Suspicious Movements
The Holy Kingdom was one of the three most advanced factions in the human realm. After a long absence, two figures had finally returned to its lands.
“…It’s been a while since we’ve been here.”
“Yeah… it really has.”
It was Dane and Eri. They had used a portal from the 72nd Floor to arrive in Chelino City, one of the Holy Kingdom’s settlements. They had originally considered heading to the familiar Soter City, but Dane suggested changing locations, reasoning that it would be unsuitable for infiltration. Eri agreed with his assessment that their forged identities would never fool Adelbert. There was no counterfeit identification in existence that could deceive the world’s greatest assassin. They would return to Soter City eventually, but not now.
Dane spoke to Eri. “Let’s meet periodically in Chelino City. I’ll head to Hormis City, so you stay here.”
“Got it. But Dane…”
“What?”
“Do you think we’ll really avoid being recognized?”
“Don’t worry.” Dane dismissed her concern. “No one remembers us.”
When they had left this place, both had been C-rank adventurers. Even in Soter City alone, C-rank adventurers were a dime a dozen. If they had been gone only a year or two, it might have been different, but no one would remember C-rank adventurers who had vanished for five years.
“Even if someone happens to recall our faces, they won’t recognize us as we are now.”
Moreover, over the past five years, it wasn’t only their abilities that had changed. They had been only fifteen when they departed for the demon realm; now twenty, their appearances had matured considerably. Dane had shed every trace of his former awkwardness, becoming a lean and handsome young man. Eri had grown into a woman with striking beauty and a mature figure. No one who saw them now would connect them to the inexperienced adventurers from five years ago.
Eri nodded, reassured by his words. “You’re probably right.”
“Yeah. Just be careful on your end.”
“Me?”
“Don’t let yourself get charmed by any thugs.”
“I-I wouldn’t do that! I’ll stay sharp too!”
“Good. That’s a relief.”
Dane looked up at the sky. After five years away, he wondered whether the Holy Kingdom remained unchanged or had transformed in significant ways. Understanding the current state of affairs had to come first. Having been absent from the human realm for so long, ignorance of worldly matters would only make them seem suspicious.
“Once you register as an adventurer at the guild, don’t forget to gather information on the surrounding situation.”
“Right, got it. What were our aliases again?”
“If you’ve already forgotten that…”
“Haha, I just got them mixed up!”
Dane sighed softly. “I’m Daniel. You’re Eli.”
“Ah, right.”
“I deliberately chose names close to your real ones so you wouldn’t forget. And you still managed to.”
“Ahaha…”
“Anyway, we meet once a month in Chelino City.”
“Understood.”
Watching Eri nod, Dane felt a flicker of unease. With a quiet sigh, he handed her something. Eri accepted it with a puzzled tilt of her head.
“If you’re in danger, break it.”
“What is this?”
The object Eri received was a gemstone necklace that looked as though it would shatter easily if dropped. Dane explained briefly. “It’s a signaling device. If one side breaks it, the matching one held by the other person will break as well.”
“I see.”
“Break it if you’re in trouble, all right?”
“Got it!”
Eri smiled gratefully. Dane returned the smile, then turned and walked away.
“I’m heading out first. Be careful, and don’t forget Nahen’s orders.”
“I know! Safe travels!”
Dane vanished in an instant. His agility, honed over five years into that of an exceptional spy, far exceeded imagination. Eri stared blankly at the forest where he had disappeared, then made her way toward Chelino City herself.
“Huh?”
Only five minutes after she began walking, Eri found herself in danger.
“Hey, girl. Hand over everything you’ve got and scram.”
“If you don’t, you’ll regret it. We’ll spare your life, so give us everything.”
“……”
These weren’t real bandits or thieves. If they had been, they wouldn’t have stopped at demanding her belongings—they would have targeted Eri herself.
“You know, why are you pretending to be bandits when you’re clearly not?”
“What…?”
“H-How did you know?”
The men holding swords looked flustered. Eri asked them directly, “Has something happened in the Holy Kingdom?”
“W-What are you talking about? Don’t you know what this country’s become?”
“Pardon?”
“Lately the higher-ups have gone mad. They’re burning innocent villages and dragging people before tribunals, all in the name of rooting out demon spies.”
Eri’s eyes widened. The men imitating bandits seemed slightly taken aback by her reaction.
“W-What? You really don’t know?”
“Ah… well, I’ve actually been training in the mountains for five years.”
“What…?”
The men exchanged glances, then lowered their swords. Shaking their heads, they spoke with pity.
“Poor thing.”
“Pardon?”
“Looks like you lost your home and your mind along with it. Our own situation isn’t great, but we’ll take care of you. Come with us.”
“What??”
Eri protested, but the men had already formed their own conclusions.
“No, I’m perfectly fine!”
“Who would believe a girl lived alone in the mountains for five years? The Holy Knights would have branded you a witch on the spot.”
