Chapter 119: The Hunt Across Two Worlds

After the meal, everyone followed Morwenna into her private chamber.

The room was quiet and wide, filled with tall racks and shelves of old books, sealed scrolls, and antiques that carried the weight of centuries. Soft light touched the polished wood and the edges of ancient maps spread across a long table. It did not look like a simple study. It looked like a place where decisions about kingdoms were made in silence before they ever reached the battlefield.

Morwenna turned toward Daemon.

"Husband," she said, "tell us who you want to find in Virendal."

Before Daemon could answer, Zephyra spoke with clear pride in her voice.

"Father Aelther is a squad leader in our army. He can infiltrate any kingdom, and his squad members are highly skilled warriors."

Morwenna nodded.

"Yes, husband. Who are they?"

Daemon’s expression grew serious.

He looked at the maps for a second, then back at them.

"They are from my world," he said. "I still don’t know how they entered Virendal. So far, there are only two possibilities. One is my Solitary Gate. The other is a dungeon gate. We assume they used a dungeon route."

He paused, and the room seemed to grow quieter with him.

"But they are in the Nocturnia Vampire Kingdom. I don’t know their exact location. I don’t know who their lord is. And I don’t know what they are doing here. I want every piece of information on them."

Daemon took out a file and placed it on the table.

"This is Leonard Vane. He is a former guild master of Apex Guild in our world. He has a unique bloodline power that lets him absorb the power of others. He is a dangerous enemy."

Everyone looked at the picture carefully. Even without knowing Earth’s hunter ranks, the coldness in the man’s eyes was easy to read.

Daemon placed a second image beside it.

"This one is not an awakener. He is a scientist and researcher. Don’t be fooled by his appearance. He is a manipulator. Because of him, Kassia was kidnapped and kept for eight months inside a secret dimension."

Daemon’s fist clenched hard enough that his knuckles turned white. The memory of those months still sat heavy in his chest. Kassia’s suffering, the cage, the stolen time — all of it traced back to men like these.

Morwenna immediately placed her hand on his arm.

"Aelther will find him," she said firmly. "And when he does, we will punish him so thoroughly that even hell will not give him rest."

Daemon slowly released the pressure in his chest, but his expression remained dark. He gave her a short nod of thanks.

Zephyra turned toward Aelther, her voice sharp with protectiveness.

"I want you to bring that Adrine here," she said. "I know this is a risk, but he hurt my father. Bring him here. Can you do that?"

Aelther did not hesitate.

"If Father-in-law asks, I will bring both of them."

Daemon chuckled and pulled Zephyra closer, ruffling her hair.

"My sweet girl. How did you suddenly jump fully to your father’s side? Look at your mother. She is pouting. She looks sad."

Morwenna crossed her arms lightly, though the corner of her mouth betrayed a small reaction.

"You don’t understand. She was never on my side."

The room filled with soft laughter, breaking a little of the heavy air. For a moment, they were not rulers and warriors planning a cross-world hunt. They were simply a family standing together.

Then Daemon’s face grew serious again as he looked at Aelther.

"Listen, Aelther. I know I am asking you to do this in my place. But there is one thing you must remember."

His voice lowered.

"You can do whatever is necessary on this mission. But remember that this girl, my daughter, is waiting for you at home. Do not make the same mistake I did."

Daemon’s eyes softened with a quiet pain.

"I already gave my daughter a painful past. I left her without a father for far too long. Now I intend to spend the rest of my life making that right. You must put your family first. After that comes everyone else. Understood?"

Aelther straightened and nodded with full respect.

"I will be careful, Father-in-law. I have enough experience, and my squad is skilled. I will return without trouble."

He smiled and gave a steady assurance. There was no arrogance in it — only the calm confidence of a man who understood both duty and what he could lose.

Morwenna then looked at him again.

"Speaking of your squad members, bring them tomorrow to the training ground. I want all of them to fight my husband. Tell them to bring their own weapons."

Daemon raised an eyebrow.

"For what?"

"You said you want to control your Requiem power," Morwenna replied. "Treat this as training for that. Controlled pressure. Real combat. No empty theory. But we still need a proper method beyond simple sparring. I already have a person in mind for that. We will have to go to the Human Kingdom."

Daemon shook his head at once.

"Not the Human Kingdom. Not now. I have to return to Earth. I left Victoria and the others without telling them enough, and there is still unfinished work waiting for me there. If I disappear longer without answers, they will worry. After that, we can go to the Human Kingdom."

Zephyra stepped forward quickly.

"Father, I also want to come with you."

Daemon ruffled her hair again, smiling despite the weight of the conversation.

"Without you, how could I go?"

He looked from her to Morwenna.

"This time, both of you are coming with me."

Zephyra’s face lit up. She almost jumped in place.

"Yes! I will meet my friends. I miss Sana and Roxy. They told me so many things about your world. I really want to experience it myself. Please, Father, I want to go."

Daemon chuckled.

"If you are this interested already, then I should have told you earlier."

Morwenna’s expression turned practical again.

"Before that, I need to give my position to someone suitable until I return. Elorian cannot be left without a steady hand."

Daemon looked at her.

"Is there someone here who can take it?"

"Yes," Morwenna said. "There is one person. I will speak with her."

"Alright," Daemon replied. "If she agrees, then we can leave whenever we want."

He turned back to Aelther.

"And for you, Aelther, I will give permission to enter the gate whenever needed. The gate will open at my estate, so the two of you will not miss each other."

Daemon glanced at Zephyra with a teasing smile.

Zephyra’s face warmed at once, caught between embarrassment and happiness.

Aelther bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Father-in-law."

The chamber grew quiet for a short moment after that. Plans had been set. Targets had been named. Paths between Earth and Virendal were beginning to connect more tightly than before. Leonard Vane and Adrine were no longer only Earth problems. They had become a matter for two worlds.

Then a familiar chime sounded in Daemon’s mind.

The System’s voice followed.

[Rewards have been generated from Morwenna and your daughter.]

[Rewards calculating...]

Daemon’s eyes sharpened slightly as the new notifications began to form.