The Damned Demon

The salty breeze whipped through the secluded rock as Lori's hiss sliced through the tension, a mix of accusation and alarm coloring her voice, "Ssss, are you planning to blow up my new house? How did you find out? I didn't 'coax' Krakie to build it for me sss…at least for the finishing part..." Her words trailed off into an awkward silence, her eyes darting to and fro from Asher.

Asher's expression remained the same, his voice steady, "It is for something I have to use in the Severed Realm. To be precise, on something the WHA are building right now," he clarified, his tone serious.

A sigh of relief escaped Lori, her body visibly relaxing as she shifted back into her usual, slithery composure, "Ssss, why didn't you just start with that first? But why ask me? As a king, don't you have expert alchemists to make this stuff for you?" Her voice tinged with a hint of challenge, questioning his unusual request.

Asher narrowed his eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he divulged his reasons, "Because this is top secret and I can't trust those who I don't know unlike you."

"Ohuhu, I didn't know you would have that much trust in me. Sigh, my charms can't be helped…" Lori sighed to herself as she tugged at the exquisite purple scarf around her neck.

"Also I heard from Isola that you not only love to read and research stuff but also make stuff like powerful bombs as a hobby. I know you never got much opportunity before due to the lack of resources you needed by living in that cave alone. But now I can give you whatever you need to build to your heart's content."

The promise of unrestricted creation lit a fiery spark in Lori's eyes, "Sssseriously? You won't mind me blowing up stuff here and there, then? For trial purposes, of course." Her voice was laden with excitement, the prospect of utilizing her long-suppressed skills a tantalizing opportunity.

"Of course, you can test them in a safe place. But this also means you can't waste resources. We are already pretty tight on them, and I am trusting you with them," Asher reaffirmed, a hint of confidence in his voice that made Lori briefly narrow her eyes.

Lori's grin widened, her enthusiasm undimmed, "I can't believe this. I can finally vent my centuries of stress and suppressed skills."

"It will be interesting to help you in that," came a mature yet melodious voice from the side, cutting through the conversation with the ease of a practiced diplomat. Both Lori and Asher turned to see Naida approaching, her graceful smile as serene as the wind, her long ruby red hair flowing behind her like a wave of fire.

"Ssss, aren't you that Valentine lady? What are you doing here? Can't you see that this charming couple is having a private discussion here?" Lori hissed, her displeasure evident.

She didn't like this unpleasant tension between Asher and this woman. Even this heady scent from her was ticking her off.

Did this brat sleep with her too? How much competition would she have to fight through? she wondered, her pique simmering just below the surface.

Asher's smile broadened at Naida's arrival, acknowledging her with a nod before addressing Lori's visible concern, "She will be joining you because we need her expertise to make a bomb that will be undetectable until it goes off," His words carried a weight of finality, signaling the importance of Naida's role in their clandestine project.

Lori's eyes widened, a flicker of irritation igniting within them as she hissed in a tone tinged with disdain, "Ssssss, you want me to work with her? I don't work well with otherssss. I prefer my own company, in case you didn't notice."

Asher released a tired sigh, his patience wearing thin against the backdrop of the urgent task at hand, "Then you have to because you very well know why I am asking this. This concerns the future of our world and not just our kingdom. So even if you like to work on your own, you can't build what I want without her help. Naida is the best expert in our kingdom when concealing something in plain sight."

Naida stepped forward with a gentle smile that made Lori shift her gaze toward her, "Please don't feel offended by my presence. I won't hinder you in any way, and it would be my pleasure to work with a wise and scholarly being like you," she offered, her voice a soothing balm to the charged atmosphere.

Lori's initial irritation ebbed away, mollified by Naida's earnest compliment.

She raised her head high, a semblance of regal concession in her posture, "Fine then. Since this brat is desperate enough to request this and for the sake of the world, I shall accept this for now," she conceded, though her tone carried a hint of reluctant agreement.

Lori had already heard from Isola what Asher was doing in the Severed Realm.

