As Rogue finished his report, the calm meeting instantly turned tense. Eris, seated beside him, stood up and glared intently.

Immediately, he turned to Aria. "Lady Aria, based on my senses that night, I felt the presence of whoever awakened our supreme Deity. And besides us, only Rogue was there!"

Everyone knew this truth but had left it unspoken.

Aria’s expression remained unchanged, but the other three present had a trace of interest in their eyes.

Could Rogue, a mere human, awaken the Demon Deity and earn His favor?

It was utterly unbelievable.

"Proof?" Rogue asked calmly, three words flat.

"Hmph!" Eris slammed half a broken blade onto the table. It was the sword Rogue had wielded during their clash, shattered by Divine Power.

Rogue was slightly surprised—how had Eris gotten it? Aria, however, wore a faint, knowing look.

Eris pressed aggressively. "Explain this! This broken sword was gifted to you by Lady Aria. It reeks of my Lord’s aura. I suspect your true motives these three years in the Demon Lord Fortress—and this trip to the surface? Likely to rally humans against us!"

A human infiltrating the Demon Lord Fortress for three years, then slipping out just as a new Hero Squad formed? It seemed plausible.

Though mere speculation, the Demon Deity’s aura on the blade could condemn Rogue.

Unless he had a counter.

Facing Eris’s pressure, Rogue stayed calm. "Lady Aria, this is the one thing I omitted. That night, Lord Eris ambushed me, trying to kill me."

"Hah, kill you?" Eris laughed. "I’ve been in the Demon Lord Fortress these days, copying texts for Lady Aria. Why would I travel to the human world just for you?"

"My injuries are all from your hands."

"Empty words! You’re twisting facts. Lady Aria, I propose executing him and scouring his soul!"

Eris now ignored Rogue completely, seeing him as nothing but a clown.

But who was the real clown?

Seeing Aria silent, Rogue pulled a small stone from his pocket. It pulsed with intense magic.

Eris’s face paled drastically at the sight.

"This is a recording stone. Just watch."

Eris wanted Rogue dead; Rogue felt the same. But killing a high official in the Demon Lord Fortress was impossible—especially a Legendary like Eris, whose number of clones Rogue didn’t know.

He needed a blade. A stage.

The play was done. Rogue had even let Eris’s attacks land, leaving himself battered. And the blade…

Rogue glanced at Aria as he explained. The stone recorded events via magic, preserving them exactly.

The magical projection showed Eris ambushing Rogue, attempting murder, and speaking disrespectfully of Aria.

Eris’s expression finally shifted. He realized why Rogue had seemed so weak that night, retreating step by step!

He dropped to his knees, crawling to Aria’s feet. "Lady Aria, listen! I did it for you! And I’m not lying—Rogue wields deadly Gracy swordsmanship and has received my Lord’s favor—"

"Silence." Aria’s dismissive glance sent Eris flying backward, blood splattering the floor.

As Eris tried to speak again, Aria’s gaze intensified. He collapsed, unconscious.

She signaled Mallo, who dragged Eris away.

Only then did Aria turn to Rogue. "I’ll explain his fate later. If that’s all about the surface, tell me the Young Dragon Princess’s progress."

"Understood." Rogue continued. Lilitha had shifted from resistance to gradual obedience, enduring unpleasant tasks and calling him "master" willingly. Her progress was steady in all aspects.

The room stayed quiet as Rogue spoke alone. He didn’t notice Aria slightly frowning at his unusually eager tone—different from before.

The Young Dragon Princess was affecting him.

Also… had he sensed something?

Aria probed subtly. The compulsion magic she’d placed on Rogue showed no weakening or removal. Such magic rarely faded, even with interference.

Unless he’d noticed something himself. But under surveillance, Rogue had acted perfectly normal.

Only two variables stood out:

Young Dragon Princess Lilitha.

Moy Gracy.

When Rogue finished, Kurero cleared his throat at Aria’s nod. "Rogue, I understand your dedication to Lady Aria’s pet."

He stressed "Lady Aria’s pet." "You’ve described raising the Young Dragon Princess. Remember: she belongs to Lady Aria. Your duty is ensuring she remains obedient to her, not just to you."

"You know what I mean."

Rogue paused briefly. "I understand."

"Additionally," Kurero added, "I require a cup of Silver Dragon blood for research. Deliver it to my residence the day after tomorrow."

Rogue hesitated again, silent. He looked to Aria, who smiled and nodded.

This was Lilitha’s purpose.

A "pet" in name only—effectively a slave. As the Silver Dragon King’s pure-blooded offspring, every part of her body was precious.

Seeing Aria’s nod, Rogue could only nod back.

Later, Mallo and Germok gave other reports before the meeting adjourned.

Rogue stayed behind. He knew Aria needed a private talk—matters the others couldn’t hear.

On the high balcony, Aria spoke first. "About Eris, I apologize for him. I can’t kill him. What do you want done with him?"

"Your decision," Rogue offered no opinion.

Aria chuckled softly. "Then I’ll send him to the front lines. Perfect for preparing against the new Hero Squad’s assault."

She paused. "Much has happened, but you must have remembered something. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have repelled Eris so easily—or set that trap. Tell me exactly."

Rogue nodded, taking a deep breath. "Lady Aria… who is Zoss?"

The simple question hung in the air. The world seemed to freeze. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.