The Warlord's Carnal System

Before we knew it, the sun had long since set behind the western mountains, disappearing beyond the black spires that housed the Royal Palace.

Standing in the shadows, all four of us could do was stare at the tall towers and occasional buildings rising alongside them within the Starfall Estate, waiting for Ilya to appear.

The Starfall Estate hosted five families that governed the cathedrals and orphanages of SBV.

SBV was a corporation more than an organization, it appeared independent from any single family, running on aid and funds from the government, nobles, and merchants. But deep down, it was a known fact, one deliberately not hidden, that SBV was run by five families in secret.

And as if to flaunt it openly, the main branch of SBV, the Starfall Enclave, hosted the important branches of those five families inside its walls.

It was a testament to their unquestionable monopolization.

As long as these five families remained loyal to the royal family, they could get away with all kinds of deliberations.

"This is strange... she should've been here hours ago," Lydia spoke from beside me.

We were all leaning against a wall in a darkened alley. We'd walked in separate directions for hours, checking out various stores so as not to seem suspicious standing in one place together. But we'd finally ended up here by the time the sun set.

Lydia was right. The meeting should've been over long ago, and Ilya should've come here to discuss how we'd proceed.

Of course, I had a general idea of where the Saytan family estate was located and where the demonization was being carried out in its initial stages. But my knowledge was a century old and certainly didn't overlap with this point in time from my past life.

So we relied more on Ilya's fresh observations than my ancient, half-forgotten knowledge.

"True... maybe they're moving project locations? That would explain if the meeting ran long," I replied, hoping that was the case.

"I hope that's the case," the black-haired commander said quietly.

I watched the moon, which appeared more vibrant now that the last traces of orange had been enveloped by the dark blanket of night.

It would be a full moon soon. The moon was already almost fully round.

"Selka should be with Ilya, blended in the shadows. We don't have to worry too much about Ilya's safety," I said, understanding Lydia wouldn't stop worrying without some logical claim supporting Ilya's well-being.

Of course, that logic wasn't entirely foolproof.

The branches inside the enclave weren't the five families' main branches, but they were still important. Though I doubted there would be any stationed personnel who could go against Selka, a base Master I-tier awakened, I was sure there would be at least a few Master-grade SBV generals inside. After all, this was their main branch. Couple them with the families' own security forces...

Yeah. That would cause trouble for even Selka if she got stuck protecting Ilya from their clutches.

"Yeah... you're right," Lydia said, easing up slightly.

A fight like that would cause a loud commotion. Seeing as there was none, Ilya should be safe.

"We'll be done by tomorrow morning, right?" Sera asked. She stood between me and Merin, her voice small.

"Should be," I replied, glancing down at her. "Why? Feeling tired already?"

I wouldn't blame her if she was. Four days of continuous travel in wagons cramped with other prisoners, occasional labor between travels, all while hoping they wouldn't discover us being in consecutive batches. Trying not to stand out. Then today's journey in that cramped hidden space inside the wagon...

Yeah. For an unawakened like Sera, she'd already done way above her pay grade.

She shook her head. "No. I was just thinking that once we return to the castle tomorrow, I can have a good rest."

Yeah, Sera. You might not know this yet, but that's called being tired.

"Just bear with it for this one night," I whispered deliberately into her ear.

She flinched. A tremor passed through her body from the suddenness of it, my breath warm against the skin of her neck.

She smiled, blushing, as her palms pushed me back slightly.

"I see her! She's there!"

Lydia's voice came out a bit louder than we'd subconsciously planned on using.

We turned in the direction Lydia was looking from an adjacent building's roof.

It really was Ilya. She was far from here, but we could tell it was her.

But... wait.

Why was she moving away from the rendezvous point?

She looked... frantic.

"She confused the location. I'll go get her," Lydia said, already jumping down in one smooth motion.

But before she could leave, I grabbed her hand.

"Stay here and look after Sera. Run if needed."

Before she could respond, I turned to Merin.

"Protect them with your life," I said.

The collar activated at my command. Dread flooded Merin's face as she understood what that meant. If trouble arose, she couldn't run until she made sure the other two escaped first. She had to shield them with her life.

"I'll go get her," I said.

Lydia, still processing but understanding the urgency, nodded and moved to stand beside Sera.

I blurred across rooftops and buildings before landing in front of Ilya near a dark corner.

"Ghh.." Ilya gasped as I appeared before her.

Her hand had already moved to her sword's hilt, ready to strike at the sudden threat.

She was over the edge.

"It's me," I said calmly, before she could register me as hostile.

Her eyes widened in recognition.

"Did you forget the loc—"

I wasn't allowed to finish.

The next moment, Ilya pinned me against the wall after pulling me around the corner.

Her breasts pressed into my chest. My leg was awkwardly placed between hers, her tight skirt brushing against the fabric of my leg as she pressed me hard against the cold stone. Her tender lips, trembling, were near mine. Her eyes darted frantically around the dark spaces surrounding us.

Her index finger shot up, placed firmly on my lips, between hers and mine.

"Shh..." she whispered urgently.

Her breaths were ragged. Her sky-blue sword's scabbard had crimson streaks on it.

No. Not just on sword.

Her top had crimson streaks too, barely visible in the darkness.

Blood.

I stayed silent, letting her settle.

She slowly swallowed, not minding the distance between us at all. Her breaths eventually evened out as she clutched my shirt with both hands near my chest, gripping the fabric like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.

After she calmed down slightly and after I was certain there was no one near us, I finally asked.

"Where's the convoy? Where's Selka? Why are you alone?"

She took in a deep breath and looked at me with those still-horrified eyes.

"I sent Selka to tell Cass what we saw."

What they saw?

So Selka was safe. Good. We still had hope.

I braced myself before asking the obvious question.

"What did you see?"

Her eyes went dark. Her already pale face turned ghostly white as I asked the question.

She took in several breaths, her hands gripping more of the cloak's fabric tightly.

"The Emperor..." she started, her voice barely above a whisper. "The Emperor is... dead."