"You can find Nyxos far west from here. It's not that hard to locate him since he mostly stays inside his territory," Whispera said, her tone casual as if she were discussing the weather. "So, if there's nothing else, I will leave you be and get back to my sleep."

"Eh? That's all? Aren't you going to stop them at all?" Pamela said, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Whispera gently patted Pamela's head and offered her a drowsy smile. "Looks like you have grown fond of these mortals. You can go with them if you want. Now that your task is complete, you can do whatever your heart desires."

"W-what . . . ?" Pamela's face flushed crimson, and she sputtered, "Of course not! Who would like those jerks who kepthostage and threatenedall the time?!"

She shook her head vehemently, crossing her arms in defiance. "I'm glad that I'm rid of them. I can finally be free and do anything that I want!"

"Is that right?" Malifira's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Good riddance!" Desira waved her hand dismissively, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"I can't say that I won't miss you," Elena said, offering a warm smile despite the circumstances.

"Don't let yourself get captured next time," Azazel grinned, his playful demeanor belying the seriousness of his words.

"Ugh, I will have no more buddies in eating desserts. I will miss you," Vivi said with a hint of sadness lacing her voice.

"You're weak, but I don't dislike you," Iraelyn remarked, her tone surprisingly gentle.

"We'll definitely see each other again," Evie chimed in.

"Don't wonder around," Ren finished.

At the goodbyes of everyone, Pamela couldn't help but tear up and wail. "Waaahh! Even though you guys are scary strange, and nothing but trouble, I still want to cwith you and make sure you're safe," she admitted.

"That's that then," Azazel said, grinning from ear to ear. "You're coming with us and be our tour guide."

"Make sure not to lag around," Desira added, her tone threatening.

"Ehehehe. We're going to buy a lot of sweets! It's your money, right?" Vivi chimed in, her excitement evident.

"Good, we still have our navigator back," Elena said, relief washing over her features.

"Don't go around hiding and escaping again," Malifira chuckled, her tone holding a hint of warning beneath the amusement.

"It's nice that you will join us again. I will whip your ass and make you a strong goddess!" Iraelyn declared, flexing her muscles.

"Don't bring us too much trouble, alright?" Evie said with a poker face, her words laced with a touch of seriousness.

"You better get us to Nyxos's lair safe and sound," Ren finished, his expression firm.

Pamela's tears receded, replaced by a sense of confusion and betrayal.

Where did that camaraderie they showed just a moment ago disappear to?

Were they just faking it?

"WaaAgGhH! They're a bunch of bullies! Goddess help me!" Pamela sought comfort in Whispera, but the goddess only beamed at her and said in a cheerful voice.

"Look at that. You've made good friends, Pamela. You go with them and have sfun, okay?"

Pamela wanted to scream. As the goddess of luck and fortunes, her luck and fortunes really sucked big time!

"Alright, everyone, make your preparations. We'll be leaving in a while," Ren announced, his voice carrying authority.

Pamela continued to wail at Whispera while Potato and the others approached Desira and Azazel, their faces expectant.

"Good lord and lady, since we have done you service more than our contract allowed, may we ask for extra compensations?" Potato inquired, his voice tinged with hope.

Desira stared down at them with a killing intent in her eyes. "Do you wantto stew you?!"

"Eek!" Potato hurried behind Crabby and Mjuk's back, though the two were shaking in their boots as well.

"Meh. Let it go. They do have a point," Azazel said, his tone surprisingly understanding as he patted Potato and the others on the back. "Since you've done more than you were asked for, I'll give you these as rewards."

Potato and the others' faces brightened with anticipation, but when Azazel handed them their rewards, they screamed in surprise and hurriedly ran away.

"AaAaArRgGhH!" echoed through the air as a bunch of eyeballs scattered on the ground in their hasty retreat.

Azazel scratched his head in confusion and began to pick up the eyeballs. "That's odd. What's wrong with them? These are my precious trophies in war, and I'm even willing to give them these as rewards for a job well done. I wonder what's wrong for them to run away in hurry like they've seen a ghost?"

Desira took a deep breath and sighed. "Such lowly creatures wouldn't understand the grandeur of your tastes, Lord Azazel," she remarked, her tone tinged with a mix of annoyance and pride.

She then wiggled her butt and flicked her hair from side to side, her face flushed with love. "Only I, Desira, know what you like and dislike."

Azazel ignored her theatrics and hurried over to where Whispera was. The others were huddled around her, and he was eager to find out what was going on.

"What is it? What's all this?" Evie asked when she noticed the crowd gathering around Whispera as well.

Elena was excited to share the news with Evie. "With just a secret, Whispera can tell you the secret that you wanted to find out."

Evie remained unfazed, her poker face unchanged.

Elena rolled her eyes. "Look over there."

"What's my secret?" Iraelyn asked, curiosity evident in her tone.

Whispera looked her dead in the eyes. "That's not how it works."

"Does Lord Azazel love me?" Desira interjected, leaning in close to Whispera to convey her payment for her question.

"Ahem. I can only tell you that he indeed loves you, but not in the way that you want him to love you," Whispera replied cryptically.

It didn't matter to Desira. As soon as she heard the affirmative answer, she began twirling and laughing, hopping around in her own world with hearts practically pumping out of her eyes.

Elena passed from Vivi and the others.

"Hey, it's my turn," Iraelyn complained.

Elena ignored her and turned to Whispera instead, her face breaming with anticipation. "Whispera, does Ren love me?!"