"Anyone with a normally developed brain has long known there are no demons. Rituals like that are pure fiction."

"What?" True to form, the Golden Ape didn’t disappoint, wearing a foolishly stunned expression. "Impossible! The prayer chants to the gods, the trembling wolf-head emblem, the bloody ritual circle in the cellar... How could these be fake?"

"That’s right—I faked it all," Aelina explained patiently. If the ape’s eardrums could handle high-frequency speech, she wouldn’t waste time talking so slowly. Ugh, this primitive communication is unbearably sluggish. "The chants were nonsense I made up. The secret room beside the cellar? I dug a tunnel last night to build it. The bloodstains? All dog blood. The severed limbs and organs? Just dog meat."

"R-really?" The Golden Ape strained to recall, searching his memory for the slightest trace of artificial disguise. "It was so realistic. No wonder you’re the young lady from a magical family—so knowledgeable about demons."

"Your astonishing imagination surprises me as much as your low IQ," Aelina said flatly. "I’ve never seen demons. I just copied scenes from fantasy novels in the knowledge database."

"Truly worthy of a magical family’s heir. Even without seeing demons, you recreated them from books."

"Hey, are you listening? I’m just an ordinary human citizen. And this is technology."

"But we were together last night! You even said your magic wand ran out of power."

"It overheated. You slept like a dead pig yesterday. I dug the tunnel at four a.m.," Aelina said. "Faking the demon ritual took twenty minutes. Most time went to digging the secret room."

"Then what about the Demon Hunter’s wolf-head emblem?" Before Aelina could answer, the Golden Ape clapped his hands. "I get it! You altered its magical sequence!"

"Completely wrong. What’s a magical sequence? I have no idea," Aelina denied expressionlessly. She pulled out the forged Elder’s diary, mocking herself: "Only an idiot writes evil, detailed motives in a diary. But it was meant for villagers to see."

Aelina placed the iron wolf-head emblem on the diary cover bearing the Elder’s name. It lay utterly still.

"W-what’s happening?"

"Because of this." Aelina produced the Gwent card she’d taken from the Demon Hunter. She drew a shiny card depicting a scar-faced, silver-haired warrior. As it neared the emblem, the emblem vibrated wildly like a mouse trapped in a snare.

"I discovered this emblem detects rare Gwent cards," Aelina explained. "So I stuffed some in the walls, some in the book cover. That’s all."

"I see," Fro breathed deeply. "Last night, you spared the Elder’s son and disguised a corpse as him. You’d already planned to find Bella a guardian then."

"No—I started planning when you barged in with Bella," Aelina said. "Their contract was fake too, zero magic. Pure ritual theater to bind the Elder’s son. Human hearts are fickle."

"As expected, you’re still kind-hearted." The Golden Ape’s logic always baffled Aelina.

"No—just convenient. I toppled the Elder because he annoyed me. Secondarily for supplies. Bella was an afterthought. Like tossing a potato into a campfire while lighting it."

"You know, if someone finds the Elder’s son’s corpse reeks like rot, your trick fails," Fro said. "You risked your life to help Bella."

"Fool. Then I’d call it proof of the Elder’s demon pact," Aelina snapped. "Dead so long yet fighting, looking lifelike—what but evil necromancy? Hmph. I don’t risk myself for pointless emotions."

*Really?* Fro believed Aelina’s heart was as pure as her beauty. She was just fiercely proud.

"I understand everything," Fro scratched his head awkwardly. "But why would the Elder deal with demons? Ah! Why’d you hit me?"

"I’m knocking the water out of your brain!"

Dusk fell. They camped on the spot. Fro fed fodder to four ponies. Aelina used the Molecular Reconstructor to erect a tent and a silver grill rack.

The rack stood over the fire. Beef chunks skewered on forks dripped oil under the flames. Aelina cooked intently, turning the handle. Forks rotated slowly as she sprinkled seasonings: crystal salt, dark green cumin, and spices Fro couldn’t name. The meat’s aroma teased his taste buds. Enough for three men—but Aelina wouldn’t share.

"We agreed to cook separately," she’d coldly replied the first time he asked.

Her stance was firm. Not a scrap extra for Fro.

The Elf sighed, swallowing hard. He stared at his own black pot over the fire. Pitiful salted beans bubbled inside, steaming faintly. Beside the fragrant, perfectly charred meat, it looked utterly miserable.

Fro couldn’t resist. He turned pitifully toward the sizzling oil droplets. *If only I could bite that golden-brown meat...* He gulped saliva.

Aelina plated the meat on a clean silver dish. Small bowls held red chili sauce, black meat gravy, and green powder. Though she usually devoured food like a bottomless pit, she was picky about taste. This time, only three pieces sat on the plate—she must plan to savor them.

"Want some?"

Staring at the steaming plate, Fro doubted his ears. He swallowed again, ensuring it wasn’t a hallucination.

"Is this for me?"

Aelina nodded slightly. *If only her fair cheeks flushed with shyness...* Fro’s thoughts wandered.

As he reached for it, she added, "Unless you agree to one thing?"

"What?"

"See the pedal generator behind you?" A faint smile touched her lips. "You’ll pedal hard to generate power for me. Bonus: it boosts your training. The electromagnetic waves strengthen muscles."

"Th-this is amazing!" Fro’s eyes lit at "stronger." He grabbed the plate, forked the meat, and stuffed it all in. In seconds, he leaped onto the generator, pedaling instinctively.

Hearing the flywheel hum, Aelina snorted. "Golden Apes are so easy to fool."

A few meat pieces for an ape generator—such a bargain. She turned and devoured the rest.

Night deepened. The ripe sunset sank below the horizon.

The crimson desire bar flashed before Aelina for the third time. It roared: *Find males—multiple—or lose control. First, emit an intoxicating scent. Then collapse, legs parting lazily, inviting any male to explore your mysteries.*

Despite her resistance, a warm flame already licked her sensitive spots. Aching weakness crept up her bones.

She pulled out the elephant-restraining sleeping bag. "Quick—get in for training," she ordered the sore Golden Ape sprawled on a blanket.

"B-but I’m exhausted today."

True—he’d pedaled three hours, limp as cotton candy. But Aelina distrusted his strength. If he caught her arousal scent, he’d surge with energy.

"Pity," she sighed. "I knew cultivation isn’t for everyone."

"One day won’t matter, right?"

"Excuses breed laziness. It starts with the first."

"Ah, I—"

"Fine. Today’s Magic Day—the crucial stage for wall-hanging training. I know you think it’s useless. I understand."

"I’m suddenly full of energy!" Fro jumped up, pounding his chest. "Hang me on the wagon wall now!"

"You said it."

Before Fro reacted, blue light flashed. The sleeping bag bound him. Its rear rope yanked him toward a tree, hanging him against the trunk.

"Ahhh, Aelina, that was too fast!"

Aelina ignored him. She vanished behind the wagon door, sealing it and removing the lock. No one was getting off!