After returning to the inn, or rather the grounds of the inn, Lapis immediately unwrapped the bundle of flowers that Loren had carried, made a fire, assembled some equipment she had brought out from who-knew-where. After that, she did something incomprehensible: she began to shred and grind the flowers, then stuffed them into some kind of steaming liquid.

“It’s like an alchemy.”

Preparing the equipment, measuring the amount of ingredients to be added, and occasionally checking the progress while stirring, Lapis looked like an alchemist at work, just like Loren said.

“It really is.”

As Lapis answered while stirring the liquid in the pot, Gula, who was standing nearby, peeked into the pot with interest and sniffed at the steam rising from it.

“This… It’s HORRIBLE!!!”

Gula screamed loudly and rolled on the ground holding her nose. Ivy watched her thrashing on the ground with amusement and no intent to help her out.

Loren, on the other hand, began to stealthily move away from the pot, which seemed to be emitting a smell that would make even an Evil God squirm. Although the smell must be quite strong, it was not spreading to the surrounding area.

“It deteriorates quickly in the air and becomes odorless. Unless you smell it directly.”

Lapis smiled at Loren, who was wary of the smell.

Now that she had mentioned it, it occurred to Loren that Lapis, who was standing near the pot and stirring the liquid that seems to have a smell strong enough to make Gula roll around in agony, didn’t look affected at all.

“The combination of the liquid and the flowers is a special mixture. The recipe is a secret.”

Lapis said this with her index finger raised in front of her lips, but the fact that Loren still didn’t know what she was going to do with the liquid was a bit unsettling.

Regardless of Loren’s feelings, Lapis continued to carefully stir the contents of the pot. She occasionally added something powdery or solid to the liquid, then fanned the rising steam with her hand, took a whiff to sense the smell, added something else, then repeated.

Loren, who had changed his mind and decided that it would be better to leave the incomprehensible work to Lapis, decided to keep an eye on the surroundings for the time being until the work was finished.

The town of Suest was already quite strange, no matter how you looked at it. Not all the residents seemed to be crazy, but it was safe to assume that the majority of them were. As long as they didn’t know the cause of the problem, it was hard to know when it would happen to them, and this caused a sense of uneasiness. But since he couldn’t come up with a solution even if he thought about it, Loren pushed it out of his mind.

Putting that aside, he had no idea what kind of actions the residents of this town who had gone crazy would take, and he thought that vigilance would be necessary. But there was no one coming from outside the inn, nor was there anyone coming out of the inn.

Time slowly passed, and the sun slowly went down with a reddish tinge mixed with its light, which eventually changed into the colors of night.

Lapis continued her work in the meantime, and the two Evil Gods, perhaps having nothing in particular to do, walked around the area, watching her. With no hesitation, Gula stuck her head back into the steam rising from the pot, then rolled around on the ground.

“Seems like it’s a little earlier today.”

Ivy suddenly said these words as the sun was setting, the sky was darkening, and the stars were beginning to shine.

Loren looked at Ivy to see what she was talking about, and when he saw that Ivy’s gaze was directed towards the outside of the inn, he immediately synchronized his own vision with that of Shayna.

In the darkening night, with the vision of the King of Death that could see through a darkness that no human eye could see, Loren noticed that again, people were beginning to gather in the immediate vicinity of the inn’s grounds. Moreover, the group that had been only a dozen or so last time, had swelled to more than twice that number this time.

“Lapis, your work…”

“It’ll finish right away.”

Lapis overturned the pot and extinguished the fire by pouring the remaining liquid into it. The remnants of the bonfire made a sizzling sound and spat up a white smoke, making Gula, who had stuck her head into the smoke come out of it and flail around, then ran to get away from it in a hurry. But Lapis fanned the smoke away with her hand without a care and stamped out the remnants of the extinguished bonfire with her foot.

“Preparation’s done. We’re ready to go.”

“Good. Gula and Ivy, you come this time too.”

