The open space of the Basement Floor which had walls painted in pure white without a single smudge on their smooth surface, was still as though frozen in time.

Not a single creature within it dared to blink or even breathe, but this was not voluntary, the nigh tangible pressure exerted on them by the being slowly approaching them from within the tunnel rendered them so.

[I will not be looked down upon on the Floor that I rule! This is mine domain!]

Charymos covered his entire body with a calm layer of Mana and wiped the slimy perspiration from his face, fixing his posture to stand upright as though unbothered.

Tonk... Tonk...

With the unconscious Kaelen still hovering above his right shoulder, Charymos narrowed his eyes into the tunnel and saw a creature with a mane burning as bright as the embers of a furnace.

This creature had fangs as long as a smilodon’s and eyes as piercing as a bald eagle’s. Protruding from either side were ethereal-looking wings that looked to have been made of pure Mana, but upon closer inspection, one could deduce that these were in fact a part of its anatomy.

However, as impressive as this creature was, it was merely a beast, one which was not at the caliber that would cause one such as Charymos to perspire in fear.

No, not at all. You see, this beast was merely a mount, and the one who rode it was...

"Skadi..."

Charymos whispered his name, but it was so quiet that the vibrations of his voice were able to reach the walls and echo.

"I do apologize for coming unannounced, Charymos."

Spoke Skadi as he regally unmounted the blazing feline.

His appearance?

A beautiful mess.

Half of his torso was pure frost, the other half, bright orange like burning coal yet, the opposing elements did not oppose one another so as to form vapor or water. No, they existed harmoniously, defying nature itself.

His bottom half, his legs, were made of pitch-black rock which resembled volcanic basalt, and these legs seemed to be riddled with pulsing veins that were like streaks of obsidian. Within said veins flowed a mixture of lava and the purest, clearest water that one could ever behold.

Clothing his entire body were thick roots that blossomed breathtaking flora that would wither only seconds after blooming, and then again, and again. His eyes were a pair of literal diamonds and his teeth an array of precious gemstones. Sapphire, amethyst, garnet, ruby and opal were visible whenever he spoke.

His hair, beard and brows were a mixture of moss and leaves, and a wisp of wind constantly circulated around his scalp.

"Ah... Did you already have guests? It really does seem that I have intruded upon you, can you ever forgive me, Charymos?"

Skadi slowly glanced around, his diamond gaze like a skewer to the heart upon whomever it befell.

[This fucking...]

Charymos grit his teeth and feigned a smile.

"Of course not, Lord Skadi, how dare I make one such as yourself apologize to me?"

"It is also true that you are here because of my letter, so it would suffice to say that I have been expecting your visit."

Charymos spoke in a steady tone that contradicted the turmoil of emotions swirling within his chest.

"..."

Skadi was not quick to respond as his eyes fell on Veylith, who was desperately catching her breath at the envoy of the Eighth’s feet, then at all of the Homonculi who were standing behind a group of injured Mermen. And then finally, his gaze rested on Kaelen who was floating within a viscous bubble of gelatinous ooze.

"..."

"Is that so? Then I am most grateful for your grace and understanding, Charymos."

"Also, have I not mentioned this before? You need not use the title ’Lord’ with me, as we are both direct servants that tend to our Ruler’s Floors."

Skadi spoke as regally as he appeared, his gaze finally shifting from Kaelen to Charymos.

"Beneath the earth as this place may be, it is still classified as a Floor by our Ruler."

Skadi glanced around the Basement, and it was honestly rather shabby compared to what he was used to, but he did not let that show on his expression —Rather, could anyone even discern his expression even if they wanted to?

"You are as humble as ever, thank you for your kind words... Skadi."

[I see you’re still putting up this noble act, you freak bastard.]

Charymos swallowed the poison that almost spewed from his forked tongue and gave a slight bow to the Elemental King.

"Of course. By the way, Charymos. You seem to be having trouble with that child from the Eighth. Is my deduction true?"

Skadi’s gaze once again fell on the terrified Vampire, causing him to shudder and perspire despite not having a functioning metabolism.

[Hm? Ah~ I see what you’re doing.]

Charymos failed to a suppress a smirk and a glint of evil illuminated his eyes as he looked over his shoulder and sneered at the envoy of the Eighth.

"My~ yes! Was it that obvious? This child sent by Lord Veladreth has been causing me nothing but trouble!"

Charymos placed his left backhand on his forehead and pretended to lose his breath like a damsel in distress.

"N-no Lord Skadi! Please do not misunderstand, this is merely —"

[!!]

"Be quiet child, how dare you speak without my or Charymos’s permission? Has Veladreth not educated you on matters of heirrarchy?"

Thud!

"Argh!"

The Vampire collapsed to his knees and face, his entire body squirming and fidgeting like a fish out of water, suffocating.

"Oya~? What might that be?"

Charymos, noticing the glowing object that was within the writhing Vampire’s garment, failed to suppress a wide grin.

"Skadi, it would seem Lord Veladreth is watching us."

"Indeed, Charymos."

Skadi nodded, and Charymos ordered the Roach to retrieve the glowing crystal ball.

Noticing the visage displayed on its smooth surface, the Roach averted his gaze and slowly presented the crystal ball at Charymos’s feet.

"Greetings, Veladreth. The question that I have asked your subordinate, shall I pose it to you since you are with us?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Skadi, standing side-by-side with Charymos, peered into the crystal ball elevated by the Roach’s arms.

"..."

"You would go so far as to defend that amphibian, Skadi?"

Those words were spoken by a breathtakingly handsome, crimson-haired man, causing Charymos to slightly furrow his brow.

"You are being rude Veladreth. This is our colleague you’re speaking to."

Skadi rebuked the ancient Vampire.

"Our... What? Hahaha!!! Interesting, truly interesting!"

The crystal ball nearly cracked from Veladreth’s maniacal laughter.

"I know that your greed knows no bounds, Skadi. You must have found something truly interesting down there, haven’t you?"

"..."

Skadi gave no response to Veladreth’s words and began thinking of a way to —

Squelch!!

"Aargh!!!"

[...Hm?]

Both Skadi and Charymos raised their eyes, just who would dare to make such an unsightly sound in their presence —

[!!], [!!]

"Wh-what?!!"

An even more unsightly sound escaped Charymos’s lips as he beheld Veylith rip into the Vampire’s jugular.