"And what if I promise to leave your APF members alive after I conquer this nation? Think clearly. Right after I leave this place, I'll go over there with the full Variant Uprising force," Lucifer warned Ayn.

"Most of the APF members are already dead. Your base is just an empty shell. Even if it has a strong defense, we can break all of that."

"And believe me when I say this, but I'll kill all of them. Not a single one will survive. If you want me to let them live, the only option is to support me. That's all I'll say," he continued.

As he talked, he sounded compassionate as if he wanted to have mercy on APF if Ayn supported him, but Ayn didn't know if there was any truth to it.

Standing behind Ayn, Veracity was slightly surprised. The way Lucifer said it, even she would have been fooled to think that he was telling the truth.

But she knew there was some lie in his words. She didn't know which part was a lie though.

All she knew was that there was a lie in his statement, but he said so many things, she couldn't pinpoint the lie.

"You promise you'll let them live?" Ayn asked after a brief pause.

"Yes. If they all also support me after that," Lucifer replied. "Anything is better than death for them. So I think you know what should be your choice?"

"Fine. I'll help you. I'll ask them to surrender, and I'll take you inside safely," Ayn ultimately said, giving up. She decided to help him if that stopped the bloodshed.

She agreed because Lucifer had actually killed Varant. If he was so strong and he had the support of the Variant Uprising, the defense of APF headquarters wasn't going to last for long.

And she also knew that once the defense was broken, everyone inside was going to be slaughtered for resistance.

By helping them take over easily and by letting her side surrender, she could stop them from dying.

"But I also want another promise from you in exchange for that help," Ayn further said.

"What promise?" Lucifer asked.

"You won't unnecessarily kill any humans. And the same for the Variant Uprising. When APF is gone, humans will be defenseless against Dark Variants. I want your promise that the humans won't be affected by your takeover. And their lives won't change." Ayn placed forth the condition.

"I accept. I won't kill them. In any case, I don't need to waste my time with them. I have more important things to do," Lucifer responded while accepting the condition.

"So, will you help me get in?" Lucifer asked.

....

Lucifer was flying above the city of Kensington that was destroyed entirely. The terrain was utterly ruined, and not a single tree or plantation was left standing.

Many dead bodies were also spread everywhere. There was also a woman wrapped in Lucifer's embrace as he flew.

Ayn was wrapped in Lucifer's tight embrace as he flew towards the next city.

Ayn had accepted to help him, and Veracity had verified her claims. That's why he was taking her with him. As for Veracity, she was left behind.

There was also a small concern in his head. How he was going to explain the appearance of Ayn, who he previously claimed to be dead.

"You understand everything, right?" He asked Ayn.

"I do. I know what to say," Ayn nodded. The Limiter Bracelets were still in her wrists, so she still wasn't allowed to use her powers.

"That's good. Because a single mistake will be problematic," Lucifer reminded her. "And if I have a problem, you'll have an even bigger problem."

"I understand. You don't have to repeat that," Ayn responded.

Lucifer soon reached the next city. He flew above the next town to find the helicopters and to know where the Variant Uprising members were waiting. Soon enough, he found the group.

Many helicopters were standing on the roads, blocking them entirely. It seemed like the entire traffic had stopped because of that, but no one seemed to be complaining.

There was also a car nearby, which seemed to be upside down. Another car could be seen sticking inside the wall of a nearby building.

Seeing the sight, Lucifer understood what was happening here. It seemed like the Uprising members had made some mess to clear the roads for their landing.

Lucifer and Ayn landed in front of the restaurant, which was filled with the Uprising members. Let alone filled; it seemed to be taken over entirely.

Pushing the door open, Lucifer stepped inside with Ayn.

Seeing him, everyone grew surprised. Not because he was here. But because of the woman he was here with. They had all seen Ayn before.

Kellian stood up as he approached Lucifer. There were many questions in his head.

"Is she Ayn?" He asked, just to make sure.

"That's right. She's the vice-captain of the APF Beta Squad. And she's also the one who will help us take over that place without many losses," Lucifer answered.

"Didn't you say she was dead?" Kellian asked, confused.

"I did. Because I wanted to give Raia a surprise later. I had kept her alive to turn her against APF. It's only because of her that I got so much information about APF defenses," Lucifer replied.

He had grown so proficient in lying that no one could see he was lying. All his lies seemed like the truth.

"I was waiting for her to completely agree to help us before telling Raia. If I had spoken about it before and she hadn't agreed to help us, I would've killed her, and it would be a disappointment."

"So I waited for the right moment. Unfortunately, Raia isn't here to see this anymore," he further said, sighing.

"She will help us?" Kellian inquired.

"That's right. She will lead me inside the APF base, and she will help us disable all the defense systems. After that, you all can come. As you had said before, we have already suffered massive losses. We can't suffer more," Lucifer answered.

"So it's the best option we have. In any case, that's the final decision. There would be no discussion about it. Anyway, get me some food. I'm dying of hunger," he said as if it was the final command.

He walked over to the table where Alicia and Cassius were sitting. He and Ayn sat at the same table.

Kellian didn't drop the matter this quickly though. He still had many questions. He approached them again.

"If she will actually help us, this will be really good. I accept this. But I also have a few questions for her. May I ask?" he asked Lucifer.