Even if Vlad hadn't died, the mere fact that someone could cut his head off just like that meant this was someone strong.
"What are you doing here, kid?" asked the mysterious figure. As he stepped closer, I noticed the crest of the Holy Empire on his armor—an upside-down cross, dark skin, and a soldier clad in full plate. That could only mean one thing.
"This is the Holy Church's demon extermination squad," I muttered under my breath.
"Yes, but you still haven't answered my question," he said again, wearing a condescending look. The Holy Church basically ran the Northern Continent—a huge feat in a world with only two continents. The Northern Continent was known for its dark-skinned people, who possessed an innate ability to wield spirit mana. They were called the Children of the Gods. Meanwhile, the Church's members acted as vassals, carrying out its will.
"Um… sorry, I was sent here as a test by my paren—" I started, but he cut me off before I could finish.
"Your parents sent you here? Just who are they to send a child to such a place?" His tone was cold, eyes sharp.
"Aldric and Selene Virehart," I answered carefully. He was serious—I couldn't afford to seem like a demon worshiper or a heretic.
'The Vireharts,' I thought. 'They may not be the most influential family, but they hold power.'
"Boy, you can't be a Virehart. They have just one son, and I met him on an expedition once," he said with certainty.
"I am. I was recently adopted," I said quickly. This man should not think I'm the enemy—or I'd be dead.
'I can't find out the truth now, but it will come out eventually.'
Just then, Vlad stood up as the dust began to settle.
"Ah… I'm sure I killed the Ash Queen. Just who was that?" he rubbed his neck.
"We'll get back to you, but don't be scared," the knight said, trying to reassure me.
I wasn't scared of the demon—I was scared of him. If he found out about Erelya or our contract, I'd be done for.
Vlad's eyes landed on me. Before I could react, he vanished.
"You… I don't know who you are, but you seem like a potential threat," Vlad's voice came from behind, cold and horrifying. I froze.
Stab.
A massive hole ripped through my body. Vlad loomed over me, eyes burning with bloodlust. My body went limp, vision blurring, breathing grew difficult.
Slash.
He released me, but then a searing pain as he lost his arm. A holy knight rushed to my side, casting a healing spell.
'Ah, warmth,' I thought, even as my body ached.
"You vile demon. I, Alaric, will make sure you pay for all your sins," the knight declared. Holy magic was the best kind for healing, as it was attuned to nature itself.
Pain still wracked me, but at least my breathing steadied.
Boom.
Vlad unleashed beams of energy, forcing Alaric to retreat. The healing was incomplete—pain flared like fire inside me, suffocating.
"Ugh… so… som…" I tried to speak, but no words came. Darkness crept in, and I passed out.
Alaric lunged toward Vlad, his sword glowing with holy power.
"Ahh! How dare you use that!" Vlad roared, flinging rocks at the knight.
Alaric countered relentlessly, closing the gap.
Slash.
A long cut tore across Vlad's chest. He snarled, forced back.
'Ugh… this human is annoying. But why isn't the cut healing?'
"You seem to regenerate, seeing as your head's still attached," Alaric taunted.
"Yes, I can," Vlad replied, trying to heal himself. This shouldn't be a problem.
"Don't bother. That cut was imbued with holy power," Alaric said confidently.
"Ooh, so that's what this disgusting energy is. No problem," Vlad laughed, blasting himself with a laser.
"I just need to vaporize the holy energy," he sneered.
More members of the Order arrived just in time to face the demon under the moonlight.
"Uh… looks like I have more guests. Guess I should greet them all," Vlad said, mockingly gentle, picking up a pebble.
With a powerful throw, the ground exploded.
The Order dodged easily, and before I knew it, I was grabbed and dragged to safety. They began healing me with holy magic, but it still took time.
---
Twenty minutes later.
"Ugh… how long was I out?" I asked, looking around. Everyone wore white armor bearing the Order's crest.
"Kid, eat up," said a woman with black hair and chocolate skin. Despite her full plate, she looked graceful.
"Thank you. But where am I?" I asked, stuffing food into my mouth.
"You're at the Holy Order's camp," she smiled and walked away.
'Damn, she's cute,' I thought.
"Anyway, Erelya, are you there?" I whispered, hoping she wasn't gone.
'She couldn't have died, right?' I waited.
A bright light appeared beside me—Erelya. She looked beaten but very much alive.
"Ugh, that sucks," she said, annoyed.
"W-what?" I asked.
"I got beaten by a weak-ass motherfucker. You think I'd be calm?" Her glare was sharp.
"No, I'm sure you wouldn't," I said calmly.
Despite her psychotic tendencies, Erelya seemed like a big shot in the demon realm. I was curious. We'd be together for a long time—plenty of chances to ask her.
"Anyway, what about Vlad?" she asked.
"Honestly, I don't know. After you got murde—"
"Defeated," she cut me off sharply. "And only because you're so fucking weak."
"Yeah, yeah. After you were defeated, a holy knight joined the fight. Someone from the Order carried me here," I explained.
"Huh, wait, should you be here? You're a demon, and this is the Holy Church's camp," I asked, scared. These guys might be nice, but if they thought I was a demon worshiper, it'd be over.
"Don't worry. I barely leave traces of demonic energy," she sighed.
---
The camp grew rowdy as news spread: the demon was defeated.
"Holy shit, the Order is no joke," I said in awe.
"You can say that again. No matter how weak Vlad was, he was on another level from you humans," Erelya said.
