Noah followed Mistress Elena into her private chambers, which consisted of a lavish sitting room, a grand bedroom, and two bathrooms adorned with elegant fixtures.
As soon as he stepped inside, he recognized the room as the one they had first arrived in the previous day—her sitting room. The familiar dark velvet drapes and luxurious furnishings gave the space an air of power and decadence.
It was Elena's domain, and the atmosphere reminded him of the authority she wielded over everyone within her reach.
Elena gestured for him to take a seat, and he obliged, settling into the comfortable chair opposite hers.
She sank gracefully into her seat, crossing one leg over the other as she regarded him with a curious expression. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment before she spoke.
"So, tell me, Zeph," she began, her tone light but laced with curiosity, "what exactly were you doing before I found you… lost?"
Noah kept his expression steady as he answered, "I was searching for the library, Mistress. There's something I needed to look up regarding a particular demon race." He shrugged lightly. "But somewhere along the way, I lost track of where I was."
Mistress Elena raised an eyebrow, an amused smile playing on her lips. "Lost track, did you?" she echoed, her voice soft with amusement. "I suppose some of those missing memories must have affected your sense of direction as well."
He nodded, but before he could offer any further explanation, she dismissed the topic with a wave of her hand and leaned forward slightly. "In any case, there's something I need to discuss with you," she said, her tone shifting to a more serious one. "There's another banquet coming up."
Noah's muscles tensed involuntarily, his jaw tightening as memories of the previous incident surfaced. He remembered the banquet that had led to his predecessor's death—Zeph's death.
Elena had been invited to that gathering but had sent her Incubus in her place. The banquet had turned into a slaughter, with Zeph among the casualties. And now, Noah was living in the body that once belonged to him.
Mistress Elena seemed to notice his reaction, and her eyes softened, though her smile remained. "Relax," she said gently. "This banquet has been thoroughly verified. There will be no such… complications as last time." She gave him a reassuring nod, as if that would be enough to dispel his doubts.
"Verified how, Mistress?" Noah asked, his voice tinged with skepticism. He wasn't eager to walk into another death trap, especially not so soon after narrowly escaping the last one—albeit in a different body.
She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she spoke. "The banquet is being held in a reputable part of the city, just a short distance from here. It will take place in one week's time," she began, her tone calm and measured. "The purpose of the gathering is to decide who will be named the next Champion of the city."
Noah's curiosity stirred at the term "Champion." He raised an eyebrow. "Champion of the city?" he repeated. "What exactly does that entail?"
Mistress Elena's eyes sparkled with interest as she elaborated. "The event is a competition designed to find a replacement for a recently deceased Demon Noble—a high-ranking individual in the city's hierarchy. Each higher-up in the city will nominate one candidate to participate in the contest. The competitors will fight for the top position, and the winner will earn the title of Champion."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "And with that title comes a rank equal to the other Demon Nobles—a seat of power, influence, and recognition, like mine."
The implications of what she was suggesting slowly dawned on Noah and he finally understood why she had so many maids among other things.
This was no ordinary event; it was an opportunity to claim a significant position within the demonic hierarchy. For a moment, the idea intrigued him.
He had spent his previous life striving for power to protect those he cared about. Now, he was being offered a chance to seize it in a different form.
However, he also remembered how the previous banquet had ended in bloodshed. The memories still weighed heavily on him. He opened his mouth to decline, but before he could speak, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
Ding!
[New Mission: Compete in the Banquet to Become the City's Champion!]
[Objective: Participate in the competition and claim victory. Rewards: 300 Satisfaction Points, +10 to all attributes, 1x Mid-Grade BloodSpite Gem. Penalty for Failure: Unknown Consequences.]
Noah's heart sank as he read the notification. He clenched his fists subtly, hiding his frustration. The system wasn't giving him a choice. Now that it had assigned the mission, he had to see it through, whether he liked it or not. There was no telling what the penalty for failure would be, and he had no intention of finding out the hard way.
Mistress Elena observed him closely, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Judging by your expression," she said, "I take it you've received some… encouragement to accept my proposition?"
Noah forced a polite smile. "It seems I have, Mistress," he replied. "If this banquet is indeed as secure as you say, then I will gladly represent you."
"That's what I like to hear," she purred, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "But know this, Zeph," she added, her gaze narrowing. "I am sending you because I expect results. I've invested too much in you to accept failure. If you win, you will not only earn the title of Champion but also bring prestige to my name. Consider it an opportunity to repay me for saving your life."
He bowed his head slightly. "I understand, Mistress. I won't let you down." But inwardly, he wondered if he had any real choice in the matter. The system had bound him to the mission, and Mistress Elena's expectations were an added weight on his shoulders.
She rose from her chair and walked over to him, placing a hand under his chin to lift his gaze to hers. "Good," she whispered, her voice as soft as silk. "Remember, Zeph, you're not just competing for yourself. You're fighting for me, and that should be motivation enough." She released his chin, her touch lingering for a moment.
Noah met her gaze and nodded. "Yes, Mistress. I will win." His voice was steady, though a knot of uncertainty tightened in his gut. He had never backed down from a challenge before, and he wasn't about to start now. But the stakes had never been so intertwined with both the whims of his system and the demands of a powerful demoness.
Mistress Elena gave him a final nod and turned away, signaling the end of their discussion. "Very well," she said. "Prepare yourself, and do not disappoint me. You may leave now." With that, she gestured toward the door.
Noah stood and bowed respectfully before exiting the room. As the door closed behind him, he took a deep breath. His mind was already racing, formulating strategies for the upcoming competition. It was an opportunity to gain strength, influence, and a foothold in this new world—if he could survive it.