Leveling Up by Seducing Milfs-Chapter 124. The General’s Trust

She took him to what looked like an empty desert and then said something in a demonic language.

The air sparkled, and all of a sudden a huge door appeared. It led to a huge city built into a canyon that had been completely hidden just a moment before.

Rick’s mouth dropped open. The demon city was beautiful in a rough, sharp way. Along the walls of the canyon, buildings made of dark stone rose up in layers.

Markets full of demons buying and selling things. Kids playing in the streets. It looked like a normal city, but everyone had horns and skin that was a different color.

"Welcome to Krath’zul," Zara said with pride. "The heart of the demon world."

"We keep it secret so that corruption doesn’t have a clear target to go after."

"Holy shit...! It’s fucking beautiful!!!" Rick was amazed just by looking at the whole thing that’s happening currently.

"Right? Let’s go enjoy the celebration here today!"

...

They spent the next few hours seeing the sights in the city. Zara took him to markets, training grounds, libraries, and cultural sites, and she was clearly proud of her people.

She showed him many different demons, and Rick could tell that they all respected her. She was respected not only as a general but also as someone who genuinely cared about their health.

Rick took advantage of every chance he had to talk to her. She was well-versed in the city’s history, he informed her.

He asked smart questions about demon culture. He made her laugh by pointing out how different human and demon societies are. And through it all, his skills kept coming back as her love grew. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

[+5 EXP: SEDUCE TO EXP ACTIVATED]

[+8 EXP: COMFORT TO EXP ACTIVATED]

[AFFECTION: ZARA BLOODTHORN 6/10 → 7/10]

[+10 EXP: SEDUCE TO EXP ACTIVATED]

[AFFECTION: ZARA BLOODTHORN 7/10 → 8/10]

They ended up in a garden on the roof that looked out over the whole city. The sun was going down, and the canyon was turning orange and red.

Zara leaned on the railing and looked out over her home with a look of happiness. "So... how was it?"

Rick stood next to her and said, "Thanks for today."

"This was great just by seeing your world and learning about your demons."

Zara looked at him quickly, and her usually fierce face softened. "You’re not like most humans."

"You don’t make judgments. You just watch and accept."

"Why would I judge?" Rick wanted to know. "Your demons are just trying to stay alive and protect what they care about, just like mine."

"Not that different."

Zara turned all the way around to look at him, and all of a sudden they were very close. "You know what you’re doing is crazy, right?"

"Are you courting the Demon King’s wife?"

Rick swallowed but didn’t back down. "I’m not courting you."

"I’m just trying to get to know you better. There is a difference."

"Is there?" Zara’s voice was low and amusing. "From my perspective, it appears that you’ve employed every tactic possible to win my affection."

"For example, you made me laugh, showed interest in my culture, and gave me compliments whenever possible. That sounds like courting to me."

Rick’s face got hot. "Okay, maybe I’ve been trying to win you over a little."

Zara’s laugh was deep and warm. "I like you, Rick Rolland."

"You are brave, honest, and just dumb enough to be interesting." She reached out and playfully messed up his hair. "Zork likes you too, which is unusual."

"He usually hates everyone, and of course humans the most."

"Does he know about this?" Rick pointed between them. "About us being together?"

"Of course," Zara said.

"Zork isn’t the kind of demon who gets jealous."

"He trusts me completely and knows how much I care about him." Her face got more serious. "But he also knows that our world is coming to an end."

"Those hard times call for unusual answers. The Seven Major Powers may only be able to come together through your bond network as the Hero."

She cupped Rick’s face gently, her hands enormous compared to his. "If getting to know me better will help save both of our demons, then Zork will support it."

"He cares more about the demon realm’s survival than his own pride."

[+20 EXP: COMFORT TO EXP ACTIVATED]

[AFFECTION: ZARA BLOODTHORN 8/10 → 9/10]

Rick leaned into her touch and felt the warmth of her hands. "You know you’re amazing, right?"

Zara smiled. "I always knew. Demons tell me that a lot."

They stayed on the roof until the sun went down, talking about everything and nothing. Zara told stories about the wars she had fought, the mistakes she had made, and the victories she had won.

Rick told stories about his past life, how he came back to life, and what he’s been through so far in this world. It was easy and comfortable in a way that surprised both of them.

"I should get you back," Zara finally said. "Zork will wake up soon, and we should have the formal negotiation he wants."

Rick felt Zara’s hand find his as they walked back through the city to the gateway. She didn’t say anything.

She just held his hand as they walked. It was a very normal thing to do, but it felt important.

[+15 EXP: COMFORT TO EXP ACTIVATED]

[AFFECTION: ZARA BLOODTHORN 9/10 → 10/10]

[SPIRIT BOND ELIGIBILITY ACHIEVED]

Rick almost fell when he saw the notice. Maximum affection already? After only one day together?

But when Rick saw Zara’s relaxed smile as she showed him her world, he understood. He had put his life on the line to save her, and she valued bravery above all else.

That one thing had opened a door that would normally take weeks or months to open. Everything that happened afterward only increased the respect that his sacrifice had earned.

They came out of the secret city and back into the demon camp just as night was falling. Zara held his hand as they walked back to his tent, not caring who saw them.

"Tomorrow," she said when they got to his tent. "We’ll talk to Zork about the alliance officially."

"But tonight, have a good night’s sleep. You’ve earned it."

Rick held her hand tightly. "Thanks for letting me see your world today."

Zara leaned down and kissed his forehead, like she would kiss a younger warrior she liked. "Thank you for not thinking of my demon as a monster."

"Good night, Consort."

She walked off into the dark, leaving Rick standing there a little confused.

Sebastian showed up on his shoulder. "Well. That was a long day."

"Maximum affection in record time."

Rick said, "She’s amazing," still looking for Zara.

Sebastian said, "She’s married to the Demon King, too."

"This situation is wonderfully hard."

Rick sighed and went into his tent, where Vyra was already waiting for him. She smiled because she knew what he was thinking.

"Did you have a good day?" she asked.

"Yep," Rick said. "Also scary."

"I basically spent the whole day dating the Demon King’s wife."

Vyra laughed. "Don’t worry too much about it."

"Lord Zork isn’t the kind of demon who gets jealous, and he really does seem to like you."

"Same answers as her, huh..." Rick said in his mind.

"Besides," she said as she pulled him down next to her on the bed, "you’re the Hero of Mature Hearts."

"This is what you really need to do."

Rick had to agree with her. He thought that the only way to save the world was to make friends with strong, mature women.

One of these women was bonded to the strongest demon in the world, adding yet another challenge to a journey already filled with difficulties.

Tomorrow would be the start of formal talks and whatever else came next. But tonight, Rick let himself relax in Vyra’s arms.

His bond network, which connected him to all the women who had become so important to him, pulsed steadily.

Sylvia was even in the network, even though she was far away and fighting her own battle. Rick sent a wave of love and support through the bond, hoping she could feel it even though they couldn’t talk to each other directly.

"Come back safe," he said softly into the dark. "We need you."

And somewhere far away, the Dragon Queen felt that pulse of love and smiled grimly as she burned another hundred corrupted creatures to death with a single breath of dragon fire.

She would come back to him. There was nothing in this world or any other that could keep her from her Consort.