Lust Devil's Rise

Luka pointed to several points on the makeshift map placed on the table, and he stabbed two knives. One was placed at their current position, a considerate distance from the narrow canyon that led to the Forsaken Lands. The other he stabbed, quite a distance from both Amol Village and the outpost.

"This outpost will become an important resupply hub once we retake the Village and upgrade the defences to include the Forsaken Pass."

"Hmmm." Gerard rubbed his beard, examining the two points, before glancing up at Vaun, who nodded back and then returned to Luka. "My Liege, may I ask what the second knife represents before I comment?"

’How do I explain this...’

His mind raced with possible excuses for knowing the southern mountain ranges carried valuable materials from steel and iron to precious gemstones like diamonds.

However, that wasn’t the biggest pull.

When parading as a human in his previous life to learn about them, a long time before meeting Galatea and the other women. He overheard a bunch of former knights speaking about why the Fallen could push the humans back so easily.

Lumantite.

A metal bathed in the natural mana of the earth so long that it transforms nature, allowing the blade to channel any aura, much like a divine or demon blade.

Though regular weapons could technically handle aura, it was only temporary. Because after a few uses or if a powerful existence wielded the weapon once, it would explode, shattering into powder.

’Wait!’

Suddenly, he thought about the seductive Luvia and her title. Since she became his apostle, Luvia lost the ability to oppose him. Her attacks against him would rebound on her, and if she tried to betray him, Luvia would confess to him directly.

Though it wasn’t as extreme as forcing her to do anything.

No matter how hard she tried to harm him, it would be impossible.

’Let’s use that seductive banshee.’

He took a breath, ruffling his hair before brushing it back, with a look of confliction.

"Fine, I will tell you all."

"Gerard, Vaun, Galatea. What I have to say mustn’t leave this room, as it could spell disaster for Babylon should we reveal it before preparing ourselves."

"Understood, Sire!" Vaun, ever ready to obey, saluted instantly.

"Your will is my command, My Lord."

"I promise to remain silent, Luka."

Once the three of them responded, the atmosphere shifted as he tapped the long, curving mountain range from the West of Amol Village near the pass, to the southern reaches that bordered Babel. "These mountains contain steel, iron and diamonds."

"Oh?"

"What good news!"

"..."

Only Galatea remained silent while watching Luka.

"But." He raised one hand, placing a dagger at the deepest point of the mountains. "I wonder if you’ve ever heard of Lumantite. Known for its luminous glow in the dark, or when you pour aura into the blade?"

"!!!"

Gerard reacted the most, his eyes drooping to the marked point then back to Luka with an explorative gaze. "H-How?! How does My Lord know of such an imperative thing?! With such a resource we could become..."

"Calm down, Gerard. The source of information is the reason I have been a little apprehensive about revealing this."

"Understood!"

Though excited, the elderly knight bit his tongue and waited.

The sight was as if seeing a young lad waiting for his mother to let him dig into the rare sweet apple pie she baked at the end of summer.

Luka trailed his gaze across the three people.

Gerard remained an excited old man.

Galatea stared at the location, her pupils trembling, as she whispered to herself.

Vaun seemed oblivious to the nature of this metal.

"Galatea, Vaun. I hope you understand the reason I have told you about this."

Luka smiled when Vaun raised his hand with a slightly embarrassed look.

"I apologise, Sire, but I cannot for the life of me understand the importance of this Lumantite compared to iron and diamonds..." He asked before clearing his throat. "Although I know of Lumantite thanks to my heritage, it does not seem important in our current state."

"Oh, tell me what our current state is?"

Luka leaned against the table and enjoyed Vaun’s input.

"Currently, Babylon relies on our trade of high-quality pelts and meat to endure the harsh winters and keep the territory going. But you have mentioned the future will deteriorate, and even now there are surrounding Lords envious of our massive fertile lands—I feel the diamonds would serve to increase our coffers to defend against that threat."

Nobody interrupted the hunter, but while he spoke, Luka noticed the changes in both Galatea and Gerard’s eyes.

