The next day, the siblings donated the mansion and its remaining contents to the village—an apology for all the months of torment under Goldtooth.
The villagers accepted reluctantly. No gift could ever erase the past, but it was something.
Rowan saw Runa off at the nearest hover-train station in the next city over. The train would carry her to a magic academy in a distant city—far from their old life, far from rumors, and free from their old life.
He held her tightly. "It's only for a little while."
"You better keep your promise." she demanded.
"I will. Make sure to study hard."
"I will. I love you, big bro."
"I love you too, little sis."
With tears in their eyes, the siblings parted. Runa boarded, and the train vanished in a whisper of supersonic speed. For the first time since her birth, Runa was separated from her brother.
Rowan turned to the petite girl. "So, how do we get to the capital city?"
"Since you can't use magic like your sister, we'll use other means."
So, she knows. Rowan swallowed. She must be a powerful mage.
Indeed, Rowan hadn't told the girl about Runa's magic—only mentioned the academy. Yet she had seen it instantly. Furthermore, she noticed that only Runa was capable of using magic. Given that, Rowan concluded that the girl was a very capable mage.
"Wait," Rowan murmured. "Other means?"
The petite girl extended her arm. Dark violet mana coalesced, sharp and cold. A massive pterodactyl materialized—leathery wings, razor beak, eyes like burning coals.
Rowan stumbled back. "A monster!"
"Calm down, it's just my summon." she said calmly. "Now, get on. We need to gain altitude before anyone sees us."
I've never seen a human use mana like this. It's dark, unlike Runa's which is light in color.
Rowan contemplated for a moment.
Does this mean...?
His body trembled slightly at a sudden realization.
What have I gotten myself into?
He quickly shook his head in dismissal, not wanting to think further on the matter.
No, it's too late for that now. I just have to finish this, earn some more money while I'm at it, and return to Runa. I'm sure the Hero can solve whatever is happening. he reasoned, letting the thoughts disappear from his mind.
Rowan hesitated for a moment, then climbed aboard. The creature launched skyward, vanishing into the clouds.
"Hold on." the petite girl suggested.
Even her body feels cold. He thought, his arm wrapped around the petit girl's waist.
It flew faster than a natural beast, streaking toward Divinia, capital of the Holy Country and home of the Sacred Church.
High above, a dark female silhouette kept perfect pace with them, gliding parallel, unseen and unfelt by the girl, the man, or even the summoned beast.
I'm excited to see what will happen when these two meet up. I wonder what kind of interaction they'll have. Will they fight? Will they become allies? Just how will things play out? ... Uhh... Never mind I guess.
—A while later—
The summoned pterodactyl dissolved into motes of dark violet light on the city's outskirts.
Rowan and the girl slipped through Divinia's bustling streets, heading straight for the towering silhouette that dominated the skyline. Remnants of a festival were present around a small portion of the city as they walked
"There it is," Rowan murmured, awestruck. "The Sacred Church… in all its glory."
The petite girl said nothing. Her expression remained blank as she strode forward. Rowan hurried to keep pace.
"Wait," he hissed, voice low and slick with nerves. "I know you're in charge and all, but please let me do the talking. You… don't exactly have a way with words."
"Alright." She complied.
They stepped into the vast nave.
A flat-chested young woman knelt before a faceless golden statue, dressed in flowing white robes, with a golden blindfold covering her eyes.
Long golden hair cascaded down her back, and her skin glowed with an almost unearthly softness. Even blindfolded, her beauty was arresting.
"Please, take a seat." she said without turning, her voice calm and melodic.
The female silhouette rushed to examine the girl with interest.
Who's this?! She looks familiar somehow... I see, she has the blessing of foresight. I remember giving that to a man once, perhaps she's a descendent of said man.
It doesn't seem like she's made full use of her abilities though... Then again, maybe she will when the chaos begins. Guess I'll see soon enough.
They waited in silence while she finished her prayer. When she finally rose and approached, the blindfold remained firmly in place.
