"What a waste. No wonder you're still so far from my mother's level," I muttered, glancing sidelong at her.
"I might be, but we are basically on the same level strength-wise," Kayda said defensively, puffing out her cheeks slightly.
"That might be so, but you are a sage, while she is a close-range fighter."
"And what does that have to do with anything?" she asked sharply, eyes narrowing as though daring me to elaborate.
"Hmm, not much; it's just more about where you guys will be more useful. For example, who would be more useful in an open field surrounded by dozens of enemies?"
"Me, because I can make an area-effect spell."
"Yes, but then who would be more useful if you were in a cave trapped by enemies?"
"Stacy would be more useful in a fight," she said without hesitation.
"See? That's why I said it was a waste for you not using the Dead Forest."
"But my research?" Kayda whined suddenly, her shoulders slouching.
"Ah, you do have my research, don't you?" I said, laughing awkwardly and rubbing the back of my neck.
"Poo, how mean of you. "It's mean of you to forget about one of the most important things in my life," Kayda said, looking away with an exaggerated pout.
"Ha-ha, sorry, sorry. Here is some demon rock you can research," I said, pulling a small demon rock out of my storage and holding it out toward her.
"...You have tons of this. Can't you give me something rarer?" Kayda asked, eyeing the demon rock with suspicion and a greedy little sparkle in her eyes.
"Kayda, don't be greedy now, or else I will take everything back. Including my money," I said, narrowing my eyes at her.
"You're no fun, you know that? I was only joking, and it doesn't matter when we get-" Kayda said, but before she could finish, she snatched the demon rock out of my hand with practiced speed.
"You sound like an obsessed girl again. It's a total turn-off," I commented dryly.
"Aah, was I always like that?" she asked, blinking in mild surprise at her behavior.
"Don't know. I've only known you for a month," I said with a sigh, giving her a look that made her shift awkwardly.
"Hmm," Kayda hummed softly to herself, falling into thought again, staring down at the stone as though it held all the answers.
'It is weird that she is like that... Not that I mind it. I was told by Sensei that I am slow when it comes to a lot of things, I thought, glancing around at the people passing by us.
"Did you hear the church in Bandin was destroyed?"
My ears flicked at the sound of the gossip, catching the hushed, hurried tones of locals nearby.
"What, another one? Tsk, that's the fifth one this month."
"They weren't even built that long ago."
"Hmm, there was a church in Bandin?" I muttered, tilting my head.
Looking toward the source, I spotted two men sitting outside a small restaurant, speaking to a waiter as they ate.
'I guess there might be a pillar there,' I thought, changing course and dragging Kayda along with me.
"Good afternoon, I'm sorry to bother you, but I overheard you mention that a church in Bandin has been destroyed," I said, stepping closer and drawing their attention.
"...Y-Yes," the one sitting to my right stammered, paling as his fork froze halfway to his mouth.
"Can you please give me directions?" I asked with a polite smile, trying not to bare fangs.
"Aha, it's... in... in the... far south..." the other man managed, his voice cracking like dry wood.
"Hmm, why are you guys so stuttery?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Hehe, it's probably because of how you are carrying your friend there," the waiter said, trying to suppress a snicker.
"Hmm?" I glanced back, realizing belatedly that I had Kayda by the back of her neck like one might hold a troublesome kitten. The baffling part was that she was still lost in thought, entirely unaware.
"That's not it, Linda. Do you not know who this is?" The first man spoke suddenly, pointing at me.
"Do we know each other?" I asked, tilting my head.
"We haven't met personally, but I have heard about you. You're the demon fox that turns guys into girls for fun."
"HUH!? What the fuck!? Where did you hear something like that?" I shouted, my voice cracking the calm of the street. The suddenness of it finally shook Kayda out of her thoughts.
"Huh? Nova, why are you holding me like this, and why did you shout like that?" Kayda asked, blinking up at me as she pulled my hand off her neck.
"We heard what you did to Hugo Boei and the Duke."
"Oh, so you are the demon fox that saved Sarayo?" The waiter chimed in, tilting his head with mild curiosity.
"Huh, how do you guys know about things like that?" Kayda asked, her gaze darting between the waiter and me.
"Sarayo told us about it."
"And who is Sarayo?" I asked, confused.
"She was a slave under the one furry."
