They spent the time wandering through unfamiliar districts. They sampled roasted pastries sold by a cheerful street vendor. Browsed stalls displaying beautifully forged weapons and enchanted tools. Watched caravans arrive from distant frontier settlements.
Several merchants recognized them as foreign royalty and respectfully bowed, but no one attempted to disturb them. To everyone else, they were simply distinguished visitors enjoying the city.
As the sun gradually descended toward the horizon, the streets became even busier. Workers finished unloading caravans while inns lit their lanterns one by one.
Atheline looked toward the darkening sky.
"It’s getting late."
Lilith nodded.
"We’ll stay the night."
Finding suitable accommodation proved easy. An elegant inn frequently used by wealthy merchants welcomed them without hesitation after seeing the royal pass.
Their suite overlooked one of the city’s busiest avenues. From the balcony, they could watch caravans arriving long after sunset.
Night settled over Blackforge City. The sounds of commerce gradually quieted, replaced by the softer murmur of taverns and evening conversations drifting through the streets below.
Inside their room, the little fox had already curled into a ball atop one of the cushions near the window. Lilith stood beside the balcony, gazing at the city lights.
After several moments of silence, she spoke.
"If anyone is following us... They’ll believe we’re spending several days here."
Atheline joined her.
"They’ll report that we’ve chosen to inspect one of the kingdom’s major trade cities. They’ll expect leisurely sightseeing, meetings with merchants and perhaps a visit to the foundries."
Lilith smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
She looked toward the moon rising above the rooftops.
"Which means..." She turned to face him. "...tonight is when we disappear."
Atheline smiled in return.
The city of Blackforge still slept beneath a blanket of darkness. Only a handful of windows remained illuminated, while the streets that had bustled with merchants the previous evening were now almost silent.
The occasional guard patrol passed beneath the lanterns, their armor clinking softly against the black stone roads, but otherwise the prosperous trade city rested in peaceful silence.
.
.
.
The sky had only just begun to lighten along the eastern horizon. Dawn was still some time away.
Inside the private suite of the inn, Atheline quietly tightened the straps of his travel pack. The little fox sat on the bed, tilting her head curiously as though sensing that they were about to leave.
Lilith looked out through the window one final time; there was nothing unusual.
Even if the Demonic Kingdom’s intelligence network had assigned someone to observe them, those individuals would naturally assume the royal couple intended to spend the day touring Blackforge’s markets after yesterday’s public arrival.
Lilith closed the curtains.
"We’re leaving."
Atheline nodded.
"The earlier, the better."
The little fox hopped lightly onto his shoulder without needing to be called.
Lilith stepped into the center of the room and slowly closed her eyes. Space itself answered her will.
As one of the few masters of spatial magic in the world, she no longer required prepared formations for distances within her limits.
During the previous evening, after comparing their map with the detailed maps King Seragus had provided, she had already determined the approximate destination.
Not the exact location shown by the Goddess; that would have been reckless.
Unknown ruins often contained unstable Aether fields, ancient barriers, or hidden dangers capable of disrupting teleportation. Arriving directly above such a place could prove fatal.
Instead... She had selected a safe arrival point several dozen kilometers away. A quiet region with stable spatial currents, elevated terrain, and enough distance to observe their surroundings before approaching.
She reached toward the fabric of space. Darkness spread around her as she tried to locate the coordinates. The room around them blurred almost imperceptibly.
Lilith opened her eyes.
"I’ve locked onto the coordinates."
She extended one hand.
"Stay close."
Atheline stepped beside her. The little fox instinctively buried herself deeper against his shoulder.
Space folded and the room disappeared. Then... The world returned. A cool breeze brushed across their faces. The scent of damp earth and wild grass filled the air, and birdsong echoed faintly somewhere in the distance.
They now stood atop a broad plateau overlooking an endless wilderness. The eastern horizon glowed with the first pale hints of sunrise, while stars still lingered overhead.
Far below stretched rolling forests broken only by winding rivers and scattered cliffs. In the far distance, dark mountain ranges rose like jagged teeth against the brightening sky.
There was not a single village or road could be seen, only untouched wilderness.
Atheline looked around in quiet admiration.
"Perfect."
She nodded.
"No witnesses and no unstable Aether nearby."
The plateau itself was covered in short grass that swayed gently beneath the morning breeze.
Ancient, weathered stones protruded from the earth here and there, suggesting that this place had once held some forgotten significance before nature reclaimed it.
The silence was almost comforting. After spending days surrounded by cities and palaces, the untouched landscape felt refreshing.
The little fox jumped down onto the grass and immediately began sniffing the unfamiliar scents. She bounded several steps away before rolling happily across the cool ground.
Atheline laughed quietly.
"I think someone prefers this to palace life."
The fox chirped cheerfully without disagreeing. Lilith retrieved a small wooden case from her pack.
She opened it carefully. Inside rested several smooth black crystals engraved with intricate magical patterns.
Transformation catalysts.
Unlike simple glamour magic, which merely altered how others perceived someone, these crystals temporarily reshaped physical features. Even subtle aspects of one’s aura.
The changes could withstand close inspection, physical contact, and even ordinary Aether perception. Only those with exceptional magical abilities would notice anything unusual.
Lilith selected two crystals before handing one to Atheline.
"Ready?"
He examined it.
"I still find these fascinating."
"They’re remarkably efficient and also expensive."
"Which explains why only intelligence agencies and royalty tend to use them."
She smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
Atheline activated the crystal. Dark Aether flowed across his body like liquid shadows. His white hair gradually darkened until it became jet black. His fair skin gained a slightly darker complexion more common among demons.
When the transformation reached his face, his purple eyes shifted into a deep crimson. Finally, two black horns slowly emerged from his forehead, curving naturally backward.
The process caused no pain, only a brief tingling sensation. When it ended, the High Elf king had vanished. In his place stood a young noble demon whose appearance drew no particular attention.
Atheline looked down at his hands before lightly touching one of the horns.
"I’ll never get used to these."
Lilith chuckled softly.
"They suit you."
"My ears feel strange."
"They’ll stop bothering you after an hour."
He accepted her reassurance before watching her begin her own transformation.