Xiandre, along with Amelia and Velmora, walked the streets as Velmora led the way to the Middle Town tavern.
"You easily managed to get the best value for our sapphires by using the Infernite coin," Xiandre said.
"Yes, it's quite easy, to be honest. Using the most expensive one we have for last is a very, very good tactic," Velmora replied.
Xiandre glanced at Velmora's back as she continued to lead them.
I haven't thought about it that much... But Velmora has a very curvy and sultry body. Look at her. Those thighs—thick, soft, and strong—just begging to be held. The way they move when she walks, slow and heavy, like every step was made to tempt me. That waist… tight enough to grip with one hand. And her ass. Round, high, perfect. It sways like she knows I'm staring—like she wants me to... I can already feel the weight of her against me, the way her body would melt into mine. And even though I can't see her face right now, I know it's beautiful. The kind of beautiful that makes you forget your own damn name. Yeah... she's dangerous. And I want every inch of her.
Amelia glanced at Xiandre as she yawned.
Despite his face being covered by his helmet, she smirked as she noticed his head tilted directly at Velmora's ass.
"Uwaaa... Xiandre, did you know you're kind of a pervert sometimes?" Amelia teased.
Xiandre snapped back to reality and turned to Amelia.
"Shit, I lost my composure..." Xiandre blurted out.
"Hihi, you know Velmora is already all yours. I bet she'll even enjoy you fucking her more than you would," Amelia replied.
"Eh? What are you guys talking about..." Velmora asked, turning to them flustered as they continued to walk.
"Fufu~ no worries, it just seems like Xiandre here couldn't keep his eyes off your butt," Amelia said.
"W-What..." Velmora stiffened up and turned crimson red, stopping in her tracks.
Xiandre grabbed her by the arm and dragged her along as he and Amelia continued walking.
"Uwaaa, I'm sooo tired..." Amelia yawned as she finally saw the tavern in the distance.
"Looks like we weren't too far from it," Xiandre said.
He turned to Velmora, still stiffened up, and placed his fingers under her throat, catching her off guard and snapping her back to her senses.
Velmora coughed.
"Is this it?" Xiandre asked.
"Huh?" Velmora turned to the tavern.
"Y-Yeah, that's it. Let's go inside," Velmora replied.
Amelia slapped Velmora's ass, causing Velmora to let out a quiet moan. She turned to Amelia, picked her up, and threw her into the tavern.
"Uwaaaaaa!" Amelia exclaimed.
Xiandre sighed as he entered the tavern, offering a hand to Amelia.
"Are you okay?" Xiandre asked.
"Ehehehe, I'm fine," Amelia replied, taking Xiandre's hand and standing up.
Velmora entered and turned to Amelia, pinching her cheek.
"Uwaaaa..." Amelia whimpered.
"Don't do that, Amelia!" Velmora exclaimed, embarrassed.
Xiandre approached the counter while Velmora lectured Amelia.
"Hey, how much for a deluxe room with a king-sized bed?" Xiandre asked.
"Eh? Deluxe room?" the innkeeper replied. "Oh! I mean, well, it's around two gold coins..."
Amelia and Velmora turned their eyes to Xiandre, noticing the attention he was drawing.
"Look at that, Xiandre doesn't look so bad in that armor," Velmora commented.
"Well, Xiandre is wearing a dark knight's armor. Probably no one knows what it's made of," Amelia replied.
"Is it made out of Andamite stone?" Velmora asked.
"Yeah. It's supposed to be the armor Lucifer used when fighting against the heavens," Amelia answered.
"Armor, huh? I'm guessing that's not the only reason Xiandre managed to defeat Lucifer," Velmora said.
"Yeah. Xiandre himself is mysterious. I don't really know much about his powers and strength. I'm pretty sure he's already seen me at full potential, but him? I don't know," Amelia responded.
"Look at that guy. His armor looks intimidating."
"You think you'd beat him in a fight?"
"Hell no, bro."
"He looks like someone who has at least killed a dragon."
"You think he's some kind of elite dark knight?"
"I don't know, he's kind of new around here. This is the first time I've seen him."
Murmurs and whispers echoed around Xiandre.
He looked at Amelia and Velmora and gestured with his head for them to follow him upstairs.
The two followed him as they walked up to the second floor.
