Hey hey hey, people! Here comes the 3rd chapter! before you read, I have few things to say! It won't take long, please stay!

Those who are from Prometheus, I know I've mentioned that I'll be launching my own P.a.t.r.e.o.n, but never did. This time, I mean it!

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Beta read by~~~~~ one and ony~~~~~~the WWA champion~~~~~~Burningtemptation, saturday night, ssssuuuuuppppppeeeeerrrr SLAM!

Lame? That's exactly what the undertaker said!

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If there was one thing I hated the most, it was Mao. This person… No… Demon walking in front me, he was the bane of my existence. Just walking behind him, in close proximity was enough to feel nauseas beyond normal, yet there was nothing I could do. I hated this clothing I wore. I used to think maid outfits were cute since I'd worn them from time to time back when the guild still existed, and other special occasions. People loved it, I loved it, and that was good enough. However, the situation I'm in and the fact that I am somewhat displayed like this made it awkward and embarrassing.

Then there was this entire hallway I hated. The gold and pearly crème marble slabs covering up the entire place. I hated the bright lighting. They weren't candles by the way. They were all powered by stupid dumb and pathetic illumination spells that I didn't even want to know about. In fact, I knew it was similar basic magic to that used in the Citadel! I also hated the air that I breathed, and I hated that wooden stand, and I hated all those pictures that hung on the wall, and I hated…

Mao spoke, breaking me out of my continuous frustration.

"Erza, are you coming? Hmm, you are not doing a very good job of following me, are you?"

I looked up at Mao in confusion, and saw he was already way up ahead. Heat scorched my face like the coals of a burning fire, and my cheeks turned red in embarrassment. I half-screamed, tearing up in the process.

"I-I'm coming!"

The Mao raised his brows.

"I'm coming, what? Erza?"

I clenched my teeth. A now normal process when in range of the Mao. My heart thwarted backward as it beat like no tomorrow. Steam escaped my ears, and my lips quivered. I gathered my hands on my heart and looked down to the floor. My red hair, red as a burning magma, covered my shameful face. I muttered quietly, feeling humiliated.

"Go-Goshujin-sama…"

He smirked like the devil, and I wanted to beat that arrogant smug off his face. I growled under my breath.

"You… You bastard… I'll get you for this…"

I watched Mao step closer to me, before he held me by the collar tersely. He shook my body and held my chin up to his face. He forced me to look him directly into his perfectly shaped eyes. My pupils were quivering at that moment. My ears became red, and it was harder and harder to breathe.

His nose. The perfectly sculpted nose was just an inch away from mine, and his dark and deep, rich obsidian eyes glared back at me. They felt like they were gazing into my soul. Mao smiled, and reached his pink lips to my ear and whispered. I immediately craned my neck away by the funny feeling that rose inside my heart.

"Erza, you look adorable when you are blushing."

That did it. Shivers ran through my spine as his masculine voice reached to my eardrum, resonating within. I ceased breathing, and my brain stopped processing. My eyes lost focus, and for that moment, I didn't know what happened to me or my body. I wanted to scream to myself, to knock myself out, but that never worked. My heart never listened, and I looked away in embarrassment. If it was possible, my face was already glowing like a sun, brighter than my hair. I thought to myself.

'Wh-Why am I feeling this way… no….'

Then he grabbed my cheeks and started to stretch them like I was a rubber toy. My unfocused eyes turned to his and searched for an answer to this strange behavior. His eyes dropped over and smug spread on his face again as if he was toying with a dumb woman.

"Aww… Nope. Just joking."

That strange bubbly feeling that rose in my heart was destroyed. I growled dangerously, as my face crumbled up in pure rage and anger. The embarrassment? No. I felt utterly humiliated by this man-er, MAO! Who does he think he is?! To toy with my emotions like it was nothing more than a trivial thing?! I was certainly not a toy nor trivial.

I snatched his hand off of me, and slapped his face as hard as I could, my teeth clenching and my iris dilating. However, he simply dodged it back like it was nothing. I screamed,

"G-Get back here, you fiend!"

The Mao replied, still grinning at me as he was mocking at me.

"Nope!"

I threw a kick, another punch, and slicing arms. Everything I could as I advanced to the demon lord, and yet he evaded them as if it was Childs play. He cheerfully spoke,

"See? You are following me, now!"

My eyes teared up again as my cheeks puffed up like a squirrel. I ceased my assault and held both feet to the ground, staring back at Mao with resentment and frustration.

"Then I'm not going to attack you, Mao! I'm going to stay where I am, like a solid rock! You can try to move me all you want, but I won't budge!"

His eyes dropped again by just staring at me. It was that look again. The one when he was looking at something stupid. At least, what he perceived to be stupid. His opinions did not matter to me, he was a Mao. What reason more do I need? He half-retorted with a big sigh.

"Are you stupid?"

I barked,

"Stupid... What did you just say?!"

I raised my fist and rolled up my sleeve to punch him again. I began to hurl towards him with intent to kill. However, he pointed out,

"I thought you weren't going to move, stupid."

The realization came little too late, and in much surprise, I looked down to my own legs, and immediately retreated. I screamed out all I can, trying to deny what just happened. Veins literally throbbed on my head all over the place at my own stupidity and his cunning ways of deceiving me. This is what I truly hated about him.

"I didn't move, you dumb Mao! Your eye sight must be deteriorating because of that filthy place that you are living in!"

