After the first day of travel aboard the airship, a knock echoed through the door of the Demon Lord’s grand quarters. The sound interrupted the tranquil silence of the living space, where Insight sat calmly on the velvet couch, her shadowy aura subdued. She rose gracefully and opened the door, revealing a servant clad in immaculate robes adorned with faintly glowing runes.

  The servant bowed deeply. “Good afternoon, my lady. I regret having to disturb your time of rest, but I bring news of the young lady who I was informed is property of the Demon Lord.”

  Insight’s crimson eyes narrowed slightly. “Yes, what of her?” she asked, her voice calm yet cutting.

  “She has been receiving treatment aboard our ship since departure. I am pleased to inform you that she is now the picture of health,” the servant replied. “Would you prefer her to be brought here, or shall she remain with the servants?”

  Before Insight could respond, Greed strode toward the door, her golden irises glinting with faint irritation. “Bring her here at once,” she ordered, her tone sharp and commanding.

  The servant bowed again and departed to retrieve the girl. Greed turned her gaze to Insight, her expression tinged with skepticism. “You best hope this human has value, Insight. If she doesn’t, our Lord’s displeasure will fall upon both of us for wasting his time.”

  Insight met Greed’s gaze evenly, her voice unwavering. “She will prove her worth. I am certain of it.”

  Not long after, there was another knock at the door. Insight glanced at Greed before speaking, her voice smooth and authoritative. “You may enter.”

  The young lady stepped inside, her movements hesitant and awkward as she took in the grandeur of the Demon Lord’s quarters. She looked nothing like the desperate and broken figure who had been rescued days before. Her long black hair now gleamed, falling elegantly over her shoulders, and her emerald green eyes shone like polished jewels. Her skin, still tan from her years of working in the sun, bore the marks of a hard life on the farm, though her appearance now seemed refined. The servants had dressed her in a flowing, luxurious gown of deep burgundy silk, complete with delicate embroidery and matching heels. However, her posture betrayed her discomfort—she was clearly unaccustomed to such attire.

  Her face was blank, her expression haunted by the loss of her family and home. Her sadness lingered in her eyes, casting shadows over their brilliance.

  Insight and Greed sat on a finely crafted couch in the center of the living room, their presence imposing even in their relative stillness. The sunlight streamed through the massive windows, painting soft patterns across the polished marble floor and golden carpets. Across from them was an empty chair, its ornate design featuring swirling carvings of demonic beasts and celestial symbols.

  Insight gestured to the chair. “Sit.”

  The young lady moved clumsily toward it, the long gown and heels making her steps uneasy. She sat down awkwardly, her hands resting nervously in her lap as she glanced at the Archdemons.

  “Thank you for saving my life,” she said softly, though her words lacked warmth and conviction.

  Insight tilted her head, her gaze piercing. “You give thanks for your life, yet I can plainly see you would have preferred death. Such hollow gratitude will not serve you well.”

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  The girl lowered her head, unable to muster a response. Her silence hung heavy in the room.

  Greed leaned forward slightly, her golden eyes sharp and unyielding. “What is your name, girl?” she demanded. For demons, giving one’s name to a master was a sacred custom.

  “Mira,” she answered quietly, her voice trembling. “My name is Mira, my lady.”

  “Mira,” Insight repeated, her tone almost thoughtful. “A unique name. From this moment forward, Mira, you belong to the Demon Lord, just as I do, and as does my compatriot here. I am the Archdemon of Insight, and this is the Archdemon of Greed. You may have already received information about us from the servants. If you have any questions, ask them now—before you meet our Lord.”

  Mira hesitated, the weight of the moment clear in her emerald eyes. “Only one,” she murmured after a pause. “Why did you save me?”

  Insight’s gaze softened ever so slightly. “You survived the ritual,” she said. “And I would like to know why.”

  “I see,” Mira replied, her voice barely audible.

  Greed stood abruptly, her golden energy flickering faintly. “Kneel,” she commanded, her tone harsh and unforgiving. “I will fetch the Demon Lord.”

  Mira obeyed instantly, lowering herself to the floor with trembling movements. She had been thoroughly warned about the customs surrounding the Demon Lord and the dire consequences should she disobey. Her breathing was shallow as she awaited the arrival of her new master.

  Greed returned shortly, the Demon Lord following behind her. His aura filled the room as he entered, an unrelenting presence that made the air feel heavy. Insight rose from her seat and knelt before him, Mira doing the same beside her. The Demon Lord’s mismatched eyes—one crimson, one obsidian—swept over the scene as he took a seat on the couch.

  “Rise,” he commanded, his voice deep and resonant.

  Insight and Mira obeyed immediately. As Mira stood, she found herself mesmerized by the Demon Lord’s regal composure. His movements were graceful yet powerful, his pale skin and striking features exuding both elegance and danger.

  The Demon Lord narrowed his eyes, studying Mira carefully. “Insight,” he said, his tone measured, “I understand now why you brought her here to me. Well done.”

  Greed glanced at Mira, her confusion evident. “What makes her special, my Lord?” she asked boldly.

  The Demon Lord ignored her question and extended his hand toward Mira. “Reach out your hand to me, human.”

  Mira hesitated briefly but then followed his command, placing her hand in his. Suddenly, demonic energy erupted from the Demon Lord, swirling around Mira in a torrent of power. Her emerald eyes widened as she felt the energy tugging at her, as though it sought to strip away something deep within her spirit. She gasped, fear flashing across her face.

  “Fascinating,” the Demon Lord said, his voice calm and soothing. “Relax, Mira. This will not harm you.”

  Mira took a deep breath and forced herself to comply, letting the energy flow around her. After a few moments, a strange sensation washed over her as spiritual energy began to pour from her body into the Demon Lord. The process was brief, lasting only seconds before stopping abruptly. Mira blinked, feeling no different, though her confusion grew.

  “You act as a storage and conduit for pure spiritual and magical power,” Insight remarked, her crimson eyes glinting. “Through my ability to see what others cannot, I witnessed this during the ritual you were subjected to.”

  Mira’s eyes widened in shock. “But I’ve never been able to use magic before.”

  “Natural balance,” Insight explained. “As a human, you cannot wield the energy yourself, but you can store and transfer it to others. What makes your ability unique is its universality—there seems to be no limit to the energy you can contain, and it becomes universally transferable. Typically, magic must match the compatibility of the receiver, or it risks killing them or transforming them into monstrosities.”

  “Very useful indeed,” the Demon Lord said, his tone thoughtful as he began to theorize potential uses for Mira’s abilities. “Greed, Insight. Take great care of this girl until I decide on a permanent bodyguard for her. Do not fail me.”

  With that, he stood and returned to his room to continue his meditation. Mira watched him leave, her mind swirling with the revelations about herself. She turned back to Insight and Greed, who resumed their silent meditations in the living room. As the airship soared above the clouds, Mira sat quietly, her eyes fixated on the landscape passing beyond the windows, her thoughts a storm of uncertainty and discovery.