Lanqi Meets the Red-Haired Youth Again

The following day. Monday in Palieu. Looking up at the night sky, the stars twinkled brilliantly. "Autumn is approaching." One great advantage of an open-air arena was that you could look up and gaze at the starry sky whenever you wished. That said, he didn't have any particularly profound reflections. It was already late August. The slightly sultry summer days were nearing their end. In District 6 on the North Bank of Posen's capital, Palieu, stood the Holy Silver Vine Arena—not too far from Count Baptiste's manor in the bustling District 4. After finishing his day's work at Count Baptiste's manor, Lanqi had once again been summoned by the count's eldest daughter, Christina, to come fight a proxy match at this arena. With the start of a new week, the clause stating that "any family member may claim up to two extra hours of the butler's time per week" had refreshed, and Christina had wasted no time in invoking it. In her mind, with a bit of luck, she might be able to earn enough tonight to pay Butler Luoqi's penalty fee. Alas, reality was cruel. After playing just one hired match today, they found themselves with no more matches to fight. It wasn't that no one wanted to hire Luoqi; it was that no opponent was willing to throw away money against him. Luoqi had won today with effortless ease once more. At least for this week, it seemed she wouldn't have the chance to dismiss this butler, and would have to keep him working in her household for another week. "At any rate, we've already saved up over thirty thousand pounds. We'll be able to cash out soon enough." Waiting before the railing of the spectator stands in one of the side halls, Christina glanced sideways at the expression of the brown-haired, green-eyed butler beside her. Even now, she harbored a faint worry that the butler was conning her. When the time came and she pulled out fifty thousand pounds, he might still refuse to leave. "Rest assured, Miss. I am a man of my word," Lanqi sighed softly, a helpless smile gleaming in his eyes, and said. After their hired match ended, the two of them had simply remained waiting in the Holy Silver Vine Arena. Christina had hoped that another wealthy gentleman with a hook nose like last time would come commission them for a match. She couldn't shake the feeling that leaving right now might mean missing out on an opportunity. And so, all she could do was rest her arms on the railing of a spectator stand in the annex, gazing boredly into the sky. The Holy Silver Vine Arena's defining feature was its retractable roof, which could open or close as needed. Even if someone grew tired of watching matches, they could always look up at a panoramic view of the dazzling night sky whenever the weather was fair. Matches among other competitors were still underway. Surrounding them, tiers of spectator seats stacked upward to the arena's crest, each level affording an optimal vantage point. The cheers and roars converging from just this single side hall alone were occasionally deafening. They waited like this for a long while. Aside from a reporter who approached wanting to pry into the villainess heiress—only to be professionally handled and turned away by Lanqi—no client ever came to discuss a commission with Christina. "Miss Christina, it seems no one is willing to fight us," Lanqi said, waiting just behind and to her left. "Sigh... it really is hard to find competitors willing to challenge you now." Christina released the railing and finally shook her head, accepting reality. To begin with, even if someone were willing to fight in a ranked match, it would be treated purely as an exhibition challenge against Luoqi; the odds were so heavily one-sided that betting brought in almost nothing. As for proxy matches, once someone hired Luoqi, the opposing side would simply refuse to take the fight. By now, everyone had a clear idea of what level Luoqi was on. Bringing in a Tier 6 to fight him was practically donating money. In truth, the reputation of Butler Luoqi McCarthy of Count Baptiste's household had been fermenting over the past couple of days; any genuine arena commissions would likely be delivered straight to the Baptiste manor on ordinary days. If none arrived then, stumbling upon one during these one or two hours at the arena was even less likely. "Luoqi, can you take on a Tier 7?" Christina turned back to face the butler who had been waiting behind her for so long and asked. She had actually been curious about this for quite some time, but had never dared to ask. Inquiring into the strength of an elite was much like asking a woman's age—it could easily be taken as an offense. "I can fight one, but I can't guarantee a win," Lanqi replied after a brief thought. His damage output was drastically reduced while in possession mode. The main issue was mana replenishment, and Tata wasn't an all-out offensive type; if they failed to defeat the opponent within a minute or two, defeat was certain. "Then... what if you run into a Tier 8 enemy...?" Christina's heart beat faster as she probed without much hope. Since she had already brought it up, she figured she might as well be bold and ask all the way, unsure whether Butler Luoqi would even give her an answer. "Run. Turn on my heels and sprint." Lanqi offered an honest smile. "Oh!" Now Christina understood. Her family actually possessed a Tier 7 butler! Tier 7 wasn't a matter of money; you simply couldn't hire one regardless of price. One had to remember that the entire Kingdom of Posen currently had only three Tier 8s. Aside from them, Tier 7s were invincible existences. Under normal circumstances, no powerhouse would enter combat status within the core districts of Palieu, as doing so would trigger the full suppressive force of the city's defensive barrier, reducing the utility of raw physical force to a minimum