059 KASSHYEK'S REWARD- A WOMAN
059 KASSHYEK'S REWARD- A WOMAN
The mercenaries brought the body of the Rose Demon back to their headquarters in the Black Market. The arrival of such a powerful demon's corpse stirred the entire network of mercenary mages, all eager to inspect it.
In Gomora, it had been decades since a demon of this caliber had been defeated, and they hoped studying Madame la Rosa's remains might yield new, potent magic.
Her body lay desiccated, skin stretched tight over bones, with every ounce of blood drained. But traces of her formidable magic still lingered.
The mercenaries arranged an ancient ritual, encircling the body with magical lamps meant to siphon residual magic into their oils. A dozen mages cast their spells in unison, their focus locked onto the ritual.
But something went horribly wrong.
"The oil is draining our magic instead of the corpse," the mercenaries shouted in realization.
Rather than drawing magic from the corpse, the lamps began draining power from the mages themselves. Panic struck as the mages collapsed, their life force sucked away by their own spell.
In the chaos, a young girl—barely sixteen—stepped into the room. Her presence was calm, almost serene.
"Magic retrieve," she murmured.
Instantly, the magic from the lamps diverted, converging on her.
The energy swirled around her, intensifying her aura with a radiant, dark essence. With a snap of her fingers, the body of Madame la Rosa erupted in flames, followed by the mages and the entire hall. Within moments, the headquarters was engulfed in fire, leaving only ashes in her wake.
As the girl walked away, she plucked a crimson rose from a stall in the market.
The shopkeeper, mesmerized by her presence, did not ask for payment, his eyes fixated on the crimson rose tattoo on her shoulder.
"Lilleo Gullee," she whispered as she walked away, a glint of something sinister in her eyes, "we will meet again someday. I'll be back."
----
"Young master, I've made my decision," Kasshyek said firmly to Leo. "I'm not staying behind to guard the family. I want to join you on the battlefield."
"Are you certain? Lillye's plan is for you to remain here and guard the family estate," Leo replied.
"The old master General entrusted me with your protection, and I can't fulfill that if I stay behind," Kasshyek insisted.
Leo paused, considering his words. "Did you manage to get the stupid keys to the treasury?"
"Yes," Kasshyek nodded. "I'll take you there."
They made their way to a heavily guarded section of the family estate. Descending into a basement, they stopped before a massive metal gate.
"Open the door," Kasshyek commanded, holding up a medal of authority that granted him command over the military forces. The guards unlocked the door, allowing them entry, then closed it behind them.
Inside, their eyes widened at the sheer abundance before them.
Casks brimming with silver dinars and gold coins filled the room, along with piles of jewels and pearls. Magic weapons and armor gleamed in the dim light, alongside rare magical materials for crafting powerful buildings and machinery. This was the entire wealth of the Gullee family, secured in one place.
"Are we really going to leave all this to Lieutenant General Lilann's care?" Kasshyek asked, frowning.
"Of course not," Leo replied. "The moment we leave, they'd take this treasure and fucking run. That's why I asked you to stay."
"But…" Kasshyek hesitated, glancing around at the wealth.
"Don't worry. None of this will be left behind for those assholes," Leo assured him, waving a hand.
In a flash, Kasshyek watched in shock as the treasures in the treasury began to vanish, the treasures disappearing before his eyes.
"What just happened?" he gasped.
"I've taken it—the money and ingredients," Leo replied calmly. "The weapons and armor distribute them to the soldiers according to merit and loyalty."
"How is that even possible?" Kasshyek asked, still reeling.
"The gods granted me this power," Leo explained.
Leo obtained an expanded magic storage after defeating the twin bosses Rosa and Lusifar. The space in his storage could hold most of the treasures here.
"Which god would favor our family so greatly?" Kasshyek asked in awe.
Leo gave a small, knowing smile. "The gods of Lust, naturally."
-----
"What do you intend to do with the women you brought back from Bagnio la Pleasures?" Kasshyek asked Leo, his voice calm yet curious.
Before Leo could respond, Yun-Yun stepped forward, her lips curling into a playful smile.
"Kasshyek has been steadfastly loyal to you, hasn't he? Perhaps it's time to show your gratitude. Maybe there's something he desires?" Her tone held a teasing edge, and her eyes sparkled mischievously.
Leo caught on immediately.
He turned to Kasshyek, his expression thoughtful. "What do you say? Is there anything you want as a reward for your loyal service?"
Kasshyek shook his head, speaking earnestly. "Thank you, sir, but there's nothing I need."
Leo didn't respond right away.
Instead, he made a slight gesture with his hand. Moments later, a few women were led into the room. They were all stunning, their beauty undeniable.
Kasshyek's eyes widened in surprise as the woman looked up at Leo, their voices soft and trembling. "What is your wish, Master?" they asked, their words laced with a forced sweetness, though their fear of Leo was evident beneath the surface.
Leo's grin widened as he turned to Kasshyek. "What do you think? They are among the finest Roses we've acquired."
Kasshyek blinked, struggling to process the moment. "Erm.. they are fine," he managed, his usual composure faltering.
"You've stood by me through thick and thin, loyal to the end," Leo said, his tone firm but laced with a touch of amusement. "It's only fair you receive some form of compensation. Consider these women my gift to you—a token of my appreciation. They are yours to do as you please."
Kasshyek hesitated, glancing at the women, who avoided his gaze.
He opened his mouth to protest, but the sharp glint in Leo's eyes made him reconsider. After a brief pause, he bowed his head. "Thank you, my lord," he said, masking his reluctance with a faint smile.