“The demon world?” Lady Aurora didn’t sound confident in her own words. “It was all so strange. It was all dark and shining, like fire, and so many demons were present—but they didn’t look ugly at all, albeit with horns and such. They spoke a language so strange I could not make heads of it. Then suddenly, I felt like someone was pulling my thoughts away, and I tried to fight.”

Sylvester gave her a glass of water. “Good for you. It was a Soul Eater demon, trying to take away your soul.”

“What?!” Her jaw fell open.

Sylvester quickly forced it close as the water was falling out. “Did the soul take your brain? Don’t make a mess. Also, how are you feeling right now?”

Lady Aurora checked her arms and legs by tapping on them. Then she wrapped the sheet of cloth around her body and ran to the small mirror on a wall. “I look fine… am I fine? What if the demon took a chunk of my soul, and I don’t even know?”

“Won’t killing it give back all the souls?” Isabella spoke from the side.

Lady Aurora just noticed her. “You also came to save me? Such a good girl, and yes, killing the demon will give back all the souls. I believe that’s what you’re planning, Sylvester? The more we let it remain free, the stronger it will get.”

Sylvester nodded and revealed his initial plan. “From what I experienced inside that mist, I believe something physical remains inside the mist near where I found you. It tried to attack me, but I got away safely.

“I also heard many strange voices, one belonging to a child. So there are likely some old souls trapped there. All in all, I first wish to get rid of the mist and then move in. Otherwise, the demon will have a grave advantage over us.”

“Agreed.” Lady Aurora replied as she shamelessly threw away the sheet of cloth and started wearing her clothes. .

Sylvester sighed and looked away. At that, Lady Aurora scoffed loudly. “What? You’ve already seen it, so it doesn’t matter anymore. Am I right, Isabella?”

Isabella nodded nervously. She was like that around Lady Aurora most of the time. Meek and shy, for she saw the latter as a role model.

“Let’s move out now. Losing me must have brought down the morals of the Inquisitors. I can’t have that, for they are the backbone of this mission. Furthermore, Sylvester, did you find any further information about this situation? I know you’re the smart brain, so give it to me.”

As they walked downstairs, Sylvester updated Lady Aurora about the whole situation of the Mizar family and the culprit crusaders under the command of the local Baron.

“That maggot!” She cursed at the Baron. “It’s so hard to convert the heathens to the side of the light already, and then these buffoon nobles come and destroy everything. I’m sure the words of the massacre of such a prominent trader’s family must have already spread all over Libertia and the Beastaria’s coastal region. I believe we’ll likely see fewer pilgrims from the Beastkins this time.”

Sylvester shared the same feeling. “We are our own enemies, Aurora. Why do you think any underhuman species will accept Solis if we treat them inhumanely? Why would an elf bed slave commit to Solis after being abused by some sick fat lord? Why would an orc slave accept Solis after being beaten and forced into doing hard labour? Why would the dwarves accept Solis after being locked in a dungeon as a free weaponsmith slave?”

Lady Aurora stopped and looked at Sylvester. “A-Are you suggesting we absolv–”

“I am suggesting nothing, Aurora. Just making an observation. All I know is that our methods of preaching are wrong. I don’t think even my hymns and light can heal the mental scars of an elf that’s been violated and tortured for decades. But, we have heathens like the Baron and Duchess Artemis among us—why even talk about the underhuman species?”

Lady Aurora sighed and continued on her path. “That’s why you need to do your best and win this race—take the seat you were born to occupy.”

‘Isn’t that what this entire game is about? I will have that throne no matter what—I’m just afraid of the cost.’ Sylvester thought and arrived at the open field outside the monastery.

“Lady tenth!” General Arnold came running, surprised and elated, yet his face remained dead as always. “You’re well? It’s certainly soothing to the mind. Will you be taking over the authority again?”

“No, not anymore, for we have a better thinker among us. My brother here, Lord’s Bard, the bringer of light, Sylvester Maximilian, will officially command all ten thousand of your Inquisitors.” She proudly proclaimed while patting Sylvester’s shoulder, who was taller than her.

‘This woman. Why is she smirking at me? Did she just push away her responsibilities onto me?’

But nothing had changed. Sylvester was the boss already. “General, start preparing the masks. Lady Aurora and I will start removing the mist. Whenever you see the cleared space, I want you to save the rest of the Inquisitor Army, and then start evacuating the bodies of the frozen villagers too. Once you’re done, take everyone at least five kilometres back from here. We don’t know how dangerous this creature will be, and we don’t wish to take any chances.”

General Armstrong stoically looked back. “Villagers who lived have started to run away, Lord Bard. They are scared of the increasing mist—how can I tell them to stay and help now?”

“There must be some who have their families still stuck in the village. Keep them behind and let the rest go. I am allotting thirty minutes for you to prepare everything. After that, I will enter the mist with Lady Aurora.”

