Silphiel lifted her gaze, only to find the carriage before her wasn’t the one she’d hoped for.

*Tch. It’s that bargain hunter. And she’s here awfully fast!*

As the saying goes, rivals always cross paths. The approaching carriage bore the Lindbergh family crest—though their house had long faded, their flair for grand entrances remained undimmed.

*And why is she dressed so provocatively? Her intentions are obvious!*

Silphiel glared, her eyes sharp with hostility.

*Everyone knows what you’re after, don’t they? Trying to seduce my Hero?*

*So what if you’ve got those two big soft mounds? What’s wrong with being modest? They’ll just sag someday anyway!*

Silphiel’s thoughts raced, her stare unflinching. Lelia, stepping down from the carriage, broke into a cold sweat under her gaze.

*Why is the Holy Maiden looking at me like she wants to kill me?*

*Has she really seen through me?*

Outwardly composed, Lelia’s heart hammered wildly.

Yes—she was a member of the Shadow Sect, an organization the Holy See hunted without mercy. Tonight’s banquet was a cover; her butler and guards were all elite Sect assassins.

Only after returning home had the Shadow Sect sent the Hero’s magical image. Lelia realized with shock that the boy she’d planned to lure home for "interrogation" was none other than the Holy See’s top hound—

The Hero!

*No wonder the Holy Maiden watched me so warily back then.*

Lelia wore a black lace gown, cut daringly low to showcase her assets, drawing countless stares. Her mind replayed her master’s assassination plan:

*"If the chance arises, strike at the banquet. If not, ambush him on his way back. And if that fails too, Lelia… you may need to sacrifice yourself—"*

*Sacrifice?*

Her master claimed this Hero was a lustful fool, already entangled with five women days after arriving in this world. Such a lecher would pounce like a rutting dog if she so much as hinted at interest.

*This body is the ultimate temptation for any man. I’m confident.*

*"Invite him to the Lindbergh estate. Use suggestive words. Make sure he comes alone. We’ll ambush him en route."*

The Hero was the Holy See’s lapdog. Killing him would cripple their operations.

Lelia’s parents had died six years ago—an "accident" she’d traced back to the Holy See. The Lindberghs bore a blood debt against them.

Assassinating the Hero was her true purpose tonight; the banquet was mere reconnaissance.

*But why does the Holy Maiden keep staring at me?*

As they brushed past each other, Silphiel’s whisper cut through: *"...Your target is the Hero, isn’t it?"*

Lelia froze, sweat beading on her neck. She forced a smile. "Holy Maiden, whatever do you mean? This banquet celebrates the Hero’s arrival. Of course I’m here to see him."

Silphiel’s eyes narrowed. "Is that all?"

Lelia nodded firmly, striding inside with forced calm. Even after putting distance between them, she felt thorns pricking her back.

*Her tone… her gaze… something’s off!*

*Tonight’s mission is compromised. She’s sensed something—but she has no proof. If she did, Heretic Inquisitors would’ve dragged me to the pyre already.*

*"...Hmph. Your intentions are clear,"* Silphiel muttered under her breath.

As this brief encounter unfolded, the sun dipped below the horizon. Gao Ying’s carriage finally arrived.

When Gao Ying emerged in formal attire, Silphiel’s eyes lit up. She’d never imagined the ordinarily plain-looking boy could appear… rather handsome when polished.

Rodrika, his guard, wore gleaming white Holy Knight armor. Tonight, she and Inquisitor General Grace would oversee banquet security.

Elise and the others had shed their maid uniforms for black nun robes, gold embroidery tracing burning swords and crosses at collar and cuffs. All three carried weapons.

Hunting demons—not serving tea—was their true calling.

Silphiel beamed. "Gao Ying, I’ve waited so long. You’re the star tonight."

Gao Ying gestured at his meticulously styled hair with a sigh. "These three spent hours on this."

Silphiel slipped her arm through his. "It can’t be helped. Every dignitary from the Holy Capital and neighboring nations is here. As the guest of honor, you must uphold the Holy See’s dignity."

*"...I’m not complaining."*

Gao Ying’s gaze swept the banquet hall, searching—then locked onto a shadowed corner.

Silphiel followed his eyes and stiffened.

*He’s looking at that Lindbergh bargain hunter? Impossible.*

*But he did seem unusually focused on her…* Silphiel’s unease deepened. *That woman must die.*

She tightened her grip on Gao Ying’s arm, as if shielding him from thieves.

Gao Ying *had* sought Lelia. How else could he repay her?

*Through Silphiel’s hands.*

In his past life, Lelia served under Silphiel. Let her die by her current master’s hand—Silphiel held none of his misplaced mercy.

Lelia had schemed to assassinate him. Gao Ying felt no qualms turning her own plot against her.

*Forgiving her pleas last time was foolish. A mistake of youth I won’t repeat.*

Repaying Silphiel, however, was harder. He lacked leverage. Crushing her strength would take time—and he wasn’t certain 76th level was her true limit.

*If she has a "three-stage transformation" with 530,000 combat power… rushing in blindly might get me killed.*

His former comrades were easier targets. Few were truly clean. Around campfires during the Demon Race wars, they’d shared pasts he still remembered. Unlike Silphiel, they wore no masks over their truths.

His recent city wanderings weren’t idle. His two future allies—the Sage of Stars served Silphiel, whereabouts unknown; but the Imperial General’s schedule? Gao Ying recalled it perfectly.

*He’ll never reach the Imperial City. I need only leak his itinerary. Others will handle the rest.*

*The enemy of my enemy is my ally. Some truths never change.*

*Plenty of Demon Race spies lurk among humans…*

"Gao Ying, let’s go in. Everyone’s waiting."

Silphiel’s voice pulled him back. He nodded, letting her lead him into the banquet hall.