The Damned Demon
chapter-723

Asher stood in the heart of Naida's illusory rosy garden, an enchanting sanctuary she had crafted herself and considered as her true home.

The air was thick with the fragrance of blooming roses, their hues of deep pink and crimson casting a dreamy glow over the garden, as if the very atmosphere held Naida's warmth.

Naida reached out and plucked a rose with elegance, handing it to him with a gentle smile, "I hate to drag you here while you're busy, but I thought you needed a moment to slow down and breathe," she murmured, her voice as soothing as the rustling leaves around them, "You haven't slept properly for weeks."

Asher took the rose, inhaling its soft, floral scent, "I actually appreciate it, Naida," he replied, meeting her eyes. "You're right. Days have been slipping by too quickly, and the future worries me. More than I ever imagined. Never before did I realize how much the crown could feel like a burden." He paused, his voice softer. "I never thought I'd feel this…anxious."

Naida's expression softened, her hand reaching up to caress his face tenderly. "It's normal to feel that way, Asher. It hasn't been long since you truly understood what it means to be a king—having to look after and protect millions, not just yourself." Her ruby eyes held a warm, steady glow as she continued, "But remember, Rowena feels the same, and I feel the same whenever I think of the dangerous things you have been doing or might do. So what matters is that we stay strong, no matter what lies ahead. And no matter what happens, I won't ever leave your side, even if you tell me to."

Her voice was filled with quiet conviction, her eyes brimming with affection as they met his.

Asher brought her hand to his lips, kissing her soft palm. "Thank you, Naida. I feel…better now." He smiled, a gentleness in his expression, "But I should get back to the Severed Realm. There's still so much to be done."

—

In the underground hall of the Culthold of the Coven of the Damned, Asher gathered with Grace, Emiko, Yui, and Rebecca.

"So, the bomb is ready for deployment?" Asher asked, his gaze sharp as he looked over his allies.

Grace nodded, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction, "Yes. We perfected the bomb you provided, enhancing its power and concealment. Thanks to the blueprint Cecilia handed over, we've figured out how to sneak it into the Nexus Tower undetected. We took our time to make sure this plan was foolproof, and I believe we're ready to go whenever you give the green light. Sooner would be better than later."

Asher nodded, his mind racing with thoughts of the final steps, "I want to give the green light as soon as possible," he said, "but I need to ensure my backup plan is solid." He thought of Lysandra, of her imminent civil war, and the promise of her support once Drakar was out of power. The moment she took control of her kingdom, he'd feel secure enough to launch the attack on Derek while defending his kingdom.

"Hmph. So the backup you're talking about is that draconian bitch, right?" Rebecca rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with disdain. "I can't believe I'm the slave of someone who puts his trust in a draconian slut over someone far more… trustworthy." She crossed her arms, her expression as sour as her tone.

Grace sighed, looking between Rebecca and Asher. "She might have a point," she said carefully, "Are you absolutely sure Lysandra can overthrow Drakar? He's ruled over a ruthless kingdom for so long by being just as ruthless and cunning or more. Lysandra may know him better than anyone, but he's not an easy man to beat."

Emiko and Yui exchanged worried glances and nodded in agreement, the tension in the room thickening.

Asher shook his head, his confidence unshaken. "I trust Lysandra. She wouldn't have made this move unless she was certain of her plan. She knows Drakar's every weakness and how he thinks. She won't make mistakes, and she's chosen her allies carefully. She'll manage since the ones she chose won't betray her. They can't afford to."

Grace, Emiko, and Yui exhaled, visibly reassured by his confidence, though Rebecca still kept her arms crossed, her face skeptical.

"I have to head out and see Arthur," Asher said, shrugging as he turned to leave. "For some reason, he messaged me that he needed to talk."

Rebecca scoffed, muttering under her breath as she followed him a few paces behind. "And he just leaves without me…again." She shot him a glare as she trailed after him, mumbling, "How can he just leave me behind like that?"

Grace chuckled and called out from behind, "Since when did you become so attached?"

Rebecca huffed, rolling her eyes dramatically as she stopped and gave a side glance at Grace, "I'm not attached. Just… keeping an eye on my master, obviously, hmph." Saying so, Rebecca hurriedly walked out.

Yui giggled with her hand covering her lips while Emiko also couldn't hide the amusement in her eyes and asked Grace, "Does Rebecca actually have feelings for Master?"

Grace chuckled and asked, "Why don't you ask her?"

Emiko stiffly shook her head and said, "I think she might get angry at me."

"She definitely would curse poor Emiko for even asking," Yui agreed with an amused smile as she nodded while hugging Emiko's arm.

"Then you have your answer," Grace said with a knowing smile.

Emiko, her face flushed with curiosity, turned to Grace and asked in a low, hesitant voice, "What about you... Aunty Grace? Do you have... feelings for Master?"

Grace, her gaze calm and steady, raised a single brow at the unexpected question. She paused for a moment, scanning the area around them, her eyes flicking briefly to the door, relieved to find that Remy hadn't yet returned from his quest. She finally let a subtle smile curl at the corners of her lips, tilting her head slightly as she met Emiko's gaze. "Oh? What makes you ask that?" She asked playfully.

