As their meal drew to a close, Noah excused himself and made his way back to the library, eager to continue his research. He found comfort in the library's quiet, the shelves stacked with ancient tomes that held the secrets of this world.
He was also anticipating the arrival of his new favorite maid, the one whose persistent blush and sly glances had begun to amuse him more than frustrate him.
Only three hours after his arrival did she appear, balancing a tray of various dishes. She smiled warmly as she entered, and he noticed the effort she'd made with her appearance—her hair carefully arranged, her dress slightly more fitted than usual.
"Good afternoon, my lord," she greeted him, setting the tray down with a slight bow.
Noah raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "So, Aemia," he said, "did you spike my drink again?"
Her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink, and she quickly shook her head. "No, my lord. I wouldn't dare… again." Her blush deepened, and she looked away, clearly flustered by his teasing.
Noah chuckled, enjoying her reaction. "Good to know," he said, waving a hand toward the tray. "You can leave the tray at the edge of the table and sit down facing me. There are a few things I'd like to discuss with you."
She hesitated briefly, surprised by the invitation, but then nodded and took a seat across from him, folding her hands neatly in her lap. Her eyes flickered with curiosity and a hint of nervous anticipation.
Noah leaned forward, his expression more serious. "I'll be honest with you, Aemia. I'm still recovering from my near-death experience, and since then… I've lost some memories."
He paused, letting the words sink in. "I'm trying to piece things back together, and I'll need your help. Since you're the only one who's bold enough to approach me… I figured you'd be the best person to ask."
Aemia's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing as she absorbed his words. She looked down for a moment, clearly flattered, before meeting his gaze with a determined nod. "Of course, my lord. I'll do anything I can to help you."
He smiled approvingly. "Good. Let's start with where we are. I understand that Desmir is one of the major cities here, but I need more context."
Aemia's expression brightened as she launched into her explanation. "Desmir is indeed one of the major cities of the Demonic Continent. Though it's called a 'city,' it's more like an empire. Desmir is so vast it could hold two of the largest human kingdoms comfortably. Most demons spend their entire lives within the city's borders."
Noah leaned back, taking in her words. "Interesting. So, Desmir isn't just a city—it's a world of its own."
"Exactly," Aemia replied. "It's divided into sectors, each with its own function and population. Some sectors are devoted to training, others to trade, and others are heavily fortified for defense. Desmir is a true stronghold."
Noah absorbed her words, imagining the sprawling, labyrinthine city. "And the people here—there are ranks among demons, aren't there? I've heard of beings called Demon Nobles."
Aemia nodded eagerly. "Yes, my lord. The Demon Nobles are an elite class of demons who hold immense power. There are around two dozen of them, and they're ranked based on strength and… kills."
"Kills?" Noah repeated, his curiosity piqued. "So they're judged by how many lives they've taken?"
"In a way," Aemia explained. "Each Demon Noble's rank depends not only on their own kills but also on the kills of those who serve them. If you are loyal to a Demon Noble, every victory you achieve in battle adds to their tally. It's a system that rewards both individual strength and loyalty."
Noah's gaze sharpened, intrigued by the implications. "And where does Mistress Elena rank among the Nobles?"
Aemia's expression turned slightly more serious. "Mistress Elena is ranked third among all the Demon Nobles. Her power and influence are almost unmatched. Only two Nobles stand above her, and they hold their ranks through both fear and sheer, terrifying strength."
Noah raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed. He had known that Mistress Elena was formidable, but learning that she was the third-highest ranked demon in Desmir put her power into a new perspective. "So, she's managed to secure her rank partly due to the strength of her subordinates. Quite a feat."
Aemia nodded proudly. "Yes, my lord. Lady Elena has carefully cultivated her power, and many demons are eager to fight in her name. Her reputation alone is enough to keep most challengers at bay."
"Reputation or fear?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Aemia's expression told him that there was little difference among demons; fear and respect were one and the same.
The maid's expression grew somber as she continued. "And then there's the banquet," she said, a hint of concern in her voice. "You should know, my lord… the competition at the banquet will be unlike anything you've encountered. Only the strongest are nominated, and they fight until only one is left standing. It's a brutal contest, and many participants don't make it out alive."
A grin slowly crept onto Noah's face as he considered her words. "Are you worried about me, Aemia?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
The question clearly caught her off-guard, as her cheeks flared red, and she quickly looked down, her hands fidgeting nervously.
"I—well, it's just that the competition is… dangerous, my lord," she stammered. "I only want to make sure that you're… prepared." Her voice softened, and she met his gaze, her eyes filled with sincerity.
He leaned forward, his smile softening. "I appreciate your concern, Aemia. I'll take every precaution. But tell me… have you attended this competition before?"
She shook her head, her blush deepening. "No, my lord. Only those in service to the higher-ranked Demon Nobles are allowed to attend, and even then, they only observe from the edges. The battles are fierce… merciless. I've only heard stories of the bloodshed."
"Stories?" he pressed, leaning in slightly to encourage her. "What kinds of stories?"
She swallowed, clearly uncomfortable with the memories. "They say… the ground is littered with bodies by the end. And that the blood that's spilled soaks the earth so deeply that it stains the ground permanently. The victors emerge covered in the blood of their opponents, having fought their way through some of the most powerful demons alive."
Her words painted a brutal image, and he understood why she was hesitant. But for Noah, the idea of testing himself against such powerful foes had a strange allure. He wasn't afraid of a little bloodshed—after all, he had experienced his fair share of battles before his life as an Incubus.
"Thank you, Aemia," he said, his tone softening. "You've been very helpful."
Aemia's expression brightened, and she offered him a shy smile. "I'm just glad I could be of assistance, my lord."
He leaned forward, his gaze lingering on her flushed cheeks. "One more thing, Aemia."
"Yes, my lord?" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked up at him.
"If I do well in this competition," he murmured, his voice low and suggestive, "perhaps we'll have cause to celebrate. After all, I'll need someone to help me… recover from the trials of battle."
Her blush deepened, and she bit her lip, nodding quickly. "Of course, my lord. I would be… honored to help you in any way you need."
Noah chuckled softly, amused by her reaction. He leaned back, releasing her from his intense gaze, and gestured to the tray of food. "Now, let's not let this meal go to waste. I'll need my strength if I'm to survive this so-called banquet."