"Are you sure about this, Castor?"

Castor Bistoa Lescatie, the former king of the nation that bore his name, didn't look up from his waist. His hands kept moving across the belt he wore, making sure he had everything he needed. He patted down the bag where he kept his scrolls, another one for his Demon's Feather Pens, and one more bag filled with small red Druelite crystals. Once he was certain everything was in its proper place, he looked up at Druella with a smile. Handsome even in his old age, his recent monsterization had only made him look even better. What had once been a thin and haggard man was now the picture of nobility. His facial features were eerily perfect, like something sculpted out of marble. The only hint to his nature as an Incubus was the slightest purple color in his irises. His pitch-black hair ran down his head and to the small of his neck, where it curved around to meet his combo sideburns, mustache, and beard.

In contrast to his dashing features, his attire was relatively plain. A simple robe trimmed with purple and gold, with the symbol of Lescatie. A dark red gem that from afar looked like the eye of a serpent. A small cape hung from his left shoulder and fluttered a bit as he placed his right hand there. He bowed his head to Druella, Lescatie's capital city walls behind her. Standing atop them were some of the newest creations of the Dark Ice Flower: Dark Heavy Knights. There were only two of them now, but there was little doubt that the number wouldn't rise. It was only a matter of time.

"Milady Druella, I believe I have told you multiple times. This is my passion. Asking me to go on another diplomatic mission after I just returned is something I would gladly do," his voice was smooth, and sounded like it belonged to someone who just entered their twenties. Yet, even with his new transformation, he seemed well into his sixtieth year.

But Druella frowned at his words. She waved a hand to the right as she spoke, "I'm well aware. I was referring to how I had taken away from your activities with the Listener Fox."

Castor followed Druella's gesture towards the entourage he'd be taking with him for this journey. A group of three Demons stood side by side, each having said goodbye to their husbands before coming out here. More Demon's Feather Pens were carried on sashes that ran around their waists. Which were the only articles of clothing they wore. They were all checking to make sure they each had everything they needed for the trip. And observing them from but a step away, was a five-tailed Youko. The former Queen of Lescatie, Francia Reinel Lescatie, stood tall next to the three Demons. Despite her tight-fitting noble dress and the thick purple hair that reached all the way to the small of her back, she seemed to almost blend into the background next to the three Demons. Her five tails hung just above the ground, sticking out of a hole in her skirt.

As if sensing her husband's eyes on her, her body seemed to relax a little bit. She turned her head toward Castor, her lips curling into a small smile before she turned away again. Castor waved at his wife before addressing Druella again, "While this does get in the way of our time together, I assure you that my wife understands."

Druella pursed her lips, "You are certain? If you wish for more time with her, then you simply must ask. You've been away on these missions for at least three days now. Isn't it time for you to rest?"

"I will rest. But only after this next mission is finished. After all, from what I have seen, it is a rather urgent one is it not?" the air between the two grew tense as he said those words. Druella frowned but nodded her head. Castor frowned in turn, "What exactly is so concerning about Pran, that it has made even you feel compelled to act Lady Lilim?"

"It is not Pran necessarily. More someone who calls that place home," she turned her gaze away from Castor and in the direction of the town in question. Her expression darkened as she continued, "I was recently informed that we will be receiving a very...special guest in the near future."

Castor followed Druella's gaze, turning toward the path to his destination. He hummed in thought, "Would this guest be the rumored 'Hunter'?" At Druella's nod, he looked to the ground, "I will admit, I too wish to speak with this woman. Hear the reasoning behind her actions and see if there was a chance of getting her to see reason."

"You believe such a thing is possible?"

"Without a doubt. All that must be done is to inform her of how much our nation has improved since becoming a Demon Realm. And if that somehow was not enough, well, I'd at least like to ensure we could form an amicable relationship," Castor started to ramble as he came up with all the different ways he believed he could convince the Hunter to see things their way.

Druella smiled as the man started to talk to himself. He went on for a minute before he realized what he was doing. He apologized while clearing his throat, but Druella merely laughed while staring down at him. Her gaze softened as she spoke, "You're a good man, Castor. I can assure you that I will do just the same when the Hunter arrives. You merely need to focus on ensuring the Non-Aggression Treaty with Pran."

Castor returned her smile before giving her an exaggerated bow, "I assure you that this will be a fruitful endeavor, Druella. I hope to see you soon. Now, I shall be off. Honey, Ixil, Trexi, Holver! It is time to go."

All the Demons responded to him with affirmative noises. They flew to him as he began to walk, one on each side while the last hovered just above the group. The Listener Fox didn't react. She merely stood in place while waiting for him to pass her by. Only then did she start walking, each step only a second behind her husband's. She stood just behind his right shoulder with her head down and eyes closed.

And so the envoy of the Lescatian Demon Realm set off.

