Demons Lurking Beneath the Temple
I couldn't quite pin down who Has was in this unexpected situation. My current state was one where I'd blurt out a name first, then scramble to remember who it belonged to. I did recall seeing the name in the original novel. She was the Huferion family's exclusive mage, someone like an uncle figure to Seres, right? She often left the estate on business but was always kind to him, and there were a few descriptions of how he thought of her fondly because of that.
...The last mention of her in the novel came after Ares was caught plotting a rebellion. There was a part where Seres worried, I wonder how the territory's doing now? It'd be nice if Has were around at a time like this. After that, Seres was in no state to worry about others, so she naturally faded from the story. A side character, but an important one to Seres. Given that her gender was swapped here too, their relationship was probably similar in this world. I vaguely remembered this female Has being kind to me as well, but on the flip side, I also recalled keeping my distance from her. The way I addressed her was different too. In the original, Seres called her "Uncle Has," but what had just come out of my mouth was the stiffer "Lady Has."
Why had the old me been like that? Even without past-life memories surfacing, maybe it was because I knew the content. Or something else?
"Lady Seres, what's wrong?"
As I sank into thought, Has looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"Is something bothering you?"
"...No, just a bit confused with my memories for a second."
I snapped out of it and responded to her right away. Our relationship was more distant than in the original, but she was still the family mage. She'd been working for the Huferions even before I was adopted, so I had to mind my manners.
"Sorry about that. You might have heard from my mother, but I've been having some memory issues lately."
"Ah, yes, the countess did mention it. She said you hit your head and your memories got all jumbled up after that."
Has's face lit up as if she'd just remembered, then shifted to one of pity as she looked at me.
"You finally recovered your health, and now it's your memory... "
"It's fine. My memories are recovering bit by bit too."
I started with small talk before getting to the point.
"So, what brings you here?"
This wasn't asking why she was at the temple—it was why she'd come to me. Something big must have happened at the estate, so Ares had summoned me, and Has tagged along. But if that was the case, she could've just seen me during the bloodline verification and saint appointment later. Why come now? It could be simple concern, but for some reason, I was dead certain Has wasn't the type to visit just for that.
"The countess, Lady Ares, sent me."
When I pressed her, Has confirmed she wasn't here out of worry—there was another reason.
"She wanted to meet you personally before things officially kick off."
"Why? She can see me at the appointment ceremony. Or did Mother not come with you?"
"She did. ...But some things can't be said in front of others."
Has spoke in a bitter tone.
"I heard she was pretty angry with you over the adoption matter."
"It's not that big a deal..."
"She sent me to apologize for it separately."
...If that was the case, I couldn't avoid meeting her. The pre-possession me had known the truth and been furious, but I wasn't anymore. It was just awkward. Honestly, I'd felt the same way after she stormed out last time, but oh well.
"Got it. Where's Mother?"
"Follow me."
I left the room and trailed after Has, but she led me to increasingly strange places. She glanced around cautiously before revealing a hidden secret passage. It led underground, and she expected me to go down with her, which threw me off. I'd figured it'd be some dimly lit spot good for a private chat, not this.
"Where are we going?"
"The countess is waiting below."
Her polite answer to my baffled question only made it worse.
"Anywhere else, and temple folk might eavesdrop. So she said to talk in the temple's basement."
"The temple has a basement?"
"Lady Hames told us. Anywhere else might have hidden listening spells, so meet here."
What, listening spells in a temple? I was dumbfounded, but Has had no reason to lie, so I grudgingly followed her down. The stairs were longer than I'd expected—way too long.
"Why would the temple build something like this?"
I asked about the impressively constructed underground staircase, unable to make sense of it. Has replied,
"Strictly speaking, the temple didn't build it."
"Pardon?"
"As you know, Lady Seres, this imperial capital was originally the Demon King's kingdom."
...Yeah, that rang a bell. The founding emperor killed the Demon King and took over his entire kingdom, making it the capital, right?
