Cixilia's story unfolds when she meets Kaldrek, a father figure to her, Zephoria, and her sisters. His identity as a ghoul catches many witches off guard, as few knew that Reyanna had married one.
Looking at Cixilia, Kaldrek said warmly, "Daughter, it's been ten years since we last spoke. You’re as radiant as ever."
Cixilia nodded and apologized softly, "I'm sorry I cut off our communication. I..."
Kaldrek waved his hand dismissively, interrupting her. "No need to apologize. You had your own responsibilities. I'm proud of you, Cixilia. You, your sisters, and Reyanna mean everything to me."
Hearing Reyanna's name, Cixilia's expression saddened briefly, but she quickly composed herself. "Father, there's something important and sensitive we need to discuss. Can we talk in private? Let’s go back to your—our house."
Noticing the seriousness in her voice, Kaldrek's concern grew, but he nodded. "Of course. We can ride together on the horse."
Cixilia shook her head. "No, I’ll use teleportation magic. Hold on tight—this spell has never been your favourite."
Kaldrek nodded in agreement, and after a few moments of chanting, he opened his eyes to find himself outside his house. Cixilia gave the horse a gentle pat and asked, "Shall we go inside?"
Kaldrek smiled warmly. "No need to ask—this is your home too."
Cixilia nodded and pushed open the door, instantly transported to a memory of her younger self running through the house. Lysandra chased after her, hands full of dirt and food, shouting, "I'm going to catch you!"
With a fearful cry, Cixilia yelled, "No! Lysandra, wash your hands—they're filthy!"
Lysandra laughed mischievously, "This is your punishment!"
Desperate, Cixilia clung to Kaldrek's leg. "Papa, save me!"
A younger Kaldrek stood tall in a white doublet that barely concealed his muscular frame. His face, shadowed by a touch of grey in his beard, bore the marks of a woodcutter—scars and cuts from his demanding trade. With a gentle smile, he watched Lysandra close in on Cixilia.
With a sweep of his large arm, Kaldrek shielded Cixilia from Lysandra’s reach. Lysandra smirked. "You can’t protect her forever, Father!"
Kaldrek grinned. "Oh, but I can! As the mighty ghoul knight, justice will be served to all who threaten my little sorceress!"
Lysandra shrieked playfully, "Nooo!" and dashed upstairs, while Cixilia sighed in relief. "Thank you, Father! You saved me from her filthy hands."
Kaldrek chuckled, patting her head. "Always, my little enchantress."
The memory faded, and Cixilia returned to the present, where Kaldrek stood before her, his face now weathered with age and concern. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Ghouls, demons, and devils… we feel it when a blood kin dies. It’s a deep, dreadful sensation—a father's, a brother’s, a child’s loss."
Cixilia’s heart ached as Kaldrek continued, "I sensed something terrible and came to the witches' land, hoping it was just my old age playing tricks. But… I can see it in your eyes—your sadness, the tears that have already dried. What happened? I fear my daughters are in danger."
Kaldrek’s hands trembled, and Cixilia could no longer hold back. Lowering her head as tears fell, she whispered, "Lysandra, Azravene, Evangra, and Mother Reyanna… they’re all dead."
The weight of Cixilia’s words hit Kaldrek like a blow. His heart sank. The once-proud ghoul, known for his strength and kindness, now looked fragile under the crushing weight of grief. His trembling hands betrayed the stoic front he had always maintained.
The lines on Kaldrek’s face deepened with sorrow, and his eyes, once full of light, reflected an unbearable sadness. He opened his mouth to speak but found no words, his voice faltering as he tried to comprehend the unimaginable loss. In that moment, the ghoul who had faced countless trials now stood before the greatest challenge of all—surviving the pain of losing those he loved most.
Kaldrek's voice trembled with the weight of his grief as he finally spoke, "Lysandra, Azravene, Evangra, and Reyanna... gone." Each name hung in the air, an echo of unbearable loss. He reached for a nearby chair, his hands gripping it for support, his eyes glazed with unshed tears. "How?" he rasped, his voice thick with disbelief and anguish. Cixilia, unable to meet his gaze, remained silent.