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"Have you prepared yourself, Eristia Vitral?"

The last pure Hero of Lescatie kept her head down. Both hands clasped the handle of her blade as she knelt before the Bishop. Her bright orange hair fell around her torso, her aquamarine hat sitting on the edge of her blade. Her black skirt fell around her thighs, the end meeting her undershirt around her waist. Her chest was covered by a low-cut dress shirt that was the same color as her hat.

"You know what must be done on this holy mission?"

"Yes, Bishop Primus," her voice was devoid of emotion. All other sounds were drowned out as she focused her all on receiving the words of one of the Chief God's Voices.

The Bishop started to pace around the Hero. The scepter in his hand tapped out a rhythm against his skin. Each strike echoed through the empty tent they resided in. He continued to speak in his imperious tone, "Tell me, what is your role in this Crusade against the Fallen City of Lescatie?"

"To strike down the enemies of the Chief God," Eristia spoke with no hesitation in her voice. Her body vibrated with fervor as she continued, "I am to be a part of the main force and help clear the path into the inner parts of the capital."

"And once there, what are you to do?"

"Find the Heroes who fell to the machinations of our enemies."

"And what are you to do once you have found those who have been lost to the greatest threat to mankind?"

"Cut them down," her grip on her blade tightened as she said that simple statement.

Primus stopped his pacing. He reached down and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Very good, Eristia. Your selfless actions are becoming of a true Hero. Unlike those who willingly gave themselves to the Mamono."

For the briefest moment, Eristia felt a memory flash through her mind at the word "selfless". The tensing of her body passed before the Bishop noticed anything. She remained knelt as she continued, "Thank you, Bishop Primus."

He took his hand off her shoulder and walked away, "You are most welcome. The Chief God has a place and duty for us all, and mine is to guide and command others to act in her name. I do not doubt that your place is fighting against those who have betrayed the Order and its teachings."

"Yes, Bishop Primus," Eristia gets to her feet, eyes sharply focused on the Bishop's back. She gives the man a short bow, "I shall take my leave and prepare for the coming battle."

The Bishop didn't even look at her. He simply waved her off as she walked out of the tent. When she pushed the flap out of the way the early morning sun beamed down upon her brow. She flinched, narrowing her eyes and placing one hand over her face to block out the sun's rays. Around her, the sounds of the camp filled her ears. Around her men marched in formation, armor and helms clanking with each step. A column of spearmen passed by in front of her, being led by a single knight in shining plate armor. To her left she saw another yelling at archers for missing their targets. She could practically hear his swearing from where she was standing. And directly across from her was a mixture of different tents with different flags flying above them. Around them, men and women milled about without a care in the world. Some carried weapons while others simply walked along with their heads pointed toward the earth.

Once her eyes had adjusted, Eristia started to make her way toward her tent. The other soldiers gave her a wide berth as she marched through their ranks. She didn't even bother looking at any of them. Her gaze remained focused forward as her thoughts drifted toward the future conflict ahead of them. The plan of action for the Crusade was simple. They would march to Lescatie's capital, break through the enemy lines, and kill any monsters they came across. While the soldiers held off the Mamono, the mercenaries and exorcists would be tasked with finding the leader of the enemy and purging them with their strange magics. And her task was to face off against the Fallen Heroes of Lescatie.

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Her frown deepened. Her thoughts drifted to the women she once called her comrades. Heroes she respected one and all, but there was one among them that she truly wished to face.

"Wilmarina," she mouthed the name of the strongest Hero of Lescatie. If there was anyone who could be described as the face of the nation it would be her. Powerful, noble, and beautiful, she was the example that all Heroes of Lescatie were meant to follow. Living proof that the Chief God was still with humanity. Someone whose strength was great enough to make the enemies of mankind surrender just by mentioning her name. During her time in Lescatie, Eristia's experience serving with Wilmarina had proven all those rumors correct. She was strong in not just body but in spirit as well. Able to walk with her head held high and be the Hero that the Order needed her to be.

At least, that's what she thought.

Until she heard of how Wilmarina had fallen to the Mamono.

Eristia still couldn't understand it. How could someone like Wilmarina fall? And within less than a day. She was larger than life. A Hero that stood above all others. She was the best of them. Yet she fell all the same. Why? What could have brought someone like her so low?

These questions had repeated themselves over and over in Erista's head during the entire campaign. Eristia was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't even notice when she arrived at her tent. It took her almost walking through the entrance flaps to bring her back to reality. She stopped in front of the entrance to her tent, her hand pausing in place as it reached for the tent flap. Her face morphed from an expression of confusion to anger. Her teachings replayed in her head as she thought of the traitor. Her attention turned toward the training dummy that had been set up to the left of her tent.

