A woman gently woke Sylvia from her slumber. “Miss Sylvia, it’s time to head out.”

“Mm. Thank you, Azzilka.” Sylvia sat up.

She was lucky enough to catch up to the mercenaries before they left town. By the afternoon, they should arrive at the city. Sylvia hoped she would be able to find a mercenary group with a vehicle to take her to Galgalake, or at the very least, to the start of demi-human lands.

They broke down their camp, loaded into their carriage, and headed down the road.

As Sylvia sat in silence, she continued to reflect on what had occurred during the airship. Was it really her negligence that led to her followers being so detestable? Or was it due to her indifference that evil could propagate so much?

During the meetings, Tilra and Orbus would have complaints of different fae-folk causing issues or doing bad things. Nanduun hardly ever mentioned corrupt demons. But then again, they were a lot like him. Uptight and a closet pervert.

Sylvia glanced at the demons in the carriage with her. She wondered if they really were.

“Something on your mind, Sylvia?” Azzilka asked.

She did have a pressing question. “What do all of you think of Sylfaerune?”

“That’s an odd question,” Brummka said. “Why do you ask?”

“I recently ran into an elf and pirates who followed her. They were detestable people, but I am curious if all her followers are like that.”

“Hmm, that is a tough one,” Twekil commented.

“You have to understand, Sylvia, we don’t associate with humans much. They are the main believers of that goddess.” Azzilka stated.

“No demons follow her?” She asked.

“Almost none, I would say. I have a cousin who follows Orbus.” Twekil said.

“My sister, who married a dwarf, follows Tilra,” Brummka commented.

“Sylfaerune is unpopular due to her preference toward humans. All the other gods welcome all races, especially Io.” Azzilka said.

“I see…” Sylvia felt down.

They eventually arrived at the city, where Sylvia checked in at the airport to see if any airships might be heading to Galgalake, but they were still grounded.

She made it to the mercenary guild and stepped up to the desk.

“How may I help you?” A demon woman asked.

“I need to get to Galgalake quickly. Is there anyone going there? The faster, the better.” Sylvia stated.

“Um, I’m sorry, but no one is going to go that far.”

Sylvia sighed. “Is there no way? Even close can help me.”

“I can post it, but you won’t hear until tomorrow if someone will pick it up. The morning and afternoon rushes are done.” The woman said. “Do you have a Crys-Link? We could put your contact number on the job.”

She sighed in frustration. “I don’t. Is there an OWP here?”

“Yes. It is on the main street along with the world bank.” The woman said with a reluctant smile.

“Very well. I should open an account with the bank.” Sylvia contemplated.

“Do you have an ID?” The woman asked.

“I don’t.”

“You will need one to get a bank account.”

More trouble for her to deal with. Why was being a mortal so difficult?

“How can I get an ID?”

“You can get an ID from central hall, but with how late it is, you cannot get it today. The other choice is to join up with a guild.”

“Hmm.” Sylvia thought for a moment. “Let me join here.”

“Oh, are you sure?” The woman asked.

“Yes.”

After completing some paperwork and checking that the test givers were still around, the woman took Sylvia to the first test. Sylvia said her role would be that of a Forward, Magic Swordswoman.

“Alright, Miss Sylvia, pick a sword of your preference and strike the post.” The test giver asked.

She glanced at the weapon’s rack and scoffed. With a flick of her wrist, she held her blade of light.

“Whoa…” The test giver was surprised.

With nearly instant movement, Sylvia cut the post into four pieces. She was thankful for the boosts her fellow gods had given her. She would have to make it up to them when she returned.

“Um, rank 20.” The test giver was shocked at her ability.

“T-Then, let’s head to the magic test.” The woman said.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Taking Sylvia below, they had her test her magic on the mana obelisk.

“Sun Beam.” From Sylvia’s raised hand, a blinding beam of light with incredible heat hit the obelisk, melting it.

“STOP! YOU PASS!” The test giver screamed.

She stopped her spell and exited the test room. “My ranking?”

“Twenty….” The test giver was shocked over the molten obelisk and red-hot ground.

After returning, the nervous woman finished Sylvia’s paperwork and issued her ID.

“N-Now, if you want your starting rank, p-please stop by tomorrow.”

“Understood.” Sylvia turned away but stopped. She turned to the woman. “I’m sorry… if I scared you…” Then she quietly left the guild.

The guild woman watched as Sylvia left with regret on her face.

Sylvia barely made it to the bank and opened her account. Thanks to the massive amount of Tress she deposited, she got an upgraded version allowing her to perform remote deposits and withdrawals.

She arrived at the OWP and still had a couple of hours before they closed.

“Hello and welcome to OWP. How may I help you?” The receptionist asked.

“I need equipment for travel and camping. Clothes, underwear,” She paused and smelled herself. “Some soap and shampoo as well.”

“Of course. Do you have a membership or wish to use a day pass?”

“Just for the day,” Sylvia answered.

After paying the ten Tress, she was guided inside.

Sylvia quickly geared up and purchased a storage bracelet with a couple hundred square feet of space. Storing all her items away, she followed the ecstatic associate toward the entrance and stopped before a poster.

“Is something wrong, miss?” The woman asked.

“What is this?” Sylvia asked.

The woman looked at the poster. “Oh! That is the newest model! It is the fastest one yet! I believe it could top out at a hundred and twenty miles per hour.”

Sylvia liked the sound of that. “How soon could I get one?” She held up her bank card.

