Garion stood from his chair and brushed his hands together once.

"Alright," he said calmly. "We're done here. Let's go."

Dahlia straightened immediately, rolling her shoulders as if she had been waiting for that exact word.

Arden pushed his chair back and stood, while Dion picked up the remaining wine bottle out of habit, hugging it to his chest like a treasure.

Eliza rose quietly without a sound, already positioning herself slightly behind Garion.

Before taking another step, Garion turned back.

His gaze settled on Velgon.

"You're an information broker," Garion said, voice steady. "You've already earned plenty from us today."

Velgon smiled politely, folding his hands together. "I did. Very generous customers."

Garion's eyes narrowed just a little.

"Then listen carefully. Don't spread anything about us. Don't dig into us. And don't send people to follow us."

The room went quiet for a breath.

Velgon tilted his head, as if thinking it over, then smiled wider. "Of course. I wouldn't dare."

Garion watched him for a second longer, then gave a small nod. "Good."

He turned away. "Let's leave."

The disciples followed him without hesitation.

Dahlia was the last to step through the door, throwing Velgon a sharp look before closing it behind her.

The private room fell silent.

Then Velgon laughed.

It was soft at first, then grew louder as he leaned back in his chair.

He lifted one hand and flicked his fingers casually.

The shadows near the wall rippled.

A figure stepped out, half-formed, face hidden beneath a dark hood.

"You called?" the figure asked quietly.

Velgon's smile did not fade. "Yes. We have interesting guests."

"What do you want me to do?"

Velgon rested his chin on his hand. "Spread word of them to the higher demons. Quietly. Carefully."

The figure hesitated. "And the others?"

Velgon's eyes gleamed. "Send a few groups to observe them. Not to interfere. Just watch."

The shadow chuckled. "You're ignoring your promise."

Velgon laughed again. "Promise? I sell information. That is who I am."

He leaned forward slightly. "Those foolish otherworlders really think a warning would stop me."

"What if they find out?"

Velgon shrugged. "Then I'll deal with it. Until then, their secrets are worth far more than their anger."

The shadow bowed once and melted back into the darkness.

Velgon remained seated, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk. "This city is going to get very interesting."

---

Outside, the noise of the demon city swallowed the group again.

Dahlia walked closer to Garion, lowering her voice. "Master."

Garion glanced at her. "Yes?"

She frowned slightly. "You know he won't keep quiet. He's a demon information broker."

"I know," Garion replied calmly.

Dion blinked. "Then why did you warn him?"

Arden looked confused as well. "Yeah. That felt… pointless."

Garion stopped walking.

The disciples halted with him.

He turned around, hands in his pockets, a small grin on his face. "Because now I have a reason."

"A reason?" Dahlia repeated.

Garion nodded. "A reason to deal with him later without feeling bad."

Dion stared for a moment, then burst out laughing. "That's it?"

Eliza covered her mouth slightly, eyes curving with quiet amusement.

Arden sighed. "Master, that's terrifying."

Garion shrugged. "He's useful. For now. When he stops being useful, I'll break him."

Dahlia snorted. "You really think far ahead."

Garion smirked. "That's how you stay alive."

The group resumed walking.

---

Malreth sat on his throne of black stone, one clawed finger tapping against the armrest in a slow, impatient rhythm.

His crimson eyes glowed faintly as he stared down at the kneeling assistant below him.

"…Say that again," Malreth said calmly.

The assistant swallowed and lowered his head further.

"My lord. We sent three scouting groups toward the newly activated Demon Gate."

Malreth leaned forward slightly. "And?"

"And… none have returned."

The tapping stopped.

Malreth's eyes narrowed. "None?"

The assistant nodded, sweat forming along his temples. "Not a single one. No signals. No survivors. Not even corpses drifting back."

Silence filled the chamber.

Malreth slowly stood up.

The stone floor cracked under his weight as he rose to his full height. "Interesting," he muttered.

He walked down the steps, each heavy step echoing through the hall.

"So the gate connects to a world strong enough to erase my scouts completely."

The assistant hesitated. "My lord… Could it be a high-level human world?"

Malreth snorted.

"Humans?" He waved one hand dismissively.

"If they were ordinary humans, they would have died the moment demonic mana touched them."

He turned sharply. "Then tell me this. If that world is strong, why was the gate sealed for so long?"

The assistant opened his mouth, then closed it again. "I… I don't know."

Malreth's claws dug into the stone railing beside him. "There are only two possibilities."

He raised one finger. "Either that world recently grew stronger."

He raised a second finger. "Or they were always strong and simply waited."

His lips pulled into a greedy smile. "Either way, that means profit."

The assistant flinched. "Profit… my lord?"

Malreth laughed softly.

"If a strong world exists on the other side, then its bodies, souls, artefacts, and techniques are worth far more than this entire outer region."

He paced slowly. "And if they sealed the gate before, it means they feared us. Fear creates hesitation. Hesitation creates opportunity."

The assistant hesitated again. "But… none of our scouts returned. Should we… be cautious?"

Malreth stopped walking and looked down at him.

"Cautious?" he repeated.

His aura surged, pressing the assistant flat to the ground. "Do you know why I sit on the High Council?"

The assistant struggled to breathe. "B-because… you are strong, my lord."

Malreth smiled. "No. Because I am greedy."

He lifted his foot, easing the pressure slightly. "Greed drives progress. Greed takes risks. And greed never waits."

He turned away. "If my scouts died, then they were weak. That only means the rewards are higher."

The assistant coughed. "Then… what are your orders?"

Malreth's eyes gleamed. "We need more information. Not more sacrifices."

He waved his hand sharply. "Summon Drazhul."

The assistant nodded quickly. "Yes, my lord."

"And Xavira," Malreth added. "I want both of them here."

The assistant froze. "Both… High Councillors?"

Malreth chuckled. "If this gate truly leads to a powerful world, I can't do it alone."

His smile widened, sharp and hungry. "Let them taste the bait. Let them commit resources."

He looked toward the distant pulse of the Demon Gate, far beyond the city walls.

"And when we find out who is on the other side," Malreth whispered.

"I will decide whether to harvest them… or devour everything myself."

The assistant bowed deeply, fear clear in his shaking shoulders, and hurried out of the hall.

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