Emiko glanced at Yui, who was nervously fiddling with her fingers, her cheeks tinted pink. Yui winced as she caught Grace's knowing gaze. The two girls exchanged a quick, awkward glance, as if silently confessing some unspeakable truth.

"We might have sensed Master's essence in you while treating your body the next day after you and Master had a long um...discussion..." Emiko said, her voice dropping even lower, almost too quiet to hear, "Rebecca was somewhere else at that time, and you had gone to meet Master... So... we aren't sure, but we had an inkling that things between you and Master were..." Her words trailed off, as if her shyness overtook her courage.

Yui, too, was red-faced, eyes wide with embarrassment as she avoided Grace's gaze. The awkward silence stretched between them.

"Hahaha…" Grace couldn't help but burst into a small, knowing laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She leaned forward and, with a gentle hand, caressed both of their heads, "Oh, you two girls are more naughty and sneaky than I thought," she teased softly. "To think both of you acted oblivious all this time."

Emiko shrank slightly under Grace's touch, but Yui mumbled, tapping her fingers together in embarrassment, "W-We didn't want to jump to conclusions."

Grace chuckled and patted their heads fondly, her voice taking on a softer tone, "Well, you two guessed right." Her eyes softened as she continued, a quiet sincerity creeping into her voice. "But we decided to keep it under wraps for a while because Remy might need some time to understand our relationship."

Emiko's expression shifted into one of realization, her cheeks still a bit rosy but now filled with understanding. "Oh... that makes sense."

Yui, her face lighting up with warmth, smiled at Grace, "You must be happier now..."

Grace nodded, a soft smile tugging at her lips. She embraced both girls, pulling them close. "Mnn... I was already happy with you girls and Remy by my side," she whispered, her voice thick with affection, "But now... I feel like I am at the happiest point in my life, and all I wish is for it to last as long as possible. This cult has become like a family to me."

Touched by her words, Emiko and Yui hugged her back, their voices filled with emotion as they murmured, "We feel the same, Aunty Grace…"

"Now...what about the love life of the two of you? You both are big girls, and yet I have yet to see you talking about boys," Grace said with a wink.

Emiko and Yui blushed as they looked at each other with a deep emotion behind their eyes before Yui looked away shyly.

Grace raised her brows in realization, "Ohhh...I had no idea...Why were you two being so shy about it?"

"I-I think I forgot to clean my staff!" Yui said with a red face as she ran away, making Emiko softly smile with a faint reddish hue on her cheeks.

Grace softly chuckled and said, "What a cute one she is. Cherish her well, Emiko...She is a treasure to us."

Emiko nodded as she said with a brief yet warm smile, "Mn...We have been together since the moment we started to walk. We wouldn't have survived in that place if not for taking care of each other. So I will always protect and take care of her."

Grace nodded with a soft expression, feeling happy to see the strong and unbreakable bond they had.

Outside, the day began to fade into night, but the feeling of contentment inside remained.

—

Meanwhile, as the sun began to dip beneath the horizon, painting the sky with blood-red streaks, Asher made his way through the desolate, crumbling streets of the wasteland town. The place had an air of abandonment about it, like the bones of a forgotten world. The wind whispered through the empty, shattered windows of the buildings, carrying with it an unsettling chill.

Asher's boots crunched against the cracked earth as he moved forward, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. The location felt off—too eerie, too empty. He had agreed to meet Arthur in uninhabited places like this for training, yes, but this? This was an odd choice for someone as punctual and radiant as him. But what made him feel that something was off was the fact that Arthur was nowhere to be seen when usually he would be the first to arrive minutes early.

A look of realization crossed his face as he scoffed and stopped in his tracks, scanning the empty street, "So this is what you chose... Anna?" His voice rang out into the silence, a touch of disappointment in the way he spoke her name.

The shadows around him seemed to shift, responding to the call. The darkness deepened, thickening in the air like smoke. Then, as if drawn from the very fabric of the night, a figure appeared at the edge of the street—a silhouette that seemed to bleed into the shadows.

A woman, clad in a full-body suit of harsh, metallic armor, stepped forward. The suit shimmered, reflecting no light, only absorbing it—an impenetrable void of blackness, like the very night sky itself.

Her face was hidden behind a full-face mask, but her eyes—dark yellow, fierce and untamed—burned through the slits. They glowed with a dormant, terrible power, the kind that could turn the very air to flame if unleashed. Lightning-like streaks of dark yellow mana crackled and twisted around her body, wild and untamed, as if responding to her presence.

Her legs were mechanical terrors—metal and magic intertwined. Rotating discs of raw, dark yellow mana hovered ominously around her hips, pulsing with energy, creating the illusion of jagged, lethal blades that could rip through anything that came too close.

Anna raised her chin slightly, her expression hidden behind her mask. She spoke in a tone as cold as ice, yet there was something strangely final in her words, "I never had any choice. But you can make one now. Come with me quietly, and I wouldn't have to hurt you."