in such zones. Yet Christina, who kept a close eye on the news, had a premonition that the Southern Continent was about to experience turbulent times. Though nothing felt amiss here in the Flower Capital of Palieu in the north of the kingdom, the southern border of Posen was reportedly gripped by panic, with numerous advisories issued in rapid succession. Consulates from various nations were also instructing their citizens abroad to return home as soon as possible. "Miss, when you returned to the Kingdom of Posen from the Kingdom of Aloran during your school break, was it partly out of simple homesickness, and partly because you felt some underlying unease? If you observe that conditions continue to worsen, I would recommend applying for a one-year leave of absence and remaining in Palieu for the time being," Lanqi observed Christina's expression and remarked. Christina turned around in surprise, looking up at Lanqi as though her mind had been read. "I don't know what specific intelligence the United Council of Kingdoms has received, but I just hope nothing goes wrong anytime soon," she exhaled, answering frankly. Whether it was the Creti Empire operating within the allied kingdoms or the United Council of Kingdoms monitoring the Creti Empire, both naturally had their intelligence networks. Reports from the United Council of Kingdoms rarely missed the mark by much, which meant the Southern Continent could reach a tipping point at any moment. Looking on the bright side, perhaps nothing would truly happen over the next year or two. Yet upheavals were like storms—unpredictable, and you never knew when one had already begun. Perhaps this autumn, the world would change. It could happen on any day, at any hour, or in any given second. If troubled times were truly upon them, having a loyal Tier 7 protector in the family would be worth more than any amount of gold. "So, young mistress, are you reconsidering firing me now?" Lanqi asked with an amused smile. He had occasionally listened to Boss Cat read from the newspapers, and those reports had left Boss Cat thoroughly worried. Lanqi, however, didn't see much cause for concern; Posen's Senate had guaranteed the safety of their invited foreign guests. As allies, Posen and Hutton would naturally look after each other's citizens should external turmoil erupt, unless civil unrest or regime change occurred—only that would lead to truly terrifying consequences. "No, our agreement stands. I have no intention of letting my family owe a debt to a Tier 7 powerhouse. I won't take advantage of you," Christina shook her head firmly. "..." Lanqi choked on his words. "Heh heh." Talia's delighted chuckle echoed in Lanqi's mind. This girl had rejected Lanqi at least three times now; his self-assured bargains were entirely useless on her. "Since there are no more commissions, allow me to escort you home," Lanqi said to Christina, glancing up at the time displayed on the crystal screen of the Holy Silver Vine Arena. Being mocked by Talia left him rather vexed. "Uh..." Christina nodded first, then hesitated, looking up at the sky before turning her gaze back to Lanqi's face. "Is there something else on your mind, Miss?" Lanqi inquired. "By the way... will you protect my safety?" Christina asked him. "Of course. It is my duty. Ensuring perfection in my work is of utmost importance to me," Lanqi replied calmly. From inside his shadow, Boss Cat couldn't help but agree. When Lanqi entered professional mode, he might not even value his own life. "Then... could you take me on a stroll through the Posen Demon Realm? I've never been there in my entire life, and Father and Brother never let me go," Christina glanced up at Lanqi, her eyes holding a mix of timidity and anticipation. "While that isn't an issue..." Lanqi couldn't help feeling she had some rather disrespectful thoughts. It felt as though she didn't view him as a bodyguard, but rather as some sort of ominous warding talisman capable of warding off danger. "Let's go. We'll stroll for less than an hour, take a brief look around, and then head home," Lanqi checked the time once more and agreed briskly. Neither he nor Talia had visited the Demon Realm since arriving in the Kingdom of Posen. They had originally planned to visit the Posen Demon Realm after finishing their formal business. However, since Christina had made the request, he might as well treat it as an official errand and take a look inside. "Hooray!" Christina pumped her fist, eager to set off. Straightening her skirt, she signaled for Luoqi to follow, striding briskly toward the corridor leading out of the spectator stands. Many Palieu citizens did not dare set foot in Districts 7 through 10, which belonged to the Posen Demon Realm. Only daring individuals like her brother, Kyle Baptiste, had ever ventured there with demon bodyguards in tow. While theoretically the Posen Demon Realm wasn't all that dangerous, anyone accustomed to the safety of the Flower Capital would find its public security relatively abysmal. If she brought Luoqi along, though, there would certainly be no problem. After all, he was exceptionally good at warding off evil. *** District 6 of Palieu, where the Holy Silver Vine Arena was located, lay merely one kilometer from the border of District 7 in the Posen Demon Realm. Late at night, while the city of Palieu was bathed in the serene glow of silver moonlight, Lanqi and Christina arrived at the entrance leading into the Posen Demon Realm. Winding through the narrow alleys along the edge of District 6, Lanqi guided Christina to a discreet door nestled beside an aged, time-forgotten church. The door was crafted from weathered oak, its surface draped with thin, delicate vines. Yet the moment it was opened, their field of view instantly brightened. Before them lay the vast concourse of a station checkpoint, lined with inspection