Night stretched vast and endless above the world, the sky painted in deep shades of indigo and velvet black, scattered with countless stars that shimmered like distant watchful eyes. Far below, the lands passed in silence, forests blending into shadow, rivers reflecting fragments of moonlight as thin silver lines winding across the darkness.

High above the sleeping world, cutting through the heavens with breathtaking speed, a colossal figure moved with effortless majesty.

The Kunpeng.

A mythical creature of immense proportions, its presence alone commanding awe even in the quiet stillness of the night.

Riding upon its broad back, Luca remained seated near the rear, one hand resting lightly against the smooth surface of the creature’s feathers as the powerful wind rushed past him in relentless streams. The sheer speed at which they traveled was evident from the way distant landscapes blurred beneath them, entire mountain ranges shrinking into faint outlines within moments.

Despite the intensity of their movement, a strange calm permeated the vast sky around them, the endless horizon stretching in every direction, untouched by the noise and burdens of the world below.

A few steps ahead of him stood Seraphina.

Her figure remained perfectly steady despite the overwhelming force of the rushing winds, as though the air itself parted respectfully around her presence. Her long blue hair had long since escaped any attempt at restraint, flowing freely behind her in shimmering strands that danced wildly against the currents of the night sky.

The moonlight brushed faintly against her profile, illuminating the quiet composure that rarely left her expression.

She stood near the edge of the Kunpeng’s back, her gaze fixed upon the distant horizon as though the vast darkness before them was something she could see far more clearly than most.

Luca observed her briefly before rising to his feet, maintaining careful balance as he approached her, the wind tugging faintly at the edges of his dark uniform.

The air at such height carried a sharp chill, yet the atmosphere between them remained calm.

"What will be the reason for my absence from the academy?" Luca asked, his voice steady despite the rushing winds that surrounded them.

Seraphina did not turn immediately.

Her eyes remained forward, watching the distant stretch of sky as though measuring the distance yet to be crossed.

"You have been summoned by the Empress," she replied calmly, her tone unaffected by the powerful currents around them, "for reasons that remain undisclosed."

Luca’s gaze sharpened slightly.

"The Empress..." he repeated thoughtfully.

For a brief moment, silence passed between them as the Kunpeng surged forward, cutting through layers of cloud that parted effortlessly before its path.

"Is she involved in this plan as well?" he asked.

Seraphina’s hair shifted lightly with the wind as she answered without hesitation.

"She was the one who recommended your name."

The words settled heavily in the air.

Luca’s gaze lowered slightly, the faint furrow of thought appearing between his brows.

"And she didn’t even tell me..." he muttered quietly beneath his breath, the words almost lost within the rushing winds.

Seraphina’s eyes shifted faintly, though she did not turn fully toward him.

"What did you say?" she asked.

"Nothing," Luca replied smoothly, his expression returning to its usual calm composure.

His thoughts moved quickly beneath the surface.

The Empress personally recommending me for a mission secret enough to require this level of discretion...

And choosing not to inform him beforehand.

Interesting.

He allowed the thought to settle before continuing.

"What about you then?" he asked, his tone casual yet attentive.

Seraphina’s gaze remained fixed upon the endless horizon ahead.

"The Tower Master has assigned me to a mission," she answered simply.

Luca’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"Even she kept it from me..." he murmured quietly to himself once again, the words barely audible.

This time, however, Seraphina turned.

Her eyes settled upon him, studying his expression with calm precision.

"You really do have connections with the two most powerful women in the world," she said, her voice carrying a faint trace of amusement so subtle it might have gone unnoticed by most.

Luca released a dry, almost resigned chuckle, the sound carried away quickly by the rushing winds.

"I suppose that depends on how one defines connections," he replied lightly.

Yet the humor did not fully reach his eyes.

His expression grew thoughtful once more, the weight of the situation gradually settling more firmly within his mind.

After a brief pause, his gaze lifted toward the endless stretch of night ahead.

"Is the news really credible?" he asked, his tone more serious now.

Seraphina’s attention returned to the horizon, her posture as composed as ever.

"That," she said calmly, "is precisely what we are going to confirm."

The wind continued to rush past them as the Kunpeng cleaved through the night sky with unstoppable momentum, its immense wings carving silent paths through drifting clouds. The stars seemed closer at such heights, their faint glow reflecting against the creature’s vast feathers as if acknowledging the presence of a being that belonged as much to the heavens as to the earth below.

Luca drew in a slow breath, the cool air sharpening his senses as the reality of the mission settled more firmly within his mind.

So this time... the mission is...

Fragments of the briefing returned clearly.

Their spies had discovered what was believed to be the hidden location of the Second Demon General’s base of operations.

A discovery that, if true, could shift the fragile balance that currently held the world together.

And yet...

That was precisely why caution was essential.

Their objective was not to attack.

Of course they couldn’t fight second demon general!

Their task was confirmation.

To verify whether the information was accurate... or a carefully laid trap.

Because even the slightest mistake in such a matter would not simply result in failure.

It could mean consequences far worse than death.

Exposure of their movements could alert the enemy.

Alert the cult.

Alert forces that thrived within secrecy.

And if their involvement became known...

The chain reaction that followed could unravel years of careful preparation.

Seraphina’s calm voice broke gently through his thoughts.

"Come. Sit."

