Velmira slowly stepped forward, her calm voice echoing amid the heavy stillness:
"Enough. Don't let this go too far."
Rook Calder, knowing Velmira's true power and aware that provoking her could mean his death, lowered his tone and tried to remain polite:
"Haha… I agree. Let's not let this affect our cooperation… right, Vornar?"
But Vornar didn't answer.
He no longer cared about words, reason, or any agreement.
In his mind, only one thought remained: to tear Rook Calder apart.
Without hesitation, he roared and threw a punch straight at Rook's head—with murderous intent.
But before the punch could land…
An invisible force struck him, sending the massive figure flying back like a heavy sack.
The strike came from… Velmira.
With a single snap of her fingers, she hurled a demon like Vornar dozens of meters.
Then Velmira turned to face Rook Calder.
"I have a new mission for you."
Rook tilted his head, smirking coldly:
"And what about capturing specimens?"
Velmira's voice was ice-cold:
"No need. That task will go to someone else.
As for you—track down and eliminate those who dared destroy the Church's plan."
Rook shrugged, murmuring:
"Fine… but finding them will take time. So…"
Before he could finish, Velmira understood.
She calmly pulled out a large leather pouch and tossed it at him.
Thud.
The pouch hit the ground, silver coins jingling softly within.
Rook Calder immediately hurried over, picked up the bag with a pleased expression:
"Working with you is a wise choice indeed."
Saying that, he leapt onto his undead dragon and took off, beginning his new mission.
At that moment, Vornar leapt forward, smashing into the ground so hard that stone and dust scattered wildly.
He roared in fury:
"Where did he go?! I must kill him!!"
Velmira replied flatly:
"He's gone."
Hearing this, Vornar's fury only deepened, his red eyes blazing like twin flames:
"Why didn't you let me kill him?!"
But Velmira didn't bother explaining. She changed the subject:
"What about exterminating the New God's cult followers?"
Vornar sneered, chest puffed out, ashes clinging to his bone armor:
"There's not a single one left. I killed them all. You know how good I am, Velmira.
Are you doubting my ability?"
Velmira responded quietly:
"No. I never doubted your killing ability."
She paused, then added in a lower tone:
"But… I sense a New God has just appeared here."
Vornar cocked an eyebrow, suspicion flashing in his eyes:
"A New God appeared here? Ridiculous. Do you think that cowardly New God would dare show up while weakened like this?"
Velmira pondered for a moment, her gaze drifting across the ruined landscape.
"You're right," she finally said.
"There's no reason for them to show up now."
Suddenly—the man captured by Rook Calder sprang up, panicking and trying to flee.
But in an instant… Vornar blocked his path as if teleporting through space.
He didn't need a weapon.
With a single whip of his tail—fast as lightning, heavy as a hammer—
Crack!
The man's legs were severed. Blood sprayed into the air, painting a red arc over the ruins.
He screamed, clutching his shredded limbs—his cry tearing through the haunting silence of the wreckage.
Vornar stood motionless, showing no mercy.
He bent down, grabbed the man by the collar like picking up trash, then threw him hard into the pulsating flesh mass behind.
The victim's body hit the crimson mass—and was immediately devoured.
Piece by piece of skin, flesh, bone… were pulled in, as though consumed by an invisible, ravenous maw.
His agonized wails faded into silence.
Only… stillness remained.
Meanwhile, a young woman—likely the same age as Velmira—had crouched over, trembling, her terrified gaze fixed on the gruesome scene.
Vornar turned, taking heavy steps toward her. The ground trembled under each step. She stumbled backward, instincts telling her to flee. But there was nowhere to run.
He raised his hand—ready to lift her as he did the man before.
She began crying, dropping to her knees and bowing her head deeply. Blood welled from her forehead as it hit the gray ash-covered floor.
"Please… sir… don't kill me. Please…"
Her voice was choked and fragmented by fear.
"I… I don't deserve to die like this… I can help you. I can serve you!"
Vornar paused.
He tilted his head, his red eyes narrowing in suspicion—as if calculating the value of this frightened being.
Velmira also glanced at her—her expression unreadable, perhaps curious, cautious, or merely appraising an interesting asset.
Seizing the moment, the girl crawled forward, still kneeling and bowing her head:
"Please give me a chance to live. I will do anything... even if it's degrading or painful. Just let me serve you."
Her breath was ragged, voice trembling—but her desperation was genuine.
Vornar growled softly, face as cold and expressionless as death:
"The true value of you… lies inside that flesh mass."
Without another moment, he grabbed Lara. She struggled in terror, clawing and punching—but all her efforts were futile against a demon's overpowering strength.
Vornar hoisted her off the ground, poised to throw her into the waiting pulsating flesh mass once more.
But in that instant—
"Let her go, Vornar."
Velmira's voice cut through the moment.
Vornar halted, confusion flickering over his face:
"What are you saying? We need more bodies to replenish the lost creatures. This one is prime material. And you want me to release her?"
Velmira stepped forward, her gaze ice-cold as it met his fiery eyes.
"If only one girl survives, she's useless. But if she becomes a subordinate—a new pawn of the Church—the benefit is far greater and more enduring."
Vornar paused, eyes narrowing. He snorted, then released her grip.
The girl collapsed to the ground, panting, trembling—but alive.
Velmira crouched beside her, voice still controlled yet now tinted with feigned concern:
"What is your name?"
The girl stammered, voice husky:
"L-La… Lara…"
"Do you truly wish to serve us?" Velmira pressed, her eyes seeking the depth of her soul.
Grasping at this last lifeline, Lara nodded vigorously:
"Yes! I want to! Please give me the chance... I will do anything!"