The map lay open across the wooden table, lit by a single lantern swinging gently with the motion of the ship.
Reider stood over it with his arms crossed.
The others sat around the table, watching him in silence. The earlier teasing atmosphere had faded. Now there was focus. Intention.
Outside, the ocean murmured against the hull.
"We're not storming in and causing chaos," Reider said calmly.
His voice wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
"We don't know how many enemies are inside the city. We don't know their positions. And I'm not putting innocent people in danger."
Leona frowned immediately, crossing her arms.
"But the people are suffering!" she protested. "The demons could be executing citizens right now—"
Reider lifted one hand.
Not harshly.
Not angrily.
Just enough to stop her.
"I know."
His gaze shifted to her.
"That's exactly why we're going to do this right."
Silence followed.
Mei tilted her head slightly, curiosity softening her expression.
"And how," she asked gently, "do you suggest we do that?"
Reider uncrossed his arms and leaned over the map.
His finger tapped near the outer district markings.
"First, we map the city properly. Not the old layout — the current one."
He began pointing to sections one by one.
"We identify demon patrol routes. Major strongholds. Guard rotations. Safe zones. Civilian clusters. Escape paths."
Zera leaned forward, studying the parchment.
"That makes sense," she said. "But how do we do that without getting caught?"
Reider's eyes moved to Mei.
"Mei's magic can alter appearances."
Then he turned to Leona.
"You're the princess. You know Eldross better than anyone. Streets. Markets. Back alleys. Hidden passages."
Leona blinked.
He pointed directly at her.
"You'll be our scout."
She pointed at herself.
"Wait. Me?!"
Vael leaned back in her chair with a smirk.
"Sounds fair," she said lazily. "You do know the place best."
Leona pouted but didn't argue immediately.
After a moment, she sighed dramatically.
"Fine. But if I die, I'm haunting you."
"You won't die," Mei said softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'll make sure of it."
Reider tapped the map again.
"While Leona scouts, the rest of us gather information separately. Discreetly."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"No fighting. No showing off. No unnecessary heroics."
Eryndra snorted.
"You blending in?" she said with a smirk. "That's funny."
Reider ignored her entirely.
"The demons will recognize Leona if she appears as herself," he continued. "But if Mei disguises her, she can move freely."
He straightened slightly.
"Once we have a complete layout — we strike. Fast. Surgical."
Vael watched him carefully.
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly — not in suspicion.
In admiration.
He's only three months old… she thought.
And he already thinks like a battlefield strategist.
Leona leaned forward again.
"And what if something goes wrong?"
Reider looked at her calmly.
"Then we adapt."
No hesitation.
"No plan survives contact perfectly. But the goal is simple."
He met her eyes.
"Don't get caught."
Mei nodded.
"Alright," she said gently. "Let's change your look."
Leona groaned but stood up.
"Make me pretty," she muttered.
"You're already pretty," Mei replied automatically.
Leona blinked.
"…I am?"
Eryndra smirked.
"Don't let it go to your head."
Mei stepped closer.
Her eyes glowed softly as mana gathered around her fingers.
The air shimmered.
Light wrapped around Leona's body, swirling like mist.
Her golden hair darkened into deep brown. Her sharp royal features softened slightly. Her aura shifted, toned down from commanding princess to traveling merchant's daughter.
Leona gasped when the magic faded.
She rushed toward a nearby polished metal plate and stared at her reflection.
"Holy—! I look completely different!"
Eryndra leaned her chin on her palm.
"Too bad you're still you on the inside."
Leona shot her a glare.
"Shut up."
Vael stood and stretched.
"So," she said casually, "when do we start?"
Reider moved toward the window.
Beyond the glass, faint lights shimmered on the horizon.
Eldross.
"Tonight," he said. "We dock in a few hours. Everyone prepare."
Zera immediately began checking her weapons.
"Understood."
Leona rolled her shoulders.
"Guess I better get used to my new face."
"You'll do fine," Mei reassured her. "Just don't act too much like yourself."
Leona narrowed her eyes.
"Why does that sound insulting?"
Eryndra leaned in.
"Because you're suspicious."
Leona threw her hands up.
"I hate you all."
Vael chuckled.
"You'll survive."
Reider walked toward the door.
Before stepping out, he paused.
"Remember," he said without turning. "No unnecessary fights. No drawing attention."
