Chapter 8.3

The relationship between the Grand Duchy and the Empire is not simple. The Grand Duchy has too many independent aspects to be considered a complete vassal state of the Empire. The Grand Duke is the one who rules, and he is only required to report to the Emperor periodically.

However, it cannot be called an independent nation either. The Grand Duchy is not allowed to conduct military activities, and there are significant legal restrictions placed on the ruling Grand Ducal family. The law that requires a direct descendant to be held as a hostage in the Empire is one such example.

In that sense, it was an extremely rare occurrence for all three of them to come to Rivai at once.

To be more honest, it was a crazy thing to do.

Either only one person should have come, or at least one should have stayed behind. What if the Emperor seized this opportunity and imprisoned all four of us? I was so surprised by their sudden visit that I hadn’t thought about it, but after we met with the Emperor, it hit me. Do these people even realize what they have done?

“I had no idea His Majesty was also paying attention to Eloe.”

“It’s good that our daughter is capable, but being a center of attention isn’t so good. I’m afraid he might try to arrange an engagement with one of the princes.”

“I will stop it, even if it costs me my life.”

“That’s right, Sion. If it comes to that, you two can run away together.”

Of course, they didn’t realize it. If they were the kind of people who would realize it, they wouldn’t have done such a thing in the first place. The father and son were talking about an absurd plan.

I sighed deeply. Fortunately, the Emperor wasn’t an ambitious person. He simply laughed heartily at the Grand Duke’s words that they had come to throw a birthday party for me. He even joked that he should be invited to the party.

It seemed that the rumor of the Grand Duke being a doting father would soon spread throughout the Empire like a catchy tune.

“You are still here. It was worth rushing over as soon as I heard the news.”

A clear voice came from where Empress Florese was standing. Kieryk was next to her, and the Empress looked so young that they seemed like siblings.

Kieryk gave me a slight smile when our eyes met.

“It has been a long time, Your Majesty. I hope you have been well?”

“The last time I saw you was when the Second Prince was ten years old, so it has been over ten years. I hope the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess are in good health, too?”

“We were so busy raising our children that we didn’t even notice the time passing. Your Majesty hasn’t changed at all. You are still as beautiful as ever.”

“Thank you. To hear such words from the most beautiful woman in the Grand Duchy, I don’t know what to say.”

The Empress unfolded her fan and covered her mouth as she laughed. Her eyes above the fan silently scrutinized me. She was clearly laughing, but her eyes were cold and emotionless, like a reptile’s. Was it due to the dark, faint mist that shrouded her body?

I subtly moved closer to Sion. He tilted his body slightly, shielding me, albeit only a little.

“It seems there is a special reason why your whole family has come all this way. If it is not a bother, may I ask?”

“Of course. We came because our daughter’s birthday is approaching. We were unable to properly celebrate it while she was ill, so this time we want to make it special.”

“Oh my, the Princess was born in such a wonderful season. Will you be holding a party then?”

“Unless something special happens, we plan to.”

“Please be sure to invite the First Prince. Our prince can’t stop praising the Princess as an outstanding student. I’m almost getting jealous. How disappointed he would be if he couldn’t go to his dear student’s birthday party.”

Kieryk slightly bowed his head, looking a little troubled. But he didn’t contradict the Empress’s words until the end.

I felt like I was sitting on a bed of thorns. The Empress made no secret of her interest in me. I instinctively felt that her interest was not positive.

‘Why? Did she find out I was hiding Siliya? Or because I used light magic?’

“I’ve kept such busy people for too long in my delight to see you. I will look forward to the good news. Farewell.”

“Please go carefully. And Princess.”

“Yes?”

“I hope I can offer you my congratulations at the party.”

I was caught off guard. I had expected the Empress to be assertive, but not the gentle Kieryk. I just stood there with my mouth agape, unable to find a suitable response.

Sion stepped between Kieryk and me and mumbled quietly.

“What a bothersome brother.”

Sion’s thoughts were exactly mine.

 

***

 

The second bothersome brother’s attack came at night. As if it was his turn after his brother had already made his move, Jeras barged in without any warning.

After a pleasant family dinner, we were all gathered cozily in front of the fireplace. The three of them were constantly asking questions about academy life, what I was learning, and if I had made any friends. As a result, my mouth was dry from all the talking.

“Sion! My friend, you have come.”

