The Incubus System Chapter 1554. Guilty?

The Incubus System Chapter 1554. Guilty?

After all, two angels had infiltrated Lust City and attempted to assassinate me. That wasn't something a king could casually overlook, especially when the attackers had come from a realm that had spent centuries pretending its inhabitants were morally superior to everyone else. And now, thanks to Aurelion's magnificent talent for making terrible decisions, we were discussing the possibility of an interdimensional war before breakfast.

“I see…” I murmured. My voice came out quieter than I'd intended.

Syntyche noticed immediately. She lifted her head from my chest, her beautiful face tightening with concern. Her hair slipped over one shoulder, brushing against my arm as she studied me.

“You look disappointed.”

I glanced at her. Then chuckled. “Disappointed? Not exactly.”

“Then what?”

I looked between her and Nefaris, both still comfortably occupying my bed and showing absolutely no intention of letting me escape anytime soon.

“I was just wondering whether I've dragged all of you into my problems.”

Nefaris immediately opened her mouth.

I knew that expression. That was the expression of a woman preparing to deliver an extremely passionate lecture about how her beloved demon prince was being an idiot. Before she could begin, I gently pressed my index finger against her lips.

“I know I didn't start this,” I continued. “Demons and angels have been fighting for longer than I've been alive. Hell, probably longer than most people can remember. But Aurelion has a personal problem with me. That's different.”

Nefaris caught my wrist and lowered my hand, although she didn't release it. Instead, she intertwined her fingers with mine.

Syntyche frowned. “That doesn't mean you have to feel guilty about it.”

I laughed. “Guilty?”

Both women watched me.

“Not at all.”

And I meant it.

There had been a time when I questioned almost every decision involving the Light Dimension. I wondered whether I was being too aggressive, whether the angels might eventually accept me, or whether proving I wasn't their enemy would somehow make everything better. What a ridiculous waste of time.

“I was indecisive for a while,” I admitted. “Especially lately. I kept whining because I was confused about what to do and why all of this was happening in the first place. I even kept wondering whether I should give them another chance.” My fingers tightened slightly around Nefaris's hand. “But now?” I smiled. “No.”

Syntyche's gaze lingered on my face. She seemed to recognize something in my expression, because her concern gradually softened into understanding.

I wasn't angry because I'd lost control. I was angry because I'd finally stopped making excuses for people who wanted me dead. I exhaled and gave both women a reassuring squeeze. “Anyway, I'm going to college again after this.”

Nefaris blinked. “You're still attending?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Of course. What did you expect? That I'd abandon my education because some ancient bastard in Heaven has a personal grudge against me?”

Syntyche laughed softly.

I shrugged. “Besides, I have assignments. And friends. And a perfectly ordinary human identity I'd prefer to maintain.” I turned toward them. “What about you two? Any plans?”

Syntyche shifted comfortably against my side. “I'm planning to meet Pearl. “That kraken girl of yours.”

My eyebrows rose. “For what?”

“I'm curious about her.”

That was it? Just curious?

I studied Syntyche's expression, searching for the slightest hint of mischief. Unfortunately, she looked perfectly innocent. Which was usually a warning sign. I bet it was about sex play or something similar to it.

She smiled. “Foxy will take me there.”

Meanwhile, Nefaris rested her chin on my shoulder. “I'll return to the Demon World for a while. I need to prepare my army~” Her voice carried that familiar playful sweetness, but her eyes were serious.

Nefaris might enjoy teasing me, cuddling me, and occasionally behaving like an affectionate menace, but she wasn't someone who treated military preparations lightly. Especially when war was involved.

I nodded. “Fine. Just don't cause any more trouble for Dad and Lilieth.”

Syntyche tilted her head. “You're referring to the energy border, right?”

I nodded. “It's still unstable.”

Nefaris shook her head. “Actually, Lord Damon said the energy border between the Demon World and Human World is mostly stable now.”

I looked at her. “Really?”

“Yes. The situation has improved considerably.”

That was good news. Finally. Something that didn't make me want to punch a celestial being.

“However…” she continued. “The most unstable boundaries now are between the Light Dimension and the other two worlds.”

I went silent. Then I leaned my head back against the pillow. My eyes remained fixed on the ceiling. “The king made that deliberate.” The words came out cold.

Neither woman interrupted.

“I feel like…” I began slowly, “he wants to take over both worlds.” I continued, “The Demon World. The Human World. Both.”

Nefaris watched me carefully. “By sending angels through the cracks?” she asked.

“Maybe.” I narrowed my eyes. “Not necessarily as an army. Not yet.”

That would be too obvious. Aurelion might be arrogant, but I doubted he'd survived this long by being completely stupid. “He could be trying to establish their presence first,” I continued. “Let angels roam freely. Let them interfere with humans, taking more informations. Let them behave like they're above everyone else. Eventually, people might start treating them as authorities rather than intruders.”

Syntyche frowned. “And if anyone refuses?”

I smiled faintly. “Then they're sinners.” The word tasted bitter. “Unclean. Corrupted. Unworthy. Whatever excuse sounds holy enough to justify putting them down.”

The room had become unusually quiet. “I don't like it,” I murmured. My gaze remained fixed on the ceiling. “That superiority.”

For a moment, I remembered how I'd once regarded angels. Powerful. Noble. Divine. I'd believed they represented something greater than the selfishness and cruelty I'd associated with demons.

Puriel had already taught me how complicated that assumption was.

Astra had shown me that angels could question what they'd been taught.

Lysathiel had proven that even someone trapped within the Light Dimension's hierarchy could choose to help me.