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Bane’s heart is pounding as he leans against a solid pillar. Blood has spilled into his left eye, forcing it shut, and his left arm hangs limp. His right hand, however, continues to hold his dagger close to his chest. This grim scene starkly contrasts the scenario he had envisioned when he was assigned to assassinate the Hero, who was rumored to be resting in a nearby human town.

From the start, he sensed trouble. The Hero wasn’t resting in a cozy inn but holed up in a rundown building set uncomfortably far from the town. This suggests the Hero might have been planning for this all along. Despite the ominous signs, Bane couldn’t ignore the presented opportunity. The Hero was alone, without his party, and away from prying eyes - it seemed to be the perfect moment for Bane to strike.

But his hopes were crushed. He had walked into a trap. His knack for blending with the shadows did little to save him from the Hero’s brutal assault, pushing Bane close to death. He can’t die here, not like this, not before he can pay her back! Desperate, Bane comes up with a new idea. Since the assassination attempt has failed, he needs a different approach.

After drawing one last breath, Bane steps out from the concealment of the pillar and faces the Hero, who is standing in wait.

“Finally admitting defeat?” The Hero’s voice cuts through the tense silence.

With a determined effort to steady his racing heart, Bane raises his eyes to meet the imposing figure of the Hero. Each step toward the towering figure feels laden with impending doom, yet he forces himself to keep moving. The Hero remains eerily motionless, a statue carved from anticipation. Once Bane is within striking distance, he unveils his final gambit. His dagger whistles through the air, disappearing into the Hero’s shadow.

“Shadow lock!” Bane’s voice echoes ominously.

Almost instantly, Bane dissolves into his own shadow, rematerializing moments later on the ceiling above. With deft fingers, he draws the poison-tipped knife hidden near his heel. The Hero should be frozen in place now, vulnerable and motionless, as Bane plummets toward him. But a chill seizes Bane’s heart as he sees the Hero crane his neck upwards, his hand snaking out to catch Bane mid-fall by the throat. Bane tries to overcome his instinctual fear, plunging the knife towards the Hero’s arm, only to be thwarted by the Hero’s protective shield.

His efforts seem futile, but he has no other choice. He strikes again and again, each desperate attempt more frantic than the last. His sight is starting to dim, yet he fights on, spurred by a stubborn determination to bring down the Hero. Just as the encroaching darkness threatens to swallow him, Bane takes a deep, ragged breath. He blinks, disoriented, his mind sluggishly waking up to find his body sprawled on the floor.

Looking up, the Hero looms over him, looking down at him with that dead expression.

“I recognize that look,” the Hero begins, his voice heavy with an unspoken past. “Cold, calculated, and most importantly, a facade. Return home. I won’t be your excuse for not being there.”

With that, the Hero exits the building, leaving Bane in solitude and darkness. Bane grinds his teeth together in frustration. This can’t be the end! No matter how bleak the situation seems, he must slay the Hero! Then, and only then, will Daisy be free from the worry of money. Bane slowly picks himself up off the ground, each movement sending a jolt of pain coursing through his body as he returns to the demon realm.

He makes a silent vow. He will kill the Hero, even if it’s the last thing he does.

---

The last few days have been peculiar, to say the least. I’ve spent more time with Princess and Shadow as we await my upcoming meeting with Lacey. Yet, amidst this routine, some things have noticeably shifted. For starters, I’ve barely caught sight of Azure or Lilith in recent times. From a distance, I’ve observed Lilith engrossed in her rigorous training routine, but the intensity seems to have ramped up several notches. I can’t help but wonder if there’s something more fueling this fervor.

As for Azure, I can’t say for sure. Princess occasionally drops in to check on her but offers no explanation for what Azure’s been up to or why she’s avoiding me. I have various ideas on what it could be, but mostly believe she’s just exhausted. After all, Princess is here, and she’s probably been reflecting on all the humans I’ve killed. I know she thinks I’m playing a game, but perhaps what she saw that day made my intent clear.

But none of these things compare to Bane... Where the weasel was always out of sight, I began to notice him from the corner of my eye. I’ve caught him leaning casually against a pillar as I pass by or trailing behind me at a safe distance. It doesn’t seem like he’s watching me, nor does it feel like he’s plotting a surprise attack. I am genuinely at a loss for what has spurred this change.

I wonder if perhaps he wants to talk to me? As much as I’d like to mulling over this question, it must wait. Right now, I’m on my way to assist Lacey with her mission, and that takes precedence. Having already said my farewells for the time being, I find myself facing Lacey; her figure weighed down by a hefty satchel. It bulges with what I presume to be maps and charts, all crucial for the task at hand.

“Good morning, Lacey,” I greet, offering a casual wave. “I see you’re all set.”

