Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Since they wanted to avoid causing any harm to Aether, they had to move cautiously. It meant their journey to the Teleportation Station would take longer, but none of them were willing to take any chances with his safety.

As they drifted forward, silence settled over the group. The quiet was thick, almost suffocating, until Sandra finally broke it with a question that had been pressing on her mind.

”So, who exactly is inside him right now?” she asked, her voice laced with curiosity, but also a hint of concern.

Dora inhaled deeply before answering, ”Well... The Ruler of this World.”

Sandraʼs brows furrowed in confusion. ”Wait. You mean to tell me that Mary isnʼt the true ruler?”

Dora shook her head slightly, her grip on Aether tightening. ”You see... Unlike other Empires, this one is different from the rest. On the surface, yes, Mary rules this place, and her authority here is absolute. However, this land does not belong solely to her. This place is home to countless wandering souls—those who walk the Path of Samsara. And the one who governs their fate is not Mary, but someone far more elusive... The Grace.”

Sandraʼs frown deepened as she processed the information. ”I knew this place was tied to souls. I also knew that something guided them, shaping their existence. But... The Grace? Iʼve never even heard that name before.”

She had long been aware of the strange presence watching over Aether—the ever-watchful ʼEyeʼ that harvested souls—but this was something entirely new.

Dora gave a small shrug. ”Itʼs not exactly a secret, but itʼs also not something people like to talk about. After all, how often do you bring up the dead in casual conversation?”

Sandra gave her a nonchalant shrug in response.

Dora chuckled softly. ”Exactly. Thatʼs why no one talks about her. Even those who have lived here for centuries rarely mention her name. Most of them donʼt even realize she exists. She almost never communicates with anyone, nor does she interfere in the affairs of the Empire. Itʼs as if she exists in the background, watching but never acting.”

Sandra nodded, slowly taking in the information. ”Then... why is she inside him? What is she doing in his body?”

Dora let out a long, slow sigh, glancing down at Aetherʼs peaceful, sleeping face, ”We have no idea. From the little weʼve seen so far, she might be communicating with him... or perhaps sheʼs battling him for control. Whatever is happening, we wonʼt know until he wakes up.” Her fingers instinctively moved to his cheek, giving it a soft, playful pinch. His expression remained relaxed, his breathing steady.

Even after everything he had been through, he looked so innocent in his sleep.

Sandra and Archpriestess both twitched, their lips pressing into thin lines as they resisted the urge to call her out for her actions. However, when they looked at Aetherʼs face, so serene and undisturbed after such an exhausting battle, they couldnʼt deny that he needed this rest more than anything.

Victor, on the other hand, sat quietly at the very back of the moving wave, completely unnoticed, completely ignored. To the rest of them, he might as well have been nothing more than the air around them.

Until Archpriestess finally glanced at Victor, then shifted her gaze toward the others before asking, ”So... he was kidnapped?”

Trying to be sensible!

What she didnʼt know was that Sandra and Dora were already aware of Victorʼs situation. On the other hand, Sandra and Dora had no idea that Archpriestess also knew about Victor.

So yeah... misunderstanding!

”O-Of course! He was kidnapped, and we came to rescue him,” Dora answered, her voice carrying a noticeable hesitation as she forced an awkward smile.

Sandra, playing along, quickly nodded as well. She subtly glanced at Dora, who returned the look before giving another small nod. Without another word, she softly guided their movement as they reached the outskirts of a nearby city.

Archpriestess studied their expressions carefully before giving a small nod of her own. Then, as if trying to keep up appearances, she suddenly offered, ”Maybe I should heal him too?”

Her voice was calm, almost too calm. It was clear she didnʼt actually believe Victor needed healing, but she had to maintain her act, didnʼt she?

”There is no need for that,” Dora said hastily, her tone unusually tense. The last thing she wanted was for Archpriestess to try anything, especially with Aether unconscious.

Who knew what unexpected effects healing might have on Victor?