Three Questions - Part II (Last)

As Roxana pondered her second query, a stark realization unfolded within her: the millennium Caelum mentioned was a literal timeframe she needed to navigate to transcend.

"A millennium seems quite the commitment for a lady," she thought, the notion daunting yet laced with an odd sense of challenge. This wasn't just survival; it was about ascending in power, necessitating a faster, more efficient means to gather souls.

Determined, Roxana voiced her question, "Aside from venturing into the abyss for souls, is there another way to acquire them?"

Caelum's interest peaked, his thoughts mystified. "Indeed, there is. Through the use of an altar, a conduit for connecting with other worlds."

Roxana's heart raced with excitement at the revelation. "So, the tales and myths were rooted in truth!" she marveled internally, recalling the countless novels and films from her past life that depicted demon summoning. "Reality surpasses fiction."

Her mind whirled with possibilities. "Which realm might I be summoned to if I used an altar? Are there many of these worlds, or just one? Who are these summoners, and what drives them to call forth demons? How about their contracts? What do they entail?"

As questions flooded her thoughts, Roxana realized she was getting ahead of herself, yet she couldn't contain her wonder. "This knowledge... it's a breakthrough!" she thought, exhilarated by the prospects.

As Roxana processed the newfound insights about altars, Caelum's query sliced through her thoughts, laced with a playful yet searching undertone. "Now, tell me, darling," he initiated, locking eyes with her, his gaze piercing and expectant, "who is your patron in this grand scheme?"

Caelum's reasoning was laid bare. To him, Roxana's swift mastery of demonic arts, her profound intellect at a mere twenty-five years of demon age, was a puzzle.

Her unfamiliarity with altars further discounted the chance of her leveraging an artifact from another world to enhance her powers.

The most plausible theory, then, was a guardian from the shadows of the lower abyss, guiding her, refining her abilities beyond the norm. Yet, her uniqueness defied even this rare possibility, compelling him to seek the name of the enigmatic mentor behind her ascent.

Roxana's response, however, was unforeseen. "I have no sponsor," she declared, her tone imbued with serene confidence, her gaze unwavering in the face of his scrutiny.

The weight of his speculation pressed upon her, acknowledging the validity of his wonderment at her capabilities and swift acclimatization to the complexities of demon society. Despite this, the idea of possessing a 'sponsor' was foreign, almost inconceivable to her.

In her mind, the system was not an external force but an intrinsic part of her being. It was an understanding she hadn't fully explored, yet instinctively knew to be true.

As for her final question, Roxana stood at the crossroads of curiosity, a myriad of questions fluttering through her mind like leaves in a storm. She pondered deeply on the vast mysteries of the demon realm and her place within it, considering several profound questions. Each question, a testament to her desire to understand the rules and possibilities of her new existence.

'With the existence of alters, can a demon choose which world they wish to influence or enter or is it always the other way around?', 'What exactly is the abyss?', 'Can a demon permanently leave the abyss?'

Amidst these brainstorms, Roxana centered her focus on an immediate and actionable query that would directly contribute to her journey of empowerment. "How does one transcend to become a middle-rank demon?" she inquired, her eyes locked on Caelum, seeking not just an answer but a guidepost for her next endeavor.

Caelum's response came with the weight of ancient knowledge, his voice a conduit of the secrets that governed their world.

"When your magic prowess reaches a bottleneck, it's not merely about accumulation but transformation. You must transcend to the middle abyss," he advised, his tone serious yet encouraging. "There, seek the demon hot springs. It's within their depths that one can refine their bloodline, a rite of passage for those aspiring to ascend."

As Roxana carefully absorbed his words, she became intrigued by the notion of the demon hot springs, which promised not only advancement in rank but also a purification, a rebirth of sorts.

It was a journey not just of power but of self-discovery, of peeling back the layers of her own essence to reveal the strength within.

Roxana marveled at the fortune that had graced her path since her encounter with Caelum. If there were a statistic for luck in this realm, she mused, hers would undoubtedly be soaring high.

The irony wasn't lost on her: a demon (very formidable), who under normal circumstances might have been an adversary, had become an unwitting mentor, offering insights that could have taken her ages to uncover on her own.

This exchange had not only spared her from immediate danger but had propelled her understanding of her new existence forward by leaps and bounds.

