A tough world.

Azazel kept a straight face despite wanting to grimace. He had a good idea of what Frey was here for, and he already knew how he would have to answer.

“Frey, what is it?” he asked. “Is there a problem?”

“I want to go with you,” the succubus told him. It wasn’t a question or a request. “We all owe Lady Ishtar, we succubi even more so. I have to help her, too.”

Azazel swallowed a sigh.

He knew everyone in the tribe, not only because it was his responsibility as the chief, but because they had spent a lot of time traveling together already.

Frey was one of the oldest of the tribe, even if not by much. Despite that, she was arguably one of the weakest of them all. She had long, pale hair that bordered on silver. She was slender and curvy, the average figure of a succubus, yet she was taller than most, just about Azazel’s height.

“You’re not a combatant, Frey. We’re going to a dangerous place.”

“I can help in other ways,” she insisted.

It was a possibility. Out of everyone in the tribe, Azazel felt the most sorry about Frey. She didn’t fight and her overall power was very low. In this survival situation, where they needed military might to get by, she wasn’t of much use and she was painfully aware of it. She wanted to make herself useful, to repay Lady Ishtar for saving their lives.

“...” Azazel felt a knot in his throat. He understood how she felt, so he was unable to say no to her. “Follow me.”

He led her from his room to the rooftop of the building. They could see very well from here, it was perfect for surveilling a wasteland with practically no cover. It was also perfect for take off.

“I know you’ve been training,” he told Frey. “We need to fly to get there. It’ll be a long trip, which is why Ariana and I are going. Show me you can fly and I’ll take you with us.”

Frey couldn’t fly. Azazel knew this. He wasn’t daring her to try, but simply wanted to show her that this wasn’t a task she could take. Frey was smart. Surely she realized there was nothing she could do in this situation. He even saw her hesitate.

And yet Frey jumped. She jumped off the building, spreading her wings and strengthening them with aether. Azazel’s chest froze when he saw her falling, but his body didn’t.

He jumped after her, succeeding in his own flight and catching her mid-fall in his arms. He flapped his wings as they landed, lifting a cloud of dust. He set Frey on the ground and the poor woman fell to her knees, quiet yet with tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Ariana and I are going alone. I’m sorry, Frey, but… I promise we’ll bring them back safe.”

“Dammit…!”

Others saw what happened and came to check up on them. Some scolded Frey, others tried to comfort her. Azazel said nothing. Reckless as she was, he couldn’t reprimand her for that level of drive. Azazel walked away. He needed to work harder for people just like Frey.

He went back to the rooftop and waited for Ariana. Despite the commotion, she still was there on time. The succubus looked at him with a grimace.

“Saw what happened. Don’t take it too hard. You had to tell her no.”

Azazel nodded. “Frey is the type of person who has a hard time here but would’ve definitely thrived in the old world.”

“She’s ingenious, creative, responsible. We try to tell her she already contributes enough to the tribe, but…

Azazel nodded again. “She understands other world items faster than anyone else. She understood how to cook rice before Lord William could tell us. And recently she’s been trying to study runes.”

“Yeah… Some have been telling her not to bother. Runes are obsolete.”

This time Azazel shook his head. “No, I think there’s potential there. She’s hoping we can use runes to strengthen our walls, at least, but with no study material her research hit a rut. That was probably why she felt she needed to do something else to help.”

Frey wasn’t the only one in that situation, but was definitely the one who took it the hardest. And as their situation improved and they were able to bring children into the world, there would be many more who would not be suited for combat. But with the world in this state, where the strong take from the weak…

“Ariana… We need to bring back a world where people like Frey still have a place.”

“I know.” Ariana stood next to him, arms behind her head. “A life of fighting and sex is too monotonous. But if we want the old world back…”

“...We’ll need Lord William and Lady Ishtar’s help,” Azazel admitted.

It wasn’t just about responsibility and paying what was owed. They needed them, too. If they could, Azazel would’ve mobilized a bigger ****, but he and Ariana were the only ones who could make the journey.

“Are you ready?” he asked her.

“Yep.” Ariana raised the bag in one hand and her spear in the other. “Water, food and some other things. I was suggested to bring a rope.”

Azazel nodded. He picked up his own bag and spear and spread his wings. “Remember: some of those things breathe fire and some have venom in their claws. Also, keep your eyes open. Watch out for those silent birds.”

“I wish there were some Amazons around,” Ariana said. “They know more about wildlife than anyone else. Could use the advice. You think there are still Amazons left?”

“I bet there are,” Azazel said. “There are few tougher than them.”

“I hope you’re right. They were all babes, too."

Azazel wouldn’t argue with that.

And so, the two took off. Aether lightened their bodies and strengthened their wings, allowing them to fly like birds. Hopefully they wouldn’t be too late to help.