Chapter 36: A Weary Soul

Viretta keenly noticed the subtle changes in her body.

Seeing her momentarily dazed, her breathing slightly hurried, she shook her head, a hint of understanding in her tone.

“Kayla, it seems you didn’t truly resolve the issue with your body earlier.”

She walked slowly to Kayla’s side and crouched down, her calm gaze sweeping over that newly formed, softly swaying succubus tail.

Then she reached out, her fingers starting at the base of the tail and sliding upward with slow, firm pressure.

Her movements were practiced and precise, like those of someone who had done this countless times.

“Mmm…”

Kayla let out a soft sound.

The touch was like an electric current striking straight into her nervous system.

Viretta’s technique seemed to know every sensitive point of a succubus body.

Each press and knead precisely dissolved the restless pleasure within, while guiding it toward a deeper state of relaxation.

Under Viretta’s expert soothing, Kayla’s consciousness melted rapidly.

Her eyes gradually lost focus.

Her body softened like warm water, no longer able to maintain a seated posture, slowly collapsing onto the floor, able only to release faint, shallow breaths.

After a long while, the surging desire finally settled completely.

Kayla eventually recovered.

She opened her eyes and carefully sensed her body, realizing that the restless, unbearable sensation had indeed vanished.

In its place was a strange sense of looseness and calm.

“Does it feel much better now?”

Viretta asked calmly, as if what had just happened did not exist at all.

Kayla nodded lightly, her voice still weak.

“…Yes, Lady Viretta.”

Viretta stood up and took a set of close-fitting garments and an outer robe suitable for a succubus from a nearby chest.

With efficient movements, she dressed Kayla piece by piece.

“Alright,”

she said, draping the final cloak over Kayla’s shoulders, her voice still calm.

“Remember your mission.”

Kayla took a deep breath, forcing herself to gather her spirits, and bowed respectfully.

“Yes, Lady Viretta. I will keep your instructions firmly in mind.”

Viretta raised her hand, her fingertip tracing lightly.

A magic circle emitting a deep blue glow instantly formed beneath Kayla’s feet.

“This is a teleportation array that will send you directly into demon territory,”

she explained.

“Once you arrive, you must not expose your identity.

Remember, you are that demon spy.

All words and actions must follow the memories you carry.

There can be no mistakes.”

Kayla nodded again with respect.

“I will remember Lady Viretta’s orders and ensure the mission’s completion.”

As her words fell, the magic circle flared brightly.

Amid the hum of spatial distortion, Kayla’s figure vanished completely from the chamber.

Only Viretta remained, standing there, lost in thought.

Inside the Demon King’s bedroom, Merolin slowly opened her eyes.

Last night’s endless madness—called a dance—had drained her completely.

She had no strength left for any reaction at all.

Her body felt as though it had been crushed.

Every muscle ached.

Every breath tugged at exhausted nerves.

Weakness and pain intertwined, nearly rendering her immobile.

At that moment, a light knock sounded at the door.

The sudden knocking made Merolin recall the Demon King from last night.

Her body stiffened instantly.

Fear clenched her heart tight.

Instinctively, she pulled the blanket closer, curling herself up even more.

From outside came Lilith’s familiar, gentle voice.

“Merolin, are you awake?”

Merolin’s taut nerves relaxed slightly.

Summoning all her strength, she replied weakly.

“Lilith… I’m awake. You can come in.”

The door was gently pushed open, and Lilith walked in.

The room was dim.

The air still carried the sweet, ambiguous scent left behind after last night’s indulgence.

She walked to the bedside and saw Merolin curled at the center of the bed.

Her face was pale.

Her eyes were hollow.

Tear marks still lingered on her cheeks, along with the shattered look of someone completely broken.

A wave of heartache rose within Lilith.

She sat by the bed and reached out, her fingertips gently brushing Merolin’s cheek.

Her voice carried genuine sorrow.

“Merolin… last night was truly hard on you.”

Hearing those words, Merolin suddenly let out several piercing laughs.

The laughter was filled with despair and self-mockery, like the final cry of someone already conquered.

She abruptly reached out with trembling hands and grabbed Lilith’s wrist.

Her grip was astonishingly strong, as if her weakness had vanished in that instant.

“Lilith…”

She laughed as tears slid uncontrollably down her face.

“I don’t know what I can do anymore.

I don’t even know what I want to do…

I feel so tired of living.

So tired.”

Her voice suddenly rose, choked with sobs.

“Every day I’m either being tormented, or on my way to being tormented.

Tell me—why does Moganna have to torture me like this.

Why?”

Lilith was pierced by the pain in her eyes.

She wanted to speak, to comfort her, but countless words clogged her throat.

In the end, not a single one came out.

She could only turn her hand over and hold Merolin’s, passing warmth through her palm, trying to soothe that wounded heart.

“Merolin…”

She finally spoke, her voice gentle enough to melt ice.

“Don’t give up.

Don’t be sad.

Whatever you need, you can tell me.

I’ll do everything I can to help you.

No matter what happens in the future, I’ll stay by your side.

Always.”

Merolin lay there, listening.

Her mind was a blur from grief and exhaustion, no longer able to tell whether this gentleness was sincere, or merely an extension of the Demon King’s will.

Like a child lost for far too long, finally finding a place to lean on, she broke down and cried loudly.

“Lilith… I’m so tired…”

She sobbed, her body trembling violently.

“I feel like a bird in a cage.

Only to be watched.

Only to be toyed with.

Living like this…

It would be better to die…”

Lilith’s heart clenched painfully.

She said nothing more.

She simply gathered that trembling, shattered body into her arms, gently yet tightly.

One arm held Merolin close.

The other softly stroked her back, again and again, like comforting a deeply wronged child.

“Merolin, ease your heart,”

she whispered, her voice carrying undeniable resolve.

“I will fight for your freedom.

I’ll go persuade Moganna.

I’ll beg her to let you go.”

Nestled in that warm embrace, Merolin’s sorrow had long since washed away the last of her rational defenses.

She could no longer tell whether this promise was real or false.

Nor did she want to.

At this moment, she only wanted to cling to this single warmth, to feel it.

She had been far too tired these past days.

Far too tired.

She stretched out her weak hand, clutching Lilith’s clothes with all the strength she had left, and let out a near-pleading, utterly sincere cry.

“Please… Lilith…”