A Tamia's Tale

Luka's behavior was different. Not healed—just different.

His plan was also tantamount to suicide but Saki found no objection besides her profound distrust of it. Without hesitation, the next day, he had prepared all of his affairs and was given food and water by Gerard to journey through the desert.

Their next destination was Dreikheim, a small country in the Inner Tamia, nestled in the shadow of towering mountains. The region was known for its harsh climate, with snow blanketing the land for most of the year. The mountains that surrounded Dreikheim formed a natural barrier, separating it from the demon realm—also known as The Ark.

Dreikheim possessed one of the few ways to enter the demon realms, a tunnel passing through the mountains and leading right to the other side. Unfortunately, with the appearance of the desert of Kaal during the events of the great demonic war, it had mostly crumbled and was rendered unusable. 

However, with the desert carving its way through the mountains, a new passage had been discovered two years ago. After Kaal was finally slain by Wrimbo.

One that Saki knew of, considering she traveled there for… probing information. 

The first day, they stopped at an oasis, allowing Luka to fill his gourd to the brim before boiling its content with fire magic. While the harsh environment of the desert was getting on his nerves, the presence of Saki made it far easier for him to navigate. 

Sometimes, when he felt tired, she flew him for a few kilometers before letting him down for her to recover.

"So… Are you really sure about that plan?" Saki asked, still not looking forward to the idea.

"I'm sure," Luka replied, for what felt like the thousandth time that day. "Why are you so scared to go there? Isn't that your homeland?"

Saki didn't reply, instead, she turned her head and sighed. "It's like jumping straight into the lion's den. And you're a gazelle."

The analogy made Luka crack a wry smile despite the tension. "I would say more like a hippopotamus," he quipped.

Saki raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by his humor. "I don't think so," she replied, rolling her eyes. "Though… maybe your ability to counter brainwashing could prove useful there," she admitted, though her skepticism was still evident. She sighed again. "Still, going to the Ark to ask succubi for help—it's nuts."

"I have many ideas to convince them," Luka said, sealing the lid of his gourd. His confidence was unwavering as he set the water aside to cool.

Saki crossed her arms and regarded him with a mix of skepticism and revulsion. As if she was looking at an absolute loser. "Ideas, huh?" she muttered. "With succubi?"

Luka caught her meaning immediately and raised his hand in protest. "Please don't make assumptions like that. It's hurtful."

"Hmm? Really…?" she replied, her tone dripping with disbelief. "You know, you could always ask me. I'm not going to kill you, unlike the ones there."

"I said no!" he shouted, his teeth clenched. "Dammit, you really don't trust me do you?"

Saki's gaze softened slightly, but her words didn't. "From a guy who had suicidal thoughts not longer than yesterday? Yeah," she said bluntly.

Luka froze, her words hitting harder than he'd expected. He looked away, his frustration replaced by a mix of shame and hurt. "That's… fair," he muttered, his voice quieter now. "But you are a good succubus," he added, his tone earnest. "So there are probably many others like you there, right?"

Saki's expression shifted immediately. Her teasing demeanor vanished as she narrowed her eyes, her gaze dropping to the ground. She looked... uncomfortable. Ashamed, even. The sight sent a pang of unease through Luka.

"What?" he asked cautiously, his voice softer now. "Did I say something wrong?"

Saki let out a slow breath, folding her arms tightly as if shielding herself from something. "Just… When we get there, stay close to me at all times, okay?"

Luka hesitated, his brows knitting together. "Okay. I trust you, Saki."

Saki looked up at him, her usual mischievous grin replaced by something far more solemn. "Good," she said quietly.

The night went on quietly and the two of them resumed their journey back to Dreikheim. At long last, the golden sands began to give way to something different. The arid air grew colder, carrying with it a sharp, biting chill. The first patches of frost appeared underfoot, a stark contrast to the relentless heat they'd endured. Before long, the barren desert transformed into a snow-covered land, its vast expanse dotted with clusters of pine trees. 

Luka paused for a moment, taking it all in. His breath came out in visible puffs as he adjusted the scarf Saki had lent him. "This… is Dreikheim?" he asked, his voice tinged with awe.

They were just in the desert not long ago and now the temperatures had shifted considerably.

Saki nodded, her eyes scanning the frostbitten landscape. "Yup!" she said in a cheerful tone. With her hands, she then gathered some snow and formed balls. "Dreikheim is actually a small town further in, close to the mountains," she explained as she threw the snowball toward a tree. 