Even if Asher hadn't asked, she would have asked how she could be of help since this concerned the future of her bloodline as well.

Asher's lips curved into a smile, relieved by Naida's ability to navigate Lori's prickly demeanor.

However, his attention was abruptly diverted by a commotion echoing from beyond the rock. Curious, he stepped out to investigate, his expression shifting to surprise as he encountered a striking figure approaching.

The young woman who approached had long silver hair that cascaded down her shoulders, and ghostly red eyes that seemed to capture and reflect the tumultuous emotions of the sea itself. Her smile was alluring, laced with mischief, drawing the eye almost as much as the bold chainmail outfit she wore. The outfit clung to her, provocative and barely sufficient, marrying rebellion and allure with a touch of noble elegance - a daring black chainmail ensemble hugging her lithe form. Delicate metal links encased her round, medium-sized breasts, teasing glimpses of supple pale flesh beneath, creating an irresistible harmony of defiance and sophistication. An enticing glimpse of her bare thighs peeked through the provocative armor design, fueling imagination and desire alike.

"Sabina? What are you doing here?" Asher murmured, his voice low, as he took in her daring ensemble and the nervous, almost scared expressions of those who followed in her wake. It was well known that the Thornes held dominion over these lands, their presence always a signal of significant happenings.

They must have gotten spooked to suddenly see her, especially dressed in such a provocative way that made even Asher feel a warm urge down there for a moment.

Sabina's smile widened, her eyes twinkling with an impish gleam as she stepped closer, the clinking of her chainmail punctuating each graceful stride.

Her voice, laced with playful accusation, broke through the morning air. "What kind of question is that, my charming husband? Why can't your consort come and see you anytime she wants?"

"I did leave you a letter that I would come by and see you soon," Asher replied, his tone a mix of helplessness and exasperation, as he shook his head. He shouldn't have underestimated the thickness of her skin to come out here in such a bold dress.

Behind him, Naida and Lori emerged from their rocky concealment, as if they also wanted to see what was going on.

Sabina opened her mouth to retort but paused mid-sentence as her eyes landed on the serpentine figure of Lori slithering into view. But her gaze hardened momentarily upon spotting Naida, who offered her a subtly knowing smile, sparking a flicker of killing intent in Sabina's eyes. She still hadn't forgotten what this old bat had made her see that day by getting into her head.

Refocusing her attention on Asher, Sabina's demeanor shifted back to one of playful mischief, "Husband, you can't tease your consort by leaving just a letter. If you want me to follow everything you wrote in that letter, I need you to follow me to continue our business."

Asher exhaled a weary sigh, his gaze drifting towards Callisa, who was still practicing in the distance, "I will come, okay? After a few hours."

Asher didn't want to break his word to Callisa about spending time with her.

Sabina's eyes narrowed, her voice carrying a teasing yet firm tone,"I think I left out the word 'now'. Or...we can continue our business here, starting with me undressing here," she declared, her fingers teasingly moving towards her chainmail.

"It's fine, my king. I can take it from here," Naida said as she looked at Asher with a meaningful glance, making Sabina seethe inwardly even more upon seeing this vixen try to steal the spotlight even in a moment like this.

"Ugh, just come with me now," Asher said, his patience snapping as he grasped Sabina's wrist and pulled her along. He knew she was crazy enough to undress here without caring about the people around.

Sabina let out a satisfied giggle, casting a mocking glance back at Naida over her shoulder as she followed Asher.

"Ohuhu, how interesting that crazy-eyed vamp is. Looks like I am not the only one who hassss competition around here. For a second I thought she wanted to kill you. Aren't you worried she might poison him against you? She's one of his consorts, after all," Lori remarked with a chuckle, her tone amused yet laced with genuine curiosity as she turned to Naida, finding fun in this drama.

Naida crossed her arms, her expression unflappable, her voice steady and calm, "There are a lot of people who want to kill me or pull me down. But I am still standing here, aren't I?"

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