Yes, it was obvious this man was not a typical illiterate hunter.

His high level of education far surpassed what Babylon offered at the current time.

No, maybe any human territory or land.

"I see your concerns are accurate and halfway towards my planned future."

To this, Vaun’s handsome old face brightened, then he seemed to hear the second part, and tilted his head. "Sire, pardon my asking, but what else could there be?"

"Foolish hunter, do you not think the Lord has thought about the territory, but money isn’t everything, you old coot!" Gerard huffed, clearly showing his dissatisfaction at the strangeness in this man he’d known for over a decade.

"Old Knight, don’t insult me, I am genuinely curious!"

"Ahem!"

The two clashed only until Luka cleared his throat; then both immediately saluted him and asked for his forgiveness.

"Forgive me, Sire!"

"My Lord, I lost my head, forgive me."

Once again, the two old men glared at each other before turning away with a huff.

"Well, before you two start arguing again, let me tell you why the Lumantite is important." He noticed Galatea’s strange atmosphere when he pointed out the metals. She became more focused, and the aura around her became sharp, like jagged blades protecting her.

’It’s nostalgic... like when I met her for the first time.’

"Galatea, do you know why I want to occupy this mine secretly before we announce the shallow mines with iron, steel and diamond?"

Her shoulders shook at the sound of his voice, then she slowly lifted her head, staring at him with the softest gaze he’d ever seen. A watery layer covered Galatea’s sapphire-blue eyes, which shimmered with the faint glow of an aura.

’Eh, did she master Aura yet?’

Luka couldn’t remember these details because he didn’t know her.

No, he shook his head, if she had an aura, would she have suffered like that?

However, to his surprise, Galatea answered his question without hesitation, further piquing his curiosity and a strange intuition that something wasn’t right.

"Along with being able to use aura, the metal Lumantite can inflict heavy damage on evil beings, such as the Fallen. It is also able to damage the ethereal, such as ghosts, wraiths and other manner of foul creature."

"Oh?" Luka squeezed her hand under the table.

A deep red flush grew across her face as she cleared her throat and continued.

"Ahem, while this is a great boon.

The biggest benefit is that wielding such a blade helps even the most unskilled knight adjust their bodies and fix the flow of their inner energies."

"What!?" Gerard shouted, unable to hold back. He searched his granddaughter’s face, likely confused about how she knew such information when he didn’t. "How do you, no... if what you said is true, then the training of our new forces...!?"

Suddenly, it seemed to click in his head.

That everything was connected.

From aiding the Amol warriors, taking Amol Village and securing those mountains from the goblins as soon as possible.

"My Lord, is this your plan?"

Luka smiled at the old knight’s sudden reaction.

Thanks to the memories of the body’s original owner, he knew that all his life, Gerard had wanted to see Babylon flourish more than ever before. Yet as a mere knight, all he could do was protect the lord and train a few squires.

"It was, from the moment I heard of the attack and waited for those warriors to come seeking my aid."

"Y-You bastard!? Did you use us?!"

A sharp, yet feminine voice came from the entrance as a lightly dressed Iris and Brea stood with furious glares. There was no chance Luka could explain everything, and the history between Amol and Babylon was rocky at best.

However, he released Galatea’s hand and stood up casually before spreading his arms to the two women whose eyes stabbed into him like blades.

"Ah, so you’re finally here?" Luka glanced up at Brea with a smile. "Thanks for bringing her; it took you a little longer than I expected."

The tall woman snarled back at him.

"Be silent, snake!"

To her snarl, Luka pointed to them, and his smile twisted into a smirk.

"If you don’t wish to have your location revealed to the dwarves, shut your pretty little mouth, drop all of your weapons and come sit beside me.

Pat!

He patted the wooden stool beside him, then glanced at Vaun and Gerrard.

To his surprise.

Galatea rushed forward like the wind and drew a sword lying idle near the entrance.

Brea lifted her axe to retaliate, but Galatea pressed the cold steel against Iris’s throat and spoke with a harsh, raspy tone that tickled Luka’s memories once again.

"Drop it, or she dies."