turnstiles. "Miss, once we are inside the Posen Demon Realm, please do not run off on your own. You must stay by my side," Lanqi cautioned. "All right, all right," Christina replied, gazing all around with rapt attention, finding everything novel. The two proceeded to the service counter, finished the formalities, and passed through the turnstile. As the mirror-like surface resembling a Void Gate ahead began to glow with a warm golden light, they stepped steadily through. A light-filled passage materialized before them, its far end seemingly connected to an entirely different world. The moment they crossed completely through the radiant portal, it felt as though they had traversed time and space, arriving on a street in Palieu that was both familiar and foreign. Floating orbs of light drifted across the avenue, gently dispersing to illuminate the night-shrouded city. The pedestrians were almost entirely members of the demon race. If anything, humans were the ones more likely to draw demonic stares. This was District 7 of Palieu. Behind them, an enormous bronze mechanical clock tower rose into the night sky, every chime serving as a reminder that this was a jurisdiction wholly separate from their original world. "When we return to the foot of this clock tower later, we can pass through the barrier and return to District 6 via the checkpoint," Lanqi explained to Christina. By now, she seemed somewhat distracted, her entire attention captured by the Posen Demon Realm—a place so close yet one she had never visited growing up. "Hurry, show me around the Posen Demon Realm!" Christina glanced at the time on the clock tower and urged Lanqi. The butler didn't have much working time left; he would likely only tour with her for an hour at most before having to leave. "Understood." Lanqi nodded, gesturing for her to follow toward the brightly lit commercial district ahead. "District 7, where we are right now, has relatively poor public order, and incidents break out frequently. By contrast, Districts 9 and 10, overseen by Tier 8 lords, enjoy the best security," he warned Christina. Districts 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the Flower Capital of Palieu were each governed by a demon lord. Two of them were Tier 7 demons, and two were Tier 8 demons. "Oh, I see." Having heard this, Christina nodded warily and kept close behind the butler. A century ago, when the Kingdom of Posen signed the acceptance treaty with the demons, one major sign of respect from the Posen Senate was the pledge not to interfere with demonic culture within the territories granted to them, nor to demand that they adhere to human social order. Consequently, the contrast between District 6 and District 7 could be immense, and once you stepped into the Posen Demon Realm, safety was no longer guaranteed. Yet she felt such an arrangement was beneficial for both parties. Whichever life you wished to live, you followed the rules of that realm. Led by the butler, Christina strolled through streets steeped in demonic style and wonders. Along the skyline of District 7, luminous skyscrapers, cathedrals, and extra-dimensional floating courtyards linked seamlessly together. The night sky was not merely deep blue; occasionally, faint golden firefly-like motes drifted across it, shimmering like a mirror reflecting the city. It was said that in the Northern Continent, a city called Herrom held numerous ruins bearing demonic characteristics, bearing a certain resemblance to corners of the Posen Demon Realm. They were currently strolling along a street named Phantom Boulevard. The night sky over the Posen Demon Realm was remarkably breathtaking due to supernatural phenomena induced by spatial magic barriers, and Phantom Boulevard was the prime spot to admire such a view. Moreover, a renowned Phantom Night Market in District 7 happened to be situated nearby. After walking only a short distance, she had already purchased several snacks and shared some with Butler Luoqi. There was "Star Candy," which reportedly contained a trace of starlight mana that granted the consumer a fleeting sensation of floating in the night sky, and "Ghost Bread," made from the translucent wheat unique to the Posen Demon Realm, tasting like a blend of fluffy clouds and marshmallows. To Christina's surprise, Butler Luoqi accepted them all without turning down her offer to share. Before they knew it, over half an hour had slipped away. Watching the remaining time dwindle, Christina felt a twinge of reluctance to end this novel tour of the Posen Demon Realm. Every now and then, she glanced up at the deep-blue mirrored night sky, then turned back to look at the mechanical clock tower. Beside her, Butler Luoqi also seemed to be scanning the street. "What are you looking for?" Christina asked. "I've heard that on Phantom Boulevard in the Posen Demon Realm, there is a slight chance of encountering a magical dessert float at night. The float is operated by a demonic master pastry chef, and the ice cream served can instantly induce tremendous joy while granting a temporary minor attribute boost. However, the probability of crossing paths with the magical dessert float is extraordinarily low," Lanqi explained to Christina, his eyes on the road. "That completely comes down to luck." Christina waved her hand dismissively. The most jarring thing about Butler Luoqi was that he seemed very gluttonous and paid extraordinary attention to food, yet Christina couldn't see him as a truly greedy eater—she had never even seen Luoqi actually eat anything. Still, as long as he didn't eat children, it was fine. Besides, no disappearances had occurred around Count Baptiste's manor lately. "Are you thinking about something very rude again...?" Lanqi looked at her with suspicion. He felt he was truly beginning to understand Talia. How could there be an employer so utterly lacking in respect? Question Tata, understand Tata, become Tata. It felt as though he had walked Talia's exact path. The two chatted as they strolled beneath the night sky of the Posen Demon Realm. Neither lingered overly long in this novel district. After all, their itinerary was clearly planned, and they had agreed to return on time. "Wait, Miss. Do you hear a commotion in the distance?" Lanqi narrowed his eyes, gradually slowing his pace. "Do I?" Christina stopped and looked at him. She had heard about the hallmarks of the Posen Demon Realm: bank robberies, multi-vehicle crashes, and major disasters were everyday occurrences in District 7. *Boom!!