"Forgive my manners," she said gently. "It was time for prayer."
"No—forgive us for interrupting you." Rowan replied, bowing slightly.
She offered a radiant smile that seemed to light the entire chamber. "I am Saint Cecilia. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Rowan blinked, momentarily thrown. "Right… I'm Rowan. And this is—"
"I'm looking for the Hero." the girl cut in flatly.
Rowan slapped a hand to his forehead and groaned under his breath. Great. Why did I think this would go smoothly?
Cecilia tilted her head. "The Hero? Why do you seek him?"
The petite girl answered without hesitation. "I want to help him fight the Demon King."
Both Rowan and Cecilia froze.
The comment had come with no warning, and worst of all, it was said so casually that one would think it was declaration made by a child who didn't know any better.
"What?!" both said in unison.
The girl explained—calmly, matter-of-factly. Apparently, she had once served the Demon King, but she had defected. She now wished to aid the side fighting against him.
She didn't provide any reasons as to why she chose to switch sides, but the two listeners just thought of it as something personal or internal problems going on in the demon territory.
Of course, they had their suspicions on whether the story was true or not.
Mid-explaination, the petite girl's gaze flicked briefly towards one of the massive pillars lining the nave—barely a glance, before returning to Cecilia and Rowan.
Rowan's stomach twisted. So it's true, huh? It is a demon. Guess that explains how it's able to use dark magic.
With the amount of dark mana emanating from it, I figured that it wouldn't have been a human. Cecilia mused internally.
—A short time earlier—
In a small, windowless room lit only by the eerie crimson glow of a man's hair, two figures spoke in hushed tones.
"What will you do about the Hero, sir Ignis?" the woman asked. She was clad head to toe in black, her face obscured except for her ruby-red eyes ringed with dark eyeliner.
"I need to reach him," Ignis said, seated in the room's only chair. "somehow... "
"But how?"
"I'm working on a plan—!!" He stiffened suddenly. "A demon is here. A powerful one at that."
The woman's eyes widened. "Are you certain?"
"This presence is unmistakable." His voice hardened. But why here of all places? And why now?
Demons rarely dared approach Divinia. The capital was saturated with priests, and its wards and holy presence made it the single most dangerous place in human territory for their kind.
No demon survived longer than an hour within its borders—and they had known that for centuries. Because of that, Divinia was now known as the safest place on the planet, for humans at least.
"Let me eliminate it." she said, her fingers tightening around a dagger.
"No, not yet." Ignis's eyes narrowed with calculation. "I have an idea. Investigate it and report back to me the moment you learn anything."
"Understood." She inclined her head and vanished in a swirl of red smoke.
—Back in the Sacred Church—
Cecilia listened to the demon girl's story in silence, then spoke carefully.
"I understand what you're claiming. But I have no reason to trust the words of a demon." her tone was soft and calm—which was surprising given the being she was talking to.
"Understandable," the demon girl replied evenly. "I am a demon after all. That said, if I were still loyal to the Demon King, would I walk into the one place guaranteed to destroy my kind? Would I not bring an army to raze this church instead? Why confess my identity to the Saint herself?"
Cecilia hesitated. "When you phrase it that way… it doesn't add up. That said, why come straight to the Sacred Church? Why not go to the priests and explain the situation to them?"
"Meeting the Hero was my priority. I assumed he would inform the council once everything was arranged—quietly, avoiding any public attention."
Makes sense. If the public knew that a demon was walking among them, they would panic. "I see. If what you say is indeed true, then perhaps it was for the better." Cecilia murmured.
"Why's that?" Rowan asked.
"The priests would have killed you on sight," Cecilia said. "No questions asked. Not after what the demons did to Divinia centuries ago. That's been their standing order ever since."
Rowan shifted. "Meaning…"
"Meeting the priests would have been suicide." Cecilia finished. "Regardless of its intentions, or who its supposedly siding with."
Rowan exhaled. "Then what happens now?"
No visions came to me about this demon. Without any visions, I have to rely solely on my instincts and logical thinking.
