18: The conversation

“Was it really necessary to knock her out?” Nao watched Lady Karin with a weary look. The red-haired lady seemed far too relaxed and had one of her hands play with Maria’s hair.

“Of course. Rest is very important after such an intense activity. It would not do for the oracle to faint due to lack of rest on her journey” Lady Karin replied with a cheerful voice but her eyes held darkness to them.

Nao gulped her nervousness down as she faced the devil. Lady Karin had far surpassed the rank of a demon and was now one of the most dangerous creatures alive. It would not be a good idea to anger her.

“But still, there was no need to use magic. Do you wish to keep Lady Maria here forever? She is not his highness” Nao gathered her courage to speak those last words.

She did not get a chance to dodge the shadows being aimed at her and felt the wind being knocked out of her by the impact.

Blood escaped the demon’s mouth and her ribs ached at the familiar feeling of the injury. Nao looked up toward Lady Maria and had a smile on her face.

“Now now, don’t be like that. Of course, Maria is not my beloved since she’s a girl after all. Not that I mind her or anything. Maria’s just as lovely as my beloved and looks like her too. Maybe I will keep her after all ~” Lady Karin replied in a teasing voice.

Nao’s panicked expression caused a laugh to bubble itself out of the red-headed lady.

“Don’t worry dear pet of my nemesis. I am not foolish enough to keep the oracle here. Not with that witch looking for her as well. I had my fill and I do intend to keep my promise as well. I just need a moment” Nao watched it all pour out of Lady Karin’s mouth.

It did surprise Nao. The hesitation in Lady Karin’s words to not cross the demon possessing Princess Neah. Nao had not been privy to which demon it was, just with the instructions to take Lady Maria away from her before it was too late.

But if even Lady Karin was afraid to openly cross her, then it must be someone really special.

“I thank you for your assistance in all this. We will be out of your hair tomorrow morning once we receive the key to the first node” Nao bowed to the red-haired lady but she no longer had her attention.

Lady Karin had her attention focused back on Lady Maria and her eyes held a gentleness Nao had only seen once.

It had been when the last supreme had been alive. Lady Karin had either taken a liking to Lady Maria or she was projecting her feelings onto her. Both were acceptable outcomes and ones they had been aiming for.

It had been a long shot to get Lady Karin to accept Lady Maria but it had paid off in the longer run. And it made Nao feel guilty.

She knew why she was doing all this. She had an end goal as well in her sight. But it all felt so long to her and Nao felt as if she had to drag her feet along the way.

“I already passed on my key to her so there is no need to look for me in the morning. I will leave a jar of my life essence on the table for her to take regularly. It should last for some time” Lady Karin offered as she stroked Lady Maria’s hair.

Nao paused at the door, her hands clenching the handle with a tightness that was unexpected. The feeling of loss she felt at those words was not something Nao could explain so she decided not to touch it for the time being.

Nao had a lot of other things to prepare in the meantime after all. Also, she had a feeling that Lady Karin would appreciate a moment alone with Lady Maria for now. Keeping good relations between them both was also a part of Nao's job after all.

She missed the sharp look Lady Karin issued her as she left. She missed a lot of obvious signs Lady Karin had given her but Lady Karin did not miss those signs from Nao's side. She watched and observed the partner the oracle had chosen in all this mess.

"You were really out of luck to end up with someone loyal like her. The journey would be tough for both of you. Silvya, you managed to achieve what you wanted even in your death. Really, did you hate him so much to even make her daughter a part of your revenge?" Lady Karin asked into the empty room but there was no answer to her question.

There never was an answer to her questions and that was the biggest reason Lady Karin had decided not to bother with the court politics. Most people thought it was because of the demon's influence but the truth was far more dangerous than that.

They were all caught in this game of the divine without any escape or relief. The cycles continued to repeat themselves and more people were sacrificed every time it happened.

There were minor differences in every cycle of the Demonic war. Every time presented a new opportunity to end the cycle but it was impossible to find that inconstancy. By the time it was found, the opportunity to strike was long gone. Not to mention, the addition of external factors from the upper realm would get involved behind the scenes sooner or later.

However, this time felt different and Lady Karin hated to admit it. Silvya had been right about her theory and her daughter was living proof of it. For the first time in all the cycles, the oracle had survived past the prophecy and it was nothing short of a miracle.

However, what it would bring for them all was still unknown. Would it actually prove anything was also up in the air. But Karin had to believe in this path her beloved had chosen.

She had to believe or she would go mad with doubt and fear of the future.

The sun was beginning to rise outside the window and Lady Karin finally turned toward it instead. It was time to leave and lead their pursuers on a wild goose chase. She would buy that pair time to get away and start their journey.

Lady Karin hated to admit it, but even she knew Silvya had chosen the best pieces for her game against the upper realm. But if only things were that easy.

The difficulties were just about to begin and the first node would be the start to it all. Once it was breached, the real war would start and times would change.

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