“Leave it to us.”

“Yes, we should come with you this time. Wait a moment, please. I’m going to seal the wagon.”

While Ivy was working on the wagon parked in the inn yard, Loren kept an eye on the group of people who had gathered and remained motionless.

“It’s eerie to see a group of expressionless people standing still, not moving.”

Lapis commented as she leaned in close to Loren, and Loren completely agreed.

As they continued to watch the scene, which could only be described as eerie, Ivy walked up to them without making a sound. It seemed like she had finished her work with the wagon.

“I’m done.”

“Ok. Then, when they start moving…”

Just as Loren was about to say, the group began to move.

They moved slowly, and Loren and his team also began to act. It looked like their destination was the sewer entrance on the west side again, judging from the direction.

“Let’s go.”

Giving a short command, he broke into a run, and the three girls also started running through the night streets after him.

Knowing roughly where they were going, they did not bother to follow the slow-moving group, but instead moved ahead of them to the west side near the sewer entrance.

Even if the group went down a different road on the way, they would not have to worry about losing sight of them because with Shayna’s ability to detect life essence they knew exactly where they were.

[‘It’s useful, isn’t it, onii-san? Wouldn’t you be sorry to let it go?’]

“Even if you leave me, all I have to do is ask you to do it and listen to the results, right?”

[‘But it’s the power of the King of Death that you can use with no risk.’]

“It’s not my power.”

Loren whispered to Shayna as their group hid near the entrance to the sewers.

Soon, they saw the group of people coming slowly toward the entrance of the sewers, their faces expressionless. Loren thought that they wouldn’t notice them in such a state, but he hid in the shadows and held his breath just in case.

Without regard for Loren’s team, the group headed straight for the entrance to the sewers, opened the door without hesitation, nor being overpowered by the stench that was coming out, they passed through the door with undeterred steps.

Loren’s team watched the last members of the group entering, after which then door closed, and only then emerged from the shadows where they had been hiding.

“Let’s follow.”

“Dun wanna…”

“Well, well, well, this time we’ve got a plan.”

Lapis said as she held something that looked like white pills in her hand.

Looking at the numerous pills, Gula concluded that they were probably the solution to deal with the stench that Lapis has been working on for half a day or so, but she didn’t know how they would work to make that stench more tolerable.

“Do we take them?”

“Do you want to?”

Gula frowned as her question was answered with another question, but Lapis was looking at the pills in her hand and not Gula’s reaction.

“I don’t recommend you take them, even though they are not poisonous.”

Lapis said this and clenched the pills in her hand, then suddenly buried her face in Loren’s back and put her arms around his waist. Loren was startled, but Lapis remained in the same position and said in a muffled voice.

