Yesterday’s injuries visibly weighed on Chelsey. The succubus’s reckless style hadn’t changed a bit after taking a minor hit the day before.

Naturally, she left with even graver wounds this time.

Her injuries were obvious. The wing damage from yesterday had slowed her flight speed noticeably today.

Chelsey departed again, fresh wounds marking her body.

This time, her retreat was visibly slower than the day before.

Jetri watched her fading silhouette, his gaze dark and unreadable.

Lilith glanced at him instinctively. Seeing his silence, she stayed her hand.

“Let’s head back,” he said flatly.

Few demon soldiers even emerged today, let alone engaged Delan’s forces in real combat. They watched Chelsey’s clashes with the Radiant Star Squad like spectators.

Dust swirled across the battlefield, yellow-gray clouds billowing in the air.

Day two. Day three. Day four. Day five…

The Radiant Star Squad remained largely unscathed, while Chelsey’s condition deteriorated sharply. Her injuries now clearly hampered her strength.

Yet Jetri remained unmoved.

Something felt off.

The wrongness was glaring, but he couldn’t fathom Chelsey’s true aim.

“Jetri, shouldn’t we chase her?” The half-elf suppressed her hunter’s instinct, squinting at Chelsey’s unsteady retreat.

“No pursuit,” Jetri replied coolly. He turned away without hesitation. “I want her dead on the battlefield. If we play it safe, we see it through.” His words scattered in the wind.

Far in the distance, the retreating succubus glanced back at Jetri’s crisp retreat.

Irritation flared within her.

*Why aren’t they chasing me?*

*Was my act not convincing enough?*

Every wound was real—just less severe than it appeared. She wasn’t truly impaired.

But this feeling of being seen through was deeply unpleasant.

Chelsey returned to her territory in a foul mood.

The moment her feet touched the ground, a horned, red-skinned demon bowed respectfully. “My lord—”

Without looking, Chelsey extended a pale arm. Her slender fingers closed casually around his head—and crushed it like fruit. A faint sigh escaped her, as if the violence eased her tension.

As the demon’s body collapsed, another figure emerged from swirling crow feathers. This female demon resembled a human more closely, dressed impeccably in a butler’s monochrome attire. Her sclera were pitch black, pupils dark gold.

“You seem troubled, my lord,” she murmured.

Chelsey’s glance was icy. “Crushing your skull might improve my mood.”

“Then my honor,” the demon smiled, offering no resistance.

“Not worth the effort,” Chelsey waved dismissively. “Any word from the King?”

“He hasn’t contacted you in your absence,” the butler-demon replied smoothly.

“Our King isn’t in a hurry, is he?” Chelsey’s laugh was sharp.

“As you say.”

“I’m tired of waiting. Schemes aren’t my strength.”

“Your power is flawless, my lord. Schemes are mere ornaments.”

“If you faced that human squad, how long could you last?”

“Against them? Perhaps ten minutes.” She pulled out Chelsey’s chair with practiced grace.

“And if one was missing?”

“If the Sage wasn’t there? Half an hour.”

“Then it’s time for your sacrifice.”

“My honor, my lord.” The demon’s smile didn’t waver, as if discussing tonight’s menu.

Chelsey’s expression remained blank. Demons could be revived—with time and cost. She ate in silence, dark eyes flickering with something dangerously close to madness.

…

Jetri’s first words upon waking the next morning were:

“Is that succubus back?”

“Indeed.” Vya fastened her armor plates. Fatigue didn’t mark her face, but neither did warmth. She offered Jetri a polite smile when he asked.

“…” Jetri rubbed his temples. “What’s her game?”

“If you don’t know, how should I?” Vya chuckled.

“Vya… sometimes using your head is better than just your hands.”

“Why think when I can fight? Besides—” Her smile turned wry. “You always convince me anyway.”

Jetri flushed slightly.

The half-elf and princess were already up. The squad kept strict hours on missions.

“Jetri,” Lilith hesitated. “If Chelsey flees again today… may I pursue her?” Her elven instincts rebelled against letting wounded prey escape.

“Lilith,” Jetri sighed. “If she runs this time, give chase. But if you haven’t caught her before the Demon Clan’s border—abort. Understood?”

“Understood.”

Breakfast passed in quiet. Lilith seemed about to speak again but held her tongue. Victoria ate calmly, as if her recent tension with Jetri had never existed. Their relationship had reverted to how it was before he’d pushed too far.

The squad’s coordination remained flawless. Chelsey fought, bled, and fled again—this time with the desperation of a cornered beast.

The instant she turned to escape, Lilith lunged after her. Jetri’s permission wasn’t for her alone; the whole squad advanced. But only Lilith could match a fleeing succubus.

Just as Jetri braced for another fruitless chase, a familiar figure materialized.

*How is she alive? Why is she here? Why interfere now?*

Jetri’s pupils contracted sharply.

“Good day, Mr. Jetri.” The female demon bowed elegantly.

Then she intercepted Vya in a blur.

Before Jetri could react, Chelsey moved. Like a lizard shedding its tail, she used Lilith’s strike to propel herself away—whether from blood loss or feigned weakness, Lilith’s eyes narrowed to predatory slits. She vanished after Chelsey without hesitation.

Everything happened in a heartbeat.

So fast the demon only spoke her second line now, blocking Vya’s path: “My lord’s wounds aren’t severe. My task is merely to delay everyone but you. Chase now—you can still save your comrade.”

Jetri’s eye twitched violently. Thoughts raced. Over Vya’s desperate “Don’t go!”, he gritted his teeth and sprinted after them.