Marching over, she took her blade in both hands while trying to imagine what Wilmarina looked like now. Her mind did its best to recreate her fighting style in the body of a Mamono and superimpose it over the dummy. Even if it couldn't fight back, she needed some way to prepare for the eventual confrontation.

And it would help to strengthen her conviction.

Because she knew that, whatever Wilmarina's reasoning, it had to be wrong. Either she was coerced and tricked into betraying them by their great enemy, or she allowed this to happen to her and her nation. If the former was true, then Wilmarina wasn't as strong as she thought she was. Perhaps she was strong in body, but her spirit wasn't up to the task of facing the enemy. In which, cutting her down would be a mercy. She would be saving Lescatie's greatest Hero from the clutches of the Mamono.

If the latter were true...then this was simply executing a heretic.

Something else that Heroes of the Order were expected to do.

Eristia kept repeating that to herself...even though a tiny part of her was starting to doubt those words. And, in truth, that part wanted to know what Wilmarina had seen to have this happen to her. To let herself be made into a Mamono. The reason behind it all. She wanted to know. To know if it was a worthwhile reason to have this happen.

And this doubt wouldn't leave her until she fought Wilmarina.

For, no matter how many times she struck the dummy, a mental image couldn't give her the answers she sought.

----------------------------------------

"So, this is it then," Nick crossed his arms as he watched Selina. The Huntress stood just outside the door, the other occupants of her house making a half circle in front of her. To her right stood the Mercer siblings, Maggie, Nick, and Marcus. The brother and sister stood just behind their younger brother, who was mostly kicking at the ground with his feet. To the left of them were Tina and Felix, the husband and wife holding hands as they stood before the maskless Huntress.

And, standing in front of them all, held in the Huntress' embrace, were Horace and Gloria. Both were hugging their adoptive mother, with the boy holding back his tears and staring up at her with a determined look in his eye. Gloria, meanwhile, was barely holding back her sobs as she gripped the Huntress as tightly as she could. Selina looked up at those gathered outside her home. Her voice was steady as she replied to Nick's words, "For now, yes it is. I am confident in saying you all can manage without me?"

"Pssh," Nick waved his hand dismissively through the air, "This isn't our first time watching over the house while you're gone, Cynthia. And, considering how much of a busy woman you are, it probably won't be the last."

"Nick," Maggie spoke out the corner of her mouth, elbowing her brother in his side.

He grunted and rubbed at his side, "What? It's true."

Maggie glared at him before flashing a smile at the Huntress she spoke, "We'll be sure to keep everything clean and tidy for when you return, Lady Cynthia. I promise you that."

"That is not necessarily what I meant," Selina said, eyes focused on the girl.

Maggie kept her smile up as she chuckled, "Don't you start worrying about me, too. I get enough of that from these two." She rubs Marcus' head while tapping Nick on the shoulder. The two boys avoid looking anyone in the eye. Maggie gives the Huntress a sincere look, "I'll be fine. Not sure if I'll ever get back to 'normal', but I'm not just gonna be afraid for the rest of my life."

"Big sis is tough!" Marcus says proudly, puffing his chest out. This is dampened somewhat when Nick picks him up and starts rubbing his head. The two laugh while the younger brother tries to push himself out of his older sibling's grip.

The Huntress smiles at them, before turning her head to Tina and Felix. Her expression falls as she beholds the couple, "And I hope the two of you aren't staying out of obligation. If you have found a better opportunity then-"

"It's alright, Cynthia," Tina interrupts, leaning against Felix's side as she speaks, "We're not going anywhere just yet. It's only been a few days since you saved us after all. My honey works hard, but he's not a miracle worker."

Felix starts to blush while looking away from his wife, "T-Tina. Not in front of everyone else."

Tina just leans closer to Felix which makes his blush become a brighter shade of pink. She giggles while he turns to Selina to get his mind off his wife's actions, "So, when do you think you'll be back?"

Selina frowned, "I'm not sure. It all depends on how long my negotiations take."

The air gets heavy at her words. Nick put his brother down as he spoke, "Really, I think we're the ones that should be worried about you. I mean, yeah, you can undo monsterization and all that. But...do you really think you'll be alright? You're walking into a literal lion's den here. What if something goes wrong?"

"Nick, and believe me when I say this, this is not my first time walking into a den of lions or worse. I have done so many times before. And I am still breathing, while everything else is dead," Selina speaks with a quiet confidence in her voice, "Though, I hope that it will not end with death this time."

As everyone was temporarily stunned at her words, Selina pushed herself to her feet, arms leaving her children as she rose. Gloria held on for as long as she could, while Horace let his mother go when she was far enough away. When the two were, reluctantly, out of her grip, she looked down at them with a sad smile as she spoke, "You two be good. Keep each other safe, do your chores, and be sure to listen to Eve and everyone else here. Understood?"

"Yes, mom," Horace said. His voice was steady but his arms were trembling.

