Chapter 4

As she made her way to the tavern the following dawn, Lily's stride was filled with determination, each step echoing her unyielding resolve. The scent of breakfast wafting from the kitchen of the inn she had left behind melded with the early morning chill, a stark contrast to the warmth and comfort of her room. But she had no time to bask in such comforts; the shadow of the Empire loomed over her every move, and she knew she had to act swiftly.

Entering the tavern, she found the same youthful bartender from the previous day, his eyes lighting up slightly upon seeing her. "Ah, the lady with the silver eyes," he greeted her, his voice a mixture of curiosity and caution. She approached the bar with purpose, her gaze unwavering. "I need information and a glass of milk," she said, her tone cutting through the early morning chatter. "Anything about the Scarlet Empire's recent movements, rumors or otherwise."

The young man paused, scrutinizing her before leaning closer. "You're not one of them, are you?" he whispered, his voice laced with suspicion. "I have no love for the Empire," she assured him, her expression unchanging. He hesitated, poured her a glass of milk, nodded, and leaned closer, speaking in a hushed tone. "There is talk of a nobleman in the city of Tory, a man called Count Viktor. Ever since he took over, children have been disappearing. Some say he has an unholy appetite for the innocent, sacrificing them to some dark power. Then there are rumours that the Emperor's own son will be present at the execution of the 'Rose of Night', and finally there are rumours of an Imperial camp that has been wiped out between here and Taly".

The mention of the camp sent a shiver of pleasure down Lily's spine, and she felt a smile creep across her lips as she remembered the Commander's terror-stricken face. The bartender noticed and took an involuntary step back, his eyes widening slightly at the sudden shift in her demeanor.

"Where can I find this town called Tory?" Lily asked, her voice deceptively calm. "It's a week on foot from here, just follow the route to the capital and it's the town after the next town of Naly," he replied, his voice a bit shaky.

Lily finished her glass of milk and left a generous tip for the bartender, her mind racing with the information she had just received. The Emperor's son was a high-value target, but there was still some time before the execution date, and a noble of the Empire would be a good target for now. She rose from her seat, the wooden chair scraping against the stone floor, and left without another word. The cool air of the early morning embraced her, carrying with it the scent of dew-kissed flowers and the distant clang of a blacksmith's hammer. Her destination was clear: a weapons shop where she hoped to find a weapon that could withstand her power.

The marketplace slowly came to life as Lily navigated the narrow alleys, the cobbled streets now bustling with the sounds of merchants setting up their stalls and the chatter of early risers. She inquired about a reputable weapons shop, and the tales of "Karl's Weapons and More" followed her until she stood before it, the wooden sign above the door creaking in the light breeze.

Stepping inside, she found the shop dimly lit, shadows playing hide and seek with the gleaming weapons displayed on the shelves lining the walls. The smell of metal, leather and oil hung in the air, a scent she found oddly pleasant. Behind the counter, a man named Karl, probably the owner, if the name tag on his shirt was anything to go by, scrutinized her with skeptical eyes. "Looking for something, lass?" he barked, not bothering to hide his disdain.

Ignoring his tone, Lily stepped closer, her eyes scanning the rows of weapons with practiced eyes. "I need a sword," she said firmly. "A good one, capable of cutting through armor." Karl, with a gruff snort, gave her a once-over that was more one of judgement than one of appraisal. "Missy, these aren't toys for you to play with. Why don't you find yourself a needle and thread, or better yet, marry a man, take care of him and have children?" His words were like a slap in the face, but Lily's expression remained unchanged.

With a swift, fluid motion, she unsheathed the sword at her side and pointed it at Karl's throat. "I said I needed a weapon," she growled, her silver eyes icy. The blade hovered dangerously close to his skin, and for the first time she saw fear in his gaze. "I am not here to be belittled by a fucking worm like you."

The air in the room grew thick with tension as Karl swallowed hard, his eyes flicking to the sword and then back to her. "I-I see you know how to handle a blade," he stammered, trying to regain his composure. "I assure you, I have nothing but the finest weapons for the most capable of warriors."

With a flick of her wrist, Lily returned her sword to its sheath. She stepped closer to the display of swords, her gaze lingering on the black-bladed katana. The dark aura around it hummed with a seductive power that sent shivers down her spine. It was exactly what she needed to bring terror and carnage to the Empire.

"Keep your distance from that one," Karl warned, his voice trembling as he watched her approach the cursed weapon. "It's said to drive its wielder to madness." Lily smirked and reached out to touch the cold steel of the blade. "Perhaps," she said, "but I have my own ways of dealing with madness."

The black katana whispered to her, promising power and destruction. She lifted the weapon, feeling its weight in her hand, the balance perfect. The dark aura didn't bother her; she could feel her own magic wrapping around it, taming the malevolent energy. It was a weapon that would strike fear into the hearts of the Empire's soldiers.