Kaldrek fought to hold back his tears, grappling with the devastating truth that his beloved family was no more. An emptiness settled in, one that no words could ease.
Meanwhile, in the western castle, Reyanna—covered in blood and battle scars—faced Jane, equally battered. Reyanna summoned a burst of blue fire, forcing Jane to raise her shield before charging with her sword. Though Reyanna dodged, she couldn’t avoid a strike to her left shoulder. Ignoring the pain, she retaliated, driving a dagger into Jane’s stomach.
Across the battlefield, Yoranios climbed from a heap of monster corpses, letting out a weary but fierce cry, "FIGHT!"
The demons roared in response, engaging the remaining monsters with renewed fury. Mahin and Nearf fought with exceptional strength, cutting through their foes like beasts unleashed.
In the eastern city of Biboria, Kunvy, Aurola, and their soldiers rallied, their battle cries tearing through the chaos as they broke through the undead army with relentless determination.
In the southern city of Clovendell, Aurelius, blood-soaked and wielding a crimson-stained sword, shouted to his troops, "FOR OUR PEOPLE!" His voice rang out over the clashing steel, igniting the hearts of his soldiers.
In the capital, Lilithra moved swiftly, giving orders to the knights. "Send supplies to the cities immediately. Mobilize the transport forces and bring the civilians of Clovendell to safety in the capital!"
On the western castle grounds, Fenris slashed through hordes of monsters, skillfully fending off the onslaught alone. Silent as ever, he endured the pain, swiftly manoeuvring to avoid being surrounded.
On the opposite side, Reyanna cast a wind spell, launching Jane out of the castle toward the city.
Jane landed harshly, breaking her left arm upon impact. Despite the pain, she stood, her shield and sword nearby. Bloodied but resolute, she faced Reyanna, who approached, breathing heavily and struggling with the effort of casting spells.
Jane rose, letting her sword fall, grabbing her shield and hurling it at Reyanna.
Reyanna dodged but not in time—the shield’s edge cut her mouth, causing blood to spill. Ignoring the wound, she kept her gaze on Jane.
With sword in hand, Jane charged, Reyanna meeting her head-on. As they closed in, Reyanna chanted, "Qara alovlar."
Black flames engulfed Jane’s arm. She dropped her sword and, with her burning arm, landed a punch on Reyanna’s face, sending her staggering to one knee. Jane quickly retrieved her sword and slashed it across Reyanna’s chest.
Reyanna gasped, trying to cast another spell, but Jane interrupted by stabbing her in the chest.
Blood gushed from Reyanna’s mouth as she collapsed. The flames on Jane’s arm vanished, and the monsters Fenris had been fighting dropped lifeless.
Jane stood for a moment, breathing heavily, before sinking to her knees.
In a dazed state, her voice barely a whisper as if slipping into unconsciousness, Jane murmured, "Yoranios, lift your spell. Can you hear me? I emerged victorious—for the sake of my people, I won."
Reyanna lay on the ground, slowly bleeding out. As she turned her head to the right, she saw a magical lion dragging a small demon girl toward the woods.
Tears streamed down the girl's face as the lion pierced her ankle with its sharp teeth.
With her last breath, Reyanna whispered, "Qıl...ınc."
A glowing dagger of light appeared, piercing the lion's head. The girl, now freed, cried as she struggled to stand, slowly making her way toward the city. A young knight rushed to her, embracing her and saying, "You'll be fine! I'll heal you!"
Reyanna looked to the sky, a faint smile on her lips as she whispered, "It will... be al...right. I... ha...ve... Fai...th."
Reyanna, renowned in the world of sorcery and the Mother of Witches, met her end at the hands of Jane Gray Gyovani, the demon queen.
Jane, dragging her broken arm and gripping her sword with her burned hand, slowly began walking toward the battlefield against the undead army.
