In the living room of Mayor Victor’s mansion, the early morning atmosphere was solemn and hurried. Duchess Amanda was adjusting her noble attire before heading to the Royal Palace of Satan. Every detail of fabric and jewelry had been carefully selected. Victor also put on his long cloak and leather gloves before turning toward the door and calling out loudly:

  – “Are the carriage preparations done yet?”

  A servant immediately bowed his head and replied:

  – “Yes, the carriage is fully prepared. Please proceed outside.”

  The noble couple quickly stepped into the carriage. The servant cracked the whip, the horses neighed loudly, and the Royal carriage began rolling along the black stone road. Inside the cabin, Victor lowered his voice and whispered to his wife:

  – “Remember to reward it generously so it will work more effectively.”

  Amanda gave a faint smile, her eyes filled with calculation:

  – “For something like it, money is all it takes for it to kneel at our feet. I must admit, it has been quite skillful — taking the black core energy for so long without anyone noticing.”

  Victor smirked mockingly. Old memories flickered through his mind like a slow-motion film. He came from a peasant family, spending his days farming and helping his parents sell produce at a small market in a poor rural village.

  When he grew up, he left for the wealthiest city—the domain of the Royal Satan family. That city was the pinnacle of technology and prosperity, where princes and nobles gathered. Victor found work as a waiter at one of the most bustling taverns. With his attractive appearance and romantic demeanor, he quickly caught the attention of many noble ladies.

  Among them was Duchess Amanda—then a young woman fascinated by lively pleasures and luxurious entertainment. Born into nobility and a granddaughter of Demon King Satan, Amanda possessed immense wealth even in her youth. Victor recognized his chance to change his fate. He made full use of his appearance, physical charm, deep voice, and romantic words — and ultimately won the heart of the noble lady.

  After their marriage, he became the Royal Satan family’s son-in-law, officially entering the ranks of powerful nobility. With his wife’s influence and backing, Victor successfully ran for mayor of the city.

  Now, despite having wealth and power, his bottomless greed would not allow him to stop. He wanted more — and more still. Victor and Amanda secretly colluded with Nicolas and several others to illegally exploit Velvet Crave and transport it to Earth.

  Even though they never directly touched the toxin within the petals, the greed of Victor, Amanda, and their accomplices was far more terrifying than the plant itself.

  On Earth, the afternoon had arrived. Golden sunlight slanted across the courtyard in front of the villa. Huy had just stopped his motorbike at the gate when M? Linh’s sharp voice rang out:

  – “Where have you been all this time? Did you sneak off to hang out with your friends again?”

  As Huy opened the gate and wheeled his bike inside, he hurriedly explained:

  – “I went for a health check-up, and while I was out, I looked for the way to my future workplace so I can arrive early for the interview tomorrow. If I try to find it during rush hour, I might be late and they won’t accept me.”

  In the garden corner, C?u D?ng was trimming the leaves of an ancient bonsai tree. He carefully adjusted each branch without even looking at Huy, his tone flat:

  – “If you’ve found a job, then work hard and earn money. My daughter will give birth at an international maternity hospital. Everything must meet five-star standards.”

  Huy’s face paled slightly upon hearing this, but he nodded:

  – “Yes, father and mother. I’ll try my best to earn money so Th? can have the best life.”

  ***

  At the Bình Chánh headquarters, the royal kitchen was bustling with fresh batches of mooncakes just out of the oven. The oven doors opened, releasing waves of heat carrying the rich scent of caramelized sugar, baked eggs, and the warm aroma of golden crust.

  Each mooncake was perfectly round, with an amber-gold shell and intricate embossed patterns resembling hand-carved designs.

  The fillings were prepared separately: mixed filling with chestnuts, Chinese sausage, candied orange peel, and melon seeds; smooth lotus paste; and fragrant green tea—all carefully measured and molded by hand before baking.

  Crown Prince Arian stood observing each step with a sharp, meticulous gaze:

  – “Be more careful. These are gifts for business partners and important figures. Everything must be flawless.”

  Demon King Satan stood at the packaging area, watching attentively as each mooncake was placed into its box. Each artistic mooncake was stored in a thick, handcrafted wooden box with tightly fitted lids and smoothly rounded edges.

  The surface was coated with multiple layers of lacquer, polished to a deep shine like an antique mirror.

  The decorative patterns were hand-painted and inlaid: swirling clouds, carp, dragons and phoenixes, the full moon, bamboo groves—and special edition symbols. Each detail subtly rose beneath the lacquer, creating a luminous depth under the light.

  Inside, the box was lined with pale yellow silk and divided into compartments to keep the cakes secure during transport.

