Ren knew that now wasn't the time to burden her with the complexities of his situation. They had a debt to repay, a world to explore, and a future to build together.

The revelation about his evolving condition would have to wait.

Evie's gaze still searching his eyes, appeared only partially convinced. Her concern was etched in the lines of her face, but she nodded slowly. "Are you sure?"

Ren's thumb gently traced circles on the back of her hand, his touch a soothing balm for her worries. "I'm sure," he assured her, his voice tender.

"My hair, well, it's probably just genetics, some quirk of my ancestry. The doctors couldn't explain it, but it didn't change anything. I'm fine now. In fact, I've never felt better in my life. And with you here by my side, I'm complete."

Ren's thoughts meandered in the labyrinth of his own contemplations when, suddenly, he felt a hand gracefully slip into his.

It was a touch that sent an unexpected shiver down his spine. Turning to his side, he found Elena, her lips slightly pursed, her expression somewhere between playful and demanding.

"Ren," she purred, her voice carrying a teasing note. "You're being unfair, you know. If we're going to share you, then you should distribute your affection equally."

Ren's heartbeat quickened as he felt the weight of Evie's gaze, a storm brewing beneath her calm exterior.

She leaned in, her voice soft but firm. "Elena, I'm the legal wife here. I have more right to Ren's affection."

Elena didn't back down. Her eyes met Evie's with an unwavering determination. "Legal wife or not, we both care for him deeply. There's enough room in his heart for both of us."

The two women exchanged pointed glances, and the tension in the air became palpable. They stood their ground, firm in their desires, locked in a silent but powerful battle for Ren's affections.

Caught in the crossfire, Ren felt like a leaf adrift in a tempestuous sea. The weight of their expectations bore down on him, and he found himself at a loss, unsure of how to navigate the treacherous waters of their emotions.

As they continued to argue, he remained trapped in the middle, a man torn between the affections of two amazing women, his heart a battlefield of conflicting desires.

If this was another, then they would surely rejoice, but Ren only had a headache.

Ren sensed the need to steer the conversation away from the brewing tension. He cleared his throat with a hint of awkwardness. "Let's all be civilized and discuss the mission at hand. This is not time to quarrel amongst ourselves."

The two women exchanged disdainful harrumphs, turning away from each other with arms crossed tightly, a silent sign of their disapproval.

It was clear that this journey would not be without its challenges. Ren couldn't help but wonder if he should have undertaken it alone.

Choosing to ignore the growing animosity between Elena and Evie, Ren decided to shift the focus. "To reach the Demon Realm, we must first trigger a series of events," he began, though he was acutely aware of his limited knowledge regarding this quest.

Nevertheless, he was determined to venture into the Demon Realm, retrieve the recipes from Vanadon-Necroth's lair, and commence crafting Very Rare to Legend Grade equipment and pay off Evie's debt.

Elena's demeanor shifted noticeably when the mission was brought up, a transformation from her earlier confrontational stance.

Evie, on the other hand, maintained her stoic composure but displayed a willingness to listen.

Ren delved into the details. "Our first objective is to unveil the true identity of the Emperor's Grand Advisor."

Elena, puzzled, sought clarification. "You mean Salister Kane, the right hand of the Emperor?"

Ren was mildly surprised by Elena's familiarity with the character. "You know about him?"

Elena nodded in confirmation. "Yes, he's a prominent figure in the human continent. I've met him on several occasions when the Emperor visited our realm for diplomatic purposes."

Curiosity piqued, Ren probed further. "Did you ever notice anything unusual about him?"

Elena, now deep in thought, answered with hesitation. "Hmm . . . nothing that I can recall. Salister Kane is known for his gentle, compassionate nature. He's kind-hearted, always eager to assist heroes in need."

Ren continued, providing insight into the man's character. "He moves and speaks deliberately, carefully considering his words and actions. In his free time, he serves as a priest at a small temple dedicated to a deity of good deeds and healing.

"But in reality, he's a devil in disguise that come from the Netherworld."

Elena's disbelief mirrored by Evie, who seemed entirely unfamiliar with the concept of friends and the netherworld.

In a composed manner, Ren continued to divulge the chilling truth. "Salister Kane is a guise, a kindly priest who conceals a sinister secret. Beneath that facade lies a malevolent entity named Solomon Krane. He's a friend, though not a particularly formidable one, banished from hell and finding refuge on the material plane."

The creased on Elena's forehead deepened. "Hell?"

Evie, still trying to piece things together, muttered, "A fiend?"

Ren nodded, his voice steady as he shared further details. "Indeed, he operates under various identities, each with its unique persona. His primary guise is Salister Kane. He meticulously alters everything about himself, from his mannerisms to his body language and hand gestures."

Elena's expression shifted from surprise to a more serious demeanor. "Hold on a moment. Are you suggesting that a being from the Netherworld has infiltrated this realm? But that's impossible. The netherworld is sealed off. No entity from the Demon Realm should have access to our world."

Ren's voice carried a heavy weight of certainty as he responded, "Yet this devil has managed to do so."

Elena absorbed what Ren said. "If what you say is true, then we must put an end to him. A being from the netherworld freely roaming in our realm is a dire threat."

She would have stood up to emphasize her point, but the reminder that they were currently traveling in a carriage caused her to reconsider.

"This cannot be ignored. We must act swiftly."