Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: City of Heroes (1)
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The blood pooling in my mouth, the metallic tang lingering at the tip of my nose—it just wouldn't fade.
I closed my eyes and endured it in silence.
The throbbing pain in my wrists bound behind my back, the sharp twinge in my shoulder that gripped tighter with every breath, the irritating flicker of light dancing on my eyelids—all of it, I bore without a word.
Not much longer now. This ordeal would end soon enough.
Footsteps echoed from afar, scraping over stone.
Cautious. Uneven. At least two people.
I kept my eyes shut and waited. Finally, the steps halted right in front of me.
"...Open the door."
A woman spoke after standing motionless for a long moment.
The other hesitated a bit longer before taking a single step.
A clank rang out, and the heavy iron door groaned open on rusty hinges.
Only then did I open my eyes.
Two figures stepped into the filthy cell holding me captive.
The young knight with gray hair met my gaze and instinctively went for his sword hilt.
His muscles tensed, blade half-drawn. But no rasp of steel followed.
"Step back."
The silver-haired Luar woman extended a hand toward the knight.
From her slender frame wafted the distinctive Luar scent—like fresh flowers or rich earth.
To carry that fragrance in a dank, reeking hole like this was proof of her formidable power.
The young knight was Denan by contrast, wrapped head to toe in rigid metal plate, yet far more on edge than she was.
"But... he's a mage. No telling what he might do."
"Allen, please."
Only after her earnest plea did the knight retreat a few paces, as instructed.
Still close enough to draw his long blade and sever my head in one swing.
The Luar woman drew nearer.
Was she fearless? Resolved? Her guard was completely down.
She sank to her knees, heedless of her hem brushing the grimy floor, and laid a hand over my wound.
Warmth bloomed from her palm, enveloping the injury and seeping into my flesh.
Yet inside me, the power fizzled out, utterly ineffective.
"...Sorry, but Holy Magic doesn't work on me."
My voice came out rougher than expected. My throat felt rusted from disuse.
She channeled a little more before finally withdrawing her hand.
"I see... Why is that? Are you a Demon?"
I met her deep green eyes.
A youthful, flawless Luar face belonging to a Holy caster of considerable strength.
"Does it matter? You wouldn't believe me anyway."
I turned my head and spat out blood-tinged saliva.
A body impervious to Holy Magic. My wounds would have to fester in agony until they mended on their own.
"...Then let's talk about something important."
She nodded.
"You led the Demon Emperor's army, yet surrendered to our alliance without a real fight. Why?"
"Because you fought well."
I grinned, but she didn't smile back.
"This matters. At dawn, you'll be executed. So before then, say what you want."
Wise woman.
I let out a sigh of relief.
Mutual trust in our words hardly mattered here.
She'd given me a chance to speak—but it was far more vital for them than for me.
"...I need help."
"Help?"
"Yeah. To seal the Demon Emperor."
I drew a shallow breath and opened my eyes.
Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in brilliant warmth.
I lay on a grand bed perched at the light's edge.
The pristine white sheets, the plush pillows, the soft fabric of my clothes—all utterly foreign.
And the little girl staring at me, eyes round as saucers.
Her shining silver hair was neatly braided.
Her skin was pale, her face delicate, her deep blue eyes wide with shock.
I started to offer some greeting fit for a stranger's child.
"Cough."
A cough erupted instead. I clutched my chest, rasping with every breath.
Dry throat, parched lungs—the hacking went on. Each inhale stung like fire.
"Lib!"
The door flew open. Father rushed in, face etched with alarm. An unfamiliar man trailed behind.
Father hurried to my side and checked me over.
"Fetch Grain."
The stranger scooped up the girl from bedside and whisked her out.
"Breathe slow, son."
Father gripped my shoulders and propped me up.
Cold sweat soaked me in seconds.
I tried to even my breaths as he said. Harsh at first, but steadying.
A light knock, and a young man in white robes entered. He smiled at me warmly.
"Good, you're awake."
"Grain, the coughing won't stop. Anything you can do?"
"Let me take a look."
Father eased me back down. Grain approached.
He rolled up his sleeves, releasing a crisp scent of water—cool, pure, invigorating.
