My Goblin System : Levelling up with my SSS Class Devouring skill-Chapter 301

"Can you get us there safely?"

"Yes. I’ve made this journey before on missions for Lord Loki. I know the routes, the hiding spots, where patrols are thin." She smiled slightly. "Getting there isn’t the hard part. Killing Richard Clay and escaping afterward—that’s the challenge."

They continued north as afternoon faded toward evening. Sylvara moved like a ghost beside him, her footsteps silent, her presence easily overlooked despite walking right next to him. It was uncanny how she could make herself fade into the background even in plain sight.

"Lord Satou," Sylvara said after a while. "May I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Why did you rub my head earlier? That was... unexpected."

Satou smiled. "You looked like you needed it. Like you needed to be reminded that you’re a person, not just a tool or a weapon."

Sylvara was quiet for a long moment. When she spoke again, her voice was softer, carrying emotion she usually kept hidden. "Thank you. Most people see me as Lord Loki’s Servants —useful but not quite human. But you and everyone in the settlement treated me like I mattered."

"You do matter. Everyone does." Said Satou

"Not many demon lords think that way." Said Sylvara

"Then not many demon lords understand what actually creates loyalty." Said Satou with concerns shown on his face.

Sylvara laughed softly. "You really are different from the others."

They walked on through the darkening forest. Behind them, Jessica and Lyra watched from the settlement walls until Satou disappeared completely from view.

[SEVERAL HOURS LATER - SETTLEMENT]

The sun was approaching the horizon when the western gate bells rang again.

Lyra, who’d been coordinating defensive construction, immediately headed for the gate. After Satou’s departure, she’d thrown herself into work to avoid thinking about him traveling into danger.

"Who is it?" she called to the watchman.

"Lady Seraphina’s forces! They’re here!"

Lyra’s stomach tightened. Seraphina. The Fourth Seat demon lord who was clearly in love with Satou. Arriving hours after Satou had left for a dangerous mission.

This was going to be interesting.

The gates opened, revealing another impressive military force. Two hundred warriors in crimson and black, all bearing the corruption magic aura that marked Seraphina’s domain. They moved with predatory grace, each one radiating power that made the air shimmer.

And at their head, riding a nightmarish mount that seemed to be made of living shadows, was Seraphina herself.

The Fourth Seat demon lord looked magnificent and terrifying in equal measure. Her silver-white hair flowed behind her like a banner. Her crimson eyes scanned the settlement with sharp assessment. Her blade-like wings were spread wide—a display of power and presence that made everyone in the courtyard unconsciously step back.

She dismounted gracefully, her feet touching ground with barely a sound. Her wings folded, and she strode toward the welcoming party with the confidence of someone who’d ruled for centuries.

Then she stopped, her crimson eyes scanning the assembled leaders. Urgak. Kelvin. Grimnir. Ssk’thar. Vex’ahlia. Jessica. Lyra.

But not Satou.

Her expression shifted—confusion flickering across her beautiful features. "Where is Satou?"

Lyra stepped forward, keeping her voice professional despite the knot in her stomach. "Lady Seraphina, welcome to the settlement. Lord Satou asked me to express his apologies for not being here to greet you personally."

Seraphina’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Where. Is. Satou."

Before Lyra could respond, Loki appeared—materializing out of thin air with his characteristic dramatic flair that made several people jump.

"Seraphina! You made excellent time!" His tone was cheerful, but his golden eyes were wary. "How was the journey?"

"Loki." Seraphina’s voice was cold. "Where is Satou?"

Loki sighed, his playful demeanor dropping. "He left. A few hours ago with Sylvara. Heading north to Valstrath."

"What?" The word came out as almost a growl. Corruption magic sparked around Seraphina’s hands, making the air crackle with dangerous energy. "He left? Where? Why?"

"Richard Clay," Loki said simply. "Cassius found him in Valstrath. Satou went to kill him before he returns to Chronus."

Seraphina stared at him, processing. "Richard Clay. The temporal duplicate. Half of Chronus." Understanding dawned in her crimson eyes. "This is the opportunity we discussed. To cripple the Time Lord permanently."

"Exactly."

"And Satou went alone?!"

"With Sylvara as a guide. But yes, essentially alone."

Seraphina’s wings flared wide, her power radiating outward in waves that made the air crackle with energy. Several people stumbled back from the sheer pressure of it.

"He went alone," she repeated, her voice carrying barely controlled fury—though whether it was directed at Satou, Loki, or the situation was unclear. "Into hostile human territory. To assassinate one of the most dangerous beings in the demon realm. Without telling me. Without waiting for me."

"He didn’t have a choice," Lyra interjected, stepping forward despite the intimidating display. "Time was critical. Richard could leave at any moment. Satou had to move immediately."

Seraphina’s gaze shifted to Lyra, and for a moment the two women—First Wife and demon lord lover—stared at each other. Lyra didn’t flinch, meeting those crimson eyes with her own determination.

Finally, Seraphina’s power receded slightly. "How long has he been gone?"

"Four hours," Lyra said.

"And he’s traveling to Valstrath? Five days’ journey?"

"Yes."

Seraphina was silent for a long moment, clearly struggling with conflicting emotions. Worry. Anger. Frustration. Pride. All warring across her beautiful features.

Then she turned to her forces, her voice shifting to command mode. "Establish camp. Coordinate with the settlement leadership for integration. I want full defensive preparations ready within three days." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Her commanders saluted and began organizing. Seraphina turned back to the assembled leaders, her expression controlled but her eyes still carrying storm-like intensity.

"Show me the war room," she commanded. "I want complete briefings on current preparations, defensive strategies, and the human threat assessment. If Satou is handling Chronus, then I’m handling the human army."

She paused, looking at Jessica and Lyra specifically. "And someone explain to me exactly what that fool is walking into. Because when he gets back—" Her smile was sharp and dangerous, though affection lurked beneath the irritation. "—we’re going to have words about him risking himself without telling me first."

Lyra and Jessica exchanged glances. They’d been managing Satou’s absence for hours. Now they’d have to manage Seraphina’s protective fury as well.

"This way, Lady Seraphina," Lyra said diplomatically. "We’ll brief you on everything."

As they walked toward the administrative building, Jessica leaned close to Lyra and whispered, "She’s really worried about him."

"She loves him," Lyra replied quietly. "Same as we do. She’s just expressing it through fury instead of worry."

"Think she’ll actually be angry when he returns?"

"Oh yes. But she’ll also probably kiss him senseless first." Lyra smiled despite the stress. "We’re going to have interesting times ahead."

Behind them, Seraphina’s forces integrated with the settlement’s defenders. Two hundred corruption magic specialists adding their strength to the growing army.

And far to the north, unaware of the chaos his departure had caused, Satou traveled through darkening forest Sylvara at his side.