* Suddenly, right as they were soaking in the serenity and charm of this marvelous evening, the sound of shattering glass echoed from a distant building, rupturing the tranquility of District 7. A wave of clamor tinged with chaos followed, rising and falling in sharp, frantic bursts. Both turned toward the source of the noise. Numerous residents were hurrying across the distant streets, panic painted across their faces as if fleeing some hazard zone. Lanqi immediately signaled Christina with his eyes to keep her distance. "This is the Posen Demon Realm. Quite routine." Lanqi hoped Christina would stay calm. Yet he noticed that Christina wasn't particularly panicking; driven by curiosity, her gaze followed several fleeing demon citizens, peeking cautiously toward the source of the disturbance. The commotion grew clearer, ringing out like surround sound until roars, the clatter of metal, and occasional explosive blasts of fire could be distinguished. The streetlamps along Phantom Boulevard seemed to dim slightly in response, with only frantic demon citizens sprinting past. "What is it, Miss? Do you want to watch this as an entertaining sideshow?" Lanqi looked down at the blonde heiress beside him and asked. "No, definitely not." She shook her head repeatedly, finally snapping back to her senses and preparing to turn away. However... Before she could react, an instinctual reaction to a distant roar compelled her to clasp her hands over her head. Far off in the sky, two dark figures swept past, darting swiftly between the buildings. They pursued each other from the facade of one structure to the wall of another, every landing accompanied by the crunch of shattering bricks and billows of dust, making the entire city shudder under their clash. The battle was remarkably fierce, the two figures interweaving and separating in rapid succession. The pursuer brandished a black blade, every swing whipping up a blazing scarlet storm that lit up the surrounding corridors. The figure fleeing while causing wanton destruction was hideous and grotesque, resembling a mutated, miniature giant. "Nigel is here! Run!" A demon sprinting past Lanqi and Christina cried out in terror. It seemed that compared to the berserk, cursed demon, they were far more afraid of the warrant officer clad in an executioner's military uniform. Lanqi, who had just been about to depart, paused with a hint of hesitation and turned back toward the battlefield. He recognized that name. In the Flower Capital of Palieu, humans had no fear of Executioner Nigel, but in the eyes of the demons, he was treated like a harbinger of doom. "Do you know Duke Tiffany's executioner?" Christina asked, catching Lanqi's reaction. "..." Lanqi neither confirmed nor denied her question. He merely raised a hand to signal Christina to stay behind him. Demon citizens continued to stream past, though some couldn't resist their urge to gawk, looking back every three steps. "Excuse me, what's going on over there?" Lanqi called out to a demon who looked like a reporter and wasn't running quite as frantically. "Apparently, some human crossed the Diamond Gang and was hunted across District 7 for two or three days. Not only did the gang fail to kill her, she slaughtered a bunch of their members! When they finally cornered her, she nearly beat their boss to death. But who could have guessed the boss was a curse-bearer? He went berserk right then and turned the tables on her. If Nigel hadn't arrived in time to save her, she'd be completely dead by now." The demon reporter snapped a few quick shots toward the high-rises with a magitech device while rapidly explaining to Lanqi, "Still, it's bizarre. Her head was practically bashed in, yet she isn't dead. Can a human really have that much vitality...?" The reporter muttered while snapping photos into the distance. He felt strangely safe standing beside this human—it made for a great vantage point. Still, this wasn't a place to linger, so the demon reporter quickly offered a brief goodbye and hurried off. Upon hearing this, Lanqi looked back toward where the battle was escalating. Looking closely, Nigel was fighting with his hands tied against the berserk demon. In one hand he held his blade, while in the other he gripped a magitech chain that tightly wrapped around a blood-soaked humanoid figure floating midair, keeping her shielded. This berserk demon was likely no Tier 4 like Lisanci before, but a formidable demon who had originally been Tier 6 before falling prey to the berserk curse. On one hand, Nigel held back out of concern for the demons who hadn't evacuated yet; on the other, he aimed to capture the enemy rather than strike him dead. "*ROAAAR!