Lilis rolled her eyes dramatically, scoffing at the ludicrous task she was given. Only someone like this man could casually suggest sending a demon to deliver a message to the Tribunal of the Holy Light Church.
“Fine, if that's too much for you, here’s a simpler one: stay hidden in Vera’s shadow and ensure she stays alive until the truth surfaces,” he added with an air of nonchalance.
Lilis pouted, her tone turning sarcastic. “Protecting her so carefully… Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for her? I knew it! You’re into those brainless, big-breasted types, aren’t you?”
Ignoring her jibe, Lohvenkai waved her away impatiently. With a flick of her tail and a disdainful huff, Lilis vanished from the cell.
Lying against the damp wall of the cell, Lohvenkai stared at the ceiling, his thoughts spinning as he reviewed the intricate details of recent events.
“Ten years of dormancy, and now the killing begins… It’s either the time has come, or the opportunity presented itself,” he mused aloud.
As dawn broke, the faint light illuminated the dreary prison. Around him, the other inmates began to stir. Spotting a new face, they quickly grew animated, chattering like children discovering a new toy. Their rowdy curiosity soon escalated into a commotion, prompting the guards to rush over, barking orders and rapping their batons against the iron bars.
Lohvenkai stretched lazily, standing with a grin that exuded unsettling cheerfulness. “Didn’t expect such a lively crowd. Well then, let’s do some community building.”
With an air of calculated mischief, he spread his arms wide and declared, “Friends, tell me… do you believe in the Light?”
Night descended, shrouding the forest in deep shadows. Only the occasional rustle of leaves and the haunting cries of the wind broke the silence. Lilis moved effortlessly through the darkness, her wings brushing the air so lightly that she left no trace of her presence. Her silhouette danced between the fragmented moonlight, an ethereal figure gliding through the trees.
“That damned tin can,” she muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with mock exasperation. “He’s always pulling these stunts and leaving me to clean up the mess.”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Yet, even as her words dripped with disdain, there was an inexplicable undertone of reluctant admiration. Pausing by an ancient tree, she pressed her delicate fingers against the bark. A soft purple glow spread from her touch, forming intricate runes that pulsed faintly like a living entity. Her gaze grew contemplative.
“The involvement of the Tower of Truth… How fascinating,” she murmured, her lips curling into a sly, enigmatic smile. “It seems the stakes are higher than they appear. Let’s see who’s bold enough to make their next move.”
She glanced up at the treetops, her expression distant as though peering into the past. The memories of betrayal, blood, and vengeance flickered in her mind like a slideshow. Her smile deepened, a tantalizing mix of allure and danger. “The Holy Light? The so-called truth? They’re all just tools, nothing more,” she whispered, her voice as soft as the wind yet sharp as a blade. “Don’t underestimate me, Lohvenkai. In this game, I hold more cards than you think.”
As her wings lifted her into the sky, her lithe form cut through the crisp air, vanishing into the night. Behind her, the lingering fragrance of sweet allure left an invisible mark—enticing yet ominous.
Back in the cell, Lohvenkai leaned against the cold stone wall, humming a carefree tune that echoed faintly in the damp, suffocating space. His relaxed demeanor belied the sharp cunning lurking beneath. The lingering tension in his eyes suggested a mind perpetually calculating its next move.
"Play the fool to catch the wise," he thought with a sardonic smirk. “If I act like a scoundrel, no one bothers to guard their secrets.”
Glancing at the faint mark on his wrist left by the divine restraint, Lohvenkai’s gaze turned icy. “The Tower of Truth, the Lawrence family’s secrets, and that old mage… The pieces are falling into place. But let’s be clear—I’m no hero. My only concern is winning this game, and winning spectacularly.”
His hand flicked casually, tracing an invisible sigil in the air. For a brief moment, a dim light glimmered at his fingertips—a light unlike the radiant brilliance of the Holy Light. It was subtle, restrained, like a smoldering ember hidden within the shadows.
“Impressive seal,” he muttered with a mocking chuckle. “But it feels a bit mass-produced. Who knew the Tower’s budget restraints would show in their work?”
As the faint light faded, a wicked smile crept across his lips. His eyes darted toward the guards pacing outside and then to the cracked stones of the cell walls, lingering with mild amusement.
"People who trust too much in rules," he murmured, his voice barely audible, "tend to overlook the gaps between them. Tower of Truth… You disappoint me."
Yawning theatrically, he slumped against the wall, his eyes shutting as though preparing to sleep. Yet, his smile never wavered. It was the look of a predator, biding its time until the perfect moment to strike.