Chamber of Scarlet Flames

The room glowed faintly with crimson light. Laisa sat before her mirror, still and regal, while her maids attended to her. One brushed her long hair with delicate strokes, another polished her nails, and two more worked on her legs, their every movement careful, reverent.

The door opened with a soft creak. A maid entered, bowing her head low. "My lady… Lord Veymar is here to see you."

Laisa froze, her reflection staring back at her with wide eyes. "Veymar? Here… to see me?" She turned sharply. "Are you certain it's Veymar?"

"Yes, my lady," the maid replied. "He said he has important news for you."

"Important news?" Laisa's tone hardened. "Very well. Let him in."

The maid bowed again, hurried out, and moments later returned—with Veymar walking casually at her side.

"Good day, Laisa," Veymar said smoothly, lips curling into a smile.

Laisa gestured for the maids to leave. They scattered silently, leaving her and Veymar alone.

She folded her hands, staring at him coldly. "What news do you wish to tell me, Veymar?"

Veymar's smirk widened. "It's about the recent mission Lord Azreal is taking."

"Mission?" Laisa frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh…" Veymar tilted his head mockingly. "So you truly don't know."

Her brow furrowed. "Know what?"

"Lord Azreal was given a mission," Veymar said, dragging out every word. "To investigate the situation in the world of the living. Humans… turning into infernals."

Laisa's hand tightened on her mirror. "That… is a troublesome case. But why was I not informed?"

Veymar chuckled. "That's exactly my problem too. All the Pillars know. Even Orvath knows. But you, Laisa? Left in the dark." He leaned forward slightly, voice dropping. "And that's not all. Lord Azreal is taking a group with him to the world of the living."

Laisa's eyes brightened. "Then that means I must prepare at once. I should have been told earlier—I would've arranged everything. Still… thank you, Veymar. For once, you're being considerate."

Veymar's grin sharpened. "That's… too bad, Laisa."

Her smile dropped instantly. "Why? What happened?"

"You're not coming along."

The words hit her like a blade. She stood abruptly, voice rising. "What do you mean?! You're lying. Lord Azreal would never leave me behind!"

"I thought the same," Veymar said with a mocking shrug. "But even the Pillars aren't going. Tell me, why would you?"

Laisa's lips parted, trembling. "…Even the Pillars aren't? Then who is?"

"The Six." Veymar's grin widened as her eyes flickered.

"The Six…" Laisa whispered. "I almost forgot. But why now? Lord Azreal could have used them later."

"My point exactly." Veymar stepped closer, enjoying every ounce of her frustration. "But the list doesn't end with them. It's quite long."

Her eyes narrowed. "There's still more?"

"Unfortunately… yes." Veymar tapped his chin, feigning thought. "Let's see… Lexi is going."

"Lexi? Orvath's student?"

"Correct. At least you remember her."

"Who else?"

"Hulk." Veymar's grin sharpened further. "And now… the final V.I.P of the mission. The one and only…" He leaned close, whispering, "…Aria."

Laisa's heart skipped. She froze. "She's going with Lord Azreal?"

"Of course," Veymar said smoothly. "It seems Lord Azreal chose only those he deemed useful. And in his eyes, Aria is more useful than you. Poor Laisa."

Her fists shook violently. "That's absurd! I'm far more important than that little ant. What can she do? She's weak, reckless—Lord Azreal has already been hurt because of her! I will not leave him alone with her this time."

Veymar chuckled darkly. "They won't be alone. The Six will be there. Hulk too. But you? No place on the list. Lord Azreal has already made up his mind."

"This is madness!" Laisa's voice cracked with fury. She stood abruptly, her aura flaring. "I'll talk to Lord Azreal myself. I will be part of this mission. I have that right."

She stormed past Veymar, heading for the door. "I'll go to the Royal Palace right now."

Veymar raised his hand lazily. "Wait, wait. I'll help you. I feel your pain, so I'll do you a kindness."

He snapped his fingers. A dark portal spiraled open.

Laisa stopped, then looked back at him, determination burning in her eyes. "…Thank you, Veymar." Without hesitation, she stepped inside.

The portal swallowed her whole, sealing shut.

Veymar remained, laughing under his breath. "This will be fun." With a snap of his fingers, another portal tore open. He stepped through, vanishing as it closed.

Moments later, Cassy entered the chamber, carrying a tray. "Lady Laisa, I brought—" She stopped, blinking at the empty room. "…Lady Laisa? Where did she go? I was sure she was here…"

---

Royal Palace — Throne Room

Lexi smiled. "Nice to meet you, Aria."

"Nice to meet you too, Lexi," Aria replied.

A heavy presence shook the room as Hulk appeared beside Azreal.

Azreal's gaze swept across them. "Now that we're all here, I'll explain the mission."

The chamber went silent. Every ear tuned in as Azreal spoke.

"As you all know, humans in the world of the living are turning into Infernals. I've been assigned to investigate the cause of this sudden transformation."

Aria's eyes widened. "That's cruel… I didn't think humans could transform into Infernals. Do you think Zarion is behind this?"

Azreal's tone sharpened. "Relax, Aria. I don't believe this is Zarion's doing. But why do you say that? Do you know something?"

Aria clutched her hands. "No… it's nothing. Just a thought."

Azreal studied her for a moment, then moved on.

"Once we enter the world of the living, we'll go undercover. We cannot draw attention to ourselves. I haven't decided on the roles we'll play yet, but we have one purpose—find the cause of these human transformations. Nothing else."

"Yes, my lord," the six answered in unison.

"Good. You'll remain here for now. Rooms will be prepared. Tomorrow, we depart."

"Yes, my lord."

Azreal turned to Hulk. "Escort them. Tell Nena to arrange their rooms."

The six and Lexi followed Hulk out.

Aria lingered, Arian floating at her side.

Azreal's eyes flicked toward the spirit. "You seem close to Arian. Keep him if you like."

"Absolutely not, my lord!" Arian snapped. "She's turning me into a taxi and a teacher!"

Aria shot him a glare. "What else would I use you for, if not flying? Stop whining."

Azreal shook his head slightly. "Aria, rest. Tomorrow we leave."

"Understood," Aria said before walking away.

Arian stayed behind, shifting into his true form. Fire coiled over his body as he hovered in the air.

Azreal's voice dropped. "What did you want to tell me?"

Arian's tone was serious. "My lord… Cain touched Aria today."

Azreal's expression hardened. "Cain and his antics again. He's fortunate nothing happened—or he would've regretted it."

Arian's eyes flared. "Something did happen. His ability backfired."

Azreal's head snapped up. "What do you mean?"

"He was burned alive by Aria's holy flames. The God's Mark rejected him—saw him as a threat. Her flames lashed out on their own."

Azreal's face darkened, shocked. "So the God's Mark is protecting Aria… It burned him because Cain's ability lies in corruption."

"Exactly," Arian said. "That's what it was. And yet, there's still much we don't know about the God's Mark."

Azreal leaned back. "I've asked Hermes to investigate it. We'll wait for his report."

"I see. Then I'll take my leave. Good luck on your mission, my lord." Arian vanished.

Silence fell over the throne room.

Then the door creaked open. Laisa stepped inside, bowed low, and raised her head.

"I am coming with you to the world of the living, Lord Azreal."

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