The Damned Demon

Chapter 752  There's Nothing Left For Me Here

In the heart of Bloodvine Castle, Naida stood, her hand gently resting on her son, Jael's shoulder, her gaze softening as she looked at him. The weight of the coming trials settled heavily on her heart, but she tried to mask her concerns behind a calm expression.

"Son, you are going to face the biggest trial of your life," she said, her voice steady but tinged with worry, "I want you to survive this trial, not only for our House's sake but for your sister as well. She will need you as her brother."

Jael met his mother's gaze with unwavering determination, his hand resting over hers as he gave her a firm nod, "Mother, that is a given," he replied, "But is there any reason you are mentioning it like this? Is something wrong? Or is it because...he suddenly disappeared?"

Naida shook her head and gave him a reassuring smile, though a shadow lingered in her eyes, "I'm just worried about you two," she confessed softly, "I raised you and your little sister with all my love, and I would like us to all survive this as a family."

Jael's smile softened, his voice filled with warmth and certainty, "No matter what happens, we will always be together, Mother."

A flicker of pride passed over Naida's face as she cupped his cheek and kissed his forehead, "That's my beautiful boy," she murmured before stepping back, casting one last lingering look at him as she turned to walk away.

As she made her way through the grand halls of the castle, the warmth on her face faded. As she looked around at the vast space of the halls around her, her expression turned cold, hardening her features as she walked, her footsteps echoing in the silence of the stone corridors. She paused before the entrance, looking at the entrance just one step away as if giving it one last glance.

Just as she was about to step outside, a voice broke the stillness, sharp and insistent, "Where are you going?"

Naida froze. She turned slowly, her eyes narrowing as she met Vernon's gaze. He stood a few paces behind her, his face a mask of concern, though his posture was rigid, as if struggling to contain his emotions.

"I have to do something important for the sake of our king," Naida said in a nonchalant voice, her voice betraying no trace of hesitation, though a sharp edge lay beneath her words.

Vernon stepped closer, his brow furrowing as he approached, "Now? You know where he is?"

Naida tilted her head slightly as if she was truly puzzled, "Who said I knew where he was?" she replied smoothly.

Vernon let out a frustrated sigh and moved toward her, his voice low, his jaw clenched with barely restrained emotion, "Naida, I know the kind of relationship you have with our king. The only reason I pretended not to know was because I—"

Naida cut him off, her voice suddenly sharp, "Because you know you have no right to say anything. It's not like I was trying hard to hide it in the first place," she remarked, her indifference more cutting than any words could be.

Vernon's fists clenched at his sides, his chest rising and falling with tension as he faced her, "How can you say that to my face? No matter his status, how could you fall for someone younger than your son, let alone the king himself?"

"Why? Are you going to expose me? I didn't think so but you may do as you please," Naida said calmly as if she really didn't care.

Vernon clenched his jaw as he said, "I tried to love you as best as I could. But you just wouldn't give me a chance even after more than 150 years."

Naida raised an eyebrow, her gaze cold as she met his, "A chance? How convenient that you forgot all those years when we were young," she said, her voice like ice. "So many chances were presented before you while I suffered, and yet you only watched, because you were too much of a coward then. Even now, I see that same cowardly boy in you. You didn't even try to stop me despite knowing the truth. You were never capable of loving me, and I made my peace with it long ago."

Vernon's expression faltered at her words. He lowered his gaze, the weight of her sharp words sinking in. His chest tightened with guilt, but he couldn't find the words to refute her. All he felt was the sting of regret and a deep, gnawing pain in his chest.

Naida's voice softened, but there was no warmth in it, only resignation, "Just take comfort in the fact that I at least did my duty and gave you two beautiful children, even if you never deserved them. I have done everything I can to raise them well and ensure a future for them. I have given everything I have to this kingdom without expecting anything in return. There's nothing left for me here… not anymore." She sighed and turned to walk away, but not before casting one last glance over her shoulder, "Don't look for me and focus on surviving this war."

