"Humans?" A predatory grin spread across Higor's face. "My lord, forgive my bluntness. Though humans possess great intellect, I still consider them inferior even to goblins. They betray their own kind instead of uniting. When faced with stronger outsiders, they grovel rather than stand together—even surrendering their lands and families."
"It’s undeniable some humans grow powerful. But strength alone means nothing. Their rulers only scheme to exploit their own people. Such a race is doomed to extinction."
Higor’s assessment was far from impartial, his contempt barely concealed. Though he didn’t need to spare Rogue’s feelings, his words would’ve been far cruder without the man present.
Yet what Rogue had witnessed so far aligned perfectly with Higor’s words.
Rulers bled their subjects dry. The powerful crushed those beneath them—all to curry favor with those above.
Rogue spread his palm, studying the calluses etched by years of swordplay. His amber-yellow skin and bodily sensations confirmed this shell was undeniably human.
*Why call it a shell?*
His gaze flicked toward the room where Number Five and Baili had fallen silent.
Number Five’s power stemmed from his own hands—that enigmatic Witty Magic capable of birthing sentient, Abyss-tainted creations.
Wriggling tentacles. Solitary, living eyes that drove men mad. Shadows of nameless, twisted creatures... Their eyes mirrored those on the bonebirds haunting the Abyssal pits.
*Am I even human?*
*What was I before?*
Past and future blurred into uncertainty. Conspiracies coiled around him like serpents. This life of constant vigilance exhausted him.
As he pondered, Number Five emerged from the room.
It met Rogue’s eyes in silence. Through their bond, Rogue knew Baili had been "dealt with."
Her body remained pristine and fair—but one eye had been violently gouged out, replaced by another forced into its socket.
The mysterious eye’s corruption had seeped into her mind, hijacking her body, feeding on her life force while drowning her in ceaseless agony until sanity shattered. *This* was true living hell.
*She got a bargain with that power.*
Rogue filed it away as an experiment. What would happen if a human sustained such power? Anticipation flickered within him.
"Higor, let’s go."
"Got the intel?"
"Mostly." Rogue nodded. Lilitha knew little; she’d only been a torturer, not the one who captured the girl. To uncover the truth, they’d need the family’s inner circle.
Digging through archives for events three years past was too risky. Morihui would be a better starting point.
Time to withdraw.
As they slipped toward their hidden camp, castle horns blared—a deep, moaning wail echoing across the estate.
Patrols snapped to alert. Magical arrays flared to life across the city.
"Spotted?" Higor tensed, hand hovering over his spatial pouch.
Rogue melted into shadow, eyes fixed on the castle’s heart. A surge of arcane energy pulsed from there. "No. Trouble at Ilidian’s."
"Should we rush over?"
"Let chaos reign. Negotiations have collapsed—I’d wager the nobles reneged on handing over the elf."
*Or a third party intervened?*
"HIGOR!"
Ilidian’s roar shook the night. Demonic energy erupted, no longer concealed.
"My lord, I must go. Your guards will protect you?"
"Go. I’ll handle myself."
The ambush struck the moment Higor vanished. Soldiers swarmed Rogue’s position. Distant ramparts pivoted—magical cannons locking onto him.
"Pity the chaos isn’t bigger," Rogue murmured. He’d hoped a human Legendary might emerge.
Not for a fight. That lingering sensation of being watched still clung to him—Aria’s agents, skilled and shadowy.
*Can’t move yet... Wait. Now I can.*
A familiar presence flared nearby. His pursuers were suddenly preoccupied.
"Number Five," Rogue commanded, "kill that fat pig from earlier. Then roam freely."
These nobles deserved no mercy.
As Number Five vanished, Rogue shot in the opposite direction. His Legendary speed blurred him beyond mortal sight.
Staff whirling, he chanted theatrically. Minor offensive spells erupted around him, sowing confusion.
"He’s just a low-tier mage! No demonic aura! Charge!" A noble commander barked orders. "Would you rather face those demons?!"
Castle wards activated, slowing Rogue’s flight. Above, anti-air arrays forced winged demons earthward. Rogue spotted several already veering toward him.
*Playing a priest doesn’t mean I’m weak.*
He halted. Staff raised before him, lips moving silently. Light blazed from the wood. Vines erupted from the mud, thickening with unnatural speed. They lashed out like living whips, coiling around soldiers who drew near. Toxic pollen choked the air.
The noble’s eyes gleamed with greed. "Elven magic! Charge! Capture him—100 gold coins each!"
Why an elf consorted with demons mattered little. Beneath that robe stood a tall, long-legged elf—*and elves had no males!*
Fortune favored the bold. Soldiers surged forward, preferring vines to demons.
Legendaries earned their title for a reason. Even simple spells became devastating in their hands.
Light exploded from Rogue’s staff. Thorns speared through armor, impaling soldiers. Thick fog rolled in, swallowing the battlefield—and Rogue’s presence.
Then, as if frozen, Rogue’s eyes widened.
From the shadows beneath the vines, a storm of razor-sharp black feathers erupted.
A faint smirk tugged at Rogue’s lips.
*Perfect.*
*This stage I crafted... I’ve been waiting for you, Eris.*
