The Martial God: Demonic Cultivator in a World of Magic [Isekai LitRPG]

We followed him into a familiar meeting room, the same grand room I had met Nebula in. The room was large, with tall windows that let in the afternoon light, casting long shadows across the polished floor. A heavy wooden table dominated the center, surrounded by chairs that had seen countless important conversations.

As soon as we were seated, my father wasted no time. “What happened in Lockdarn?” he asked, his tone leaving no room for evasion.

Sir Rashid and I exchanged a quick glance before I started recounting the events. 

I told him about the battle, about the Moon Wolf Tribe’s struggle against the Obsidian Vampires. I kept my voice steady as I spoke of the deaths, the devastation. So many people were gone, and the city was left in ruins. I also talked about Lilian. Her presence beside me was a silent reminder of the losses suffered. When he heard the stuff she had to go through, their expressions softened toward her. 

Among all that, he seemed pleased when he heard that Sir Carlos had stepped into the 5th Ascension. Although he was currently unconscious. He and Sir Lucas were brought back to Romer, and would receive adequate treatment until they regained their health.

Sir Rashid took over the conversation next. He talked about the stuff Amelia had told him, that the situation was a lot grander than what met eye eye. He went over the details of the fight he had heard, and who won and who were defeated.

My father listened intently, his face a mask of controlled emotion. He was more a politician than a warrior, and I could see the wheels turning in his mind as he processed the implications of everything. The deaths, the destruction—these weren’t just personal tragedies; they were political landmines.

“That's basically it,” Sir Rashid ended. “After hearing all this, I decided to bring the young master back as soon as possible to inform you, my lord. But I've kept most of the knights behind to support the city and its people. Those who left the city must be returning now, only to find it ruined.”

“Lockdarn is a key city,” he said, his voice heavy with the weight of responsibility. “The consequences of this battle will echo through the region. You have done well to leave the knights behind. We’ll need to provide aid to the survivors, rebuild the city, and ensure that the other Nobles understand the gravity of what happened.”

That's going to be expensive. Unfortunately, as the most powerful noble house nearby, the Romani County had to help out until the Imperial Family would give their official statement. Although that might not be a bad thing. We'll likely receive rewards from the Emperor, not counting the fame, so it'll do us good.

He paused, his gaze sharpening as it locked onto mine. “This was a hard-earned victory, but don’t let it get to your head, Iskandaar. No, it wasn't even your victory. You were lucky this time to survive. Next time, things won’t be so easy. You need to train more, strengthen yourself. Enemies of this level are everywhere. You wouldn't be lucky everytime. Grow stronger.”

I nodded, knowing he was right. I’d survived, but it had been a close thing. Too close. My father’s words were a harsh reminder that I couldn’t afford to rest on my laurels.

He stood up, signaling the end of the conversation. “Lead the girl to the head maid,” he instructed. 

“Tell her to come meet me later,” my mother added, her voice gentle but firm. “The head maid, I mean. I'll need to instruct her on how she should treat this child since she will accompany you to the Academy.”

She seemed excessively happy, saying the word academy. She hid her face with a hand fan. 

I remembered my father's grief when the Carlstein Baron asked him why I wouldn't be attending the academy, but now he was smiling. He too was happy, knowing I'd be attending the Academy.

“Yes mother,” I bowed and nodded.

“So it's true you got a [Class]? That means you've crossed the 2nd Ascension.” He worded it like a question, but when I opened my mouth, my father waved me away. “Never mind, go rest.”

Rubbing the back of my head, I walked out of the room. Lilian followed, awkwardly bowing to my parents as she stepped into the quieter hallways.

….

The air was cooler here, a welcome contrast to the tense atmosphere we’d just left behind. I took in a breath, enjoying the fragrance of the garden flowing through the windows.

I could feel Lilian’s eyes on me, her glances filled with suspicion and curiosity. “What?” I turned to her.

When she shrugged, I sighed inwardly, knowing what she must be thinking. Before she could say anything, I spoke again. “Don’t worry about what my father said,” I told her, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. “I don't play around with women… Er, I’ve changed my ways.”

It would be awkward if she heard the rumors about me, so I had to say I'd changed instead. She stared at me for a moment, clearly trying to decide whether to believe me or not. 

“....” I smiled, and she raised an eyebrow.

“...Fine,” she muttered. I could tell she wasn’t entirely convinced but for now, it would have to do.

With that, we continued walking down the hall, heading toward the head maid’s quarters. The day wasn’t over yet, neither for Lilian nor me. 

There was still plenty left to deal with. Such as looking around for ways to figure out my remaining lifespan.

****

Lilian didn't really have a choice when she was thrown to Iskandaar as his maid. She had no choice but to accept it since her grandmother marked him.

In simpler terms, Iskandaar was basically a part of her tribe now. Although it was annoying that she had to serve him as a maid, follow these useless noble customs and everything, she could get used to it.  Her tribe respected strength above ranks, even if she was the Princess, she didn't mind being the servant of a stronger person. That's just how it was. Even though he said his Level was lower than her, he was certainly stronger than her.

Her first impression of him wasn't that good, but she would blame the rumors around him for that. That bias was gone after she witnessed his strength. Plus, if her grandmother's theory on his identity was correct, he was a bag of opportunity.

