Chapter 22: Buy me the sword.

The next morning, the sun filtered through the worn curtains of the small room, casting a hazy glow on the disheveled bed where Julie lay sprawled. She groaned softly, her movements sluggish, clearly feeling the aftermath of her escapades from the previous night.

I leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, my expression flat. "Julie, next time you pull something like this, get a different room." My tone wasn't angry, just tired.

Julie blinked at me, her lips curling into a lazy smirk. "Relax, Lira, a succubus needs her energy," she said, her voice still thick with sleep.

I didn't respond. Instead, I turned and left, heading to the reception area. The inn was quiet at this hour, save for the occasional clatter of dishes from the kitchen. I sat down on one of the worn chairs, waiting for her to drag herself out of bed.

It wasn't long before Julie appeared, her steps unsteady, her hand gripping the railing as she descended the stairs. Her hair was a mess, and she moved as if every muscle in her body ached.

"Good morning," she said, her voice light and teasing despite her obvious discomfort.

"Morning," I replied, glancing at her legs as she winced slightly with each step. "I belive you have had your fun."

Julie chuckled, adjusting her cloak with a dramatic flourish. "Fun is an understatement. But hey, I'm here, aren't I?"

I stood up, brushing past her toward the door. "Let's get moving."

She trailed behind me, still grinning despite the soreness that showed in her every movement. "Don't act like you didn't enjoy the show last night, Lira," she quipped.

I didn't answer. Outside, the town was coming alive, and we had more important things to focus on than Julie's antics.

"There's been a monster sighting up north," I said, my voice flat as I adjusted my cloak. "I'm going to level up there. You're weak, so you'll accompany me."

Julie opened her mouth to protest, but I cut her off, taking a step closer and sizing her up from head to toe. My gaze lingered for a moment on her staff before locking onto her eyes.

"And," I added, "I'll teach you magic."

Her expression shifted to one of cautious intrigue, though I could tell she was skeptical.

"Of course," I continued, my tone as lifeless as ever. "I've crammed way too many spells into my head. One glance, and I can perfect the casting. But a perfected spell doesn't mean it's flawless—it just means I know how to make it look good."

Julie raised an eyebrow, clearly not sure whether to feel insulted or impressed.

I turned my attention back to her staff, eyeing its worn edges and faint glow. "And another thing," I said, my voice quieter now but no less firm. "We need to get me a sword. How much money do you have left?"

Julie hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line before she sighed dramatically. "You're really going to make me your wallet, aren't you?"

"Obviously," I replied, deadpan. "I don't have any money. I'm not from here, remember?"

She groaned, clutching her staff as if it were her lifeline. "Fine," she said reluctantly. "But if I'm footing the bill, you better make good on that promise to teach me magic."

I nodded, already walking toward the northern path. "Let's go. We'll stop by the blacksmith first."

Julie followed behind, grumbling under her breath but keeping pace nonetheless.

The blacksmith's workshop was a furnace of heat, the air thick with the smell of molten metal. Constant hammering echoed in the background, each strike resonating like a heartbeat. A man, broad-shouldered with soot-streaked skin, approached us with a welcoming grin.

"What brings you ladies here?" he asked, wiping his hands on a rag.

"A sword," I said bluntly, wasting no time on pleasantries.

He gestured toward a rack of weapons, each gleaming under the dim light. I began inspecting them one by one, lifting each to gauge its weight and balance. My attention faltered when I picked up a peculiar weapon—a large, menacing blade that seemed alive. Its dark, molten-like surface pulsated faintly, as though it had a heartbeat of its own.

"What the hell is this?" I asked, holding it up.

The blacksmith chuckled. "Oh, that? That's a demon sword. Rare piece. Price is 10,000,000 credits."

I turned to Julie, who had been quietly watching. She stared back at me, her expression shifting to one of despair.

"You'll sleep with me for the next year," she said, her tone completely serious.

"Not happening," I replied flatly.

"Come on," she insisted. "It's ten million credits!"

"I'll get you rewards worth more than that," I said, setting the sword down.

She frowned, crossing her arms. "Six months, then."

"Fine," I said, pausing as I watch her eyes shone with joy ,I then added, "but I'll climb the tower alone."

Julie's expression was funny to watch , her eyes widened in panic. Without hesitation, she rushed forward, purchasing the sword with a swipe of her card. "It was just a joke!" she said hurriedly. "We're climbing the tower together. I swear. I just—at least it was worth a try."

She handed me the sword, now grinning sheepishly. "Also, I'm out of credits now," she added. "We'll have to be careful with spending from now on."

Before leaving, I turned back to the blacksmith. "Where did this sword come from?"

"An adventurer left it here," he replied, his tone casual. "Needed the money and asked for it to be sold , end of story."

I gave him a curt nod, the demon sword resting heavily in my hand. Julie trailed behind me, muttering something about how reckless I was—but her smile betrayed her amusement.

*****

Kailus's PoV:

"Oh, isn't that the Demon God's sword?" I mused, watching Lira lift the blade with her usual apathetic expression. "+1 Plot armor, it seems. How convenient." A chuckle escaped me as I leaned back, my gaze fixed on the scene unfolding in my little sandbox. "You'll need as many of those as you can get, Lira, if your true goal is to face me."

The thought amused me to no end. I created her. I created the tower, the beings within it, the rules that governed their existence.

Yet, somehow, they had drifted away from my grasp. Slowly, subtly, they had moved in shadows, and when they rebelled I lost control of the tower and the world that surrounds it.

"Adorable," I muttered, a grin curling my lips. "They think they can rebel against a god."

Still, I wasn't worried. It was only a matter of time. Time before I reasserted control. Time before the pieces fell back into place, whether they wanted to or not.

"They don't understand," I said, more to myself than anyone else. "This is my world, and they are merely players in my game."

As for Lira? I would let her play her part, grow stronger, collect her little artifacts and allies. It made the game more entertaining. But in the end, she would still kneel. They all would.