"How much for this one?" Lily asked, her eyes never leaving the blade. Karl stumbled over his words, trying to regain his composure. "T-That one, it's not for sale. It's... it's dangerous."

Lily's smile grew colder. "Everything has a price," she said, her voice a low purr that sent a shiver down his spine. Karl took a deep breath, his eyes flicking to the door as if he was considering running away. "F-fine," he stuttered. "T-ten gold coins, but I warn you, it's not a weapon for the faint of heart."

With a flick of her wrist, she spun the katana in an elegant arc, the blade slicing through the air with a whispered promise of destruction. The steel sang a deadly melody and she felt a rush of power coursing through her veins. Her eyes never left Karl's as she said, "I am not faint of heart".

She took a step back and drew her old sword, the steel gleaming in the dim light. The black katana remained in her other hand, its power palpable. Lily's eyes narrowed, a silent challenge to the weapon she had just acquired. With a swift, almost contemptuous motion, she slashed at her old sword with the black blade.

The sound of steel on steel echoed through the shop, the sound sharp and final. Her old sword, which had served her well, was cut cleanly in half, the halves clattering to the floor. The vibrations of the impact traveled up Lily's arm, but she felt no pain, only the thrill of power. She stared at the black katana, feeling its dark energy pulsate in her hand. It was a weapon worthy of a warrior, a weapon that could bring her one step closer to her ultimate goal.

Without another word, she sheathed the demon-touched blade and bent down to retrieve the two halves of her former weapon. Placing them on the counter next to the black katana, she turned to Karl. "I take it it fits perfectly," she said with a smug smile. Karl nodded frantically, his eyes wide with fear and fascination. "Take it," he stammered, his hand shaking as he pushed the black katana towards her. "Just... just don't come back."

Her smile grew colder, a hint of amusement playing on her lips. "Don't worry," she assured him, "my business here is done." She turned on her heel and strode out of the shop, the bell above the door ringing a hasty farewell. The afternoon sun cast a long shadow behind her, stretching down the alley like a silent sentinel.

The rest of the day passed swiftly as Lily prepared for her departure. She gathered supplies from the market, her gaze lingering on the food and clothing, but her thoughts remained fixed on the black katana. It was an instrument of destruction, a symbol of her newfound purpose, and a silent promise to the Empire that their days of tyranny were numbered.

That night, as Karl held the halved sword in his trembling hands, the flickering candlelight danced across the shattered steel. His eyes fell upon the unblemished handle, and there, etched into the wood, was the crest of the Scarlet Empire. His heart skipped a beat and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead as the gravity of the situation dawned on him. The girl who had bought the black katana wasn't just any warrior; she was something else, something much darker. He had heard of the slaughter of an Imperial camp, and if his thoughts were correct, this sword was the weapon of one of the slaughtered soldiers.

He had to inform the local magistrate, warn the village of the danger that had just walked into their midst. Yet, as he looked upon the shimmering blade, a whisper of doubt crept in. What if she had come for him? What if she knew that he knew? Panic swelled within him, his chest tightening like a vice. He shoved the pieces of the sword into a dusty corner and hoped the shadows would swallow them.

That evening, Lily returned to Angela's Inn, her thoughts heavy with the weight of her mission and the power of the black katana. She had felt its thirst for battle, the whispers of chaos it brought, and she knew it would be a constant, seductive companion on her journey. The warm glow of the inn's candles and the comforting scent of baked goods once again enveloped her as she stepped through the door.

The villagers looked up from their meals as she entered, their eyes wary. Word of the demonic blade in her possession had spread like wildfire, and they knew she was not one to be trifled with. The room grew quiet as she approached the bar, the clinking of silverware and the murmur of hushed conversation fading into the background. Angela, the innkeeper, greeted her with a forced smile, her eyes betraying a hint of fear.

"Another night for you, miss... Bella?" she inquired, her voice trembling slightly. Lily nodded, her eyes drifting to the stairs, her thoughts already on the battles to come. "Your usual room is ready," Angela said, her hands shaking as she handed Lily the sleeping fox keychain. "If you need anything, just send for me."

The door to room 203 closed with a soft click, and the world outside the walls was forgotten as Lily leaned against it, her eyes closed. The aura of the black katana hummed at her side in anticipation, a symphony of power waiting to be unleashed. She allowed herself a small smile, knowing that she had made the right choice. As the moon rose outside, Lily lay on the bed, the darkness of her thoughts mirroring the shadows that stretched across the room.

Her dreams were a tapestry of crimson and moonlight, woven with the screams of her enemies and the fierce joy of victory. The Empire's soldiers fell like leaves before her, their armor shredded by her unyielding blade. In her dreams, she saw the Emperor and his son tremble before her, their arrogance shattered by the reality of her power.