. You know how she is not the same after Agonon's death. I am just really worried about her wellbeing."

Drakar scoffed darkly as he glanced at Rhygar, but a spark of contemplation flickered in his gaze as he asked, "Since you said she came out not long after I left, how did she look?"

Rhygar was a bit confused by his father's question and said, "As always?"

Drakar frowned briefly as he asked, "As always? You mean, you didn't notice anything odd or strange about her appearance?"

Rhygar swallowed his saliva, wondering why he was asking such strange questions when his mother had always looked so beautiful and elegant, "Of course not. What is this about, father?" Drakar clenched his fist as he mumbled, "So she found a way behind my back, huh…How dare she…"

"Found a way?" Rhygar mumbled with an anxious look.

Drakar shifted his gaze back to Rhygar, "Your concern doesn't seem to be misplaced. Why don't you follow her the next time she leaves and see what she is up to. Since you are an idiot, she will underestimate you."

With a forced smile, Rhygar nodded in agreement, "Thank you, Father. I will find out and get back to you. I only just need one small favor to help me do this," His tone was determined, eager to find out what she was doing in secret.