I continued, stretching my arm back and pushing my body forward, I closed my eyes to finish off what I wanted to say.

"And stop calling me stupid, you stupid Mao!"

The Mao stared at me with mildly offended expression.

"You are insulting my room again…? Fine… I guess it couldn't be helped."

He approached me again, this time, I didn't move. I shut my eyes tightly and covered my own ears. I made a promise to myself to never be hindered by a demon ever again. Surely, barricading all my senses will protect me from Mao's sexual assault. My muscles locked in, and my entire body became tenser. I squeezed my eyes as I stretched my lips unintentionally, and it displayed my tiny clenching pairs of dragon fangs. I squirmed. But then, my entire body felt motionless as I felt no gravity.

In a split second, I was lifted into the air. Something supported me securely beneath my torso and my leg. It was like riding in an airship, and that was the closest thing I could describe. I yelped in surprise, but I never opened my eyes again. From my covered ears, my hands automatically knitted themselves on my squirming, pouting lips.

Then another voice invaded me. It was a mistake to let my ears open.

"I see that you are already trying to seduce his majesty, Yusa Scarlet. Truly, you are the most perverted shameless creature that I've ever come across."

It was that female demon again! I snapped my eyes open and bore my teeth in anger. I flailed my arms around to vent my rage, though it didn't help much. I screamed,

"Come again, you demon! If you are looking for a battle, then I'll provide you one!"

The female one in a skimpy kimono pointed its index finger at me, and something above me. I followed her, and traced around it, only to discover Mao's pink locks, chiseled chin, and his dark vibrant eyes staring back at me. I yelped out automatically and frantically looked around. Mao… he was holding me like I was some sort of bride for marriage! And my burning cheeks were pushing against his rock hard chest tightly; in fact, I could almost feel his skin underneath his clothing…

I stopped breathing again, and from that entire demon's antics, my rage exploded. I screamed top of my lung.

"Y-You are the worst!"

And threw my knee to his chin, just like last time.

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Mr. Dragneel and His Maid!

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I just kept myself quiet as I followed Mao closely behind, standing on his left side. On the right side, that female demon walked just across. I tried not to look at it on the way. I focused my attention forward. Just until now, I didn't realize his stature would be bigger than I.

I realized it when all the lights around the hallway suddenly vanished in a synchronized pattern. When the lights went off, sun light finally made its way into the vast spaces inside, and streaked down to the marble and red carpeted flooring, in the form of rectangular beams, only to be shadowed by the window frames. They bounced off Mao's frame and leaked in through the darkness.

His back covered all of my eyesight. Without much of the light and only often orange sun rays bouncing off his frame, I knew that he was not a small man. He stood at least a head taller than me. His shoulder was wide, as expected of someone of power, and he was built like he was carved out of marble by a great sculptor, and then painted by an artist of great stature.

Not that it mattered to me; I was just carefully examining his figure, which was all. It was a necessary action to observe all the information of my enemy. Though, the lights going off were a different story. Just simply perplexed of a sudden shift of the system, I decided to ask.

"Um… Goshujin-sama…"

My cheek flushed again, and I immediately looked down, gulping down my own breath.

"Why… Why are the lights suddenly off?"

Mao turned his head around momentarily and stopped walking. The female demon and I did the same also. He stared at me again. It was still a less than a day with Mao and all the stares that he gave me made me sick.

But I waited for his response patiently, though I couldn't believe what I was doing. I, the great and most powerful human, actually waiting for a traitor to respond to me! I whispered under my breath.

"Things that I do for revenge…"

Mao raised his finger.

"I heard that."

The female demon added.

"You seem rather oblivious why he had chosen you to become his maid."

I barked in response.

"Like I care! Obviously he's trying to rape me! Sexually abuse me and use me as his play thing!"

The female and Mao exchanged a look. The one clad in skimpy kimono answered.

"Even for a human, you are a lot dumber than I had expected. You should be glad that his highness has accepted you, a dumb creature, as his personal maid."

I barked again, blood veins popping around my pure white cornea.

"Wha- WHA… WHAT?! Me, dumb?!"

The female completely ignored me and commented on my behavior to Mao.

"Mao-sama, this is why we cannot provide proper education to humans."

Mao groaned out.

"Ugh… not now, Sayla."

Upon hearing that, a shocking revelation struck me. My legs spread comically and I pointed my finger at the female demon. I immediately screamed.

"So that thing has a name?!"

The demon named Sayla just stared back at me emotionlessly.

"No, I am a rock. Rocks don't have a name."

It was obviously a sarcastic remark. Mao questioned.

"Did you seriously think we demons don't have a name?"

I pulled my hair out, shouting,

"Such a revelation!"

He sighed again, and I was starting to get used to his continuous antics. I personally didn't know what was wrong. If anything was, then it was Mao, not me.

"And I thought you wanted to ask me why the lights are off?"

My attention shifted immediately, and my eyes shined like a pair of bright yellow stars. As I've been patiently waiting, that was something that I wanted to hear. Yet, from all the digressing of topics, I was annoyed.

So despite my eyes shimmering brightly, I immediately crossed my arms and looked away.

"Hmph! You are not as half as stupid as I thought, Mao! I'll give you some credit for that! So fine, tell me! What happened to the lights?!"

He stared at me again, this time, for rather a long time. He opened his lips, and I loosened my arms and leaned forward in anticipation. However, instead of his reply, he let out a big yawn. A vein throbbed on my temple.

He replied, after covering his mouth.