  He picked up a lacquered box decorated with cloud and carp motifs, examined it closely, then nodded:

  – “Choose this design as a gift for our future in-laws.”

  Arian blushed slightly:

  – “Your Majesty means H?ng Nhung’s parents...”

  Satan let out a low chuckle:

  – “And Trúc Di?n’s side as well. I must arrange my schedule to have time to meet both families — our future in-laws.”

  At the Gothic villa, the masters and the little demons were having an afternoon snack of yogurt mixed with colorful fruit jams. The atmosphere was both relaxed and quietly tense, as the laptop screen continued running data nonstop. Din removed his headphones, gently rubbed his ear, and gave his opinion:

  – “We’ve gathered quite a lot of information already. We need to intensify satellite surveillance. When they appear at the intersection between the two worlds to receive the shipment, we’ll capture them all in one sweep.”

  Yin held a glass of passion fruit yogurt, slowly savoring it as she spoke:

  – “Perhaps the Lord already has a plan. I think it’s best that everyone discuss carefully and agree on a unified course of action to avoid any conflict.”

  Erion took a bite of cool watermelon, his gaze drifting toward C?u D?ng’s villa gate:

  – “I’m just waiting for that family to face their retribution. I’ve waited a long time for this day.”

  Trang held a piece of pandan jelly, her eyes turning cold:

  – “I’m waiting for that day too. I want to see their family slowly perish so that my adoptive parents’ souls may finally rest in peace.”

  The little demons were also eating enthusiastically. One of them, spreading strawberry jam onto bread, said:

  – “Trúc Di?n and Master V?nh have invited the masters over for dinner tonight. I wonder if the General wants to go?”

  Erion immediately growled:

  – “Of course I’ll go. Do you think I’m afraid of that snake?”

  Chen was monitoring the satellite map of the delivery location Nicolas had mentioned, his eyes still fixed on the screen:

  – “Everyone should prepare warm clothing and necessary equipment. The terrain there is dangerous, and the weather is unstable — quite cold.”

  Erion remained calm:

  – “The weather doesn’t matter, as long as we catch them.”

  ***

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  On the Dark Planet, Princess Amanda’s royal carriage turned past the final curve and advanced toward the city gate. The four black steeds with faint violet sheen exhaled cold mist into the morning air, their manes and tails swaying with each step. The saddle armor was embedded with dark crystals that reflected the pale violet sunlight of the Dark Planet.

  The carriage body was clad in polished dark metal, engraved with ancient motifs and royal emblems — each line sharp and imposing. As the wheels rolled across the mirror-like black stone road, a deep echo resonated through the vast space, creating an atmosphere both majestic and oppressive.

  Ahead, the royal gate rose high like a colossal wound in the seamless fortress wall. The twin doors were forged from dark alloy, inlaid with glowing runes that pulsed with silvery-violet light.

  Guardian beast statues stood along both sides — half dragon, half lion — their crystal-set eyes burning with dim fire.

  Within the walls, the Royal Palace of Satan appeared fully beneath the pale violet morning light. The architectural complex rose in tiers, with spires piercing into dark clouds, their peaks crowned by slowly rotating crystal halos.

  The outer walls were clad in obsidian and black-silver metal, etched with ancient formations that glowed faintly like living veins.

  The violet sunlight cast a surreal aura over the palace — not warm, but majestic, cold, and absolute. From afar, it resembled a colossal crown resting upon the dark plains — magnificent, ancient, and heavy with power.

  Before the palace gates, the guards stood in two perfect rows, bowing in unison as their armor clinked with a dull sound.

  They wore full-body black armor engraved with runes, forged from dark metal infused with crystal — absorbing the surrounding violet light instead of reflecting it.

  On each shoulder plate was the Royal Satan emblem, crafted in black-violet metal.

  At its center were symmetrical spiral horns curving upward like twin crescent blades of darkness. Between them burned a layered spiritual flame, glowing crimson-violet yet unmoving.

  Above the flame floated a three-tiered spiked crown, suspended by a faint force field, giving the illusion of true levitation.

  When light struck the emblem, the horns, flame, and crown reflected in three distinct hues, forming a living seal of authority.

  Their cloaks trailed behind in deep violet-black, unmoving even in the wind — stabilized by force fields.

  Their helmets concealed half their faces, revealing only cold, focused eyes.

  Their weapons were energy spears with black metal shafts engraved with runic formations. Some high-ranking guards carried broad greatswords on their backs, with crystal cores that emitted a dark luminous edge when activated.

  Standing still, they formed an imposing wall of absolute discipline before the gates.