Luka watched as the snowball Saki threw hit the tree with a soft thud, scattering into a spray of powder. 

"We were just in a desert a second ago!" Luka exclaimed, his teeth chattering as he pulled the scarf tighter around his neck. "What kind of broken world is this?"

Saki chuckled, brushing snow off her gloves. "Well, that's just how things are now," she said, gesturing to the frost-covered expanse around them. "Kaal went on a rampage, reshaping everything. Covered the land in sand, messed up the climate—you name it. We're talking about a dragon god after all. They don't exactly do things halfway."

Luka shook his head in disbelief, his breath visible in the frigid air. "A dragon god…" he muttered, staring out at the snow-covered landscape. "I don't want to meet one."

"Yup, me neither," Saki said with a mischievous grin, scooping up another handful of snow. "Speaking of things you don't want... snowball fight!"

Before Luka could react, Saki's snowball hit him squarely on the head, exploding in a puff of white powder.

"Hey!" Luka yelped, brushing the snow from his hair. "Not fair! I don't even have gloves!"

Saki stuck out her tongue, already rolling another snowball. "No excuses! The one who gets hit the most buys the other a drink!"

Luka's frustration bubbled over, and with a wicked grin, he began gathering mana at his fingertips. "Oh, really?" he smirked, crouching down and shaping the snow into a solid ball. "We'll see about that."

"Balweiln!" But before he could launch his attack, Saki raised her hands and chanted something under her breath. The next moment, a powerful gust of wind whipped through the air, scooping up an entire patch of snow and hurling it directly at Luka's face.

"W-WAIT! That's cheatin—Whoa!" Luka's words were cut off as the snowstorm enveloped him, the icy powder blinding him for a moment.

He stumbled backward, unable to stop the onslaught, his hands flailing as he tried to shield himself. Saki, meanwhile, was laughing uncontrollably, clearly enjoying what she'd unleashed.

"Oh, this isn't fair at all!" Luka grumbled through a mouthful of snow, trying to wipe his face clean.

"You liar! You were about to use magic as well!" Saki teased, still grinning from ear to ear. "Remember our contract? I can feel what you feel."

Luka, now fully covered in snow, sighed dramatically, looking like a snowman. "Fine, fine. I deserved that," he said, his voice muffled by the snow. "You win."

Saki jumped in victory and struck a pose by putting a hand on her hips. "Saki… Victory!"

Luka slowly picked himself up from the snow, brushing off the excess and giving the succubus a playful glare. "Don't think this is over though. Next time you're going to know what cold feels like."

After all, it was unfair. She was still barely wearing anything besides gloves and a slightly warmer jacket. 

"What can I say," Saki strutted forward, a smug look on her face. "Perks of being a demon, am I right?"

Luka shot Saki one last mischievous glare as they both continued walking through the snow-covered landscape. Their ulterior little snowball fight gave him enough heat to keep on going, even after being turned into a snowman by Saki. He swore under his breath he would have his revenge at one point until they saw the rise of smoke coming from a village far away. 

Nestled at the base of the mountains, Dreikheim appeared as a peaceful haven amidst the stark whiteness of the snow. Smoke rose from the thatched roofs of the homes scattered along the hillside. Each house stood on its own plot of land, surrounded by small farms and stables—plenty of space for a family to sustain itself. Despite the cold, the village looked warm, its central area bustling with people, creating a sense of life and community.

As they drew closer, Luka felt the shift in atmosphere. The warmth of the homes, the flickering torches lining the streets—everything about Dreikheim was a welcome contrast to the relentless chill of the snow-covered wilderness they had just crossed.

To Luka, it felt like they had arrived in the northern reaches of Sweden. The Nordic influence was unmistakable in the wooden and clay architecture, with planks placed vertically along the homes to support the heavy, snow-dusted roofs. It was a place where the cold was no stranger, but the people here had learned to live in harmony with it, carving out a home in the frostbitten landscape.

Further into the village, the mountains had been carved and dug deep, creating high lodgings with sweeping views of the village below. Runes were etched into the stone exterior walls of these troglodytes, faintly glowing with a soft blue light that made Luka pause to wonder what their purpose could be. It wasn't just decorative—there was a mystical aura surrounding the inscriptions, and he had the distinct feeling that there was more to this village than met the eye.