"You'll see soon enough."

He turned back again and motioned Sayla to follow.

"Come on. Let's continue… or we're going to miss it."

I shouted in puzzlement and frustration,

"Miss what?!"

"You'll see."

And that was all his reply was before they just took off. I growled at them for ignoring me like this. However, I refused to be separated. Thus, I quickly ran behind them and caught up with their pace.

"Why you little…"

I whispered, and Sayla turned her head towards me and gazed at me with her dark eyes. I didn't know if that was supposed to be threatening or intimidating, so I returned her with my own battle glare.

She averted her emotionless eyes and stared ahead, yet, I refused to give up. For the whole time, I stared at her like my sights were actually going to stab her back. Soon, we came to a full stop, and rather a large door stood in front. It wasn't anything fancy like the rest of the structure; it was only large, seemingly built only to serve its purpose. Without Mao's command, like she was programmed, she pushed down a slab of a button on the wall. It sunk inside deeply, and the magic runes spread on the surface of the door, sliding to each side simultaneously.

A powerful light poured in through the seam of the door, and it poured even further as it only became bigger. Beautiful, angelic light then draped all over my body, in a bright golden orange and yellow. I squeezed my eyes, trying to see the angle, only to realize it was the rising sun that hung between the mountains afar. The beautiful burning sun, radiating with such heavenly glow. I let myself to be basked in its presence.

For a short moment, I had forgotten that I was in demon's lair. It had truly felt like I was in heaven. With the light, a gentle breeze washed over my skin and glazed over it like feathers. My hair wavered behind me like ethereal fire. Then I inhaled the air with a long, satisfying breath and felt it fresh coldness enter my system. It reached every part of my body, and let my frustrations and anger wash away in brisk seconds.

I opened my eyes fully to gaze at the world outside. A balcony, its floor, and railing carved out of stone, I stepped forward closer. Mao and Sayla stood behind, and they let me walk freely.

The scene stole my breath away faster than a jet. In front of me, a booming gargantuan megalopolis stretched all the way to the mountains covered in white snow. Every buildings and structure alike pierced the sky, and the billowing clouds were caught in their titanic structures like seaweed hanging on a wooden dock. Some of the skyscrapers punctured through their feathery flesh. And they weren't just one, but hundreds and hundreds of them, flashing their designs as if they were some world-class runway models. Some of them even connected to one another. However, despite their sky reaching stature, I was still somehow gazing them from above.

It had shown me how Mao's castle was taller than them by a significant margin. Below those skyscrapers, I barely made out the roads and lesser buildings. However, upon closer inspection, I had realized they were all placed in perfect arrangements. They surrounded the Mao's castle in circles so perfectly that one might claim that it's God's work. Then from each circle that seemingly repeated itself to infinity, its size shrunk as it got closer to Mao's building. Then twelve roads with twelve lanes ran perpendicular to the circles, and they gathered into a single origin, which was again, Mao's. Yet, on the central road, its structure was significantly larger than others. I finally realized that it was actually a railroad. Precisely, a massive bundle of tracks that separated the Empire's Citadel into two pieces, and it ran under the Mao's castle and continued to the other side.

I could not help to stare at them dumbly, and I lost control of my jaw. Its sheer size overthrew the Ishgar's biggest city with ridiculous ease. But what shocked me the most was the material that this place was constructed of. It was made of Gold. Everything was made out of gold… and upon the heavenly sunlight, their reflections shinned as if they were dancing under them.

Just everything about this place took my breath away.

Lastly, at the end of the city, there was a ring surrounding it. Upon closer inspection, I realized they were gigantic walls that were forged out of steel, standing tall as the mountain, its poise unrelenting to stand against all the forces in the world.

Memories of battle flashed inside my head briefly. I recalled the war, my defeat. A sudden tear rolled down my eyes.

I chocked out.

"Ho…how is this possible…?"

I dropped my head as I grasped the railings tightly.

"Di-Did we never stand a chance against them in the first place…?"

Mao spoke from behind and stepped next to me.

"It's morning."

I could tell that he was looking at my way.

"I've told you'll see soon enough, this is it. This is something that I wanted to show you for so long."

He breathed in the air.

"The Morning of Alvarez. The Alvarez Empire"

I raised my head at that,

"Alvarez…Empire?"

I questioned.

Mao responded, "It's what you humans call, Hell."

I couldn't help to stare back at him with hundreds of questions flooding my mind.

'Alvarez? The empire from the legends? But… it's supposed to have gone missing over four hundred years ago…'

He caught my gaze and flashed a gentle smile that matched the morning dew.

"I know you have lots of questions. I'll try to answer them all one by one."

I dropped my eyes again, feeling somehow defeated. Alongside with everyone, I was sent to the battle not knowing their true power. I knew of their army, and their characteristics, and other details. I knew of their generals, but at the end, that seemed like the tip of an iceberg. I had fought the demons, letting only my rage fuel me, to propel me forward. Now I realize, despite my rank in human society, I was poorly prepared. Perhaps we never stood a chance in the first place….

Then why did he…?

I asked the first question that came to my mind.

"Wh-What was the fort that we had conquered? Wasn't that supposed to be your capital?"

He raised his brows again. I mumbled after a much of hesitation. It came out chocked,

"Go-Goshujin-sama…"

He shook his head. "That place is nothing but a castle in the outskirt of Alvarez, Erza. There was no way I'd bring the battle to this city, amongst my people."

