Emperor's harem: Transmigrated with SSS mana talent
Chapter 99: [That damned Kael]

Chapter 99: [That damned Kael]

Selene blinked once. Slowly.

Even Yue, who was usually the first to feed Kael’s nonsense, just gave a sideways glance as if to say: Really?

Kael coughed into his fist.

"Alright. That was a bit... much."

"So," he said, tone casual, "what’s the plan?"

Elara exhaled through her nose—controlled, but unmistakably weary.

Her gaze moved first to Selene, then back to Kael.

"She’s coming too," Kael added, gesturing toward Selene with a small nod.

Elara gave a brief, reluctant nod, but there was a flicker in her eyes—something edged with irritation.

She didn’t argue.

Just reached into her robe and pulled out a silver, rune-marked artifact.

Without a word, she activated it.

A dome of shimmering mana spread out around them with a low hum, sealing them in.

The world outside dimmed slightly, and the sounds faded into silence.

Kael’s eyes flicked up to the curve of the dome above them.

Soundproof, he thought. Smart. Paranoid. I’d do the same.

Eiden stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back—trying to look more formal than usual.

"The last confirmed sighting of the devil..." he said, pausing deliberately, "was during the incident at the duke’s manor."

He glanced at Kael as he said it. Not directly accusing. But not subtle either.

Kael didn’t flinch.

Eiden continued,

"And after that... people started disappearing. From Duskwither Forest"

The words hung in the air.

Then Rovan, the War God Temple disciple, took a step forward. His voice was clipped, militant.

"Our current belief is that the devil is conducting something... dark.

Maybe summoning. Maybe worse.

He’s been releasing beasts to terrorize the nearby villages—likely as a distraction."

Selina stepped in smoothly, voice calm and priestly.

"That’s why we intend to explore the forest.

To find out what he’s doing, where he’s hiding... and how to stop him."

Kael gave a solemn nod, lips pressed in a tight line.

But inside?

He was laughing.

’Beasts? Summoning? How cute.’

They had no idea.

None of them realized that the one they were plotting to hunt... was already standing among them.

Kael smiled faintly, his expression unreadable.

But after a beat, he let the smile fade and shifted into a thoughtful, almost troubled look.

He glanced around the dome, then asked quietly, "Are we... enough to kill him?"

The group stilled.

"I mean," Kael continued, voice even, "we don’t know the devil’s exact strength, do we?"

Eiden chuckled, shaking his head with an easy grin.

"So cautious, Kael. I like that," he said, giving a half-hearted pat on Kael’s arm.

"But don’t worry. Rovan is Rank 3—he’s one of the youngest to reach that in decades."

Rovan, standing with arms crossed, gave a nod of acknowledgment.

"And the War God Temple is sending reinforcements," Eiden added confidently.

Selina stepped forward slightly.

"The Church of the Night Goddess as well," she said. "I may be Rank 2... but I won’t be alone."

She and Rovan both stood a little taller after that, eyes gleaming with conviction.

Kael exhaled, nodding slowly.

"So... the devil is really getting killed this time."

His voice was light, almost amused.

But inside?

He was cursing.

Hard.

Fuck. Fuck.

If the Church and the Temple were sending serious reinforcements, things were spiraling faster than he had expected.

Too many eyes. Too many blades. I need a way out... or a way through.

He stood still a moment longer, thoughts quietly shifting.

Well... this might not be so bad after all.

He had planned to explore Duskwither Forest eventually.

And if he could remove a few obstacles along the way?

Even better.

What a pity Venom isn’t with me, he mused.

That thing would’ve fed well on this little field trip.

A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes.

Still... opportunity knocks in many shapes.

Eiden clapped his hands together, cheerfully disrupting the moment.

"Alright then. It’s settled. We depart tomorrow—ten sharp."

Everyone gave a nod of agreement, murmuring their acknowledgments as they began to disperse.

Kael’s eyes lingered on the fading mana dome as it slowly dissolved into the air, Elara’s artifact dimming in her palm.

He moved forward, extending his hand out to each one in turn—warm, polite, calculated.

He shook hands with Rovan. The boy’s grip was hard.

Unfriendly. Their eyes met.

Hostility sparked like flint striking steel.

Neither said a word.

Selina simply turned without offering hers, walking away without looking back.

Kael’s smile lingered, amused.

Cold. I suppose I deserve that.

The last to leave was the tall man—Eiden’s protector. Silent, watchful.

He gave Kael a brief glance before vanishing down the corridor.

Kael never reached for Eiden’s hand.

Not that Eiden noticed.

...Or maybe he did.

Weird bastard, Kael thought as he watched him drift off toward the hall, still grinning like a court jester.

Only Elara remained now, arms crossed, gaze steady.

Eiden paused at the door and turned slightly. "Why are you still here?"

"I wanted to speak with Kael," she said calmly, not even glancing at him.

Eiden’s eyes flicked between the two of them.

Then he smiled—too easily.

"Of course," he said. "Have your talk."

He gave a little bow and walked out.

But as soon as he stepped past the entrance, that smile dropped like a cracked mask.

He scowled, muttering under his breath,

"That damned Kael..."

Behind him, Darius—tall, silent, ever-watchful—stepped beside him.

"Should I kill him, Master?" he asked, voice low and flat, as if suggesting to snuff a candle.

Eiden paused, lips curling.

"No," he said with a quiet chuckle.

"If he dies, Elara will be furious. She’ll suspect."

He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing.

"But if he were to die in an accident during the trip..."

Darius nodded once, no more words needed.

***

Inside the now-quiet hall, only Kael, Elara, and Selene remained.

The tension was immediate.

Elara and Selene’s eyes locked—neither speaking, but the hostility was sharp enough to cut the air.

There was no pretense, no civility left between them in that moment.

Kael felt a bead of sweat roll down the back of his neck.

Shit. This is bad.

Clearing his throat a little too quickly, he forced a smile and stepped slightly between them.

"So, uh... Elara," he said, voice light, forced.

"You said you wanted to talk?"

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