His voice dropped slightly.
"We do this right."
Then he left.
The cabin stayed quiet for a moment.
Vael smirked faintly.
"He really is the smartest three-month-old I've ever met."
Leona crossed her arms.
"Well obviously," she huffed. "He was raised by us."
The night air was cooler outside.
Reider leaned against the railing, staring at the moonlit ocean.
His expression was distant.
Focused.
Vael approached quietly, arms crossed.
"Something on your mind?"
Reider glanced at her briefly.
"I was thinking."
A pause.
"What happens if I absorb dark mana?"
Vael's smirk faded instantly.
"…Why are you asking?"
Reider looked back at the water.
The moon reflected in silver ripples.
"I've fought people with different types of mana," he said. "Fire. Wind. Light. Earth."
He flexed his fingers slightly.
"I don't have a core like they do. I don't generate mana internally."
He spoke plainly.
"I take whatever mana is in the air… and use it."
Vael watched him carefully.
"And you think dark mana would be different?"
He nodded once.
"Lucian's sister. Lilith."
His voice was steady.
"She uses dark mana. If I fight her… I need to know what happens if I absorb it."
Vael exhaled slowly and leaned beside him.
"Dark mana isn't just 'bad' mana," she said.
"It's not inherently evil."
She stared out at the ocean.
"But it's volatile."
Reider tilted his head slightly.
"Volatile how?"
Vael lifted her hand.
Golden mana gathered above her palm, forming a small glowing sphere.
"Normal mana is like water," she explained. "It flows. It adapts. Anyone can shape it with enough training."
She let the golden sphere hover.
"But dark mana…"
The golden light flickered out.
Her fingers clenched.
"…is like poison."
Reider's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Once it enters your system," Vael continued, "it changes you."
She turned toward him.
"It doesn't just flow through you. It sticks. It latches on."
Her voice lowered.
"It tries to take control."
Reider remained silent.
"If your will isn't strong enough," she said quietly, "it consumes you."
The wind brushed past them.
"So if I absorb it," Reider said calmly, "it might take over me."
"Yes."
No hesitation.
"Even dragons. Even gods. They're careful with dark mana."
She held his gaze.
"It has a will of its own."
Reider thought for a moment.
"And yet demons use it freely."
Vael shrugged.
"They're born with it in their cores. It's natural to them. Like breathing."
Her eyes hardened slightly.
"But you don't have a core."
Reider looked back at the ocean.
"So what happens," he asked quietly, "if I take it in?"
Vael's expression sharpened.
"That's exactly why you shouldn't."
She stepped closer, her golden eyes intense.
"Without a core to filter it, it won't influence you."
"It will define you."
The words hung heavy.
"You'll lose control, Reider."
Her voice softened slightly.
"You might not even stay you."
Silence followed.
The ocean continued its endless rhythm.
Reider didn't react immediately.
He simply absorbed her words.
Vael exhaled slowly and leaned back against the railing.
"You've survived a lot," she muttered. "You're strong. I get it."
Her gaze flicked sideways toward him.
"But even you have limits."
A pause.
"If you absorb dark mana… you better be damn sure you can handle it."
Reider's lips curved slightly.
Not cocky.
Just confident.
"Good thing I don't have limits, then."
Vael immediately facepalmed.
"Gods… you're as reckless as Dain."
Reider tilted his head.
"Is that a compliment?"
She glared at him.
"No."
A faint hint of a smile tugged at her lips.
"It's a warning."
Suddenly, a familiar voice chimed in.
"Are you two having serious conversations again? Boring."
Eryndra leaned between them with a grin.
Vael groaned.
"Go away, Eryndra."
Eryndra winked.
"Fine, fine. Just don't get too romantic out here."
Vael kicked her lightly.
"Get lost!"
Eryndra stumbled back dramatically, laughing.
"Alright, alright! Don't stay up too late, lovebirds!"
She disappeared inside.
Vael rubbed her temples.
"Why do I put up with her?"
Reider smirked slightly.
"Maybe you have a limit too."
Vael shot him a glare — but it lacked heat.
"Go to sleep, Reider."
He didn't respond.
He turned back to the ocean.
His smirk faded.
His eyes grew distant again.
Thoughtful.
Somewhere ahead, in Eldross…
Dark mana waited.
The ship sailed onward.
The city lights grew clearer in the distance.
The night remained calm.
For now.