"Why do you speak as if you know my burdens?"

Neve asked in a shaky voice, moving her hand to stop the tears that were threatening to spill. Sorin caught her fingers before she could even wipe her tears away–

"Impudent!" she choked out a flustered sob.

Sorin's gaze towards her was filled with worry "I...I was once like you, Neve." he said, a slight guilt filling him as he never meant to actually make the Archmage cry.

He held Neve's hand in between his, pulling it away from her face. As tears started to fall down her cheeks, their eyes locked together.

"You are meant to be more than just be their tool." His voice was soft and tender, carrying a hint of sadness. He ran his fingers through the Archmage's gloves, causing Neve's breath to hitch.

"How..." her silver eyes shone with tears as she pulled her hand away from Sorin's.

She removed her gloves, revealing her hand, filled with scars that lined her skin like brush strokes. Some were flat while others were raised and jagged but it was too neat. As if the scars were meticulously arranged.

It was the same as Sorin had seen before... how could the mage's tower do this to someone like her?

"Isn't this proof enough?" Sorin asked bitterly "The torment you endured... you're merely a weapon they use in their greedy desire for power."

Neve's hand curled into a fist, defiance burned through her voice."No... these scars are marks of my failures. If I couldn't be strong, how could I protect everyone?"

"You don't need to protect everyone." Sorin's words were laced with bitterness.

"W-what are you saying? Are you here to tempt me?"

"Temptation leads to destruction." Sorin reminded her, voice filled with vindication that even Neve's expression faltered "Don't you want more than this? Those chains of limitations that bound you down to the empire's undeserving people– don't you want to be free from that?"

Tears continued to flow down Neve's eyes but Sorin could see emotions glimmer within those silver orbs "What are you planning on doing?"

"I'll tear them all apart and through the ashes of destruction, something better can be built."

"A blank canvas."

With a resolute sigh, Neve wiped her tears with her hands. She took the teapot from the table and poured herself some tea. Her fingers were still shaking from the onslaught of emotions as she placed down her teacup with a soft 'clink'.

Sorin waited for her to drink her tea, perhaps as a way to calm herself down.

"...The tea is cold," she remarked.

"My apologies."

The silence that followed was deafening. The weight of their conversation hung heavily in the air.

"I want to be free from the mage tower," Neve said, her resolve was strong and unshakable.

Sorin smiled at her, warm and bright like the sun "You shall be, Archmage." he vowed, "I don't break promises."

"You better not."

Another beat of silence.

Sorin had figured it all out early on. That Neve had suffered within the walls of the mage's tower, blinded by the lies that that was her only purpose.

Neve would never accept failure.

Sorin offered his hand towards her, for a second he saw the Archmage hesitate but she reached out and clasped his hands tightly.

An unspoken alliance.

"I'll be working with you from now on, Archmage." he purred in a sickeningly sweet tone.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Neve had made her choice as she nodded her head, her grip on Sorin's hand tightening "I'll be under your care, fake saint."

"I'm not a fake saint," Sorin argued.

Neve gave him a doubtful look but didn't say anything further. As they released each other's hands, she immediately put on her gloves, much to Sorin's disappointment.

"What do you want me to do first, 'real' saint?"

Sorin leaned closer to her as he spoke "Do not accept Noirwood's proposal."

Neve blinked once then twice "Proposal?"

"It'll happen sooner or later." Sorin shrugged "Their heir is an aspiring mage, of course, they'll want a close relationship with the Archmage."

"Be wary of them, Archmage."

As expected, the only thing he got from the Archmage was a strange look as if she was confused by his orders. Still, her want for freedom was unwavering.

"I'll do what you say..." Neve said in a low voice "For now."

Sorin could only laugh.

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

The sun's rays shone through the manor's private training grounds, marble pillars carved with intricate scenery of the empire's predecessors; the gold glittered along with the sunlight.

Sorin's fingers traced the carved cross at the hilt of the sword, it was a symbol of the Holy Temple that blessed his weapon.

The blade gleamed like gems under the sunlight, the ornate guard and fuller of the sword were crystalline, pure, and unmarred.

It was a shame that Sorin couldn't use this blade anymore— red would look good on its prismatic blade.

