In the western region of the Realm of Consciousness, at the grand entrance gate of a city called Kankal, Snehwal stood in the early morning light.
All around the city were tall, wide walls, with soldiers dressed in red patrolling along the top.
At the gate, every person entering or leaving was being searched — and asked about the reason for their visit.
Just then, a merchant entered the city without permission, riding in a horse-drawn carriage with ten servants.
Snehwal's eyes caught something unusual — as the merchant lifted the curtain of the carriage, two strange rings gleamed on their fingers.
From the thin shape of those fingers, the person seemed to be a woman.
A faint suspicion appeared on Snehwal's face.
He looked around and noticed that most people were claiming to be merchants to get inside.
Suddenly, a soldier's voice rang out —
"Next!"
Now it was Snehwal's turn.
He slightly lowered his head, as if trying to hide his face.
The soldier stared at him and asked sharply,
"Where have you come from?"
Snehwal replied calmly,
"I was once a soldier in Lith Yakshini's army. I have come here looking for work."
The soldier gave a short nod and turned to his companion,
"Take him to the Lord of the City."
The second soldier gestured for Snehwal to follow him.
After passing through the main gate, they reached a large chamber built within the walls.
The soldier said,
"Wait here for a while."
Saying this, he left.
Now alone in the chamber, Snehwal slowly looked around.
Torches burned on all sides, the walls were tall, and silence filled every corner.
He understood immediately — escaping from here would be almost impossible.
After some time, the same soldier came back.
Snehwal quickly stood straight, alert.
The soldier looked at him suspiciously — as if he were a spy.
In a loud voice, he said,
"You have been called inside."
Snehwal nodded slightly and followed him.
They entered a large hall.
On one chair sat a young man, who looked like someone from a royal or noble family.
His shiny red clothes and confident behavior made it clear that he was either the city lord's son or a prince.
He looked around twenty-five years old.
In front of him, on another chair, sat a beautiful woman — the same one Snehwal had seen at the city gate.
There were two shiny rings on her thin fingers.
Her sky-blue dress, pearl jewelry, and naturally pink lips made her look almost otherworldly.
Her skin was so clear and bright that anyone would stop to look at her.
Her body was perfectly shaped, so much that her clothes seemed too tight for her.
On the table between them were two cups and a jug.
It was easy to guess what was inside — the young man's slurred voice showed he was drunk.
He looked at Snehwal and said,
"You have to take care of this beauty… as her servant. That will be enough, right?"
Snehwal thought,
"He's giving me work without asking anything? Something is strange here."
The woman smiled and said,
"I like cultivators… and the prince already knows my choices."
She stood up slowly and came near Snehwal.
Leaning close to his ear, she whispered,
"What stage of cultivation are you at?"
Snehwal took a small step back and said,
"Second stage."
The woman took a deep breath and smiled proudly.
"If you can meet my expectations… I can weigh you in gold coins."
Behind her, the city lord's son — the prince of Kankal — stood up.
He stumbled a little, and the woman quickly held his hand to support him.
"Careful, my prince," she said softly.
Snehwal smiled to himself —
"I've never seen flattery like this before."
The prince staggered toward Snehwal and said,
"If anything happens to the lady, you're finished, understand?
And remember your place — you're just a servant.
You'll get a hundred gold coins every month."
Without showing any expression, Snehwal bowed his head in agreement.
As the prince was leaving, he tried to kiss the woman's lips,
but she gently pushed him away.
The prince smiled, turned toward the door, and said,
"Tonight… should be beautiful."
When he left, silence filled the room.
But on the woman's face, a faint sadness appeared —
as if behind her smile, something broken was quietly hidden.
The woman looked at Snehwal quietly for a while.
Then she raised her eyes and asked softly,
"What's your name?"
Snehwal replied in a calm voice,
"My name… is Snehwal."
A faint smile appeared on the woman's face.
She said,
"Snehwal… means a man who loves — one who shows affection."
Snehwal smiled slightly too and quickly took the chance to speak.
"My lady, if this servant pleases you even a little, then I'm ready to do anything for you."
The woman laughed inwardly — a soft, sweet laughter that never reached her lips.
In her mind, she thought,
"A perfect, innocent fool… looks like this one will be the perfect sacrifice."