*" The berserk, cursed demon was riddled with wounds. Possessing monstrous strength, he unleashed frenzied magic without pause, attempting to overwhelm Nigel with boundless fury and power. Yet Nigel kept constant watch over the battlefield's perimeter. He shielded innocent residents from harm. Whenever danger threatened a bystander, he parried the attack with the blunt spine of his blade in the nick of time, then swiftly relocated them to safety. Evidently, as an executioner, Nigel had abundant experience dealing with berserk curse-bearers. Before long, he drew the berserk curse-bearer onto the wide expanse of Phantom Boulevard. Here, he no longer needed to worry about collateral damage to demon citizens. Gripping the hilt with both hands, he dipped his stance slightly and surged forward toward the berserk curse-bearer like black thunder. Just as Nigel was about to land a precise strike with the spine of his blade against the berserk curse-bearer... He seemed to sense something, snapping his blade to his flank. In the blink of an eye, a new shadow materialized on the battlefield. The sudden silhouette launched a ferocious kick straight at Nigel's chest. The terrifying force sent Nigel flying backward, crashing into the wall of a building amidst a resounding boom and swirling dust. As the smoke cleared, Nigel struggled to his feet from the rubble. His hand gripped the hilt tightly. Though he had successfully parried the blow, the residual force still left his arm trembling slightly. "What's the matter, Nigel? Just kill him and be done with it." A demon stood calmly in place, casually pinning the berserk curse-bearer to the ground. His other hand was poised to pierce right through the curse-bearer's skull. "Don't kill him!" Nigel charged forward instantly, swinging his blade to force the demon away from the curse-bearer, though his strike did not land. The male demon seemed to evade Nigel's attack with a light, effortless hop backward. "How hypocritical, Nigel. You didn't hesitate for a second when you executed the daughter of your mentor, Lord Perlman. Are you trying to atone now? Can't even bring yourself to finish off a berserk curse-bearer?" His crimson eyes gleamed with mockery. Clad in a black silk coat, his long, pitch-black hair fell loosely over his shoulders. "Astaroth, I am on official business. Do not interfere!" Veins bulged on Nigel's forehead as he fought down his fury, yelling at the demon. This male demon, endowed with a pale, exquisite countenance that concealed an understated savage beauty, was none other than the demon lord of District 7: Astaroth. "Oh? In my territory, my authority exceeds yours. Unless your master, Duke Tiffany, shows up in person, I might consider giving her some face." Demon Lord Astaroth's tone was thoroughly disdainful. "..." Knowing the other party had come solely to cause trouble, Nigel made no further attempt to reason. His gaze sharpened by half a measure as he monitored Astaroth's movements while keeping his peripheral vision locked on the berserk curse-bearer, who had already risen to his feet once more. He had nearly subdued the berserk demon, only for a meddlesome demon lord to crash the scene. Nigel felt a pounding headache coming on. The night was as dark as ink. Accompanied by flashes of fire, smoke, and detonations reminiscent of an iron foundry, the far end of Phantom Boulevard rapidly escalated into an unprecedented three-way melee. The berserk curse-bearer, Executioner Nigel, and Demon Lord Astaroth clashed once more. The curse-bearer's eyes blazed with blood-red light, no longer concealing the bottomless madness within. Unleashing a piercing screech that seemed to pierce into the depths of the soul, he charged Nigel at unbelievable speed. Faced with this, Nigel remained extraordinarily calm, skillfully holding his black blade before him. Block, parry, slash—the blade flipped fluidly in a single, seamless motion. Demon Lord Astaroth, relying on combat instincts honed to near-perfection and his intimate knowledge of his kin, struck at the berserk curse-bearer with open-palmed thrusts that were both lethal and graceful. Yet Nigel strained to intercept every single one. "Hahaha! Nigel, I'm not hitting you! You're volunteering to block for him!" Demon Lord Astaroth laughed repeatedly. "..." Nigel offered no response to Astaroth's provocations. Facing this berserk curse-bearer, his heart was a tangle of conflicting emotions. He understood the threat, but remained convinced that a non-lethal resolution had to be found. Just as Demon Lord Astaroth thrust his hand forward, intending to pierce the curse-bearer's brain, Nigel stepped between them once more, using the flat of his blade to take the lethal blow. This continuous blocking instantly trapped Nigel in a pincer maneuver. Behind him was the mindless, violently erratic curse-bearer. Before him was the cold, ruthlessly precise Demon Lord Astaroth. Nigel stood trapped in the eye of the storm, forced to fend off ferocious assaults from both sides simultaneously. In this high-wire act, a single misstep meant total defeat. *** On the other side of Phantom Boulevard. Beneath a streetlamp, Lanqi watched everything in silence. "I want to go help Mr. Nigel," Lanqi murmured in his mind to Talia, his brow furrowed slightly. "Go on," Talia agreed. She felt that she and Lanqi owed Nigel a favor. Lanqi shifted his gaze from the battlefield to Christina beside him. His primary objective was to help Nigel subdue the berserk demon, then let Nigel safely escort the captive back to District 1 for interrogation. Lanqi bent down and scooped a pitch-black kitten from the ground. "Don't wander off. Wait for me here, and hold this cat tight. If you run into danger, it can save you," he said, handing Boss Cat over to Christina. "Oh... okay." Christina took the little black cat in a daze, completely missing where the butler had summoned a spirit beast that was nearly Tier 5. Next, Lanqi yielded partial control of his body to Tata for possession. *** At the far end of Phantom Boulevard, amidst the apparent three-way melee, just as the clash between Nigel and Astaroth reached a fever pitch, both noticed a figure approaching from the distance. Dressed in an immaculate butler uniform, he walked with unhurried steps, looking as if he paid no heed to the boiling battlefield and was merely out for an evening stroll. As