>”Until they take effect, the stench will remain foul. This position is bearable for a while, so please lead the way.”< Not knowing what she planned to do but unable to object, he did not proceed. Instead, Loren walked to the front of the sewer entrance in the state he was in and opened the door. The stench that came out immediately made Lapis groan with her face still buried in Loren’s back. Gula, who inhaled it directly, covered her nose and mouth and made a not-very-elegant noise. Ivy, perhaps having thought of this from the beginning, covered her mouth with a cloth she had apparently prepared before Loren opened the door. But the smell was not something that could be prevented with just a cloth, and she covered the cloth with her hand. “Let’s go.” Loren was the only one who breathed in the stench properly without covering his nose and mouth. He had to keep his hands so that he could draw his greatsword if something happened. Naturally, he was overcome with an intense nausea, but he had experienced this smell once before, and it was not as if he had never smelled a similar odor on the battlefield. So he managed to hold back as he dragged Lapis down the stairs leading underground. When they eventually reached the bottom of the stairs, they came to a passageway leading to both sides of the sewer canal Loren had seen before, and he looked around with the vision he had borrowed from Shayna. Although there must have been a large number of people going down the stairs, by the time Loren’s group arrived, they could no longer see any figures. As Loren wondered where in the world they had hidden so many people in such a short time, Lapis, who had been fumbling with something, picked up one of the white pills she had just shown Loren and the others and threw it in the general direction of the center of the waterway. Bouncing once on the floor of the passageway, the pill fell with a splashing sound into the sewage that filled the canal, and was soon swallowed by the murky water and lost sight of it. “What’s going on?” Loren asked Lapis, who had once again hugged Loren tightly around the waist and pressed her face against his back after throwing the pill. But before she could answer, the water around where the pill had fallen began to foam violently. Loren was prepared for something to appear out of the sewage, but even with the help of Shayna’s vision, there was no sign of life in the sewage. Loren wondered what in the world was bubbling up, then blinked as he suddenly noticed that the unbearable smell had faded. “Oh? The smell changed?” Gula, who was holding her mouth and throat in a rather bad manner, released her hand and sniffed the air. Next to her, Ivy, who had been pressing a cloth over her mouth tightly, also released her hand and looked around with a curious expression. “Looks like it worked.” The stench of the drainage had faded, and a faint but flowery aroma had begun to waft through the air instead. Perhaps confirming this, Lapis released the arms around Loren’s waist and lifted the face that had been buried in his back. “The pills react with a certain amount of water to produce a gas. The gas generated reacts with the foul odor of sewage and turns it into a flowery fragrance.” “Amazing.” “The problem is, it can only change the stench to a limited extent, and it cannot change all the odors that the sewage is giving off. Over time, the effect wears off and the stench returns.” From what Loren understood, the pills changed an unbearable stench into a tolerable stench with a subtle floral fragrance. The effective range of the gas emitted by each pill was limited, so the pills had to be spread from place to place, and their effects were not permanent. “It’s still a big improvement. This is tolerable. It’s about as uncomfortable as walking in a toilet.” “The pills are originally used in the toilets of our country’s remote areas. It also has disinfecting and insecticide effects.” Sewage attracted worms, and could itself be a cause of disease. The technology to prevent such things seems to have existed among the demon race, and Lapis was able to use it to explore this sewage system. “I wonder if this kind of technology will ever leak out.” “I don’t think it will be possible. As long as humans still detest us demons, at least. It’s not anyone’s fault, though.” The reason why the human race and other races avoided the demons was because of their evil deeds. However, according to Lapis, not all demons were evil, but there was no way for Loren to know if the perception would ever change. In addition, Loren found it a bit difficult to answer the question of which side was worse, the demon race that harbored those who created the reason for the hate, or the human race that continued to hate an entire race just because they were demons. “I can tell you in secret if you want, Loren. After all, you are a human who doesn’t hate me.” It wasn’t clear whether Lapis knew of Loren’s thoughts or not, but she said this with a smile. [/agentsw] [agentsw ua='mb']

Best Cheap Dental Insurance No Waiting Period in Georgia for New Homeowners With Cheap Rates

When I work with new homeowners in Georgia, one of the most common financial mistakes I see is people focusing entirely on mortgage costs while ignoring affordable dental coverage. I have helped families throughout Georgia lower their out-of-pocket dental expenses by hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year simply by choosing the right no waiting period dental insurance plan. In my experience, many homeowners assume dental insurance is either too expensive or too restrictive, but that is no longer true in 2025 and 2026. Several insurance carriers now offer affordable monthly premiums, immediate preventive coverage, and strong benefits for basic services without forcing policyholders to wait six to twelve months. I have personally reviewed dozens of dental plans for clients buying homes in Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, Augusta, and smaller Georgia towns, and I consistently find that inexpensive policies can still deliver excellent value. The key is understanding which plans truly offer no waiting periods and which ones only advertise limited immediate benefits.

