Jax's mind raced with possibilities. All of them involving revenge on a certain purple-haired menace who had conveniently shown up to "enjoy the show."

"Nerith, can we lock her up and scare her for a while? Until our discussion is over?"

Nerith blinked in confusion. "You know that girl?"

Jax's smile turned vicious. The kind of smile that made enemies reconsider their life choices. "Of course. Remember the student I mentioned? Oh wait, I forgot. You've met her before. In the carriage, right?"

Recognition flickered in her crimson eyes. "Oh yeah, her. The one you called your sister before throwing her out which then you told was your student." She paused. "But are you sure you want to do that to your own student?"

"Absolutely."

Nerith turned to her father. "Father, can we arrange that?"

General Ithris considered it for a moment, stroking his chin. "Well, if she's not actually suspicious and Jax knows her personally, then I don't see why not."

He addressed the waiting soldier. "Put her in the Detention Chambers. Don't hurt her, just..."

He turned to Jax for guidance, unsure how to proceed.

Jax leaned close and whispered with barely contained glee. "Scare her. Tell her you're going to boil her alive and eat her flesh. Say you haven't had arrogant demon meat in weeks. Anything that comes to mind. Just make her absolutely terrified."

Nerith stared at him with the expression of someone witnessing a war crime in progress. Who does that to their own student? What kind of teacher deliberately terrorizes their disciple?

Then she recalled how he'd shoved her out of the carriage with that theatrical act about being siblings. How he'd thrown money at her face and dramatically wept fake tears while pushing her into the street.

She sighed deeply. He really wasn't lying about being evil. Not even a little bit.

After her father relayed the instructions with some added demonic flair, the soldier departed looking slightly disturbed. The four of them settled back into their seats to continue the main discussion.

General Ithris leaned forward, his expression serious. "So let me understand this correctly. You're telling me you're abandoning my daughter, your wife, right after the marriage?"

Jax's expression hardened instantly. "I'm not abandoning her. I never will. It's just that I have things to take care of before I can live my life as I want."

He met the General's eyes directly without flinching.

"There are obstacles in my path. And soon, I will destroy everything blocking my way. Then I'll come back. Come back to claim what's mine."

Ithris studied him carefully, searching for any sign of deception. "I still don't fully understand. But I won't press further. However, are you certain you want revenge for your people? From the way you speak, I feel like there's more to—"

Jax cut him off before his mind could wander into dangerous territory. "I'm sure. That's exactly why I was here in the capital in the first place."

The General nodded slowly, accepting the explanation. "Can you give me any details about your village? Or the demons who attacked? I could help with that. My resources are considerable."

Jax smiled inwardly. Time to plant some useful seeds.

"I only have one clue. Nothing more."

He leaned forward conspiratorially.

"Those demons are planning something outside of the demon realm. I heard they're currently orchestrating something in the elf territories. They burned my village so they'd have a proper hideout. Our village was far away from prying eyes. Perfect for their operations."

General Ithris took time to analyze the situation. His brow furrowed deeply as the implications settled in.

"So those bastards are responsible for your tragedy as well."

Jax's eyes widened with feigned curiosity and hunger for vengeance. "So you know them? Tell me. Who are they? Where are they? What do they want?"

Ithris shook his head grimly. "They're still a mystery. An obstacle to the peace our Emperor and late Emperor sacrificed so much to achieve."

Jax couldn't hide his genuine confusion. "Peace?"

"Yes. For years, we demons have not shown dominance over the lesser races. In fact, our Emperor established a treaty that has held strong. We've sealed every void that leads to the mainland. Until now, we haven't detected any suspicious activity in those areas."

He rubbed his temples wearily.

"Which means these demons aren't using traditional pathways. Something feels terribly wrong. Either they've discovered a loophole in our defenses, or someone from the other side is actively helping them cross over."

His expression darkened considerably.

"In any case, we know almost nothing about them. Only constant reports of unauthorized entries into our realm. And now, with your information, it appears the elf village is their primary target."

He stood abruptly, alarm evident in his posture.

"This is grave. I must inform the Emperor immediately. If they create havoc there and word reaches Queen Ilythra... I fear a new world war will ignite."

Jax's mind drifted as the General spoke.

'Ilythra. The grandmother of Aeliana. The former queen who technically stepped down, though these demons don't seem to know that little detail.'