The first floor went silent, all eyes watching Xiandre cautiously as he ascended the stairs with the two girls.
Suddenly, five men burst into the tavern, kicking the door open.
"Well, well, well... Looks like everyone immediately went silent the moment we walked in," the leader of the five said.
"Is that the Solaris group?"
"Yeah, they're one of the strongest adventurer parties out there."
"But what are they doing here!?"
"Shut up. You're all fools. We're just here looking for someone in black armor. A knight's armor, to be precise," the leader yelled.
"The leader is Varato, one of the best adventurers to ever exist. He's a Silver Plate and still dominates everyone at his level."
"The rest are Karate, Adobo, Hara, and John. Each is also a Silver Plate, but none of them can match their leader."
The tavern fell silent. Some adventurers maintained a strong front while others trembled in fear just from seeing the Solaris party.
"Shit, let's get out of here. We'll just wait for them outside," Varato said, turning to leave.
The rest of his group followed, and as they exited, the adventurers resumed their murmurs and laughter.
The innkeeper, Faye, sighed and looked at the clock on the wall.
"Another day, another job... I hate my life," she muttered.
Xiandre, along with the two girls, entered their room.
Amelia immediately jumped onto the king-sized bed, falling asleep while drooling and smiling.
"This room is quite nice, isn't it?" Velmora said.
"Of course. It's the best one they have," Xiandre replied.
"Anyway, what are you planning next, Xiandre? I suggest we grab some food while we're here, and maybe sign ourselves up as adventurers," Velmora said.
"Adventurers?"
"Well, to be honest, I don't think we really need to. We already have enough money to get us anywhere and buy us anything. So, do you have any other plans for today?" Velmora asked.
"Hmm, I do have actual plans. Tonight, let's break into the Castle of Grimore," Xiandre said bluntly.
"Break in? You're already going after their blood?" Velmora asked.
"Yes. I'll get my revenge on those people whenever I want, because I have a reason. And I guess it just so happens that tonight is the night I'll be taking it," Xiandre replied.
"I see. Then shall we prepare?" Velmora asked.
"I guess. Do we really have to?" Xiandre replied.
"I mean, not really. You and Amelia alone took on a battle against the Seven Deadly Sins, including Lucifer and his army of 100,000 black knights," Velmora continued. "You alone...? Maybe you alone, Xiandre, could probably destroy the entire Castle of Grimore by yourself."
"Though I think it will not be easy... If the king is somehow home, then it might be a little more difficult than normal. The king himself has the blood of a Seraphim inside him. He alone can defeat Lucifer, meaning there might be a chance he can defeat you," Velmora added. "But I highly doubt that, Xiandre. I don't think anyone can defeat you. That's because I believe in your strength... I know you're strong. But you shouldn't underestimate King Dula."
"Thank you for the advice, Velmora. I'll keep that in mind. So I guess if that's the case, let's prepare for today and strike the castle tonight," Xiandre said.
"Okay. Understood," Velmora responded.
Xiandre turned to Amelia, who remained asleep.
"Amelia, we're both going out. If you want, you can come with us," Xiandre said.
"No thanks, I'm very tired," Amelia replied sleepily.
Xiandre exited the room, with Velmora following behind. Amelia was left alone asleep as the two made their way downstairs.
The other adventurers remained chill about his presence after his first pass.
Velmora approached Faye as she ordered food.
"Umm, can I see the menu?" Velmora asked.
"Of course, here it is," Faye replied with a smile, handing the menu tab to them.
Velmora took it and studied it intently.
Faye glanced behind her and saw Xiandre. He wore black armor that swallowed light, a gray cape billowing like smoke, and a fur mantle draped over broad shoulders. Every inch of him radiated intimidation, his glowing eyes hinting at death — cool, silent, and terrifying.
Faye watched Xiandre, flustered as she started to drool.
Xiandre noticed her gaze and she immediately snapped back to reality, turning her head toward Velmora who was still thinking about what to order.
"What is it that you want to order?" Xiandre questioned.
"Well, I'm actually ordering for Amelia. She's still asleep, so ordering for her now so the food's ready when she wakes up is a very good idea," Velmora responded.
"Really? Well, I think she'd actually like some sweet stuff, but guessing she'll wake up around noon, why not order her some meat and soup?" Xiandre asked.
