____
Inside Cordelia's mind—
Cordelia (internally): Val… doesn't the usual script go like—"I'll burn the world down for you"?
Cordelia (grinning): And this guy… he's practically saying, "I'll burn you down." Iconic.
Val (snorting): What do you expect? What's he supposed to say to a monster? "Let's build a white-picket fence together?"
Cordelia: …I mean… still.
_____
Outside—Gabriel stared at her, crimson eyes blazing like he'd devour her whole soul in one bite.
Before anyone could move, a voice echoed inside Cordelia's mind through the Link skill—a telepathic channel connecting her to the serpents.
"My Lord!"
Cordelia (internally): "What is it?"
Serpent: "The mermaids… they've risen. After months in hiding."
Her golden eyes darkened—sharp, commanding.
Lilith, Luoman, and Gabriel immediately tensed as her aura shifted. Instinct kicked in; weapons raised, battle-ready.
Without explaining, Cordelia activated Roam—her teleportation skill—and vanished, a flash of crimson petals.
Sig, hearing through the Link, shifted midair into his serpent form, shooting through the cave like a streak of black lightning.
Gabriel's jaw tightened.
Gabriel: "Follow them."
No hesitation.
The three S-class hunters dashed through the depth of the Forest—territory no hunter dared to step foot in before. A forbidden zone now pulsing with wild mana.
The deeper they went, the stranger it became.
Then, beyond the mist… it appeared.
A hidden city—treehouses spiraling into the sky, glittering crystal bridges, thick vines coiled like protective guardians. Serpents coiled lazily around branches. The children laughed. Warriors trained beneath sun-filtered leaves. The air was… peaceful. Alive.
Luoman blinked, stunned. "How… how do monsters live in a place like heaven?"
Lilith's fingers brushed a glowing wisteria vine, something stirring inside her. Her noble blood whispered rules, structure, chains—but her heart whispered freedom, untamed and raw. I could… live like this…
A shadow passed overhead—Sig, in human form, landed with a heavy thud.
Sig: "Why did you follow?"
Luoman (still gawking): "Where… what is this place?"
Sig's tone sharpened. "Answer me first."
Gabriel, arms folded, coolly: "Maybe because you bolted without a single word."
That's when Cordelia's voice echoed from the treetops—calm, cruel, beautiful.
Cordelia: "Do you even know where you've stumbled into?"
Gabriel's hand rested on his sword, eyes narrow.
Cordelia: "This is my Nirvana."
The word rang through the air, as the vines came alive, curling around the hunters' ankles, wrists, throats—binding them in a grip not even an S-class could break immediately.
Nirvana.
The new name of the forest. Reawakened under Cordelia's rule. A living, breathing dominion.
Lilith and Luoman slashed at the vines; Gabriel's chain sparked in irritation.
Cordelia (voice cold): "You won't survive what's coming next. Leave. While you still have the legs to walk out."
With that, she turned, crimson hair flicking behind her, heading toward the sea.
Through the Link, her orders rang out—
Cordelia: "Do not attack unless they attack first. Watch them… but remain hidden."
Serpent warriors vanished into the foliage, obeying.
Gabriel severed the last vine with a violent crack. His chest heaved—but his eyes burned hotter.
"Come," he ordered.
Lilith and Luoman followed, steps silent as predators, until they reached the shoreline.
And then—
They froze.
Stretching across the horizon… a sight they'd only heard in myth.
Mermaids.
Hundreds—no, thousands—of them, scaled tails flashing beneath the moonlight. Eyes glimmering like the deep ocean. Warriors in their own right, floating like a tidal army ready to crash.
And standing before them… Cordelia.
At the heart of it all—commanding monsters, ruling the land, claiming the sea.
Lilith swallowed hard, heart hammering.
Luoman whispered, "She's not just a queen…"
Gabriel's lips curled—not in fear, but challenge.
Gabriel (muttering): "She's an empire."
_________
A ripple echoed from the sea.
From the crashing waves, a figure emerged—long blue hair swirling like waves, sea-green eyes locked in challenge. Her tail shifted, scales shimmering, before splitting into legs as she stepped onto the shore.
Cordelia stood tall, eyes sharp as blades.
Mermaid: "You… you're the one who defeated the Leviathan?"
Cordelia (calmly): "Yes. And you're forgetting something else."
Mermaid's jaw clenched. "You mean… the new owner?"
Cordelia hummed in amusement. "Exactly."
The air tightened. The mermaid's aura flared—hostile, testing.
Mid-conversation, Cordelia's eyes flickered. Through her Link, voices stirred in her mind.
"My Lord!"
Cordelia: "Speak."
Rex: "The hunters… they've come to the shore."
Her gaze darkened.
Nearby, the three hunters stiffened, sensing the shift in atmosphere. The mermaid suddenly turned, eyes landing on them, hostility brewing.
Mermaid: "Humans. Here?"
She lunged.
Gabriel's blade snapped up, ready to counter.
But before the clash could happen—petals rained down like razors, halting the attack mid-air.
Cordelia, standing between them, her aura flickering dangerously: "Enough."
Mermaid: "You… you're protecting humans?!"
Cordelia (coldly): "I'm not protecting them."
Mermaid (voice sharp): "Then what are you doing?!"
Sigurd's growl cut through the tension, fangs glinting: "Watch your tone when addressing my Lord!"
