The entire royal kingdom was in shambles after the hunt had taken place. A new group of hunters was immediately dispatched but as the days passed by, there was still no news about the previous team's whereabouts.

Sorin and his aide, Felix, arrived a week later but there was no one else who followed.

The Saint had arrived in tears almost inconsolable by those who had talked to him. The king stood from his throne when he met the Saint, eagerly awaiting the news.

They knew the hunters' fate, the thing they needed was closure. A sign that the hunters were not lost and had fought for the empire until their very last breath.

It was a matter of honor.

Sorin kneeled in front of the king, his eyes filled with grief and sorrow "Your majesty, the hunters had perished under the hands of the demons." he choked out "I-I watched as they all fought and I was too weak to protect them."

The king's expression was undescribable, the lines on his face showed his despair "Do not blame yourself, Saint. I know how important you are to the empire, the hunters had chosen to sacrifice their life for you."

Sorin's voice shook with remorse "I am supposed to be the messenger of hope and yet I couldn't save my people. Your majesty, I will take responsibility for the lives lost in this hunt. They all died because of me."

"Saint, I know my hunters and I know that they did not die in vain. We should honor their sacrifice."

Sorin's expression faltered as he wiped the tears from his cheeks "Y-you're right, your majesty. I will pray to the Gods to honor their actions and for them to peacefully depart this world."

The king nodded his head as he dismissed Sorin. The Saint was escorted by his aide as he continued to let out shuddering breaths.

The next morning, news spread around the empire like wildfire.

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

"How troublesome."

Sorin had busied himself by spending time at the manor's library. It was a welcome distraction after everything that had been going on around him.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Felix who was laying down on the sofa turned his attention to him, a lazy yawn escaped his lips "What's wrong?" he asked.

Sorin trailed his hand on the books that filled the shelves, looking for one that he hadn't read before "They've taken everything I said to heart." he said wistfully.

Sorin put up an act of a mourning Saint burdened by guilt and grief.

He did mourn the lives that were lost but the thing that unsettled him most was the strange feeling of detachment from them– At how easily he could wipe away his anguish.

He mourned for them but he did not feel remorse. It was as simple as that.

Sorin feared how dangerous it could be in the future. How dangerous he could be if he lost sense of himself.

Felix stretched from his seat, a sly smile playing on his lips "Well, they bought it." he grinned "You were sobbing and crying–"

Sorin stumbled to cover Felix's mouth with his hand, a flustered expression on his face "Stop!" he hissed. Still, it was easy to put up that act, all Sorin had to do was let a fragment of his old self slip through.

One that was way too foolish and naive, blinded by his own ideals.

Sorin was repulsed at the thought.

He went back to his desk, handing Felix a tabloid from the empire.

'THE TRAGIC HUNT OF THE MORANA EMPIRE

With the news of demon attacks along the border spreading around the Eden Empire, The Holy Saint himself was sent on an expedition to assist the Morana Kindgom's hunter.

In a tragic turn of events, all the hunters have perished in the hands of demons. It is only by the blessings of Divine Beings that the Saint had survived.

Words of ancient demons being unleashed had spread. Will this hunt be the start of another Holy war?

More information about ancient demons has been hidden from the public for too long.'

The beastman blinked before crumpling the paper "It's... crudely written." He commented in utter disbelief at the tabloid. These papers were being sold and consumed by the public despite their bad quality.

"Well, they aren't part of the Eden news. They're just mere journalists looking for an easy way to earn fame." Felix sighed.

Sorin let out a laugh "They were able to talk about the demons, though." his eyes glinted with the same knowing look that Felix was used to "I wonder... I never mentioned anything about ancient demons." Sorin mused.

Sorin couldn't care less.

Ancient demons were the result of the Great Cataclysm. They were stronger beings that were formed from pure malice. In the future, they were the enemies that humanity faced.

Sorin had just awakened a few of them in the demon territory, it was just like Lucifer told him. The demons can instantly recognize her mark and will follow any commands he gives them.

Other ancient demons will flood the earth during the cataclysm, Sorin wondered if there could be a way to hasten their arrival.

"Should I look for the journalist?" Felix asked Sorin, radiating some sort of twisted excitement.

Sorin flipped through the papers on his desk "It's up to you, Felix. I find it amusing, seeing just the slightest bit of doubt and fear on the people's faces."

"For now, I'd like to focus on my current task." He showed Felix the image of that bastard he'd like to kill "The Baron of Theorim." he announced with a warm smile, hiding all the venom in his voice.

"What should I do with him?"