"Crenina... what's happened to her~?"

Ledyah let out an involuntary soft moan as firm, slender fingers kneaded her shoulders, melting away the stiffness in her joints with exquisite relief.

She leaned back unconsciously, sinking into the pillowy softness of Noah’s chest. The tempting Mariana Trench of cleavage seemed ready to swallow her whole, its yielding warmth cradling her head like the perfect pillow. Even the faint milky sweetness of Noah’s scent drifted to her nose.

Ledyah’s eyes fluttered half-shut, her mind floating heavenward as Noah’s innocent question reached her ears.

"She might... ah... have run into trouble. Needs... mmph!... backup. But the Empire’s main forces are all at the front lines. No reserves... can be deployed quickly enough..."

Between gasps, Ledyah tried to explain. Just as she gathered her thoughts, Noah’s fingers scattered them again, melting her entire body into tingling submission under the massage.

Truthfully, some of her knights were swift—but none could reach Dunwich Town fast enough *and* possess the strength to assess Crenina’s situation. Take the Hunting Knight: his light infantry moved quickly on foot, but he couldn’t fly or wield magic. The route from Demon King’s Castle to Dunwich wound through dense forests and mountains.

By the time he arrived, Crenina would likely be bat jerky.

With wartime tensions and last night’s incident involving Silva, Ledyah dared not leave the castle. For now, she could only pray Crenina was unharmed, trusting her capabilities while ordering nearby troops to proceed cautiously.

"Ah—!"

Another bone-melting press of Noah’s fingers sent shivers through Ledyah. She slumped back in her chair, flushed and breathless, wearing an utterly wrecked expression. Had she stood, the slight tremble in her legs beneath her gown might have been visible.

Her shattered consciousness took ten seconds to reassemble. When her mind finally cleared, she rolled her reddened shoulders, feeling suddenly light.

Days of exhaustion seemed to vanish in an instant.

"What’s this~? Such a small thing~?"

Noah stretched after finishing the massage, her lush curves glowing under the afternoon sun. The generous swell of her chest made Ledyah’s cheeks flush deeper.

"From Demon King’s Castle to Dunwich Town... roughly two thousand kilometers as the dragon flies. About two hours."

"If it’s simple, I might even make it back for dinner."

"Huh?"

Still dazed, Ledyah blinked owlishly, her parted lips voicing pure confusion.

"So~ if you’re worried, Demon Lord, why don’t I just go check~?" Noah winked playfully, a coy smile blooming on her lips.

"Alleviating your burdens is what a devoted, excellent wife *should* do, isn’t it~?"

"Mm... but it’s too dangerous..."

Ledyah hated the thought of Noah risking herself. Even knowing her strength, fear of the unforeseen gripped her.

"Don’t worry, Demon Lord. If real danger comes, I’ll run back without hesitation~." Noah patted her heaving chest proudly, thrusting it forward.

"Then... if you go, take this."

Ledyah drew a deep breath, stood, and pressed a rune stone into Noah’s palm. Her crimson eyes brimmed with worry and reluctance.

She respected Noah’s judgment. If she insisted on going, Ledyah wouldn’t stop her.

Besides, she was truly anxious about Crenina.

"Promise you’ll return safely."

Gazing into Noah’s clear cerulean dragon eyes, Ledyah’s voice trembled with concern.

"Mm! Absolutely!"

Noah’s radiant smile curved like an angel’s balm. Then she narrowed her eyes, leaning close to whisper against Ledyah’s ear, her breath warm and sweet:

"If I’m back by tonight... Demon Lord, remember to prepare my reward~."

Ledyah’s crimson eyes widened, her flush deepening to scarlet.

Before she could reply, Noah stepped back twice, sprinted across the garden clearing, and launched into the sky—shattering the sound barrier in seconds.

Her Sacred Domain-wreathed figure shrank to a speck, vanishing at the horizon’s edge.

Only a trace of sweet fragrance lingered, proof the girl had been there.

Ledyah stared blankly after her, breathing in Noah’s fading scent until it dissolved. Only then did she stir.

"Abyssal Church’s contingency plan... I’ll need to interrogate that ‘Silent’ gentleman thoroughly."

She murmured, piecing together recent clues.

......

The dungeon beneath Demon King’s Castle was unnaturally clean—almost luxurious compared to others.

No dampness. No rats. No screams or blood stench. Silence hung like a tomb.

Instead, oppressive glyphs lined the walls. Their material was unknown; prisoners with weak wills went mad within hours.

Only those deemed catastrophic to the nation were imprisoned here. This was less the castle’s dungeon, more the Demon King’s personal prison—sealed by the combined power of every Demon King across generations.

"I wondered who’d come. The Sin Clan’s monarch. What business do you have here?"

Though pinned under crushing weight, the gaunt man showed no fear. He lifted his head, black eyes burning with undying fire like ghostly flames in a skeleton’s sockets.

Heavy chains bound his limbs, etched with runes Ledyah herself had carved—physically and mystically unbreakable.

Unless the Lord of the Abyss intervened, no force could shatter them.

"‘Silent’ Julius," Ledyah’s voice was velvet over steel. Clad in black like a funerary wraith, her porcelain skin and regal gown contrasted with terrifying crimson eyes that could shatter souls with a glance. She held the black seed—the Abyssal Wedge Noah had given her yesterday. Her tone was languid, yet carried crushing weight. "What have you done to my lords?"