The second extremist’s wail of despair echoed across the hillside as he examined his newly blackened features.
His perfectly groomed beard had been reduced to crispy stubble, and his eyebrows had simply ceased to exist.
’Pfft...he looks like burnt toast’
The third extremist tried to speak, but only managed a weak wheeze.
His vocal cords had apparently been temporarily paralyzed by the shock, leaving him opening and closing his mouth like a confused fish.
One by one, they toppled over like dominoes, their charred bodies hitting the grass with satisfying thuds.
’Well. That was quick.’
Lola dusted off her hands with the satisfaction of someone who’d just finished a mildly irritating chore.
The terrifying aura of power dissipated as quickly as it had appeared.
She turned toward Noah, her usual playful smile returning as if she hadn’t just single-handedly defeated three Adept-level mages.
"Don’t be afraid," she said cheerfully, already moving toward the unconscious extremists.
"They aren’t dead. Just... well-done."
’Just well-done. She’s talking about people like they’re steaks.’
"I’ll hand them over to the demon authorities,"
Lola continued, producing rope from what appeared to be thin air.
That’s probably from a storage ring. I really need to try and level up my mana control skill...
"Should get some decent beast cores in return, plus other benefits. Crime does pay, when you’re the one stopping it."
She began tying up the unconscious bodies of the extremists, humming a tune that sounded suspiciously cheerful for someone handling unconscious bodies.
’She’s done this before. Definitely done this before.’
"The bounty on extremist leaders is quite generous," she explained, looping rope around Kazrik’s ankles. "Adept-level captures earn premium rewards."
Noah watched in fascination as she arranged all three bodies like bundled firewood, their charred faces peaceful in unconsciousness.
’They look like they stuck their heads in a fireplace.’
With her prisoners secured, Lola straightened and turned toward him, her ruby eyes sparkling with satisfaction.
She tilted her head, indicating the path back toward Sin City.
"I believe you promised to let me into your shop if I gave you a proper tour."
Her smile was radiant, completely at odds with the scene of magical devastation surrounding them.
’From seductive succubus to a terrifying battle mage to cheerful bounty hunter. This woman has more layers than an onion.’
The towering gates of Sin City appeared before them.
Noah had expected many things upon their return. What he hadn’t expected was for Lola to casually dump three charred bodies at the feet of the gate guards like she was delivering groceries.
The guards’ expressions shifted. They had seen her moving those bodies towards the gate, but now that the bodies were up close. They understood why.
"Three extremists," Lola announced with the same tone she might use to order tea. "They are Adept Mages."
The guards exchanged glances before one of them nodded. "Yes, Lady Lola! I’ll inform Captain Mordak immediately!"
The messenger guard sprinted into the city with impressive speed. Within a minute or two, he returned with a demon whose presence made Noah wary.
Captain Mordak was built like a fortress. He had broad shoulders, bulging arms, and a high chest. Yet when he spotted Lola, his expression immediately softened into something approaching reverence.
Even the city guard captain treats her like a superior.
Mordak bowed slightly, a gesture that seemed genuine rather than obligatory.
"Thank you for your contribution to our city’s safety."
His polite smile and the way he spoke showed Noah that he was someone who’d dealt with Lola’s "contributions" before.
From a leather pouch at his belt, he took out a storage ring.
"The standard bounty for three Adept-level extremists, plus the additional bonus for the condition of dead or alive," he explained, extending the ring toward her.
"The city council appreciates your... restraint."
Restraint? She turned them into human charcoal. But well, I guess she restrained herself considering that they might have turned to ashes.
Lola accepted the ring with a smile.
"My pleasure, Captain. It’s always a joy to catch this filth."
As she slipped the ring onto her finger, Noah noticed the effect her presence had on the surrounding demons.
Guards, merchants, and passersby had begun to gather, drawn like moths to flame.
Every male demon within a fifty-foot radius had stopped whatever they were doing to watch Lola’s every movement.
Some tried to be subtle about it, pretending to examine their weapons or study the architecture. Others simply gaped openly, their expressions ranging from admiration to outright love-struck.
"Lola...One of the four most beautiful demonesses in Sin City."
The whisper drifted through the crowd and into Noah’s ears.
The four most beautiful? There’s a ranking system? And there are three that have the same level of beauty? Just what kind of kingdom is this? One is already enough to topple kingdoms, and they have four!
Even Captain Mordak seemed affected, his demeanour wavering as Lola’s smile intensified.
She tucked a strand of midnight hair behind her ear, and Noah swore he heard several demons gulp audibly.
"Shall we proceed to your shop?" Lola turned toward Noah, apparently oblivious to the small crowd she’d accumulated.
"I believe I’ve earned my tea."
"Lead the way," Noah replied, suddenly very aware of the dozens of envious glares now focused on him.
Great. Now, every demon in the city thinks I’m dating their fantasy woman. Let’s hope that this doesn’t come back to bite me in the back.
As they walked through the gates, he could hear the whispered conversations behind them.
"How did he manage to catch Lady Lola’s attention?"
Lola’s soft laughter suggested she could hear the whispers, too.
"Something amusing?" Noah asked.
She chuckled softly, her ruby eyes sparkling with secrets he couldn’t begin to guess.
That laugh means trouble.
Arriving at his shop, Noah addressed the system mentally.
System, remove Lola from the banned list.
[Acknowledged. Lola may now enter the shop.]
The invisible barrier that stopped Lola disappeared.
Lola stepped across the threshold with obvious satisfaction, her tail swishing behind her.