Chapter 305: Dante Is A Shady Old Man

"You got yourself a new girlfriend or something?" Steve whispered.

I rolled my eyes and laughed under my breath.

"No, man. Not like that."

Then I whispered, "Lyrate, come out."

I sent a mental signal to the core, and immediately, a crimson mist surged out from my chest. A moment later, Lyrate appeared beside the couch, floating gracefully like some ghostly queen summoned from the afterlife.

Her red eyes shifted slowly, scanning the room and then locked onto Steve.

I felt a sudden jolt through my mental link with her. She was deciding whether or not to kill him. I didn’t need words. That judgmental, soul-scanning aura of hers said it all.

"Lyrate!" I called out quickly, sitting up straighter. "This is my best friend, Steve!"

I turned to Steve and nearly burst out laughing.

He was frozen like a statue, mouth hanging open, eyes wide like he’d just seen a goddess or a very stylish death angel.

"Uhh... hi?" he managed to squeak.

Lyrate didn’t respond. She just floated there, elegant and quiet, clearly unimpressed.

I patted Steve’s back.

"Relax, she doesn’t bite."

Steve didn’t take his eyes off her. His gaze stayed locked on the swirling mist around Lyrate, like he was watching a bomb that might go off any second.

Then he turned to me and asked, "Don’t tell me she’s like Silver."

I gave a small nod.

"Something like that."

His eyes flicked back to her, taking in the way the crimson mist moved and the sharp glow of her red eyes.

"She’s an Elf," he muttered under his breath.

"Yup. An Elf queen, actually."

He let out a long, dramatic sigh.

"Life is so damn unfair."

I burst out laughing and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Relax, I can ask her to be your friend if you want."

He smacked my hand away.

"Get lost."

Then he stood up and gave Lyrate another once-over before glancing back at me. "She can use a sword?"

I nodded.

"She’s insanely good with it."

His eyebrows rose with interest.

"Can I spar with her?"

I immediately shook my head.

"She’s level 199."

His eyes bulged. He actually took a step back and pointed at me like I had personally betrayed the natural order of the universe.

"You have a

level 199

summon?!"

I leaned back on the couch, crossed my legs, and answered as casually as I could manage.

"Yup."

Steve paced a bit, muttering under his breath, "Level 199... That’s not a summon, that’s a living endgame boss."

I grinned.

"Try not to offend her, then," I said with a grin.

Steve sat back down beside me, rubbing his face like he was trying to process everything at once. Then, he turned toward me with a serious look.

"What about that favor you mentioned?" he asked quietly. "When can we do it?"

His tone made me pause. The grin faded from my face the moment I saw the look in his eyes—focused, determined. This wasn’t just curiosity anymore. He needed this.

I took a moment to think through everything, the limited time, the emperor’s request, the possible operation ahead. Then I finally answered, "Right after I meet Grandma."

His eyebrows rose.

"That soon?"

I nodded.

"Yeah. We might be heading into an operation in a day or two. Tonight might be the only chance I get. After that... things will get complicated."

He didn’t argue, just gave a quiet nod of understanding.

I stretched my arms over my head and stood up.

"Alright then, you hang out with Lyrate. I’m gonna go take a proper bath."

Steve glanced at Lyrate, who floated silently nearby. Then he looked back at me.

"You sure she’s not gonna... you know, stab me or turn me into a flowerpot or something?"

I rubbed my chin, pretending to think deeply. "Hmm... she

shouldn’t

. But if she does, I promise I’ll avenge you."

"Very comforting," he muttered, deadpan.

I laughed and patted his shoulder.

"You’ll be fine. Just don’t try to flirt with her. She’s got an ancient-queen vibe—zero patience for nonsense."

With that, I turned and made my way to the bathroom, already imagining the warm water and silence. After everything I’d been through, a good bath almost felt like luxury.

I stepped out of the bath, tugging a T-shirt over my head and adjusting my joggers. As I walked into the living room, I paused. Steve sat on the couch, completely absorbed in the news. Floating beside him, Lyrate hovered silently watching the TV with unsettling intensity.

I blinked, a little surprised to see Lyrate so focused on the television. But then I just shrugged it off and moved on.

As I stepped toward the couch, ready to sit down beside Steve, I suddenly heard the sound of a car pulling up outside.

My senses flared automatically, scanning the front of the house.

It was her.

Grandma was stepping out of the car.

My heart skipped a beat.

Without wasting a moment, I de-summoned Lyrate, the crimson mist vanishing back into my chest.

"She’s here," I said to Steve quietly.

He nodded, standing up as well.

I turned toward the door, and waited.

Seconds passed.

The lock clicked.

The door opened slowly.

She stepped inside, still dressed in her usual military uniform, eyes blinked and then locking onto mine.

We stood there for a second, just looking at each other.

Her face softened. Mine already had.

I stepped forward and didn’t say a word. I just wrapped my arms around her.

Her arms slowly came up and returned the hug, firm and warm.

"I missed you," I whispered into her shoulder.

Her hand rubbed my back gently.

"I’m glad you’re back," she said softly. "Truly."

Just like that, a weight lifted off my chest. I felt at ease again.

I stepped back to look at her. She looked the same, calm and composed but I could see the worry behind her eyes.

She studied me for a moment, then said,

"You’ve grown stronger."

I nodded, smiling faintly.

"I have."

She tilted her head.

"So... your mission’s finished?"

I gave a small shrug.

"Sort of."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced between me and Steve, then walked further into the house.

"Did you eat anything?"

I nodded.

"Yeah, I grabbed something outside."

She raised an eyebrow.

"So... you don’t want me to cook something for you?"

I blinked, caught off guard.

"Umm... you know, I

think

I’m still a little hungry. Steve?"

"Huh? Oh—yeah, me too," he said quickly, catching on.

She smiled.

"Good. Go wait in the dining room. I will freshen up and then whip something up real quick."

I nodded and gave Steve a small shove toward the dining room.

We waited there while Grandma moved around the kitchen. The familiar sounds made everything feel a little more real again.

I glanced at Steve.

"Hey, why was Arkas so pissed at Dante?"

Steve raised an eyebrow.

"You don’t know?"

"Know what?"

He leaned back in his chair.

"Well, as you probably figured, Dante’s kind of... a wild card. He’s like the underworld Emperor of our Empire....part shadow broker, part assassin lord. And he took North."

My eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean,

took

her?"

"I mean," he clarified, "he made her his apprentice or trainee. Assassin-in-training, student or whatever label he uses. And Arkas is furious because North’s brother already joined Dante before her."

I blinked, trying to process it. Part of me wanted to laugh at how dramatic that sounded but I also felt bad for Arkas.

Still, I leaned back and muttered,

"That might not be a bad thing though."

Steve tilted his head.

"North is ambitious. If Dante can help her grow stronger, then maybe it’s for the best. She’ll get power and training."

Steve nodded slowly, lips pressed in a thin line.

"Yeah... but I don’t think Arkas sees it that way."

"Obviously," I smirked. "Guy probably feels like his whole family’s been hijacked by a shady uncle."

Steve laughed.

"Exactly that."