"Yeah, a lot of them were injured, but they managed to subdue him," I said as we walked toward the soldiers. Many were badly hurt, but no one died.
"Hah, when Mom and Dad come, I should just say I'll learn both," I joked.
"Yeah, you're learning both. With your potential, it'd be a shame to settle for one," Erelya said.
As we got closer, people began to bow.
"Aww… it was nothing," I said, embarrassed.
"It's definitely not you. Don't get ahead of yourself," Erelya said coldly, scanning for the reason.
'Way to shatter my dreams. This is why people become villains,' I thought, looking depressed.
"Look there," Erelya pointed to a kid.
"All hail the Saintess!" the crowd chanted. The Order didn't joke with titles like this.
"That's the Saintess," Erelya muttered.
"What are you doing here? I told you to stay back," Alaric said sharply.
"I'm the Super Monarch girl. I can't just leave my subordinates behind," the girl said proudly. Judging by Alaric's expression, we were both thinking the same thing.
'Ugh, that title is so lame.'
"Are you sure that's her?" I asked Erelya.
"I'm not sure, but most likely. I can sense a lot of holy power," she answered.
"She looks really small, though," I muttered.
"Who said that?" she immediately shouted like a child throwing a tantrum.
"Calm down, Faelith. You're the Saintess. Be mindful of your position," Alaric whispered.
Too bad children are children. She refused to listen. The Order must have predicted this because they brought me to her.
"Bwahahaha, you're both children, but she has more authority. She can do whatever she wants," she laughed at me.
"I'll have you know I'm an adult on the inside," I shot back.
"That's even worse—you're the adult, yet here she is bossing you around," she mocked.
"You dare call me small when you're the same size?" I said, annoyed.
"No, we're not," I stood up, revealing I was taller.
"Alaric, who's taller?" she asked, unwilling to admit defeat.
"It's you, Fae," Alaric said, giving me the 'please tolerate her' look.
"Are you sure? Anyone with good eyes would see I'm taller," I disagreed.
"Even if that's true, it's because you're older," she said confidently.
"How old are you?" I asked.
"Ten."
"Oh, sorry, I'm nine," I replied honestly. Mentally I was older, but physically I was nine.
"Well, you're a boy. Boys are usually taller," she said, unwilling to lose.
"Well, you're a baby. That's why you're making a fuss," I teased.
"W-what? Ooh, that's it, you're dead!" She glared sharply.
She infused her fist with holy power. Not that it mattered—she couldn't beat me after all I'd endured.
Her fist shot toward my face. I reinforced my cheek with aura—no need to dodge. Erelya's death training paid off.
"Ugh, you shouldn't punch people just like that," I said, rubbing my cheek. It would heal quickly though.
"You didn't even block it," she said.
"Didn't need to. It was fucking weak," I replied. Alaric's eyes narrowed.
'To endure Fae's punch, even if she's a child—who is this kid?'
"Alaric, he used a bad word! Scold him!" she cried.
"Yeah, you shouldn't use those words, kid," Alaric warned.
"You're not my dad. Don't tell me what to do," I shot back.
"Then who is your dad?" he asked.
"Aldric Virehart."
"What's your name?" he pressed.
"Kael… Kael Virehart."
---
"I haven't heard that name before, but we'll find out the truth, won't we?"
Faelith was so annoying, but at least her company made the time pass faster.
Soon, a knight came looking for me.
"Kael," he called.
"Here," I answered. He looked like one of my family's knights.
"I'd bet anything your mom's crying,"Erelya said with a smile.
"Yup."
"Why are they following us?" Faelith asked, glancing at Alaric, who was accompanied by Fae.
"I'm guessing he doesn't believe what I said."
"Yeah, that might be it. You don't look noble at all—except maybe your face," Erelya teased mockingly.
Meeting my parents outside, I hoped they wouldn't blame themselves. But, contrary to what I thought, they were calm—or at least my dad was.
"Kael, are you okay?" my mom asked, running toward me.
"I'm fine," I replied.
"I'm glad you're okay," my dad said, patting my head.
Family was really nice, I had to admit.
So the boy was really telling the truth
"Miss," Fae said, tugging at my mom's sleeve—ruining the good moment as usual.
"I don't like this boy. He was unbelievably rude," she continued, glaring.
"Oh? I'll make sure to scold him then," my mom said with a smile, while Fae puffed up her chest.
"Go away. Can't you read the room?" I said, defending myself. I couldn't let her stupid attitude spread.
"Kael, be nice to her," my dad said.
"U-ugh."
So that's the saintess. Way to go making such a friend. She doesn't look it, but she's going to be an indispensable ally.
"Pardon us, we'll be taking our leave," my dad said, walking ahead before turning to wait for us.
"Darling, let's go," my mom said, trying to carry me. I couldn't let that happen, so we compromised by holding hands.
"Your mom really seems to like touching you," Erelya said with an amused expression.
"Seems that way, doesn't it?" I replied.
The trip was nice and comfortable. I fell asleep almost immediately.
---
Later, in the saintess's chambers:
Fae came out of the shower, dried her hair, slipped into her nightgown, and lay down on the massive bed in the middle of the room.
"That boy was interesting," she chuckled, recalling the day's events.
"Everyone always acts formal with me, which is convenient, but this was... nice too," she muttered to herself.
"Well, I'm sure we'll meet again, no matter what," she said before drifting off to sleep.