he neared the center of the fray, even amid bursting flames and flying shrapnel, he navigated his way forward effortlessly, dodging shockwaves with minimal movements. The more composed he appeared, the more he looked like a gentleman who had wandered into the wrong venue. Neither Executioner Nigel nor Demon Lord Astaroth could discern what this intruding brown-haired, green-eyed butler intended to do. "Nigel, I've finally found the chance to repay you! Let us finish our life-and-death battle from last time!" Lanqi had nearly reached the center of the battlefield. Staring fixedly at Nigel, he accelerated his pace and plunged directly into the fray. "Nigel, you really have offended quite a crowd, haven't you?!" Demon Lord Astaroth threw his head back and roared with laughter upon hearing this. This brown-haired, green-eyed butler was clearly Nigel's bitter enemy. And he wasn't lying at all! It was easy to tell from his emotionally charged words and his placid, unruffled mana fluctuations. Just as Demon Lord Astaroth was laughing, Lanqi drove an elbow viciously into his back. The demon lord didn't even have time to register why this human moved so fast before a tearing, excruciating agony shot through him. His entire body froze as if under a curse, unable to move a muscle. In the next instant, Nigel seized the opening, slamming the hilt of his blade hard against Astaroth's chin, instantly sending stars bursting across the demon lord's vision. Reeling and off-balance, Astaroth had no chance to dodge. Nigel rained several full-force blows with the spine of his blade upon his skull until his head was smashed into the pavement, finally knocking him out cold. "..." Watching from afar, Christina and Boss Cat both felt their eyelids twitch. How utterly underhanded. The guy had clearly intended to help Nigel all along. Yet technically he hadn't lied; Demon Lord Astaroth had simply misunderstood him. It was hard to imagine whether Astaroth, upon waking, would ban this brown-haired, green-eyed human from ever entering District 7 again. "Phew... that was a huge help." With Astaroth out of the way, Nigel and the butler combined forces to subdue the berserk curse-bearer in the blink of an eye. Treating the curse-bearer to the same courtesy as Astaroth, Nigel struck him several times with the spine of his blade, knocking him completely unconscious, then produced another magitech chain from his inner uniform pocket to bind him tightly. "You actually fight with blunt force?" Lanqi asked in surprise. "The edge isn't sharpened; it just has considerable weight." Nigel sheathed his black blade and drew back the red-haired maiden floating midair, who had been protected by the magitech chain. He didn't quite know why he was responding to this strange man's remarks. Although the stranger's motives were a mystery, he had been helping him from the moment he appeared, so Nigel had no intention of making things difficult for him. "Nigel, it's me," Lanqi whispered, shifting his vocal tone. "...?!" A sudden flash of realization struck Nigel. He grabbed Lanqi's arm. Tightening his grip on the chains with his other hand, he carried the bound berserk demon and the half-dead red-haired maiden up to the roof of a high building. "Lanqi Wilfort?" Nigel looked at the brown-haired, green-eyed youth before him, not entirely sure. "Yes," Lanqi nodded, walking to the edge of the rooftop to keep an eye on Christina's position far below on Phantom Boulevard. Even with Boss Cat present, he remained concerned that malicious enemies might approach her in the blink of an eye. At the same time, Talia used Lanqi's body to extend a hand toward the unconscious berserk curse-bearer on the floor. "...Submit to me," he murmured under his breath. A second later, the grotesque, mutated features of the demon on the ground softened, reverting into a burly demon man. "Thanks." Though this was the second time Nigel had witnessed the lifting of this forbidden curse, he still found it miraculous. Moreover, aside from Miss Tata, Lanqi could actually perform the curse-breaking technique as well. Still, Nigel chose not to pry. "I need to report back to the Senate first. Could you take care of this human for me?" Nigel pulled over the other chain and handed it to Lanqi. He had to deliver the healed high-tier curse-bearer to the Senate immediately and couldn't spare the time to escort this human to a hospital for treatment. "Of course." Lanqi took the chain, slightly surprised when he got a clear look at the figure. Had her clothes not been thoroughly soaked in blood, he wouldn't even have noticed that her hair was naturally red. Examining her attire and facial features more closely, he instantly recalled the opponent he had met two nights ago at the Holy Silver Vine Arena—that violent, red-haired youth. "Do you know her?" Nigel asked, noticing Lanqi's gaze. "We crossed paths once. Don't worry, I will take good care of her," Lanqi promised. "Then I'll take my leave," Nigel said in farewell. "Take care. Don't get isolated," Lanqi cautioned. He signaled with a gesture for Nigel to keep line of sight with them during the return trip. "Understood." Nigel nodded; he caught Lanqi's meaning. Though the distance back to District 6 was short, staying within each other's field of vision would prevent enemies from ambushing them along the way. They quickly descended from the high-rise back to Phantom Boulevard, reunited with the waiting Christina, and began their journey back toward the city center of Palieu. *** Meanwhile. At another corner of the Posen Demon Realm where night hung heavy, dim light barely illuminated dilapidated buildings and dense shadows. Streetlamps lined the road sparsely, most of them dark, with only a scattered few emitting a faint, flickering yellow glow. Whenever the wind blew, window shutters creaked softly, making wailing