Raiden and Leo burst into Speed’s room to find Levi beside him, pressing a knife toward his eye.
"What are you doing, Levi?" Leo demanded, quickly moving to strike the blade from his hand.
Levi wore an unbothered expression as he stared at them both. "I asked him about the contract, and he said nothing." He raised an eyebrow. "This is our only option."
He turned to Raiden. "Am I lying? Those were your words, weren’t they? We must earn our requests as assassins."
Raiden gave him a big grin. "That’s right."
Leo shook his head in disappointment. "What’s the point of signing a contract with a disabled person?"
Levi looked back at Speed, reassessing. "So how are we going to do this then?"
There wasn’t much any of them could do. Speed hadn’t been the cooperative type even before taking the devil milk. But Raiden knew if anything would work, it would be psychological torture. The question was what.
He approached Speed and knelt beside him. He reached out and tilted Speed’s face to look into his dark eyes, then let out a sigh. Despite his body being drenched in sweat and his skin running pale, there was no fear in his eyes. None.
He rose to his feet. "I don’t think there’s anything we could do..." He turned to the others.
"Just kill him," he said without any hint of hesitation.
"There is something, though," Levi said, brushing his hair back. "The book of Aaron."
"Huh?" Raiden asked, confused.
"Yeah, I’ve heard of the book of Aaron, the book of contracts," Leo said, turning to Levi with a puzzled look. "Do you know where we could get one?"
Raiden remained motionless with only his eyes darting at their faces, itching for clarification, until Levi finally offered an explanation.
"I already gave Raiden a copy."
Raiden’s eyes widened. "Oh, that’s the book?"
"Not exactly... I’m sure you already noticed some pages were missing." Raiden gave him a firm nod. "To force someone into a contract, you’d need those missing pages."
"They cost a lot, and they’re very hard to find on the black market... we might have to travel to the other cities," he added.
Raiden’s expression darkened. Considering their current situation, even a single one of them leaving the hideout could spell disaster. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Aeris’s betrayal was just the beginning of something more sinister.
"No... we can’t leave to go in pursuit of the book." His voice dropped even lower. "We must find another way or kill him before he turns."
"He seems to be a good option though," Leo replied.
Raiden shifted toward him, massaging his aching shoulders. "You seem awfully interested in Speed. Why so?" His expression turned skeptical.
He knew Leo wanted what was best for them. Even if Leo had ulterior motives, contracting Speed wouldn’t necessarily work against him. But he wouldn’t abandon his duty just because Speed might prove a better ally. Seeing Leo struggle for words, he shrugged.
"It’s getting late... let’s rest and continue this tomorrow," he said and, without waiting for a response, turned and walked out.
He was tired from training and the fight with Speed, but he wanted answers about Ash. In his room, he placed her on the bed and sat beside her. Just as he’d done in the 9th realm—if that realm let them infuse mana with their familiars, then he should be able to do it again.
He closed his eyes and drew slow, steady breaths, seeking the silence within. A quick check of his mana core showed it had increased in size. Good—this would be easier than before.
However, the moment he poured his mana into Ash, she shot awake. Instantly, Raiden felt dizzy. The silence pressed against him like a cage closing in from all sides.
Trapped in nothingness, he opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came—his voice had been stolen. He collapsed to his left, consciousness slipping away as darkness pulled him under.
Ash stood over him, whispering in somber tones, before gently lying down beside him.
Raiden slept deeply, dreamlessly—no stress, no nightmares. It felt like eternal slumber, though it lasted only a few hours. When he woke, he found Ash standing on the bed beside him.
He massaged his temples, confused about what had happened. All he remembered was attempting to channel his mana into Ash.
Ash jumped into his arms and began nudging him with affection. [Not now, Papa.]
Raiden’s expression shifted to amusement. "Not now, huh?" He smirked.
"I hope you grow out of calling me Papa one day."
At that very moment, the door burst open. Leo.
"King Hannes wants to speak with us."
Raiden narrowed his eyes slightly, wondering what the King could possibly be doing there. Then he immediately sprang to his feet as it hit him. Maybe Aeris had finally done something that could really harm them.
He rushed out, Ash and Leo following. "Where is he?" Raiden paused at the top of the stairs, scanning the living room below. Empty.
"The training room... it’s a crown’s call," Leo said, brushing past Raiden with Ash in tow as they headed toward the training room.
Raiden simply followed. He remembered the King using the crown’s call during his father’s reign as bookkeeper. It was always used to address the entire kingdom. He hadn’t known it could be directed at just one person.
As soon as he entered the training room, he saw a projection floating in midair. Within it, the King sat on his throne, patiently awaiting Raiden’s arrival, his crown positioned regally on his head.
As soon as they entered, Leo bowed his head. "The bookkeeper is here, my king."
King Hannes locked eyes with Raiden’s unwavering gaze, smirked, and cleared his throat. At that moment, his entire demeanor transformed. His presence radiated true royal authority.
"Raiden Night!" His voice was steady and gentle. Raiden nodded, waiting for more.
"It has come to our attention that you have a traitor—an assassin among you, serving under you."
Raiden shook his head with a disbelieving smile. His disappointment in Aeris was crushing. Of all the secrets she could have sold, why that one? And who would even want such information?
"Given this information, the kingdom has no choice but to brand you as a traitor."
Raiden’s face darkened immediately, confusion and shock mirrored by Leo and even Ash.
"What?!" All three said at once.
"Right now, I’m speaking to you of my own accord..." He paused and sighed. "I tried to defend you, but when I slammed my fist on the council table, none of the elders supported me."
Raiden clenched his fists and gritted his teeth in frustration. One thing was certain—when he next saw Aeris, he would kill her.
"You’re guilty until proven innocent... So I’m warning you. Stay vigilant, and everything you need to grow stronger can be found in the books around you."
"Including the book of Aaron?" Leo rushed to ask.
"Yes... just find them." The King narrowed his eyes, locking onto Raiden’s gaze as he seethed over Aeris’s betrayal.
King Hannes’s voice grew tender, yet carried a warning. "If you do exactly as I’ve asked, you will be able to escape this fate."
With that, he disconnected the call without waiting for a response.
"I will kill that piece of shit," Raiden muttered coldly, his voice devoid of fear.
An overwhelming sense of danger crashed over him. Fear seized him initially, his body shaking, but then euphoria coursed through his veins. A manic smile split his face as mad laughter bubbled from his throat.