The Incubus System Chapter 1031. I Am Not Pitiful!

The Incubus System Chapter 1031. I Am Not Pitiful!

Puriel bit her lip in embarrassment. "Right…" she muttered under her breath, as if she didn’t want to admit that I had a point. She floated there for a moment, staring into my eyes like she was searching for something deeper, something I wasn’t giving away. Her eyes stared at me as if they said ‘But why did you do it? Why did you sleep with her? Is she some kind of… trophy to you?’

My eyes narrowed slightly as if I said ‘Well, the way to release you was either to sleep with the ruler of this palace or destroy this place and everything in it. I chose the peaceful way.’

Puriel grimaced at my explanation, her lips twisting as if the very thought disgusted her. It probably did. But it was the truth. I had options, and this one had the least amount of collateral damage. Zalira had agreed, after all.

"So…" Puriel began hesitantly, her eyes shifting toward the crystal she’d been trapped in for who knows how long. "Am I free now?"

"Not quite yet," I said, stepping back and folding my arms. "I mentioned we wanted to talk first. Zalira has a few things she’d like to discuss."

Zalira moved forward, her eyes locked on Puriel. There was a tension in her posture, though she maintained her regal grace, as always. Puriel turned toward her, eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What do you want to talk about?" Puriel asked.

"It’s about the holy vaccine," Zalira began, her voice steady but carrying an unmistakable seriousness. "You know that, for centuries, my kingdom has relied on you to produce the vaccine, don’t you?"

Puriel’s expression softened slightly as the topic shifted. She nodded. "Yes, I know," she said. "I’ve been aware of that, even from inside this crystal."

Zalira took a deep breath, her eyes flickering with what she was about to say. "I need you to continue making it. Without your power, my kingdom’s entire economy will collapse. We can’t afford that." There was a vulnerability in her words. It was a rare glimpse of the pressure she constantly carried as queen. "If we stop producing the vaccine, it won’t just be my kingdom that suffers. You’ve been the key to keeping the demon invasions at bay in the region. Without the vaccine, the demons will overwhelm our defenses."

I had told Puriel about this before. But Zalira still needed to say it herself.

"The vaccine is used to fight demons, isn’t it?" Puriel asked, more to confirm what she already knew. There was a resigned tone in her voice, like she had accepted her situation.

"Yes," Zalira said simply. "And I know you have no reason to trust me after everything that’s happened. I can’t change the past. But I need you now, Puriel. My people need you. And I’m asking for your help."

Puriel floated in silence for what felt like an eternity before finally speaking. "I… don’t mind," she said slowly, her gaze flicking between me and Zalira. "If the vaccine is used to fight demons, I have no problem continuing to help.”

“Thank you. Also, I want to say…” Zalira’s expression softened, a hint of regret crossing her features. "I owe you an apology," she said quietly. "For centuries, my kingdom has siphoned your power to create the vaccine without your consent. It wasn’t right. I’m sorry." She bowed without hesitation.

For a moment, even I was surprised by Zalira’s admission. But this was different. Zalira wasn’t just asking for forgiveness—she was asking for Puriel’s cooperation, for her to put aside the past and help them both survive the future.

Puriel’s eyes softened, and she let out a slow breath. "I didn’t expect you to apologize," she admitted. "But I understand. I’ll continue to help. For your people. Not for you," she added quickly, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Zalira nodded, a small but genuine smile crossing her lips. "Thank you, Puriel."

I stood back, watching the exchange with a slight smirk. It wasn’t often that I saw Zalira humbled, but it seemed even she knew when it was time to swallow her pride. Puriel, for all her angelic theatrics, had come through in the end. I couldn’t help but admire the irony of it all.

"Well," I said, my eyes flicking between Zalira and Puriel, "since the agreement is complete and you’ve got your answer, Zalira, can I finally free this pitiful creature?" I pointed directly at Puriel, my voice dripping with amusement.

Predictably, Puriel frowned again. Her expression scrunched up in a mixture of annoyance and indignation, and she let out a soft huff. "I am not pitiful," she pouted, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she hovered in place. It was kinda cute if I ignored that she was older than Lilieth.

I couldn’t help but smirk at her reaction. She always had this air of self-righteousness, even after being stuck in a crystal for centuries. "Says someone who’s been trapped in a crystal for, what, hundreds of years? Yeah, you seem pretty pitiful to me," I teased, watching as her cheeks puffed in annoyance, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Puriel grunted, refusing to dignify my teasing with a response. She knew I had the upper hand here, and as much as she tried to keep her composure, she couldn’t help but show her irritation.

"Thought so," I said with a smug grin. "Don’t worry, though. It’s kind of cute seeing you all flustered like this." I had to say the way she stood there with her arms crossed only made her look more like a frustrated child.

"Also," I added with a raised eyebrow, "don’t forget our agreement." My tone was a little more serious now, but still carrying that playful edge. I wasn’t going to let her slip by without remembering her promise.

Puriel’s face turned a deep shade of red, and she glanced at me, clearly irritated by my reminder. "I remember," she muttered, her eyes narrowed in my direction. "You don’t need to keep reminding me."