The air in the Human Empire shifted.
Not like before.
Not heavy like Pride.
Not precise like Kensai.
This one… lingered.
Sweet.
Clinging.
Dangerous.
Kael felt it immediately.
"…No…"
Shun's expression hardened.
"…She's back."
Eldarin blinked.
"…Who?"
Then—
A voice.
Soft.
Playful.
"…Did you miss me?"
The sky above the kingdom rippled.
Like heat bending reality.
And from it—
She stepped out.
Liren.
The General of Lust.
Her smile was slow.
Her eyes locked onto Lira instantly.
"…You broke my body once," she said, almost amused.
"…That wasn't very nice."
The people below froze.
Guards dropped their weapons.
Civilians stared—unable to move, unable to look away.
Kael stepped forward, jaw tight.
"…Everyone, don't look at her!"
Too late.
A guard fell to his knees.
Another began walking toward her unconsciously.
Shun gritted her teeth.
"…Her control got stronger…"
Liren tilted her head.
"…Of course it did," she said sweetly.
"…I awakened."
The word echoed.
Kael's heart dropped.
"…So the Demon King…"
"…Finally got serious," Shun finished.
Lira stepped outside the house.
Her new gauntlets rested quietly on her fists.
No glow.
No aura.
Just weight.
"…Oh," she said.
"…You again."
Liren's smile widened.
"…Yes… me again."
Her gaze slid across the group—
Kael.
Shun.
Eldarin.
She smiled softer.
"…And you brought friends…"
Shun's body stiffened.
For a split second—
Her eyes lost focus.
"…No," Shun whispered, gripping her weapon tighter.
"…Not this time…"
Kael grabbed her shoulder.
"…Stay with me!"
Liren laughed lightly.
"…You resist better now… how cute."
Her eyes returned to Lira.
"…But you…"
"…You're the one I want."
The ground beneath her melted slightly as her aura expanded.
Not destructive—
Seductive.
The air thickened.
Hearts raced.
Thoughts blurred.
Even Eldarin staggered.
"…I… I feel…"
"…Don't say it," Kael snapped.
Lira blinked.
"…Weird smell," she said.
Silence.
Liren froze.
"…What?"
Lira sniffed the air.
"…Too sweet," she added.
"…Bad."
Kael stared.
Shun blinked.
"…She's immune?" Eldarin whispered.
Liren's smile twitched.
Just slightly.
"…Interesting…" she murmured.
"…Still the same…"
Her eyes darkened.
"…Then I'll just break you again."
In an instant—
She moved.
Not slow.
Not playful.
Fast.
Faster than before.
Lira raised her fist.
The new gauntlets hummed—
Not with light—
But with presence.
The two forces collided.
BOOM.
The kingdom shook.
Windows shattered.
The ground cracked beneath their feet.
Kael dragged the others back.
"…Everyone move! This isn't a fight we can stand near!"
Liren smiled through the impact.
"…Yes…"
"…This is what I wanted…"
Lira smiled back.
"…Good."
"…Round two."
And in the heart of the Human Empire—
The General of Lust returned…
Stronger.
More dangerous.
But so was Lira.
To Be Continued…