Holy weapons blessed by the church were the only things that could fully kill demons. Even if they were burnt to a crisp by humans, demons would fully heal and survive even if took a long time.

The consecrated blades, however, were to only objects that could hurt them.

Not anyone could gold a weapon containing the divinity of Gods. Hunters must be compatible with their weapons, embodying purity in their souls.

He sheathed the sword back to its scabbard and sighed, fighting with a sword was almost like breathing to him. It was an innate skill, almost like his instincts. Sorin's body moved fluidly like the river's flow but still edged like the mountain's peak.

His hands ached the moment he made contact with his sword, it seemed like his own weapon knew of his demonic contract.

He loved his sword. He really did and it seemed like the mana he embedded in its blade had stayed, reminding him of his time when he was human. Now, the only lingering emotion in his chest was an empty coldness, a lack of attachment.

A Saint who could wield a sword– that was what he was known for.

"Sorin!"

Felix's voice called out to him, trailing behind him was Lili, a wooden basket covered with a knitted white cloth in her hands.

She glared at Felix, grabbing a fistful of his hair "Don't be rude to his Holiness!"

Sorin chuckled "It's fine, Lili. It's just us."

He placed the sword on an empty pedestal, he supposed it was its final resting place. Symbolizing the end of his duty to the empire.

Sorin did not look back as he approached the two, waiting for him near the training ground's arched entrance.

"Your Holiness..." she mumbled "Are you leaving your sword behind? Isn't there an upcoming hunt?"

Felix grinned cheekily beside her "Well, there's no need for Sorin to get his hands dirty." he puffed out his chest proudly "I'll be coming with him!

"Huh? That's unfair!" Lili retorted.

The letter a few days ago was something he cannot reject no matter how much he wanted to. As the Saint it was still his duty to help the hunters at the battlefields.

The demons in the northern territories had suddenly increased and the investigation team that they sent had not responded. It was time for much further action, that's why they requested his presence.

Sorin wondered how long he could keep up this charade, still playing his role as the kind and holy saint of the empire.

It'll be worth it soon, but not now.

He still has so much to do.

"Also, I have the information you requested of me, Sorin." Felix's expression shifted, the smile on his face dropping into a blank stare.

Felix's personality was one that Sorin had understood very well. He is indeed a sly fox, one that could adapt to any situation.

He hides his true intention behind that aloof and playful persona that everyone around them had gotten used to.

It was only to him and Lili, that Felix could show who he truly is without that mask.

He carefully handed Sorin a simple envelope with a blank seal. With a grateful smile, Sorin thanked him, placing a hand on top of Felix's head.

It was comforting to see them back when they were still younger, and still unaware of their impending fates.

"What? You two are keeping secrets now!" Lili peeked from behind Felix, trying to get a glance at the envelope.

"It's not a secret, Lili." Sorin assured her "I just asked Felix to look into something for me."

It was a crucial task that he asked Felix to do. His aide was skilled and competent when it comes to missions like these. Still, he felt guilt for not really telling both of them the true extent of his plans.

He never doubted their loyalty but he still does not want to involve them in this dangerous game.

At least, not yet.

"What is it then?" Lili asked curiously.

"You're nosy," Felix muttered beside her.

"What did you say, you ugly fox?"

Sorin watched the two for a moment, waiting for them to settle down.

"It's information about the nobility who owned the orphanage I grew up in," he told Lili, gesturing her to come beside him "You see, I've been suspicious for quite a while." The lie rolled out of his mouth smoothly.

"Are you going to send it to authorities?" Felix questioned.

"Of course not. How could I waste the effort you put into this?"

Felix's eyes lit up at his words, finally understanding what Sorin meant. He grinned, his sharp teeth bared "Thank you for your praise!"

Sorin scanned through the documents, ignoring the anger that was welling up in his chest. The extent of this man's lies and corruption knows no bounds.

Still, who was he to be righteous?

He had already made a deal with the devil herself.

Ah, he couldn't wait to watch that bastard suffer.

For now, he has to participate in that hunt. He needed to find out the extent of his relationships with demons, now that he had Lucifer's mark on him.