THE ALMIGHTY SYSTEM IS JUST A LEWD GIRL-Chapter 36: Hell King of Greed.

The rattling of the metal cage woke Eiji up. His head throbbed and for a second, he couldn’t comprehend where he was and what was happening. He opened his eyes with a wince and noticed the other beside him.

Alma was the second to stir awake,her almost human form glowed. It seemed their subconsciousness was connected because with Eiji out,Alma couldn’t function too.

Selendra groaned softly beside him and Rhea also shifted on the floor

Vesper had already been up before the rest of them and had her eyes focused beyond the bars.

Eiji realized quickly that they were in a moving wagon with iron bars. But how? The last thing he remembered was the voice from the laundry store, "found you."

The cage was made of black iron bars that hummed faintly with magic, maybe to prevent them from trying to escape. The heat waves from the sun were becoming unbearable and the sound of hooves surrounded them. The soldiers on horse backs were armored in dull bronze, carrying banners marked with strange sigils.

"What the hell happened?" Rhea asked, rubbing her temple.

"I think we were ambushed,that’s all I remember." Eiji leaned against the bars, his eyes narrowing.

Alma said nothing, she sat upright beside him, almost like she was floating slightly.

[Residual memory disruption detected. Unknown enchantment.]

The words appeared

Melchior sat quietly in the corner, eyes open but unreadable,his posture was too calm for the kind of panic Eiji was feeling. He looked out through the bars, watching the riders beside them.

Eiji caught the faint shift in his expression. "You recognize them," he said. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Melchior didn’t respond immediately. He just adjusted his cuffs, with his voice low, he said. "Keep quiet,don’t draw attention."

"Why?" Selendra asked.

"Because," Melchior said, eyes fixed on the horizon, "if I’m right about those seals, we’re in the domain of someone best left unprovoked."

The wagon lurched forward again, rolling through the dust. The heat clung to their skin, the smell of iron and sweat thick in the air. Hours passed before the terrain changed...dry plains giving way to dunes of red sand, and then to cracked stone roads leading up a hill. At the top stood a massive palace made of black marble, its towers glinting under the sun like a mirage.

When the gates opened, Eiji saw the banners again,the same sigil. A golden crown devouring a mountain of food.

They were dragged out one by one.

The soldiers said nothing. They only shoved and pointed. Rhea muttered curses under her breath, while Eiji tried to count the guards...at least thirty. Too many to fight.

They were escorted through wide halls that smelled faintly of roasted meat and incense. The deeper they went, the more lavish it became ..walls lined with gold trim, massive chandeliers made of crystal, carpets so thick they muffled their footsteps. The scent of perfume and oil hung in the air.

Finally, the doors ahead opened, revealing a throne room that looked more like a feast hall.

On a raised dais sat a massive man. His robes barely covered his stomach. Grease glistened on his beard as he tore a chicken leg apart with his teeth. Jewels hung from his neck and wrists, clinking each time he moved. Around him lounged women in silk, laughing softly, feeding him grapes and wine.

The man looked up when they entered. His eyes were small but sharp. "Well, well. What’s this? Trespassers?"

One of the guards bowed. "Found them near the eastern sands, Your Majesty."

The fat man waved his chicken leg dismissively. "And you bring them to me instead of dealing with them? Hah! Good. I was getting bored."

Eiji stepped forward. "We didn’t mean to trespass. We were just passing through."

The man chuckled, tearing off another bite. "Everyone says that until they get caught. You’re standing in the heart of my land, boy. Everything here belongs to me..the air, the sand, even the flies." He grinned, showing yellowed teeth. "So tell me, what do you bring to my table?"

Rhea glared. "We’re not here to serve you."

The king laughed, loud and guttural. "You’ve got fire. I like that,maybe I’ll keep you."

Selendra muttered under her breath, "Charming."

Melchior remained silent, eyes fixed on the king.

The man noticed. "You...you look like you’ve seen me before."

Melchior’s voice was even. "No, Your Majesty. Just admiring your... hospitality."

The king smirked. "Hmph. Clever tongue."

He leaned back in his seat, licking grease from his fingers. "I am Borath. The Hell King of Greed, ruler of this desert and everything that crawls beneath it. You’re in my territory now."

Eiji said nothing, his mind racing. Alma had been quiet, she had said nothing since they woke up in that wagon and he was starting to worry

[Energy readings high. Proceed with caution.]

All that was between them was the set of warning instructions that she was passing to him quietly without talking directly to him.

Then the room shifted. The air grew colder.

The laughter died down as a new figure entered from the far doors.

A tall woman walked in, dressed in white from head to toe. Her skin was pale as moonlight, her hair long and silver, cascading down her back. A thin cloth was tied over her eyes like a blindfold, yet she moved with impossible grace, each step deliberate, silent.

The king froze and his voice dropped. "Mother."

Eiji blinked.. Mother?

He looked from the bloated man to the woman gliding forward. She looked younger than him..too young. Her presence alone shifted the atmosphere of the room, heavy and still. Even the guards lowered their heads.

"Borath," she said softly. Her voice was smooth, calm, but carried weight. "Is this how you greet guests?"

The king cleared his throat, setting aside the chicken bone. "Guests, you say? They trespassed..."

She raised her hand slightly, and he went silent.

"My son forgets himself," she said, turning toward the group. "You are not prisoners here. You’ll be treated as guests. Forgive his gluttony...it often clouds his manners."

Rhea frowned. "Guests? Why?"

The woman smiled faintly beneath the veil. "Because we are not savages."

Her head tilted slightly, as if she could see them through the blindfold. "You’ve traveled far. You must be weary."

Eiji stared. She moved like she could see everything. Her gaze...or whatever it was...fell briefly on him, and he swore she smiled, just a little.

She continued, "Rooms will be prepared for you. Tonight, you will dine and after that, perhaps we’ll talk properly."

She turned to leave,her long skirt shimmered as she walked, slitted on both sides like something worn by desert royalty. The faint scent of jasmine lingered as she passed. Several women followed her...servants or priestesses, Eiji couldn’t tell.

"Mother," the king called out, suddenly nervous. "You shouldn’t..."

She didn’t answer. The doors closed behind her and the silence stretched.

Borath huffed and sank back into his chair. "You heard her... You’ll feast tonight. Try not to get yourselves killed before then."

He waved his hand and guards stepped forward to escort them out.