That was simply unbelievable. In fact, the fact that he can speak without blinking or missing a beat, especially with such a calm tone, annoyed me greatly.

I slammed the stone railing.

"W-What?! You insolent… Don't make me laugh! You have no rights to say that! People? Ha! You call yourself people?! You were the one who attacked us in the first place! You killed every single one of us… You are nothing more than a hoard of savages…"

A tear rolled out from my eyes much intensely as the pain started to rise from my stomach. My eyes began to burn as tears dropped from my chin, staining the maid outfit.

"You took everyone away from me…and you… You! Have guts to say such thing like that?! Why my people has to die but not yours? If you love your 'people' so much…."

I spat out that term.

"Then why don't you just go and fucking die for them!"

Sayla visibly flinched, however, Mao stopped her before she could act. He approached me with a concerned expression. He breathed out.

"Erza… I am sorry for what happened to your people, and to everyone you held dear… but Erza, We've never attacked humans."

I screamed, "You've killed them!" Next thing I knew, I was speaking through my teeth.

"I've seen it with my own eyes…!"

Sayla approached as she sensed the threat. She urgently raised her hand to prepare her spell. She spoke darkly, this was perhaps the first time to see her actually being emotional.

"You dare to sully his majesty?! Let go of him, or be prepared to be punis-Eep!"

Mao lightly smacked her head. Though, even that was enough to give her a lump.

"Sayla. No need for violence here. This is just all huge misunderstanding." He continued, his eyes falling on me. He held my cheek, but I quickly yanked them away. He stared at me with disappointments.

"Erza, there's a lot more things that you don't know. Some things were never meant to be known… but you…"

"Rosemary village, was it?"

I exclaimed,

"How did you know?! You've been there, haven't you?!"

He looked away.

"I've been there. Yet, when I reached there, it was too late. Slaughter was… already in its progress…"

His eyes turned toward me again.

"And from that final moment, all that blood, you emerged, to finally be rescued by your master."

I didn't speak. I let him continue.

"He was the King of all Dragons, wasn't he?"

I snapped out from my trance, reputed. Though the sinister tone may have died a bit, it was still lingering there.

"If you were there and saw everything, Why didn't you try to save us? If you thought this was just a misunderstanding, then why didn't you try to fix it?!"

I added, glaring at him,

"You are nothing but a liar."

"Erza, I…"

He quickly tried to defend himself.

"You've tricked me once, there's no reason not to believe you are trying to trick me again."

He went silent. He never spoke another word after that for a while. Things had gotten so quiet that I could hear his breathing. Yet, he didn't seem angered. He shot me that look again like he was actually concerned for me. Minutes passed, only then, he spoke.

His voice has gotten much darker and quieter than before. His playfulness was nowhere to be seen.

"I understand… There's no way for me to know your pain. I can only imagine. Are there… any more questions I can answer?"

I continued to stare at him. I looked into his eyes, trying the find the answer from his expression. I wanted to know what this demon actually felt. That face, was it the truth or was it just another mask to trick me? However, in his abysmal deep eyes, I saw something. I was warm, yet cold at the same time. I wasn't sure how to express that properly.

I looked away as my head started to hurt. The wind filled our gaps, and I let my eyes reach the tallest mountain in the outskirt of Alvarez. The mountain covered in snow... and I let that grand stature rest my soul. Then I slowly shifted my gaze down to the world below.

"This… place… Alvarez… did you build this place?"

I waited for his response, and I noticed him looking at the same sight as mine.

"This nation wasn't built by me. It was built by my people."

I growled softly again.

"There's that term. How long are you intent to call your demons people?"

"Because demons aren't the only race of Alvarez. This place, Erza. It was built by the combined efforts of demons, dragons, and humans alike."

I gasped at his claim. I nearly panicked and screamed. I ran into him and quickly held his collar, and pulled him down to my eye level.

"Dragons?! Humans?!"

He merely nodded. I questioned,

"What about my master?!"

It made sense. If dragons indeed lived here, then Mao obtaining that scale that he fed me wasn't a farfetched idea. If… if they were here… then would my master also be here as well?

However, he only answered,

"I'm sorry Erza. But that's something that I can't tell you right now. When the time comes, I will. I promise."

I didn't retaliate nor was I angered at that. I just looked away in annoyance and disappointment. There was already enough fire in between us.

"What about the humans? Are they all slaves? Prostitutes for you demons? Second class citizens?"

"No, Erza. They are not. I treat humans equally. I try to teach both dragons and demons to do the same."

I argued,

"I've heard. The bombing of your building? You demons seemed to despise us."

He sighed deeply at that and rubbed his eyes. I could tell that he was getting tired. I remembered him being in the court, fighting his own demons. Did he continue his session for the entire night?

His eyes were getting red by the veins around his white cornea, and colors of his skin became paler and darker.

"So, you've heard."

I knew it was time for me to shut my mouth. There was always the possibility of him lying, masquerading this whole thing, but I knew that look. He seemed tired. I retreated myself and removed my hand from his collar. I hesitated for a bit and dropped my venomous gaze.

I asked, my knitted brows lifting.

"Did you… work all night?"

Mao shook his hand and responded as if he had practiced it hundreds of times.

"No, I'm fine."

I crossed my arm at his response.

"I didn't ask you whether you are okay or not, stupid!"

Mao just let out a soft chuckle at that.

"Aside from my condition, perhaps I can show you how we are like?"

I raised my brows at that. I gently shook my head in denial and threw my arms at him.