The following morning, Sylvia rode on her brand-new Magic Cycle model: Wind Scythe. It was a sleek design where she leaned forward, nearly laying her upper body on it.

With a wild look in her eyes and an ecstatic grin, she rode toward her destination at max speed. She had to admit, Magic Cycles were a ton of fun!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Empress Yopawl sat in her nightgown in her room, enjoying a cup of decaffeinated tea.

“Your Majesty.” A powerful voice called out to her.

She looked about in a panic. “Who’s there! How dare you!”

“I am here to help you. You don’t know it, but you are under the effect of Entrance.” The voice stated.

She scoffed while moving toward the door. “You expect me to believe that?”

“You placed too much faith in your trinkets to protect your mind.”

The large form of the Demon-Lord rose from the shadow by the window.

“Y-You! Guards! GUARDS!” The empress yelled for help and ran to the door, only to be stopped just short of it by a barrier. “No! NO! HELP!”

The Demon-Lord did not approach her. “Your majesty. Please hear me out.” He requested.

Seeing as she had no way to escape and the guards seemed unable to hear her, she turned to him. The empress was surprised to see that he had taken a seat and patiently waited for her at the table.

“Y-You have no intention to harm me?” She asked.

“If I had such intentions, would I have not already done it?” He asked with a chuckle.

She stared at him nervously but returned to her seat after moving it back an extra foot. The Demon-Lord chuckled.

“What is it you want? What did you mean about me being Entranced?” She asked.

“I believe you know that mind-effecting abilities can gradually bypass the defense of your protection, correct?” He asked.

“Of course, I know. But it would require to be exposed to it daily for hours.” She answered.

“Then use this.” The Demon-Lord summoned a Bless Tablet from a temple.

“Where did you get that! It is blasphemy to take one from a temple!” She exclaimed.

“I borrowed it from a remote temple. I intend to return it fully intact.” He answered.

Initially, the empress was hesitant but placed her hand on the tablet, focusing on her Special section.

Special: Ruler of Demons, Entranced (93%)

“T-That should be impossible! Who could have done this!” She was shocked.

“I was able to track down who did it to you. But first,” He held out his hand. “Allow me to clear you of it.”

She glanced at his hand for a moment before asking him a question. “Is it true about you?”

“That I am good?”

She nodded.

The Demon-Lord sighed. “I won’t be one to claim to be good, but I strive to do good things. I don’t want to hurt the innocent or destroy the world.”

“Then what is it you want in life?”

“A peaceful life.” He answered.

“I heard that the gods support you.”

He chuckled. “I do not know of all the gods, but Io has my back. I swear in her name.”

Her eyes widened as the silver light haze rolled over his large frame. She sighed in relief. “So, it is true. Very well.” The empress placed her hand in his. “I will trust you.”

Though she could not see his mouth, his eyes smiled with kindness.

“Break Curse.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aqualaria entered the palace. It had been a couple of days since she went off to finish taking control of the duke’s son and daughter. It should not be long before she has the power of the empress herself. Though, she dared not to attempt on the Emperor himself until she had the full support of the two princes and empress. It did not take her long to Entrance the young princess with her simple and unguarded mind.

“Ahh.” She sighed in relief that all her work and effort were so close to fruition.

Aqualaria stepped before the empress’ quarters and knocked. A maid opened the door.

“Yes? Oh, Lady Succubus!”

“Is her majesty in?” She asked. It was odd for maids to already be in her room at this time.

“Ah, she is not. She is having a meeting with his majesty right now. We just started cleaning and should be done in thirty minutes.” The maid answered.

Aqualaria smiled pleasantly. “I see. Thank you. I will head to the empress’ garden. Please inform me when she is done, and I shall rush to her side.”

The maid bowed her head. “I shall, your ladyship.”

A few hours went by, and she was relaxing in the garden. It was a lovely and well-maintained location. Aqualaria could not wait for it to be hers. She could not wait for the engagement announcement. She had been implanting the idea into the empress’ mind for months. It should not be much longer before she becomes the crown princess.

A male attendant approached her. “Lady Succubus.” He bowed.

“Yes?” She raised an eyebrow. This was unusual. Why would a male attendant find her? The empress only had female ones, which means that this one was likely from the Emperor.

“Their majesties wish to see you for an important announcement. Please, come with me.” The attendant requested.

She followed behind the man, hiding her ecstatic smile behind her fan.

Aqualaria stood before the royal couple who sat on their thrones. Something felt off about the atmosphere. Why were all of her allies present? Why did they feel hostile?

Multiple nobles that she had Entranced were present, and their eyes felt cold.

“Your majesties.” Aqualaria bowed her head to them.

“Lady Succubus,” Emperor spoke. “We asked you here for an important announcement.”

She internally sighed. It had to be the engagement.

“Miss, could you come out?” The Emperor called to someone.

To Aqualaria’s surprise, a face she never expected to see stepped out. “Listamati…”

Listamati was wearing an elegant dress that was normal to demon nobility. It was humble with simple embroidery. “Aqualaria.”

Several knights came out and surrounded Aqualaria to ensure she could not escape.

“Lady Succubus. You have been found guilty of using Entrance on multiple nobles and abusing your god-given ability for selfish gains. Do you have anything to say?” The Emperor asked.

“I’m-!” Her words stopped in her throat as she intended to put all her mana into a last-ditch effort to buy her time to escape. Something was watching her, and it was terrifying. She began to tremble in fear.

Listamati stood before her sister. “Dominate.”

Aqualaria was shocked at the name of the ability her sister used before her mind went blank.