Despite her injuries, Jane pressed forward until Lilithra grabbed her shoulders.
Jane looked at Lilithra in disbelief, unsure how she had arrived. Lilithra met her gaze and said calmly, "It's over. You won."
Jane stared at Lilithra, uncertain whether it was reality or an illusion. She remained silent, gripping her sword. Noticing the sword in Jane's hand, Lilithra reassured her, "This is real; you don't need that anymore."
Lilithra seized Jane's sword and tossed it aside. Jane, exhausted, wrapped one arm around Lilithra, who embraced her in return. Slowly, Jane sank to her knees, holding on as blood and dirt covered her, remaining in silent solemnity.
The onslaught had finally ended, with cities wiping out the last of the monsters and undead forces. However, the cost was heavy. The kingdom would remember the tragedy for years, with countless civilians and knights among the casualties.
The cities had suffered greatly. The southern city had been transformed into a battlefield, now a haunting wasteland of corpses and ruins. The eastern castle was completely obliterated, leaving only the capital as the sole safe haven untouched by the witches' wrath.
The capital opened its gates to shelter the civilians from the southern city, while others fled to nearby settlements for refuge and sustenance.
In the southern city, people laboured tirelessly to recover the bodies of both civilians and knights immediately after the announcement of the battle's conclusion.
For three hours, they worked amidst the chaos until the magical crystal began to glow. Captain Fom, a warrior who had fought valiantly against the witches, grasped the crystal and saw the image of General Gij, who declared, "To all the people of the kingdom, Queen Jane Gray Gyovani is about to speak."
Turning to the workers and knights, Captain Fom called out, "Attention! The queen is about to address us. Pause your work and listen."
Yet the workers persisted in their tasks, unwilling to stop. With his face covered in dust, their captain firmly said, "Our families lie beneath this rubble—they deserve a proper burial. Place the crystal near us, and we'll listen to the queen while we work."
With a nod, Captain Fom set the crystal near the workers and placed another one close to the knights.
Throughout the kingdom, people gathered around public crystals to hear the queen’s words. These rare and expensive crystals were owned by only a select few. The demon kingdom was the only realm that provided public crystals for its citizens, with a few high-end inns boasting them due to their wealth.
Even the civilians migrating from the southern city to the capital were able to hear the queen's message, thanks to a large crystal provided by the knights travelling with them. It allowed them to receive news even on the move.
In a moment of profound emotion, the people of the kingdom were stunned when they saw Jane appear before them, her broken arm hanging at her side, holding a piece of paper in her burned hand. Despite the pain etched into her face, she spoke with a tired, trembling voice, "Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters of this kingdom, we have all suffered a great loss... I, too, have lost more than I can express."
She paused, gathering herself as the weight of countless lives lost pressed down on her. After a brief, sombre silence, she continued, her voice heavy with sorrow, "They were not just numbers; they were people—individuals with dreams, ambitions, and families. I lost a part of myself with the first innocent life taken. That’s when I truly lost..."
Her words faltered again as she looked back at her family—her mother, Aurelius, Nearf, Lilithra—all standing behind her with silent support, just as they had once stood behind Yoranios.
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As the crowd watched, even the workers stopped what they were doing when they saw Jane’s condition—a broken arm, the other hand burned, her face marred by scars. Despite everything, she stood before them, determined to address her people. Slowly, more and more people abandoned their tasks, turning to listen to their queen.
Jane’s voice grew stronger, her resolve hardening. "I will not reduce my people to mere numbers," she declared. "And I will never abandon my kingdom—never!"
Among the crowd, Taffer looked at Jane, but instead of seeing a broken girl, he saw a child of unshakable will, someone whose spirit could only be silenced by death itself. He understood this deeply.
Jane let the paper fall, and with a voice full of authority, she proclaimed, "My kingdom will thrive. We will overcome this tragedy, and we will rise to a brighter future. That, I swear."