"And this temple? It was actually the Demon King's castle."
That was new to me.
"So they turned the Demon King's castle into a temple?"
"Yes. No point demolishing a well-built structure. The priests claimed it under the pretext of purification and made it a temple."
"That's surprising. How do you know this, Lady Has? It's not common knowledge if even I didn't."
"...Lady Hames told me too. It's a secret passage the Demon King made, so even among priests, few know. Perfect for confidential talks."
Has explained in a voice like she was holding back emotion. I eyed her suspiciously but followed to the end.
"...Hey."
"Yes?"
"Who the hell are these women?!"
In the underground chamber we'd arrived at—a space bigger than the ground floor above—strangers, all women, crowded the room. I shouted.
"You said Ares—no, Mother—was waiting! So why's it full of random women?!"
"Well, even without the countess, it's not just strangers, is it?"
Before I could snap back at that nonsense, a familiar face emerged from the crowd.
"Yo, long time no see."
"Red?"
The moment I saw her waving hello, I realized who the women were.
"Demons?"
"Yes, demons."
"...Why bring me to a place full of demons?"
"Because I'm a demon too, obviously."
I didn't process Has's casual reply at first. You're a demon? That wasn't in the original settings. And you'd been working for the Huferions for over twenty years without anyone noticing?
"...Fine, let's say you're a demon. But even so, what's the point in grabbing me?"
It was hard to believe, but the living proof was right in front of me, so I had to accept it.
"You've been working fine for the family all this time. Why stab me in the back now?"
"Who knows? 'Cause I'm an evil demon?"
Has glanced at the other demons and shrugged. That wasn't a satisfying answer, obviously.
"This isn't just anywhere—it's the basement of a temple in the capital! No way you'd secretly gather this many demons here without a reason just to pull this stunt!"
"Think about it. You're the empire's top beauty. Isn't that reason enough for all these demons to band together and nab you?"
Has shrugged again.
"Conversation's over, so just get captured already. Like you said, it's a temple—I don't wanna stick around long."
"I'll, I'll catch him~!"
One demon stepped forward at Has's words, acting like this was some fun event. Probably dreaming of the fame as "the demon who bound the famous Seres." I dodged her outstretched hand by stepping back, then surged forward with my right hand extended.
Starting from my waist, I channeled the force efficiently through my shoulder and elbow to my palm, striking her solar plexus. Amplified by mana and used with perfect efficiency, the blow sent her flying back into the cluster of demons.
Has's triumphant expression twisted.
"Wha... "
"Take this!"
As Has gaped, another demon charged out in rage, reaching for me recklessly. This time, I didn't dodge. I grabbed her hand and unleashed my divine power, infused with clear intent to harm.
"Gaaah!"
Her arm melted in an instant, and she screamed. Losing one of their own made the demons realize this wasn't a joke—most faces hardened.
"You think I'd just let myself get caught?"
I sneered at them.
"I'm here to get appointed as a saint, remember? I'm basically your natural predator. Thinking you could lure me in and snag me easy? Way too naive."
"...You've gotten way healthier since I last saw you."
Has responded with a stiff face.
"Didn't know you could fight this well with divine power. When did you learn?"
"Got some private lessons from that famous Sword Master, Arios, while you were away."
Past-life stuff she wouldn't know anyway, so I blamed Arios.
"Lucky break. But that's not enough to escape us."
Has scoffed softly and called to Red.
"Help out. If we move together, we can take her down without much injury."
"Got it."
Has and Red advanced on me. I activated my divine power to the max inside me, planning to resist with it and bolt back the way I'd come when an opening appeared. But then—
"Nah, actually, I don't feel like helping."
Red suddenly enlarged her arm massively and hurled Has far away.
"...Huh?"
"What?!"
The demons were stunned by the unforeseen betrayal, and so was I. Meanwhile, Red quietly stepped right in front of me.
"If you want to get to him, you'll have to go through me first."
She turned her back to me, facing off against the demons protectively.