The fleet that captured Lucia’s father is called LIGHTSHADOW where members consist of more than just the submarines. The reason why this fleet is the most likely culprit is because of the rarely found demon in their ranks. They also had records in the past where they acted in ambush with all 5 submarines coming together to subjugate unsuspecting demons.

The fleet itself wasn’t that strong, nevertheless, they contributed to many of the demon casualties in the front lines.

Not all angels were in favor of their aggression. So there was some conflict here and there.

Though, it wasn’t like what they were doing was wrong. Less demons should translate to a bigger utopia for angels to enjoy.

Provided it doesn't push the demons to desperation.

Zone 21. It was said that the full brunt attack launched by the demons to capture this territory was incited by something LIGHTSHADOW did.

They caught and killed a big shot pureborn.

It shook the demon world.

And the pureborn’s family wanted revenge so they’re now funding the war against the angels.

Zone 21 was where the death occurred. They want to reclaim the territory to serve as a memorial site.

At least, that’s how the story goes.

Lucifer only shrugged. She didn’t keep up with topics like these so much.

“Where’s the source of this? Rumors?”

I can’t help but find it suspicious.

“Source?”

“Where did you hear it from? The story sounds too surreal, I find it hard to believe that-that’s the reason why a fight is going to happen in Zone 21. And, you’re an angel. How do you know about the incidents happening to demons?”

“Miss demon, did you not raise your fledgling well? Can I take him instead?”

“What? Shut up.”

“Listen up. There’s something called the news.”

News?

“Angels or demons, we both want and need information. Journalists find information specific to the happenings in both realms to write reports and articles regarding the backstories to certain incidents. There is a lot of information manipulation so most of them can’t be trusted. Even so, there are at least some credible ones from well known journalists.”

A shady website where news regarding angels and demons could be shared. To the normal person, it would look like some community-made story archive similar to NCP.

I didn’t think such a thing existed.

“Avner, how much are you being paid monthly for being in your fleet? I’ll pay you double.”

“Don’t buy into that Avner..”

“Rather than money, I just want to live normally..”

“Oh, then that’s much easier to guarantee. Alska is angel territory so if you join the side of angels, you’ll be much less likely to get into trouble.”

“...”

“Or am I wrong about that?”

There’s no way that’s true.

“What do you need me to do to recover Carlos?”

I’ll act as if I never heard Trisha’s offer.

“Avner, you don’t need to go and do it personally. I’ll notify the higher ups about it, they’ll dispatch other demons,” Lucifer said.

“Nothing. I just need you to accept my gift. I’ll bring him to you,” Trisha said.

“You said earlier that you’ll be attacking the fleet. Now you’re saying something else. What do you want from me exactly?”

I don’t get it. She’s been spouting nothing but contradicting facts.

“I did say I was planning to attack the fleet. But we can’t unless we have a demon, so I thought if I could borrow you then we’ll be able to finally take them down. It’s a secret contract from one of the demons. Huge commision you know?”

Trisha placed a finger to her lips.

“I’m not a submarine.”

“Doesn’t matter. You can initiate a front assault by just touching them.”

“Never tried.”

“Do you want that pureborn or not?”

“I do.”

“How about money? I’ll pass you some of the commision if you help us on the mission. It’s difficult to find a trustworthy demon these days.”

“...”

She should’ve arranged her facts better. Then I wouldn’t have misunderstood her intentions.

“Avner, you’re not seriously considering that? If it’s money that you’re in need of then I could pass you some more..”

“It’s not about the money, Lucifer.”

“Then? Why are you attempting something so dangerous alone, again?”

“Do you want to join Miss demon? There’s no problem with it if you can keep it a secret.”

“What? Join you? In your dreams!”

“How about it? 10,000 dollars.”

“Ten thousand..”

That’s a lot.

Mercenary life sure is something.

“Avner..”

“Where and when. What do I need to do?”

“Avner!”

“I knew I could trust that old man when he said you’re a good sport!”

Lucifer grabbed my face and forced me to stare at her.

“Don’t.”

