The Radiant Light - [English Version]

Zebraem: "This face... why does it look so much like hers?" (Thinking)

The sound of rushing footsteps approached. Zebraem quickly surrounded the girl with a layer of darkness, transforming her into a sphere, which he shrank down to fit in his hand.

A group of guards approached Zebraem.

Guard: "I apologize, Lord Zebraem. Due to negligence in guarding, a... a... person has escaped." (He spoke in fear)

All of them knelt on one knee and bowed their heads, sweat visible on their faces, showing how terrified they were.

Zebraem: "How many times have you let this happen? Do you wish to take their place in the cells?"

Zebraem: "Leave, before I change my mind." (His tone was cold, as if ready to kill)

The guards quickly left in the direction they had come from. Zebraem then walked toward a door, opened it, and descended the stairs. The girl, now trapped in the sphere, began to feel hopeless; she could see what was happening outside the sphere. That demon was taking her back to the hell she had just escaped from. If things continued like this, she... would die. As they neared the cells, a group of monsters rushed to bow respectfully to Zebraem.

.....: "Lord Zebraem. What brings you here? Dinner is about to begin, and we are hurrying to prepare it for you."

**Zebraem:** "I want to capture a few humans for a task."

Zebraem glanced at a cell and pointed to it.

**Zebraem:** "Transfer these two to that room."

The woman and man inside the cell trembled in fear. They screamed, begging for their lives. One of the guards entered and used a sleep spell on them, a creature with a flower-like head.

....: "We apologize for letting them disturb you. We will arrange this immediately."

Zebraem said nothing and turned to leave, while the guards breathed a sigh of relief. The girl, confused and anxious, heard the mention of dinner and didn't know what would happen to her next. Therefore, she couldn't pay attention to the fact that the two who were dragged away were the ones who had shared the cell with her before. After leaving that place, Zebraem went to a fairly large room. Inside, four people were seated around a round table.

Dande: "Lord Zebraem has arrived."

Diego: "What took you so long?"

Zebraem: "Apologies. I had a bit of business."

Diego turned to a figure standing nearby.

Diego: "Eago! Get the food ready."

Eago: "Yes, Lord Diego."

Zebraem sat down between Diego and a woman, opposite Dande and another figure. Dishes were gradually brought to the table. They ate while chatting.

....: "Zebraem, when you just walked in, I smelled the stench of the dungeon on you. What were you doing there?"

A large-looking figure spoke up; he had fangs and claws resembling a wolf, but a lion's mane on his neck exuded a royal aura. He was the one sitting in the third position to Diego's right during their last meeting before the gates of Renacer.

Zebraem: "I was looking for a few subjects to test my skills, Ralanka."

Ralanka: "HaaHaaaHa, a form of brutal torture, perhaps? Hey! Elena, do you think so? Our Lord always has a personality like that."

Elena was the girl with green leaves sprouting from parts of her body. She was petite, about 1.6 meters tall, and was sipping on a cup of rose tea. She sat in the third position to Diego's left during that meeting.

Elena: "Of course. If Lord Zebraem had pity on humanity, that would surely be the time for this world to end." (She smiled gently in response)

At that moment, the girl trapped in the black sphere within Zebraem trembled at those words, thousands of scenes of her being killed by the one called Zebraem flashed in her mind, filling her with despair.

Elena: "I'm really curious what his face would look like if he were forced to live with that human. Hihihi." (She covered her mouth and giggled)

Zebraem: "Spare me, Elena."

Elena: "Alright, I won't joke anymore." (She hummed and continued enjoying her tea)

Everyone shared a light laugh.

Ralanka: "How's your work going, Dande?"

Dande: "I'm doing well. After finishing a few days ago, I was called by Lord Diego for dinner tonight."

Ralanka: "So, you were called by Diego too? Me too."

Dande: "Could it be that Elena was called as well?"

Elena: "Indeed, I was. I was accepted by the Elf tribe as their protector, and I have a good relationship with the Apat forest. A few days after talking to the Elf elder, Yike, I was also called by Lord Diego to dine here."

Diego: "That's right; I summoned all of you here. There will be an important mission assigned to the three of you since you've completed significant stages in previous tasks, so you'll have more time than other Marshals."

