{Chapter: 242: Something is Wrong}
Another Early Morning.
Even though the morning sunlight bathed the world in a golden warmth, its touch still made Dex feel vaguely uncomfortable—like an itch beneath the skin. Despite the holy aura attached to it, the light from the sun never felt welcoming to a demon like him.
On the open-air balcony of the hotel, the city below was beginning to stir with life. People bustled through the streets, unaware of the silent figure seated above them. Dex lounged in a comfortable, cushioned chair, a steaming cup of tea resting in his hand, his sharp gaze fixed on the two elegant elven women before him.
Without changing his tone, he asked calmly, "So… you're both leaving?"
Alison gave a faint, graceful nod. Her silver hair shimmered slightly in the sunlight. "Yes. Now that my injuries have fully healed, there's no longer any reason for us to remain here."
Beside her, Valeera took a bite of a delicate slice of cake, licking the sugar from her fingertips with casual ease. "Mmh… I haven't been back in ages. This is the perfect chance to return home with Alison." She glanced at Dex, her emerald eyes glinting with playful interest. "If you've got the time, why don't you come with us to the Elsera Elven Kingdom? The forests are ancient, the waters crystal-clear, and the scenery is the most breathtaking in the world."
Then she leaned forward slightly, smirking, her tone laced with charm. "Although I'm not nearly as rich or powerful as you, if you show up, I promise I'll treat you. Generously."
It was a half-teasing, half-serious invitation.
Dex, however, only gave a small shake of his head. His expression remained unmoved. "No… There are still some things I need to deal with. Maybe some other time. Just go and enjoy yourselves."
Valeera pouted softly, a slight trace of disappointment flashing across her face. Though she had expected this rejection, hearing it still stung a little. "Hmph… Cold-hearted as ever," she murmured under her breath.
Alison, observing the interaction, could only offer a helpless smile. She had long stopped trying to understand Valeera's persistent interest in Dex.
In her eyes, Dex was a man wrapped in shadow—mysterious, powerful, and wholly unpredictable. A good acquaintance perhaps… but certainly not someone to get emotionally entangled with. His presence always felt like standing too close to the edge of a cliff. One wrong step, and you'd fall into something you might never escape from.
Time and again, she had quietly advised Valeera to be cautious. To keep some emotional distance. To not let curiosity blur into affection. But clearly, her words had fallen on deaf ears.
And what frustrated her most was that Valeera didn't seem the least bit interested in protecting her heart.
Meanwhile, Dex remained oblivious to the depth of Valeera's feelings. He wasn't trying to be cold—he genuinely didn't understand her affection.
He found it hard to believe that someone like Valeera Golaner, a noble-born elf with beauty and wit, would take such a keen interest in him.
Their encounter had been pure chance. He had met her in the crowd a few days ago, entirely by accident. After initially choosing not to seek her out, Dex had never expected to cross paths with her again—especially not in a city like Augustus.
This city was a sprawling metropolis. Unlike the towering concrete jungles of his previous life, Augustus was a labyrinth of wide boulevards and low-rise stone buildings, only occasionally pierced by a rare high-rise structure. With tens of millions of people living across its massive surface area, the probability of running into someone again—by coincidence alone—was practically zero. Like winning the lottery... or being struck by lightning.
And yet, he had met her again.
---
Some Time Later.
Dex stood alone on the balcony now, the city stretching endlessly before him.
The two elves had already left, their silhouettes fading into the crowd.
He ran his fingers slowly along the smooth porcelain surface of the teacup, the warmth from the liquid inside slowly fading—much like the moment itself.
He exhaled quietly and thought to himself, "Could it be… that she and I are truly fated to cross paths again and again?"
But the thought didn't linger.
Dex was not the sort to cling to whimsical notions like fate. After a moment's reflection, he dismissed the idea with a soft chuckle.
"If it's meant to be, it'll happen when the time is right."
After all, if he ever truly wanted her, if that desire took root, he could act on it. The choice would always be his.
But for now, it wasn't something worth worrying about.
Indecisiveness was unbecoming of a demon.
There were still greater matters at hand—plans to finish, enemies to face, and blood yet to spill.
And so, Dex let go of that fleeting thought.
He lifted his cup again, took a slow sip, and turned his gaze once more to the horizon.
The day had only just begun.
---
Another corner of the city.
In a secluded and tranquil private courtyard, nestled far from the hustle of the outer world, Sarah sat face to face with an elderly man. His once-dark hair had faded to a ghostly silver, and his gaunt frame gave the impression that a strong breeze might carry him off at any moment.
