Chapter 67

Both Gale and Ganth spun on their heels, attempting to retreat from the now-hostile demon. But their path was abruptly cut off as thick vines erupted from the ground, coiling around walls and sealing their escape.

They turned back, their gazes locking onto the woman, who was no longer clad in the humble cleaner's outfit. Instead, her body was adorned with a swirling armor of green vines that shimmered in the dim light, and her glowing green eyes burned with fury.

"Tell me where you got that information..." she demanded, her voice sharp and commanding. Her vines writhed and twisted, ready to strike. "Or else."

Gale and Ganth remained silent, their expressions resolute as they reached for their weapons.

The demon narrowed her glowing eyes, her demeanor shifting from interrogation to bloodlust. Her hair transformed into long, wavy tendrils of green, swaying like serpents. "I'll take your silence as a no."

Before they could react, she lunged at Ganth with blinding speed.

Ganth barely raised his arms in time to block her strike, but the force of the blow sent him flying into the wall. She didn't let up, her attacks relentless as she rained blow after blow. Even with his steel-like body, Ganth winced under the assault, cracks forming in his enchanted armor.

"Ganth!" Gale shouted, launching himself into the fray.

In one fluid motion, he spun through the air and landed a powerful kick squarely on the demon's chest, sending her skidding across the ground.

The demon snarled as she rolled to her feet, her vines whipping in all directions. She shot a venomous glare at Gale.

"This isn't your fight!" Gale barked at Ganth, who was clutching his side and struggling to stand.

Ganth hesitated, his pride urging him to continue, but the pain in his body reminded him otherwise. He gritted his teeth and nodded. "Be careful, my Lord," he muttered before retreating to a safer distance.

The demon charged again, her movements wild but precise. Her vines lashed out, aiming to ensnare Gale, but he was ready.

As she swung, Gale danced around her attacks, his movements fluid and precise. Her frustration grew with each missed strike, and her attacks became more erratic.

"Stand still, you coward!" she snarled.

But Gale's calm remained unshaken. He weaved through her assaults, waiting for the right moment. And when it came, he seized it.

He grabbed one of her vines mid-swing and yanked it with all his strength, throwing her off balance. Before she could recover, Gale sidestepped to her flank and unsheathed his sword in one swift motion.

The blade sliced through the air, catching her across the side. She cried out in pain as she stumbled backward, clutching the wound. But Gale wasn't finished.

In a blur, he closed the gap and unleashed a flurry of punches, each blow landing with precise force. The demon's body buckled under the assault, her once-ferocious aura now flickering weakly.

She collapsed onto the ground, groaning in pain, her body barely able to move.

Gale sheathed his sword, breathing heavily. He turned to Ganth, who was leaning against the wall, his injuries evident. "Let's go," Gale said firmly.

Ganth nodded, and despite his pain, he managed to follow as Gale helped him toward the exit.

Meanwhile...

I was asleep, nestled in the warmth of my home, blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding elsewhere.

But my peaceful rest was short-lived.

A faint voice echoed in my mind, pulling me from my slumber.

At first, it was distant, like a whisper carried on the wind. But as it grew louder, my head began to spin, the noise gnawing at my consciousness until I was fully awake.

I sat up, rubbing my temples. "Tch... What now?" I muttered.

And then, I froze.

"Goddess... help... me..."

The voice was faint and filled with anguish, but I recognized it immediately. My chest tightened. "Fito?" I whispered, panic rising in my chest. "Where is she?"

Without a second thought, I focused on her energy, tracing it through the bond we shared. In an instant, I teleported to her location.

The room I found myself in was dark and cold, the air thick with tension. My heart pounded as I scanned the area. And then I saw her.

Fito lay sprawled on the ground, her body battered and bleeding. My breath caught in my throat.

"Fito!" I cried out, rushing to her side.

Her eyes fluttered open weakly as I cradled her in my arms. "M-My liege..." she murmured, her voice barely audible. "I'm... a disappointment... Please... the enemies have—"

"No!" I interrupted, my voice cracking as tears blurred my vision. "You are never a disappointment. You're precious to me—more important than anything else."

I poured my energy into her, my hands glowing with healing light. At first, she resisted, but I held her closer. "Don't fight it. Just rest."

Fito's resistance faded, and she allowed herself to sink into the warmth of my embrace. Slowly, the wounds on her body began to close, her breathing evening out.

"Move your fingers like this," I whispered after a while, waving my hand.

She mimicked the motion, her movements steady. Relief washed over me. "Good. You've regained most of your strength. Now, head back to Hell and rest."

"B-But my liege, the mission—"

"The mission doesn't matter to me!" I cut her off, my voice firm. "If I had lost you, it would've hurt more than losing my own life. Please, don't scare me like that again."

She looked up at me, her eyes wide with emotion. Slowly, she nodded.

I smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. My tears, now tears of relief, fell freely as I stroked her hair. And with a final whisper of reassurance, I disappeared, teleporting back to my home.