“…A witch?”
“That’s right. Five years ago, the Great Temple announced that people disappearing to the demon realm were actually the work of demon spies hiding in the human realm. Ever since, the Holy Knights have been turning every city and village upside down searching for them.”
Eri’s eyes grew even wider.
“That’s why they came to our village too—ransacked it and burned it down. Said any place harboring a witch needed to be purified…”
“They’re insane. Thinking about the children they took back then still makes my chest ache.”
“W-Wait… The temple actually did that? Have they ever actually caught any real spies?”
The two men gave hollow laughs at her question.
“If they had, we wouldn’t feel so wronged.”
“……”
“Anyway, come with us. We only tried to rob you because we thought you were some high-and-mighty adventurer. If that’s not the case, we can still help you.”
Eri sensed something off. The way they spoke… Why did it sound as though they despised adventurers?
“Did the adventurers do something?”
“This girl really has lost her mind.”
“You don’t know anything about the current situation. Must be memory loss after all.”
The men had unilaterally decided she was suffering from amnesia. Eri frowned and pressed them.
“I haven’t lost my memory!”
“Right, sure…”
“So what exactly did the adventurers do?”
“What else? They’ve been acting as the Holy Knights’ lapdogs. Some even helped burn villages themselves.”
Something was deeply wrong. Eri couldn’t comprehend how the Holy Knights could act without clear evidence, or how adventurers could serve as their accomplices. Stirring up ordinary adventurers might be easy, but inciting the guild masters who led them was nearly impossible. Those men possessed too much experience and were fundamentally distrustful of others.
“The guild masters allowed it?”
“When the Pope gives an order, what choice do they have? They have to obey.”
“…The Pope?”
“I already told you—the Great Temple made the announcement, miss. Of course it’s the Pope’s will.”
In that moment, Eri’s sharp mind rapidly pieced together everything she had heard. She matched it against information she already possessed.
‘Could this be… Nahen’s doing?’
She recalled the brainwashing magic and curses Nahen had used on human slaves. If the Pope had fallen under such influence, it might explain these bizarre events.
‘…No.’
If Nahen had been responsible, he would have given them some hint before they departed. If he had planted spies deep enough to reach the Pope, he wouldn’t have assigned this mission to Dane and Eri in the first place.
“So, miss, are you coming with us or not?”
“Ah…”
Eri lowered her head. “I’m sorry. Thank you for the kind offer, but… I think I need to go elsewhere.”
“…I see.”
The men offered a casual farewell. “Then go on. We won’t make the same offer if we meet again.”
“Thank you for telling me so much.”
As Eri’s retreating figure headed back toward Chelino City, the men muttered to themselves.
“What a pitiful child.”
“No point worrying about others in our position. Let’s head back.”
They were still completely misunderstanding the situation.
#
Babylon, the capital of the Holy Kingdom. This was where the Great Temple—the heart of the nation—stood, and where the Pope, the Holy Kingdom’s leader, resided. It was also home to the largest concentration of clergy in the world.
Deep within the Papal Palace, the center of this vast power, lay the Pope’s bedchamber. The room had been placed so far inside to protect him from assassinations and surprise attacks. Yet that very location now prevented anyone from realizing what was happening to the current Pope.
The Pope was not alone in his chamber. A beautiful and alluring woman was with him. She whispered in a captivating voice that ensnared the senses.
“Is the investigation progressing well, Your Holiness?”
“Yes. Just as you said, we’re turning the entire country upside down. And there really are quite a lot of demon spies. All thanks to you.”
The woman’s appearance was anything but ordinary. She wore clothing that was practically nonexistent, with strange patterns drawn across her bare skin. Most notably, the black tail sprouting from her waist and the bat-like wings on her back were things no human could possess.
She smiled seductively and beckoned the Pope. As if entranced, he approached the bed where she sat.
“Hehe, it’s all because Your Holiness has been working so hard.”
“Ahh… You’re the only one who appreciates my efforts…”
The Pope pulled the woman into a tight embrace, burying his face in her chest as he murmured her name.
“…Lily.”
#
“…Teacher.”
Seere called out to Nahen, her expression unusually displeased—completely unlike her usual self. Nahen could only look at her in confusion, unsure what had caused this reaction.
‘Does she not like the place we came to?’
That couldn’t be it. He had contacted Bennett and chosen the most scenic, quiet, and enjoyable location possible—a villa nestled in a secluded mountain valley. A stream flowed right beside it, perfect for playing in the water.
“Do you not like the stream?”
“…That’s not it.”
Seere actually liked this place very much. It was empty of people, quiet, and beautiful. The sound of the stream trickling nearby even seemed to cool her heart. But…
“Why… why did everyone come along?”
“Because a Demon King can’t wander around alone.”
Where Seere was looking stood the servants of the 72nd Floor—everyone except Kain, who had remained behind to handle affairs in their absence. Rea, Secily, and even the chef Mark had come. Lin had accompanied them as their escort as well. The only small mercy was that Nahen’s human subordinates weren’t present.
