Chapter 175: Blood Dunes Of The Desert
From the outside, the hotel seemed average, defined by clean architecture, warm stone, dark glass, and soft lighting, with no grand signs announcing its status. However, the moment they stepped inside, everything slowed down. The air carried a faint scent of polished wood mixed with something citrus, subtle yet deliberate. The lobby was not crowded but curated, filled with people who moved like they had nothing to prove. Staff members did not stare; they recognized status instantly and adjusted without hesitation, asking no unnecessary questions and causing no delays.
As for security, there were no obvious guards, yet Damian could feel their presence everywhere. He could pinpoint the most guarded individuals positioned at strategic points in the room simply by existing within the space. That alone was enough to remind him how far he had come.
Under Lith’s guidance, they made their way toward a keycard elevator and ascended directly to the private access floors.
"The cameras here are limited to public areas and corridors, and the rooms are soundproof, so you do not have to worry about people eavesdropping on your conversations," Lith said to Racheal, though his expectant gaze lingered on Damian.
It was obvious he was trying to regain favor after his earlier misstep. His fear of Damian ran deep, because the eyes on this man’s face reminded him of the Prince of Pride, the ruthless figure who executed demons and treated them like slaves. If Velmora were to gain such a ruler, then the centuries of relative peace they had known under Lin Qui would vanish.
Racheal understood his intent and chose to help smooth the tension between her husband and her loyal subordinate.
"What do you think?" she asked Damian.
"It is alright," Damian replied with a careless shrug, and Lith’s heart sank.
Racheal could only offer him a bitter smile.
The elevator doors slid open, and Damian stepped out first, leaving Lith momentarily confused. He walked down the wide corridor, ignoring every other door until he stopped in front of 613.
Just like Lith, he could sense the presence of a demon. The aura was deeply suppressed, almost impossible to notice without searching for it, yet Damian’s senses had sharpened to such an extent that not only could he identify the exact room, he could feel every living presence in the building, down to the smallest creatures hidden within its walls.
By now, that level of awareness no longer surprised him.
"Let me get that for you..." Lith hurried forward, swiping the keycard against the sensor. The door unlocked with a soft click.
Inside, Damian was greeted by a living area large enough to host a business meeting. He stepped in first, silently taking in the arrangement of furniture as the others followed. At the far end, a full glass wall revealed the city stretching endlessly below.
A faint smile touched his lips. He had grown used to such views in his own home, though his mansion lacked this particular feature, relying instead on wide balconies to make up for it. Still, he found no reason for dissatisfaction.
"You told them, did you not?" Damian asked without turning as Racheal approached him.
She smiled and nodded proudly. "Of course. Your satisfaction is my priority."
He chuckled softly, though his attention quickly shifted back to the demonic presence he had sensed earlier.
Moments later, a woman stepped out from one of the inner rooms. She was tall and slender, with a figure balanced perfectly in all the right places. Her bare midriff and short clothing revealed long, smooth legs, and when Damian’s gaze rose to meet her face, her beauty struck him immediately. Brown eyes and matching hair framed features that could only be described with one word.
Seductive.
"My lady..." she greeted first, moving toward Racheal and dropping to her knees.
Then she noticed something was wrong. Her eyes flickered toward Lith, who was desperately signaling to her without making a sound.
Instinctively, she turned to Damian, and the moment their gazes met, a chill ran through her body. She could not sense any power from him, yet the threat he exuded was undeniable. There was only one explanation.
"My prince!" Loth dropped fully, pressing her head to the ground.
"My prince!" Lith echoed, sliding beside her and doing the same.
Damian stood over them, staring down in silence, unsure of what he was supposed to feel.
"They are your subjects... say something," Racheal whispered.
He watched them for a few more seconds before finally speaking.
"You may rise."
The twins rose carefully, their eyes studying him with quiet caution. From that brief exchange alone, Loth already understood one thing clearly.
Their new prince did not hold demons in high regard.
"Go make preparations for tomorrow’s meeting. I will share the details with my husband," Racheal said as she slipped her hand into Damian’s arm.
Loth and Lith bowed slightly before leaving without hesitation. It was not that they feared staying a second longer, but rather that neither of them wished to remain in the same room as Damian any longer than necessary.
The moment they were gone, the glow in Damian’s eyes faded, and he turned away, walking deeper into the room, leaving Racheal behind.
Resting on the bed was a suitcase that was not theirs.
He stepped forward, unzipped it, and opened it slowly. Inside lay a set of black Arabian kaftans paired with blood-red headscarves, folded with deliberate care.
"When we came to this planet, we conducted our research to identify the dominant factions operating here. Outside the Children of the Black Angel, we discovered two others... the Order of Moses, loyal to the commandment of piety, and the Blood Dunes of the desert, loyal to the sin of wrath..."
Buzz!
Damian’s eyes widened as his gaze settled back on the kaftans inside the case. Without another word, the meaning behind Racheal’s actions became clear to him.
"Opportunity lies in chaos." Damain mumbled.
Racheal nodded. "Your brother’s minions will meet someone but it won’t be who they are expecting."