The young dragon paced anxiously inside the warehouse, her large tail sweeping back and forth across the floor. She stood up in the corner, only to sit back down moments later.

Glancing at the clock by the dim light from the air vent, she rushed to the main door to push it open—then turned and trudged back.

She even started chasing her own tail in circles.

*Is Lilitha this worried because I’m late?*

Rogue knew his influence over her had deepened. Unlike when she first resisted even bathing, she now called him "Master" willingly.

Then he noticed her dragging over her usual little stool. She sat before it, adjusting her posture into the exact position he used when feeding her—though slightly awkward and off-balance.

Rogue blinked. *Probably because of last night.*

Her posture during feeding had been poor yesterday, but he’d been too exhausted to correct her. *Is she punishing herself, thinking I was angry? Or just trying to look obedient when I arrive?*

*An amusing reaction.*

Deciding not to wait longer, Rogue pushed the door open.

"Master!" Lilitha sprang up instantly, her anxious expression melting into relief.

She’d truly feared he was angry about her disobedience last night—that he wouldn’t come today, or ever again.

Unlike before, she didn’t rush to his side after calling out. Instead, she stopped short, hands clasped behind her back, chest puffed slightly forward, chin lifted just a fraction.

The pose felt strange—almost as if she were offering herself for his touch.

Hesitating, Rogue asked, "Lilitha, what are you doing?"

"Master! Pet me!"

The Young Dragon Princess cried out loudly, eyes squeezed shut into happy crescents.

Rogue’s lips twitched. He couldn’t bring himself to reach out.

She seemed unusually radiant today. Though he scrubbed her during baths, touching her now sparked an odd sense of guilt.

When he didn’t move, Lilitha asked timidly, "Master... don’t you always like petting here?"

"Where did you get that idea?"

"When you bathed me... your touch felt strangest here."

*Ah.* At her age, such sensations were natural.

Rogue pointed to her thick, glossy-scaled tail. "Compared to that spot? I prefer this."

A blush spread across Lilitha’s face, but delight flickered in her eyes. After a brief pause, she turned around, slowly sliding her tail toward him.

The gesture was clear: *If you like my tail, you can pet it all you want.*

Her earnestness reminded him of the dragon-form Lilitha from his dreams—young, unshaped, and guileless.

After scritching her tail a few times, Rogue pulled out the wooden tub and filled it with warm water. "Time for your bath."

"Okay!"

Lilitha nodded vigorously, a trace of a smile brightening her small face.

*She’s growing so obedient.*

After the morning feeding, Rogue reminded Lilitha he’d return at noon before leaving the warehouse.

The rainy season was ending. The downpour had softened to a drizzle. Rogue inhaled the fresh air deeply as he walked toward Lady Aria’s castle.

From the balcony, Aria stood with hands clasped behind her back, watching ant-sized Rogue approach the fortress.

"What time is it?" she asked Kurero beside her.

"Ten o’clock, my lady."

"He spent nearly an hour and a half with that dragon." Aria’s brow furrowed slightly as she tracked Rogue’s footsteps entering the castle.

Ever the precise subordinate, Kurero reported Rogue’s recent movements: "Last night, upon returning to the Demon Lord Fortress, he went straight to the dragon’s warehouse first. Only after calming her did he come to the castle late at night."

"He’s overly invested in that dragon." Aria’s tone turned chilly. The warehouse was warded with Rogue’s own anti-magic enchantments—different from the manor’s cells—and her spies couldn’t penetrate it.

Though Rogue was typically diligent and reserved, Aria instinctively sensed his time with Lilitha was... misplaced.

Kurero added, "His routine has changed. Previously, he spent forty-five minutes there in the mornings, thirty at noon, and one to one and a half hours at night. Now, morning and evening sessions have lengthened significantly—only noon remains unchanged."

"Understood. Summon the other three. We’ll hold a meeting. Later, probe him about the dragon."

"Your will be done."

Inside the castle, Rogue climbed the long staircase and met Eris flying through an aerial window.

Eris’s gaze held more than hatred now—deep wariness lingered beneath it.

Rogue’s last encounter had left a brutal impression: two of his avatars utterly destroyed.

To Rogue’s senses, Eris’s aura had weakened considerably. The avatar losses and his desperate call to the Deity had wounded him badly.

Eris snorted coldly and strode past.

Rogue didn’t react. He knew today would settle their score.

Just as Eris had tried to kill him that night, Rogue had seized the chance to eliminate Eris.

Their goals were identical.

Only Rogue had employed extra measures—a single avatar wouldn’t kill Eris.

Soon, the group assembled. Aria sat at the head, chin resting on her palm. "Today’s focus remains the elf incident. Rogue, as the key witness, I require your account of what happened topside."

Germok stood first. "Thirty-two Demon Lord Army escorts were dispatched. Twenty-one returned. Eleven died. Four sustained minor injuries—all sixth-tier demons." He turned to Rogue.

Rogue rose. He knew exactly what was expected.

Ilidian would have already reported to Germok. This was Aria testing his loyalty.

He recounted everything—except the vine-choked battle with Eris. He included interrogating Bai Li, recovering the elf, and his choice to spare Morihui and Lucy to return swiftly.

The moment Rogue finished, Eris slammed his palm on the table. "Rogue! You dare lie to Lady Aria!"