Outside the Empire Palace, Deku, Damyaan, and Babado stood facing each other.
Babado smiled.
"King Deku… I have information about Gisaane."
Deku's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh? How nice of you…"
Babado chuckled shamelessly.
"But what will I get in return?"
Inside his mind, Deku smirked.
So you want to play games with me? Fine. Let me show you what I can give you.
Babado laughed again.
"Hehehe…"
Deku spoke calmly.
"How about 100 gold coins?"
Babado's eyes lit up.
"!! Haa! And I also know information about one Nicul. But that will cost extra."
Deku responded without hesitation.
"How about 200 then?"
Damyaan leaned closer and whispered.
"Milord… if you give him that much gold, the lab budget will become very low."
Deku nodded slightly.
"Yes… true."
Then he looked back at Babado.
"How about 150 gold coins… and two female slaves?"
Babado's expression turned greedy.
"Haa!! Yes, yes! King Deku! Yes!"
Deku's voice became cold.
"Then tell me the location first."
Babado shook his head.
"No, no, no. First give me the money."
Deku's eyes sharpened.
"Aren't you demanding too much?"
Babado shrugged.
"I can't trust anyone. Working under the Emperor has taught me at least that much."
Inside his mind, Deku cursed.
Damn you, Takumi! Are all your servants like you?!
Deku sighed.
"Fine."
Damyaan pulled out a suitcase filled with gold coins and handed it to Babado.
Deku spoke.
"Take 75 gold coins for now. Give me the information."
Babado laughed.
"Hahaha… Don't forget, King Deku. The rest is still pending."
Deku nodded casually.
"Yes, yes…"
As if I'll ever meet you again, he thought.
Babado finally spoke.
"Gisaane is inside the Empire."
Deku's eyes widened.
"! But I thought she was—"
"Yes," Babado interrupted. "At that time, it was announced that the Fifth True Dragon sealed her on a distant island. But that was fake. The truth is… Gisaane is sealed inside the Empire's most secure and hidden chamber."
Deku's expression turned serious.
"And where is that chamber?"
Babado lowered his voice.
"In Amtra State. There's a small village there. Officially, it's just a village. But in reality, it's a secret Empire facility that handles hidden threats."
He continued.
"There's a hidden door inside. Down the stairs, through a corridor… she is sealed behind the third door. Remember this — do not open any other door. Especially the last one."
Deku narrowed his eyes.
"Why?"
Babado shrugged.
"I don't know. When I was new, I was only told the same thing."
Deku nodded slowly.
"I see. And what about the Nicul?"
Babado smirked.
"That one is inside the Empire Treasury."
Inside his mind, Deku calculated.
Heavy security for sure… but Damyaan might manage.
Deku smiled slightly.
"Thank you for the information."
Babado grinned.
"My pleasure… Don't forget my reward, King Deku."
"Yes, yes…"
Later – Inside the Helicopter
Deku and Damyaan sat inside a flying helicopter.
Deku looked outside calmly.
"Damyaan. You know what to do."
Damyaan nodded.
"Yes, milord."
His body suddenly began to glow.
In the next moment, he transformed into countless small snakes that slithered out of the flying helicopter and descended toward the palace.
Inside the Palace
The tiny snakes moved silently through corridors.
One entered the throne room.
Another slipped into the bathroom where guards moved in and out.
Another snake entered Emperor Takumi's bedroom.
It paused.
On a table lay an old photograph.
In the picture was young Emperor Takumi.
Behind him stood an old man with white hair.
Beside Takumi was another young man — same age.
But his face had been torn out of the photograph, as if someone had ripped it away intentionally.
Meanwhile, other snakes moved through the garden, underground passages, and the backyard.
One snake reached a deserted corner of the palace.
There was a small door.
The snake shrank even further and slipped through the tiny gap.
Empire Treasury
Inside, treasures glittered everywhere.
Gold. Emeralds. Diamonds. Jewelry. Weapons. Artifacts.
And at the far end—
On top of a tall pedestal inside a crystal box, a single knife floated in the air.
The snake froze.
"!!"
It approached and returned to its original form — Damyaan.
He stared at the floating blade and activated a skill to contact Deku.
"Milord. I found the knife."
Deku's voice responded calmly.
"Good. Bring it."
Damyaan hesitated.
"But how? If I take it, security will trigger."
Deku replied confidently.
"Don't worry. When we were inside the palace, I left necro-skeletons there. They will prevent any alarm from activating and block the security systems. You can take it."
Damyaan bowed his head slightly.
"Yes, milord. Thank you for your great help."
He recalled all the remaining snakes into his body and fully returned to his original form.
He opened the crystal box and grabbed the knife.
Then—
He stopped.
"…Wait."
If he transformed into snakes again, he would have to leave the knife behind.
If he didn't transform, he couldn't escape easily.
"Damn… Looks like I'll have to break the door."
He walked to the exit and began punching the reinforced door.
After several heavy strikes—
The door shattered.
Damyaan stepped outside.
And immediately—
Ten guards stood there, surrounding him.
Damyaan froze.
"!"
Author's Note
"So finally the Nicul and Gisaane have properly entered the novel. But the question is — what will Deku do after freeing Gisaane? She is an Evil Fairy. Will she really obey him? Or will they fight? And what about the other 11 Nicul? One is already with Precious, as Kail already knows — if you have read I Am The One Who Never Forget Who I Am: Velunarra light novel. If not, go read it! Anyway… let's see whether Deku can achieve Kail or not."