Chapter 209: Knowledge of Kaelthar

Lilith’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully, her threads curling around her fingers like curious serpents. "Hmm. You know quite a lot about the Wasteland. Have you ever been there yourself?"

Isolde shook her head slowly, her pale hair shifting against her shoulders. "No. No sane person would willingly set foot in that place. Everything I know comes from travelers who were foolish enough to venture near its borders and lucky enough to return." Her voice dropped. "Most didn’t."

Adam leaned forward, his crimson eyes fixed on her face. "Then where do we find this Compass of Desire? If it’s the only thing that can guide us through the Wasteland, someone must know where it is."

Isolde was silent for a moment. Then she spoke, her voice low.

"The compass is in the possession of a merchant. His name is Alistair Croft." She paused, as if weighing her next words. "He operates out of the border kingdom of Kaelthar. It’s a small realm, situated near the edge of the Wasteland—close enough that traders can reach the desert’s edge within a day’s ride."

Adam’s brow furrowed. "Kaelthar? I’ve never heard of it."

Isolde’s lips curled into a faint, bitter smile. "Most people haven’t. It’s a lawless place. Bandits, smugglers, outcasts—anyone who doesn’t fit into the more ’civilized’ kingdoms ends up there eventually." She glanced at Lilith, then back at Adam. "Alistair Croft is one of the most successful merchants in Kaelthar. He deals in rare artifacts, forbidden texts, things that most people would kill to possess." Her voice hardened. "He’s also paranoid, well-guarded, and utterly ruthless. If you want the Compass of Desire, you’ll have to either pay his price or take it by force."

Lilith’s smile widened. "Taking it by force sounds... entertaining."

Adam shot her a warning look, then turned back to Isolde. "What kind of price are we talking about?"

Isolde shrugged. "That depends on his mood. Sometimes he wants gold. Sometimes he wants information. Sometimes..." She paused, her crimson eyes flickering with something like disgust. "Sometimes he wants something far more personal. Favors. Debts. Leverage over powerful people." She looked away. "He’s not a man you want to be indebted to."

Adam absorbed this, his expression thoughtful.

"Kaelthar," he repeated. "How far is it from here?"

Isolde considered. "If we travel at a steady pace, maybe a week. Less if your dragon carries us." She glanced at Ignis, who puffed up with pride. "The terrain is rough, but we can avoid most of the dangers if we’re careful."

Adam nodded slowly. "Then that’s our next destination. We find this Alistair Croft, get the Compass of Desire, and then head into the Wasteland." He looked at Isolde, his crimson eyes sharp. "You’ll be useful."

"I don’t have a choice, do I?"

Adam’s lips curved into a faint smile. "No. You don’t."

Ignis stretched her arms above her head, flames licking lazily at her fingertips. "Our goal is still far, isn’t it? Why don’t we just go straight to the Wasteland? That would be easier."

Adam shot her a flat look. "Didn’t you hear, Ignis? That region is cursed. We have to rely on an artifact to be safe. We’re not immortal."

Lilith’s lips curved into a teasing smile. "If you’re so curious, why don’t you try it yourself, Ignis?"

Ignis crossed her arms, pouting. "Don’t want to. You try it, Lilith."

Adam ignored their bickering and turned to Isolde, his expression thoughtful. "Oh, right. You could also tell that Ignis is a dragon, Isolde. How could you tell?"

Isolde’s crimson eyes flicked toward Ignis, then back to Adam. Her voice was flat, matter-of-fact. "Of course I know. Dragons are an arrogant species. They don’t bother hiding their aura. I could tell immediately—especially hers. Her aura is... overflowing."

Ignis puffed out her chest, a proud grin spreading across her face. "Hehe, of course! Because I am a magnificent dragon!"

Adam sighed, shaking his head. Then he straightened, gesturing to himself and his companions.

"Oh, right. I haven’t properly introduced myself yet." He pointed to his chest. "I’m Adam." Then to Ignis. "This is Ignis." Then to Lilith. "And this is Lilith."

Isolde nodded slowly, her expression guarded. Her gaze lingered on each of them for a moment before dropping to the ground.

"I see," she murmured. "Adam. Ignis. Lilith." She tested the names on her tongue, then fell silent.

Adam glanced at Isolde, who was still sitting stiffly against the tree, her white hair matted with dirt and dried blood, her clothes torn and stained. She looked utterly exhausted and thoroughly uncomfortable.

