The Demonic Realm (2)
Traveling all the way from the capital to the Demonic Realm by ordinary means took an exorbitant amount of time.
For that reason, anyone traversing such vast distances almost always relied on the teleportation magic circles established across the Empire. The distance was so staggering that utilizing a teleportation circle—an option normally considered exorbitantly expensive—actually turned out to be the cheaper alternative once travel expenses were tallied.
Well, it was only natural. When a destination was perpetually scourged by raging, monstrous blizzards, it would have been far stranger if it weren't situated at the farthest edge of the world. Not that the Demonic Realm was literally an Arctic wasteland; it simply lay at the Empire's northernmost frontier, making the journey feel interminable.
The true reason the Demonic Realm had devolved into such a blighted territory was because beasts from the Demon Realm had crossed over to establish their own lethal ecosystem—and beneath that permafrost lay sealed one of the Demon King's cadres, a calamity-class demonic beast.
“Brrr...”
At any rate, after rattling along in a carriage for several days, the place we finally arrived at was none other than the threshold of the Demonic Realm. Feeling the frost begin to seep into the marrow of their bones, the students started bundling themselves in extra layers of clothing, one after another.
“[This bone-chilling cold... It has been quite some time.]”
Though the gale was frigid enough to cross the line from discomfort into sheer agony, I welcomed it with open arms. If I couldn't stomach this much, I never would have lasted so long in this frozen hell back then. Honestly, beyond just being cold, the winds howling from the border were razor-sharp, delivering a stinging prickle that felt surprisingly pleasant against my skin. Of course, voicing such a thought aloud would only make everyone look at me like I had lost my mind, so I exercised some restraint.
“Um... Aria?”
“[Yes? Is something the matter...?]”
“It's really freezing... Could you close the window, please...?”
“[...]”
Weaklings.
If they couldn't endure a trivial chill like this, how on earth did they expect to survive inside the Demonic Realm? Back in my day, my clothes got shredded so frequently that I had to weather this godforsaken blizzard practically in the buff. Not that I had much choice back then. Given the fatal flaw of my ability, it would have been weirder if my clothes had stayed in one piece. If I could dodge attacks or parry them, my garments might have survived, but the moment a blow landed on me, my limbs were blown clean off.
Naturally, my clothes tore apart right along with my severed limbs. It was practically routine to get pulverized by some demonic beast, only to wake up stark naked after reviving. Even the Academy uniform, woven with high-grade protective enchantments, was never an exception to the carnage.
Seriously... if these kids couldn't even stomach this little draft, wouldn't they just burst into tears and bolt the second we stepped foot past the border? So fragile. So soft.
...
Of course, I kept every bit of that to myself.
On the outside, I offered Evan a radiant, saintly smile and quietly pulled the window shut. Still, catching the biting scent of the Demonic Realm for the first time in ages left me with a twinge of lingering regret. Oh well. I could fully savor it once we stepped out for the field trip.
The carriage ground to a halt, and from somewhere within resonated the voice of an instructor—no, wait... Was that voice... Arhen?
That was Arhen, without a doubt.
As her mana-amplified voice echoed through every carriage, the students rose one by one and filed out into the open. The first sight that greeted our eyes was an immense manor. Though weathered by decades under ferocious blizzards and visibly worn, it was undeniably an inhabited fortress estate.
“Where are we...?”
None of them seemed to recognize what this place was. Well, that was only natural.
“W-What is that...?!”
At one student's startled cry, every head snapped in the direction he pointed. And there...
“Whoa... Are those knights?”
“They look incredible...”
Dozens of knights stood ranked in immaculate formation, locked in a solemn chivalric salute. And dead center before them stood a strikingly handsome man with long black hair bound in a high ponytail, dressed in a sweeping fur mantle. His greatsword was planted firmly into the frozen ground as his sharp gaze swept across our ranks.
“Welcome to the Demonic Realm, recruits.”
A shockwave of a mana-laden voice resonated across the open courtyard. The sheer, suffocating pressure behind his words left everyone gasping for air.
“Wait, could it be...?”
“That black hair, that greatsword... and that mantle... Don't tell me...!”
Given how secluded the Grand Duchy was compared to the rest of high society, I assumed no one would recognize him. Surprisingly, a few students were already catching on.
“Grand Duke Ergardt...”
