Rise of the Lustful Evil Monarch (Re)

Third Person's POV

"Yes, of course," she confirmed, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

"They are not just part of it, but they also dominate it as the Sanctum has the finest of the talents this continent has to offer.

Most of them come here with their blessed bloodlines, unimaginable resources, and family names that turn even veteran warriors into subordinates."

She leaned back slightly while the conical gem on her forehead caught the firelight of the huge walls of the Colosseum.

"They form the most powerful groups and are responsible for most of the top floor claims. Even seasoned adventurer groups often get overwhelmed trying to compete."

"Like being part of the Duke's family from one of the two great demonic empires, perhaps?"

Ethan's tone turned playful, and his mouth curled into a small grin as he threw in a light jab. There was an unmistakable tease in his voice.

She glared at him, though not with real anger, but the kind reserved for someone who had made a too-accurate comment.

She scoffed and folded her arms beneath her ample and perfect chest that became a bit visible for the first time since the time they had met as she replied with deliberate coolness,

"Yes, of course. Demons, especially in this region, have an overwhelming advantage.

Not only is this tower nestled deep within demonic territory, but their innate strength already surpasses that of most other races."

As he looked at her chest sneakily, he could hear the subtle pride seeping into her voice, even as she tried to sound neutral.

The curved, short black horns on her, peeking out from her head of beautiful and smooth black waterfall-like hair, were enough to tell him that she wasn't merely some distant noblewoman.

But she was someone with an ancient and noble lineage and someone who was born with authority.

"Is there any other member in our team, Miss Adeline?" Ethan asked, the smile in his tone carrying over to his expression.

His words were light, but his question clearly showed his intent that he was already in their group.

She turned toward him again, and this time, a genuine warmth filled her eyes.

The cold stoicism from before seemed to melt and was replaced with something brighter.

She answered, though her voice was far more pleasant than before,

"Yes, there is one other. I will introduce her soon after we begin our ascent."

Ethan's brow rose in mock surprise, though a secret delight rose in his heart on knowing that the other member was not a man.

In a good mood, he leaned back slightly and chuckled,

"You haven't claimed a single floor yet? And here I was, thinking you were a veteran and a seasoned climber with dark secrets and epic tales in this Tower."

He was smirking as the tease in his voice returned to full force.

But Adeline didn't flinch, and she didn't even blink.

Instead, she simply ignored his words while keeping an indifferent expression that seemed to scream that she had no intentions of entertaining his attempts at making fun of her.

Ethan shrugged at her stoic silence and added something else, and it was something that made her head whip toward him with surprising sharpness.

"I also have some companions I would like you to agree to include in our team."

Adeline raised a perfectly arched black brow at his words, and her charming eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she asked in a calm, direct tone,"Who?"

Her voice might have sounded neutral to a casual listener, but Ethan picked up the subtle edge in her words that carried a faint tension in it, like the note of a string pulled just a touch too tight.

She didn't seem to be one of those people who liked the idea of unknown variables, and that much was clear to him.

Adeline seemed like a woman who thrived on control and someone who carefully weighed every piece before it entered her gameboard, as the inclusion of outsiders clearly seemed not to sit well with her.

"They are my companions with whom I cannot part ways, Miss Adeline," he replied, his tone steady and laced with quiet firmness.

"So if you have any problem with them being a part of this team and ultimately us, then I am sorry to say, but I would have to back out of this partnership."

Adeline frowned slightly at the tone of finality in his words. His eyes had hardened a touch, and there was an unmistakable line drawn in the sand now.

She could now see his resoluteness, and even though he might have appeared relaxed and casual till now, his stance at this moment left no room for negotiation.

As she thought about her response, a pause happened between them, and her eyes started flickering with a silent deliberation.

Then, as if a thought had suddenly surfaced, she tilted her head slightly and asked hesitantly, and somewhat uncharacteristically,

"Are they all male?"

Ethan suddenly blinked and was momentarily caught off guard by her question.

But when he met her deep and shadowy orbs that usually held a poised stillness, he noticed something else in them.

There was an anxious glint buried beneath the usual calm, and a shimmer of hope caught between thin threads of dread.

It was an expression so human and so unexpectedly vulnerable from her that he found himself pausing before responding.

With a slight shake of his head, he gave her the answer she seemed to be holding her breath for.

"No."

The relief that washed over her was almost visible as her posture relaxed and the tension in her shoulders faded like mist.

Her dark eyes brightened with a flicker of something he couldn't quite define, and then she chuckled softly while she tapped a finger against the armrest of her seat.

"Ah, yes… I do recall now. The main reason for that brat's fury back in Vord City was his obsession with the women who were likely your… friends."