I Don't Want To Be An Omega In My Sister's Trashy Reverse Harem [BL]

Chapter 209: Banished Or Not?

Lirien returned to the brothel just as the sky was beginning to darken.

The streets felt different.

On her way back, she noticed guards everywhere... more than usual. They stood at corners, near shops, beside the main road, and even at the smaller alleys that people rarely used. Their armour was polished, their expressions tense. Some of them spoke in hushed voices, others barked orders at civilians to keep moving.

At the market, the carriage slowed when she overheard two merchants whispering.

"They’re building another gate," one said.

"Behind the capital gate," the other replied. "I heard it’s reinforced with magic."

"Is it for the war with those kinds?"

"Demons?"

"Who else?"

The carriage didn’t stop moving, but her grip tightened around her cloak.

’So it’s already this bad,’ she thought.

By the time she reached the brothel, she was certain. The city was preparing for something big. Something ugly.

She slipped inside through the side entrance and went straight to her room. As soon as the door closed behind her, she let out a long breath she didn’t realise she’d been holding.

She removed the disguise piece by piece... the elegant dress, the jewellery, the borrowed scent, the face that wasn’t hers. When she was done, she stood in front of the mirror again as herself.

Lirien.

There were no titles attached to the name nor any false smiles.

She quietly turned to her Familiar and waved her hand.

"Thank you for today. You can go," she told it. "We’re done."

The creature bowed and vanished into a cloud of smoke.

Lirien sat on the edge of her bed and pressed her fingers to her temples.

"I found your blood, Rin," she muttered. "So you were there. But where did you go after? If you were able to escape, why didn’t you come here?"

Her thoughts returned to the demonic traces she had sensed.

A contract... but she was sure it was not Asmodeus. She shook her head.

"No," she said out loud. "He wouldn’t do that. He doesn’t need contracts to be powerful. He would never ever sign a deal with a human."

Asmodeus doesn’t beg or negotiate. He takes whatever he wants by force.

So if it wasn’t him, then who?

She groaned and leaned back, staring at the ceiling.

"Think," she told herself. "Think, Lirien."

But nothing came. Just as frustration was about to win, a knock sounded on her door.

She sat up sharply. "Come in."

The door opened to reveal Kiro and Soren.

Kiro bowed slightly. "Lady Lirien. Elyria has woken up."

Lirien stood immediately. "Good. Bring her food. Make sure it’s something warm."

Both men nodded. As Kiro turned to leave, he hesitated.

"Lady Lirien," he said carefully. "Have you heard from Rin?"

Her heart skipped but she forced herself not to show it.

"Oh," she said casually. "He wanted to spend more time with Lucien. He’ll be back."

Kiro looked relieved. Soren nodded, accepting it without question.

They left as they closed the door behind them.

Lirien slumped against it.

"...I never thought I’d use that lie," she muttered.

She changed into her usual clothes quickly... dark fabric, comfortable boots, her fur scarf resting over her shoulders. When she was ready, she headed straight for Elyria’s room.

When she opened the door, she paused.

Elyria stood in the centre of the room, hands glowing faintly with dark red magic. The air around her trembled slightly, like it couldn’t fully settle.

Her demonic power was stronger. Stronger than it had been just last night. Lirien smiled despite herself.

"You look pleased," Lirien said.

Elyria opened her eyes and turned. "I am. I can feel it. By the end of seven days, I’ll be stronger."

Lirien cleared her throat. "That won’t be easy."

Elyria tilted her head. "Why do you say that?"

Lirien met her gaze. "The demons are close. They are likely to attack in two days at most."

Elyria gasped softly.

"Then I’ll work harder," she said immediately. "I’ll increase the number of men today."

Lirien opened her mouth to protest... but stopped. She saw determination in Elyria’s eyes.

Fear, yes. But also resolve.

’She doesn’t want to be helpless,’ Lirien thought.

"...Alright," Lirien said slowly. "I’ll make arrangements. It’ll be the last Golden Goose game for the season."

Elyria smiled faintly.

Then her expression softened.

"What about Winter?" she asked. "And Rin?"

Lirien hesitated.

"Winter is with the Omegas," she said. "As for Rin..." She scratched her jaw and looked away. "He’s probably with Lucien Vortellion."

Elyria stepped closer.

"Lirien," she said gently. "Are you lying to me?"

"Is it obvious?" Lirien groaned. "Fuck. I’m terrible at it."

Elyria laughed quietly.

"I know when you lie."

"I don’t know where he is," Lirien admitted. "I found a clue. His blood. At a noble’s house."

Elyria’s smile faded. "Will he be okay?"

Lirien was silent.

"...I don’t know," she said honestly. "Rin is soft-hearted. That makes people underestimate him."

She looked down.

"But it also makes him dangerous because no one can tell what he’s thinking."

Elyria nodded slowly.

"He killed his father when he was still a child," Elyria said. "And everyone in that estate."

She smiled again. "He’ll be fine. He’s not the type to get lost."

.

.

Meanwhile...

Rin stared at the unfamiliar surroundings.

"I really don’t know where we are," he said.

The ground beneath them was dark and uneven, like burned stone. The air felt thick with something old. Strange symbols glowed faintly along the walls that surrounded them.

Rin held Niblet in his hands.

Niblet sighed.

Rin frowned. "You’re sighing like this is my fault."

Niblet pointed a claw toward a darker passage.

"That way?" Rin asked. "You sure?"

Niblet nodded.

"You remember the way to the Demon King’s palace?"

Niblet puffed out his chest proudly.

"Like the back of my palm."

Rin smiled and took a step forward... then stopped.

"...Wait."

Niblet turned to look at him.

Rin slowly lowered his hands, allowing Niblet to jump down.

"If you knew the way," Rin said carefully, "then why did you need my help in the first place?"

Niblet froze.

Seconds passed.

Then Cerberus spoke, his voice low.

"I thought the Demon King wouldn’t harm me if you were with me."

Rin shook his head. "I disagree with you. You’re lying right..."

He crossed his arms.

"Unless," Rin continued, "you can’t enter the palace."

Niblet looked away.

"...I was never banished," Cerberus said.

"I never said you were. But if you weren’t..." Rin smirked. "Then go ahead. Lead the way."

Niblet didn’t move. Neither did Rin.

They stood there, staring at each other in the dim light.