Cecilia was quiet for a long moment.
Maybe this has to do with the real reason he came back...
Finally—after contemplating, she spoke.
"I will choose to believe you—for now. I'll tell you what I know of the Hero. But understand this, the final decision belongs to him. If he accepts you as an ally, I will honor that. But if he names you an enemy, he will end you without hesitation. That is why I'm speaking in the first place."
"Thank you, Saint Cecilia." Rowan added earnestly.
I still can't tell what its intentions are but, I guess I was never really good at that... right, brother? she though before speaking. "Unfortunately for you two, the Hero has already left Divinia."
"Do you have any idea where he's going?" the demon girl asked.
"No. No one knows. He never told me where he was going, only why." Cecilia stated.
"Do you mind telling us?" Rowan pleaded.
"He said that he's searching for allies to help him fight the Demon King."
"I see." the demon girl spoke. "Thank you." she added, her tone flat.
Cecilia's blindfolded gaze turned toward him. "One question. Why is a human traveling with a demon?"
Rowan gave a small, rueful smile. "Believe it or not, that demon saved my life—and my little sister's. If not for that demon, we'd still be trapped under a monster of a man. I'm not saying that I'm a good guy, or that I would've been one if not been for said man... but, maybe now things will start going well for me and my sister, even if only a little."
"Is that so...?"
"More importantly, if not for that demon, my sister would still be suffering a life she never asked for… all because I once stole a food inventory that belonged to someone dangerous."
"I understand."
"So, I'm repaying a debt. It's as simple as that."
Cecilia's expression softened. "Then I'm glad your lives have improved."
Rowan glanced toward the exit—the demon girl was already walking away. "I should go. Thank you again."
"Please," Cecilia called after him, "keep this matter confidential. The Hero's mission is delicate. We cannot allow word to reach demon ears."
"Understood."
Rowan hurried after the demon girl. They slipped into a narrow alley behind the church.
"So… what now?" he asked.
"If the Hero is gathering allies," she said, "that makes things simpler."
"Meaning…?"
"I think I know where to go next. But first—" Her voice sharpened. "You can come out now."
What? Rowan thought in confusion.
Red smoke coalesced. A woman in full black emerged—face hidden, with only ruby eyes visible.
Rowan dropped into a fighting stance. "Who are you?!"
"My master wishes to speak with you, demon." the woman dressed in black said to the demon girl.
"How did you—" Rowan began.
The demon girl raised a hand, silencing him instantly.
"I'll go." she said.
The woman enveloped all three in swirling red smoke, and they vanished.
Just moments earlier, behind one of the church's pillars, the same woman lay hidden in the shadows, relaying silently to Ignis.
[Sir Ignis.]
[What's the report?]
[I've located the demon.]
[Where is it?]
[Inside the Sacred Church. It took the form of a teenage girl. Probably to use for infiltration.]
[Disgusting creature.]
[There's more.]
[Speak.]
[The demon claims it wants to aid the Hero in fighting against the Demon King.]
[The Demon King? Why?]
[It says it has switched sides.]
[…]
[It's obviously lying. Let me kill—] She faltered.
[What is it? What's wrong?]
[I don't know how, but… it sees me.] she reported, slightly trembling.
[What?! What do you mean?]
[It's... looking directly at me.]
Ignis's mental voice turned cold and calculating. [This might be something useful. Bring me that demon.]
[You can't be serious?!]
[Hurry, before it escapes!]
[... Understood.]
And so, was the sequence of events that led the three of them to vanish together into the smoke, bound for whatever trap, bargain, or reckoning that awaited ahead.
The female silhouette was just left there, the woman in the black cloth was unable to transport it with her as she didn't know of its existence.
The people of this city seem far more interesting than the ones from that previous village. That said, there's not really all that much happening here as well. Oh right, guess I should follow after the ones that vanished just now.
With a flicker of impatience, the female silhouette teleported directly to their exact location, unwilling to risk missing even a single interesting second.