As Caelum prepared to pose his final question, Roxana sensed a shift in the air, a momentary pause that signaled the gravity of what was to come.

The previous exchange still lingered between them, a testament to the complexity and depth of their dialogue. With a contemplative air, Caelum finally broke the silence, his question slicing through the tension with precision.

"Your interest in the Demon World's hierarchy suggests a calculated ambition," he observed, his gaze piercing into Roxana's soul. "What do you believe is your rightful place within it, and what lengths are you willing to go to achieve that position?"

The question hit Roxana with the force of a storm. It wasn't merely an inquiry about her aspirations; it was a challenge to define her essence, her ambition, and her boundaries.

This was about more than survival or curiosity—it was a probing into the very core of her ambitions within this daunting, infinite labyrinth of power and peril.

Roxana took a deep breath, realizing the weight of her answer would not only reveal her intentions to Caelum but also clarify them to herself.

This was an opportunity to vocalize the vision she harbored for her journey in the abyss, a declaration of her ambition and the moral and ethical lines she was prepared—or not prepared—to cross in its pursuit.

With a steady heart and a clear mind, Roxana prepared to respond, understanding that her answer would not only shape Caelum's perception of her but also set the tone for her path forward in this new, wild world.

This was a defining moment, one that could potentially forge or fracture alliances, charting the course of her destiny in the unfathomable depths of the demon realm.

She knew her answer had to reflect not just her desire but her identity, her essence as a newcomer to this demonic realm, still laced with the remnants of her human past.

With a lightness in her tone, betraying the seriousness of her intent, she replied, "I yearn to explore every crevice, every mystery the abyss holds—not for dominion, but for the sake of discovery itself.

To unravel the secrets that lie dormant in its darkest depths. And along the way, I aim to savor every experience, to embrace the joys and challenges of this demonic realm to their fullest.

Perhaps find that perfect balance where adventure meets the art of living. Because, what's the point of this life if you don't live it to the absolute fullest, right?"

She then leaned closer, a playful yet determined glint in her eyes. "And on a lighter note, I also intend to uncover one of the deepest secrets of the abyss: the essence of sublime beauty. I trust that the key to such arcane knowledge is waiting to be discovered as well. A little vanity project of mine," she confessed with a chuckle.

"After all, explorers of the abyss should look utterly enchanting while doing it, right?"

Caelum's initial surprise at her blend of overly ambitious exploration and whimsical personal goal gave way to laughter. "An explorer and a beauty aficionado," he remarked, clearly entertained by her dual aspirations. "You truly are a fascinating creature, little one."

"To reach the depths of the abyss, huh? Do you even know what that means, or are you too naive to recognize the gravity of such a quest yet?" His tone was teasing but underscored with a seriousness that hinted at the dangers and mysteries cloaked within their realm's darkest corners.

He leaned in slightly, his demeanor serious yet imbued with a sense of affinity. "If, in the next 100,000 years, you ascend to a high-rank demon, I might indeed consider taking you under my wing. But," he added, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of challenge and anticipation, " I suspect that you will find a way to surprise me much sooner."

"I'm glad I was dragged into the upper realm by Ignis; otherwise, I would have never met someone this intriguing." His words carried a weight of sincerity, acknowledging the serendipitous twist of fate that had led their paths to cross in such an unexpected manner.

Roxana felt a surge of determination mixed with a sense of camaraderie at Caelum's words. His challenge, though framed in jest, sparked a flame of ambition within her.

As their conversation drew to a close, Caelum's presence, which had filled the space with an aura of power and mystery, began to fade. "Now then, it's time to part ways, little one," he said, his voice carrying a blend of encouragement and expectation. "I expect great things from you." With those final words, he disappeared from where he was standing, leaving Roxana alone in the serene yet eerie silence of the glade.

As Caelum vanished with a promise of high expectations, Roxana was left standing alone, the echo of his words stirring a fiery determination within her.

She took a deep breath, the air filled with the electricity of potential and the sweet scent of the surrounding glade. "Great things, he expects? Well, I'll rise beyond expectations," she mused, a playful yet determined sparkle in her eye.

With a resolve as unyielding as the land beneath her feet, she added softly, "Watch me. This 'little one' will carve a path through the abyss that all demons will aspire to follow." Her words were a blend of determination and a touch of feminine defiance, ready to challenge the world.