“Understood.” the man saluted and marched away.

Lady Aurora giggled, seeing his commanding attitude. “I’m slowly starting to understand why the more you meet my father, the more he likes you. You’re a competent army commander.”

Sylvester responded in a retort. “And I am confused about how a woman as old as you is still so immature sometimes. Truly, the world is full of mysteries—some awe-inspiring and some just dumb.”

Lady Aurora blinked dumbly and pointed her finger at her own face while facing Isabella. “Did he call me dumb?”

Isabella nodded strongly. “I believe that’s what his words can be interpreted as, my lady.”

Lady Aurora stared at Sylvester’s leaving figure. But she stopped herself from doing something immature again as the moment was truly serious and deadly. So instead, she focused on the mist and wondered what magic to use to get rid of it.

Sylvester was thinking the same. He was less worried about the outer layer, as the innermost layers had so much pressure from all around that he wasn’t sure if he could get rid of the mist.

Either way, he had no option but to try and stop the demon before it devoured everything.

Soon, the time for the moment of truth arrived. Sylvester was slightly nervous this time as he had no solarium crystals left. So this time, he was going with the ‘retreating at the sight of trouble.’ mindset.

“Ready?” He stepped beside Lady Aurora at the edge of the mist. Behind them were the Inquisitors, donning light armour, ready to run in and drag their brethren out.

“I was basically asleep the whole time my mind was lost. My body feels completely fresh at the moment.” She responded and started waving her hands towards the mist.

She created large circular rune schemes, each being as big as a metre in diameter. They appeared white, meaning they were related to the wind element. She didn’t need to hide her spells at the moment, so she put no focus on ensuring the runes remained colourless.

Boom!

Then, with her monstrous magical strength, she unleashed the most incredible gust of wind that Sylvester had ever seen. It dug into the mist and disappeared, not even removing the mist. However, what happened after that was the most shocking.

Shhh…!

A few seconds later, all the mist from the vicinity started to get sucked away in the same direction Lady Aurora’s spell went.

“Ah, creating negative pressure to make the mist fly over the cliff and disperse over the Blood Sea? Smart.” Sylvester praised the woman he considered sister now.

Lady Aurora chuckled wryly, definitely not having thought as much as Sylvester. “Behold my power, Sylvester. You must strive to be stronger than this one day.”

Woosh!

She threw away a few more such gusts of wind.

Seeing that, Sylvester also made his move and started creating massive whirling storms. “Let’s work together, lady Aurora. With the tornadoes, I will gather as much mist as possible, and once I signal, you send the gust of wind.”

“Got it.”

With that, Sylvester and Lady Aurora showed an incredible feat of magic to the Inquisitors. Their spells were vast and mighty. They were audible to the ears even when they only consisted of air. It was undoubtedly confidence-inspiring for them.

Boom!

“That should do it.” Lady Aurora exclaimed after launching the last spell. The area had become much clearer now, and the first two hundred metres appeared clear to walk around.

“Exorcists! Move-in!” General Arnold roared, as per the plan Sylvester had made.

“Malum quod ante lucem stat. Perstare necesse est, nam hanc pugnam vincere destinati sumus. abscede! abscede!…” Loud reciting of the ritual echoed all around. A dozen exorcists made a semi-circle around the village and started to walk in.

The seven-light ritual was in place. The exorcists held a torch in one hand and a holy book in the other, while the symbol of the church was brandished on their chests as a large locket.

They chanted, and chanted, for the land they had to purify. In the meantime, Sylvester had a demonic mess to rectify.

“Inquisitors! Mask up and move in! Follow the protocol and bring all the brothers of the Inquisition and villagers out!” General Arnold roared. He also put on a mask and led the men into the recently cleaned area.

However, Sylvester and Lady Aurora’s destination was further deep into the village. After the first two hundred, the next three-hundred-meter radius was the next target. Though this time as well, they quickly cleaned the area, albeit with a dozen more spells than before.

“Clear!” Sylvester bellowed to signal the Inquisitors behind.

Though for Lady Aurora and Sylvester, the real fight was to start now. In front of them was the five-hundred-meter mark, the toughest. The same radius inside which Lady Aurora was stuck and Sylvester’s solidified light helmet was cracked.

Sylvester didn’t wish to enter without a plan, so he stopped to think. “Do you know what powers a Soul Eater has other than eating souls?”

“I don’t. They are so rare that even books don’t have much information about them. Though, this mist situation is a first.” Lady Aurora said.

Out of options, Sylvester walked to a large tree; half stuck inside the mist and half outside. The outer part had a hollow, a big one.

“Does the mist also travel under the gr—Move back!”

Sylvester abruptly jumped back, alerting Lady Aurora too. He kept his spear forward, and Lady Aurora her sword—pointed at the hollow.

He roared. “Come out! I saw you in there! Show your face!”

________________________

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APE TOGETHER STRONG!