Chapter 16

Amidst the darkness of night, semi-transparent shards of amethyst drifted in the air, reflecting the light of the moon before disappearing into nothingness.

On top of a hill overlooking three villages, stood a girl with her long ashen hair fluttering in the wind. A purple magic circle glowed beneath her feet. With a serene look on her face, the girl closed her eyes, silently chanting ancient words under her breath.

Since the girl was a demon, it went without saying that the spell was anything but holy.

As she chanted, in her mind, she envisioned her magic turning into a string that reached out somewhere. She weaved the string of magic as thinly as possible so as to avoid detection, and also as firmly as possible to reach the other side.

The other side, situated a few hundreds if not thousands of kilometers away.

In reality, it took her only a second to complete the seemingly complex task.

A second later, a voice echoed in her mind, as clearly as if it had been spoken right next to her.

...Or to be more precise, screamed.

[—Your Highness! I'm glad you're safe! I've been waiting for your call!]

[...Much the same to you, Iezabel. It's a pleasure hearing your voice again. Though, keep in mind your tone of voice, it would be a shame you alerted everyone by causing a ruckus.]

There's no chance of that happening, though.

Despite the fact that the voice was transmitted directly into her mind, the girl still made a gesture of poking her ringing ear. However, rather than annoyance, a smile was tugging at her lips.

The one on the other side, who sounded as if she was about to lose her wits yet still clutching to shreds of reverence, was none other than her loyal aide, Iezabel.

[R-right, I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or distress my actions may have caused, Your Highness...]

[It was just a little joke to lighten the mood. You speak much too tensely, there's no need to call me highness anymore either. Even the most royal of knights would pale in comparison to your level of politeness and humility.]

[Old habits die hard, Your Highness. ...? Wait a minute, is that supposed to be a compliment or...?]

[Make of it what you will, my dear knight.]

They had lived alongside humans for almost half a century, adopting their culture and social hierarchy. Fifty years meant nothing to a demon; they passed in a flash. It was too short a time for something like an old habit to form.

Then again, Iezabel was known for her loyalty. Iezabel was one of the demons who had served her clan the longest. In fact, she used to be her father's confidant.

A moment later, her smile vanished without a trace.

[I've successfully made it into Arashi Village. How are the others?]

The girl's expression was grim, as if she already knew what kind of answer to expect.

The voice that returned was downcast.

[As you may already know, we've succeeded so far in destroying the holy landmarks of the other two villages, but there are casualties.]

[...I see. No wonder I can't reach either Agres or Grath.]

[As expected of villages ruled by a cardinal, the security is something else. It seemed that before they knew it, they were surrounded...]

[Don't fret it. Good job on fulfilling the mission.]

Silence hung in the air as her fist visibly clenched.

Agres and Grath were both demons who willingly aided her cause.

Now that they were gone, she could be said to be alone.

Iezabel was aware of that fact too.

[Your Highness, the inquisitors from the other two villages will be heading there tomorrow. That place will be swarmed with them. Just say the word and I'll take your place—]

[—No, you stay there and keep your eyes open to the movement of the cardinal. If anything, there is no better time than now. With the collapses of the other two seals, he should be well on his way here.]

[Then, at the very least, ask for more reinforcements from Lord Andras...]

[He had already dispatched his two most capable soldiers, Agres and Grath, to help us. Asking more of him without knowing what kind of price he'll demand wouldn't be wise. Tell him that everything will proceed according to the original plan and that I won't let the sacrifices of his soldiers be in vain.]

[But, you're on your own...]

[No, not quite.]

Another silence descended, but for a completely different reason this time.

From the other side, Iezabel could be heard mulling her words, careful of what she was going to say next.

[...Is it another human? So far, every single human you've met—]

[—This one's different.]

[How so?]

[Well, for one, he's quite honest, so it didn't take long for him to accept me, which is handy.]

[...Another one of those desperate weaklings, then.]

Iezabel spat out in disgust; a tone she usually used whenever a human was mentioned.

The girl casually shrugged it off.

[Don't be like that; he's my benefactor. Without him, I'd have sooner joined the ranks of angels in Heaven from the many purifications they might have performed on me.]

[I knew it—! Your Highness, are you all right—!? As expected, I should make haste and—]

Knowing that her worrywart servant would diss out a longer sermon than a priest in church, she immediately interjected.

[Like I said, there's no need to worry. I can feel it, the relic is here, and that human will be the one to show me the way. After that, everything should be easy, especially with the cardinal and his cronies gathered in one place.]

[If you say so... You seem to have a lot of faith in this human...]

The girl smirked.

[Ha, faith? I won't necessarily use that word. However, I do consider myself quite lucky.]

She didn't know if it was the same for that human male, though.

Looking back, the only reason she could stand there and discuss their next step with her beloved servant was because of a series of fortunate coincidences on her part.

She looked at the boundless, ever-expanding jet-black skies.

[...Had he crossed paths with an angel instead of a devil, things would've been so much different.]

She sighed, realizing that she had begun entertaining if(s) like a human would.

Maybe old habits do die hard, after all.

The first light of dawn had stained the absolute darkness, marking the start of a new day.

[But that's neither here nor there. We have a mission to focus on. Soon, humans will learn what it means to bite the hands that fed them.]

To which her astute servant replied.

[Unleash hell upon them, Your Highness.]