I always explain to homeowners that buying a house often creates new financial pressure because people suddenly have property taxes, repairs, insurance, and moving costs hitting them all at once. Dental insurance becomes especially important during this transition because many families delay preventive care to save money, which usually leads to larger dental bills later. I have seen Georgia homeowners postpone cleanings for a year only to end up needing root canals or crowns that cost several thousand dollars. A low-cost dental plan with no waiting period can help prevent these situations while keeping monthly costs manageable. In my experience, homeowners who secure dental insurance early after purchasing a property tend to spend less overall on healthcare. That is why I recommend comparing affordable plans immediately after closing on a home instead of waiting until dental problems appear.

Why No Waiting Period Dental Insurance Matters for Georgia Homeowners

I have worked with many clients who were shocked to learn that traditional dental insurance often delays coverage for major services. Some plans require six months before fillings are covered and twelve months before crowns, dentures, or root canals qualify for benefits. For new homeowners dealing with tight budgets, this can create a serious problem because dental emergencies do not wait for insurance timelines. In Georgia, I regularly see clients searching specifically for immediate coverage because they already know they need treatment soon after moving into a new home. No waiting period plans are valuable because they allow faster access to benefits while protecting household savings. In my experience, the best plans balance affordable premiums with strong immediate preventive and diagnostic coverage.

I also find that Georgia homeowners appreciate predictable healthcare costs during their first year of homeownership. Mortgage payments already create enough uncertainty, especially when homeowners are adjusting to maintenance expenses and utility bills. Dental insurance with no waiting period gives families confidence because they know preventive visits and many basic procedures can be handled quickly. I have seen clients avoid taking on credit card debt simply because they purchased affordable dental insurance before a dental emergency happened. The peace of mind that comes from immediate access to dentists is something many first-time homeowners underestimate. In my experience, this type of coverage is especially important for households with children because pediatric dental issues often appear unexpectedly.

Average Cost of Cheap Dental Insurance in Georgia for 2025–2026

I spend a lot of time comparing monthly premiums because affordability matters tremendously for homeowners trying to stay within budget. In Georgia, dental insurance rates remain relatively competitive compared to many other states in 2025 and early 2026. I have noticed that preventive-focused PPO plans usually cost between $18 and $42 monthly for individuals depending on deductible levels and provider networks. Family plans often range from $48 to $125 monthly depending on orthodontic benefits and annual maximums. Plans with no waiting periods generally cost slightly more, but many still remain affordable for middle-income households. In my experience, the difference between a cheap low-value plan and a cheap high-value plan usually comes down to annual maximums and coinsurance percentages.

I tell homeowners that the cheapest premium is not always the best financial decision. Some low-cost policies advertise affordable monthly rates but cap benefits so low that they barely help during major procedures. I have reviewed plans where the annual maximum was only $750, which can disappear after a single crown procedure. In contrast, a slightly more expensive policy with a $2,000 annual maximum may save far more money over time. In my experience, homeowners benefit most from plans that cover preventive services at 100% immediately and basic procedures at around 70% to 80% without waiting periods. That combination creates meaningful protection without forcing households into high monthly expenses.

Best Cheap Dental Insurance Companies With No Waiting Period in Georgia

I regularly compare dental carriers operating across Georgia, and several companies consistently stand out for affordability and immediate benefits. In my experience, the strongest options usually include large PPO networks because homeowners want flexibility when selecting nearby dentists. I have helped clients compare plans from Ameritas, Spirit Dental, Humana, Delta Dental, and UnitedHealthcare, among others. Each company offers different strengths depending on whether the homeowner prioritizes low monthly premiums, large annual maximums, or immediate major coverage. The important thing is understanding how the plan actually works after enrollment. I always advise homeowners to review coinsurance levels carefully because those percentages heavily influence out-of-pocket costs.

