Elizabeth sat on the ground catching her breath as Tibaut massaged one of her arms. The other one limply lay in her lap.
“Good job boss.”
“Put more effort into the massage, I don't need the pleasantries right now.” She said in a combative tone.
The sky was dark but considering they came here on a horse, it was unnervingly fast. Not only was it going fast, it was going fast through all sorts of trees or brush, with the horse navigating it like a familiar course.
He didn't care for sports cars but he did ride with his brother in one on a drag strip.
Without question, the horse surpassed it.
With how quickly the horse was reacting to the trees and other obstacles on their travel, taking into consideration its speed and size as well…he believed the horse could easily take him down.
(“Want to test it?”) Satan asked.
(“I'm good, thanks. I do not need this right now.”) He sternly replied.
“Alright, that's good, now the other arm.” She pulled her arm away and gave him the next one.
“So where'd Yuri go?” He asked.
The pair were right in front of the temple of the dungeon, with the same horrible beasts decorating its top.
“Oh, I've never noticed but that's a Southern Forest Hippo… (are the rest of these creatures real?)” Elizabeth thought as she examined the top of the temple.
“A what?”
“If you're interested in what it is, I'll give you my copy of the adventurer's encyclopedia. But to answer your first question, he's busy verifying the demon's existence. The way both of you described it didn't sit right with me and I asked Yuri about it after he brought you back to the mansion.”
(“Ah, that's right, the demon you revived. I wonder how the Saint would react if I-”)
(“Sigh, I knew you leaving would be too good to be true.”)
“So where is he?”
“He should be in the dungeon looking for its blood. He shouldn't be any further than the stairwell of the first floor.”
The pair heard footsteps coming from the forest and quickly turned around to see Yuri exit some bushes.
“Saint Nichto? How did you leave the dungeon?”
“Hmm? I followed the trail to the outside, did you not see me walk by?” He asked. “Also, -princess_ don't you think it's somewhat haughty having your subordinate-”
“Watch your words, Saint Nichto. More importantly, he was the one that volunteered.”
“Really? Forgive me for comparing you to your sister. With your looks, I fall into the same…”
“You have a sister?” Tibaut asked.
“Ah right, the demon!” Yuri shouted. He had to turn this around before he dug himself into a bigger hole. “To think a demon would be here of all places. Tibaut you first encountered this demon right?”
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
“Y-yeah, what is it?” He asked, unexpectedly nervous.
Elizabeth gave the Saint a side eye and sighed.
“Since only you and Kevin were our witnesses, I'm confident the Saint is suspicious.”
“No, I'd like its description in better detail. I've confirmed its existence but its trail vanished a few kilometres in the forest.”
(“So it wasn't an offshoot of those pale women.”) Elizabeth thought.
Tibaut and Elizabeth then recalled all the details they could about it.
----------------------------------------
“Hmmm. You said you saw it healing? I've never heard of a demon like that…” He answered, stumped by Tibaut.
The trio were now walking down the stairs of the dungeon, with Yuri making notes in a notebook.
“It might be as old as this dungeon,” Tibaut added.
“If that's the case then I don't think there's any way for us to know what it was. What did you say its name was, Elizabeth?”
“Kevin told me she referred to herself as Buer.”
“Buer?” He wrote the name down and a lightbulb went off in his head. “Ah, Buer.”
“Did you figure it out," Elizabeth asked.
“Yes, I have. It's a ceremonial name for demons of a certain rank. I believe there can only be one of those at a time. And… that's all I can tell you, unfortunately, or rather the most the church knows. But if that's the case then she may be someone of note in hell. (This just keeps getting worse, I'll have to report this to the Pope himself when I return.)”
“Really? Based on the blood and what Kevin told, she seemed quite helpless against the pale women down here, and as strong as they are, they're, frankly, incomparable to you.” Elizabeth answered.
“Well, that makes sense. Without a magnetite vessel, they're useless. The fact she could fight as well as she did is proof of her strength.”
“It is?” Tibaut asked.
“I'm not quite sure I follow either, Saint Nichto.”
“To put it simply, demons are weaker in our world than hell. They need some sort of enchanted body made of a special metal to do their business in this world. And even then, they need to constantly kill humans to refill the mana in their bodies to make the most of them. But, don't worry, encountering a demon as a normal adventurer is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
“I see. I'll keep that in mind. I wouldn't mind a more thorough explanation when you're available, Saint Nichto.” Elizabeth answered.
“If you wish, Elizabeth. But it's pretty useless information, even for someone like me.”
(“How could he know what magnetite is and not check the walls?”) Satan mused.
(“What about the walls?”) Tibaut asked.
(“Don't mind me, just thinking aloud.”)
Tibaut found these words suspicious and kept them in mind.
----------------------------------------
They continued on until reaching the first floor, with the dead bodies remaining on this level only consisting of bones, sinew, dried tendons and small patches of dried flesh. Whether wild animals feasted on them or the pale women who resided here was unknown.
“I'm assuming this is your work?” Yuri asked as his eyes lingered on the bodies.
“Yes, Saint Nichto,” Elizabeth answered.
“I can't say I'm satisfied with how you handled the situation but I can't exactly blame you given how Mr. Bentley handled the situation.” He stated. “Elizabeth, don't be afraid to get help through your own channels.”
“Saint Nichto, I appreciate your words but I am a common adventurer. The only bonds and contacts I possessed were through this parish.” She snidely answered.
“Ah, my apologies.” He answered with a sigh. (“Did the king disown her? No, I can't imagine he'd ever do that. I've met him once but he didn't seem like that type of ruler.”)
Well, he already had enough on his mind, so he decided to let this go for the time being.
“Ah right, as I make my notes, can you two begin drawing that demon? And if you don't mind Elizabeth, be ready to sketch some of the more notable aspects of the dungeon, if you'd believe it, being a Saint doesn't make me any better at drawing.”
“Really? Learning healing magic seems far harder than putting a pencil to a page.”
She answered as she grabbed a notepad out of his hand.
“Well, I do know of one magic, but the Saint of potential can only learn so much, despite my name. In the grand scheme, being able to develop an image isn't necessary. I'd rather use the time to develop a more practical magic.”
“What about learning to draw without magic? It would make for- ”
The Saint began dryly laughing to himself with eyes devoid of life. Elizabeth could almost feel the self-doubt radiating from him.
“hehehehehehe, no thanks...” He said as he jotted down more notes.