"Alright... Hmm, can I order a blood and bean broth with five dire wolf sausages and two cinder breast briskets?" Velmora ordered.
"Okay, hmm, that will be 28 silver coins and 5 copper," Faye replied.
"Here, can you deliver it at 11:30?" Velmora asked.
"Of course," Faye replied.
"Thank you," Velmora said.
"Anyways, for something that I want..." Velmora inquired.
"Hm?" Xiandre replied.
"I'm quite hungry myself. Is there anything you want, Xiandre?" Velmora asked.
"I'm good, I'm not hungry," Xiandre responded.
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."
"Okay, well then, umm, can I get three Scrapbone stew, five Friedback, one Grease Bucket special, three boiled boar bone soup, ten Crimson Steak, five blood fang ribs, and four wyvern leg roasts?" Velmora ordered.
"Eh!? Well, that will all be—" but before Faye could state the price, Velmora dropped one platinum coin on the table.
"Keep the change," Velmora said.
"Do you really eat that much!?" Xiandre exclaimed.
"Well, that's my typical meal for a day, but to be honest, all of this is actually just half of my stomach," Velmora replied.
"Well... Yeah, I can see where all that meat is going," Xiandre said, turning his eyes toward Velmora's chest.
"But eating actually makes me stronger. I can stay up to a month without eating if I have a full meal first," Velmora explained as she turned and began walking to find a table.
Xiandre followed her and the two found a seat.
Meanwhile, back in the castle.
Princess Millie sat on her bed, holding a pillow tightly to her chest.
She glanced around her room and sighed deeply.
"The entire castle has gone full defense mode. Mother has readied about a thousand guards inside the castle, a hundred more outside. Apparently, two Platinum-ranked adventurers were hired, but only one was said to have made it here, since the other declined the offer of 20 platinum coins..."
"Shit. I know Mom is very strong, and I believe all this defense is unnecessary," she mused.
Goddess Fillia entered Millie's room, passing through the closed door like a ghost.
She sat right next to her, smiling gently and patting her head.
"Goddess?" Millie replied as she lifted her head.
"Oh? What seems to be the matter?" Goddess Fillia asked.
"Well, do you think Mom is right?" Millie asked.
"Well, from my perspective, no... I know otherworlders crawling out of hell is new, but to be honest, I don't think they're actually that strong," Goddess Fillia explained.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Millie pressed.
"You see, for example, Black Hood is this powerful being walking in our world right now. She has the ability to almost match your father. I'll admit she's strong, but with me and the queen ganging up on her? No, she's losing," she continued. "Black Hood only attacked us once, and she was said to be slightly above level one thousand."
"She has the ability to break the limit of the level capacity, sure, but that doesn't matter. I'm level one thousand just like your mom, and all platinum adventurers are also level one thousand. The three of us are enough to defeat those six otherworlders who came out of hell."
"Besides, your mother is actually overreacting and overestimating the strength of those otherworlders we sent to hell. They're probably around level one thousand, but there is no way they can beat a thousand soldiers in a castle. This castle is filled with Golden Knights who are around level 750. There are probably about ten Golden Knights here."
"And the Castle of Grimore is literally twenty times stronger than we were five years ago when Black Hood attacked."
"So I think those six would not even stand a chance against the platinum adventurer we hired," Goddess Fillia exclaimed.
"I see, thanks, Goddess," Millie responded.
"No problem. You're going to be okay. I'll make sure those six don't get a single touch on you. I'm going to make their thirst for revenge empty and unaccomplished," Goddess Fillia assured.
Princess Millie hugged Goddess Fillia as Fillia hugged her back, comforting her.
Meanwhile, Glenn glanced around and saw all the guards that had been prepared by the queen to fend off the six students sent to hell.
Hikaru stood behind him without him noticing.
"You think all of this is necessary?" Hikaru asked.
Glenn realized his presence and glanced behind to see Hikaru.
"What!? When did you get here!??" Glenn blurted out.
"Heh, I guess using my stealth ability is working," Hikaru responded.
"Tsk. What do you want!?" Glenn exclaimed.
"I'm waiting for you to answer my question," Hikaru said.
"Umm, well, no, I don't think so, and I think that's what everyone thinks too," Glenn answered.