sounds. After an unknown amount of time, a figure stepped out from a dark corner. His silhouette appeared indistinct beneath the gloomy streetlamps, his face deeply shadowed by the brim of his hood, revealing only a chilling jawline and the corners of his mouth. Shadows stretched and twisted at his feet as if possessing a life of their own, writhing with his every movement. They danced in the unstable light, resembling tentacles reaching toward him at times, and black liquid pooling across the pavement at others. "Luoqi McCarthy..." "Just who on earth are you...?" The words drifted from his lips. His first opportunity to strike had been abducting that young lady. Yet a gaze from above had instantly locked onto her. And so he had aborted his appearance. His second opportunity had been ending Nigel right here in the Posen Demon Realm. Yet this fellow and Nigel hadn't separated completely. While he could have killed Nigel before he reached District 6, striking rashly now against both him and Luoqi McCarthy left him uncertain whether he could eliminate them both. If even one managed to flee back to District 6, things would turn disastrous. Still, he had gleaned at least one piece of information: The person helping Nigel lift the curses was this very butler employed by Count Baptiste's household—Luoqi McCarthy. "Hehehe... the feast is about to begin..." Accompanied by an imperceptible chuckle, he vanished into the end of the road. *** On the other side of the Flower Capital of Palieu. It was deep into the night. Saltpeter General Hospital—officially known as the Palieu Saltpeter Medical Supply Center—was located in District 3 of Posen's capital. Boasting extensive royal heritage and modern medical accomplishments, it was the largest hospital in Palieu. It had originally been founded by Nicolas Fouquet, the Superintendent of Finances during the reign of King Lanyi XIV of Posen, as a facility to house impoverished and ill women. The name "Saltpeter" derived from the site's previous purpose: a factory that originally produced fire-attribute magic stones. Over centuries of evolution, the facility had gradually grown into a massive medical complex. Today, it was not merely a hospital providing healthcare for Palieu, but also one of the premier centers for medical research and education across the Southern Continent. Night enveloped the upper floors of Palieu Saltpeter Hospital. Inside a private room overlooking the glittering city, pristine moonlight slipped through the gaps in the curtains, cascading into every corner like a gentle stream. The room was sparsely furnished. The lights were dimmed to their lowest setting, leaving only a bedside lamp casting a soft yellow glow that draped the entire space in a pale golden warmth. Upon a pure white hospital bed, a red-haired girl lay resting. Fresh bandages were wrapped around her body, faint patches of dried blood visible through the gauze. Even so, she was safely out of critical danger. As time ticked past, the red-haired girl gradually regained a flicker of consciousness from her deep slumber. Her eyelashes fluttered weakly. Her vision was pitch-black. Everything in her ears was eerily quiet, broken only by the occasional faint footsteps from the hallway and the hushed conversation of night-shift nurses in the distance. After nearly half a minute, she finally opened her eyes slowly. At first, confusion washed over her. Straining to turn her head, her gaze drifted across the room as she attempted to make sense of the quiet space. The girl's eyes eventually settled on the serene nightscape outside the window—the distant skyline of Palieu etched against the horizon, with a half-moon hanging high, casting silver radiance across the sleeping city. When she tried to move, numbness flared from the bandaged areas, as though the body didn't belong to her at all. "Where... am I...?" The red-haired girl struggled to sit up from the bed, the bloodstains on her bandages deepening slightly with the effort. Realizing she wasn't alone in the room, she instantly grew alert. Standing on one side of the room was a man clad in a dark butler suit, his brown hair paired with gentle green eyes, looking polite and refined. Beside the bed stood a blonde young woman whose posture carried both noble elegance and a hint of concern. She felt a vague impression of these two, but it was faint, and she couldn't recall who they were. "Who are you?" The girl's voice was edged with sharp wariness and cold detachment. "Why am I here? What do you want from me?" She clenched her fists, ready to fight them at a moment's notice. "Do you remember who you are?" Christina asked first. Looking at the bandages across the red-haired girl's forehead, which were beginning to redden again, she asked with worry. Logically speaking, Inoan, who had just fought them at the Holy Silver Vine Arena two nights ago, shouldn't fail to recognize them. The doctor's diagnosis indicated that Miss Inoan had sustained numerous fatal injuries and survived purely on the strength of her physical constitution; however, severe brain trauma meant she might suffer from motor impairment, drastic personality changes, or memory loss. Christina's question left the red-haired girl stunned. "Who am I...?" The girl reached up in confusion, touching her cheek and muttering to herself. Staring into the mirror, she remained blank for a long time without finding an answer. Finally, "Your name is Inoan Hohenlenso," Lanqi said, handing her identification documents over. "Then who are you?" Inoan took the small pouch of personal belongings containing her wallet and credentials, then looked up at the two. After checking them, she confirmed they were indeed hers. "I am Luoqi McCarthy, and this is Christina Baptiste. There is no need to be so wary of us; we brought you to the hospital. You can verify this with the doctors and