Became a Demon with Pregnancy System

"Would it make sense to attack the entire Silvercrest City just to capture one student?" He scratched his head vigorously, frustration evident on his face. "This kind of bizarre event is unprecedented."

"Perhaps I should focus on finding Zoe first," Zach decided. "She might hold the key to understanding all this."

Taking a deep breath, he prepared to descend from the branch.

Just as he moved, a brilliant red-yellow pillar of flame shot toward him with astonishing speed. The blazing heat instantly incinerated the treetops where he had just been standing, extending backward for over a hundred meters.

"What the—!" Zach exclaimed, quickly patting out small embers on his uniform. His heart pounded in his chest.

There was no doubt—the attack came from the Skywing Wolf.

"That range and power... from over five hundred meters away?" Zach thought, alarmed. "Such a feat is difficult even for a mid-level demon."

"Something's definitely wrong with this Skywing Wolf," he muttered.

Before he could fully process the situation, another equally powerful flame pillar erupted, heading straight toward him.

"Darn it! I can't stay here!" Zach shouted, leaping into action.

He dodged the attack, but not without consequence. One of his wind wings was damaged in the process, reducing his mobility.

As a high-level fire mage himself, Zach was sensitive to the fluctuations of flame elements. He could feel an intense concentration of fire magic gathering rapidly.

"Is this beast a walking artillery? How can it launch such powerful attacks in quick succession?" he grumbled.

"Zoe, I'm sorry," Zach whispered to himself. "But I have to retreat for now."

He knew that continuing to confront the Skywing Wolf in his current state would be suicidal. With limited magical energy left and his wind magic impaired, escape was his only option.

Summoning the remnants of his wind magic, Zach tried to speed up, pushing his abilities to the limit.

However, exhaustion was catching up with him. The prolonged exertion had drained much of his magical reserves.

Meanwhile, Luke, revitalized and full of energy, was relentless.

"You're not getting away," Luke declared, his eyes fixed on Zach's retreating figure.

In a matter of seconds, Luke intercepted Zach's path, landing gracefully before him.

"The Skywing Wolf!" Zach gasped, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and resignation.

"I didn't expect it to end like this," Zach thought, a bitter smile forming on his lips. "Outmatched and out of options."

"It's just a shame I couldn't save Zoe or uncover the truth," he lamented internally.

Luke stared down at Zach, his expression unreadable.

"You dare attack my pack after I called a retreat?" Luke said sternly. "I won't let that go unpunished."

Zach steadied himself, meeting Luke's gaze. "If you're going to kill me, get it over with," he said defiantly.

"I'm not here to kill you," Luke replied. "Not if it's avoidable."

Zach was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"I have a proposition for you," Luke stated.

"You're a demon," Zach retorted. "Why would I listen to anything you have to say?"

"Because things aren't as black and white as you think," Luke said calmly. "I'm offering you a chance to understand, to see beyond the surface."

Zach hesitated. The Skywing Wolf's manner of speaking was unexpected—intelligent, almost human.

"How... can you speak?" Zach asked, confusion evident.

"There's much you don't know," Luke replied. "But time is short. Will you hear me out?"

Zach weighed his options. He was exhausted, injured, and had little chance of escape. Perhaps listening might buy him time or provide an opportunity.

"Fine," he conceded. "Speak."

Luke nodded. "I didn't attack Silvercrest City out of malice. The invasion was orchestrated by the Black Church, manipulating events to their advantage."

"The Black Church?" Zach echoed.

"They killed my offspring, framing the city to incite conflict," Luke explained. "I halted the attack to prevent unnecessary bloodshed."

"Then why did you take Zoe?" Zach demanded.

"She was in danger," Luke answered. "I moved her to safety."

"And Tanya?" Zach pressed.

"Also under threat," Luke said. "I have no intention of harming them."

Zach studied Luke's face, searching for deceit. "Why should I believe you?"

"I understand your skepticism," Luke acknowledged. "But consider the facts. I withdrew my forces, yet you continued to attack my wolves."

"I..." Zach faltered. "I was searching for answers."

"And now you've found me," Luke said. "Perhaps we can work together against our common enemy."

"The Black Church is a threat to us all," Zach admitted.

"Exactly," Luke agreed. "Will you join me in stopping them?"

Zach took a deep breath. The situation was surreal, but the sincerity in Luke's voice was unmistakable.

"Very well," Zach said slowly. "I'm willing to cooperate."

"Good," Luke replied. "First, you need rest. You're injured."