Seere let out a deep sigh. This wasn’t what she had wanted. She had hoped to go on an outing alone with Nahen, to hold his hand freely and play without worry. She had wanted to act spoiled and show the affection she usually couldn’t express while maintaining her dignity as Demon King. With so many eyes watching, that was impossible.
“…Do you not like the location?”
Nahen asked carefully, studying her expression. Seere met his gaze for a moment. Thinking of how thoroughly Nahen must have prepared after she suggested the trip, she realized she couldn’t keep sulking like this.
‘It’s disappointing, but…’
Still, it was true that they had come to a wonderful place, and having familiar faces who had cared for her since childhood was some consolation. Seere relaxed her expression and smiled brightly at Nahen.
“No, I think it’ll be fun having everyone together like this too.”
“…That’s good, then.”
“Really. It’s just a little disappointing, that’s all…”
“Hm?”
When Nahen tilted his head in confusion, Seere quickly changed the subject.
“Teacher, Mark is grilling meat over there. Let’s go!”
“Ah, right. Let’s go.”
Seere naturally took Nahen’s hand. Having held it often since childhood, Nahen no longer found it strange when she reached for him first.
“Let’s have fun, everyone!”
Watching Seere smile, Nahen thought his earlier worry had been unnecessary. He smiled back and let her lead the way.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Seere ate her fill of the meat Mark had grilled, then dragged Nahen, Secily, and even Lin into playing in the water. Time passed in a blur of enjoyment, and before they knew it, the sun had set and the moon had risen.
“Your Majesty, your bathwater is ready.”
“Ah, thank you, Rea.”
After bathing in warm water and emerging with a fresh face, Seere changed into comfortable pajamas. Stepping out of her room, she descended to the first floor and looked around.
“Where did Teacher go?”
“Nahen said he was going for a short walk.”
“Where to? I want to go too!”
“Pardon? But Your Majesty, it’s almost time for bed.”
“We came here to rest, so staying up a little late should be fine.”
Seere had a point. Rea decided it would be better to let her do as she wished on their vacation and nodded.
“I’ll prepare your coat. Please wait a moment.”
“Okay!”
After helping Seere into a coat that covered her entire body, Rea spoke with concern. “Please don’t go far. If Nahen isn’t with you, you must come back. Should I call Captain Elraza?”
“No, there’s no need. I’ll just look around nearby.”
“Then please be careful, Your Majesty.”
“I will.”
Seere left the villa alone. After glancing around, she closed her eyes and concentrated, searching for Nahen’s familiar magical energy. Even as a child, she had woken from sleep sensing Nahen’s power, so she was highly attuned to it. Soon enough, she located where he had gone.
“There you are~”
Seere quickened her pace toward the source of Nahen’s magic. She found him there, appearing to be in conversation with something.
“Teach—…”
“…The Pope?”
Nahen was holding a piece of paper, his expression grave as he read it. After scanning the text for some time, he furrowed his brow deeply and burned the paper on the spot. Then he glanced behind him, spotted Seere, and his eyes widened.
Seere approached him, sensing something was wrong. “Teacher, what were you reading?”
“…A letter from Eri.”
“Eri…?”
In that instant, Seere’s demeanor changed completely.
“…That human?”
Her suddenly cold tone caught Nahen off guard. He nodded and spoke to her.
“You knew I sent Dane and Eri to the human realm, didn’t you?”
“…Yes.”
“But I received strange news from her. They’ve only been gone two days.”
“What did it say?”
“The Holy Kingdom is hunting for demons and turning its own citizens upside down in the process.”
“…What?”
Something was definitely off. Seere tilted her head. “Has that country’s leader gone mad?”
“He must have, to do something like this. I thought it strange that fewer humans were crossing over, but I never expected this to be the reason.”
“But Teacher…”
“What?”
“Isn’t it too much to be worrying about work all the way out here? We came to rest.”
Nahen looked slightly flustered at Seere’s words. He had indeed said as much himself. Feeling a bit embarrassed for thinking only of work, he replied, “You’re right. We did come to rest.”
“Let’s think about that after we get back! Are you going to keep walking?”
“Hm? I was going to head in…”
Just as Nahen was about to say he intended to return, Seere narrowed her eyes and pouted. Remembering how she had sulked the last time she made that expression, Nahen quickly corrected himself.
“…It would be a shame to go back already, so I suppose I’ll walk a bit more.”
“Really?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Then I’ll come with you!”
“As much as you like.”
Seere’s face brightened. She grabbed Nahen’s hand and pressed close to him with a smile. Watching her, Nahen thought to himself:
‘She really is still just a child.’
Because of that thought, he failed to notice the look in Seere’s eyes as she held his hand and clung to his arm.
‘Never. Absolutely never.’
I won’t let go of my teacher.