At the Ashen Fang Headquarters
A dark corridor stretched ahead, torches flickering along its walls. Deep within the corridor lay a chamber, furnished with ten chairs, nine of which were occupied. As Phantom stepped into the room, their leader, Azrael, immediately questioned him about Aurelia's whereabouts.
"Finally, you've arrived, Phantom," said Azrael.
"I'm back, boss," Phantom replied.
"But where is Aurelia?" Azrael asked.
"Oh, I let her go, boss," Phantom answered casually.
"What?!" Azrael exclaimed.
The once-quiet room erupted into chaos over Phantom's decision to release Aurelia.
"Are you an idiot, Phantom?!" Seraphina shouted.
Azrael instantly unleashed a thick, dark aura.
"I hope you have a good reason for this, Phantom," he said.
"The reason is that I found something even more interesting," Phantom smirked.
"And what is that?" Azrael asked.
"Do you remember the one Celestia has been hunting all this time?" Phantom replied.
"Yes, if I recall correctly, the person from another world, right?" Azrael said.
"That's right, boss. I just met him," Phantom confirmed.
"Really? But how does that relate to you releasing Aurelia?" Azrael questioned.
"When I met him, I sensed an incredibly strong aura of darkness within him," Phantom explained.
"You mean, an aura similar to mine?" Azrael asked.
"No, boss. This aura is even stronger than yours," Phantom said.
"Interesting... Someone with a darkness greater than mine," Azrael muttered.
"Not only that, but I also saw the Demon Queen, Grace, with him," Phantom added.
"What did you say? Are you sure?" Azrael asked, rising from his seat.
"I'm certain, boss. Even though she hid her aura, my instincts never fail," Phantom assured.
"Fascinating. Not only is there the Dragon Queen with an Immortal Dragon Core, but also someone with darkness surpassing mine—alongside the infamous Demon Queen, Grace," Azrael mused with a smile.
"Exactly, boss. And the reason I let Aurelia go is because I have a plan to bring all three of them here," Phantom revealed.
"Oh? Explain in detail," Azrael demanded.
Phantom proceeded to outline his plan to Azrael.
"Here's my plan, boss. We manipulate him into joining our group. As for Aurelia, we let her live for now, making them believe we've forgotten about her," Phantom suggested.
"Interesting... But what if he refuses?" Azrael asked.
"No need to worry about that, boss. Have you forgotten? We still have Lilith, our master manipulator," Phantom smirked.
"And what about Demon Queen Grace?" Azrael questioned.
"That won't be a problem, boss. She seems very close to that young man. They might even be husband and wife. If we get the husband, the wife will naturally follow," Phantom reasoned.
"You have a point," Azrael said, pondering.
"So, what do you think of my plan, boss?" Phantom asked.
"I like it, Phantom. If we succeed, we won't just obtain the Immortal Dragon Core—we'll also gain a powerful pawn and have the infamous Demon Queen in my grasp," Azrael declared.
"Exactly, boss," Phantom nodded.
"You heard that, Lilith? Get the plan in motion," Azrael commanded.
Lilith, seated in her chair, stood up.
"Hehehe… Finally, a new plaything for me," she giggled wickedly.
"Alright then, we'll execute the plan next week," Azrael concluded.
"Understood," the others responded.
And so, Phantom's plan to release Aurelia was set in motion.
---
Meanwhile, at Ryutaro's Home
Grace was in the kitchen preparing dinner while Ryutaro and Aurelia tended to the backyard. Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.
Knock, knock, knock
Hearing it, Grace made her way to the entrance.
"Who are you? Why are you here in a group?" Grace asked.
Standing before her was a silver-haired woman clad in church armor, with several soldiers behind her.
"Is this Ryutaro's residence?" the woman asked.
"It is. Why are you looking for him? And who are you?" Grace demanded.
"Forgive my rudeness. My name is Charlotte, an envoy of the church under Celestia's royal authority," Charlotte introduced herself.
"And what business does the church have here?" Grace questioned.
"We were sent under the orders of King Albert," Charlotte stated.
"Hah, him again? This is the second time he's come after us. So, what does he want now?" Grace sighed.
"I have been ordered to take Ryutaro to the palace—by any means necessary—and to free him from your control," Charlotte declared.
"Huh? Free him from what?" Grace asked, puzzled.
"From the brainwashing of Demon Queen Grace," Charlotte proclaimed.
Upon hearing this, Grace burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! Who came up with such a ridiculous excuse? Brainwashing, really?" Grace cackled.
"What's so funny?" Charlotte asked, annoyed.
"Of course, it's funny! Why on earth would I brainwash my own husband?" Grace smirked.
Charlotte's eyes widened in shock.
"What did you just say? Husband?!" Charlotte gasped.
"That's right. The very Demon Queen Grace you've been hunting—the cruel, merciless ruler—is me," Grace declared.
"So, you're the infamous Demon Queen Grace… In that case, there's no need to search any further!" Charlotte said.
Immediately, she signaled her troops.
"SOLDIERS, PREPARE FOR BATTLE!" Charlotte commanded.
"Yes, ma'am!" the soldiers responded, forming battle formations.
"Oh? So you want to fight? Fine, let's warm up then," Grace said with a smirk.
Grace unleashed her technique.
"DEMON EMPRESS GLARE!"
The moment her gaze fell upon the soldiers, they shrieked in terror.
"Spare me!"
"Stay away!"
"Mom, help me!"
Seeing her troops in disarray, Charlotte quickly cast her own technique to neutralize their fear.
"LIGHT OF VALOR!"
A radiant light burst forth, dispelling the effects of Grace's glare.
"Come to your senses!" Charlotte called out.
"I'm still alive?"
"Where's the monster?"
"Thank the heavens I survived!"
"Oh? So you can counter my glare?" Grace mused. "Then try withstanding this!"
---
Meanwhile, with Ryutaro and Aurelia
Having just finished planting fruit trees, Ryutaro stretched.
"Finally done!" he sighed.
"Yeah, I didn't expect planting to be this exhausting," Aurelia agreed.
"By the way, have you seen Grace?" Ryutaro asked.
"I think she's still inside," Aurelia replied.
Curious, they headed into the house.
"Grace? Where are you?" Ryutaro called out.
"She's not here… Strange, where did she go?" Aurelia wondered.
Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the area outside.
"Did you hear that?" Ryutaro asked.
"Yeah, sounds like a fight," Aurelia replied.
"Let's check it out," Ryutaro suggested.
"Right!"
As they stepped outside, they were shocked to see Grace locked in battle with Charlotte.
"Isn't that Grace?!" Ryutaro exclaimed.
"It is!" Aurelia confirmed.
"Who is she fighting?" Ryutaro wondered.
"I have no idea. Call out to her!" Aurelia urged.
"Got it!"
Ryutaro shouted, "Hey, Grace! What are you doing?!"
Hearing his voice, Grace immediately withdrew her power and turned toward him.
"Oh, darling! You're done already?" Grace said, walking over.
Charlotte, now seeing Ryutaro up close, approached as well.
"So, you're Ryutaro?" Charlotte asked.
"Yeah. And who are you?" he replied.
"I am Charlotte, sent by King Albert to retrieve you and free you from Grace's influence," Charlotte declared.
"Huh?!" Ryutaro was stunned.
What will happen if Charlotte learns the truth? And what awaits Ryutaro next week? Stay tuned for Chapter 11!
*If I made any minor mistakes that might be distracting, I sincerely apologize. I have done my best for this novel, and if you enjoy it, please consider giving it a like and sharing your feedback, suggestions, or criticism so I can learn and improve. Thank you for reading, and see you in the next chapter!*