“We have considerable planning left to do, which can only be done on site,” she replies tersely, a scrutinizing glance aimed my way. “Are we still doing this?”

“I’m a man of my word,” I say with finality.

“Then stand close,” she instructs.

Positioning myself next to her, I watch as she retrieves her staff, the polished wood gleaming in the sunlight. I observe as she begins a lengthy and complex incantation. The emerging sigils are indicative of a long-range teleportation spell. Unlike my divine magic, Lacey requires time to cast teleportation spells that go a fair distance.

The sight is mesmerizing though. Like a living kaleidoscope, I witness the magic circle under us come into existence, the colors morphing and shifting subtly under her magical control. Its allure extends beyond the spectrum of colors; the neat, immaculate lines are equally captivating. It’s a mirror image of Lacey’s personality, the exact blend of precision and characteristic imprint I would associate with her magic.

Subtle inconsistencies surface, hinting at her unease in my proximity. As the intricate pattern solidifies, the recognizable sensation of impending teleportation engulfs us, whisking us away to our destination. Upon arrival, our surroundings are harsh and desolate, punctuated by a smattering of mountains in the distance. If my intuition serves me right, we stand at the threshold of the dragon’s territory.

“So we’re starting with the smaller hole?” I inquire, my gaze drawn to Lacey’s freshly summoned table.

“No, Hero,” she corrects, her hands deftly extracting blueprints from her satchel. “Before we can begin, I require more measurements.” With a quick flourish of her staff, she commands, “Explosion,” and a small quarter-sized cavity appears in the earth. “Begin from this point, and measure the distance to the large crater within the dragon land. Meanwhile, I’ll gauge the dimensions required for this smaller pit.” As her eyes scan the horizon, I follow her line of sight to see a variety of demons pulling carts in our direction. “Ah, right on schedule,” she notes.

I shouldn’t be surprised she’s already this ahead of everything, but I’m still impressed.

“I should be back shortly,” I reply, summoning a magical thread with a simple command, “Leash.” The cord attaches itself to the new hole’s edge, a reliable guide as I tread toward the dragon’s domain. As I advance, I occasionally glance back at Lacey, engrossed in her paperwork and engaging with the newly-arrived demons—definitely a hard worker. I sigh to myself and get my mind back on track.

Once I get the measurements, I’ll quickly look around the dragon lands. After hearing the story, I want to take it all in myself.

---

I understand now why Lacey chose for me to take these measurements. Getting here took around three hours up an increasing incline that eventually became a sheer cliff. And that was me flying most of the way. If I had walked, I don’t doubt it would’ve taken nearly a day. While doing this, I afforded myself time to take in the surroundings. This place wouldn’t be a bad idea for a large-scale farm.

But, once I landed at the top, I realized that was unlikely. From where I stood, I could only see blackness as far as the eye could see. Crouching down, I brush my fingers on the ground before rubbing the material between my fingers. Ash. Likely from the fires and the attack Princess unleashed that day.

Focusing my eyes off in the distance, I can see what appear to be burned-down homes, but they blend almost seamlessly with the scorched earth itself. Just like when I heard that story from Princess, I couldn’t help but feel bad for Azure. This used to be her home, and now there’s nothing left. Shaking those thoughts off, I walk over to the large crater, and my eyes widen as I peer inside.

“Princess made this?” I say to myself.

This hole is on par, if not larger than the one in New Mexico. The craziest part is that it’s almost full to the brim with crystal clear water, undisturbed for years, if not decades, and it shows. Little alien-looking fish of varying sizes swim about. I move closer before looking down at my leash, sensing the distance between the starting point, precisely one hundred miles on the mark.

There’s not much else for me to do here right now, so I teleport back to Lilith and find she’s well underway. Various demons are marking the ground, which I assume will be my guide when I make the hole. She’s still focused while she writes down various things as I approach.

“It’s exactly a hundred miles.”

“Just what I was hoping for,” she mutters, rising to meet my gaze. “We’re still making the guidelines. Feel free to occupy yourself as you wish in the meantime.”

“Very well.” I take a seat at the table she’s currently working on. “What is your Pride like?”

Since all this work started, I see her flinch as she looks up at me.

“Pride? As in?”

“Your group, people, clan. That’s what a lion’s group is called, isn’t it? A Pride?”

Her expression turns grave as she fixes her gaze on me, holding it for a moment or two before returning her attention to the papers before her. I can only surmise that, just like the term ‘dog’ for the canines, ‘Pride’ is a deeply personal term known only to the Lions.

“Like any other clan. We live day by day. Regrettably, the oldest of us are only concerned with preserving what little they have, never aspiring for more. I’m the only one of my generation who yearns for change. I care not for this war so long as we can find our own peace.”