With her gaze lifted to the heavens, she whispered, "Requiescat in Pace, my beloved people."
And as one, the crowd—children, civilians, knights, soldiers, even the forces of the Black Death—echoed her words solemnly, "Requiescat in Pace."
In a composed and steady tone, Jane addressed the people: "The capital extends a warm welcome to the civilians of the southern city. For those who have lost their homes, accommodations will be provided in local hotels, with the kingdom covering all expenses for food and shelter. Additionally, tax collectors will assess the losses faced by merchants and businessmen due to the assault, and the kingdom will ensure full compensation for every loss."
The kingdom's proclamation sparked joy among the people, particularly the merchants, who were overjoyed at the promise of reimbursement. In the midst of this celebration, one merchant embraced his wife so tightly that she cried out, "Doav! You're going to kill me!"
Doav laughed, releasing his grip and saying warmly, "My dear wife, I love you!"
The workers, too, felt a wave of relief upon hearing the news. Their captain, smiling, remarked, "This is the first good news of the day. Let's hope there’s more to come."
Turning to Crystal, Jane’s expression grew serious. "Those who say Yoranios marked the golden age of our kingdom are wrong. He was only a step toward greatness. I will raise this kingdom to heights none of you can yet imagine. My regards."
As Jane finished speaking, the crystal dimmed, and applause erupted across the cities. Though they knew Jane couldn’t hear them, the people in the capital clapped as one, moved by her bold and resolute words. Only time would tell whether her ambitious vision would come to pass.
When the speech ended, Jane turned, but the familiar world around her had vanished. She now found herself standing in a vast, ethereal realm—a white expanse with no landmarks or features, just an endless void stretching out before her.
In the endless white expanse, Jane found herself facing a diverse assembly of souls—children, women, men, knights, and soldiers—all gazing at her with quiet smiles, filled with gratitude and hope. Their eyes were fixed on her, acknowledging the impact of her leadership and the weight of her words.
A single tear slid down Jane's cheek, catching the strange light of the realm. With a heart burdened by sorrow, she whispered, "I am sorry. Your deaths are my sin, my burden. I will rebuild the kingdom and care for your families as if they were my own. Requiescat in Pace, my dear ones." Her voice echoed in the empty vastness, a solemn vow to the departed.
As if in silent acceptance, the assembly bowed before her. Then, one by one, they dissolved into particles of light, vanishing into the boundless realm. Jane, now alone, noticed a small girl sitting on the ground, her golden hair framing her face, her blue eyes wandering in search of the souls that had just vanished. She was no more than a year old, dressed in a delicate pink gown, and a single tear slipped silently down her cheek.
Jane approached the child, her presence gentle. As she neared, the little girl looked up, her eyes heavy with sorrow. Jane knelt beside her, gently patting her head. "You can't follow them?" she asked softly.
The girl’s gaze fell again, her head dipping in sadness. Moved by the innocence before her, Jane lifted the child into her arms, cradling her with the same burned arm that had borne so much suffering. The girl looked up at her with a sad smile, and tears welled in Jane’s eyes once more.
With a voice trembling from emotion, Jane whispered, "I will protect the children. Your innocence will be safe. Go now, everything will be alright. Requiescat in Pace, my love."
The child, with a final tear glistening on her cheek, transformed into light, dissolving from Jane’s embrace and disappearing into the vast emptiness. Jane stood there, alone once more.
Returning to the chamber where she had delivered her speech, Jane wiped away the lingering tears from her ethereal experience. She turned to Lilithra, her voice steady and determined, "Heal my arm. My work isn’t finished yet."
Meanwhile, in the northern city’s castle, Nearf led a group of workers, tirelessly shifting rubble, their eyes scanning for any signs of the fallen. In the east, Fenris, joined by his workers and knights, mirrored these efforts. Together, they moved debris and carefully uncovered the bodies of the dead, united in their mission to give the lost a dignified resting place.