Vernon stood there, motionless, as she turned and walked out, his heart heavy with the weight of his own failures. The words she had spoken to him echoed in his mind, and the look on her face before she left was imprinted in his memory, haunting him. His gaze followed her as she disappeared into the distance, the feeling of helplessness gnawing at him.

He wanted to stop her, to ask her not to leave, but his voice failed him. All he could feel was regret and pain, knowing that Naida was truly gone from his life, and he had nothing left but the consequences of his actions or the lack of them.

—

The Wretched Lands was a desolate expanse of poisoned air and decaying soil, a place so inhospitable that no living creature dared to tread lightly. The air itself, thick with death and corrosion, could strip flesh from bone within hours of even a low-level Soul Devourer if they ran out of mana. But even here, in the midst of this barren hellscape, a ripple in the air appeared—an anomaly, a brief shimmering distortion that bent the very fabric of space.

An armored vulpini, tall and powerful, waved his hand at the space before him. The shimmering ripple deepened, growing larger as if beckoning him. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his heavy boots barely making a sound on the cracked earth, and disappeared into the mirage-like opening. In an instant, he was gone, swallowed by the fabric of the air, leaving no trace behind.

Nearby, hidden behind jagged rocks and the desolation of the land, Rebecca crouched low, her sharp eyes narrowed as she observed the strange occurrence. Dressed in dark leather armor and a black mask that covered her mouth and nose, she had been here for a while, tracking down the location Asher had described. She knew this place—the Wretched Lands. No one could survive here for long. Not even she could afford to be careless.

The deadly air, which corroded everything it touched, was an enemy in itself. It was only with the protection of her mask, enchanted with her mana, that she had managed to stay alive, though it still drained her energy. She could feel the slight tug at her mana reserves with every breath she took, but she didn't dare remove it. She needed all the energy she could save—especially for her son. Even if it meant letting her flesh corrode, she wasn't going to leave this place without saving her son. She knew he wouldn't last another day.

She had expected nothing less than a hellish wasteland, yet the sight before her—of the vulpini disappearing into the ripple—confirmed her suspicions. Asher was right. Kira had hidden herself well, somehow finding a sanctuary within this dangerous place.

Rebecca had believed it impossible for anyone, let alone Kira, to thrive here, but it seemed that this cunning bitch had found a way to survive in this toxic place.

All she had to do was find a way to get in there, and now she had an idea of how to do so!

-

On the other side of the ripple, the air was startlingly different. The oppressive weight of the Wretched Lands had been replaced by a lighter, almost serene atmosphere. The ground was rich with life here. Lush trees with leaves that shimmered like emeralds rose toward the sky, and the air was fresh—thick with the scent of flowers and fertile earth. Exotic fruits hung from the branches of towering trees, and vibrant plants crawled up the trunks and over rocks, creating a vibrant and thriving paradise.

A small but proud group of vulpins, their tails flicking with anticipation, gathered around a regal figure at the heart of this verdant oasis. She was beyond alluring—an embodiment of grace and strength. Her flowing golden hair cascaded down her back, and three golden, fluffy fox-like tails swayed behind her, each one pulsing with energy. Her long, pointy ears twitched slightly, the fur at their tips glinting in the sunlight. She wore a dark green robe that draped elegantly over her slender frame and her well-endowed bosom that defied gravity, giving her an aura of quiet authority and regal beauty.

Kira, their beloved queen, stood before them, her emerald green eyes flashing with purpose. She had heard the whispers from one of her own—a messenger who had brought word from the outside world. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

With a fiery glint in her eye, Kira raised her hand and silenced the murmurs of her people, her gaze sweeping over them with undeniable command. Her voice rang out with a curve of her deep red lips, "My people, it's time... The wretched Bloodburn Kingdom is going to fall, and we get to see it happen right before our eyes."