"Why are you so desperate? You killed us, and then you want to make peace with us?! How do you intend to show me that?!"

Mao retreated and made his way to inside. He turned his head towards me, motioning me to follow.

"Erza, I only can show you what there is. How you'll interpret them is all up to you. Besides…"

His mischievous smile finally returned most unexpectedly. I suddenly had this powerful urge to slap his face.

"Didn't I tell you we've never killed human, you dumb-dumb?"

He accentuated the insult by lowering his voice like how an idiot would. For me, it took an entire minute to register what he just said. My eyes spread open in confusion, contemplating the sudden shift of the mood. When I finally registered it, veins popped all over my head again. I bared my fangs and growled at him with hatred.

"What…?! Y…you…"

I angrily stomped my way to him with my both arm stretched to the back.

"From both of us, you are the one who's most inferior! So, take that back!"

Mao grinned at me and shook his hand.

"Hmm, no thanks. You told me not to call you stupid, but didn't say I can't use an alternative, did ya? Besides, what kind of hero surrenders to his enemy?"

The fire roared inside my head and soul. My face turning red, I shrieked as I fumed with anger.

"You forced me to surrender!"

"Last time I checked, You voluntarily surrendered."

"Why you... You…. You…"

I intended to scream all sorts of insults and derogatory terms, but my brain scrambled. Words got mixed all together, and nothing flew out of me other than gibberish. I screamed top of my lung.

"Aaaaaarrrgghhhh!"

I threw my finger at him; I was in a desperate need to destroy this creature.

"You! You give me back my magic this instant! I'm going to beat you and smash you into smithereens, right now!"

Mao waved his hand as if it was nothing. He ignored me again! I rushed up to him and held his arm.

"Don't you dare ignore me, Mao!"

I warned him, yet his eyes dropped again before he spread his demonic smile. His brows shot up and began to assail me with those disgusting mouth of his.

"Oh? You want my attention, my dear cute and adorable maid?"

I lost control of my brain, and my mouth again, at the same time. I tried to argue or fight back, but there was not much I could do to outsmart him. I was already getting tired of this situation. Why can't I outclass him even in the talking department?! With the scorching heat sizzling up in my head, both humiliation, and ire drove me to thump to the ground with all the might I had. I cried, tears starting to swell up above my burning red cheeks.

"Th-That's not it, you stupid, disgusting filthy pig! I don't want your stupid attention at all, you are lying piece of trash!"

Mao stopped looking at me before I had realized. He was already with Sayla, that slut demon. However, something was off with her. I had known that creature for some demon with lots of loose bolts but this time told me something different entirely. That emotionless creature seemed terrified. Sayla's emotionless eyes shot up, and her jaw tightened. For a moment, I noticed her dark iris shake uncontrollably. She mustered barely as she tried her best to gain her composure.

"Y-Your majesty… but… I… erm… I beg of your forgiveness… I'm afraid I didn't understand you…"

Mao spoke, that childish smile vaporized from his lips.

"I mean what I said, Sayla. Grant Erza an access to all facilities in the castle."

"Y-Your majesty… E-Every facility of the castle? Even that sector?"

The supreme emperor of all demons, dragons and potentially (?) humans repeated with an ominous grin.

"Every… Facility."

Even I took his comment by surprise, and my body shivered for a short time. Disbelief, shock, and confusion, such feelings that I've never felt so much at once, raged through my system. I recomposed myself and stepped next to the demon girl and pushed her away from Mao. I had to question him directly, right in his face. I didn't care much for what happens to that slut.

"Y-You are giving me what?!"

I added, this time, throwing many more insults.

"Ha! You are definitely stupid and dumb for a Mao! Even stupid magic scammers won't try to do that!"

"Well, you wanted to see the truth, didn't you?"

That was his response. He slid his hand into his pocket as if this wasn't a big deal.

"What's better than seeing yourself? A single drawing can speak thousands of words, and a single experience can draw thousands of pictures."

He ordered to his assistant again.

"Sayla, while you give her access, make sure that Erza is introduced to the house properly."

The dark haired demon hesitated for a second before kneeling before him. She bowed her head to the ground in respect.

"U-understood your majesty. If that is what you desire, then as your servant, I'll faithfully follow your command."

I could see a satisfied smile on Mao's lips. He patted the demoness's shoulder and requested her.

"Sayla, didn't I tell you it isn't necessary for you to bow to me? Now, raise yourself of the ground."

I watched on the side and I was amazed at the female's devotion to her leader, and I was amazed for the second time when he addressed her as such. I wasn't sure what to feel anymore, with his constant nonsensical choice of actions. The female demon stood back again, yet she continued to lower her head.

Then he approached me, and I took a step back. I flinched when he touched my torso, and almost threw my fist to his chin again but barely resisting at the last second.

"Erza, I know you are eager, but try getting used to the place first. I don't want you to get lost here. It's a pretty big place."

Then he walked passed me, leaving that filthy demon whore and me behind. He waved at me as he finished his rest of the words.

"Now then. I'll be in my room if you guys need me."

Then he disappeared into the shadows. I stared at the dark hall inside, and the lights that leaked in didn't help to illuminate it seemed. I did catch his figure occasionally as the lights bounced off of him as he continued to walk away. I watched him retreating speechlessly with my eyes still wide open.

When I finally couldn't see him, I muttered out loud.

"Wh-What just happened?"

The demoness's eyes came to my view.

I questioned bluntly.