In the southern city, now a battlefield turned graveyard, workers were organized into groups to cover every section of the devastated area. On the western side, a surprising sight awaited the workers and knights: Queen Jane herself, dressed in army pants and a shirt, silently moving rubble alongside them. Noticing the determination in her actions, the workers silently agreed to leave her be.
As Jane carefully shifted the rubble of a small house, her strength was clear as she lifted significant portions of the fallen roof without using magic. The task required the workers' pure strength to move the debris delicately, ensuring that the bodies of their fallen comrades were not damaged and could be given a proper, respectful burial.
When Jane cast aside another piece of debris, her gaze fell upon a heartbreaking discovery. Beneath the rubble lay the lifeless body of the same little girl she had encountered in the otherworldly realm, now covered in dust. A tear slipped down her cheek as she recognized the child.
With tears streaming down her face, Jane gently lifted the little girl's lifeless body, cradling her in her arms. Surrounded by the ruins of the city, Jane held the child close. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "Requiescat in Pace, my love."
In silent reverence, Jane began walking toward the camp where the bodies of the fallen were being laid to rest. Holding the little girl as if she were her own daughter, Jane moved forward with quiet dignity.
As she walked, the workers watched her with respect and understanding, recognizing the heavy burden she carried.
Later, Monroe arrived with his wife and daughter, greeted by a warm embrace from his son. His baby daughter hugged him tightly, giggling with joy as he laughed along.
Using the magical crystal, Jane contacted Cixilia, the Mother of Witches. With calm authority, Cixilia affirmed to the demon kingdom that Reyanna’s actions had made her a rogue witch, officially stripping her of her position as the Mother of Witches. The message was meant to clarify Reyanna’s status and distance the witch community from her crimes, reinforcing the strong alliance between demons and witches.
After the meeting, Reyanna’s lifeless body, along with the corpses of the other fallen witches and the severed head of Azravene, were sent to the witches’ domain. Two days later, the remaining parts of Azravene’s body followed.
As the kingdom faced significant turmoil in the aftermath of the assault, the land of the Forest Children sent numerous carriages filled with food and medicine to support the affected cities. In an unprecedented move, even the demon nuns of the ancient temple left the capital for the first time in years to assist the injured.
In the devil kingdom, Devil King Malachar sat on his throne, his long black beard and piercing red eyes adding to his regal and menacing appearance. Clad in red robes and dark trousers, a large sword rested by his side. With a confident smile, he asked, "Any news about the demons? What of the assault, Maelisandra?"
His daughter, Maelisandra, stood tall in dark armour that matched her long, shadowy hair, with the same red eyes as her father. With a serious expression, she stood at attention and reported, "Father, the demons were victorious. Reyanna is dead."
Malachar nodded, his smile widening. "Daughter Maelisandra, your connections never fail. Quick and efficient."
Maelisandra nodded in return, and with a wicked grin, Malachar added, "Queen Jane Gray Gyovani—a true warrior worthy of her long name."
In the distant dwarf kingdom to the north, King Orik, known as The Granitebeard, bellowed at one of his sons, "You fools! Have you prepared the damn crystal?"
His son, Brolin, nodded and replied, "Yes, it’s ready now."
As the crystal began to glow, Kunvy’s face appeared, and she respectfully bowed. "Greetings, King Orik. How may I assist you?"
King Orik returned the nod and said, "In light of the witch attack on your kingdom, I’d like to offer the aid of my finest dwarves to help rebuild your cities. It’s free of charge, a gesture of goodwill, and in the hope that the demon kingdom will become a steadfast ally to our own. What say you, Kunvy Gyovani?"
Kunvy smiled gratefully and replied, "We gladly accept your generous offer, and we will welcome the dwarves you send as part of our own community."
King Orik nodded, adding, "Though Queen Jane is preoccupied, I wanted to convey a few words to her. Nevertheless, I’m pleased to initiate this relationship, Kunvy Gyovani. Have a good day, my lady."