"Huh, I see. Anyways, what are the directions to the church?" I asked, turning back-only to find the two men had vanished.
"Huh, they ran away," Kayda and the waiter said in unison.
"I guess I would as well if I were them," I muttered, making both of them give me baffled looks.
"Would you have?" the waiter asked, incredulous.
"Only if they deserved it," I said with a shrug. "Well, the explanation sits on you now, Miss Waiter," I added, fixing him with a smile.
"OH, that's easy..."
.
"Hey Kayda, how are we supposed to meet up with Miss Grandie?"
"Don't know."
"Do we need to go to the black market again?"
"No, definitely not. We will see tonight if they make contact."
"Okay, anyway, we are close to the pillar."
"So, there is one. And how do you know that?"
"Hmm, the killing intent in the air gives it away," I said, my gaze narrowing in the direction it was emanating from. The air itself seemed heavier there, the faint oppressive pressure lingering in the lungs.
"Oh, makes sense," Kayda said, raising her hands lightly in front of her chest as though preparing herself.
"You didn't notice it until I told you, did you?" I said, giving her a flat, deadpan look.
"Nooo... Maybe. Fine, yes, I was so in thought about why I always bring up us being together the entire time, okay," Kayda admitted, her cheeks puffing out as she looked away, pouting once again.
"Sigh, don't overthink it. I don't really mind it too much. Well, if you do that every five minutes, then I might get annoyed," I said, reaching out to ruffle her hair. She stiffened for a moment before leaning into it slightly, the pout softening.
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Chapter 115:
"Stop, you scoundrel!" two priests yelled, their voices cutting through the evening bustle as they sprinted after me.
Their sandals slapped against the stone road, robes flapping wildly as they tried to keep pace. Townsfolk scattered to either side, startled by the chase. A fruit cart was nearly toppled as one of the priests shoved it aside, apples spilling and rolling across the cobbles.
"Haha, as if I will stop for you," I said, laughter bubbling out of my chest as I vaulted off a barrel, catching the lip of the nearest rooftop with one hand. My boots found purchase on the tiles, and I sprang upward, landing smoothly, the city spread out beneath me like a flat, dull map.
The night air bit cooler up here, tugging at my scarf. I could feel my tail swish behind me in satisfaction, the chase only stoking my energy further.
"You have stolen property of the church. Return it right now!" The first priest shouted, his breath already ragged as he somehow managed to follow, jumping onto the rooftop behind me. His balance was clumsy, arms flailing for a moment before he steadied himself.
"Stole? That was not the property of the church, and you know that," I shot back, smirking over my shoulder. I leapt across to the next rooftop, tiles clinking beneath my boots. "Hmm, or are you guys in league with the Pandas?"
"Pandas?" one priest gasped, almost stumbling as he landed. He looked sideways at his companion in total confusion.
"Don't look at me. I have no idea what she is talking about," the other said, shrugging mid-run, sweat gleaming on his brow.
"You guys really are oblivious," I called, coming to a stop atop a higher roof. From here the whole city unfolded below-the smoke of dinner fires curling upward, bells tolling faintly in the distance. I looked down at them as if they were idiots who had crawled up from the gutter.
"What did you just say!" they both shouted together, skidding to a halt and staring up at me with indignation.
"I said you guys are oblivious. How don't you know your enemies are black pandas, huh!?" I tilted my head, letting the insult drip in my tone. My tail flicked once for emphasis.
"Uuuuh, she kind of has a point, you know," the priest on the right muttered, scratching his cheek nervously while eyeing me.
"...are you for real right now?" The other snapped, staring at his companion's stupidity. His hands clenched into fists, frustration evident even under the holy robes.
"How stupid can you be, taking your eyes off the scoundrel!" A harsh voice cut through the air, and in a blur, a bishop landed behind them. His robes were trimmed in gold thread, and the sigil on his chestplate caught the fading sunlight. He passed them in a blink, his movements sharper and faster than theirs combined.
'Hmm, he is quite fast. I guess I need to start running now, I thought, adrenaline sparking as I lunged into motion again, hopping to the next building and accelerating. My feet hit tiles in a rhythm that felt like music-one-two-three, vault, land, roll.
"Damn, she was just playing with us," the bishop growled, his eyes narrowing as he realized I had only been toying until now.