As they approached the central area, where the village seemed to converge, Luka's eyes landed on the remains of a statue—what was once a grand monument, now reduced to a pedestal with broken legs.

"What happened to this?" Luka asked, stepping closer to inspect the pedestal. The stone looked recent.

Saki's gaze followed his, and she tilted her head. "Oh, it's a statue of Wrimbo," she explained, her fingers tracing the stone. "It was destroyed by a bunch of idiots not long ago."

"Wrimbo?!" Luka asked with wide eyes. "You mean…"

"Yup," Saki beamed a smile. "That guy saved Dreikheim two years ago. In honor, they built this statue for him. Though I heard he wasn't that delighted… He is quite humble after all."

Luka chuckled, taking in the story. "You sure do know a lot about him…"

"I said I'm a fan!" she shot back. "Of course I know everything about him!"

 "Well, you should keep quiet about it," a voice came from right behind them. Luka and Saki turned around in surprise, both momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected presence. A hooded figure stood just a few feet away, their posture commanding but relaxed, their face hidden beneath the dark hood.

Luka immediately sensed something was off. As the figure stepped closer, the hood fell back slightly, revealing the creature's unsettling features. His skin was scaly, with a greenish tint, and his eyes—yellow and slitted like a serpent's—pierced through Luka with an intensity that made his skin crawl.

"Hmm? Are you travelers by any chance?" the creature asked, its voice smooth but with an edge of suspicion, as its yellow eyes flicked between Saki and Luka.

Luka felt an involuntary shiver run down his spine. That thing was definitely a demon.

Saki, however, seemed unfazed. "We're just passing through," she said casually. "We're going to the Ark."

The creature tilted its head, his eyes narrowing. He pulled off his hood and revealed his face. Its green scales contrasted with his yellow-slitted eyes and his sharp teeth like a shark made him look menacing. Luka immediately recognized the demon as a Dragonkin. A mix of a human and dragon, known for their incredible strength and their combat abilities. His green tail slowly uncoiled out of his cloak and he approached his face from Saki's.

"The Ark, huh?" the Dragonkin rumbled, his voice deep and gruff. "What does a succubus want with a man in the Ark, I wonder?" 

Saki didn't flinch, her expression unwavering. Luka felt the air tense as the creature sniffed the air, his nostrils flaring. The sudden shift in his demeanor made the hairs on the back of Luka's neck stand up. The Dragonkin's hand moved behind his back, and the gleam in his eyes turned darker, more calculating.

"Please, she isn't hurting me," Luka spoke up quickly, raising his hand in protest. He could see how quickly things could escalate, and he didn't want to make things worse. "She's just helping me with something."

The Dragonkin's scaly lips curled into a sneer, and he took a step back, clearly unimpressed. "Helping you? Explain yourselves."

Saki narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, clearly unamused. "What, are you a guard or something?"

The Dragonkin snorted. "No. But I am tasked with protecting this village from demons."

"Granbell, that's enough."

The Dragonkin, Granbell, froze, his head jerking slightly toward the new speaker. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before stepping back, lowering his hand from behind his back.

A tall figure emerged from the shadows, a man dressed in dark fur and leather armor, with a long cloak flowing behind him. His face was strong, weathered by time, and his eyes held an unwavering calmness that contrasted with Granbell's tense demeanor. His long flowing hair was a black streak that blended with the surrounding whiteness of the village.

Stroking his beard, the man took in the duo and sighed. "Forgive Granbell," the man said, his voice warm. "He's a bit tense right now. We've heard of what happened to Sora and everyone is on guard."

He raised his arms in a welcoming gesture and smiled. "My name is Härvarr Draai, Jarl of Dreikheim. What brings you here?" He gave Luka and Sai a scrutinizing look, but there was no malice in his gaze, only cautious curiosity.

Granbell remained silent, his posture stiff but obedient. It seemed like he had no intention of continuing the confrontation now that the new figure had intervened.

Saki puffed her chest and bowed in respect. "We're just passing through, O Jarl. We will leave for the Ark tomorrow."

Luka added, trying to ease the tension, "We're not looking for trouble."

Härvarr frowned deeply. "The Ark? Why?"

"That girl is a succubus," Granbell interjected, his voice edged with suspicion. "She might take him to their land and—"

"Okay, I'm going to stop you right there," Luka raised his hand in protest, cutting off the Dragonkin before he could finish. "I asked to go there. Saki here is just guiding me."