'Oh, she definitely knows about the invasion already. She's just staying silent because of my... session with her.'

He suppressed a smirk at the memory.

'She's probably pissed AND horny since I'm not around to satisfy her needs. Dangerous combination for everyone involved.'

'If things go south, I suppose I could interfere. Grab this family. Let everyone else burn. Eliminate one extra step for when I return after the game ends and reveal my true identity.'

His thoughts were interrupted by the General's voice cutting through.

"Are you certain this information is accurate?"

Jax nodded confidently. "It's not just information. I interrogated a member of their group personally. Got everything I could until his own comrade killed him from a distance. Silenced him before he could reveal more."

A good lie wrapped around real intel. Fair trade.

Ithris looked impressed by the initiative. "If you want to work with my team, I can arrange—"

"No thanks." Jax's voice was firm and left no room for negotiation. "I took an oath. I will avenge the fallen by my own hands."

The General still looked concerned. Baffled, even. "What's the maximum time before you return?"

"Eleven months. At most."

Ithris turned to his daughter. "Nerith, are you fine with that arrangement?"

She gave a nod accompanied by a gentle smile. Her trust in Jax was absolute and unwavering.

"Fine then." The General sighed in resignation. "If you need anything from me, just ask. And don't forget. I'm your father now."

Jax inclined his head respectfully. "I'll keep that in mind."

Then he added casually, as if discussing the weather. "By the way. Can you tell people I went missing? Kidnapped. Or perhaps murdered?"

Ithris nearly choked on his own breath. "We can't do that! An investigation would surely put us in trouble. And when you return, it will be even worse!"

Jax smiled calmly. "Don't worry. Just make the lie hold until I come back. Leave the rest to me when I return."

His mind calculated the possibilities with cold precision.

'In one month, I gained serious powers. Incredible buffs. In almost a year, I could become a god.'

'I'll claim Nerith as a human. There will be consequences whether I return as just a human or as a human bound to a demon. Either way, problems arise.'

'But I'm not aiming for either scenario.'

'I'll return as the god of this world. The most powerful being in existence. And I will show absolute dominance to anyone who dares cross my path with her.'

'As for being "missing," it's better for everyone involved. Instead of being caught in a lie about hiding me, they can pin the blame on the Arc Demon family. Perfect scapegoats for a perfect crime.'

Jax met the General's eyes with unwavering conviction. "Trust me, Father. It will all work out in the end. And I'm telling you again. I will never harm Nerith. I won't let anyone hurt her either."

His voice softened slightly with genuine emotion.

"I made a promise to someone about that."

He turned to Nerith's mother with a knowing look. "Right, Mother?"

She gave a warm, knowing nod. A smile gracing her elegant features as she remembered their conversation from before.

***

The Detention Chambers were attached to the mansion's outer wall. A convenient location for holding troublemakers and interrogating suspicious individuals.

Jax and Nerith walked side by side through the dimly lit corridor leading there.

"Aren't you being cruel to your disciple?" Nerith asked, genuine concern coloring her voice.

Jax smiled wickedly, anticipation dancing in his eyes. "You'll take those words back when you truly understand that menace."

They reached the chamber. Jax peeked through the small barred window eagerly.

Astrid was bound to the cold stone wall. Her fists wrapped in special restraints that prevented her from channeling magic. Her purple hair was completely disheveled, sticking to her tear-stained face.

She was cursing at the soldiers with impressive creativity. Threats mixed with desperate pleas. Fear evident in every trembling word that left her lips.

Jax liked what he saw. Very much.

He pushed open the heavy door and entered with Nerith following close behind.

Astrid's head snapped toward him instantly. Her eyes widened with the same hope that always appeared during her worst moments. The hope that her professor would miraculously save her from whatever nightmare she'd stumbled into.

Her mouth opened desperately. "Professor, please—"

The words died in her throat.

Because Jax had grabbed Nerith by the waist. Pulled her flush against his body.

And kissed her.

Not a quick peck. A deep, passionate, consuming kiss. Tongues intertwining hungrily. Hands holding her possessively against him. The kind of kiss that left absolutely no room for interpretation.

And it clearly wasn't forced. Nerith was kissing him back with equal enthusiasm, her arms wrapping around his neck.

Astrid's brain short-circuited completely.

Her jaw dropped to the floor.

Her eyes nearly popped out of her skull.

"What the FUCK?!"

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