"His intentions had always been clear," Pyra said. "Otherwise, why would he bother providing us shelter?"
It was a well-reasoned argument, I thought, and it certainly fit the circumstances. I didn't deny her, though I also didn't offer my opinion.
"I wouldn't mind offering my help, especially if it buys us more time," Tania said, her face impassive. "Besides, I don't see anything wrong with his request—it's only natural to ask for help when it's cheap."
I found myself in complete agreement with Tania. Though it might seem like an inconvenience, the truth wasn't even remotely close to that. The only reason we avoided meddling too much was because we cherished our freedom. We had no desire to enter a game of politics that had never seen a true winner.
"If you have no objections, I suggest we accept," Amara said, leaning back into her plush cushion.
I glanced between Pyra and Amara, then turned to Cassia. "Cassia will help you sort through this. She'll convey your requests to the Baron and manage your safety at the same time. We're agreeing to this."
We sat in a loose circle—I occupied the chair, while Tania sat beside Amara. Pyra leaned against the arm of the sofa, where Cassia lounged. Luna was absent, most likely still accompanying Arianna.
I had gathered them earlier to discuss the Baron's request. It had been met with doubt and skepticism at first, but the undeniable truth was that we needed this deal, and there was nothing particularly suspicious about it.
The request itself was simple. A couple of days ago, in need of funds and unable to deal directly with the market, we handed over two B-Rank Skill Cores to the Baron. Each one sold at the standard price of 300 Gold, but only the Guild accepted such items without prying too much—assuming you were a member, of course. Anywhere else, you'd be subjected to intense scrutiny.
I couldn't be bothered with that, so I gave the task to the Baron, letting him act as our middleman. Most of the funds would go toward Pyra and Tania, as they required significant resources to maximize their abilities. Cassia was now included in that group, being the sole Arcanist—a title reserved for those capable of properly weaving mana into magic, unlike the amateur tricks Amara and Pyra had displayed.
That said, Cassia did mention that Ifrit showed potential. But that was a matter for another time.
For now, we had agreed to send Tania and Pyra to fulfill the contract. The arrangement was straightforward: they would supply a specified number of products within a set time frame.
While both of them were strong, they weren't quite as formidable as some of my other summons. I wanted Cassia to accompany them, both to ensure their safety and to foster a bond between them.
The Foxkin hadn't seemed bothered by her own behavior on the first night, nor had she revealed any hint of her true thoughts since then. I held no illusions of reconciliation between her and Amara, but I wanted progress—no matter how minor.
"So, are we in agreement?" I asked. A nod or a shrug was all I received in return.
I went back to meet the Baron that same day and was pleased to be informed that both of my Skill Cores had been sold for over 700 Gold, with the money expected to arrive soon. Seven hundred Gold was a considerable sum, probably even a quarter of the Barony's income. I was mildly surprised that the Baron hadn't tried to lower the price, but whether that was an act of sincerity or a subtle ploy to build familiarity with me, I couldn't be sure.
"Before you leave, I have one more request for you," the Baron said, raising a hand in a placating gesture. I sat back in my chair, waiting as he coughed and cleared his throat before continuing.
"You must understand the state my Barony was left in," he said. "But the root of all this destruction stems from our lack of preparation."
I nodded, frowning. "Actually, why were you unprepared?"
The Baron looked troubled at my question, lowering his head. "Feylance Barony, along with Erdwatch and Rosenthal County, forms a defensive line against the End Forest. Normally, when an Insurgence occurred, we would cull it before it posed any real threat. By the time the wave reached our territory, it would be too weak to cause significant damage. Feylance also has a natural advantage—the River Yoland runs along the perimeter, making it difficult for land monsters to approach quickly."
"But something changed this time," I said, my tone certain. "What happened?"
The Baron met my gaze, then asked, "Do you know how we detect when a Monster Tide is approaching?"
I shook my head.
"Barriers," he said, leaning back. "More specifically, a network of barriers. Each territory has one, not only to keep powerful monsters from overwhelming us too quickly but also to serve as a sensory array. The barrier detects any large concentration of mana moving toward it and alerts us in advance."
"And you didn't get any alert this time?"
"Our reliance on the barrier proved to be a critical weakness—not something we could entrust to anyone else. That's why three Rune Cores were created to act as the eyes of the array, with one placed in each respective territory." He paused, taking a breath before continuing. "If a Core is damaged, the barrier ceases to function."
"I don't understand," I said, shaking my head. "You keep dragging this conversation through the mud, and all I get is that something didn't work when it was supposed to, and it messed you up bad. What exactly are you trying to get at?"
For a brief moment, I thought the Baron wouldn't reply. He gritted his teeth, his fists clenching tightly.
"When the wave hit Erdwatch, they activated their barriers," he finally said. "When it hit Rosenthal County, they lit theirs. But when it hit us, it bled us deep. Left us ravaged. There was no barrier to protect us. I want to know why."
I was left speechless. I opened my mouth, trying to form a response, but the words eluded me. I couldn't think of anything. Ultimately, I just sighed and sank back into my chair.
"I'll be honest with you, Sir Baron. If you're asking me why your territory's fucked, I have no answers. Until a few minutes ago, I didn't even know the truth about the barriers."
I recalled the moment we fled from Erdwatch—how a massive dome had sprung up to shield us from a barrage of magical missiles. It had been my first time witnessing something like that, so it was understandable that I had been ignorant about the barriers.
The Baron shook his head, his shoulders slumping as he leaned back into his chair. "No. I need your help to identify the problem."
"You want me to fix it?" I asked, raising a brow. "I can't do that. Though Tania might know something."