  All bowed respectfully:

  – “We greet Your Highness, Princess.”

  When it came to Victor, they merely gave slight nods — some did not bow at all:

  – “Greetings, Mr. Victor.”

  Because Victor was born a commoner, his wife’s noble title could not be passed to him. This was why he always felt uneasy when stepping into this place. Yet to him, wealth and benefit mattered more than pride.

  At that moment, a middle-aged man stepped forward with a refined and authoritative demeanor. He wore a navy tailcoat, a crisp white wing-collared shirt, polished leather shoes, and the Royal Satan emblem pinned to his chest.

  His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly slicked back, his face stern and unsmiling.

  He bowed slightly toward Amanda and spoke respectfully:

  – “Greetings, Your Highness. Please, you and Mr. Victor may enter. Her Majesty the Queen and the Princess Consort are waiting.”

  Secretary General Dominic stood beside the black stone steps, his posture straight as a spear planted upright. Though he was already middle-aged, his noble bearing remained impeccable — broad shoulders, an unbent back, every movement restrained and precise to a chilling degree.

  His silver-embroidered tailcoat fit his solid frame perfectly, the royal emblem pinned to his left chest reflecting the pale violet morning light. His deep gray eyes, sharp like a thin blade, silently swept over Victor from head to toe — not rude, not openly disdainful, but enough to make the other man feel as though his worth was being measured to the smallest degree.

  Victor caught that gaze and felt a familiar discomfort rise within him. He hated this kind of wordless scrutiny — hated Dominic’s innate aristocratic aura, and hated even more the royal blood that supported him.

  But Victor understood his place here very well. Before the Queen’s trusted secretary, he lacked the power to provoke conflict. He merely tightened the strap of his glove, swallowed his irritation, and continued forward with feigned indifference.

  Upon entering the royal lounge, the space revealed itself as vast and magnificent. The vaulted ceiling was carved with ancient patterns, while a multi-tiered crystal chandelier cast a gentle golden glow upon the violet-black marble floor.

  Dark velvet sofas trimmed with gold thread surrounded a jade-inlaid tea table. Behind them stood towering windows draped with sheer silk curtains, revealing the deep green royal garden outside.

  Every detail radiated authority and absolute luxury.

  Queen Seraphina and Princess Consort Sophia were seated beside the tea table near the arched window. The pale violet morning light fell upon the jade-glazed porcelain teapot, its steam rising in thin wisps.

  Seraphina maintained her usual composed demeanor — back straight, gestures graceful, eyes deep and unreadable.

  She gently placed her teacup down, her voice warm yet dignified:

  – “Princess Amanda, Mr. Victor… please be seated. For you to visit the inner court so early in the morning, surely it is not merely for a stroll.”

  Amanda sat down and immediately adopted a soft, refined tone:

  – “Your Majesty, today we came first to pay our respects to you and the Princess Consort. It has been a long time since we last had the honor.”

  Seraphina tilted her head slightly. Her gaze swept over Amanda before pausing briefly on Victor — long enough to create pressure, yet without impropriety.

  A faint, polite smile curved her lips:

  – “Your thoughtfulness is acknowledged.”

  Sophia set her teacup down, her smile graceful though her eyes were sharper than her gentle appearance suggested:

  – “The family has not gathered together in quite some time. Since you are here, please stay for lunch. The inner court could use a little reunion atmosphere.”

  Amanda immediately bowed her head slightly:

  – “We are deeply honored. Thank you, Your Majesty and Princess Consort, for your gracious favor.”

  Within the tea room bathed in soft violet light, every word sounded gentle — yet beneath it lay layers of etiquette and unmistakable power distance.

  Meanwhile, deep underground in the production facility, the extraction process of Velvet Crave essence had been completed.

  The transparent crimson droplets, thick like liquid crystal, flowed through heat-resistant alloy tubes, gleaming dark red beneath cold white lights. The liquid descended into a multi-layer filtration tank, passing through refined membranes before being filled into specialized thick glass vials, their surfaces cool and weighty.

  The entire factory operated under a closed high-tech system. White fluorescent lights illuminated polished metal workstations, reflecting the sterile chill of the environment.

  Workers in full protective gear, wearing toxin-resistant goggles and specialized gloves, performed each step with precision: checking purity levels, measuring exact quantities, and sealing with compressed aluminum caps to prevent oxidation.

  Finished batches were then scanned, undergoing final inspection before packaging.

  The Butler stood beside the capping line, his gaze fixed on the electronic control panel displaying stable parameters.

  – “Once we obtain the black core energy, we can proceed with the delivery. Check the spatial device again. I don’t want any deviation when the portal opens.”