Odd gloves encased his hands; intricate runes adorned his bracelet.
Grain set a small lamp by my head.
He lifted the handle, and it glowed with soft red light.
The faint crimson aura spread a soothing, comforting warmth.
As Father and Grain examined my wounds, I stared at the ruddy glow.
His hand touched my skin, and that same energy flowed inward.
I knew this force. Vitality that pierced to the body's core.
"Wounds are mending nicely. No infection."
"Then why the endless cough? Holy power not taking?"
"Well... yes."
Grain buttoned my shirt, choosing his words.
I tugged my clothes straight and clutched Father to sit up.
"Your son's resistant to Holy power, true. But sustained Holy Magic works—it's just inefficient. The physical injuries will heal in time."
Grain stroked my hair with a gentle hand.
"Soul wounds, though... Holy Magic can't touch those. If coughs or pain linger post-healing, you'll need soul-manipulating arts."
"...Magic."
Father's bitter murmur got only a shrug from Grain.
"Luwen seemed to have ideas. Trust him with it?"
"Yeah... alright. Thanks, Grain."
"Least you buy this Blue Guard Knight a drink sometime."
Father shot a wry smile at Grain's deadpan quip.
"Deal. When I get a moment."
"Perfect. I'll prescribe recovery tonics. Rest up, and your strength'll bounce back quick. See you, Lib."
Grain ruffled my hair with a grin, grabbed the red lamp, and left.
Father shut the door softly behind him.
"Alright, Lib. Need anything? More rest?"
I shook my head, then spotted the Melgram hanging at my neck.
The moment it blackened flashed back.
Mother's face twisting in horror before me. The feral Demon lunging to devour me.
My body shuddered; my heart hammered.
"Ah, Father... Mother?"
Breath caught. My spine iced over.
"Mother turned into a monster all sudden. I tried to run..."
"Lib, Lib."
Father's face paled as he crushed me in an embrace.
"No. That wasn't Mother. An evil thing shapeshifted to trick you. Like Selena."
"Then where's Mother? Is she safe?"
Father nodded firmly.
"She's fine. Sent Erner to confirm. She's on her way. No worries."
"Thank goodness."
Tears of relief welled up this time.
Father held me close, stroking my back—he looked shaken too.
"Got word Romela's barrier fell. Took time to respond. Shouldn't have stepped away... I'm so sorry. My fault."
"No."
I'd drawn the Demons again, just like with Selena. My longing for Mother had twisted its form. Not Father's doing.
I hugged him fiercely. His warm palm rubbed soothing circles on my back.
"No more scary Demons hurting you. I'll make damn sure. Don't fret. Got it?"
"...Yes."
"Here, look at this."
Father lifted me and carried me to the window.
A vast city sprawled beneath the blinding sun.
"This is Prion. Prius's massive fortress city HQ."
"Prion..."
Prion dwarfed my imaginings—grand, breathtaking.
Neat streets crammed with homes great and small, dotted by sprawling plazas.
Shopping districts, neighborhoods, parks, schools—all in view. Crowds teemed endlessly.
Snowy walls girded the whole expanse.
"This is Prius's Erban Medical Center. See that big building down there?"
Father pointed across the boulevard.
"Prius Knight Academy. Up top there's the White Guard HQ, Prius Knight Order base."
"Where you work, Father?"
"Blue Guard office next door to the academy. I'll show you sometime."
Father pointed out Prion's wonders beyond the glass.
Broad avenues, statue-lined squares, thronged markets, unyielding walls that repelled Demon hordes time and again.
"Planning a fine house for us all to share."
"Together from now on?"
"Naturally."
Joy surged; I threw my arms around him.
Cause be damned—Mother and Father staying together filled me with bliss.
"Prion's safe for you too. School with other kids, make friends."
"Friends..."
Father brimmed with anticipation for our new life, even more than I.
"Oh, right. That fellow earlier and his granddaughter—proper intro soon. Once you're stronger."
I just smiled at Father's rare bright cheer.
Leaned my head on his shoulder. Stamina needed time.
His hand swept my hair tenderly; drowsiness flooded in.
"Focus on recovering now. Be a bit healthier when you see Mother again."
Same thoughts exactly.