"What?"

She answered without missing a beat.

"Mao-sama has ordered me to give me the tour of the castle. I'd imagine it is necessary if you will fulfill your duty as his personal maid. However, there's also a matter of your introduction to rest the servants of this empire. That includes others."

I slowly digested her words, and questioned firmly, with the lost authorities that I once had.

"And why is that necessary? I do not intend to interact with any of his maids."

That was right, and I meant it. I had no plans on staying here for long. After I get what I needed, I was thinking about escaping and returning to my people. I had to avenge my lost nakamas, and I had to figure out how to kill Mao. The way how he just granted me the access just sped up the process by a thousand fold. I suspected it wouldn't even last a week before I make my way out of here.

The demon responded. "You are his maid aren't you? You'll work here… and you don't seem to realize your position."

I crossed my arms and stared daggers at my enemy.

"I'm his personal maid, didn't he say? I'm supposed to be with Mao. There's no reason for me to know the others."

"And risk being recognized as an enemy in this castle? The word of your surrender has not yet reached the ears of this nation, not even his Spriggans know it. What you are inferring is suicide."

Then her response became darker.

"But if that is your wish, then I suppose the introductions aren't necessary."

I flinched at that. Before I could properly reach their secrets, it would be a good idea for me to start blending in. Perhaps gain their trust while I was at it. It might take another week on performing that, and even a month. But to safely execute my plans, it wouldn't hurt…

I secretly clicked my teeth before I answered.

"Very well then. But what of my access?"

The demon motioned to me to turn back, but I refused.

"Are you going to stab me from the back?"

I questioned, and demon suddenly unclothed herself. My eyes struck wide at her sudden act. I screamed, my face suddenly heating up in beat red. Words flew out of my quivering mouth.

"W-W-What are you doing?!"

She turned back and presented me a symbol drawn on her skin. It was a dragon, but unlike the dragon I used to know, this one looked… demonic. The figure had so many jagged edges it made me wonder if the thing was covered entirely in spiked armor… then I realized the whole thing was like a tattoo. Drawn with purple, and it stretched all around her back, even some reaching up to her neck.

The demon explained like she had done this over a hundred times.

"This is the demonic dragon symbol given to everyone who pledges their loyalty to Mao-sama. To gain access to every facility, you must have the highest rank. Without it, there's no way you'll be able to…"

She covered herself as she turned to face me.

"And I can only mark you by what Mao-sama designated. That is, the Rank Red."

I laughed at that name.

"Rank Red? Ha! He sure is creative isn't he?"

However, the moment I let out my laugh, the demon broke down her composure immediately and growled.

"Do you have any idea how ignorant you are, Yusa Scarlet?! Rank Red is only given to the kings! And those kings are the part of Emperor Mao-sama's most elite forces, Spriggans!"

I merely scoffed at the idea of Mao's elite forces.

"Kings? Spriggans? So he must see me as their equal, then? How pathetic."

The demoness growled once again.

"Is it you who is pathetic, Yusa Scarlet. You do not understand the power they possess. A single Spriggan has enough magic to destroy the entire world, and one of them is even called a near equal to Mao-sama in terms of power."

A pool of saliva swallowed itself down my throat. I knew of Mao's strength. I had felt it so clearly as I had been trounced by him. Frankly, I was still getting over that, and I kept trying to wrap my head around it, how weak I was compared to him. When I was in constant denial, now there are more like him. Enough to make me so insignificant. If Mao can overpower me that easy, then these Spriggans, supposedly who are right below Mao, had just as significant possibility that they'll defeat me just like he did.

When I had thought my path had become flat and clear, something unimaginable blocked it again. However, that was why I had to get used to the system first, wasn't it? Or else, it would defeat the entire purpose. The Demon seemed to calm herself as she glanced at my face. What kind of expression did I hold to make her regain such confidence and stability like that? Did I actually show fear?

I managed to choke out.

"Fine… I'll take the mark…"

but I questioned, pointing at her purple markings.

"But what about you? I saw your marking as purple… does that mean something?"

She answered my question as she closed her eyes and gathered her hands.

"It means I am below the Kings and Spriggans. Purple represents Barons, Secretaries, and Generals."

Then she immediately shot needles at me with her eyes. She must have noticed my lips puckering up with glee.

"And just because you have the red mark, does not rank you higher than me. You are still a maid, Yusa Scarlet."

I puffed out a small laugh at the demon, and she did not seem very pleased. Instead, she reached for my back and attempted to unzip my maid outfit. I slapped her hand away in shock.

"W-What are you doing!"

The happiness that shortly filled my soul left as fast as it came.

"I can undress myself, you know. You filthy slut!"

However, the demoness didn't seem to be fazed at my insult. Thus, I had noticed her only expression of emotion was when it was related to Mao's authority. That was kind of devotion that I rarely got to see in Ishgar… I had to applaud that.

Actually, I never did. At least I don't think I did. Maybe I did, but didn't really want to do it, but was forced to because for an unknown reason. Maybe I did applaud her inside just a little bit. Just clapped one or two times. I shook my head as I tried to forget all that.

I didn't want to think anymore. Thus I ignored it. I reached for the shoulders that barely hung around mine. The one I wore did display fair bit of skin, most notably around my torso and my legs. So, it was rather easy to pull the shoulders down to my back. It showed my toned back side entirely in a single pull.

