A squadron of silver-armored knights swiftly swept in, helping the shocked and wounded nobles get back to their feet.

They were escorted out and into their own carriages by their knights, while watchers and individuals hiding in the shadows went to work as they swept the palace. Checking every nook and cranny without fail.

Icarius and Aphemis were on high alert as they spread their astral compass outwards, engulfing the palace and its surroundings under their watch.

Aphemis dragged away Lilith as dozens of her maids swarmed her, encircling her as they guided her out of the room and towards their safehouse.

Whispering to her shadow, Aphemis said. "I want that assassin in my torture chamber. I will personally interrogate him."

It was truly quite an opportunity. She has never caught a ministry rat alive. They would always result in suicide attacks just to fulfill their missions.

"Make sure to restrain him. I don't want him dead until I say so." She followed.

Upon her command, the shadows dispersed in multiple directions as they swiftly swapped the body with a different one.

This did not go unnoticed by Icarius, but he let it slide. He would just personally go converse with the demoness and join the interrogation. No one in this world had more hatred than her for the ministry.

As the number of nobles lessened, Icarius finally had time to go up to Ajax and Samael.

"This is your chance. This attack would circulate throughout the aristocratic society. But with it, so does Samael's participation in ensuring the safety of the nobles. Take it and solidify yourselves as heroes," he ordered.

The two nodded as Icarius resumed.

"For now, go back. I'll handle the rest here," he said.

Following his orders, Samael and Ajax went on to their respective carriages. On their way there, they could visibly see the shaken status of the nobles.

To think they had all the resources they needed and were this weak? Samael could not help but look at them with pity.

As their carriage reached Icarius's manor, Samael went directly to his room. Ajax did the same.

Sitting down, Samael's mind drifted towards the assassins. To think they could inflitrate one of the most secure events of the year with ease and even deploy barriers was insane.

This only means one thing. Another fucking rat.

They have rats everywhere, Samael thought.

As for who, he did not know. He was simply too ignorant of the Aristocratic society to know. But he's hopeful Aphemis will get that information from the assassin's leader.

This day had been everything but a normal one. Not only did he meet the only person dearest to him, but he also encountered an enemy of the past.

But their involvement just solidified his suspicions about the church. These bastards would never stop until they reached their goal. They would use every dirty trick they could.

Taking deep breaths, Samael composed himself.

But not everyone was like them. He had already made the mistake of thinking as such towards Vapad, and this nearly cost him his life. He won't make the same mistakes.

But now, the problem of who's their ally and who's not remains their most pressing concern.

He was already weary of the nobles from the start, but this just made everything worse.

Laying down, Samael sighed.

But at least she was here now.

Everything was going to be okay.

Remembering earlier's events, Samael's cheek flashed a hint of red as he took his arm and rested it on his eyes.

How could he do such shameless and embarrassing actions? Then again, it felt natural at the moment. Like it was the right thing to do.

Perhaps it was.

***

Lilith could not see or hear anything but the ruffling of her maid's clothes. These maids were not normal, as they were highly trained fighters who had mastered multiple fighting styles.

This was one of their protocols in case of an emergency. They've also taken an oath to sacrifice their lives if needed. A drastic but acceptable action in the eyes of her grandmother.

These past few years, Lilith has not experienced another attack. That is why she was so shaken when they came back. Like nightmares haunting her.

Eventually, they reached the safe house and were finally able to breathe with ease.

Excusing herself, Lilith made it to her room as she sat down with an exhausted sigh.

She thought these people had finally given up, but how foolish of her to think so. They would never give up. Never.

Lilith had no doubt that her grandmother would put the place on lockdown again. She would barely see the light of day at this rate.

But what could she do? Even though she disagrees with her grandmother's extreme measures, she does understand her worry.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

In her eyes, she was the only family she had left. Everyone else was gone. Only she left. Solitude was not something demons took kindly to.

Flopping down her bed, memories of what transpired earlier flashed through her pupils.

Remembering Samael's entrance and everything that led to that moment, Lilith's entire face flushed red as she took a pillow and buried her face in it.

How could she take such bold actions? Especially to Samael! How shameless was she?!

Still, there was no doubt that her heart savored every single second of it.

Her longing had blinded her, and she simply allowed herself to be happy again. Was that too much to ask for?

Samael was simply handsome. Much more than she remembered. His strides, the way his clothes swayed, and his crimson gaze were enough to make her drunk.

Not to mention his desire.

Lilith's head bellowed steam as she rolled around her bed, the pillow in her hand muffling her squeals.

Samael's desire for her... It was raw and powerful. It was so... violent and pure. So... demanding and possessive.

Although she remained silent about it, Lilith enjoyed every moment of it. Each time Samael would look, she loved his appreciation and love.

But still, how would she face him when they met again?! Her shameful behaviors then just seem to eat through her.

What was she supposed to say? Should she even say anything? What should she do? What should she wear?

It was driving her mad!

Loud thuds echoed in Lilith's room as the maids barged in, worry visible in their faces when they saw Lilith's room in a mess.

Clothing of all kinds was thrown everywhere, along with other cosmetics. Meanwhile, she stood there holding multiple dresses in her arms, her hair disheveled.

"What are you doing, miss?" The maids cried out as they rushed her, fixing her appearance and her room.

"It was nothing," Lilith answered.

"Miss," the head maid said.

"Fine! I was just looking for clothes to wear on our next meet," she answered as her cheeks flushed red.

The maids let out a sigh. Their master was finally reaching that stage.

Love.

However, they too felt happiness as they realized she was finally paying attention to her looks. Meaning, all the pent-up desires they had to dress her finally have a chance to show themselves.