"Hey, don't be like-" I began with mock innocence, but my words were cut short as my gaze flicked behind him. Shadows detached themselves from the alleys, five black figures leaping effortlessly onto the roofs. Their silhouettes cut against the twilight, and my stomach sank with grim recognition.
"Shit, watch out from behind!" I yelled, halting abruptly before sprinting straight toward the bishop.
'I seriously don't want to save these dumbasses,' I thought bitterly, tightening my jaw, 'but I would rather sit with an angel cult than a devil one.' My hands moved instinctively, mana flowing and shaping into two sleek katanas that shimmered in the dying light. The weight of the blades settled into my grip like greeting old friends.
"Hah, I won't fall for that," the bishop sneered as he raised his sword, believing it was a trick. His stance was proud but sloppy in its arrogance.
"Your dumbass!" I shouted, fury spiking at his idiocy. My body blurred with a flash step, slipping past him in an instant. Metal screeched as my twin blades crossed, intercepting a hidden strike aimed for his spine. Sparks flew, and the clang echoed sharply across the rooftops.
"What the-!?" The bishop exclaimed, spinning in shock as the shadows behind him solidified into men with blades already dripping intent.
"Idiot, get your sword out and help you-" My words died on my lips as I caught sight of the two priests who had chased me earlier. They weren't even given a chance. Their bodies crumpled on the rooftops, throats cut clean, eyes staring wide at nothing.
"Tsk, too late. Run!" I barked, pushing the bishop away before seizing his collar. Without hesitation, I yanked him with me and sprinted, his boots dragging over the tiles as he tried to keep up.
'If that guy didn't hold back, he would've shattered my katanas with that stab. They're definitely stronger than the previous group, I thought grimly, dismissing the swords in a shimmer of light before they became liabilities.
"What are you doing!? Let me go!" the bishop shouted, thrashing against my grip.
"Mister Bishop, shut the fuck up and listen quietly," I snapped, voice low and edged. My tail lashed once behind me. "Those people are stronger than we are, and we're outnumbered. If you're wondering who they are, they're the ones that destroyed your little church a few days ago."
His eyes widened, but then something unexpected shifted in his expression. His panic smoothed, and a calm, almost clerical stillness replaced it.
"I see. Okay, so you want to work together for now," the bishop said evenly, surprising me enough to nearly stumble.
"You calmed down really fast there," I said, raising a brow even as I smirked.
"It's part of the job. However, don't expect me to let you go even after this," he warned, adjusting his grip on his sword.
"...sigh. "Dumb angel lovers," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "Whatever, we can work together, but I'm certain they're after me actually. So, you can leave." I kept running, hoping he'd take the chance.
"You want me to leave? They are people who attacked the church. As a bishop, it is my duty to take revenge," he said firmly, voice tightening with holy resolve.
"Well, good. Then go get reinforcements," I replied casually-right before pivoting and Sparta kicking him square in the chest. His eyes went wide as he sailed backward, a strangled yell tearing from his throat.
"Haaaaa!" The bishop's cry echoed as he flew into the distance, robes flapping like a broken banner. A wet cough followed, and a thin line of blood sprayed across the sky before he vanished from view.
'He should survive that, right?'... 'I hope so,' I thought, scratching my cheek awkwardly. The amount of blood had been a little more than I intended.
"Heh, was he getting in the way?" one of the devil cultists taunted, landing lithely on the rooftop behind me. His hood shadowed his face, but I could feel the sneer in his voice.
"Hmm, in a way, he actually was getting in the way. But it's more about reducing the number of witnesses," I answered calmly, tilting my head as if genuinely pondering. My tone was conversational, but my stance was coiled, ready.
"Heh, there are witnesses to your death, demon fox," another cultist said as he appeared to my left. In seconds, more landed-eight, nine, ten shadows until I was encircled. They spread across the roofs like wolves tightening a ring.
"My death?" I smirked, narrowing my eyes as I rolled my shoulders. "I guess I might die. Nah, that's impossible. You guys are too weak for that."
Inside, my thoughts whispered a sharper truth: 'Well, I might not die, but I have no chance of winning this fight.' My gaze slid past them for a heartbeat, catching the sun sinking low, painting the sky in blood-red streaks. The sight made the moment feel heavier, as though the world itself was bracing for violence.
"Damn, you fucks actually ruined a perfect date I could have had with Kayda," I mumbled, eyes narrowing further.