Then the true pressure descended.
Cordelia's aura expanded—an ancient, crushing force, heavier than iron. The weight of five hundred demons cloaked the land. Every monster within range dropped to their knees. Even the mermaids in the sea writhed and whimpered under the suffocating pressure. The marked serpents trembled, their bodies shivering under the force.
Lilith and Luoman collapsed to the ground, breath stolen from their lungs.
And Gabriel?
Sword still raised… but barely standing, protected only by the shield of crimson hair falling around him—hair that smelled like wildflowers and wildfire. His crimson eyes stayed locked on the woman in front of him.
Cordelia whispered, "Put down your sword."
Gabriel (voice low, wary): "Why would I? I'm surrounded by monsters."
Cordelia (unshaken): "You think you alone could take on sea warriors?"
Gabriel's smirk was sharp. "Wanna bet?"
Cordelia leaned in slightly, voice softer but deadlier: "Rainbow herbs."
His eyes widened. The rarest of treasures—healing in its purest form. Only the richest nobles could afford even a fraction of it… yet here she was, offering it like a casual favor.
Gabriel: "What… what do you mean?"
Cordelia: "A deal. Cooperate with me… and you'll have access to things the empire can only dream of."
Gabriel lowered his sword—slowly, deliberately.
The mermaid's lips parted in shock.
Cordelia's voice cut through the air: "Your tribe chooses its fate. Serve me or stay free—it's your choice. But if you dare lay a hand on those I've marked…"
Mermaid (defiant): "Then what?"
Cordelia's golden eyes gleamed like a predator's. "Then it will be your tribe's extinction."
The suffocating aura lifted, like a storm passing. Everyone gasped for breath.
The mermaid fell to one knee, panting, then muttered under her breath: "…Serene."
Cordelia blinked. "Hm?"
Mermaid (standing weakly): "Name."
" It's a pretty name." Cordelia said softly. And the mermaid felt some kind of electric shock down to her spine. With that, she turned and vanished beneath the waves. One by one, the mermaids retreated, disappearing into the deep.
Sigurd (lowly): "It's not over."
Cordelia (smirking): "They'll submit… soon."
Luoman, still pale, muttered, "What… the actual fuck… was that?"
Lilith (half-whispering): "What did you just do…?"
Cordelia simply glanced at them, uninterested.
"Sigurd. Guide them back. We have business."
Sigurd's grin stretched wide. He understood exactly what she meant.
Capitalism.
---
Luoman and Lilith followed, steps unsteady, minds reeling. Gabriel… just watched Cordelia in silence, something dark and obsessive gleaming behind his smile.
As they walked, Sigurd glanced back: "When you enter the city—don't release your aura. Trust me."
---
The City of Nirvana welcomed them.
Treehouses towered, their roofs woven from living vines. Crystals lined the paths, streams glittered under enchanted light. The air thrummed with mana, but the serenity was undeniable.
Lilith's heart tugged—this wild, untamed beauty felt… right.
Luoman grumbled about monster drinks, but after one sip, couldn't stop. Even Gabriel tasted the nectar-like tea, his sharp gaze softening for just a moment.
They were seated at the tallest treehouse, overseeing the city like lords among kings.
Then, Cordelia entered.
Her entourage flanked her—Sigurd, Mimi, Sai, Nox, and Rex.
Gabriel's eyes narrowed, amusement and intrigue swirling as Cordelia sat upon a floating vine , petals swirling around her.
Gabriel (smirking): "So… let's talk about rainbow herbs."
Cordelia (smiling like a queen): "Let's talk price."
---
Luoman groaned when Cordelia named a sum that could fund a war army.
Gabriel, however, leaned in closer, playful danger in his tone.
Gabriel: How about you stay in the empire? Who knows something else might catch your attention also.
Cordelia: The empire is not ready for that.
Gabriel playfully, " Really? Why don't you try to find one?"
Cordelia: Oh. I think that would be the Royal
treasure vault.
Luoman: Oh damn. The audacity. I'm surprised.
Cordelia: There's a lot of things to be surprised about, dear.
Lilith: Guess we're looking forward to it.
Cordelia: You should.
And all of them smiled but the smile was covered in venom.
Gabriel: Does it mean Vaelthorne is in your interest, my lady?
Cordelia: Huh?
Gabriel: Vaelthorne is not anything less than Vaelcrest after all.
Val( Internally) : Ohh. Root got competition. Huh.
Cordelia( Internally) : I'll sew your mouth, flying rat.
Cordelia: It only applies to the emperor's treasure vault.
Gabriel: Ah. So strict.
Cordelia shot back savage comebacks, every smile sharper than the last one. Luoman drowned sarcasm in another cup of tea.
---
In the end, a deal was struck—herbs for the empire, trade routes to be opened, supplies exchanged. Identity secret. Deal done.
But the catch?
Cordelia would have to visit the empire personally to seal the contract—leaving Nirvana for the first time since her reign.
---
Cordelia (leaning back, eyes glinting): "If I'm going, I'm taking everything. Materials. Craftsmen. Food. Tools."
Sigurd: " I'll start preparing."
Luoman (shaking his head): "First time in history… monsters and humans… trading."
Gabriel only scoffed, eyes locked on Cordelia.
His interest wasn't just political anymore.
It was personal.