the police," Lanqi explained. "Ugh..." Inoan clutched her head tightly, showing no reaction even as fresh blood began to seep through the gauze. Her thoughts were a tangled mess. She searched desperately for fragments of memory, but found only chaos and terror, like wandering blindly in thick fog. The only feeling etched deep into her heart was the conviction that her life was in mortal danger. The humiliation and panic of being hunted were branded into her very soul! Yet looking at these two people, who seemed faintly familiar, she instinctively felt they weren't the ones who had pursued her. "Can you remember anything? If you need help, we will assist you," Lanqi asked earnestly, having felt concerned about Inoan ever since their encounter two nights ago. He had always suspected that Inoan's mental state was somewhat abnormal. Her current condition might not necessarily be a bad thing for her. "..." Inoan shook her head. Penniless, without family or friends, holding nothing but a lonely identification card, and still being hunted. "What should I do?" After a long silence, Inoan looked up at the two and asked. At this moment, the red-haired girl felt as though she stood at a crossroads, the dense fog over her memories filling her with doubt toward everything. She knew well that in this unfamiliar environment, her instincts were the only thing she could rely on. Though the brown-haired butler and blonde lady appeared harmless, her acute lack of security made everyone feel like a potential threat. The profound anxiety brought on by memory loss kept her nerves strung taut. "How about this? Come work as a temporary maid at the Baptiste manor. Luoqi can teach you how to do the chores, and once you get back on your feet, you can look for another job to support yourself," Christina suggested. Back when Butler Luoqi defeated Inoan, Christina had already felt some pity for her. She certainly hadn't expected that the fierce red-haired youth was actually a girl. None of that terrifying aura remained around her now; Christina simply thought her current destitute state might have been caused by losing that prize money because of her, sparking a surge of guilt. "..." Inoan hesitated, sensing that the blonde girl before her didn't seem wicked at all. Her complexion remained pale as paper. "Here, have something to eat." Remembering something, Christina took out the Ghost Bread she had bought in the Demon Realm and handed it over. Inoan tentatively raised a hand, then grabbed the bag, tearing it open and bringing the translucent bread to her mouth, as if she hadn't eaten properly in days. After she finished, the room fell silent once more. After nearly a minute of quiet contemplation, she finally nodded, agreeing to the proposal. "Let's go." Inoan stepped down from the bed, wobbling and steadying herself against the footboard to stay upright. The bandages on her body began to redden again, likely from reopened wounds. "You don't need to rush straight to work. I can advance your wages," Christina said with concern, supporting Inoan. Inoan looked at her. She wasn't actually trying to repay a favor; she simply felt that staying with these two was safer than remaining in the hospital. What she lacked most right now was security. Everything was unfamiliar, and she couldn't tell truth from falsehood. These two were the only ones she had some inexplicable impression of, and neither seemed to harbor any malice toward her. "I feel no pain," Inoan stated impassively. This was the one thing she was certain of. She could not perceive pain; even when beaten to the brink of death, she had felt only stiffness and difficulty moving her body. Suddenly, Inoan felt a gaze upon her. "...Why are you looking at me like that? Isn't being unable to feel pain a good thing?" Inoan noticed a trace of sorrowful pity in the butler's emerald eyes, making her feel distinctly uncomfortable. "Pain is actually a vital protective signal. If you don't understand pain, you become prone to harming yourself—and even more prone to harming others," Lanqi murmured to himself. "Well, I don't feel pain anyway," Inoan muttered dismissively. She didn't view it as a curse; otherwise, the wounds covering her body right now would have brought unbearable suffering. "Is that so?" Lanqi smiled, not pressing the issue. Some topics could be discussed slowly in the future; right now, taking proper care of her was all that mattered. "Then I am your employer from now on," Christina said warmly to Inoan. She felt that compared to their first encounter, Inoan was in a much better state now—far less frightening. Her own taste was certainly better than her brother's. Her brother had hired Luoqi, who looked like an evil deity no matter how you sliced it, whereas Inoan was far more normal. Looking closely, she was actually quite a pretty girl. "I might be clumsy. Please don't yell at me," Inoan said in a low voice. If she performed poorly, she might be fired immediately. She felt she had probably never worked a day in her life, nor had she ever worn maid attire. Deep down, an inexplicable resistance stirred within her, as though putting on that uniform would make her lose something forever. Still, it was better than wandering the streets while being hunted. "It doesn't matter. Whatever you don't know, I will teach you. Please take good care of me in the days ahead," Lanqi said gently to Inoan. For some reason, his workload only seemed to keep growing. Still, Inoan was remarkably strong, and having her sign a contract and stay at Count Baptiste's manor was certainly a good thing. With incidents involving cursed demons escalating recently, the Flower Capital wasn't guaranteed to remain safe. Even if Lanqi wasn't present at the manor, having another powerhouse around to guard the household against whatever evil might come knocking was a welcome arrangement.