Being around a person like him would be beneficial for her. She'd be able to level up faster, for sure; someone of his background was a trouble magnet, and trouble meant Levels. She loved Levels.

So she didn't mind following him around the entire day, wondering what he was up to. It wasn't as fun as she had hoped, unfortunately.

The city of Romer bustled with its energy; the streets were so active that it seemed alive with the sounds of merchants selling their wares, children playing, and the constant hum of everyday life. Lilian had lived in Lockdarn for a month, but her mind that was used to the forest-life still found all of this too loud.

And yet, as she followed Iskandaar, who moved through the crowd, she began to find the lively atmosphere strangely quiet. Her gaze was drawn to the young man in front of her, whose tense posture and persistent pace failed to hide the madness within him.

He definitely lied when he said he was not worried. What’s he hiding?

Someone of his strength and stature, what did he have to fear so much for?

Iskandaar didn’t look back at her, focused as they made their way through the winding alleys and crowded marketplaces. He seemed to be searching for something—something important, something that had him on edge. But he wasn’t saying what.

Lilian was patient and observed for the first few hours, but their silence lasted far too long. The anxiety she sensed in him was contagious; it began to fill her own mind with questions and concerns. She couldn't take it anymore, so she opened her mouth.

“What are you searching for, anyway?” she asked, breaking the silence between them. Unlike usual, her tone was soft. She did feel concerned seeing him like this, but no matter what, he was her tribe’s savior.

Iskandaar did not respond immediately. For a brief moment, she worried that he would completely ignore her. But then, without turning to face her, he said, "It's nothing. I, uh, I… just need to figure something out."

Yeah, it’s definitely something. Lilian thought with a frown at his ambiguous response. She decided not to press further for now. He doesn’t trust me yet… She could see the strain on his face, the way his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides as if he was barely holding himself together. She wanted to know what made him so worried, but he couldn’t trust her with it. It honestly pained her a little, but she could understand.

Whatever he was looking for was of utmost importance to him. 

They persisted in their search, traversing from one part of the city to another.

Iskandaar visited several locations—an old bookstore here, a potion shop there—but each time left frustrated because he couldn't find what he was looking for. Lilian followed quietly, her mind racing with uncertainty.

Lilian's keen ears picked up on the townspeople's whispers as they moved through Romer's busier areas. The city was filled with chatter, much of it directed at them. Or rather, at Iskandaar and the “new girl” trailing behind him.

“That’s the Romani heir, isn’t it? The one with the reputation?”

“Yeah, and look, he’s got another one with him. It’s a demi-human, no less… Poor thing. Even if she got sold as a slave, to be bought by someone like that… Tsk, tsk.”

“Another victim… Pity. You’d think a noble would know better, especially a Romani.”

Lilian's frown deepened as the whispers entered her ears. The judgment in their voices was obvious, they didn’t even try to hide it. Each of their words dripped with contempt for him and sympathy for her. 

It was not hard to figure out what they meant by "victim." The townspeople saw her as just another conquest for a noble with a trash reputation—a reputation that seemed to follow Iskandaar everywhere he went. It annoyed Lilian.

She glanced at him, wondering how much of what they said was true. Was he really as those rumors said he was? How bad was his past that people talked about him this way, despite his noble status? He didn’t even look bothered by it, too. He was used to it.

But when she looked at him, she didn’t see the man they described. Instead, she saw someone strong, enough to cleave the Vampiric Father in two, yet being so nervous. He was someone searching for answers, not for trouble. Lilian couldn’t trust those rumors.

His frustration was evident in the way he moved, his steps becoming more erratic as they went from one place to another without finding what he was looking for. The day wore on, and their search led them deeper into the city’s quieter quarters. That’s when they came across some people.

In a deserted alley, Iskandaar and Lilian finished talking with a couple. “...T-thank you, my lord,” The couple exchanged a glance as the husband said, bowing his head. “We appreciate your kindness. We’ll be going now!”

Iskandaar nodded and moved aside to let them pass. As they moved down the alley, he followed their retreating forms until they turned a corner and vanished from sight.

A small, bright smile tugged on the corners of his lips. For a brief moment, the heaviness that he had been hiding in his chest appeared to lift. He looked… peaceful. Lilian was glad, but sadly, it didn’t last long.

The couple's laughter faded into the background, and his smile too did the same. The weight of his concerns seemed to return as he leaned forward, pressing his forehead against the cool stone wall as if to find comfort in its unyielding solidity.

He let out a long, exhausted sigh, but his eyes held a glimmer of hope.

Lilian observed him silently. It was far too obvious by now that whatever was bothering him was eating him alive on the inside, so she decided to speak up again.

"Hey," she took a quiet step closer and placed a hand on his shoulder, gentle but firm. "It’s okay. You will find exactly what you are looking for. We will figure it out."

Iskandaar did not immediately lift his head. A moment later, he did and revealed a small smile. "I have. I think. We're getting close," he said calmly. "I think we've got some solid leads."

Lilian blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected to hear that, but she was happy. Seeing the glimmer of hope in his expression lifted some of her own tension. The weight that had been pressing down on them all day seemed to lighten just a bit.

The two of them stood there in the alley, the world outside continuing on without them as if they were caught in a moment of stillness. Lilian didn’t say anything more, nodding.