Härvarr scratched his head and sighed deeply. "We will talk about this in my house. Please escort them, Granbell," he commanded, turning and heading upward.

Before they could even protest, Granbell shot them a glare, signaling they were to follow the Jarl. Luka exchanged a confused glance with Saki, but she simply sighed and followed suit without a word.

Granbell led the way, his heavy steps crunching in the snow, his tail flicking behind him in irritation. The tension in the air was palpable, and Luka couldn't help but feel like they were being watched from every angle.

Every passerby seemed to stop what they were doing, casting worried and suspicious glances at the newcomers as they moved through the village.

Finally, they reached a large troglodyte house perched atop a long stairway, the highest dwelling in all of Dreikheim. A large wooden sculpture of a dragon stood proudly above the entrance, its fierce form carved with intricate detail. Runes were etched into the stone door, faintly glowing with an eerie blue light.

The warmth inside was a welcome relief from the biting cold, and Luka stepped in first, his breath catching as the cozy, aromatic air hit him. The scent of cooked meat and herbs filled the space, mingling with the earthy undertones of wood and stone.

A massive fireplace dominated the center of the room, crackling with the energy of a roaring fire. Above it, multiple iron bars were suspended, each holding large cuts of meat slowly cooking over the flames. The room was warm, with flickering shadows dancing on the walls, adding to the homely yet imposing atmosphere.

Luka glanced around, noticing the thick tapestries on the walls depicting scenes of battle and victory, fights against dragons or even other armies with a man riding a horse, raising his sword high. The low, wooden furniture gave the room a rustic yet grand feel, fitting for a Jarl.

Granbell closed the door behind them with a heavy thud, and Härvarr gestured them to sit along a long table, his expression now more composed. 

"Make yourselves comfortable. It's been a long day, I'm sure," Härvarr suggested. He sat across them, on his throne at the end of the table, his hands folded in front of him. His eyes flicked over to Granbell, who stood stiffly near the entrance, never taking his eyes off them.

"Now," the Jarl began, taking a more relaxed stance as he leaned back against the back of his throne. "You wish to go to the Ark. Is that correct?"

"Exactly," Luka gulped and nodded warily. 

With a snap of his fingers, the Jarl turned his head toward a nearby room. "Frida! Come here please!"

With clicking steps, a woman entered the room. Her long, flowing dark hair cascaded down her shoulders as she stepped up to the Jarl with an expression that was both annoyed and curious. "What is it, father?" she asked, her tone sharp but respectful.

"I want your expertise," Härvarr replied. "Is this man brainwashed?" He gestured to Luka. He then glanced briefly at Granbell, signaling him to stay alert and keep an eye on Saki.

The woman, Frida, paused, her eyes narrowing as she studied Luka carefully. She seemed to be sizing him up, her gaze sweeping over him with an intensity that suggested she wasn't easily fooled. The room fell silent as she approached him.

Her green eyes bore into him and she pulled out a small satchel from the pouch attached to her waist. 

Luka couldn't help but recoil upon sniffing the air, the aroma of powerful herbs attacking his nose with a burning sensation. She held the satchel near his nose and gently asked him to take in the scent. 

"I know it doesn't smell good, but please breathe in."

Luka hesitated for a moment, the strong, pungent smell of the herbs almost making him gag. The scent was overwhelming, sharp and bitter, but he knew better than to refuse outright. With a deep breath, he inhaled the burning aroma, wincing as it stung his nostrils.

Frida watched him carefully, her gaze never leaving his face as she observed his reaction. The silence in the room was heavy, only broken by the crackling of the fire.

"Now, ask your question, father," Frida ordered.

The Jarl leaned forward, his face unreadable as he directed his attention to Luka. "Do you still intend to go to the Ark?" 

Luka's chest tightened, the aftereffects of the herbs still stinging at the back of his throat. He opened his mouth to respond, but his voice faltered as he gasped for breath, still reeling from the overwhelming sensation. "Yes!" he choked out, his words strained. "Get that off me... or I'm going to—"

Luka's body shuddered as the last of the burning scent seemed to linger in his lungs. Panic clawed at him, but he forced himself to steady his breath. The room seemed to spin for a moment before his mind cleared, though he still felt the remnants of the strange sensation.

Frida raised an eyebrow but didn't speak immediately, her lips pressed into a thin line as she observed Luka's condition.

