While Paige Summers was dealing with the headache of Zephyr Mercer and Sean Raines suddenly tagging along, Marcus Monroe, who had been left behind at their place, was already awake. He had simply been exhausted from the previous night’s excitement, and once he’d rested, the mild sedative powder had naturally worn off.

He ran a hand over the cold, empty side of the bed. As he looked around the room, now missing its occupant, and thought back to their intimacy the night before, a sudden sense of emptiness washed over him.

He held the wooden box containing the Earth Immortal Fruit. ’I understand what she meant by this,’ he thought.

With a quiet sigh, he quickly regained his usual calm demeanor.

’She didn’t want me to see her off, so I won’t go.’

He knew her plan. The escort she’d arranged was more than enough to intimidate any men Sheldon Reid or Nora Lowell might have sent. If those people had any sense, they wouldn’t dare make a move in plain sight.

He was even less concerned about what might happen once she was outside the city.

Both Sheldon Reid and Nora Lowell valued their own lives too much to send their trusted subordinates far away to assassinate someone who posed no immediate threat. And if they only sent grunts, he was confident Paige Summers could handle them with ease.

It might even serve as good practice for her team.

As these thoughts ran through his mind, he finished getting ready and calmly walked out of the room.

It was a day without Paige Summers, but it was also a new day. He had much to do, especially during Sheldon Reid’s absence.

He needed to consolidate his position in Jovitas and expand his influence in Central City. He had never intended to become the king of this underground world, but he was learning that sometimes, only the perfect combination of ultimate authority and supreme strength allows you to do as you wish.

For instance, to hasten the end of this cruel apocalypse.

For instance, to allow the woman he loved to live without a care in the world.

For instance, so that he and she would never have to be apart again.

...

In contrast to his tranquility, Nora Lowell, now on the road back to Norgate, was anything but calm.

That’s right—she was ecstatic.

Even when her subordinate secretly reported that the plan to kill Paige Summers had failed, she didn’t fly into her usual rage. Instead, she magnanimously comforted the man who stood before her in shame.

Sean Anderson was her adjutant, personally assigned to her by Sheldon Reid after he’d returned from Norgate and officially scheduled the northern advance.

Unremarkable in appearance and mediocre in ability—that was probably why Sheldon Reid felt at ease assigning him to her.

However, that was also the very reason Nora Lowell placed her trust in him.

And so, ever since she’d brought him under her sway, he had been responsible for the plan to assassinate Paige Summers.

Unfortunately, while Sean Anderson’s loyalty was high, his competence was not. This particular failing was the reason she had yet to see her rival dead.

’But no matter.’

Sitting in the car, her eyes held a barely perceptible, vicious glint.

’As long as that bitch doesn’t die out there, sooner or later... one day, I’ll make her pay the price she deserves!’

For now, however, the northern advance was more important.

Since Milton Faraday’s betrayal, Sheldon Reid had grown far more suspicious.

His already untrusting, utilitarian attitude toward her had only intensified, as if he wanted to nip any hint of rebellion in the bud.

As the woman in his bed, Nora Lowell had naturally noticed this.

By now, she had a firm grasp on how to handle Sheldon Reid.

Obedient in bed, loyal outside of it—that’s what Sheldon Reid demanded.

’Fine. I’ll give him the performance he wants.’

Thus, she became even more cautious in her efforts to recruit trusted followers.

But she didn’t stop.

Her natural charisma, combined with her Charm Ability and promises of great reward, made for a potent combination. With Gilbert Lawson’s financial backing, money was no object. So, behind Sheldon Reid’s back, she continued to tirelessly scheme for her own future.

’Sheldon Reid wants to take Norgate for himself?’

’Hah! As if I’d let him get what he wants!’

’As the eldest daughter of Gryphon Lowell, I’m the one most qualified to be the master of Norgate!’

’If Sheldon Reid just wants me as a puppet, that’s one thing. At least my life wouldn’t be in danger, and I could slowly win his people over. But if he plans to use me as cannon fodder... then I won’t hold back!’

The seemingly high-and-mighty Sheldon Reid had his weaknesses, too.

Having become the commander of The Power Corps at such a young age, the man was arrogant to the core and rarely found anyone he deemed worthy of his respect. He looked down on everyone with contempt—the children of high-ranking officials, the scions of powerful families, none of them registered in his eyes.

Nora Lowell sneered.

’Who’s to say, really?’

’Many people just lack the right opportunity.’

’If she—or any of them—had a father who paved their way to the top, who’s to say they couldn’t be his equal?!’

Milton Faraday’s betrayal hadn’t prompted him to reflect on his own character flaws. Instead, he had simply grown more paranoid, beginning to distrust everyone around him.

That group included her, but it wasn’t limited to her.

At Sheldon Reid’s villa, she had once caught an unintentional glimpse of the personal guards he rarely let others see.

She had been around the guards of other powerful figures and knew what true, die-hard loyalty looked like.

But as for Sheldon Reid’s guards... that man was afraid of him. It was pure fear, nothing more.

’Are guards like that really reliable?’

’How naive!’

Nora Lowell’s gaze drifted out the window. As a squad leader in the operations department—even if only in name—she was entitled to her own vehicle. The three other people in the car with her, including the driver, were all her own.

None of them held high-ranking positions in the army, but their low-level status made them perfect for gathering and relaying intelligence.

She never used her Charm Ability on high-level officers lightly; it was too risky. When she did decide to act, she could not afford to fail.

Milton Faraday, for instance.

But as the convoy drew closer to Norgate, she knew she would need to add someone in a higher, more strategic position to her inner circle. It was the only way to know her enemy and stay one step ahead.

She began to carefully consider her next target.

After a long moment, a name came to mind.

Seth Howell.

The adjutant to Commander Walsh of The Power Corps’ First Division.

Commander Walsh had been promoted by Sheldon Reid’s father and was said to be extremely loyal. From what she had observed, loyal or not, he was at least a very tactful man. He never pulled rank on account of his age or tried to order Sheldon Reid around. On the contrary, his attitude was always exceedingly respectful. As a result, Sheldon Reid held him in high regard.

He must be well-informed about the northern advance, perhaps even privy to Sheldon Reid’s various schemes.

And as Walsh’s most trusted adjutant, Seth Howell’s importance was self-evident.

According to intelligence from her subordinates, Seth Howell was very likely Commander Walsh’s illegitimate son. That would explain why he was held in such high esteem at such a young age, even accompanying the commander to various important functions.

And this very promising adjutant had lately been appearing repeatedly at Military Command, right in her path.

One look at the undisguised admiration in his eyes was all it took to know the young man had an agenda.

’It seems Commander Walsh never told him about my relationship with Sheldon Reid.’

’Or perhaps, the commander himself has no idea.’

’That’s highly likely. My... arrangement with Sheldon Reid has always been extremely discreet, and he despises anyone prying into his private life. Commander Walsh is a cautious man; he wouldn’t dare cross that line. So... is this an opportunity just falling into my lap?’

Nora Lowell smiled faintly, a flirtatious allure blooming across her radiant face.

She was confident there would be many, many opportunities to get close to Seth Howell on the journey ahead...

At that very moment, in a vehicle with the First Division’s convoy, Seth Howell was gazing out the window, his eyes fixed in the direction of Nora Lowell’s car.

An enigmatic smile played on his handsome face.

’It’s about time I found an opportunity to see that woman again,’ he thought.