  The nobleman remained calm, one hand resting behind his back:

  – “The device has already been inspected. Rest assured. Now we only need to wait for the mayor and his wife to arrive for confirmation.”

  Back on Earth, the sky had turned a deep violet. Saigon glittered with lights, glass skyscrapers reflecting the final streaks of sunset like metal stained with fire.

  Traffic packed the boulevards, headlights and taillights forming an endless stream of moving light.

  At Nicolas’ villa, the group of shareholders had just returned after completing the second round. The spacious living room still carried traces of expensive perfume and faint cigar smoke mixed with the scent of polished wood.

  Nicolas walked to the bar and skillfully prepared an espresso. He poured coffee grounds into the portafilter, tamped them down firmly, locked it into the machine, and pressed the button. The machine hummed softly as a stream of dark coffee flowed into the white porcelain cup in the quiet space.

  He spoke in a low voice:

  – “Tomorrow night we depart. We’ll arrive early to prepare the transport vehicles. Hopefully everything goes smoothly this time.”

  The man in the ash-gray suit tilted his head toward the dimming sky beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass:

  – “I’m only worried about the black core energy. The Satan Royal Family controls everything tightly. Sooner or later, they’ll notice the discrepancy.”

  The woman in the purple suit clasped her hands tightly, anxiety clear on her face:

  – “Isn’t there any other option?”

  Nicolas shook his head, his eyes turning cold:

  – “I tried cultivating Velvet Crave here before, but failed. Earth’s temperature, soil, and atmospheric pressure are incompatible. Only refined essence and freeze-dried petals can retain their activity — and they must be transported through a spatial portal. There’s no other choice.”

  The woman in the red dress sighed softly:

  – “I once brought fresh flowers down here. But about thirty minutes after unsealing them, the petals withered, and most of the essence evaporated.”

  The young man glanced at his wristwatch, lowering his voice:

  – “We should have dinner and disperse early. We leave tomorrow night. Remember to bring weapons. We can’t rule out interference along the way.”

  The room fell silent again, filled only with the soft hum of the air conditioner and the city lights shining through the thick glass — a quiet reminder that the upcoming transaction would be anything but safe.

  ***

  At a townhouse in District 3, Mage Vinh and the others had gathered around the dinner table.

  The living–kitchen space was modest but cozy, warm yellow light illuminating a simple meal rich with family flavors.

  On the table was braised snakehead fish, deep brown and soaked in fish sauce caramel; stuffed apple snails still steaming with the aroma of pepper and lemongrass; glossy salted caramelized shrimp; sweet-and-sour braised ribs; taro soup with dried shrimp, pale purple and creamy; and a thick dipping sauce with crispy pork fat, fragrant with fried shallots.

  Beside it was a basket of fresh herbs: lettuce, mint, Thai basil, perilla, fish mint, Vietnamese coriander; along with sliced cucumber, green banana, and starfruit.

  The freshness of the vegetables balanced the richness of the braised dishes perfectly.

  Tonight, the table had two new members — Join and Mary — accompanied by Professor Charles.

  The atmosphere was warm yet tinged with preparation for the upcoming journey.

  Trúc Di?n set down his bowl and spoke first:

  – “Everyone, remember to prepare dry rations, necessary tools, and personal weapons.”

  Join nodded and added:

  – “I’ve done mountain climbing before. The terrain can be slippery, so we’ll need specialized shoes, trekking poles, and headlamps.”

  H?u K? continued firmly:

  – “I’ll handle the first aid kit. Bandages, antiseptics, fever reducers — we can’t go without them.”

  Anh Tú suddenly recalled something and chimed in:

  – “Insect repellent too. I heard there are leeches, mosquitoes, fire ants, caterpillars… all sorts.”

  The discussion grew lively as everyone planned carefully.

  Only Erion continued eating leisurely, his movements unhurried as if the upcoming journey had nothing to do with him.

  Trúc Di?n glanced at him, slightly frowning:

  – “Brother-in-law, aren’t you preparing anything?”

  Erion calmly picked up a piece of sweet-and-sour rib and placed it on his bowl of white rice before replying:

  – “Why bother with all that preparation? We’ll just use a spatial portal to get there.”

  Chen snorted:

  – “Your subordinate was feeling adventurous. Hearing that from the General just killed the mood.”

  Din laughed:

  – “Even if we use a portal, once we get there we’ll still need all those things.”

  A little demon mumbled while chewing:

  – “Masters, remember to bring canned food too. There’s no food on the mountain peak.”

  The whole table burst into laughter, their voices blending with the warmth of a home-cooked meal — momentarily easing the heaviness before the journey ahead.