"He is not brainwashed," she finally said, her voice cool and professional. "Sorry for putting you through this." She withdrew the satchel from his nose, packing it back into her bag with a swift motion.

Luka took in a deep, relieved breath, the air tasting much clearer now that the pungent scent had dissipated. His chest still ached from the lingering effects, but he was beginning to feel more grounded.

Frida glanced at her father, her gaze cool but respectful. "He's not under any kind of external influence."

The Jarl nodded, though his expression was still pensive. "Thank you, Frida. You can back to your alchemy."

Frida bowed slightly, her footsteps echoing as she left the room. Luka, still trying to regain his composure and gritting his teeth at the sound of Saki's muffled giggling, finally met the Jarl's gaze. "Why are you taking these measures? Seriously..."

Härvarr studied him carefully, his eyes sharp. After a long pause, he sighed deeply. "We cannot trust a succubus. Many people have been brainwashed and escorted to the Ark before, only to never be seen again." His gaze shifted toward Saki, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What makes you different?"

Saki leaned back in her chair, unfazed by the scrutiny. "Well, I'm just helping him. He wants to go there of his own will, right?" She glanced at Luka, her grin widening as she waited for him to confirm.

Luka hesitated, but nodded slowly. "I do. I'm not being forced."

The Jarl's expression softened, though he remained cautious. "Your resolve is clear, young man. But as the Jarl of Dreikheim, it's my duty to protect this village. We've had our share of problems with people going to the Ark—many have vanished without a trace."

Granbell stepped forward, his tail flicking in agitation. "I still don't understand. Why would a human like you risk your life to go there? Do you have a death wish?"

"I could ask the same," Luka coughed, his voice strained. "What is a demon doing here on broad daylight?"

The room fell quiet for a moment, and Granbell's posture stiffened at the remark, though he didn't respond. Härvarr, however, was quick to defuse the tension. "Granbell is the last of his tribe," he explained, his tone even but firm. "He's earned our trust. He's been under our protection here and hasn't harmed a single human."

Luka glanced between the Jarl and Granbell, a question lingering in his mind. "And you trust him, just like that? Even with everything that's happened in Sora?" he asked, his voice cautious yet curious.

Härvarr met his gaze, his expression resolute. "Yes. He's proven himself. Granbell has fought alongside us, defended this village from multiple demon outbreaks already, and shown loyalty when others would have turned their backs."

Luka took a moment to process the weight of the Jarl's words, but then his eyes shifted to Saki, and he spoke again, more resolutely this time. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I have my reasons for wanting to go to the Ark. But I'm not going to let fear or suspicion stop me. I'm going, with or without your approval."

Saki, leaning forward with an amused glint in her eye, added, "And I'll be guiding him. No harm in that, right?"

Granbell glared, but it was clear the conversation had reached its limits for now.

Härvarr gave a long, considering look at Luka before nodding. "Very well. But not right now. I ask of you to stay for the night here."

Granbell stepped up in protest. "My Jarl! Allowing a succubus to sleep here would be—"

"It's okay, Granbell." Härvarr glanced at Saki. "I will ask you to sleep in a room closed from the outside, demon."

"Fine by me. But don't you dare hurt Luka, okay?"

"You have my promise. You will both have the best hospitality possible, within reason, of course."

Luka nodded quietly, accepting the terms. It was better than anything they had hoped and he had no other choice anyway. 

Granbell's growl of protest was ignored as he stood rigid, clearly not satisfied with the decision, but it was clear that the Jarl had made his ruling. After a tense silence, Härvarr gestured toward the door.

"Granbell, see them to their rooms. And remember, this is a courtesy, not a sign of trust. Keep that in mind."

Luka glanced at Saki, who gave him a playful wink as she stood up. They would follow Granbell's lead, but tonight, at least, they would have a chance to rest—before the journey to the Ark continued the next day.

Granbell's glare lingered as he turned toward the door, his tail flicking behind him in irritation. He clearly wasn't pleased with the Jarl's decision, but he wasn't about to argue further.

"Follow me," he muttered, his voice low, and strode toward the hallway. Luka and Saki exchanged a brief look before following, their footsteps echoing in the stone corridor. 

Granbell led them to a small, unadorned room near the back of the hall. The room was simple: a bed with thick furs spread across it, a wooden chest for storage, and a small window that let in only a sliver of pale moonlight. It was cozy enough, but the starkness of the surroundings gave it a cold feel.

