Salome's mercurial expressions died down, and she returned to her usual indifferent countenance, albeit it was apparent that the whirlwind of thoughts rampaging in her mind had yet to subside, as evidenced by the turbulent aura flickering in her radiant eyes.
It seemed they had even more to talk about than Vale had initially thought.
When he proposed a conversation, his only intention was to convey the information Wrath had told him, what exactly had happened, as well as brainstorm their plan of operation. However, it now seemed necessary to discuss the strangeness of their situation as well and what brought them here.
Of course, they probably wouldn't be able to find an answer now, or maybe even any time soon, but if they got their facts straight, whatever answer was waiting for them should come sooner.
If an answer existed.
Thankfully, it seemed calm outside as neither a worker nor Toy had come to alert them of anything. They still had time to talk.
For nearly ten minutes straight, Vale prattled on about what happened after the tide of shadows washed over him. That he lost his senses, woke up in a strange world and talked to peculiar individuals. Of course, he also shared all of the most vital information Wrath had shared with him.
Whatever answers his knowledge provided only seemed to beget more questions from the demonesses. But the questions she began to ask eventually became the same ones Vale himself was asking.
Once they reached that point, the conversation took a personal shift.
Salome's demeanor slowly descended from ambivalent curiosity into a subtle frustration. She clenched her fist, her nails biting into her flesh as she spoke.
"The Scourge… or Corrupted, as Wrath called them… I know what they are. I know them well… They're why I'm here after all."
'Why she's here?'
Salome's gaze drew down to her fist as she continued:
"His warning must be heeded. If not, his fears will undoubtedly be realized. I would know. My… my home, my world, was devastated by the Scourge. Those vile, repugnant beasts who knew nothing but slaughter. Weak and utterly pitiful, yet even one of their attacks would fell the mightiest of warriors."
Salome gritted her teeth, slowly closed her eyes, and continued:
"That black stuff spewing off of them isn't just a mark of their infection, but any being touched by that infection will instantly mutate and join their ranks. I was a queen once… my kingdom long decimated and my people slaughtered… All by those foul fiends."
'So that's why she said to stay away…'
Vale studied Salome's pink eyes as they reappeared. As he looked at her, he couldn't help but imagine whatever horrors she might have lived through.
No, he couldn't imagine… he'd never watched his empire burn, but he knew what losing one important person felt like. Salome undoubtedly had people she held dear back on her home world.
She lost hundreds. Thousands. Maybe tens of thousands. Vale's plights were incomparable.
Not to mention, he'd barely seen those beasts for a fraction of a second; he knew nothing of their capabilities. But based on what Salome said, fighting off those wild beasts, where such a minuscule error could be death, probably brought a world of horrid happenings and sights.
Her comrades and followers, whoever they were, probably didn't get a peaceful end, nor was Salome spared from the sight of that end.
Vale's impassive expression slowly drifted into a frown. Despite the terrible wall built by lust, sympathy broke through in his conscience and gazed at Salome.
Once again, his humanity was proven. However, Vale wasn't celebrating it this time.
"That… I'm sorry."
Salome's anguish slowly dissipated, and the corner of her lips curled upward in a forced, pained smile, yet her eyes still exuded sadness as she responded:
"The past is the past… can't change it. But the future can be changed. I think it's about time to tell you how I got here."
Vale stared at Salome for a moment, then replied:
"How you got here? Do you mean you know how you came to be in this world? I just woke up here. I thought the same happened to you."
Salome leaned back a little and crossed her legs, covering her pussy with her thigh.
Despite the serious nature of their conversation, both were still mostly naked. With Salome wearing only her stockings and bracers, and Vale wearing only bracers.
"I heard a voice… a sweet, disgusting voice which offered a chance at revenge against the Scourge. With nothing left for me there, I took it, and the next moment I was in that white void, and I knew exactly what to do as well as how to speak your language. Although I was not made aware of the surrounding area or what this place was, except that it was a lifeline. But I've figured it out now from what you told me."
Salome's forced smile slowly shifted into a stern, genuine one.
"At least now I see that I was right to take the offer. To finally be able to resist infection… It's truly a power worth giving up my freedom for. You have no idea the lengths and failures the people of my world went through for that very effect. But now, now that I… we have this power… We can unleash hell upon those hellspawn without restraint."
Salome's sadistic smirk grew as she stared at Vale.
"Not to mention, I was put under a pretty good master… Forgive me for this remark, but you are a little weak at the moment; however, you have the right mindset. The mindset of a true king."
Vale was quiet for a moment as he finished digesting everything Salome had just told him.
He was torn between pity and sympathy. But, in the end, he was in no place to give either.
"I'm glad you think so highly of me."