Kunvy bowed before the crystal dimmed. Turning to his father, Brolin asked, "Father, why offer help to the demon kingdom?"
King Orik gazed at his son, his expression turning serious. "As a king, you develop a kind of sixth sense—let’s call it a gut feeling—and my damn stomach tells me never to trust the humans, not even the DEAD ONES!"
Meanwhile, in the ghouls' kingdom, King Thulgrim the Undying was deeply engrossed in a book when his son, Grimscar, entered the throne chamber. Bowing respectfully, Grimscar reported, "The assault on the demon kingdom has ended. Reyanna is dead."
King Thulgrim looked up calmly and replied, "I didn’t expect Reyanna to die, but Rolf had already planned for that."
Surprised, Grimscar asked, "Father, what do you mean? Reyanna was a strong ally for Rolf. Why would he sacrifice one of his own?"
Thulgrim smiled and explained, "To show us the strength of the demons and how they handle a surprise assault. He gave us a live demonstration of what to expect when we fight alongside him. And believe me, we will."
Grimscar, his expression filled with concern, spoke earnestly, "Father—no, King Thulgrim the Undying—what are your ambitions? Killing the innocent? Trampling over children? One’s rise in war is another’s fall. With blood on both hands, how will you eat?"
Thulgrim smiled, offering reassurance. "There’s no need for innocents to die. We’ll overwhelm them, force them to surrender, just like in Daekrahm city. Or have you forgotten?"
Grimscar bowed, his face conflicted, then said, "Following Rolf is your decision. Trusting his intentions, however—that, I cannot do. My king."
With that, Grimscar left the throne chamber, leaving Thulgrim alone with his book and a contented smile. The king understood the power of his allies, confident they would help lead the ghoul kingdom to the prosperity he believed it had long deserved.
In the kingdom of the elves, King Mulosims stood on the balcony, lost in thought, until his messenger approached. The messenger bowed and reported, "King Mulosims, Reyanna is dead, and Queen Jane has won. The assault has ended."
Mulosims acknowledged the news with a nod, and the messenger continued, "We lost some brothers and sisters in the battle, my king."
With a measured tone, Mulosims responded, "Contact the demon authorities and request permission to retrieve the bodies for proper burial in our lands."
The messenger nodded, and just then, Maykiyoda, the king’s son, entered the chamber. Bowing respectfully, he conveyed, "Sir, the demons have already brought the bodies of our people."
Mulosims, with another nod, instructed, "Reach out to their families and personally thank the demon captain."
Maykiyoda bowed once more and exited with the messenger, leaving Mulosims to his thoughts. His mind drifted to Reyanna, as he mused, *Reyanna, for someone as intelligent as you, what could have driven you to such extremes? Was it power or doubt?*
Meanwhile, in an unknown location where Rolf had teleported, a lone female elf sat, her hands clasped, a look of concern etched on her face. Rolf was still struggling to recover from the effects of Reyanna's lethal spell.
A glowing path soon appeared, signalling Rolf’s return. The elf looked at him, her eyes filled with sadness and worry. Sensing her unease, Rolf spoke, "We must move on. There's nothing more for us here. We have the information we need. The price we paid is small compared to what lies ahead."
The elf nodded and began chanting a teleportation spell. Moments later, she and Rolf vanished, leaving the unknown place behind as they ventured toward their next destination.
After a day, Yoranios embraced his mother and the rest of his family before mounting the horse given to him by Captain Gon of Renolva Kingdom. With a smile, he turned to Jane, his face marked by burns and scars, and nodded respectfully. "Queen Jane, may your reign be long and prosperous," he said.
Jane returned his nod, and Yoranios began chanting a teleportation spell. After reaching the borders, he continued on horseback toward the Gostave border, where he encountered the knights of Renolva Kingdom.
The knights greeted him with respect, and after returning the horse, the sorcerers cast a teleportation spell, sending Yoranios to Hetry City, where he hoped to find Gostave and the little girls.