With a faint smile, Sarah leaned forward slightly, her tone sharp beneath its pleasant veneer.
"You're too old, and your time is running out," she said, her voice calm yet cutting. "Neither the Church nor the Magic Council care enough to watch you anymore. You're a man forgotten by time. If you reject us now, I'm afraid your only future is to rot quietly in some nameless cemetery."
Unlike her earlier encounter with Dex—where her words had been cautious, even deferential—Sarah now spoke with assertive confidence. When facing someone like this frail elder, who looked ready to collapse from age alone, she didn't need to tread lightly. Her demeanor was fierce, unwavering.
This, in fact, was the real Sarah—the one most people encountered. Strong-willed and bold, she rarely showed weakness.
Her submissive attitude before Dex had been the exception, not the rule. It wasn't because she admired him—it was simple pragmatism. Her strength wasn't on par with his, and in the worlds, power decided who bent and who stood tall. Acting respectfully toward him was a strategic move, not a show of reverence.
And in hindsight, she had made the right call.
Dex's aggression had been dramatically reduced. Had she dared challenge him directly, she suspected her head might already be decorating a spike.
Now, her sharp words hung in the air like blades. The old man, clearly unsettled, avoided her gaze. He wore a hesitant expression, and his lips trembled as if trying to speak, but no words came.
Sarah's frown deepened. "What is there to hesitate about?" she asked, voice growing colder. "Being chosen to serve my Lord should be the greatest honor of your miserable existence."
She truly didn't understand. The old man had shown clear signs of interest over the past few days, even agreeing with several core beliefs of her Church. Why hesitate now?
Had someone gotten to him? Had another force stepped in?
She couldn't help but wonder.
Since the descent of the dark god she worshiped, Sarah had risen quickly in the Church's ranks. She was considered one of the most promising leaders, and she had been entrusted with a sacred mission—to plant seeds of their faith across key regions.
Augustus was one such place.
The man seated across from her wasn't from a powerful noble family, but his influence in the area was undeniable. His clan had been rooted in Augustus for generations, quietly intertwining itself with local institutions, businesses, and communities. They weren't strong in raw power, but they were embedded like old tree roots—deep and hard to remove. Local tyrants, in their own way.
That legacy was why Sarah had chosen him.
Recruiting him into the faith would open countless doors—access, protection, and long-term infrastructure for the cult's rise in this region.
But now, the man's eyes darted toward the ground as he finally spoke, his voice weak.
"This matter… it touches too many things," he said. "It may even involve the safety of my family. I need time… to think it through."
And with that, he stood slowly—his thin form swaying slightly in the breeze—then turned and left the courtyard without waiting for Sarah's reply.
Her smile vanished the moment his back turned.
Her eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed together in irritation.
Liar.
She had already conducted background research. This man wasn't some noble patriarch selflessly protecting his kin. On the contrary, rumors swirled that the death of his own brother had involved betrayal—and perhaps even direct involvement.
He was a selfish man. A survivor. One who would always prioritize his own life over anyone else's. A man like him using "family" as an excuse was laughable.
She stood up slowly and took a deep breath, suppressing her fury. After a moment, she reached into her space ring and pulled out a small communication artifact glowing with dark energy.
With a single word, she activated it. "My Lord, I have something to report."
A moment later, a chilling voice echoed through the item. "Speak."
Without hesitation, Sarah laid out the entire encounter, sparing no details. Her report was precise and direct—demons had no interest in long-winded stories.
There was a brief pause on the other end.
Then, her Lord responded, voice low and commanding. "You selected more than one target, did you not?"
"Yes, my Lord," Sarah said at once, bowing her head slightly as a gesture of respect—even if the other side couldn't see it.
"Then approach the others as well. If the hesitation you encountered is widespread, and most of them respond in the same manner, it means the threat is beyond your current authority. In that case, withdraw and leave the region. But if even a few can be brought into the fold—then continue. Watch them. Nurture the ones with potential."
"I understand. Your will shall be done."
With that, the connection faded.
Sarah closed her eyes briefly. Her next steps were clear.
This was no longer just a simple recruitment mission—it was a test of who could be trusted, and who had already been touched by rival powers.
She walked back toward the courtyard's shadowy entrance, her expression cold and focused.
Soon, the rest would answer. And she would know whether Augustus was worth saving—or sacrificing.