Emilie

The smell of blood reigned in the air, a recurrent odor in this district despite the theoretical protection granted by the imperial power.

In reality, gangs and nobles shared the small town, an extremely coveted place despite its low-energy level. Being at the border of the territory, this town was the link between the empire and the bloody kingdom of Serguine.

There was no shortage of beggars in this city where extreme poverty rubbed shoulders with absurd wealth.

This was also the case of this 6-year-old girl, whose clothes were in tatters, her body hardened by the bruises caused by the harshness of the street, but the worst was her morals. Even as a beggar, she did not speak, didn't even look in front of her, but just stared at the ground in silence, as if her life did not matter to her.

Emily saw her life flash before her, from the time she was a little beggar, to the time she was hired in a gang, from her beginnings as a quasi-slave to her promotion, her infiltration into the Church, and the fateful day.

....

Five years ago.

''Did you understand the plan?''

''Yes!'' Everyone answered in the affirmative.

While the disaster that occurred every 10 years was happening, they would take the opportunity to break into the main sect in the city where Emily was infiltrated. As it seems evident that some psychos would attack - even more so in this bloody town - protection was sure to be reinforced. Still, all areas weren't included. Those who lost control would just attack aimlessly around them, so the defense would shrink in some secrets zone where over-guarding would only bring suspicion.

...

Backdoors of the church.

2 guards were guarding the doors.

2 shadows quickly appeared directly killing the 2 guards soundlessly.

Quickly, they entered and Emily showed them the hideout. Placing divine energy in her hand, Emily placed it in a wall that made it open. There, some precious resources were stored, mostly silver.

But this was only a bait.

They began to check the floor, and sure enough, they soon found a trap door. Opening it, they went down the stairs to the room.

''That was too easy!''

Countless riches were spread out before them at their headquarters.

They had looted all the resources without being caught.

A party was held to celebrate their victory. The city being on high alert at this time, no one was allowed to go out or in.

''Come on! Drink up! Drink up! After this, we'll finally get to leave this damn city once and for all! Another life is awaiting before us!''The chief laughed

"Emilie! You too! It's all thanks to you!''

'That was definitely a good atmosphere. Something I would have like to conserve, something I wished to be eternal. Before happiness, does knowing this world matter much? If I could choose... then living with my loved ones would definitely be my choice.

But the past will only continue to be nothing but past.' Emilie thought, watching from afar this scene.

One person collapsed

''Hey! Mathilde! You gotta hold on! I know you don't hold alcohol but one glass shouldn't be enough to make you fall!''

''Mathilde? Mathilde!''

Her only response was to splat blood, staying on the floor as she couldn't get up, nor could she speak.

Soon, all of them fell one after the other. They did not lose consciousness, but they spat blood, extremely weakened as if they had been poisoned.

Unable to move, they all died one by one, leaving only the Knights and Emilie alive - surely because of her divine energy.

They must have been the target of enchantments laid down in advance, or perhaps there had been substances on the riches taken?

Fortunately, the poison seemed to diminish with time, and it was almost certain that the majority of the Knights would make it through.

Even so... for such a defense to be created... how strong did the person who created the defense have to be? It was surely a Paladin, an entity that could kill them rather easily.

They had to flee as soon as they recovered! That was their only option if a rune-skilled Paladin really did hunt them.

But even then, they had underestimated the demonic protection.

Emily was surrounded by dark energy and began to demonize herself.

''No... isn't that a curse?'' The leader trembled ''If that's the case... we're all finished.''

''What is it?'' His second-in-command asked

''Some very high-leveled runes may produce a curse. Basically... this is long-term poison. Something that'll attach to your body and continue to strengthen as time past. But to be able to produce this... the strength of the user had to be way stronger than the target, and one had to program them to attack in a specific way.''

'Could even a Sacred Paladin be corrupted ?' These runes were forbidden ones! It could already feel his energy panicking in its body!

''And if the beginning was so strong... then we are all doomed. In most cases, we will be demonized under horrible conditions after a good amount of time, leaving us a way out. But as this is a catastrophe's day... the effects are multiplicated, which seals our last chances.''

Rising abruptly, Emily, surrounded by a dark aura - demonic energy - began to walk towards them, finishing each of them off with her blade.

This was her family... And yet... . This was what it meant to be a demon, the reason why humanity hated them so much! The demons wouldn't give them a chance.

The spirit had no chance of resisting its malice but would express itself in its worst malice. There was no intelligence left in her. People who get demonized would only follow their instinct, and even the smallest negative thought could trigger a massacre.

Even though Emily considered them her family, her friends, her saviors, the most important people in the world, they were also the ones involved in creating the hell that was this city. And this simple thought, whose importance was minimal, was enough for a demon to kill all his loved ones.

That was why a demonized person was no longer considered a human.

Once the slaughter was over, she fell unconscious.

...

The next day, she stood up among the many corpses.

Surprised and horrified by the crime she had committed, she could no longer speak. Tears flowed from her eyes as she heard a voice.

''Not even a small thank you?''

She looked around but couldn't find the voice, then began to speak.

"Who the fuck are you? Show yourself!''

''Here!''

Her eyes focused on a small golden stick.

''Did ya cause this massacre?''

"How stupid! I saved you and this is how you thank me?''

"Saved?! In which world?''

''I regulated your demonic energy!''

She began to punch toward the stick, leaving no impact. Yet, she continued to strike without stopping. ''So you're the fucker after all!''

The stick said something to her but she couldn't hear anything as she was too busy hitting it.

Soon her hands were covered in her own blood, but she still continued to hit.

''Will you stop?! I'm telling you I saved you!''

''Then why did all of them died?''

''It's your fault! It's you and you alone who got possessed!''

"Why would you save me? Why? Do ya think I'm stupid? A cursed artifact would save me? What a joke !''

"You don't know anything so shut up! I save you because of your energy.''

"What's wrong with my energy?''

"You have extremely angelic energy! It will allow me to hide''.

"Not only are ya trying to use me, but you're lying... and what a lie... only angels can have that energy.''

''I didn't come here to argue with a fucking newborn. If you don't know anything then shut the fuck up. Do you think a human can possess divine energy? The divine energy you possess is only the way of expressing your angelic energy, which every human possesses in greater or lesser quantity!''

Emilie left

''I won't hear any more of your lies. If I can't kill you, then I can at least not give you what you want.''