Jeras strode in and hugged Sion tightly. Oh, look at him, he’s even pretending to wipe away tears. They met just a while ago at the academy’s nighttime event. His exaggeration is just too much.

After patting Sion on the back and shoulder, Jeras bowed respectfully to the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess.

“I apologize for my late greeting. It’s a pleasure to see you both here in Rivai. Have you been well?”

“Haha, of course. We are deeply honored and delighted that a busy prince would come to us in person. We would have visited you tomorrow.”

“You came all this way, of course I should be the one to come. I heard some delightful news, and I have a request as well.”

“A request, you say…”

“I would like to escort the Princess at her birthday party.”

A heavy silence fell over the room. My family and I were all frozen, staring at Jeras. Jeras, unfazed by everyone’s gaze, continued to speak brazenly and calmly.

“I should state beforehand that this is not a personal matter. You do not need to worry about that.”

“Then could you please explain the reason?”

“As you may have heard, there was an incident where a magical beast infiltrated the academy. Recently, the frequency of demons and magical beasts appearing, especially around Rivai, has noticeably increased.”

So he’s been so busy lately because of the magical beasts. This is a phenomenon related to the descent ritual the Empress is preparing.

At the moment, their numbers and strength may not be great, but as time goes on, there will be more of them and stronger demons will appear to ensure the success of the descent ritual.

“Due to the academy infiltration incident, it has become public knowledge that the Princess is the successor to light magic. And light magic is the most suitable magic for dealing with demons.”

“Are you saying that Eloe could become a target for demons?”

Jeras nodded. The three of my family members’ faces instantly hardened.

I wasn’t surprised, as Nia had already told me this. It was why I had been diligently practicing light magic day and night. At the very least, I felt I had to protect myself.

But still. What did this jerk, Jeras, think he was doing telling this to my family? They are the type to worry about me excessively. They might tell me to return to the Grand Duchy immediately.

“Eloe, let’s return to the Grand Duchy right now. It’s too dangerous here.”

Sigh, what did I say? I knew this would happen.

“The Princess will be safer here. Because I am here.”

“Father, Professor Nia said the same thing. She said there was no one better at fighting magical beasts than Prince Jeras…”

“It was the Princess who helped the prince during the academy infiltration, not the other way around.”

Sion showed a rare edge to his tone. Jeras shrugged his shoulders towards Sion.

“That’s right. The Princess saved the people who were there.”

“You can’t guarantee that a similar incident won’t happen again.”

“I know what you’re trying to say, Sion. But nothing like that will ever happen again. Never.”

Jeras was serious. Sion’s words seemed to have touched his pride. Jeras bowed his head to the Grand Duke.

“Please allow me to be her escort at the party. I will protect the Princess. I swear it, Grand Duke.”

The Grand Duke sighed deeply.

“This is not a decision that can be made easily.”

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous to even hold a party, dear?”

“We still have time until Eloe’s birthday, so let’s think about it calmly. Please understand, Your Highness. Eloe’s safety is most important to us.”

“Of course.”

The logs were still burning in the fireplace, but the warm atmosphere had turned icy cold.

This was the one fact I didn’t want my family to know. Damn you, Jeras.

I secretly stepped on Jeras’s foot, which was close by.

 

***

 

Tap, Tap.

I slowly got up from bed at the sound of tapping on my window in the dead of night. I threw on a light robe and opened the window. A cold night breeze and faint moonlight slid into the room, followed by a dark shadow.

I held my hand out to stop the shadow. The person’s red eyes, framed by the moonlight, narrowed in displeasure.

“Don’t climb through the window. Don’t you dare enter a lady’s room like that.”

“Is there a lady here? I don’t see one.”

“Should I call my brother? You know he’s been itching to catch you.”

“Anyone would think I was desperate for a favor and clinging to you.”

Jeras grumbled but obediently sat on the windowsill. The suspicious aura around him lessened once he pulled off the hood covering his head.

I couldn’t help but covet that transparent hood every time I saw it.

“So, what’s your favor?”

“I was thinking it might be a good idea to invite Siliya to your birthday party.”

After much consideration over the last few days, I had decided to significantly reduce the size of my birthday party. The guest list, including my family, would not exceed fifteen people at most. It was a manageable number in case anything went wrong.

The confirmed guests were Kieryk, Jeras, Headmistress Nia, and Grandpa Mason. There wasn’t a single person on that list I could call a friend, and just as I was feeling a bit down, Siliya came to mind.