"You look like you need to clean up," Adam said, his voice casual. "There’s a stream not far from here. You can go wash yourself."

Isolde’s crimson eyes widened slightly. For a moment, something flickered across her pale face—surprise, perhaps, or suspicion. Then she nodded stiffly.

"...Fine."

Lilith’s threads loosened around Isolde’s wrists, falling away like dead leaves. The vampire rose slowly, her legs still unsteady, and walked toward the treeline without a backward glance.

The fire crackled in the silence that followed.

Lilith watched the direction Isolde had disappeared, her expression calm. Then she turned to Adam, her voice soft.

"Did you invite her to join us because you’re genuinely interested in her, Adam? Or because of the secret she’s hiding?"

Adam met her gaze evenly. "I’m only interested in what she’s hiding. Nothing more."

Lilith studied him for a long moment. Then her lips curved into a knowing smile.

"I see."

She shifted closer, her shoulder brushing against his. Her voice dropped, almost a whisper.

"Speaking of secrets... I didn’t realize you and Ignis had grown so close. A kiss." She tilted her head, her crimson eyes gleaming. "That’s quite intimate, Adam."

Behind them, Ignis’s face went bright red. Her flames flickered erratically.

"Th-That’s private!" she stammered, waving her hands. "Don’t talk about it!"

Adam’s own cheeks flushed slightly. He rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding Lilith’s gaze.

"Yeah. It’s... private. Let’s leave it at that."

Lilith’s smile didn’t waver. She reached out, her cool fingers brushing against Adam’s jaw, turning his face toward hers.

"You kissed Ignis," she said softly. "That means you’ve accepted her. Both of us." Her thumb traced his lower lip. "So what’s there to explain?"

Adam’s eyes widened. "Lilith, wait—"

She kissed him.

It was different from the kiss at the campfire—slower, deeper, more deliberate. Her lips moved against his with a quiet confidence that left no room for protest. Her fingers curled into his hair, holding him in place.

Ignis squeaked.

She slapped both hands over her eyes—but her fingers parted just enough to peek through.

"Mmmph—!" Adam’s muffled protest died against Lilith’s mouth.

When she finally pulled back, Adam was breathless, his face flushed, his crimson eyes wide with shock.

Lilith’s crimson eyes fixed on Adam, her smile sharp and knowing. "Tell me, Adam—did Ignis kiss you like that?"

Adam opened his mouth, but no words came. His face flushed deeper. He glanced at Ignis, then back at Lilith, then at the ground.

Lilith didn’t wait for an answer. She turned to Ignis, who was still peeking through her fingers, her face bright red.

"Why don’t you demonstrate, Ignis? Come here."

Ignis squeaked. "E-Ehh?! Wait a minute—!"

Lilith’s voice was light, almost teasing, but there was steel beneath it. "You’ve already kissed him, haven’t you? It shouldn’t be that difficult. Just show me."

Adam held up a hand. "Hold on, Lilith. Ignis isn’t like you. She only wants to kiss when it’s just the two of us. Not... not like this."

Lilith tilted her head, her expression skeptical. "That doesn’t make sense. If you truly care for someone, you should be able to kiss them with your whole heart, regardless of who’s watching." Her eyes narrowed. "Unless... you were lying about kissing at all?"

Adam’s jaw tightened. Ignis’s flames flickered with embarrassment and something else—defiance.

"That’s not—" Adam started.

"Fine!" Ignis stomped forward, her face blazing. She grabbed Adam’s collar and pulled him down.

Their lips met.

It was clumsy at first—nervous, hesitant. Adam’s hands hovered awkwardly at his sides. Ignis’s grip on his collar trembled. But then something shifted. The tension eased. The kiss softened.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless. Ignis’s face was the color of her flames. Adam’s ears were red.

Lilith watched them with an unreadable expression. Then she smiled—slow, satisfied, and just a little bit warm.

"I see," she murmured. "So that’s how it is."

She turned away, settling back against the log.

Adam and Ignis stared at each other, then quickly looked away.

The fire crackled between them, and the night felt suddenly very warm.

Lilith’s serene smile didn’t waver. "With this, we’re ready to have children."

Adam’s eyes went wide. His face, already flushed, somehow turned even redder.

"Ch-Children?!" His voice cracked.

Ignis’s flames sputtered wildly. Her mouth opened and closed several times, no sound coming out. When she finally found her voice, it was barely a squeak.

"Children?! What are you talking about?!"