Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100

Chapter 1001: Pawns of the Demons

”Of course,” Max said without hesitation, his nod firm. ”Do as you please.”

”Good.” Lady Divine’s tone turned commanding, even though her smile lingered. Her gaze flicked briefly at the two young figures before her. ”You two little kids, get out. I wish to speak with Hermes alone.”

Lyra glanced once at Max. Max glanced back. Neither of them spoke, but the exchange was clear—they both felt the weight of Lady Divine’s presence and knew better than to linger.

Without further hesitation, the two turned and stepped out of the room, the heavy door closing quietly behind them, leaving Lady Divine and Emperor Hermes alone in the chamber.

The atmosphere in the chamber shifted the moment the heavy door closed behind Max and Lyra. Silence lingered, broken only by the faint rustle of Lenavira’s shallow breathing. Lady Divine moved closer to the bed, her blue hair shimmering under the dim lantern light as her fingertips hovered above Lenavira’s body.

Faint runes flickered into existence along her hand, reading the subtle flows of energy within the elf girl.

Her face darkened. ”Her condition is very serious,” Lady Divine said gravely. ”And more troubling... I sense infernal energy inside her body.”

Hermes, who until now had remained silent, stiffened immediately. ”Infernal energy?” His brows knit, his usually calm features tightening.

Lady Divine’s eyes never left Lenavira as she continued, her tone steady but heavy. ”If I am not wrong, there are two reasons she underwent her Dark Elf transformation. The first is that she came into contact with infernal energy somewhere. That energy tapped into her inner darkness, forcefully drawing out her suppressed nature and leading her to transform into a Dark Elf.”

Her voice sharpened. ”Infernal energy is pure corruption—raw darkness, the very opposite of mana. While mana nourishes and balances, infernal energy consumes, erodes, and amplifies what should remain hidden. It drags out the worst in someone. For elves, their darkest reflection is the Dark Elf. That is why this girl turned into this state.”

Hermes frowned deeply, his eyes flashing with concern. ”But how could she have come into contact with infernal energy at all? Wasn’t it always said that infernal energy can only be found in one or two isolated caves in the Middle Domain?”

He leaned forward, his tone firm. ”And even then, only those who had the insignia etched on their palms could wield it in controlled amounts. This elf is from the Middle Domain, just like that Max boy. Do you mean to tell me she found a way to those caves and got corrupted?”

Lady Divine finally turned to him, her gaze sharp as a blade. Slowly, she shook her head. ”No. That is not it.” Her voice dropped lower, filled with conviction. ”From what I can sense, the infernal energy within her is not old—it is recent. This corruption was not accidental. Someone deliberately infused her with infernal energy, knowing full well what it would do to her bloodline. I am certain of it.”

Hermes’ expression hardened instantly, his regal aura flickering like a brewing storm. ”Someone... intentionally corrupted her? Why? What possible purpose would such cruelty serve?”

”That,” Lady Divine replied calmly, ”is for you to find out. My work is to heal. The reasons... the enemies behind this... that is a burden that falls upon rulers like you.” She shifted her hand slightly, the runes on her palm glowing brighter as they pressed against Lenavira’s chest. ”But this is no small matter. Corrupting an elf to the level of forcing them into their dark state requires mastery, resources, and knowledge that few in this world should possess.”

She finally came to the main topic for which she made Max and Lyra left them alone. ”If I am not wrong, then a small force of demons is secretly operating within each of the Seven Overlord Forces of the Middle Domain. They may be small in number—a duo, a single infiltrator, or even an entire hidden cell—but they are there. Quiet. Patient. Following orders.”

”What?!” Hermes was shocked. ”Are you absolutely sure?”

Lady Divine did not flinch. Her blue hair shimmered faintly as she met his gaze with unshakable calm. ”I am,” she said simply, her tone firm and absolute. ”And don’t ask me how I know what I know. Some truths... are not meant to be explained.” Her words carried the weight of centuries, a kind of certainty that could not be challenged.

Hermes’ expression turned grim, the disbelief giving way to a heavy, suffocating solemnity. His jaw tightened, and his fists curled at his side. ”This matter...” his voice lowered, the weight in it far more dangerous than before, ”...is more serious than I ever imagined.”

The thought alone made his chest tighten. If what Lady Divine said was true, then hidden beneath the grandeur of the Great Ruler Empire—his empire—there had been demons or their pawns moving unseen, perhaps for generations. Operating under their noses, infiltrating, weaving themselves into the cracks of human power... and they had known nothing.

Lady Divine’s gaze lingered on Lenavira for a moment longer, her fingers tracing a glowing rune in the air before letting it dissolve. Her eyes then shifted back to Hermes, sharp as blades, her voice steady and commanding.

”I don’t know how you will do it, Hermes,” she said firmly, ”but I want them alive.”

Hermes’ brows furrowed slightly.

”The pawns,” Lady Divine clarified. ”The infiltrators the demons have planted within your Great Ruler Empire. No matter their rank, no matter how well hidden they are, I want them brought to me alive. Dead bodies will tell me nothing. But living vessels—” her gaze deepened, her voice dropping to a chilling calm, ”—I can tear their memories apart, layer by layer, until every last secret spills out.”

Hermes clenched his fists at his sides, golden sparks of his imperial aura flickering faintly in the room. His instincts as ruler screamed at him to march into the Empire that very instant, to root out the rot that had slithered into his foundations.

He had crushed armies, quelled rebellions, broken traitors... but to think demons had been planted under his very nose for gods knew how long—it clawed at his pride like fire.

”Alright,” Hermes said at last, his tone heavy but resolute. His eyes shone with determination, though beneath it burned barely-contained fury. ”I will find them. I will bring them to you. Every last one of them.”

Lady Divine’s expression softened only a fraction. ”Good. You understand the importance, then. These pawns are not just spies—they are threads leading back to the demons themselves. Pull hard enough, and the entire fabric of their schemes will unravel leading straight to the demons.”

Hermes exhaled, steadying his aura. He wanted nothing more than to begin cleansing his empire right now, but he knew—this would not be easy. If they had remained undetected all these years, then they were masters of disguise, patient hunters lurking in silence.

Lady Divine broke his thoughts. ”Now, go.” She waved a hand dismissively, though her tone held no malice. ”I will focus on stabilizing this elf girl for the next few days. When I am done, I will give you answers. But for that, I need quiet. I need focus.” Her eyes sharpened again. ”And Hermes—remember to call that Max boy back into this room.”

Hermes inclined his head. ”As you wish.” With those words, he left the room.