Chapter 26: A Deeper Level of Change

Viretta stood at the edge of the scorched land, looking at Rivina collapsed on the ground, soaked and limp, as if every bone in her body had been drained away.

She spoke flatly, her voice devoid of emotion.

“Go do what you’re supposed to do.”

Rivina lifted her head, her gaze unfocused yet still carrying a foolish smile, like a child just waking from bliss.

Viretta continued,

“If anything comes up, I’ll come back to inform you.”

“Alright, alright, I know~ Whether I do it or not is my own choice, so hurry up and go~”

Rivina lay sprawled on the ground, lazily waving her hand, her tone perfunctory—an act of defiance against the punishment Viretta had just inflicted, as if everything she had experienced were merely a pleasant dream.

Viretta ignored Rivina and said nothing more, turning to leave.

Kayla followed closely behind, one hand still resting on her sword hilt.

Her gaze lingered briefly on the body that was still twitching faintly, a trace of complicated emotion flashing through her eyes.

The two walked one after the other onto a hidden mountain path.

After a long silence, Kayla finally spoke.

“Viretta… do you think the Undead leader’s plan can really succeed? His plan sounds far too risky.”

Viretta did not slow her steps, her tone calm, as if stating something entirely ordinary.

“The probability of success is very low, and he’s not truly cooperating with us either.”

Hearing this, Kayla frowned slightly, confusion evident in her voice.

“If it’s such a low-probability outcome, then… why agree to him at all?”

Viretta let out a soft laugh, the corner of her lips lifting.

“Because agreeing to him benefits us greatly.”

She explained slowly, her logic clear and methodical.

“First, through him, we can directly obtain intelligence from within the demon race.”

“Bane is a core figure of the opposition. Every move he makes reveals the state of the demon race, allowing us to remain in an advantageous position.”

“Second, we can use his hand to weaken the demon race from within.”

“Let him stir up internal conflict. While the demons fight among themselves, we reap the benefits.”

She paused, her tone growing heavier.

“And moreover, he gave us the most important piece of information—”

“The Hero is still alive.”

Kayla’s steps halted, her expression instantly turning grave.

“So… you agreed to cooperate not to execute the plan itself, but to confirm this matter? And to more conveniently gather intelligence on the demon race?”

Viretta did not turn back, only nodding lightly.

“Yes.”

“As for whether the plan succeeds or fails… I don’t care.”

“As long as we can rescue her, or… let her personally bring an end to the Demon King, that’s enough.”

She suddenly stopped and turned to face Kayla, her gaze sharp as a blade.

“Kayla, this matter cannot be told to anyone.”

“Remember that.”

Kayla immediately straightened, her right hand pressed to her chest, her voice firm as steel.

“Understood.”

Only then did Viretta continue forward.

After a moment, she spoke again, her tone casual, yet probing.

“In your opinion… how does Rivina compare to the Hero in terms of strength?”

Kayla fell silent, memories surfacing.

It was a sparring session from before the Hero’s expedition.

There had been no fight to the death, yet it remained unforgettable.

She had fought with all her strength, sword light falling like rain, only to have her blade halted by a single finger tapping the edge, leaving her entire arm numb.

She had unleashed her magic to its limit, only to be subdued by a single glance, her mind nearly collapsing.

She had once believed it was merely a difference in power.

Only later did she realize—

It was a difference in essence.

“If we speak purely in terms of raw power…”

Kayla finally said,

“The current Rivina is still not as strong as the Hero.”

She paused, a trace of gravity appearing in her eyes.

“But her combat style is extremely bizarre—formless yet lethal.”

“After devouring strong opponents, she can evolve rapidly.”

“With her rate of growth, she’ll likely surpass the Hero very soon.”

Hearing this, Viretta suddenly smiled.

“No.”

She shook her head gently, confidence filling her voice.

“She will not surpass the Hero.”

Kayla was taken aback, unsure how to respond.

From a rational standpoint, her assessment was correct.

Rivina’s growth speed, combat instincts, and tolerance for pain and pleasure had already exceeded human limits.

Yet Viretta’s answer denied that rational conclusion.

Kayla couldn’t help but ask,

“Why?”

Viretta did not answer immediately.

She lifted her gaze toward the distance.

After a long while, she spoke softly.

“Because the Hero possesses even more terrifying potential.”

Kayla’s heart trembled.

Viretta continued walking, her tone relaxed.

“Rivina is a monster, but she is merely a tool of destruction.”

“And the Hero…”

“She is someone who can change the ending.”

Viretta suddenly recalled—

When the Hero had first been summoned, everyone had assumed she was male.

Only later did they discover she was female.

(Author’s note: this does not contradict earlier settings—the protagonist was indeed male at the very beginning.)

Viretta had been the attendant responsible for caring for the Hero at that time.

But Kayla knew—

The “Hero” Viretta spoke of had never been just a title.

It was a name, a memory, a fixation hidden beneath her icy exterior.

Kayla spoke softly, almost to herself.

“The Hero truly was powerful… capable of capturing that monster.”

“At one point, I even suspected she wasn’t human.”

Viretta’s steps slowed slightly.

She did not turn back, only smiled faintly, her voice carrying rare warmth.

“She is human.”

She said slowly.

“However… a very special kind of human.”

Demon King’s Castle, the Demon King’s Bedchamber.

Upon the bed, amidst rumpled silk sheets, Melorin lay curled against Demon King Morgana’s chest, her breathing still unsteady.

Morgana lounged lazily against the headboard, one hand gently stroking Melorin’s back, her fingertips slowly tracing along her spine.

“Melorin-chan~”

She asked softly with a smile.

“How does it feel? Does it feel good?”

Melorin shuddered.

She should have been furious.

She should have hated her.

She should have been screaming in her heart, “You demon—”

“…Damn it!”

She gritted her teeth inwardly, her nails unconsciously digging into her arm, even pain feeling weak.

“This body… has betrayed my will!”

She hated this succubus body.

She hated its sensitivity.

She hated its cravings.

She hated how it reacted uncontrollably to the Demon King’s presence, voice, and touch.

Yet Morgana seemed to see through her completely.

She lowered her head, looking at Melorin’s face filled with struggle and shame, the corner of her lips curling into a pleased smile.

“Melorin-chan…”

She gently lifted the girl’s chin with her fingertips, forcing her to meet her gaze.

“Why do you look so conflicted?”

“Do you want more?”

Melorin’s heart jolted.

She hurriedly shook her head, her voice trembling.

“N-no! That’s not it! It’s not!”

“Oh?” Morgana chuckled, a glint of mischief flashing in her eyes.

“Then why is your heart beating so fast?”

“Why are your legs still shaking?”

“And why is it… still like this here?”

Her fingers slid along the girl’s waistline and lightly brushed—

“Mm!”

Seeing this, Morgana’s smile deepened.

“What a dishonest child you are~”