House Ergardt. One of the founding pillar families that raised the Arhen Empire. Because of a profound ancestral sin committed during the Calamity War centuries ago, they had been exiled to the northern Demonic Realm, entrusted with guarding the border—serving ever since as both the Empire's sword and shield. And now, the master of that venerable house stood right before our eyes.
Naturally, every student froze in awe. However...
“From this moment forth, you shall begin your inspection of the Demonic Realm.”
Look at this old man, he's having the time of his life.
I had lived under the same roof with him for over two years; there was no way I wouldn't see right through him. Grand Duke or not, I could tell exactly what was spinning through his head. He had attained the pinnacle of the blade as a Swordmaster, so I couldn't read his mental resonance, but even without telepathy, reading his true feelings wasn't difficult in the slightest.
Which meant...
Should I mess with him a bit?
I decided to tease him a little—just enough to derail whatever grand, solemn speech he had prepared, while keeping my own saintly image completely unblemished.
In that case, there's only one thing to do.
Having made up my mind, a bright, blooming smile spread across my lips. I broke rank from the crowd and dashed straight toward Grand Duke Ergardt—or rather, Uncle Valencia.
The retainers of the Grand Duchy recoiled in shock as I suddenly burst out from the cluster of students, their eyes widening in disbelief.
“[Hello, everyone—!]”
It's so good to see you!
After all, my saintly persona was built on pure benevolence and innocent warmth; I had never claimed to be the kind of uptight saintess bound by stifling decorum or strict Academy protocol. Doing something like this wouldn't tarnish my pristine reputation in the least.
Operating under the excuse that if I didn't greet them now after so long apart, I might never get another chance, I rushed forward. Yet for some reason, the expressions looking back at me were bizarre.
Wait, what's with those faces?
Why were they looking at me with eyes full of sorrow and heartbreaking pity?
Worried that even the old man might be staring at me like a fragile, tragic victim, I pulsed my divine power detection to check his expression. Thankfully, that wasn't the case. If anything, a faint, barely perceptible smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. To anyone else, he looked as stern and expressionless as stone, but that was a tell I had learned over years of living by his side. By now, I could read that old man like an open book.
“[Brother Valencia, it has been far too long.]”
“Indeed... It has been a while.”
“H-He answered...?!”
“Do they know each other...?”
“Wait, how on earth does the Saintess know the Grand Duke...?”
“You idiot, didn't you hear? She saved countless lives in the Demonic Realm back in the day. They must have gotten close back then!”
Bewildered by the casual familiarity between us, the students began murmuring among themselves. Still, hearing that most of them knew I had saved people here made me feel appreciated; at least they recognized the immense sacrifices I had made for the people of this Empire.
Well, honestly, it would be insulting if they didn't know. The number of people I pulled back from the brink while stationed here was in the hundreds. If you counted total healings, it easily exceeded a thousand times. Working day and night without a wink of sleep for two whole years tends to yield those kinds of numbers. I supposed I should count myself lucky they remembered.
“Now, now! Silence, all of you!”
Ah, right.
I should have known when to stop and stepped back. As the mana-infused voice of a young girl rang out, the students instantly recognized the speaker and snapped their mouths shut. Who else could it be? There was only one person in the world with a voice like that: Headmaster Arhen.
“Saintess Aria?”
“[Y-Yes...]”
“I understand your joy at being reunited, but this is a time for education regarding the Demonic Realm.”
“[Ah...]”
“I shall arrange a private gathering so that you two may converse once matters are concluded, so would you be so kind as to compose yourself and return to the ranks?”
With other students watching and the holy knights standing guard, it seemed that even the illustrious headmaster of Arhen Academy couldn't speak casually to me in public, no matter how much she might want to. She had no problem dropping honorifics whenever we were alone, of course.
I wonder what the holy knights are thinking...
Dashing forward like an excited puppy in a formal situation made me wonder if they felt second-hand embarrassment on my behalf. So I swept my divine power detection toward the holy knights, tuning in to their mental resonance. Thankfully, there wasn't a trace of shame in their minds. In fact, seeing me run out like an innocent child only brought warm, fond smiles to their faces. Man, these guys are really something else.
Regardless, I had successfully secured a private meeting, so my goal was accomplished. Now, I just had to make it look like my little outburst had stemmed purely from the sheer joy of seeing an old friend.
“[Understood...]”
Adopting a slightly downcast, apologetic expression, I trudged back to my spot.
It was these subtle details that truly sold the act.
Absolute perfection.
Heheh.