"...it’s Jenna. Can I come in?"

Zephyrion frowned slightly, then gave a small nod as understanding dawned on him. He swept the spoils he had taken from Dune out of sight before replying;

"...come in."

Standing at the doorway, Jenna gripped the tray in her hands a little tighter.

’You can do this.’

The hesitation in her eyes faded, replaced by a gentle smile. The next moment, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Zephyrion’s gaze settled on her. She wore a short, silky nightgown that revealed her smooth legs and clung lightly to her figure, leaving little to the imagination. Her intent tonight could not be more clearer.

"...I hope I’m not interrupting anything important..."

Compared to before, Jenna’s voice now was soft, almost delicate. The smile on her face remained as she set the tray of wine down before him, then lowered herself onto a seat nearby.

"No."

Jenna’s smile deepened, the kind that would stir heat in most men. As she poured him a drink, her eyes lingered on him before she spoke again.

"After such a long day... I thought I could help you relax a little."

She moved behind him, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders as she began to massage him. Her touch was gentle.

As the moments passed, she leaned closer, her body pressing softly against his back. A faint scent drifted into Zephyrion’s senses, the subtle sweetness of peach in bloom.

Leaning in further, she brushed close to his ear, her voice dropping into a quiet, alluring whisper.

"...just leave it to me. I’ll take care of everything."

Her hands slid slowly downward, tracing along his chest.

Yet, through it all, Zephyrion’s expression remained indifferent.

Without warning, his hand closed around her wrist, stopping her movement as he turned to face her.

"...what are you doing?"

Jenna froze. Under his unmoved gaze, she felt embarrassed. She was practically bare before him, yet he hadn’t reacted in the slightest...

"...I’m just... I’m just trying to repay you..."

Zephyrion let out a quiet sigh, a faint trace of disappointment crossing his eyes.

"Sit."

Jenna hesitated for a brief moment before lowering herself into the seat across from him.

"...I didn’t do any of this so you’d feel indebted to me. What you’re doing now... it’s an insult to me as a warrior."

"...I wasn’t trying to insult you!" Jenna’s eyes widened as she quickly shook her head.

After everything, she had only wanted to repay him the only way she knew how. In her village, this was how women gave thanks. The thought that he saw it as an insult unsettled her deeply.

"I was just... I was just..."

"...trying to repay me with your body?" Zephyrion said, his voice calm. "Does that mean that’s all you’re worth? That this is all you amount to?"

"...Haa..."

Jenna’s chest tightened, and she lowered her head.

Those words cut deeper than she expected, especially coming from him. But what else could she offer? Zephyrion was already far beyond her, how could she ever hope to repay him?

"No. You’re worth more than that."

The words came from Zephyrion, and Jenna slowly lifted her head. Meeting his calm, purple eyes, the turmoil in her chest eased slightly.

"You’re worth more than you think, Jenna. But you have to see it yourself. If you keep looking down on yourself, you won’t get anywhere."

"...but you’re stronger... more talented than me... how could I ever be useful...?"

"I don’t know."

Jenna blinked, caught off guard.

"...what?"

"Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Even me. Figure yours out. That’s when you’ll know your worth."

Zephyrion allowed a moment to pass before he nodded at the frozen Jenna.

"...you should leave."

Moments later, Jenna left the room in silence with her head lowered. Zephyrion watched the door close behind her, his expression unchanged.

Almost immediately, Demorian materialized before him, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"M-my protégé... don’t tell me you’re impotent?"

"...what are you talking about?"

"I’m saying, what in the Iron Father’s name was that!? That girl was a masterpiece, and you just... let her walk out!?"

"She practically threw herself at you! You either can’t function, or you’re adopted, there’s no third option! There is no way a descendant of mine would fumble that!"

Zephyrion’s brows furrowed slightly as Demorian began to rant. He resisted the urge to simply shut him away. It was unfortunate he had chosen to change his approach when dealing with him.

Still, while he understood Demorian’s perspective, the path he had taken was the more beneficial one.

By refusing her and guiding her toward finding her own path, he had established a form of debt, one rooted in acknowledgment.

She would strive to grow stronger, seek his recognition, and in doing so, feel compelled to repay him.

In essence, he had positioned himself as the catalyst for her change, making her reliant on that connection.

No matter how much time passed, he would remain a driving force behind her growth, and in return, he had gained someone. That held far more value than a fleeting night of pleasure.

After several minutes, Zephyrion finally silenced Demorian with a threat of sealing him back into the rod.

As the night stretched on, and after ensuring Kona wasn’t observing him, Zephyrion slipped out of the village, moving quietly through the shadows.

Before long, he arrived at the cliff face where Victor’s lab had once been.

His gaze swept over the collapsed underground space before he moved past it, approaching a nearby tree. There, he tapped the ground lightly a few times until a hollow sound echoed beneath.

Hunching down, he pried the slab of rock from the ground and fixed his eyes on the metal hatch below. It was another entrance to the lab, one he had discovered during his fight underground.

He pulled it open and dropped into a dark, narrow passage. After moving through it for a few seconds, he came to a stop.

Extending his arm, he pressed his palm against the wall, but only the cool, rigid feel of metal met his touch.

With focus, the metal deformed as he reached inside. A moment later, he withdrew a large sack.

Climbing back out, Zephyrion made his way to a secluded spot with enough light before emptying its contents onto the ground.

Notes and scattered papers, a few pens, empty vials... and a small, black, rounded object.

Zephyrion’s brows drew together slightly. In his haste, he had taken everything from the table, unwilling to risk leaving anything behind.

A moment later, he reached for the papers, only to pause.

"Hm?"

His gaze shifted, settling on the object. He could feel a faint ripple pulsing from it. Zephyrion picked it up carefully and studied it.

At first glance, its surface appeared smooth and solid, black like polished stone.

Yet the moment his fingers brushed against it, he felt the delicate fragility. More than that, the faint ripple he felt persisted. Like a... heartbeat...

Zephyrion’s eyes slowly widened.

"Is this... an egg?"