“It’s fine.”

“The First Prince is coming, though. Will it really be okay?”

“So what? It’s the Princess’s birthday party, so do whatever you want.”

That was a little unexpected. I thought he would say it would be a problem if Siliya was exposed to Kieryk. Did he have some other motive?

Something felt off. Was he secretly hoping to come to the party with Siliya?

“Don’t blame me if something happens later.”

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.”

“You’re so confident. Don’t you suspect Siliya anymore? Do you trust her now?”

“Why are you asking that? Wasn’t it the Princess who asked me to give Lady Rioest a chance?”

Well… that’s true. Maybe it was because his indifferent attitude annoyed me, but I felt like I was picking a fight with Jeras without realizing it.

Still, it was my birthday. I just wished he’d at least pretend to care a little. I had never had anyone celebrate my birthday before, and I had always thought it was no big deal.

‘When did I change like this?’

“Anyway… just take this to Siliya. It’s an invitation. I’m going to be busy with preparations.”

I tossed the invitation at him. Jeras skillfully snatched it and stared at me. The corner of his mouth slowly curled into a smile, and then he dropped a bombshell.

“Princess, are you perhaps… jealous?”

I couldn’t believe my ears. Jeal…? Did I hear that right?

“Jealousy…?”

“Yes. Jealousy.”

Jeras, who was grinning, got down from the windowsill and walked toward me. I tried to back away to avoid him, but it was no use.

He took a large step forward and leaned in. His face, right in front of mine, was full of mischief.

Jealousy is a fiery emotion you feel when the person you like gets close to someone else. I sincerely hoped for Jeras and Siliya’s happiness. Therefore, what Jeras said was the biggest nonsense of the year.

“Y-you’re funny. Why would I be jealous?”

“You didn’t know? Every time you talk about Lady Rioest, your face looks like you’re about to cry. Or it gets scary.”

I didn’t know. Did I really do that? Jeras was still wearing that smiling face, so I couldn’t tell if he was testing me or not.

“I’m just concerned. We’ve got an innocent person locked up, so wouldn’t it be strange if I felt comfortable?”

“And that intense glare that was on the back of my head every time I was alone with Lady Rioest, that was from some old man?”

“M-maybe. Anyway, it wasn’t me.”

“It must be confusing. I understand how you feel. What can I do when I’m just so charming?”

Jeras shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. As I watched him, a sense of self-doubt crept in. What on earth was I doing with him in the middle of the night?

Just as I was about to call for Sion, Jeras waved the invitation and put it in his pocket.

“I will make sure Lady Rioest receives this. Is that all you need?”

“Yeah, I guess so… The business is done, so you can go. Now.”

“See? There’s that expression again.”

The hand I had extended to push Jeras’s back was caught instead. I had let my guard down.

Is he going to throw me over his shoulder? Just as that thought crossed my mind, Jeras gently pulled on my hand.

His arm was naturally wrapped around my waist. We were in a posture as if we were about to waltz, looking at each other.

In the silence, Jeras’s lips slowly parted.

“If you give something, you should get something in return. You have to grant me a favor, too, Princess.”

“What favor?”

“My escort was deeply unsatisfactory last time.”

“When? Ah. That day?”

He must be talking about the ball the Empress hosted. It was the first and last time Jeras had escorted me.

As expected, Jeras nodded and slowly began to move. Even without music, his lead was natural.

Dancing at night? If there had been music, a snake might have appeared.

I was flustered, but I followed his lead.

“I want it to be different at the Princess’s birthday party. That’s my favor.”

“My dad and brother are absolutely against it, so I can’t promise anything.”

“You’re the one with all the power in this family. Show me your skills.”

Jeras winked at me. The one with all the power… it’s more like I’m a cherished family treasure.

In reality, to my parents and Sion, I probably seem like an immature youngest daughter who gets into trouble the moment their backs are turned.

And speaking of, after what happened at the restaurant a few days ago, this isn’t going to be easy. Just the mention of Jeras’s name made the Grand Duke and Sion object vehemently. I was already at a loss as to how to convince them.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“Eloe, are you still awake?”

It was Sion. I pushed Jeras’s arm away and shoved him.

“Go. Go now!”