"You'll be locked in here until morning," Granbell said as he opened the door, glaring at Saki one last time before stepping aside. "Don't try anything."

Saki didn't flinch as she stepped past him, giving him a playful smirk. "Relax, big guy. If we wanted to escape, we would've done it already."

Granbell didn't respond, simply giving one final glare before he closed the door behind them with a loud thud.

Luka stood in the middle of the room, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. "This is... a lot, isn't it?" he muttered to himself.

Saki flopped onto the bed with a dramatic sigh. "I don't know. It's kind of nice to be treated like royalty for a change, even if it's by someone who doesn't trust us."

Luka glanced at her. "Yeah, but I don't think that's their idea of hospitality."

Looking around the room, even though it was cozy, it still had the air of a prison. 

Saki raised an eyebrow, pulling herself into a sitting position. "Still, no guy for me tonight..." She sighed dramatically, her lips pulling into a playful pout. "And I bet you're not going to let me—"

"No," Luka interrupted firmly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

She sighed theatrically, flopping back down onto the bed. "I figured… though I was hoping for something a little more exciting than a cold, lonely night." She rolled over and buried her face in the pillow before raising her head slightly to glance at him. "Man, I'm hungry…"

Luka rubbed his stomach absentmindedly, realizing only now how much he could use a proper meal. The reminder of food made his stomach growl, but the thought of sneaking past Granbell or trying to find something to eat seemed like a bad idea.

"Do you think they're going to give us food?" Luka asked, looking out the window at the snowy landscape beyond.

Saki rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I already have food here, but he doesn't want to give me any…"

"Just shut up already… We are bound by contract, you're not going to die."

Saki snickered, clearly enjoying the moment. "Yeah, yeah, no need to remind me. But still... a little snack wouldn't hurt. It's been ages since I had something good."

Luka shot her a sharp glance, frowning. "You had guys every time we arrived in a town! I couldn't even wake you up in the morning without risking seeing you naked with a guy."

Saki raised an eyebrow, her grin widening as she smirked at him. "Oh, come on, Luka. You act like I'm the only one having fun here. Don't tell me you've never thought about it."

"Honestly? No. I don't want to die."

"And yet you're going there…"

Luka tensed. There was something chilling about the way Saki talked about her homeland. Was it that bad?

Before his thoughts could go on, a knock on the door startled him. Granbell entered with a platter of food, his expression still tight, eyes cold.

"Now you're doing room service, draggy?" Saki asked, rolling over the bed.

"Hmpf. It's not like I want to." Granbell grumbled, setting the platter down on the small table in the center of the room. He made a point of glaring at Saki, but said nothing more.

Luka sighed in relief, his stomach growling louder at the sight of the steaming food. It was hearty, roasted meats with a side of vegetables and bread, and though it wasn't the most luxurious meal, it was exactly what he needed right now. He immediately moved toward the platter, eager to fill his empty stomach.

But first, something interrupted his meal. He glanced back at Granbell. "Thank you for bringing us food. I didn't think we would be welcomed this well." 

Granbell's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer. "Think of it as your last meal before going there," he snapped, his voice dripping with disdain.

Luka's appetite faltered for a moment, but the hunger gnawing at him quickly overpowered the unease. He sat down and began to eat, trying to ignore the uncomfortable weight of Granbell's gaze.

Saki, still sprawled on the bed, raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's cheerful." She swung her legs off the bed and made her way to the table, eyeing the food. "I know Luka is an idiot for going there but isn't that a bit premature to talk about 'last meals'?"

Granbell didn't answer, and instead, his eyes turned cold as he glanced at the door. His posture remained rigid, every muscle in his body seeming to brace for something, though no one in the room could quite tell what.

Luka shifted uncomfortably but pushed the thought away, trying to refocus on his meal.

Saki picked up a piece of bread and took a bite, her eyes still on Granbell. "You know, Granbell, you don't have to act like we're about to commit some horrible crime. We're just... passing through."

Granbell's eyes flicked toward Luka, his lips curling into a sneer again. "I distrust humans like you," he said, his tone thick with disdain. "You reek of evil, just like that man. And don't start me on succubi. Your appetite dwarves those of the great dragons of the mountain."