"I-I don't want you to go," Gloria sniffled, rubbing her eyes with her hands. Selina made to go to the girl but was interrupted by Matilda. The doll had been standing by Selina's left his whole time and now walked over to the crying Gloria.

Matilda pulled Gloria into a gentle hug, both of her hands patting the young girl on the back. She whispered into the young girl's ear, "Don't worry. Your mother will return to you. As will I. And you can always see us if you do one special little thing."

"Wh-What?" Gloria whispered back.

Matilda smiled then placed a hand where Gloria's heart would be, "Just put a hand here, close your eyes, and think about your mother really, really hard. It'll work. Trust me."

The doll smiled at the young girl before pulling away from her. A stunned Gloria put a hand to her heart in confusion, her other hand being grabbed by her brother. Matilda moved the Huntress' side and looked up at her, "I am ready to leave when you are, Good Hunter."

Selina nodded then turned back to the humans around her. Each of them was staring at Selina in confusion. One of her eyebrows rose, "Is something wrong?"

"It's just...," Tina started.

"Are you only gonna take that...doll with you?" Felix finished for her. He pointed at Selina's arms, where he saw Matilda being held, "Nothing else. Just that?"

Selina looked down at Matilda. Then she turned back to Felix and shrugged, "It's to help me remember my children while I am gone. Anything else would not be needed."

"What about food?"

"I can survive for a long time without it."

"Water?"

"Same."

"Change of clothes?"

"These are enough. I'll just wash them."

"Weapons of any kind?"

"I am a living weapon."

Everyone shot Selina an unamused stare.

She held up a hand, "Kidding, kidding. At least, about the last part. I carry all my weapons on me. In a sense."

That didn't make the stares abate. Selina looked away and pulled her mask back up, "An-Anyway, the Guard Captain should be sending a few of his men here to help watch over things. Sentinel should come by a few times as well. If you need anything, all the money is hidden in a floorboard upstairs in my room. It's the one with small knife marks carved into the wood."

Before anyone could further question why she put her gold there, Selina bowed to everyone, "This is goodbye. I will be heading to the Guard Barracks to see if I may borrow one of their horses. Afterward, I will be off. Thank you all for your understanding. When I return, either this will all be put behind us...or the worst has happened. And it will be time to prepare. Until then, be merry."

She turned around and started to walk away from her home. Matilda bowed as well, before turning and following after the Huntress. The occupants of her home waved as she left, Gloria holding her brother's hand tight as she did so. They stopped when the Huntress was far enough down the street that she was just a speck on the horizon. The only sound for a few moments was Gloria's barely held-in sobs.

"So...I didn't want to say this 'cause I figured it might be rude but..." Nick began, rubbing one hand against his cheek.

"Hmm? What is it, Nick?" Felix asked as everyone's attention turned to him. Nick looked down at the children and then waved for the adults to follow him. Confused, but intrigued, Maggie told Marcus to go play with Gloria and Horace while the four of them huddled close together.

Once he was sure the kids weren't listening, he leaned in close and whispered, "So...anyone else wondering how the heck Cynthia managed to hide her boobs?"

"Nick!"

"Mr. Mercer!"

"Wha-"

Nick found himself on the receiving end of two slaps from his sister and Tina. Felix was simply staring at him in shock. An expression of betrayal and misunderstanding came over his face, "What?! What did I say!?"

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"Just a bit more, Nobu," Koga said to his steed as it thundered its way through the forest. Guided Nobu around the trees and passed any thick brush to avoid hurting it in any way. Nobu whinnied under him, breathing hard as it was driven to its limits. Koga grits his teeth as he felt his horse's waning stamina. He leaned over and spoke in its ear, "Just for the rest of the day. Keep going for the rest of the day, then we'll stop. Can you do that for me?"

It snorted as its hooves struck the earth, kicking up dust every time they landed.

"...And you may graze as much as you wish. Now, ya!" Koga kicked Nobu's sides, the horse shaking its mane as the two flew towards Pran. He wasn't planning to return to the town. No, his aim was somewhere in between it and the territory owned by Lescatie. He did know that the Demon Realm was somewhere to the south of Pran. And he and Akuri had left due southwest. So, he just had to ride northeast.

He could only hope that Nobu could hold out for that long.

Thus Koga rode to meet with the Huntress, unaware that he was being watched. But not by Druella.

By something else.

Something far closer than the White Lilim.

And far more active.

...

I can feel it. This man's hatred of Mamono. Even when he suppresses it, I can sense the burning flames even from Lescatie.

How sad.

This man's hatred has blinded him.

Blinded him to how beautiful the union between man and monster truly is. He walks this land completely unaware of his sin. His sin of harboring such hatred within him.

This cannot continue.

He must be saved.

He shall be given Salvation.

And I shall be the one to bring it to him.