"I've heard of Lady Titania's ability to forge items of exceptional quality and her expertise in the Runic Arts," he said, studying my expression. I gave none, and he continued. "I need her insight to identify the reason why my barrier failed. I won't ask her to fix it."
"I thought you needed her help with the items themselves?"
"If it means I can uncover why I received no warning of the monsters, then it will be time well spent."
I didn't answer right away, fully aware of the severity of the situation. Persuading Tania wouldn't be difficult—I was certain the Dwarf would jump at the opportunity. The long pause I initiated wasn't hesitation; it was contemplation. I wanted to weigh the benefits I could squeeze out of this deal.
"And what do I get in return?" I finally asked.
"I'm sure Lady Cassia is still interested in visiting my library. I wouldn't be so reluctant to grant her and any of your companions unrestricted access, as long as I receive my end of the bargain."
I shrugged, offering a smile as I extended my hand. "Very well, you have your deal, Sir Baron."
I left the room, wandered back to the guest quarters, and found Amara.
"You're still here?" I asked, sliding beside her.
Amara watched me for a moment before smiling, her grumpy demeanor fading away. A cheerful glint shone in her eyes.
"I was waiting for you," she said.
"You had something you wanted to ask or say?" I probed.
"That, and something I want to do."
"Oh?" I raised a brow.
"Remember the talk we had? About the Vampire Clan in The Empire?" she asked.
I nodded. "Yeah," I said. "And I recall promising you we'd pay it a visit sometime in the future."
Amara nodded along, leaning back. "I've been thinking," she said. "Among all your summons, none of us are human. In fact, none of us even share the same race. But for some reason, we each have a complete understanding of other races, while you — or rather, this world—doesn't."
"And?" I ventured.
"What if we aren't just summoned from somewhere else, but from another time as well? What if this isn't even the time we belong to?"
I shook my head, frowning. "Amara, your words don't make sense," I said.
"No," she said, her expression firm. "They don't make sense. But I have a hypothesis, and I need to verify it."
"And how do you plan to do that? By visiting The Empire?"
"You're skeptical," she said, her gaze unwavering. When I opened my mouth to speak, she placed a finger on my lips, silencing me. "I understand. But think about it, Mark. If someone—or many someones—wanted to hide the truth, would they bury it or burn it?"
"I guess it depends," I replied.
"Normally," she agreed with a nod. "But if the truth is too massive, you don't burn it or try to erase it. You can't. Not only because your enemies are an unpredictable factor, but also because the truth is valuable. You don't throw away a treasure, even if it's dangerous. You lock it away."
I sighed. "What are you trying to get at?"
"I think I know the answer to our question," she said. "All this time, we've been trying to piece together clues from the present. But what if the answers were in the past all along?"
"And the Vampire Clan?"
"They're old and influential. What better way to earn ourselves some free knowledge?"
I stared into the silver-haired vampire's eyes, unblinking. Then I leaned in closer—and a little closer still—until her lips brushed against mine. The kiss was soft and brief, both of us savoring the moment. I pulled back, gently caressing her face.
"I find the smart you so sexy," I murmured.
Amara blinked her misty eyes before leaning forward, capturing my lips once more. My hands slid to her waist, pulling her in. This time, the kiss was different—not soft or delicate, but fiery and passionate. Our hearts pounded in rhythm, the heat between us growing.
The thing about the Favorability Meter was that it seemed like a one-way measure, but that wasn't the case. It was meant to foster a bond—one that worked both ways. I loved my summons just as much as they loved me, if not more.
I felt the wetness of her lips against mine, and instinctively parted my mouth, letting my tongue trace hers. The kiss grew sloppier, more fervent. The spark between us ignited into a blaze, and I could feel myself on the verge of losing control.
With a reluctant heart, I pulled away. Amara resisted for a moment, but eventually yielded.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked, my voice low.
"I'm sure I want to do more," she replied with a grin, her sharp fangs glinting. "I'm hungry."
I didn't feel the sting, just the pleasure that carried through. My mind exploded, and stars crowded my vision. I pulled her against me, the feel of her soft curves sending my heart into a frenzy. Goddess, I loved this woman.
I didn't notice through the haze as we shed our clothes. I didn't even realize when my Agility suddenly picked up. I was so lost in the moment that all I could think about was her.
Her lips teased against mine, soft and sweet. Her cheeks were flushed with want and desire, and her eyes, misty and ocean-deep, could drown any poor soul. Her body was soft, and though her bosom was modest and her rear the same, I found myself drinking in the sight of her.
My lips found hers once more, engaging her in another wild dance. My hands slid across her body, caressing her toned flesh. I felt her heated core against me, and I moved into her.
Her moans were like heavenly music to my ears, her breath the only thing keeping me grounded. Her warm body writhed beneath me, and I kissed her soft, supple neck, drawing out toe-curling moans.
My breath was heavy, each intake laced with effort and longing. Our movements stoked the flames of passion brighter, building a blaze in our hearts. Each thrust felt like ascending to the heavens, melting and reforming—only to find her looking at me with wide, vulnerable eyes. I loved her, I kissed her, and I groaned her name.
The flames burned hotter, brighter—until finally, they erupted. I sighed, hearing her moan loudly as I slumped against her, breathing hard.
Finally, I decided to say the words I should've said long before.
"I love you," I whispered in her ear.
Amara stiffened, probably taken aback by the suddenness of it, then blushed deeply.
"Idiot," she said softly, nudging my shoulder.
Then suddenly, Amara frowned and looked down.
"Are you...?" A mix of horror and pleasure crossed her face.
I grinned.
"Ready for round two."
I was more than ready.
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