Dande: "What is the mission, Lord Diego?"

Elena: "I want to know too, hurry up and tell us."

Diego: "This time, your mission is to act as ambassadors, leading a delegation to negotiate with the territory of the Dragon Tribe in the south."

Elena: "Oh, so it's about this."

Ralanka: "Do we really need three of us? Is the Dragon Tribe that strong?"

Diego: "Sending all three of you is not excessive; it's just right. The Dragon King is extremely fearsome. If anything goes wrong, you can support each other in retreat. The worst-case scenario is if you can't escape; you will definitely be captured or killed."

Dande: "I've heard rumors that the Dragon Tribe used to be descendants of one of the Four Holy Guardian Beasts. I wonder if that's true?"

Ralanka: "That giant dragon? It truly is terrifying. This is quite concerning."

Diego: "The descendants thing might be true. After all, only the Holy Beasts can produce descendants as powerful as that."

Elena: "Do you have a plan?"

Diego: "Of course, that's why this guy is here."

Diego said while placing a hand on Zebraem's shoulder.

ZZebraem: "Me?"

Diego: "Who else? Helm must be here for defense, and her situation is still unclear. You are the last Lord. Or do you want me to go in your place?"

Zebraem: "I understand. Keep it brief."

Diego huffed softly.

Diego: "You will depart next week. Just the three of you. In case of life-threatening danger from which you cannot escape, burn the Summoning Seal, and Zebraem will come as quickly as possible."

Dande: "He can't get too close, right?"

Diego: "That's right; the Dragon King will definitely know if he gets too close, so this is extremely dangerous. You must be as cautious as possible, understood?"

Ralanka: "Successful negotiations aren't necessarily a blessing, but failure will surely be a disaster."

Diego: "You should prepare too, Zebraem. I know this sounds redundant, but I want you to know this trip won't be easy."

Zebraem: "Alright."

Diego: "This dinner is concluded. You all go rest and prepare for the journey."

Elena: "Hey, hey, alright."

Ralanka: "Haizz, wanna go drink, Dande?"

Dande: "That works." (He bowed his head to say goodbye and left with Ralanka)

Zebraem left the dining area while a little demon was cleaning up, and he returned to his room.

Zebraem threw the sphere down, releasing the trapped girl. She seemed to have fainted during the earlier dinner.

Zebraem: "Awake."

He extended his hand toward the girl and cast a spell. She gradually regained consciousness. Upon looking up, she saw Zebraem sitting right in front of her.

Zebraem: "What is your name?"

Girl: "Ma...ma...ria." (She stammered)

Zebraem: "Maria?"

The girl nodded in agreement.

Zebraem: "Maria. I will let you live, Maria. On one condition. Make a pact with me."

Maria: "Make a pact... with a demon?"

Zebraem: "Hmph, yes."

Maria: "You won't eat me if I make a pact, right?"

Zebraem: "Correct. Demons do not lie. I will not eat you. I will also let you go. I will not make you a slave either."

Maria: "So, what do you want? People say demons are very cunning and deceitful."

Zebraem: "You have no choice."

Maria bowed her head low.

Zebraem waved his hand, and a piece of parchment appeared from a red flame in the air.

Zebraem: "Tell me your full name."

Maria: "Maria Edna Cilyranger."

Zebraem: "Maria Edna Cilyranger, drop your blood on this spot. This pact will be established."

Maria: "What does the pact entail?"

Zebraem: "The contents of the contract are as follows. Maria Edna Cilyranger will live and leave this place safely, both in body and soul. Unaffected by the spirit. Uncursed by the demons. In return, her descendants will always meet me at least once in their lives."

Maria: What do you want in the end?

Zebraem: Now then....

Maria: "Aaaaa" (Maria tried to scream but no sound came out)

Zebraem grabbed her neck and lifted her up. Her body was covered by a black aura, after a while, the aura disappeared and so did Maria.

Somewhere on land, a blonde girl gradually woke up.

Maria: Where is this, was what happened a dream?

She looked around in a daze, there were only flowers, the sound of flowing water and the gentle breeze. She had escaped from that hellish place, she had survived and returned.