Chapter 15: Deals that never work (13)

The Enchantment’s Gaze

The Enchantment’s Gaze—a top-tier magical ability capable of casting a hypnotic spell on any rational mind simply through observation.

Such power was beyond the reach of ordinary heroes.

But for Cain and Lilith, it was an irresistible lure, like the forbidden fruit that once tempted Adam and Eve.

It was not just a tool; it was a symbol of absolute control, and its allure resonated deeply with the Dream Demons’ inherent nature.

If the serpent introduced humanity to the forbidden fruit, it was the first hero who revealed the Enchantment’s Gaze.

This revelation reached the king of the Dream Demons, Cain, who plotted tirelessly, waiting for the fated day when the moon would align to grant him the opportunity to resist its power. Yet, as the moment drew near, doubts began to cloud his mind.

‘What is that fool planning?’

Despite their shared goal—the resurrection of the Demon King—the first hero and the saint were far from allies.

Not long ago, both had been fierce opponents of the Demon King’s return.

The sudden alliance defied logic and filled Cain with unease.

Their motivations remained veiled, tangled in layers of deception and personal ambition.

Originally, the plan had been simple: capture the saint and hero, then crush the capital in one decisive blow.

But today, the king’s ambition shifted.

The Enchantment’s Gaze promised a level of dominion even the Demon King could not offer.

He was intent on obtaining it, no matter the cost.

Beneath the pale light of the fully eclipsed moon, Cain’s unease grew.

The waterway’s surface mirrored the celestial alignment, and every ripple seemed to amplify his growing doubts.

His musings were interrupted by the sharp voice of the hero.

“Show me proof,” the hero demanded, his tone sharp as steel. “Proof that Sarah, Natalia, and Laura will remain unharmed.”

Lilith’s laughter cut through the still night air. Her voice dripped with condescension. “Doubt women, do you? How quaint.”

“Speak foolishness again,” the hero warned, his grip tightening on his blade, “and I’ll silence you.”

The sound of a blade slicing the air was followed by a thin line of red on Lilith’s cheek.

Though shallow, the wound was a testament to the hero’s speed and precision. For all her cunning, the succubus had failed to react in time.

Dream Demons like Lilith lacked brute strength or destructive magic.

Their sole power lay in enchanting minds, turning foes into devoted slaves.

But even for Cain and Lilith—who had absorbed the capital’s magic stones and ascended to high-ranking demons—victory was uncertain against the hero and saint, who bore the divine protection of light.

“Fine, fine,” Lilith muttered, brushing away a droplet of blood. “They’re here.”

On the far side of the bridge, Cain appeared, leading the captive Natalia and Laura.

The hero’s eyes narrowed as he suppressed his instincts, refusing to be swayed by emotion.

The captives’ disheveled appearances and hollow gazes tugged at him, but he knew better than to let his guard down.

Lilith’s voice turned sweet, venomous. “Sign this, and we all get what we want.”

She produced the Mitras Contract, an ancient pact requiring a fragment of the signee’s soul.

It was a binding agreement, unbreakable even by the Demon King.

The parchment seemed to pulse with an eerie light, as if alive and hungry for its victim.

The hero’s hand trembled as he reached for the contract.

Lilith’s goal was clear—to claim the Enchantment’s Gaze.

For the hero, the price was his very existence.

He hesitated. A flicker of regret passed through his mind.

One life was all he had, and yet his comrades mattered more.

If this power was too dangerous to wield, then relinquishing it might be his only salvation.

His resolve hardened as he prepared to sign.

Just as his quill touched the parchment, a sudden cry pierced the night. “You bastards!”

A vial of holy water flew through the air, shattering against the hero’s face and splashing onto Cain and Lilith.

Sarah had acted, her timing impeccable.

The holy water’s divine power began to seep into the canal below, sanctifying the waters.

The once-still surface roiled with purifying energy.

Chaos erupted. Cain staggered, momentarily blinded.

Sarah grabbed his arm and hurled both of them into the canal.

Though he was the king of Dream Demons, Cain could not enchant someone with a male mind.

Sarah, whose spirit bore such duality, had feigned submission to buy time.

The saint’s voice rang out, her resolve unwavering. “Cross me, and I’ll burn everything to ash!”

The canal, now a reservoir of holy water, began to surge with divine flames.

As Cain thrashed in agony, Lilith’s scream echoed across the city.

The Enchantment’s Gaze would not save them now.

The hero stood motionless, watching the carnage unfold.

He saw not just destruction but a miracle—a sign that even in darkness, light could triumph.

Yet deep down, he knew the battle was far from over.

Every splash of the sanctified water burned like molten steel, and the air filled with the acrid stench of burning flesh.

Cain’s once-proud form disintegrated under the divine assault, leaving only ash and fading whispers of his ambition.

Lilith, too, faltered, her seductive veneer shattered as she fled into the shadows, her shrieks lingering long after her form had vanished.

The hero turned to Sarah, whose steady gaze betrayed both exhaustion and determination.

They had won a battle, but the war loomed large, its stakes now higher than ever.

Together, they silently vowed to confront the challenges ahead, knowing the path to victory would demand even greater sacrifices.