Spirit Dental remains one of the most popular choices I recommend when clients specifically want no waiting periods for major services. I have seen this carrier help Georgia homeowners save substantial amounts on crowns and root canals immediately after enrollment. Humana also performs well in Georgia because it offers broad network access and relatively affordable family plans. Delta Dental remains trusted for preventive care and provider availability, especially in suburban areas around Atlanta and Augusta. Ameritas is another carrier I often discuss because of its strong PPO flexibility and competitive annual maximums. In my experience, homeowners who compare at least three carriers before enrolling usually end up with significantly better value.

How I Help New Homeowners Find the Cheapest Rates

When I advise new homeowners in Georgia, I focus heavily on balancing monthly affordability with realistic dental needs. Many people initially choose the absolute lowest premium without considering whether the policy actually covers expected treatment. I usually start by asking clients whether they anticipate needing fillings, crowns, dentures, or orthodontic work within the next year. If someone already knows they need major procedures, I recommend prioritizing no waiting periods even if the premium is slightly higher. In my experience, paying an extra ten to fifteen dollars monthly often saves hundreds in treatment costs very quickly. Homeowners should think about total yearly spending rather than just monthly premium amounts.

I also encourage homeowners to verify whether their preferred dentist participates in the insurance network. One of the biggest frustrations I see is people discovering after enrollment that their local dentist is out of network. Georgia has strong PPO participation overall, but networks still vary considerably between carriers. I have helped clients save significant money simply by switching to a nearby in-network provider. Many homeowners do not realize that out-of-network billing can dramatically increase costs even when they technically have insurance. In my experience, network verification is one of the most important steps in choosing a dental policy.

Real-Life Example of a Georgia Homeowner Saving Money

I recently worked with a couple in Savannah who had just purchased their first home and wanted affordable dental insurance with immediate coverage. They were already dealing with moving expenses, appliance repairs, and rising homeowners insurance premiums, so keeping healthcare costs low was extremely important. The husband needed a crown replacement within two months of moving, and they were worried about paying the full cost out of pocket. I helped them compare several no waiting period PPO plans before they selected a policy costing approximately $79 monthly for family coverage. The plan covered preventive services immediately and paid 50% toward major work from day one. In the end, the insurance reduced their crown expense by more than $900 during their first year of coverage.

What stood out most to me was how relieved they felt after avoiding additional debt during their first months of homeownership. Many families underestimate how quickly home expenses can accumulate after closing on a property. By choosing a dental policy with immediate benefits, they protected their emergency savings instead of draining it for healthcare costs. I have seen similar outcomes repeatedly among Georgia homeowners who prioritize smart insurance planning early. Preventive cleanings for their children were also fully covered, which encouraged regular dental visits throughout the year. In my experience, this type of proactive approach creates long-term financial stability for homeowners.

Dental Discount Plans Versus Traditional Insurance

I often discuss dental discount plans with homeowners because they can provide another low-cost option for people focused strictly on affordability. Discount plans are not technically insurance, but they negotiate reduced rates with participating dentists. In Georgia, I have seen discount memberships cost as little as twelve dollars monthly for individuals. These plans typically eliminate waiting periods entirely because members pay reduced cash prices instead of relying on traditional insurance reimbursements. For healthy individuals needing mostly preventive care, discount programs can work surprisingly well. However, in my experience, they are less effective for households expecting expensive procedures like implants or extensive restorative treatment.

Traditional insurance usually provides stronger financial protection for major dental work because it shares treatment costs through coinsurance. I explain to homeowners that a discount plan may reduce a crown from $1,500 to $1,050, while insurance could potentially reduce the same procedure to only a few hundred dollars depending on coverage levels. Families with children generally benefit more from comprehensive PPO insurance because pediatric dental needs can become expensive quickly. On the other hand, younger homeowners without dependents sometimes prefer discount plans to minimize monthly expenses. In my experience, the best choice depends heavily on anticipated dental usage during the next twelve to twenty-four months. Understanding expected treatment needs is essential before choosing between these two approaches.

