"It's been a long time since I came back."

Lower City District.

A secret room.

Anna gazed at the dusty instruments in the dimly lit room and let out a gentle sigh.

"I hope... they're still functional."

With a wave of her hand, a faint surge of magical energy swept through the room.

A subtle breeze blew in from outside, stirring up the dense dust, which was soon carried out through the reactivated exhaust fans.

In no time, the long-unused devices became spotless again.

Without indulging in much sentimentality, Anna immediately began her work.

She pulled out various strange materials, including that peculiar black branch she'd purchased while shopping with Moen earlier in the day.

She activated the sophisticated instruments and started operating them with practiced precision.

Disassembling, smelting, extracting, blending.

Her every move was efficient and purposeful, as if she had rehearsed these actions countless times.

In a matter of moments, a brand-new potion appeared in her hands.

Finally, she retrieved a small container the size of a knuckle and dripped a drop of sparkling liquid into the potion.

Ripples formed across the potion's surface, and the ice-blue liquid gently swirled within the transparent container.

Anna stared deeply at the concoction, as though trying to confirm something.

"It still doesn't look like how a potion is supposed to work—it's more like I've added something completely unrelated to it."

Anna sighed softly, though she didn't seem particularly despondent.

She had already anticipated this outcome, or rather she had been through countless failed attempts like this before.

In truth, the intricately crafted potion wasn't of great importance—it merely served to amplify a certain effect.

The truly vital ingredient was that singular drop of crystalline liquid.

"But I have to at least give it a try."

Holding onto a faint hope, Anna drank the potion in one go.

Then, rolling up her sleeve, she quietly observed the black scales that had once again surfaced on her arm.

Five minutes passed.

Ten minutes.

Half an hour.

Two hours.

Anna sat motionless, like a statue, waiting for a glimmer of hope.

But when the midnight bell tolled, the only thing she saw was the deep darkness of night becoming even more oppressive.

"As expected... it's still not working?"

Her fingertips grazed the cold scales, and a faintly mocking smile formed at the corner of her mouth.

"What am I even hoping for? Haven't I already known for a long time—so-called 'true love' is nothing but a falsehood meant to deceive naïve children."

"I should pin my hopes on tangible things instead."

Casually, she tossed the nearly empty container holding the crystalline liquid into the trash can, as if severing all remaining expectations.

Turning away, she strode out and headed for an aged, decrepit shop.

Inside, the store sold various strange and peculiar items. Its most eye-catching displays included lifelike figurines of young girls, life-sized models of mature women, and a particular item titled *"Saintess Photo Collection 3.0."*

The shop had no other customers, and in a rocking chair behind the counter, an elderly man was asleep.

The man was very old; under the faint starlight streaming through the window, traces of age spots were faintly visible on his skin, which radiated the same aura of decay as the shop itself.

Anna glanced at the man briefly before pulling out a thick stack of cash and placing it on the counter. After a long moment of silence, she finally spoke:

"As usual, please forward this money to the orphanage."

No response came.

It seemed as though the old man had fallen completely asleep.

Anna said nothing else and prepared to leave.

"Didn't you sneak over yesterday to see them? Why not give it to them yourself?"

Just as she reached the door, a hoarse voice suddenly echoed behind her.

Anna paused mid-step but did not turn around.

"For someone like me, it's better to avoid getting tangled with them any further."

"Is that so?"

The elderly man opened his cloudy eyes and gazed at the lone figure illuminated by moonlight—a figure that seemed remarkably desolate.

There was earnest pity in his eyes.

"Anna... shutting your heart off completely will never lead to redemption."

"Redemption?"

Anna chuckled in self-mockery, then stepped forward once more, disappearing into the enveloping darkness.

"Who would offer redemption to a monster?"

---

---

Noon.

Moen was jolted awake by the piercing sunlight seeping through the gaps in the curtain.

"It's this late already?"

Instinctively glancing at the clock, Moen's lingering sleepiness instantly dissipated.

To be honest, after an intense night of battle, he'd only managed to fall asleep this morning—a mere few hours of rest—but there was work to be done today.

As a true man, he couldn’t afford to wallow endlessly in comfort.

Moen shifted his body slightly, noticing a distinct numbness in his left side.

Lowering his gaze, he saw Ann, even in her deep sleep, clinging tightly to him like an octopus.

"Clingy, aren't you?"

Moen chuckled helplessly and carefully pried Ann’s limbs off his torso.

But as he moved, the exquisite sensation on his skin coupled with the lingering *springtime ambiance* leaking out from the covers nearly tempted him into staying longer.

Fortunately, Moen recited a calming incantation several times, successfully quelling his renewed desire.

It was no joke—if things took a repeat turn here, he might truly be confined to the bed for days on end.

Luckily, Ann was sleeping deeply this time—a rarity for her.

It seemed that, as a *succubus extraordinaire,* even she had been thoroughly exhausted last night.

After all, in terms of physical endurance, Ann still lagged behind Moen, who had been training for over two months and tempering himself in the Mercury Well.

"Strengthening myself is definitely urgent; otherwise, before the Dark God gets to me, I might be wrung dry by this mischievous girl."

Moen sighed, swiftly got dressed, and prepared to leave.

With Ann's yandere impulses healed, Moen had far less to worry about.

He could always return to the Duke’s mansion later—there was no need to cling to transient comforts.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Moen couldn’t help but take another good look at Ann’s serene sleeping face.

When stripped of her previous unhealthy obsession, her features were pure, stunning, and undeniably captivating.

"Be good, alright? I’ll come visit you often."

With a gentle smile, Moen brushed his hand across her delicate face and tiptoed out of the room.

---

---

Ann suddenly opened her eyes, staring at the door that had just closed.

"Young Master."

A blissful smile spread across her face as she touched her cheek, savoring the residue of Moen's presence with unmistakable yearning.

But the sweet reminiscence couldn't linger forever; Ann had tasks to confront.

She rose and approached the mirror.

The reflection showed her fair form, its soft curves still marked by the aftermath of last night’s intimacy—the remnants serving almost like symbols of satisfaction and belonging.

But then her expression hardened, like frost beginning to set in.

She recalled yesterday's events.

The fact that she hadn’t intervened directly hadn’t been because she lacked the desire to act but rather because she had sensed a faint, dangerous presence.

Though she couldn’t pinpoint its source, and she couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't hurt the young master in that situation. So she chose to leave for the time being.

But that didn’t mean Ann was indifferent to other women approaching her Young Master.

"Clearly, I need to become stronger too."

Ann looked down upon her hands intently.

The powers of a divine servant were formidable—but not invincible.

For instance, even Moen’s white-edged blade from last night had been beyond her control.

But as Moen grew more exceptional, so too would come countless *"luring pests"* drawn to his brilliance—like moths to the flame.

That would be utterly intolerable.

Campbell Household Maid Protocol #2: Always ensure the cleanliness and tidiness of the environment your Master resides within!

Thus—

"Wait for me, Young Master."

Ann's icy countenance was replaced by a familiar feverish intensity—her pupils gleaming with obsessive fervor.

The room’s surrounding metals trembled in response, as if echoing her determination.

"I’ll make sure every shameless bug fluttering around you is utterly eradicated!"