But Jeras, far from leaving, started walking toward the door with an ominous smile. This crazy guy! I told you to go! If they found out I was with Jeras at night, I might not even be allowed to go out, let alone have a birthday party.

I spread my arms wide to block the door. Jeras’s eyes crinkled. With a long finger, he pointed between himself and the door.

Please, just go quietly!

I scrunched my face into a menacing expression, and Jeras laughed silently.

“Don’t forget the escort. Got it?”

Jeras’s lips whispered right next to my ear. Goosebumps spread from where his voice and breath touched me.

He leaned in a little more.

“Good night, Princess.”

The low voice scattered. The last I saw of him was him pulling up his hood. He vanished without a trace. Only the open window was left swaying slightly.

All the strength instantly drained from my body. I slid down, leaning against the door.

My face, neck, and ears felt like they were on fire.

 

***

 

It had been raining for a while.

As Eloe’s birthday approached, the people of the Grand Duchy grew more concerned. It was the first birthday she would celebrate without being bedridden or ill. Their wish was for the weather to be clear and bright, not gloomy and rainy. Not just the weather, but everything had to be perfectly prepared for it to be the best day for the duchess.

On the morning of Eloe’s birthday, the rain stopped. The sun in the spotless, deep blue sky shone with a celebratory light.

The party was scheduled for late afternoon to accommodate Eloe and her guests’ schedules. While Eloe was at the academy, the Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess, Sion, and the employees of the ducal manor bustled about. By the time Eloe returned with Nia, all the preparations were complete.

As the hour grew closer, guests began to arrive. Grandpa Mason and Siliya were the first to show up, followed by the two bothersome princes. The brothers were dressed impeccably in formal attire, as if they were competing to see who was more extravagant. Their outfits looked as though they were attending a royal event.

Jeras, in particular, had styled his hair forward, something he usually didn’t bother with. Dressed in a perfectly fitted black uniform, he looked as sleek and beautiful as a black panther—at once sharp and imposing. The servants, who had only ever seen his playful side, couldn’t help but steal glances at him, their expressions a mix of admiration and unfamiliarity.

Jeras, however, looked sullen and simply sat in his seat.

The door connecting the hall and the corridor closed. It was a signal that the party was about to begin. The door to the adjoining room opened, and three people entered side-by-side.

It was Eloe, the star of the day.

The Grand Duke and Sion were on either side of her, each holding one of her hands. Her long hair was braided and elaborately pinned up, and she wore a small tiara. Sion said something to her, and Eloe tilted her head slightly before giving him a radiant smile.

Her smile felt especially pure and clear, and it wasn’t just because of her beauty. It was a reflection of her honest and genuine nature.

Jeras stared blankly at Eloe, then his face turned sullen again, and he tapped his foot. His glum gaze was fixed on Sion, who looked utterly captivated by his cute younger sister.

‘That Sion, he’s taking my place and loving it.’

Eloe’s support for Jeras—when she vouched for him to the family to let him be her escort—had completely backfired.

After the tutor incident, Sion had been watching Jeras closely. The two men, who had been friends for a long time, knew each other well. The Jeras that Sion knew was fundamentally uninterested in other people. The only people he seemed to care about were Kieryk and himself.

So for Jeras to volunteer to be Eloe’s tutor… it wasn’t something to take lightly.

And Sion’s suspicions were confirmed when he saw Jeras immediately rush to Eloe during the magical beast attack.

He was sure there was something going on between them.

Already on high alert, Sion egged on the Grand Duke, saying Jeras was dangerous. The Grand Duke, who also instinctively felt a threat, joined forces with Sion. The original plan for Sion alone to escort Eloe changed to the Grand Duke joining him. Their strategy was to play a tight defensive game throughout the party to prevent Jeras from exchanging a single word with her.

“Today is the birthday of our family’s treasure and a blessed angel from the heavens, my daughter Eloered. Thank you for taking the time to celebrate Eloe with us.”

The Grand Duke’s voice resonated clearly through the large hall. Eloe, who was shyly greeting the guests, met Jeras’s eyes.

‘Sorry, sorry.’ Eloe mouthed a silent apology. Jeras snorted.

“In the Grand Duchy, we celebrate birthdays by cutting and sharing a cake to give our congratulations and blessings to each other. It’s a way of wishing everyone health until the next birthday, a year from now.”

Servants who had been waiting in the corner came forward and unveiled the table in the center of the hall.