Then I wrapped my tangling hair, and tucked them around my neck, finally leaving my back completely open to the demoness. I felt her cold finger gracefully glazing on my back, uncharacteristic of demon I had known. This spawn of hell was delicate; perhaps not all demons were savages? Soon, I felt magic running through her finger to my back. No, this wasn't magic. It felt too different to be called as one. It felt much more concentrated, and as if it used the completely different method of casting, it came to me like it was a foreign material. I nearly shivered as if I never used magic before.

The Demoness's fingers lifted, and I was left standing as I tried to control the sudden flowing sensation. My heart beat so fast, and I breathed in oxygen arduously. Not able to handle it, I collapsed onto the floor. I coughed several times as I supported myself with all my four limbs. I struggled to stand back again, which I did, but eventually resorted to leaning against the wall.

The strange feel subsided, and I stared at the demon for an explanation.

"Wh-What the heck was that, demon?!"

She explained,

"That is Curse energy that just has entered. I suppose you already know what it is."

I remained silent as I groaned out. I lifted my frame from the wall and turned my head to get a glimpse of my back. Just like the demon, there was an elaborate drawing of a hellish dragon but colored in red. However, this was bigger in size compared to hers. The dragon's head masked my neck, and its wings spread around my torso like it was hugging me from the back. Its sharp wings stopped just above my chest, and its folds faded out into several lines of tendrils that which wrapped around my both arm. The rest of its body rested over my back with its tail enveloped around my leg in a spiral.

I stared at it few more seconds before I pulled my clothes to cover them. Although, due to the nature of outfit, it still did showed a lot of it, especially around my shoulders. I was quite uncomfortable letting everyone see my rank, despite being a maid. I would have preferred something more discreet.

The demon walked pass me, and I asked her. "What happens now?"

"You'll be introduced to other maids and the head maid as well. Follow me. It's this way."

I kept my pace behind her. The balcony door closed behind me as she and I left the area. The sun now filled the hall completely, and everything that was gold shined brightly as they reflected its orange morning light. The demon continued to walk as I momentarily whisked my breath at sight. I followed up with her.

After multiple passage ways, she and I reached the gate that seemingly made out of ether-nano itself. The structure was, just like all the objects here, gold, but the door wasn't there, just a frame that was surrounding it. However, instead of a door, a glowing blue plane stood. I recognized it as one of those gateways that were used as long range transportation. I had seen one in prototype back in Ishgar's magic research bureau, but to see one actually working like this…

I questioned,

"Is that…?"

The demon replied, stopping at the gate.

"Yes, it's a gateway. Since buildings are all so tall here, we all use this to get around each floor. Taking stairs or using a float spell would take forever to get to the top to bottom."

I exclaimed, "But, it's supposed to be in early prototype stage… how is it functioning here?"

I accused her immediately,

"You demons stole our technology, didn't you? There's no way this should be functioning!"

Yet, the stare that I received from her was nothing but an insult. She stared at me like I was some imbecile who lived its entire life under a rock. And I stared back her like I would do a criminal scum.

They definitely stole our magic and tech, because that thing only started developing just a year ago and magic researchers were struggling to get it working for a single minute. I have seen their work with my own eyes. I've even read their papers! There's no way that thing is powering for more than a minute! This thing was just standing there as if it was a most mundane thing in the entire universe. Sayla argued.

"Mao-sama had created this gateway before he came to an Emperor. This magic technology existed for little over a century, so I am not sure what you are talking about."

I argued back,

"Ha! Quit lying! I know that you demons stole from us!"

The demoness narrowed her eyes, and I equally closed mine back. She argued, laying out everything to counter my logic.

"And what evidence do you have? Did you not see the vast empire that Mao-sama had built? Compared to that, this gateway is nothing to him. And surely you have seen his lab."

I retorted but realized I didn't have much else to say other than throwing insults at her. Just what was going on here?! Demons had better capital, which meant, better economics, and they had greater military power, and now they have outsmarted us in magic technology?! Are there anymore end to this? And to hear that this was done by Mao… that stupid, dumb traitor? I've known him as Mao and previously as a bakery boy, but… this demon… just what was he anyways? Was there an end to this entire strange comedy scenario?

I wanted to rip my hair out. I really did. I eventually had to growl at her like I was a mad dog.

"ARGGHHH! I don't care if your almighty Mao is a god or not! I don't care anymore! I don't fucking care! Fine! I get it! You are better than us, is that what you wanted to hear?!"

The slutty demoness raised her thumb at me with that blank stare.

"No, demons aren't better than humans but certainly I am better than you."

I growled at her again, but she dropped her finger and turned to face the gate. She continued to speak.

"But I doubt that is what Mao-sama wants to hear, besides, we mustn't quarrel with such trivial matter, your introduction still awaits."

She motioned me again to follow her.

"Come on. Mao-sama won't tolerate any delays."

Then just like that, she entered the gateway. The calm surface of the cyan plane rippled through like water. I hesitated at first, but knowing that that bastard won't wait for me, I closed my eyes shut and rushed inside. I just hoped for the best, whatever happens. If these demons can enter without problems, then surely I won't have any problems as well, right?

When I entered it, I thought I was going to be suffering from immeasurable pain. Yet, I felt none. It felt just like I was walking into an empty space. I opened my eyes to see the room I was in, and unlike the one, I've seen, this one was a lot stranger. I dared say this wasn't even a room at all.

