21 A Seer's Blessing

"A Home.... I wish you luck, wanderer. Even if your endeavor is near impossible." The mistress says, presumably very used to dampen the hopes and dreams of those around.

"Well, it seems it's true you know more than expected. So I'll be asking some questions. To make sure I can learn what I need." The reincarnate ignore thy unsympathetic response of the blindfolded and hooded woman.

"What information do you need?"

"You seem capable enough to go outside. Yet, Randyl talks as if he's the only one capable of doing that. Why is that?"

"This is the city of Lucille's Light and created by the goddess who blinded the one who defeated her." The mistress points to her blindfold as she explains. "Blindness is especially looked down upon, here. Neither the church nor brutes will leave me be."

"This place has a church?" The reincarnated asks immediately, truly taken by surprise that creatures such as demons and devils would have such a thing. he himself had not gone to many according to the vague dreams that sometime still appear. Yet for some reason the feeling of a wet forehead and a damp touch appear.

"Yes, it's more of an oppressive institution than a religious community. It after all only came to be after Luciel's demise." She says with her typical soft tone. Yet I could hear her tone get a little bitter. "It does not share the practices of your memories."

"My memories? What do you mean?"

"We can discuss such things later."

"So how does the church even exist, then?" The reincarnate complies with the mistress's wish. Ignoring his own urgency as the risk of losing this source of information would be too great.

"The church has taken over the authority that Luciel once had. Shared with the other pillars, but they still have authority nonetheless. Besides the church can still use the holy power of Luciel and name those it deems worthy. A sign of strength and honor for those who do receive it and a good shield to use when in conflict."

"Would that be something I should strive for?"

"I would even say it's necessary for your goal." She immediately answers before continuing. "If your goal is finding this new home.... Well, Appolyian will not hold it. Apart from Lucille's Light there's not much to satisfy one as yourself. In that case I would guess that you will have to cross to Genesias. It's the church that is closely associated with those in research of that."

"How should I go about gaining this blessing?"

"Become prominent in the arenas of the blood district. If you could show them that you're a strong demon yet named. Then they could be very interested in what you could achieve." The mistress looks the reincarnate up and down. A rather odd sight as the blindfold did not hide the intent. "Currently your chances are slim." She adds realizing she's been caught.

The reincarnate stops and thinks about the advice given to him. The blindfolfded woman could be deceiving him, using him for her own gain. However, that does not change the fact that she knows about him. Who he is and eventually what he wants. Combine that with her other knowledge, she could be invaluable. And whilst there were no guarantees that Genesias will be any different. This place has already guaranteed to be not the place he searches. To worry each day for his life, to struggle endlessly.

"We should probably end our conversation here. You have a lot to think about. Let me give you a gift. For your patience with Randyl." The mistress says as she beckons the reincarnate closer. He wordlessly complies as if entranced by her wish and will.

"I'm sorry for this inconvenience." The mistress says as she leans over and grants a short kiss on the humanoid shade demon's forehead. The reincarnate flinches, confused by the sudden act. He had expected a spell or something else resembling the dark horror of this place. "It should with your dreams. Whilst lessening them also making them clearer." The mistress says as she sees that the reincarnate is too busy being confused to properly question the act. The reincarnate still unsure about what just happened bashes away with heated cheek and a blushed face.

"You should question more. It's never sight that limits the vision, it's unclarity." The mistress says before she stands up and opens the door where Randyl was cooking. As she opens the door, the imp falls. Clearly listening to their conversation.

"What's your name? I'm guessing this won't be the last time." The reincarnate asks as he keeps his gaze on the retreating figure. The mistress stops for the first time in their conversation truly doubting if she should reply.

"If you wish. It's Leilaya. But there's no need to remember it." the mistress called Leilaya responds carefully choosing her words.

"I knew that great sir would get my mistress's approval. Randyl is very excited about all the things great sir will do." The imp intervenes in the conversation, his palpable excitement and boyish excitement breaking the tense silence. The reincarnate gaze shifts between the imp who's hanging on his leg and the figure of the woman that quickly disappeared.

"You say that as if the reason for you bringing me here wasn't the threat to murder you." The reincarnate says as he softly dislodges the imp from his body and walks out of the small house. The imp follows and even more obnoxiously begins to wave. Outside of the house he looks back once at the imp.

'Why is he so happy?' The reincarnate wonders. Was it that delightful to have forcefully helped someone who was threatening to kill you? Or does Randyl not understand? 'Is he too young to understand? How old is he anyway?' The reincarnate could not help but wonder as he walks away returning to the tavern. He pulls out the card and twirls it, hoping that atleast this will bring him closer to his goal.