"Mhmm? Interesting," Pyris smiled, a hint of suspicion lacing his expression. The other party hadn't revealed their true identity or intentions, but he knew this was something he would handle later, on his terms.
"Oh, and deposit 100 billion Ar into the new identity's account. Have our journalists follow even the smallest whisper of gossip or rumor about the executives. I want every dirty secret exposed—but only when I say the word."
Emilia's fingers flew across her tablet with practiced precision. "Understood. Should we make Petne Chaos anonymous?"
A dark chuckle escaped Pyris's lips, a gleam of mischief lighting his eyes. "Absolutely."
The role Petne Chaos was going to play had to be discreet, moving in the shadows, obscured by the brilliance that Pyris intended to cast. The shadows were his domain.
"Done." Emilia handed him the tablet, and Pyris scanned the details she had arranged. As always, her efficiency left him quietly impressed.
"You're amazing, Emilia~" His voice softened as he spoke, his hand reaching out to affectionately caress her head. It was an almost unconscious gesture, one that momentarily forgot she was far older and far more experienced than him in so many ways.
[You've grown bold, you dragon!] Lia's voice echoed in his mind, still tinged with embarrassment from their last interaction. [Hmmph, congratulations!] Lia could feel the subtle change in his aura, the shift brought about by the new abilities he had acquired. Emilia felt it too.
"You're different." Emilia's voice was teasing, her lips curving into a sly smile. "Was the human princess really that good?"
Pyris merely smiled back, comfortable in the unspoken understanding between them. They were close—closer than most—and their playful teasing came naturally, free from the confines of formalities.
"Are you jealous, Emilia?" Pyris fired back, his tone light but probing. The succubus's ears flushed a deep red, though her self-control was far greater than most would ever realize.
"Hmph! Why would I be jealous?" she said with a triumphant smile. "At the end of the day, you always come back to me, no matter how many hours you spend with someone else."
"So, you're my uncrowned queen, then?" Pyris's tone shifted, no longer playful but serious—too serious for her to dodge with her usual wit.
"Could I be any better?" she quipped, her fingers tapping away at the tablet again, a soft smile playing on her lips. It was a deliberate attempt to steer the conversation away, but Pyris wasn't fooled. He could sense her hesitation.
"You can be," he said, his voice steady and unwavering. "I want you to be my woman, Emilia. You know that."
Her eyes widened at his directness. His confession sent her heart racing, though she tried to keep her composure, masking the excitement that threatened to spill over.
But Pyris knew her well—he could see through the veil of control she wore so well. In a swift motion, he pulled her by the waist, drawing her dangerously close, their bodies just barely touching. The warmth of her demonic energy pulsed against him, electrifying the air between them.
"Pyris…" she began, her voice soft, but he silenced her with a finger pressed gently to her lips.
"Is it my mother?" Pyris asked, his eyes searching hers. The question hung in the air, and Emilia nodded, confirming his suspicion. The weight of his mother, Emberly, loomed large in Emilia's mind, the powerful matriarch casting a shadow over any relationship they might have, so she thought.
"Don't be afraid of that. I can handle my mother," Pyris said, his voice filled with reassurance. His smile was confident, unshakable.
His mother had always been a formidable presence, a force in his life, but she was also someone he knew how to manage. His mind wandered briefly, thinking of how to address that challenge later, but he let the thought drop.
"We're here!" Emilia's voice cut through the tension as she quickly created distance between them, breaking free from the intimate proximity. Pyris released her, his gaze lingering for a moment before he handed back the tablet.
Both adjusted their clothing, preparing to step out of the vehicle.
"Where's my secretary, Emilia? You were supposed to get one for me, right?" Pyris asked, his voice returning to a businesslike tone. He couldn't have her juggling multiple roles, not when there was so much on her plate with the new project, Obsidian Enterprises.
"I did. You've met them, but I haven't had the chance to formally introduce you," Emilia said, her words trailing off as the car door swung open, courtesy of one of his guards.
Pyris's driver, a striking man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, hurried around to open the door for him. Pyris glanced at the man, a subtle unease prickling at the back of his mind. He had tried to use his system to assess the driver, but the man remained a mystery.
"Young Lord," the man greeted with a bow as Pyris stepped out of the car. His movements were fluid, his expression youthful, but something about him felt off—unsettling.
Pyris buttoned his suit, his phone in one hand, but couldn't shake the feeling. There was something deeply wrong about this man. It gnawed at the edges of his focus, a mystery he couldn't unravel.
"You're part of my security, correct? The head, I assume?" Pyris's voice was neutral, emotionless, as his mind churned over the unsettling presence of the driver.
"Yes, young lord," the man answered, bowing once more. Despite his youthful appearance, there was a power within him, something hidden deep beneath the surface.
'How can someone that young be this powerful, able to conceal himself even from the system?' Pyris thought, frustration and intrigue warring in his mind.
[I don't sense anything familiar about him either. It's like he's completely shielded from us, I can't tell his rav!] Lia's voice mirrored Pyris's thoughts, the mystery deepening.
She could only think of one possibility but she immediately dismissed the thought, it couldn't be right?
This man, whoever—or whatever—he was, posed one of the greatest enigmas Pyris had ever encountered. If there was nothing amiss, this man could very well be one of the most talented awakened beings in Argos, given the potent energy he concealed so effortlessly.
Shaking his head, Pyris handed the man his phone intentionally before walking off. The bodyguard quickly fell into step behind him, moving with an agility and precision that only deepened Pyris's curiosity.
The young guard's stance betrayed his readiness, prepared to take a shot for Pyris if necessary.
His entourage waited at the entrance, lined up to greet him. High-ranking executives stood at attention, respect etched onto their faces as they awaited his arrival, in reverence, each one aware of the weight of his arrival.
Only the highest-ranking officials had gathered to greet him, respect etched into their expressions.
Humming softly, Pyris walked with a steady yet authoritative pace, every step asserting his dominance. His security detail remained behind, except for the mysterious young bodyguard who now walked between him and Emilia, flanked by the two women behind them.
Despite his youth, the guard radiated confidence and an impenetrable air, unshaken by the grandeur surrounding them.
Pyris strode confidently toward the towering Obsidian Tech headquarters, a sense of purpose radiating from his every step. His entourage followed behind, composed and prepared, while his mysterious young bodyguard walked closely beside him, unwavering in his readiness.
Emilia, with her composed demeanor, matched Pyris's pace, her tablet still in hand, as the towering structure loomed ahead of them.
*****
Mass release still on!