On the low table was a cake sculpted from crystal. The cake, which reflected the light in all colors, was slightly taller than Eloe.

The Kilmaria Grand Ducal family was the only one besides the Imperial family that could afford to make a cake from such high-quality sparkling crystal.

“Now, Eloe.”

Sion offered Eloe a small cake knife. Was she really going to cut this cake? I thought it was just a decoration. Eloe whispered.

“Isn’t the knife too small? Can it cut this?”

“I enchanted it.”

Eloe looked at the knife with a dubious expression. The tip of the knife was not sharp at all, but blunt.

The moment she hesitantly touched the knife to the cake, there was a crack, and the cake split in half. Inside the cake, an angel statue made of the same crystal was revealed.

Eloe’s face turned ashen.

“…Isn’t that the duchess?”

“It’s amazing. A statue of my student… I want one, too.”

“The Grand Duke must cherish the duchess so much. To have a statue made of her.”

The guests all commented on the statue. The statue, with its magnificent wings, was unmistakably Eloe from every angle. Wearing a flower crown and a benevolent smile, the statue was a masterpiece created with the utmost care by a master sculptor.

“How do you like it, Eloe? It’s a surprise gift from your mother, Sion, and me.”

“It’s not just a simple statue. We had several priests bless it.”

“The one we made to give to our guests is a music box. Isn’t it pretty?”

The Grand Duchess said with a gentle smile. The space inside the cake was filled with smaller statues of the same design.

Eloe was so overwhelmed by the unexpected birthday gift that her mind went blank.

Should I collapse? Should I just fall over? Then maybe this strange birthday party will be canceled and the gift will be discarded? It looks so expensive, would that be okay?

Suddenly, a thick darkness enveloped the hall. Not a single ray of light came through, as if heavy blackout curtains had been drawn.

“What’s happening…?”

“Sion, Grand Duke! Do not leave the duchess’s side!”

Jeras’s sharp shout cut through the darkness. At the same time, loud alarms blared from all directions. It was the barrier detecting the intrusion of demons.

Since the darkness fell, Sion had been holding Eloe tightly. The Grand Duke also grabbed her arm and drew the sword at his hip.

Even though it had been a while since he was on the front lines, the Grand Duke was once a renowned swordsman. He heightened his senses, searching for an unnatural presence in the dark.

Nia’s magic hit the ceiling and scattered, pushing the darkness away. When the lights came back on, there was no suspicious or unfamiliar presence in the hall.

They had fortified the mansion’s defenses and even had a new barrier cast by a wizard. It was a huge relief that Eloe was safe.

The Grand Duke sighed in relief and turned to look at Eloe.

“Eloe, are you…”

The Grand Duke and Sion froze. In Eloe’s place was a flimsy-looking doll that resembled her.

Eloe was gone.

Jeras ran to the window. He spotted a suspicious carriage speeding away on the road that led to the main gate. The carriage was moving quickly. If he hesitated, he would lose it.

He drew his sword without hesitation. The window shattered from the sheer force of his sword energy. Jeras jumped out of the broken window.

“Jeras! Damn it!”

Sion also followed Jeras, leaping out of the window.

The Grand Duke didn’t follow them and instead gathered his private soldiers. He planned to form a pursuit squad in case Sion and Jeras lost the carriage.

However, less than half of the required men showed up. The soldiers were lying unconscious in their respective positions.

Nia and Mason, who had followed the Grand Duke, checked on the soldiers.

“It’s not an artifact, but magic, though it’s not a common kind.”

“It’s dark magic. I feel a strong power, but it’s a type of magic I’ve never encountered before. It won’t be easy to purify.”

“We need to request help from the Grand Temple. Scott, gather the uninjured soldiers and re-form a unit to chase the carriage.”

“Understood.”

“I will follow Jeras and Sion. I… placed a tracking spell on Jeras.”

“Master, I will come with you.”

“I am sorry for this, but I must ask for your help. This is an emergency.”

Nia and Kieryk headed for the stables, guided by Alberto.

Siliya, who remained in the hall, sat the shocked Grand Duchess on a chair. Cold sweat beaded on the Grand Duchess’s forehead. As Siliya wiped her forehead and cheeks with a wet handkerchief, she quietly stared in the direction the carriage had disappeared.

When Mason returned to the hall, Siliya was gone. In her place, MaHilda was tending to the Grand Duchess, who was on the verge of fainting.