“I don’t want more demons to get hurt.”

“...”

“What he said! I totally agree!”

“You said you wanted to live a normal life? What happened to that? Double standard?”

I nodded.

“...”

“I know I’m making an excuse by saying this but.. you do remember that I said that I have a part of my past still in me.”

“Your memories.”

“It’s being influenced.”

“There's no reason to risk your life.”

“We risk our life every day don’t we?”

“Damn it Avner, why are you so stubborn? Trisha, I’m joining.”

“Good, another helping hand. No friendly fire. I trust you okay?”

“I’ll ask the same from you.”

Details regarding the ambush and our respective roles were laid out in brief.

Or should I say that Trisha only shared with us a minimal part of her plan. I assume it’s to prevent too much from leaking out in case we decide to turn against her, that sort of insurance.

We’ll first intercept them, then pull the entire fleet into the battle.

“So you’ll have to join our fleet temporarily, Avner.”

Trisha suggested, since there’s a limit to the use of contacts.

If I was thrown into the astral space, I’m allowed to call as many people as I can for help. However, for those that just entered the astral space, they are unable to contact others until a one hour time frame has elapsed.

If the battle gets drawn out that long, it can escalate into a full blown war. Thus why we called it an angel-demon war.

“You better come back once you’re done.”

“Thank you Lucifer.”

“Don’t fall for their bribes.”

“Hehe, I take care of my assets well so it wouldn’t be so easy you know?”

Trisha is the fleet admiral for ALPINE.

“Ranked in the top 10 best fleets in Alska. We won 5th place last tournament.”

“I don’t even know how that works.”

“No worries. I’ll teach you when the next tournament arrives next year.”

Lucifer pinched my back.

I can’t believe I’m doing this.

{You have resigned from 7SEAS}

{You have been invited to ALPINE}

{You have accepted ALPINE’s invitation}

{You are now a member of ALPINE}

“If you have any questions you can message me directly. If not, we'll just go according to this plan. I’ll tell you if there are any changes in their movements.”

“Alright.”

“Then we can leave now. Oh, one more thing. Just now, what you did. What was that?”

“What was what?”

“Bloodlust. You said it wasn’t a hex. So it can be learnt?”

“Yes?”

“Then teach me next time,” Trisha winked.

I noticed Lucifer looking a little sullen.

With everything settled, the scenery warped into a blur of colours.

I forced three fries into my mouth to suppress the nausea. I didn’t know how Trisha is able to smile despite having just returned to the real world.

Lucifer, a short distance away, turned towards me. I nodded to her to say I was alright.

“Remember to remind her to keep it a secret.”

“Got it.”

===

Lia looked rather sullen on the way back.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

“I’m okay.”

“You don’t look okay to me.”

“I’m really okay big bro.”

Definitely not.

Perhaps xe was sensitive to how I reacted to Trisha?

Sorry Lia.

===

dotturndot: What kind of past did Avner have anyways? Or is it Shin’s past? Or.. well.. let’s not spoil it hehe–

I don’t know if writing this part where Avner got mad is justifiable? Feels just a tad odd when I re-edited it. He even went all the way to use Bloodlust (pressure, sword intent, killing intent, etc.)

Ah yeah, on top of this, I just want to say thank you for reading. Come to find, my writing truly does suck doesn’t it? Editing reveals a lot of the flaws, and sometimes I wonder if what I wrote in Volume 1 and 2 makes sense to anyone.

I’m in that situation where the story gets better because I get better as the writer, especially when it comes to explaining and narrating, but nobody would read the ‘better’ part because the beginning part already killed all the readers away. Ah well, I could always just drop this series if I find that it’s a pain to write. I think the biggest lesson from here so far is to make world building less complex. (Not that I’ll drop the series– yet.)

Add on top of the complexity is writing in ‘perspectives’. I deliberately make two people talk about the same thing in completely different ways (which would lead to confusion; like how Avner uses ‘astral bubble’, while those veteran mortalborns would use the word ‘fallout’.)

So I appreciate how you’ve been able to bear through this world-building, character-bending confusion to get here.