“I expected as much,” I acknowledge. “So, let me be blunt for a moment. Once we’re done here, what will your opinion of me be?”

“That certainly is blunt.” She straightens up, her gaze drifting towards the sky as she taps her chin thoughtfully. “To be honest, I’ll remain puzzled. By providing us with a means for food and water, you’re only prolonging the conflict far beyond what was previously possible. What do you stand to gain from that? Nothing, on the surface.” She then returns her gaze to me. “I can’t even begin to comprehend your true intentions, but I’m starting to suspect they transcend this war.”

“You didn’t answer my question,” I interject, glossing over that she’s partly correct.

“I suppose I would view you in a positive light, at the very least. But the question remains. Why do you care what I think of you?”

I smile at her. “A fetish, perhaps?”

She lets out an unexpected short laugh. “Well, I shouldn’t be surprised by that answer. Sooner or later, you’ll reveal your hand. It’s not like I could do much about it anyway.”

As she delves back into her writing, I observe her, studying her from afar. When you compare her to a magic greenhorn like Lilith, Lacey’s mana channels seem well-oiled and tuned, akin to a sports car kept in pristine condition through regular care. Her mana is on par with the likes of Princess and Azure, yet there’s one fatal shortcoming when it comes to Lacey harnessing it. She’s too smart for her own good.

Even during our fights, she was calculating, ensuring every bit of mana was spent exactly how she wished. She never let herself be swept away by a tidal wave of emotion. But she’s oblivious to the immense power that emotion can harness. That’s why Lilith has such boundless potential—she doesn’t shroud her feelings; she channels them into her fists.

I get the same vibe from Princess, and it is likely how she was able to muster up so much power to stop Azure all those years ago. It also explains why I’m painfully aware that, were Azure not so hell-bent on suppressing her emotions... I’d be powerless against her. Even with my divine blessings, Azure’s strength eclipses mine.

I didn’t understand why she held back whenever we fought, but it clicked after hearing the tale from Princess. It’s small, but I know I have to bring out all of their potential for my goals to be met. Only then can I find the peace I wish for.

“We’re ready,” Lacey’s voice breaks my train of thought.

Brought back to reality, I notice that the sun has made some progress across the sky. I’d been engrossed in my contemplations longer than I’d realized. I hoist myself up and stride towards Lacey, who’s busy studying the marked expanse of terrain. It’ll undoubtedly be a sizable crater, but still pale in comparison to the one Princess left behind.

“You want me to carve this out?”

“Who else but you could manage that?” Lacey returns, tracing the crater’s circumference. “This should be large enough to house a decent portion of the water from the dragon clan. This will allow any clans in dire need to draw from it without worry of competition.”

“And what about preventing it from overflowing?”

Her lips curl into a smile. “I have that covered.” She strides back to her table and picks up a pair of beakers. “We’ll dig a channel from the side here,” she attaches a glass tube to one of the beakers, “Then link it to the base here.” She then connects the glass tube to the second beaker’s bottom, casting a spell to merge them. “This should ensure a self-regulating flow.”

With a swift spell, she fills the beaker connected from the bottom. The water spills into the other beaker until the water pressure halts any further filling past the tube. A chuckle escapes my lips— it’s reminiscent of those automatic watering bowls used for pets.

“Impressive.” It’s only fair to acknowledge her genius, considering this is likely a first of its kind in this world

“Now all that remains is making the hole,” she says, setting her beakers aside. “So, Hero. What do you need?”

I said I’d help by making the hole, but this will work perfectly for my plan. As I stroll toward where the crater’s heart will be, as I beckon her to follow me. She arches a brow in curiosity but tails me nonetheless. Once we reach our destination, I turn to face her.

“Arcane, Spiritual, Physical, Divine. I’m sure you know how each one functions, at least to a certain extent.” I start.

“All but Key and Divine,” she confesses.

“I trust you’ve grasped the gist of what I taught Lilith, yes?”

Lacey nods. “From my observations, she seemed to blend various styles in her casting.”

“Always so observant,” I compliment. “But, I believe there’s something you’re wrong about, regarding magic in general.”

Her face brightens with amusement. “Did we venture here for a lecture, Hero?”

“Something along those lines,” I note the subtle tension creeping into her stance as I approach her. “Allow me to enlighten you about the nuances of magic.”

She remains steadfast as I maneuver behind her and press myself against her. I sense her fur bristle in apprehension as I secure her hands from behind, our shadows merging into a single silhouette.

“Magic is much more than logic, Lacey.” I lift her arms into a one-person waltz. “It’s an intricate dance, a choreography of emotions. Close your eyes.” Hesitant, she does so, even though her body is as tense as when we’ve fought. “Logic may provide precision, but it drastically lacks power.”

