The Attack!

Not long after splitting into groups, Alice took control of the six demon knights and headed to the western path. She gazed back at her black horse, looking at Vinea, Ciela and Sariel, who sat on the back of Ciela's steed.

Alice couldn't help but narrow her red eyes and curled her lips into a slight grin. Then she turned back to the front as they moved through the forest at a slow trot.

'Vinea will be our vanguard if anything goes wrong.'

'Meanwhile Ciela's archery will save us if we can avoid an ambush.'

"Demon Knights, secure the area and hunt small prey. Vinea, Ciela support the troops, and Sariel please come with me." 

A thick scent of flowers filled her chest as the short woman took a deep breath. Alice felt a sense of excitement remembering the times she trained with Asmodeus in the Inukami forest. Yet a feeling of doubt lingered after Asmodeus's warning. 

'Will we be attacked... by who? I hope it's not the pope.'