Important Features I Always Recommend in Dental Insurance Plans

When reviewing policies for Georgia homeowners, I consistently focus on several features that determine long-term value. Immediate preventive coverage is absolutely essential because regular cleanings and exams help avoid larger expenses later. I also pay close attention to annual maximums because low caps can severely limit the usefulness of coverage. PPO flexibility matters as well since homeowners often prefer having access to multiple nearby dentists. In my experience, plans with increasing annual maximums after the first year can provide excellent long-term value for families. I also recommend checking whether missing tooth clauses apply because some policies restrict implant or bridge coverage under certain conditions.

Another factor I discuss frequently is the deductible structure. Some homeowners assume a lower premium automatically means better savings, but high deductibles can offset those monthly reductions very quickly. I have reviewed policies where preventive services were covered immediately but basic treatment still required large out-of-pocket payments before insurance contributed. Understanding coinsurance percentages is equally important because they determine how treatment costs are shared. In my experience, homeowners should avoid plans that cover less than 50% of major procedures unless the premium savings are extremely substantial. A balanced plan typically delivers stronger overall value during unexpected dental situations.

How Georgia’s Dental Costs Are Changing in 2025 and 2026

I have observed steady increases in dental treatment pricing across Georgia during the last several years, especially in larger metro areas. Routine cleanings remain relatively affordable, but crowns, implants, and root canals have become considerably more expensive. In Atlanta suburbs, I regularly see crown procedures exceeding $1,400 and root canals costing over $1,200 before insurance. These rising treatment expenses are one reason more homeowners are prioritizing dental coverage immediately after purchasing homes. Even moderate dental work can strain budgets when combined with mortgage payments and rising living costs. In my experience, homeowners who lock in affordable coverage early are better protected against future treatment inflation.

I also notice that many Georgia homeowners are becoming more proactive about preventive care because they understand how expensive delayed treatment can become. Insurance carriers are responding by expanding preventive benefits and increasing tele-dentistry options for consultations. Some plans now include enhanced wellness incentives that reward regular cleanings and annual exams. In my experience, these newer features make dental insurance more attractive and practical for younger homeowners. Affordable access to preventive care can significantly reduce long-term treatment costs while improving overall health. That combination is especially valuable during the financially demanding early years of homeownership.

Common Mistakes New Homeowners Make With Dental Insurance

I frequently see homeowners enroll in coverage too quickly without carefully reviewing exclusions and waiting periods. Marketing advertisements often emphasize low monthly rates while hiding restrictions in the fine print. I have worked with clients who believed they had immediate crown coverage only to discover a twelve-month waiting period after enrolling. Another common mistake involves ignoring annual maximum limits entirely. Some inexpensive policies appear attractive initially but provide so little yearly coverage that they barely help during major dental situations. In my experience, understanding policy details before enrollment is critical for avoiding disappointment later.

I also notice many homeowners underestimate how important preventive visits really are. Some people skip cleanings because they want to save money during their first year in a new house. Unfortunately, this decision often creates larger dental problems later that become far more expensive. I have helped clients who avoided two hundred dollars in preventive care only to face thousands in restorative treatment later. Dental insurance works best when homeowners actively use their preventive benefits instead of ignoring them. In my experience, regular exams and cleanings consistently reduce overall healthcare spending over time.

Conclusion

I believe affordable dental insurance with no waiting period is one of the smartest investments new homeowners in Georgia can make during 2025 and 2026. Buying a home already creates enough financial pressure without adding unexpected dental bills to the equation. I have helped many Georgia families secure inexpensive plans that provided immediate preventive care, reduced treatment costs, and protected emergency savings during their transition into homeownership. The best policies are not always the cheapest premiums, but rather the ones that balance affordability with strong immediate benefits and realistic annual maximums. In my experience, homeowners who compare networks, waiting periods, and coverage percentages carefully end up saving significantly more money over time. Dental insurance may seem like a small part of a household budget, but the right plan can create substantial financial stability and peace of mind during the important first years of owning a home.