Luca moved closer as both of them settled upon the Kunpeng’s broad back, the creature maintaining perfect stability despite its overwhelming speed. The air around them seemed to grow heavier, the quiet seriousness of their mission settling between them without the need for further explanation.

"We will reach there soon," Seraphina said, her tone steady as she reached into the folds of her sleeve and retrieved a small object.

She extended her hand toward him.

Resting upon her palm was a bracelet.

Its design was simple yet refined, a dark band with faint silver etchings that shimmered subtly when touched by moonlight.

"Wear it," she instructed calmly. "It will help prevent others from recognizing you."

Luca accepted it without hesitation, fastening the bracelet around his wrist.

For a moment, he waited, expecting some noticeable shift.

A change in sensation.

A distortion of mana.

Something.

Yet...

Nothing felt different.

No visible transformation.

No alteration he could detect.

As he glanced toward Seraphina, he noticed that she had also taken out an item — a thin black string necklace, minimal in appearance yet clearly imbued with similar purpose.

She placed it around her neck with smooth precision.

Luca studied her briefly.

But he could not perceive any difference in her appearance either.

The confusion must have been evident upon his face.

Seraphina spoke without prompting.

"It will not affect how we perceive each other," she explained calmly. "It alters the perception of others instead."

Her gaze remained forward as she continued.

"If someone does not already know you well... they will find it difficult to remember your features clearly."

Luca absorbed the explanation carefully.

Perception interference.

Subtle.

Effective.

Difficult to detect.

Seraphina’s eyes shifted momentarily toward his wrist.

"I ensured that it matches your other bracelet," she added.

Luca glanced briefly at the accessory resting beside the one he already wore.

The design blended naturally.

Almost seamlessly.

"It looks good," he replied with a small nod.

Seraphina inclined her head slightly before her expression returned to its usual composed neutrality.

"Remember," she said once more, her voice carrying quiet firmness, "do not speak unnecessarily."

Her gaze sharpened faintly.

"We do not know how many people in that village may already have been converted into cultists."

"If even one person begins to doubt us..."

She allowed the sentence to remain unfinished.

The implication was clear enough.

Their greatest weapon in this mission would not be strength.

It would be invisibility.

Subtlety.

Believability.

"Understood," Luca said calmly.

The Kunpeng continued its flight as the distance between them and their destination steadily shortened. The night deepened further, the lands below growing darker as signs of civilization thinned into scattered pockets of faint light.

As time passed, their discussion grew more detailed, covering possible contingencies, escape routes, communication signals, and behavioral adjustments required to ensure their identities remained concealed.

Every variable had to be considered.

Every possibility accounted for.

Eventually, the Kunpeng began to descend.

Its enormous wings slowed, each beat now measured and controlled as the silhouette of a small village emerged beneath them, nestled quietly between darkened hills.

Only a few dim lanterns burned within the settlement, their faint glow barely visible against the vast darkness surrounding the area.

Midnight had long passed.

Most of the village lay asleep.

The Kunpeng landed silently beyond the outer boundary, its immense form lowering with surprising grace despite its colossal size.

Luca stepped down onto the ground, the cool earth steady beneath his feet once more.

"Thank you, Aira," he said softly, placing a hand briefly against the creature’s feathers.

The Kunpeng gave a faint, almost imperceptible movement before dissolving into faint particles of light, returning to the sealed space reserved for contracted beasts.

The night air at ground level felt denser, carrying the faint scent of damp soil and distant woodsmoke.

Without further delay, Luca and Seraphina moved toward the village entrance, their footsteps quiet against the worn dirt path.

The village was silent.

Too silent.

No drunken chatter.

No late wanderers.

No careless noise.

Only the occasional creak of wooden structures shifting gently in the night breeze.

Their eyes remained observant, cautious, measuring every shadow, every flicker of movement.

Soon, a modest inn came into view.

A small wooden building with a dim lantern hanging above its entrance, its weak light casting trembling shadows across the faded sign that swayed gently above the door.

Without hesitation, they stepped inside.

The interior was simple, illuminated by low-burning oil lamps that filled the space with a muted amber glow. The faint smell of aged wood and simple meals lingered in the air.

Behind the counter stood an elderly innkeeper, his slightly hunched posture and half-lidded eyes suggesting long familiarity with late-night travelers.

Before Luca could speak—

Seraphina moved.

Suddenly, she stepped closer to him.

Much closer.

Her body leaned naturally against his side as her hand slid gently around his arm, drawing herself nearer with practiced ease.

The unexpected warmth of her presence caught him momentarily off guard as she pressed lightly against him, her posture shifting seamlessly into that of someone accustomed to closeness.

Her voice, when she spoke, carried a softness entirely different from her usual composed tone.

Flirtatious.

Playful.

Convincing. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Hey..." she said gently, her fingers resting lightly against his arm as she leaned slightly closer, her expression subtly shifting into something far more intimate.

"Me and my husband here have been traveling for quite some time..."

Her lips curved faintly as she tilted her head just enough to suggest quiet exhaustion mixed with affection.

"It’s already midnight... so we were hoping to... you know..."

Her voice lowered slightly as she placed a finger lightly near her lips, the gesture natural enough to complete the illusion flawlessly.

"...rest for the night."

For a brief moment—

Luca’s mind went completely still.

W-what is this...