The sparring match concluded with mutual respect rather than a decisive victory.
"Your progress is remarkable," Valeria declared with professional admiration. "Most practitioners require years to develop what you’ve achieved in weeks."
Noah was crossing ranks.
He was fighting at a level above his own. Even Alissa and Kipp weren’t able to do that at the novice stage. Despite their incredibly fast progress and domination of those at their level. They were unable to cross-rank fight as exaggeratedly as Noah.
Lola watched from the sidelines, her ruby eyes tracking every movement with obvious approval. The human who’d saved her life was proving himself capable of surviving the dangers their partnership might bring.
After the training ended, Noah showed Lola around the human kingdom with the enthusiasm of someone sharing his homeland with a valued guest.
The group moved through Durenholde’s streets like an unlikely diplomatic mission. A succubus master-mage, a princess, a guild captain, two cat siblings, and an interdimensional merchant exploring human culture together.
This is probably the strangest tour group this kingdom has ever seen.
"Try this," Noah encouraged, offering Lola a pastry from a local bakery whose reputation had survived generations of taste tests.
Lola bit into the human delicacy with careful curiosity, her ruby eyes widening as unexpected flavours registered. "This is... remarkably good. Human cuisine tastes really good, although it’s not as good as your loaf of bread."
Elara and Valeria had initially maintained a careful distance from the succubus, their instincts warning against casual interaction with master-level demons. But Lola’s genuine interest in human culture, combined with her obvious care for Noah’s interests and recommendations, had gradually worn down their suspicions.
"The spices are fascinating," Lola continued, examining the pastry with appreciation. "Humans combine flavours in ways that demons rarely consider."
They progressed through the kingdom’s highlights.
Beautiful fountains where clear water danced in patterns that delighted children and adults alike, entertainment districts where bards performed stories that had echoed through generations, markets where vendors hawked everything from practical goods to exotic trinkets.
"Water manipulation for purely aesthetic purposes," Lola observed as they paused beside an elaborate fountain. "Demons use magic for power or survival. This is... beautiful without being functional."
Different perspectives on magical application. Demons focus on utility, and humans create art.
Valeria found herself genuinely enjoying the succubus’s company despite every warrior instinct screaming caution. "You’re not what I expected from a master-level demon."
"What did you expect?" Lola asked with genuine curiosity.
"More arrogance," Valeria replied honestly. "Someone who viewed humans as insects."
Lola’s laugh carried surprising warmth. "Power without purpose is just destruction."
Elara studied their demon guest with royal fascination that transcended diplomatic protocol. "Your magical control is remarkable. I can sense the power that could level districts, yet you move through crowds without affecting anyone."
"Control is the difference between a master and a disaster," Lola replied with obvious pride. "Most can unleash destruction. Few can contain it perfectly."
She’s demonstrating restraint as a form of showing off. Classic master-level behavior.
As they walked through the market district, Lola suddenly nudged Noah with a subtle touch that immediately caught his attention.
"Huh?" He turned to see what she wanted. "Something wrong?"
His voice dropped to a whisper as he noticed the tension in her posture.
She nodded discretely. "That man over there... he has demonic energy around him. He’s been near demons before."
Demonic energy. That’s concerning on multiple levels.
Noah followed her gaze toward a well-dressed noble examining silk fabrics. Immediately, he recognised the man in front of him.
Baron Richard. The man who enslaved Kip and Alissa.
Noah’s mind immediately began calculating implications while fighting the urge to jump to immediate conclusions.
"What if he’s been fighting against them? He could use that excuse, and we’d never be able to prove otherwise. He’ll become more cautious if he knows we’re suspicious."
Need evidence, not assumptions. Accusations against nobility require proof.
Lola shook her head with certainty that suggested deeper knowledge than simple energy detection. "I’m not talking about fighting demons. The energy signature is different... let’s just say he’s been having intimate relations with some demons."
Noah’s eyes widened. Intimate contact with demons suggested collaboration rather than conflict, especially given the baron’s history with slavery and exploitation.
That almost confirms his connection to the extremists. But I still can’t accuse a noble without solid evidence.
"Someone needs to keep an eye on him," Noah murmured, his mind already formulating surveillance strategies.
"I can’t accuse a noble family without concrete proof. And I certainly can’t use you as a valid source of information." He smiled wryly.
A succubus’s testimony against human nobility. That would create more problems than solutions.
His smile carried wry acknowledgment of political realities that complicated even obvious conclusions.
Rather than attempting direct confrontation that could alert their target, Noah turned toward the one person present with both authority and resources to handle noble investigations properly.
Time to let royalty handle what requires royal power.
After explaining the situation to Elara, she frowned with the expression of someone whose worst suspicions were being confirmed.
It was true, somebody had indeed been working with the extremists. She didn’t doubt Noah’s words, why would he lie after all. Furthermore, he was telling her to investigate; he wasn’t outright telling her to kill him.
Which ruled out the reason of revenge for enslaving the twin-cats from her mind. Besides, she knew Noah wouldn’t resort to that. He could simply wipe out the baron with his own power. With a master-level demon next to him, there were very few that could stop him, and they wouldn’t be there to.
Her royal training had prepared her to recognise threats to the kingdom, and collaboration between nobility and demon extremists represented exactly the kind of internal corruption that could destroy them from within.
"I’ll definitely investigate this matter," she declared.
Her eyes tracked Baron Richard’s movements with scrutiny, cataloguing every gesture and interaction for future analysis. The casual way he moved through the market, his expensive clothing, his obvious comfort with public visibility—all of it would be noted and investigated.
"We’ll need to be subtle," Elara continued, her voice dropping to ensure their conversation remained private. "If he’s truly working with extremists, alerting him could compromise ongoing operations."
Noah nodded with appreciation for her measured response. "Exactly my concern. Better to gather evidence quietly than force him underground."