Meanwhile, Jeras and Sion, who were directly chasing the carriage, were having a tough time. It was almost impossible for two people on foot to catch up to a carriage pulled by three horses. The best they could do was maintain the distance with wind magic. Sion, who couldn’t use magic, fell behind.

Jeras’s eyes turned bloodshot as he stared at the rear of the carriage.

It didn’t matter who these people were or how they had managed to get into the Grand Duke’s mansion.

His heart felt like it was going to explode with worry about what might happen to Eloe. If it weren’t for Eloe, he would have destroyed the carriage long ago.

The tightly shut main gate and the soldiers under the Grand Duke’s command blocked the carriage’s path. Jeras’s eyes flashed, thinking he had an opportunity.

But the carriage didn’t slow down or stop.

“S-stop! Stop the ca… Kraaah!”

The three soldiers who held their ground were hit by the carriage. The remaining soldiers barely managed to get out of the way. All that was left was the heavy iron gate.

A hand suddenly shot out of the carriage window. Its skin was a light purple. Jeras’s face contorted horribly as he saw the hand, which could not possibly belong to a human.

‘A demon evaded my eyes? No. That’s impossible.’

CRASH! A loud roar and a gust of dust arose. The iron gate, with its layers of magical enchantments, was destroyed. The carriage quickly passed through the skeletal remains of the gate.

“Hop on, Jeras!”

Sion, who had fallen behind, came riding up on a horse, leading another one for Jeras. As soon as Jeras mounted, he spurred the horse, increasing its speed.

The carriage was out of sight, and black smoke billowed and screams echoed from ahead. The demons were firing magic indiscriminately at everything that got in their way.

The carriage was speeding effortlessly toward the east of Rivai. Sion shouted at Jeras.

“Let’s lure them out of the capital! We have too many things to worry about here!”

There was a forest to the east of Rivai. Though it was only inhabited by low-level magical beasts, it was sparsely populated and had no proper roads. In such a place, they could face them without any distractions.

Jeras didn’t answer and shot off like an arrow.

Following the chaotic road, they found the carriage again. It seemed unable to maintain its speed due to the complexities of the city center and the guards who were taking control. Additionally, Nia and Kieryk appeared from another direction and cast magic on the carriage.

The four of them drove the noticeably slower carriage to the east.

The carriage and the four people passed through the city gate and entered the forest. The night forest was terribly dark. A chilling wind blew, and the cries of unknown beasts echoed faintly.

Nia used magic to light up their surroundings. The light flickered over the tense faces of the four of them.

Just then, the carriage, which was barely ahead, stopped. One of its wheels was stuck in the mud, as if they planned to abandon the carriage.

There were three demons that emerged from the carriage. One of them, adorned with luxurious accessories, was holding someone. Wrapped in a robe, the person’s face was not visible, but it was undoubtedly Eloe. Her arm, limp as if she was unconscious, hung loosely.

“Eloe!”

The four of them chased after the demons, who had disappeared into the darkness. The more they chased, the deeper the darkness became and the fainter the sounds grew.

Perhaps because of this, their senses dulled, and their minds became hazy as if in a dream.

At the same time, Nia and Jeras, who had noticed the change, grabbed Kieryk and Sion and stopped them in their tracks.

“Master, this is…”

“…I wasn’t calm enough.”

Nia bit her lip. The things surrounding them were not just darkness. It was a poisonous mist scattered by the demons. It must have dissolved into the darkness from the moment they first entered the forest, slowly tightening its grip on the group.

They tried to cast a barrier for protection, but they had already inhaled a significant amount of the mist. As proof, their vision was slowly becoming blurry.

The difficulty in fighting demons was not just due to the physical differences. The dark magic they wielded often included curses and spells that gnawed at or controlled the minds of their opponents, and the only way to break them was with divine magic.

This was why Jeras, who was an expert in demon extermination, regularly worked to increase his resistance. He couldn’t always have a priest with him.

“Ugh…!”

“Brother, Sion!”

“Oh? There’s a human still standing? How delightful.”

A demon appeared from within the mist. Jeras’s steadfast figure was reflected in her eyes, which were a deeper black than her skin. Her eyes soon curved into a crescent shape in amusement.

“If it isn’t… the infamous Hunter Prince. I’ve always wanted to meet you. It’s a pleasure.”

