After an afternoon of reading, Rogue headed to the tavern he’d visited with Mallo last time. It wasn’t far—less than a thirty-minute walk.

He’d left a bag of gold coins there before. Now, with the Silver Dragon King possibly in trouble, Rogue figured it was the perfect spot to gather intel.

As he pushed open the tavern door, chatter about the new Hero Squad filled the air. But the moment Rogue stepped inside, the noise died.

A hush fell.

Demons frowned, their gazes dripping with disgust and disdain.

Humans were treated like this in demon territory—even as slaves, they were hated. All demons craved was human blood.

Rogue was used to it. He walked straight to the bar.

The tavern keeper rubbed his hands together, forcing a fawning smile. "My lord! You’ve come. I’ve been collecting the information you requested—please, take a look."

He slid a massive mug of beer toward Rogue, followed by a parchment scroll.

Rogue raised an eyebrow. "The latest news?"

"Yes! I record every detail the moment it arrives, awaiting your return."

The keeper’s smile was oily. He ignored the hostile stares from other demons.

*This human is on brotherly terms with Lord Mallo. That bag of gold last time? Worth three years of my earnings. Even with that strange magic on the coins, I found buyers fast. Don’t offend him. Flatter him—he’s a resource.*

Satisfied with the keeper’s shrewdness, Rogue took the scroll and pushed the beer back. "Keep it. My treat."

The keeper downed it in one gulp. "An honor to serve you, my lord!"

*No wonder he runs a tavern near Lady Aria’s castle. Sharp.*

Rogue unrolled the parchment. Its contents pleased him. "If you’re ever injured, come to my manor for treatment. You know my name."

"Thank you, my lord!" The keeper’s voice soared with delight.

Only after Rogue left did the tavern’s murmurs return. One demon slammed his fist on a table, shattering it. "Damn it all! A human struts in here like he owns the place, and none of you dared to say a word!"

His outburst drew sneers—even from the keeper. "If he bothers you, he’s not far. Go after him."

"I—" The demon choked. "Hmph. Just a lapdog of Aria’s!"

"Pity," the keeper said coldly. "You’re not even worthy of being Lady Aria’s dog."

He clapped his hands. A sword-wielding demon stepped forward. Steel flashed. The loudmouth’s head hit the floor before he knew what happened.

His final eulogy was a single reverent whisper: "If you’re reborn, remember to address them properly—as *my lords*."

...

Rogue rode a carriage back to his manor. The keeper’s scroll held two critical pieces of news:

First: The Silver Dragon King was dying. Lady Aria had cornered Gudexia with an Overlord Magic strike.

Second: Members of the Dragon Clan had been spotted in the Demon Lord Fortress. Their target? Either the Silver Dragon King—or his bloodline.

The scroll made it clear: *Silver Dragon King’s bloodline* meant Lilitha. As a pure-blooded Silver Dragon blessed by the Silver Dragon Deity, she was coveted even unawakened. Anything tied to a Deity drove mortals mad.

Rogue’s blessing had revealed this. He didn’t know if the Dragon Clan knew too—but caution never hurt.

*That bag of cursed gold just bought me this intel. Worth every coin.*

He arrived at the manor just before Lilitha’s feeding time. After a quick tidy-up, he headed to the warehouse.

Puppet No. 1 stood outside, tray in hand: a loaf of bread, a waterskin.

Inside, Lilitha huddled in the corner, clutching the pendant. Its glow had dimmed to near nothing since noon.

*The pendant mirrors Gudexia’s life. If he falls, its light dies.*

Lilitha looked worse than at midday—pale, hollow-eyed. As feeding time neared, Rogue moved to open the door. Then he paused.

Lilitha was on her feet. Trembling, she shuffled to the warehouse door and pushed.

Her tail slapped the floor for leverage. Teeth gritted, she strained against the wood. *Thud. Thud.* The noise made Puppet No. 1 glance back repeatedly.

*Interesting. First escape attempt in a week.*

*But pointless. This door’s enchanted. And where could a little girl run in this manor?*

***BAM!***

Rogue yanked the door open just as Lilitha shoved again. She stumbled forward, crashing into his leg.

His face turned glacial.

Lilitha flinched back—tripped over her own tail—and landed hard on the floor. Terror flooded her eyes.

*Of course she’s scared. Caught trying to flee.*

Her grip tightened on the pendant. Its fading light had her on edge.

Rogue had planned to punish her. Pets who misbehaved got beaten. But staring at the dimming pendant, a new idea sparked.

*Her entire world revolves around this trinket—not me. My goal is to change that. To raise her.*

*And now... a chance.*

*The Silver Dragon King is dying.*

*That’s why she’s desperate.*

Her fragile mind, trapped in this suffocating warehouse... If he kept abusing her, she might shatter.

*But what if I show mercy for a week?*

*When Gudexia falls, her only pillar left... will be me.*

*Raising isn’t torture. Indirect paths work too.*

A sound outside caught his ear. He glanced past Lilitha.

Puppet No. 4 dragged two corpses down the hall. Blood streaked the floor.

*Two more prisoners dead.*

For once, Rogue smiled faintly. He stepped aside.

Lilitha stared up, confused. *Asking permission?*

Rogue gave a courtly bow, arm outstretched—*after you*.

Still sitting on the floor, Lilitha trembled. After a long pause, she squeezed the pendant until her knuckles whitened. Then, with a shaky breath, she stood and stumbled toward the door.

Night had fallen. The crimson moon bathed the underground realm in bloody light.

*Freedom waits beyond this prison door?*

*No.*

For Lilitha, true freedom meant being free of Rogue. As long as he ruled the manor, the warehouse was her sanctuary.

Stepping outside alone meant captivity without end.

She walked from the shadow where Rogue stood—into the crimson light.