RISE OF EROS-Chapter 605 - 604

The room was filled with a dense atmosphere, charged with tension and determination. Andrew, standing next to a large dark oak table, studied the maps and documents scattered before him with an intense gaze.

Each line on those parchments represented unknown dangers and hostile terrains. The Demon Realm was not a place to be taken lightly, even for someone with the exceptional gifts he possessed.

Seraphine, his apostle, stood by his side, reviewing every detail with the same intensity. With silver hair and eyes as bright as sapphires, Seraphine projected an aura of serene authority. She was his closest advisor and protector.

Despite her fragile appearance, she wielded formidable power far superior to his other guardians. Additionally, being originally from the Demon Realm and having lived there for centuries, she knew the situation better than anyone.

Oliver and Sansa, Andrew’s two loyal guardians, stood on the other side of the table. Oliver, tall and sturdy, with dark hair and a scar crossing his right eyebrow, was a seasoned warrior from a thousand battles. Sansa, on the other hand, was his opposite in appearance: slender and agile, with hair as red as fire and eyes as green as emeralds, lethal with a dagger as any Amazonian warrior.

"This is our latest updated map of the Demon Realm," Oliver said, pointing to an area marked in dark red. "We know the paths are riddled with beasts and traps, but there’s a secondary route through the Valley of Shadows that could allow us to move undetected." Your next read awaits at novelbuddy

"And what about the informants?" Andrew asked, crossing his arms and added, "Any recent news?" To which Sansa replied, "Nothing reliable, I’m afraid." "Our contacts on the borders of the Realm have gone silent. It’s as if someone or something is blocking communications," Seraphine added.

The contacts were her succubus sisters. There was no better intelligence network in the Demon Realm than the succubi under Seraphine’s command, so the situation did not look good.

Andrew nodded, his brow furrowing deeper. He knew the journey would be risky, but there was no other option. Going to the Demon Realm was not just to recruit the succubi but also a good opportunity to expand his business.

Although this realm had been in constant war for many centuries, it remained vast, and for Andrew, it meant potential clients that could help him increase his strength and grow his influence.

Seraphine turned to him, her voice soft yet firm, "I’ve reviewed the protective spells and barriers that will cover us during the first part of the journey. They won’t be perfect, but they should keep potential trackers at bay, though they are no guarantee of a safe trip."

"Excellent work, Seraphine," Andrew responded, a slight smile appearing on his face as he added, "We’ll make sure to keep those spells active at all times." As they continued discussing the journey’s details, Oliver left the room to check on their supplies. Sansa followed him, ensuring everything was in order.

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"We should only take the essentials," Sansa remarked while inspecting backpacks filled with potions, dried rations, and spell scrolls. Oliver nodded. "Light armor will suffice. We’ll need mobility, not endurance," he replied, adjusting his sword at his belt.

From the next room, Seraphine used her power to create a portal that would allow them to travel without leaving a trace. Her hands moved gracefully, drawing intricate patterns in the air. Andrew watched her closely, impressed by his apostle’s skill.

"The portal will take us to the border; I can’t go any further," she said without looking away from the spell she was casting and added, "From there, we’ll have to move on foot to avoid drawing attention."

What Andrew and his group didn’t know was that, in a distant place, two powerful entities were discussing their fate. Zaros, the lord of the Duchy of Cannes and one of the most powerful beings on the continent, was looking towards the Cannes Palace.

Though he couldn’t see what was happening inside, he knew Andrew had taken his advice and was preparing to travel. By his side, Elidyr, with a serene expression, observed him in silence. The liquid spirits under his command could reach Andrew’s group even if they traveled with Seraphine’s spell in no time.

"Are you sure it’s the best option to protect him in secret?" Elidyr asked in a deep, cavernous voice. "It’s for the best. This way, he won’t become complacent and will develop faster," Zaros responded seriously, adding, "We need him to grow stronger, and treating him like a garden flower won’t achieve that."

Zaros narrowed his eyes in thought. Then, with a wave of his hand, he summoned Lucian, his trusted friend who acted as a butler. "Lucian, don’t reveal yourself, but make sure nothing happens to that group. If anything threatens them, eliminate it."

Lucian nodded without saying a word and vanished in a whisper of shadows. Back in his own realm, Andrew and his team were ready to depart. They decided to leave under the cover of night, when shadows were their allies and prying eyes were few.

Seraphine activated the portal, a blue glow that lit up the room for a brief moment before enveloping them in its energy. The journey through the portal was swift, though never entirely comfortable.

Their wives and close allies watched them with concern, knowing how dangerous this journey was, but as Andrew had made his decision, there was nothing they could do but wish them luck.

Andrew felt the pull in his stomach as reality bent around him. When his feet touched solid ground again, they found themselves in a desolate land, with heavy air and a perpetually overcast sky.

"Welcome to the border of the Demon Realm," announced Seraphine, her voice tinged with concern. Oliver and Sansa instinctively drew their weapons, their eyes scanning the surroundings. The silence was absolute, broken only by the distant howl of the wind.

"Stay close," Andrew warned, "No one is to stray under any circumstances." Over the following days, they moved slowly, sticking to side paths and avoiding demonic cities.

Although the Demon Realm had begun to change thanks to Arion, Lugia, Zaros, and Elidyr taking away the remnants of the fallen god, it didn’t mean the fighting ceased immediately. This was why they chose to avoid cities and villages along the way, as well as certain areas deemed dangerous on their path to the city where Seraphine had her base.

Thanks to Seraphine’s spells, they managed to bypass demonic clan territories that she knew were at war. She had extensive information about the Demon Realm, being a long-time resident, which proved invaluable.

Though the situation was a bit different from what she remembered, as she had been away for some days, little had changed in such a short time. What concerned her was the inability to communicate with her sisters.

"Something’s following us," Sansa murmured one night, her green eyes glowing with suspicion. "But I can’t pinpoint what it is." Oliver frowned, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"I’ve felt it too, but whatever it is, it hasn’t shown any hostile intent," Oliver said. Seraphine might be the most powerful among them, being a demigoddess, but she wasn’t a fighter, so her senses weren’t as sharp as the two guardians.

Andrew also knew something was watching them, but he chose to trust his guardians’ instincts. If something was stalking them, it could be either a threat or a veiled protection.

A short distance away from their group, Lucian remained hidden, observing their every move. He knew why Zaros wanted to protect Andrew and would fulfill his duty without question. However, what did surprise him were the liquid spirits sent by Elidyr. It wasn’t the first time he had seen one due to the closeness between Zaros and Elidyr, but these were different.

They were fluid entities, invisible to the naked eye, capable of changing shape and blending with the environment. Lucian observed how these spirits intervened in small details: diverting a deadly trap that almost caught Sansa, altering the course of a river to provide a safe passage, and silently eliminating a group of demons that had detected Andrew’s group.

It might have seemed like they were overstepping, but in reality, these were threats that Andrew’s group couldn’t handle on their own, so their help was justified.

"Looks like I won’t have to intervene much," Lucian thought, with an ironic smile on his lips. After a grueling week of travel, they finally reached the entrance to the true Demon Realm. While they had been in the demon territories for several days, they had only reached the outskirts. Now, they were about to enter where the dangers truly intensified.

"We made it this far," Oliver said, letting out a sigh of relief. "But the real challenge is just beginning," Seraphine warned, her eyes fixed on the horizon. She, more than anyone, knew that so far, they had only traversed the easy part of the journey.

Andrew nodded, ready for what lay ahead. What they didn’t know was that they had been watched and protected in secret. Although they had arrived without any issues, the reality was that without the hidden help they were receiving, they would never have made it this far.