Everything was white with a tint of cyan blue. I felt the floor beneath me, but there was none. The world around me didn't exist at all other than an infinite space that stretched to the horizon. I looked around to see other gateways surrounding me in a circle, like a Stonehenge. Above the gateways, there were signs that I could not read. The demoness explained to me as she saw my confusion printed on my face.

"This is a temporary pocket dimension that only exists in this gateway system. A nexus to connect them all into a single space, and it is only local to the castle structure. Whenever you access any gateways inside this building, you'll always end up here. From here, you can choose where to go.

We servants of Mao-sama can travel from top to bottom just in a few seconds. That's the convenience of this system."

She explained further as she reached to the one to my left. "However, this nexus can be used as a relay in case of emergencies. When the disaster strikes, every local dimension in the empire connects to one another, creating a massive network. We can evacuate every citizen to the bunker in less than a minute."

I felt my lung suffocating by the shock. My head was spinning, and my heart didn't know how to respond. I was simply baffled by the ludicrousness of their skills. While ours was still in its infancy, theirs was this advanced? The idea of connecting them all to create a network? That was a groundbreaking idea! How come we haven't thought about it before?

If we humans develop further from the prototype stage, then that would mean, we can use them to transport an entire fleet or an army to the battlefield in a single go…

My eyes literally lit up by the practicality, and couldn't help to let my glee escape from my hardened look. From cities to such things like gateways, Alvarez did have things that were simply just fascinating. I dared say they were stunning to look at, the great achievements that they had created.

I shook my head as I realized where my brain was going. I squeezed both my eyes and lips tight as I tried to forget what I said.

'T-They are amazing, and all but this couldn't have come from that Mao's head! I mean, He is stupid, dumb, pervert, liar, thief, rapist, idiot, imbecile, an absent minded, pathetic, lewd and indecent ma-err- demon!'

I continued to throw my temper inside my head.

'He… he touched me, and he carried me like we are some sort of married couple, and forcefully made me surrender! Then he went on to dress me up like I'm his personal secret sex slave and toyed with me and teased me like this…! N-not to mention he walked in naked! What the heck am I supposed to do when he showed me… show me his…. He…he has no shame at all! Who does he think he is?! I'm not his personal toy! I'm a hero! I have codes and honor!'

'And he violated me, my codes and honor just like that! Now he's treating me like I'm an idiot! How could he put me through such humiliation and shame!'

I screamed mentally again.

'It's all his fault!'

That was the reason why Mao was not capable of creating such a structure. I didn't care what others thought of my logic, Mao was just stupid. He is dumb! If anyone dares to question my logic, I'll make sure to behead them!

This couldn't be come out of Mao's thick, dense idiotic head. Whatever is, I didn't want to think about it anymore, nor I wanted to praise that sorry excuse of a demon, nor I wanted to live with all the shame to bear.

However, it was a good thing to know that they had this kind of system running inside. I forcefully kept my smile to my own. Yes, Mao was a fool and this slutty demon as well. Do they have any idea that they are just presenting all of their secrets to me?

More information was good, and it will certainly help me while I plan out my escape. If they don't realize, then it was a real proof that Mao's intelligence is lacking, and inferior to me in every way.

I followed the demoness in front of me and entered the scene I was finally familiar with. I was in that outlandish rococo styled hall again. Familiar, yes, but used to? No. Not at all. Every time I saw the designs and intricate works on them, it sure did throw me off guard for seconds. On the side, there was a long array of windows, and they covered up the entire walls. Instantly, I figured that I was on the lower level. In fact, much lower. The skyscrapers I saw previously now stood over me like giants. But looking down below still told me that I was still high up above the ground.

Sayla, however, ignored the sight and continued on. I supposed she had seen it thousands of times, she had gotten used to it. But also, it seemed like I was close to the destination. What was this place?

I sniffed the scent in the air, and I picked up something I was used to. I immediately knew what it was. I exclaimed,

"Is this where the kitchen at?"

I was still a dragon slayer. I still had outstanding senses, so picking up the scent and distinguishing them was an easy feat, especially when the place reeked of food. The demoness nodded.

"Correct. This is the royal kitchen. As expected of a human, you do have higher sense than us demons."

"You take me as a feral beast?!"

I barked in a fury, yet the response from her was the same all the time.

"I just complimented your senses, there's no need to be angry."

I narrowed my eyes at her, but I decided to ignore it at the end. This was all just stressful to me and that was all.

Then she stopped, and I did as well. My ears perked when I heard something in the distance. It sounded like a howl of a beast. That suddenly made me feel better as now there was an actual creature, there was no more reason for that demon to insult me of being like one. But I stared at her for an answer. She didn't seem to say anything, nor show any reaction. She just mindlessly gazed at the other end of the corridor.

The howl turned into a mighty roar, and the floor began to shake mercilessly. I whipped my head to an origin, and my eyes struck open wide like a pair of the searchlight.

The beast of the white and lavender scale was sprinting in my direction. Its head shaped something in between a dinosaur and a bird, and it had a pair of wings that was reminiscent of a paddle. Despite the massive size of the beast, those wings were simply too small to be functional. It raged at and as it opened its jaw, revealed a pair of deadly fangs, and sharp teeth strong enough to crush metal.

I was ready to freak out, that was until I realized what it was. I screamed inside of my head.

'D-Dragon?! Why is it inside the kitchen?! Why is it trying to attack me?! Why is it even here?!'

It was too early to take everything in fully. I tried to exclaim a sentence of profound logic, but could not find my vocal chords.

"I can't even use my magic!?"