The parlor became quiet, almost too quiet the moment Rasmus requested Anastasha to leave the room so he could have a private conversation with his group. Rasmus' expression became serious when he looked at Erlina, Carrion, Javi, and Daryus.

"Regarding all of your questions related to Videl ever since we leave West Neva, I'll tell you the truth about him," Rasmus stared at the spot on the wall. "Videl is no longer one of us, and if you saw them, you should keep your distance and pretend that you didn't know about their real identities," he warned and stared at everyone in the room.

"Them?" Erlina furrowed her brows when Rasmus used the plural instead of the singular for Videl.

"Videl isn't a human, and I believe all of you have your own suspicions about his existence, a butler that could easily defeat swordmasters, a butler that could fight Demon Kings on his own, and not only he excelled in physical strength, he also excelled in magic," Rasmus said as he straightened his back before he rested his elbows on his thighs. "He's just like Satan, her equal. He's not a demon, he's far worse than a demon, he's the ruler of Hell, the lord of the demons, the Devil," he revealed with a straight expression.

Everyone was taken aback, their backs straightened and leaned away unconsciously. They were utterly shocked that this whole time, they had been working with a dangerous entity. They tried to recall their moments with Videl and immediately it felt eerie and gave them chills down their spines.

"If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be able to survive this far. I would have stayed in that abandoned cabin and died from starvation. He came to me, struck a deal with me, and he told me about the dangers that were coming into this world. That's why I knew everything and that's also why I always a few steps ahead of the demons," Rasmus added and stared at Erlina, the only person he wanted to see the reaction to his secret.

Aris glanced at Rasmus, and his words almost sounded like a lie since he didn't reveal his real identity, a human from another world. However, she realized that he wasn't lying about every part of what he said, he just didn't reveal the whole truth. She had been observing him long enough that he had been doing that, and found it more convenient not just to himself but also to the ones he shared the truth with because revealing the whole truth removed a lot of options to thread into the future.

Carrion was about to open his mouth, his fists clenched, feeling anger fuming in his eyes, but Erlina wrapped her hand on top of Carrion's. Erlina stared into Carrion's eyes with a serious expression as if telling him to calm down and let her handle everything. Once Carrion slumped his shoulders, he exhaled deeply and settled on the couch more relaxed and less tensed.

"You hid it from us this whole time because you knew that revealing the truth served you or us nothing. The fact that Videl had never done anything to us, it meant you were aware of his dangerous existence and you had been keeping an eye on him for us, is that right?" Erlina responded, her expression cold and serious when her gaze fixated on Rasmus.

"Yes, that's correct. Unfortunately, he planned to use me, Aris, Rullein, and Serena for his own gain. That's why I broke ties with him, and now, he has become my enemy," Rasmus nodded and stared back into Erlina's eyes. "Now that he's my enemy, all of you are in danger because he's the only one who knows who you all are. If you're not being careful, he might approach you in any shape, any form, and at any time because he can," he warned and then moved his gaze toward Carrion.

Carrion's fist still clenched under Erlina's hand that wrapped it and held it firmly. He had just got married, had finally had a life of his own with the woman he loved. Now, that Rasmus revealed another powerful and dangerous being, someone that knew them well enough and could harm them at any time, he couldn't hide his anger at Rasmus.

"You're obviously not just telling us this and tell us to avoid him, are you?" Erlina asked with her brows raised, her hand busied to calm the boiling anger in Carrion's fist.

"I was to tell you exactly that, to avoid any unknown figures and let you handle the rest," Rasmus answered without hiding the truth. "Fortunately, you're living in South Neva, where the cult has taken this continent as their safe haven, their base with the angels that are guarding them from demons," he pointed out and stared into Erlina's eyes once again.

"Right..." Erlina narrowed her brows as she leaned her head over Carrion's shoulder. "I also volunteered to gather information about them for you. Videl wouldn't dare to come here because the angels were threats to him. If I could somehow get close with the cult, that would also secure my safety and Carrion's," she muttered and arched her brows while her gaze was distant.

"The former is already enough to secure your safety here, you should think twice for the latter because we know how the angels could alter memories," Rasmus responded.

"So? What are you proposing for us to do?" Erlina asked and then glanced at Carrion's fist that had begun to loosen up. "What's the best thing that Carrion and I can do for our survival?" She added and stared at Rasmus.

"Stay close with Archduke Thalior and the Union of South Neva because they're also aware of the threat and danger of the cult and the angels. Work with them, gather information from them, and thread very carefully alongside them," Rasmus answered with a serious expression. "Avoid any problems with the cult, if necessary, betray me if you must for your own survival. After all, we won't be there to protect you, and I have no right to keep your ties with me," his expression grew colder and his gaze stared right into Erlina's and Carrion's eyes.

Carrion who was still angry suddenly lost his composure and was utterly shocked by Rasmus' words. His hands no longer clenched, and then he turned his head to look at Erlina, she was as shocked as he was, and there was something in her eyes that showed pain.

"Where is Videl now?" Erlina asked, her voice barely above a whisper as if she was holding back something that threatened to come out if she used her usual tone.

"We don't know, this world is too big, in fact that almost half of the side of this world is abandoned and uninhabitated, he could be everywhere but nowhere near us as of now because we could detect his presence if he was," Rasmus answered truthfully.

The room became quiet the moment Erlina didn't have anything else to ask or say.

"Leave us alone for a moment," Erlina said, her voice wasn't commanding, it was almost like a plea while her gaze said otherwise when she stared at Rasmus coldly.

Everyone left the room and the last person who left was Carrion, he glanced at Erlina for a moment and saw her still staring into Rasmus' eyes. He wanted to stay, but he knew that Erlina was fond of Rasmus, beyond alliance, beyond friendship, something perhaps stronger and unbreakable.