With that, the rounds of recommendations began.

***

Deep beneath Aphemis's dungeon.

Aphemis's footsteps echoed as her heel struck the ground, her dress sliding off the floor as she made her way towards the center of the room.

There stood multiple shadows and multiple metal carts, each filled with different tools, some stained in blood.

"So you still followed me, huh?" Aphemis said as Icarius stepped out of the darkness.

"Why, I won't miss this for the end of the world," he said, prompting Aphemis to roll her eyes.

"If you're joining me, be prepared for what's to come," she warned.

"I've had my fair share of 'interrogations' myself, so please do continue," he assured the woman.

In the middle of the room was a man with his hands tied by metal chains connected to the floor. Under him were dozens of runes, each with their own purposes.

One was life support to prolong his suffering, while the other was to enhance pain. Some of them were there to regenerate his wounds.

"Remove the mask," Aphemis said as one of the cloaked individuals went forward and jerked the brown sack away, revealing the face of the assassin sent before her granddaughter.

Aphemis's rage reached a boiling point as her bloodlust clouded the room, prompting the cloaked individuals to fall on their knees.

"Spicy," Icarius commented as he remained in his carefree stance.

"So you're the bastard they sent," Aphemis said.

The man had golden hair paired with golden eyes. His face was swollen badly as violet spots littered his body. He was unrecognizable.

But those key features were enough to prove he was from the Church of Light.

"Fuck you, demon!" The man snarled.

Aphemis slapped the man, sending jolts of pain throughout his body as he grunted.

"Rest easy, knowing this won't go easy for you," Aphemis whispered in his ears.

"You'll never make me talk," the man said.

A chuckle escaped Aphemis's lips as she spoke. "Oh, you're mistaken. I'm not going to ask questions; you'll give me the answers yourself once I'm done with you."

Picking up one of the tools, she examined it. It was a drill-like tool with flat metal underneath. Pressing it would activate the clamp.

Placing the item in the man's foot, Aphemis pressed hard as the drill slowly dug in his nails before the clamp slowly pushed it upwards, peeling it off.

"ARGHHHHHHH!!!" the man screamed as he flailed uncontrollably.

However, Aphemis wasn't done yet, as she continued to the next toe, doing the same thing as his blood stained the floor.

Icarius simply watched by the sides as he watched the woman take another tool before testing in on the man.

This time, she slowly peeled off parts of his skin before dumping boiling oil into it, scorching his bare flesh as it bubbled under the heat.

"ARGHHHHH STOP!!!" he roared as tears and snot riddled down his face.

Slamming her fist in the man's stomach, Aphemis roared.

"SHUT UP!!!"

The man vomitted on the floor as Aphemis brushed her hair neatly.

The runes swiftly went to work as his wounds slowly healed.

Seeing this, the man felt dread envelope his heart.

Soon, wails of pain and agony filled the room as the sound of machines and metal piercing bones and flesh echoed repeatedly.

This went on for hours, and Icarius stayed for every second of it. This gave him enough measure to know how much Aphemis loathed the Ministry.

By the end of it, what she said came true.

"I'll tell you everything! Just please no more!" He roared as his sobs filled the room.

"Please..." he begged.

However, Aphemis's face remained stone cold as she kicked the man.

"I'll speak! The one who ordered me to act is one of the seven cardinals!" He confessed.

"The one titled as the holder of justice!" He roared.

However, this wasn't enough for Aphemis, as she slowly dug her nails into his eyes.

"ARGHHHHH!!!" he screamed as he dropped.

"I'll continue! Please! No more!" he begged.

"He said we had to kill a girl. A demon. One dubbed the chaos witch. He said we were to kill her even at the cost of our lives! That's all I know!".

"Please! Enough!" He pleaded.

However, Aphemis didn't think so as she continued.

By the end of it, the man was reduced to nothing but a husk as he lay on the floor, stained by his blood.

The entire room had morphed into crimson as the stench of iron circulated in the air. Organs and flesh riddled the corners of the chamber alongside the broken tools from repetitive use.

"Kill him," Aphemis said as she burst into black flames, burning away the sweat and blood marring her skin.

"Now we know that the Ministry is really invested in your daughter," Icarius said.

To think that a cardinal of light would get involved and send his disciples was enough evidence.

The Church of Light has a simple hierarchy. The lowest were the priests and nuns, followed by the Sanctums, people who were a rank higher and capable of using light magic. After them were the Serevilla, knights of light in training, and then the Sentinels of light, full-blown knights of the ministry.

Now the three highest of them are as follows: The third are the bishops. They're capable of sending knights and commanding them, but higher than them are the divine saints. Divine Saints usually stem from the Sentinels of Light but are trained by the Cardinals themselves, who sit at the highest rank and rule the ministry.

They are people with direct connections to Taranius, the god of light. As such, they are tremendously strong and wield knowledge no one else knows.

Unfortunately, not much is known about them. They keep to themselves and utilize the saints to do their bidding.

However, it seems there is more to their hierarchy than what the public knows. These assassins belonged to another order called Omens. A group of assassins and warriors trained in secrecy by the church. They have no sense of reasoning and does not listen to logic. They only have one mission, to follow the will of their masters. These are the saints and Cardinals.

Sadly, Icarius cannot simply reveal the information they got from the assassin to the world. It will cause great chaos, and a war will definitely ensue. A war so great that this world has not seen yet.

It will engulf everything in fire. Everything.

If the cardinals were involved, they would need to amp up their game. Icarius sighed as he spoke.

"It seems it's time to summon the high table."