At the same time, near the inn in the heart of the city, Tyva and Lana walked hand in hand. Lana wore her usual bright smile, while Tyva shared in her happiness.
Suddenly, Lana stopped in surprise, her gaze fixed ahead. There, standing a short distance away, was Yory, a smile spreading across his face. He softly muttered, "I am back."
With youthful energy, Lana began running, her steps carrying her steadily toward him. Yory ran as well, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Welcome back, Yory," she whispered.
Tyva stood beside them, smiling at the heartwarming reunion. Yory, noticing her, pulled her into the embrace as well, causing Tyva to blush.
After a moment, Yory grinned and said, "I brought something good for you both."
Excited, the girls watched as Yory revealed two rings. Handing one to each of them, he explained, "These rings are magical. They hold a small spell that creates a shield if something bad happens. They need to be charged daily, but they'll ensure your safety—especially Tyva, who is my client here."
Lana and Tyva smiled at the magical rings, and then Yory's gaze shifted to Joe. With a grin, Yory waved his hands and shouted, "I will beat you badly if my cart is damaged!"
Laughter filled the air as Yory and Joe embraced, exchanging playful hits on each other's backs—a gesture of respect between friends. After their camaraderie, they all entered the inn, and Yory remarked, "It was a crazy story, and I’m sure you’ll hear it from the merchants in the next few days."
What Joe and the little girls didn’t realize was that Yory had used an illusion to conceal his scars. He didn’t want to frighten the children with his half-burned face and the marks left by a fierce battle.
Meanwhile, Cyop, the businessman who had left the demon kingdom, lounged on a plush couch. In front of him sat Divitry, the king of dragons, who asked, "Cyop, you wish to start a business relationship with our kingdom? I’m delighted to hear this, but I must ask, why now?"
Cyop nodded and explained, "King Divitry, the demon kingdom isn’t safe after the recent events, my business has suffered because of it. Historically, I found that the dwarfs and your kingdom have the least conflict. I’ve already met with the dwarf king and was pleased with his fair conditions. Now, I must ask you for your terms and how we can make this deal profitable for both sides."
Divitry nodded and replied, "Of course, that will benefit my kingdom and ensure a strong partner for our economy. But I have one question: who suggested a partnership with us?"
Cyop revealed with a grin, "A brilliant merchant from Renolva Kingdom—Maya, your daughter, King Divitry."
Divitry smiled in response, "My advisors will join us to discuss the terms of our deal. You can stay at our inn, The Golden, one of the most luxurious in our kingdom."
Cyop nodded, rising from his seat. Before leaving, he remarked, "You've raised a clever daughter. I’m pleased about this arrangement, King Divitry."
Divitry nodded respectfully as Cyop exited the chamber. Alone, he pondered, "What is the next step?"
The following morning, before the sun had risen, in the city of Juk—two days' journey west of Hetry City—Maya sat down to write a letter, a rare smile gracing her face.
Once she finished, Maya collected herself and departed from the luxurious inn, heading toward the castle of the city.
Inside, she settled on a cosy couch and discussed her ideas with Lord Tox, a young and notably brilliant figure often referred to as the "smart arse of Juk City." With a smile, he expressed, "That sounds like a solid plan. Given the recent turmoil in the demon kingdom, it’s crucial to avoid ventures in such a precarious environment. We were on the verge of scrapping inter-kingdom business until your proposal. I’ll personally visit King Divitry and present our offer."
Maya smiled after hearing his words and said, "Thank you for this meeting; it’s a pleasure to discuss business with you, Lord Tox."
Lord Tox returned Maya’s smile, stating, "The pleasure is ours. Let’s hope this partnership brings prosperity to both our lands."
In a dim, quiet location a few days later, Cixilia sat comfortably across from someone, stating, "You possess the power and allies, and my people are my priority. I’ll stand by your side if you agree to stand by mine. I’ll share all I know. So, are you with me?"
On the opposite end, Jane gazed at Cixilia with a serious expression and replied, "Tell me everything."