Saki paused mid-bite, her expression momentarily faltering. "Is that so?" she replied, her tone amused but edged with something darker. She leaned forward, clearly intrigued, though her lips curled into an almost predatory smile. "It sounds like you've had some... unpleasant experiences."

Granbell's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. His gaze had returned to the door, his eyes narrowing as though he was listening for something just outside the room.

"What man?" Luka finally asked, unable to leave the question in his head unanswered.

"Hazuki Ryuuji." Granbell spat as if he was cursing the name at the same time. 

Luka stopped. He felt as if the world was as small as him now that the face of the man drew itself in his mind. 

"I see now…" Luka muttered, putting aside his bread in disgust. 

"Your eyes look like his and you smell the same," the dragonkin growled. "And you know him?"

Saki, who had been quietly watching, looked between them, a mix of surprise and realization crossing her face. "Wait, you know him? Luka, do you know him?"

Luka took a breath, trying to steady himself. "Yeah... I know him. He's a demon hunter. He was with Yelena, asking questions about you, Saki. But I played dumb. I didn't give him anything."

Saki paused mid-bite, her eyes narrowing slightly as she absorbed the information. "Ah," she said, her tone shifting. "Figures…"

Granbell's eyes were locked onto Luka, his expression no longer as hostile but still filled with suspicion. "So you know him. And you protected a demon?"

Luka stared back, unflinching. "Yeah," he said, his voice firm. "So what? It's not like he's my friend or anything."

A flicker of incomprehension passed in the dragonkin's eyes as he examined Luka. Was he misguided? He thought he was the same but…

"Why are you going to the Ark?" he finally asked. "To kill demons?"

"No," Luka shook his head. "I'm here to get the succubi on humanity's side for the war against Kaeris."

There was a brief silence in the room as Granbell processed the answer, his features unreadable.

"That's impossible," Granbell muttered, his eyes flicking to Saki before settling back on Luka. "But… as long as you're not an enemy of the demons, I don't care."

Luka, confused by the sudden shift, pressed further. "Wait, you didn't say anything about fighting against Kaeris. Are you not with him?"

Granbell scoffed, his irritation rising as he slammed his tail against the floor in frustration. "No way. I would never side with a monster like him." He narrowed his eyes, his voice growing colder. "Besides… I'm fighting to avenge my tribe."

Clenching his fists, the dragonking growled. "That Ryuuji bastard… I'll kill him."

The dragonkin clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as a growl rumbled from deep within his chest. "That Ryuuji bastard… I will kill him."

With that, he left the room and slammed the door behind him. The room grew quiet once more, leaving the duo with a concerned look on their faces. 

Saki, still holding her half-eaten bread, let out a quiet breath. "Well, that escalated quickly…" she muttered, looking at the door as if expecting Granbell to burst back in at any moment.

Luka ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. "Kanami's dad isn't really loved, huh…"

"Wait." Saki's eyes widened, her voice muffled slightly by the bread she was still chewing. "Hazuki is Kanami's dad?!"

Luka paused, his brow furrowing. "You didn't know?"

Saki shook her head, clearly stunned. "I mean, I've heard of him. I know about Hazuki Ryuuji—the demon hunter. But Kanami's dad?" She blinked a few times, trying to process the new information. "That's... a twist I didn't see coming."

Luka leaned against his chair. "Yeah… When I saw the guy for the first time, I was wondering myself but there is no doubt now." his face grew darker. "But that means he probably killed Granbell's tribe. Explains why he is so angry…"

Which also meant there were other demons against siding with Kaeris. That simple information gave Luka a flicker of hope. Perhaps he could find some other races willing to help?

A brief silence settled over them, the weight of their situation hanging in the air. Luka then stood up, stretching his tired muscles. "Anyway, time to sleep." He patted his stomach, now content from the meal, and moved toward the bed. "We've got a lot ahead of us tomorrow."

Saki yawned and stretched out on the bed. "Yeah, we do. Rest while you can."

With a slouch, he slumped in the bed and pulled some sheets over him. Then, he took off his jacket and pulled out some talismans from it and a pen. 

Saki raised an eyebrow as she watched. "Still writing your talismans, huh? You've been diligently doing this every night."

Luka glanced up briefly, his hand still moving with practiced precision. "I'm still Daji's disciple," he replied, his voice steady. "I can't slack off on my magic."

With an expert hand, he wrote multiple symbols on them and poured his mana into the paper. 

He had to get ready after all. 

The road ahead was going to get more dangerous.