Chapter 419: At capital

"After we exit this cave," Gondo said, we’ll come to the outskirts of our former capital. From there, it’s only a short descent into the lower tunnels that lead to the central district."The faint glow of moss clinging to the cave walls barely lit our surroundings. Shadows danced around us like spirits, and every footstep echoed with a haunting weight.

"There’ll be security patrols," Evileye added, pulling her cloak tighter around her. Her crimson eyes flicked between each of us. "Quagoa won’t leave this place unguarded, especially after the last few raids. We must avoid detection at all costs. Our goal is to locate their leader and eliminate him—quietly. If possible, before the dragon even realizes we’re here."

Tia and Tina gave curt nods, both already switching into stealth mode, bodies tense like coiled springs.

"But first," I said, glancing ahead to where the cave curved slightly upward, "we need to get past whoever is guarding the other end of this tunnel."

Evileye turned toward me, her pale face mostly hidden beneath her hood, save for the glint of her sharp eyes. "I’ll take care of it," she said simply.

"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to do that?"

She smirked faintly, a curve of her lips that hinted at centuries of dark confidence. "Charm magic. If I catch them by surprise, I can turn their instincts against them. Make them believe we’re allies. Or at the very least, convince them to ignore us for a while."

I looked at her carefully for a moment. "Right. You’re a vampire."

She didn’t deny it. She didn’t need to.

"I don’t use it often," she continued, her voice lowering to a whisper. "The spell is subtle, but there’s always a risk. Some creatures resist. Some grow suspicious. And in this place, if one of them alerts the Frost Dragon..."

"Everything falls apart," I finished for her.

Gondo cleared his throat. "There’s a watchtower built into the cavern wall just outside the exit. The Quagoa use it to observe the deeper tunnels in case of ambush. It’s usually guarded by two or three of them. Armed, but not elites."

"Can you do it?" I asked her.

Evil Eye nodded slowly. "If I get close enough without them noticing, I can hit them all at once. The magic doesn’t need incantation if I condense it properly. But I’ll need cover to get that close."

"I’ll make sure you have it." I stepped forward, peering down the narrowing tunnel. "Tia, Tina—stay with Gondo. Watch the rear. If anyone doubles back on us, I want it handled."

The two assassins melted into the darkness without a word, shadows among shadows.

Evil Eye moved beside me, her presence quiet but oddly heavy. I could feel her magic building like a ripple in the air, silent and potent.

I glanced at her from the side. "Are you sure you’re not just looking for an excuse to show off in front of me?"

She gave me a look that was halfway between insulted and amused. "I don’t need to show off. But maybe you’ll start understanding what a real vampire is."

"Maybe," I said, my voice calm, "but I think I already know."

Demiurge stood atop a rocky outcropping, surrounded by the stale, dry air of the abandoned Dwarven capital. The underground tunnels stretched endlessly into the darkness, lit only by patches of glowing fungus and crude Quagoa torchlight. Their guttural voices echoed through the stone halls as their clawed feet scraped across the ancient stonework—architecture now tarnished by their occupation.

The scent of filth and blood lingered in the air. The Quagoa had made this once-proud city a warren of savagery.

Demiurge adjusted his glasses, his eyes narrowing with analytical focus. His tail flicked once behind him as he surveyed the scattered bands of Quagoa that roamed below. They were brutish, uncultured, and ignorant—but perfect subjects for his current line of experimentation.

Not humans, whom his master had specifically instructed him to spare unless absolutely necessary. But demi-humans like these? Fair game. Especially since they were locked in a war with the Dwarves. It was an ideal opportunity—one he would not waste.

He had already acquired enough humans from prior excursions. For now, demi-human specimens were the next logical step in broadening his experimental data.

"Frost Dragons too..." he murmured to himself, a thin smile curling at the edge of his lips. "Now those will be interesting to study—long lifespan, immense magic resistance, and innate strength. A high-tier specimen."

Lady Issey, one of Lord Alex’s love interests from DXD, has the Sacred Gear, which doubles the wearer’s power every 10 or so seconds. Very powerful, could be classified as a world-class item.

So if he made a gear using the Frost Dragon Soul, can he make something similar to a world-class item?

Just as Demiurge extended a hand to begin the silent casting of a containment spell to trap a nearby patrol of Quagoa, he stopped. His hand froze mid-air.

His expression changed.

"...This presence."

A low chuckle escaped his lips, soft and respectful. He closed his eyes and tilted his head slightly upward, as if savoring the sensation.

"It seems my lord has arrived."

The overwhelming aura of a supreme being touched the edges of Demiurge’s senses—faint and distant, yet unmistakable. A presence he could never mistake, no matter how far. The dark pressure was refined, calm, and impossibly potent. Demiurge turned his head toward the eastern tunnels.

"...He is close. And Solution is not with him."

His mind raced. Was this a visit? An inspection? Or something else entirely? Regardless, the priority shifted.

In the depths of his heart, Demiurge felt a flicker of pride and joy. To feel his master’s power in this land—this forsaken battlefield—meant something important was soon to unfold. He would, of course, prepare accordingly.

The Quagoa below remained unaware of the greater forces now moving in their midst.

Straightening his posture, Demiurge adjusted his jacket and brushed nonexistent dust from his lapel.

"Time to welcome my lord properly."

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