“Emotion is dangerous. Controlling it allows us to cast without worry.” Lacey interjects.

Initiating a slow rhythm, I guide her in a dance. Gradually, she loosens up, if only to prevent herself from stumbling over her stiff legs.

“That’s why it’s all about balance,” I respond, taking a step with a twist that she follows seamlessly, despite her closed eyes. “I’ve always sensed your apprehension towards emotion while casting. It’s one thing to control it, but it’s another to let it control you.”

“Where is this headed?” she probes, frustration seeping into her tone.

“Think of the guidelines the demons laid out for the hole in your mind. I’m sure you can do that easily.” I keep my focus on leading our dance, conveniently sidestepping her question.

“Again, what does-”

A swift spin interrupts her as our one-person-guided waltz morphs into a duet. Her eyes remain shut, but her quickened pulse is palpable. The element of surprise has plunged her into uncharted waters, and no matter her proficiency, she can’t stifle her emotions in the face of the unknown.

“You needn’t trust me; merely follow my lead,” I declare. “Do you have the guidelines in your mind?”

“Obviously. Still, I don’t-”

“What spell would you use to make the pit?” I interject before she can regain control of the situation.

“Desolate. But you’re-”

“Answer me one question, Lacey. Why are you doing this?”

She looks caught off guard. “Why?”

“Yes, why are you doing this? The Lions have enough water to survive. This is pointless.”

Her jaw tightens, and her eyes, once shut, blaze open, a fire smoldering within them.

“Saving lives will never be pointless.”

“To what end?” I probe as our dance persists.

“Until everyone can live happy mundane lives.”

“Even though I’m going to kill every demon?” Like waking up from a dream, her eyes widen as she looks at me in shock. “Do I deserve a happy mundane life?”

Even with the whirlwind of emotions engulfing her, I can see her swallow hard.

“Yes... Yes, you do. This was never your fight, Hero. The fact you were brought here against your will is a travesty. You deserve better, not the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

...

That wasn’t what I expected to hear from her. I suppose I’ll concede defeat in this round. I pull her close and speak into her ear.

“Then take the first step in making your wish come true. Cast it.”

All at once, the tension she held inside her is released as her body relaxes.

“Desolate,” she breathes.

No sooner had the words escaped her lips than an arcane circle of unprecedented scale formed around us, the area enveloped in a blinding light that forced her eyes closed. When she dared to open them, I gestured towards the vast expanse below us as I kept her close. A gaping cavity lay where we once stood.

Lacey’s expression morphed into confusion as she attempted to process the magnitude of what transpired, but her energy started to wane. I flew us over to the crater’s edge and set her on a chair I conjured. This was uncharted territory for Lacey; releasing such potent emotion and mana likely sapped her strength. She was panting heavily, gazing at the hole in disbelief.

“Now, I’ll get to my part of the job,” I declared before leaping into the void.

She’ll need some time alone; in the meantime, I’ll establish the link between the two craters. I can only hope she takes my lesson to heart.

---

Lacey can’t remember the last time her mind was in such turmoil. Jumping from one idea to another so rapidly that she can’t even grasp the concepts she’s trying to comprehend. All her rigorous training, the countless hours spent studying the Hero, the eventual confrontations with him... All of those moments have dissipated, leaving her feeling an innocence and ignorance reminiscent of her childhood.

Something unadulterated and naive. For ages, she was trained to govern her emotions. She’s witnessed first-hand the catastrophic consequences of a mage losing control. That fear was the leash that kept her in check. Yet, here she sits, staring at a crater far larger than she’d ever dreamed a third-generation demon could create. While it still falls short of the havoc the Canine leader wrought years ago, it’s still too overwhelming for Lacey to digest.

But before her mind could wander to thoughts of the Hero, the drone of rumbling fills the air. All the demons who’ve gathered to lend a hand start moving toward the crater to peek inside. On the distant side, Lacey spots a glint before a water geyser erupts and starts to fill the gaping void. Despite her exhausted mind, she can’t help but surrender to laughter.

Just as she laughed when the Hero demonstrated how powerless she was against his might, she chuckles at the speed with which he was able to bore the tunnel; while the water continued its relentless gush. Yet, there’s something more to her joy. Her laughter carries on until tears stream down her cheeks. She did it. It took an eternity, but she finally can assist the other clans in their struggle for survival.

Water is a simple element, but it carries immense significance. The knowledge that her intelligence could do nothing to alleviate the suffering of those dying of dehydration had been a heavy burden. But as her laughter dwindles and only a smile remains, Lacey rests her head in her hands and weeps. This won’t save them from the harshness of their world, but it’s a step toward making it a bit more bearable. But what has her shaken the most, is that she played a bigger role than she’d thought possible.