“You think this is about pride? About cruelty? No. This is infrastructure. Supply chains. Border gates. Merchant coalitions. When a single noble house controls passage between three trade arteries, the war is already decided before swords leave their sheaths.” Karpeta’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t interrupt. “With her,” he continued, “we force compliance without siege. We redirect shipments. We starve competitors. We destabilize two minor houses and isolate the third. No prolonged campaign. No wasted legions.” His burning gaze returned to Ethan. “This is not personal.” Karpeta’s voice rang out from behind Ethan. “My father will burn your holdings to ash.” The captain laughed—a low, grinding sound like stone dragged across stone. “He will comply. Nobles always do when blood is involved.” Velthra stepped forward slightly. “You miscalculated.” “Oh?” The captain tilted his massive head. “You didn’t account for him.” The captain’s gaze returned to Ethan. A beat passed. “…No

The terrain gradually shifted as they traveled.Jagged highland rock gave way to smoother obsidian roadwork—old, deliberate, carved by something far more organized than wandering warbands. Faint demonic script ran along the edges of the stone like veins beneath skin.The air felt denser the farther they went.Civilization.Or something close to it.For a while, no one spoke.Then Ethan glanced sideways at Karpeta.“You were heading somewhere specific before all this.”She nodded.“Yes.”“Blackwater?”She hesitated.“No.”Velthra’s lips curved faintly. “Not this time.”Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Then where?”Karpeta straightened slightly as she walked, composure returning in layers.“I was traveling from Blackwater City,” she said, “to the Royal City of the First Demon Domain.”Ethan looked at her. “That sounds important.”“It is,” Ilyss muttered.Velthra gave her a pointed look.Karpeta continued calmly. “My aunt resides there.”“Aunt,” Ethan repeated.“Yes.”“The Royal City?” he press

The Royal City was louder than the battlefield had been.Not with violence—but with life.Vendors shouting across crowded markets. Armor clanking. Carriages rumbling over stone. Demons arguing, laughing, bargaining.Ethan moved through the streets quietly.Observing.Learning.His destination was clear.The Demon Gate.⸻Near the Demon Gate DistrictThe closer he got, the heavier the security became.Larger patrols.Stronger-looking guards.Magic woven into the streets themselves.Ethan slowed his pace and slipped into a shadowed alley overlooking a massive plaza.And then he saw it.The Demon Gate.A towering obsidian arch inscribed with glowing crimson runes. Energy swirled slowly inside it like a storm trapped in glass.But what caught his attention wasn’t the gate.It was the people entering it.One by one.Each stopping at a checkpoint.Each presenting something.Ethan narrowed his eyes.“…A token?”He shifted slightly, hiding behind a broken statue to get a better view.Two heav

Ethan watched it roll into the plaza—three heavy wagons pulled by thick-necked beasts, their hides covered in rune brands. Dozens of workers walked beside them carrying crates stamped with merchant seals.Noise.Movement.Confusion.Exactly the kind of cover he needed.The small demon beside him whistled softly.“Well… that’s a big one.”Ethan’s eyes followed the caravan carefully.“…Crowded.”“Also heavily checked,” the demon replied.“Not if the guards are distracted.”The demon grinned.“Oh, you’re actually doing this.”Ethan didn’t answer.He was already thinking.Studying.The caravan reached the checkpoint.Immediately, the inspection line slowed.Guards moved in, scanning the wagons, questioning drivers, opening crates. One official shouted instructions while another checked documents.The plaza’s rhythm changed.More chaotic.Less precise.Ethan stepped forward.The small demon blinked.“Wait—you’re going now?”“Best chance.”“You’re serious.”“Yes.”“That’s insane.”“Probably

Ethan straightened.“We’re not taking you anywhere.”A second guard crossed his arms.“You’re lucky today.”“Very lucky,” the one behind him added.Ethan raised an eyebrow.“…Am I?”The horned guard leaned slightly closer.“You tried to infiltrate the Demon Gate.”“Yes.”“That offense alone could get you detained for weeks.”Ethan nodded slowly.“Good to know.”The guard’s eyes narrowed.“But command decided something else.”“And that is?”The guard pointed back toward the distant plaza.“Don’t come near the Demon Gate again.”Another guard added,“Ever.”Ethan tilted his head slightly.“So this is the part where you throw me into a dungeon… right?”“No,” the horned guard said flatly.“Then maybe a fine?”“No.”“Confiscate my belongings?”“No.”Ethan glanced between them.“…You’re making this very anticlimactic.”The third guard frowned.“You’re testing our patience.”“Just clarifying my options.”“You don’t have options.”“Ah. That explains things.”Another guard added,“And if we se