Instead of a reply, a blade infused with sword energy aimed for her chest. The demon, who narrowly dodged Jeras’s attack, laughed hysterically.

“You shouldn’t move so violently, you know? The mist will get into your body more.”

“Shut up.”

The blade came down like a lightning bolt, faster and more powerful than the last attack. The demon, who judged that she couldn’t avoid it, blocked the sword with her long, outstretched nails.

She stuck out her tongue and licked her plump lower lip.

“I hope you last for a long time. The longer you do, the more time I have to enjoy myself.”

“For a demon to worry about me. How touchingly generous.”

Jeras raised his sword energy. He couldn’t let himself be toyed with by a mere creature like her. While he was doing this, Eloe was getting further and further away. He had to end this in one go and give chase immediately.

The blade, shining with a pale blue light from the sword energy, drew a long arc. But it sliced through the air, not the demon’s waist as intended.

Damn it! Jeras cursed inwardly. The hand holding the sword was trembling slightly.

“What’s wrong? I’m right here. Come on, try to cut me.”

The demon spread her arms. Despite the clear provocation, Jeras couldn’t easily raise his sword. The poison in his body, spread by his violent movements, made precise control impossible.

He had only one chance.

Jeras took a deep breath, trying to steady his ragged breathing. He forced strength into his twitching muscles and endured. Pain shot up his arm, but he could bear it. He had to.

“You can’t move, can you? See, what did I tell you? I said you shouldn’t move so violently.”

This time, the demon lunged first. Her nails, sharper than any weapon, lightly grazed Jeras’s cheek. The sliced skin instantly gaped open, and blood oozed out.

There was always an opening during a big movement.

Jeras swung his sword at the demon’s side, which was left exposed as she reached forward.

“Kyaaaah!”

Screaming like a screeching metal, the demon backed away. Dark purple blood dripped from the deep cut on her side.

But Jeras’s expression was not bright. He should have made a deep cut and sliced her in two, but the poison prevented his attack from landing properly. A demon would not die from an injury like that.

“I’ll kill you. I’ll tear you to pieces and kill you mercilessly!”

Just as he had expected, the demon, though bleeding, lunged at him with her nails. Clang! Clang! Clang! Jeras managed to block her attacks, but his arm was getting heavier and heavier.

If only I could get rid of this damn mist, this mere creature would be nothing.

“Ismeluna Puratio!”

‘Eloe?’

A clear voice awakened his muddled mind. Jeras, who had desperately pushed the demon away, turned his head toward the source of the sound.

A white, glowing silhouette was approaching from the darkness. The divine power spreading from the silhouette quickly erased the poisonous mist.

Could it be that Eloe… fought off the demons and came back on her own?

The hope and relief in Jeras’s eyes slowly vanished.

“Are you okay, Your Highness? Please wait a moment. I’ll purify you.”

It was Siliya, with her red bob and blue eyes. She quickly placed her hand on Jeras’s shoulder, purifying the inhaled poisonous mist.

He had heard she could use divine magic and was learning from Mason at the temple, but she was far more skilled than he had thought.

As soon as the purification was complete, Jeras pushed Siliya’s hand away.

“I’m fine now.”

“Ah, yes. Then I’ll go check on the others.”

Jeras frowned as he watched Siliya infuse divine power into Nia. He had hoped, foolishly, it would be Eloe.

‘There’s no time. I have to go to the princess.’

Impatient, he raised his sword toward the demon lying on the ground, clutching her side. Just before the tip of his sword could pierce her throat, the demon’s body turned into mist and scattered.

He felt a murderous aura above him. Jeras didn’t even think about blocking the attack.

His only thought was to take a risk and end this. They couldn’t waste any more time.

“I’ll hold them off here. Go to Eloe!”

“You, you… you damn rats!”

Sion, whose mind was cleared with Siliya’s help, pushed Jeras away and took the demon’s attack. The demon screamed with a sound like grinding metal.

Sion suppressed his surging emotions. The desire to save Eloe was second to none, but he knew it was better for Jeras, who could see the demons, to go after them.

Nia and Kieryk also got up and joined Sion.

“Go!”

Sion shouted again.

Jeras sheathed his sword and ran down the dark forest path. The poisonous mist, which had been like a barrier, was gone, and he could finally ‘open his eyes.’

Eloe’s soul seemed to be calling him, a faint sparkle from far away.