Morning of 31st August, 2027,

Abel was walking around the house, dropping his blood on the floor with Ellen on his head, meowing as she didn't understand why Abel was doing this.

"It's okay, Ellen. It's for safety purposes," Abel told Ellen, scratching her head with his free hand.

Meanwhile Eluya was checking the status of the submitted report online and Iliana was going over the contents of the luggage.

When Abel returned from his walk around the house, Iliana looked at him and asked with a concerned look. "Do we really have to leave?"

"We are not leaving permanently. Technically, it's a job so we will get paid, if finance is what you are worried about," Abel spoke as he tilted his head, unable to understand why Iliana was worried.

Iliana shook her head before asking. "No, I am more concerned as to why you are bringing me with you. Am I really wanted there?"

"It's less about necessity and more about safety," Eluya spoke, shutting down the PC after ensuring that the report was submitted.

"But, you two go on cases to other cities often and there has never been a need for me to accompany you," Iliana spoke.

"Because we don't usually deal with a threat as big as this.. And I'd rather not leave a backdoor for my enemies," Abel added, as darkness devoured the luggage.

"Wait, why are you using your abilities?!" Iliana exclaimed, seeing Abel use his ability so openly, even if it was just them.

"Why not? It will be hard to walk for as long as we are going to," Eluya said with a chuckle, patting Iliana's back. "Let's go now."

Iliana was still dumbstruck when Eluya suddenly shook her back into reality and Abel was walking towards the front door, ready to leave with Ellen perched on his head like a crown as usual.

'I shouldn't even be surprised anymore.' Iliana thought to herself with a sigh, before the three of them walked out of the office, locked the front door, and began walking.

The three of them took shortcuts through the alleyways to reach the Black Market, through which they took the path which led to the Northern Forests, on the other side of Huding River.

"Wow..." Iliana exclaimed. Her jaw dropped at the smell of the fresh air that was much, much different than the city of Luminae. "In the past, when you two said that the air in the city is much different, I knew the air in the city was bad.. But for it to be this.."

Iliana was speechless as she followed Abel and Eluya closely, both of whom were smiling at Iliana.

"So how far is the walk from here?" Iliana asked.

"Two days... or hours," Eluya replied before she nudged Abel.

"I can, but I won't. You can do it, Eluya..." Abel said with a calm sigh as he nudged Eluya back.

"What are you two talking abOU-" Iliana shouted, taken off guard by Eluya picking Iliana up on her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Wait, wait, wait!! Why are you picking me up?" Iliana asked as she looked over her shoulders at Eluya, gulping the saliva in her mouth when Eluya smiled.

And it was not a normal smile as Iliana understood. It was Eluya's way of saying, 'We are going somewhere and we are going fast.'

"It's faster," Abel surprisingly replied to Iliana's query before the two of them began running.

Eluya, even while carrying Iliana, was ever so slightly faster than Abel, who was holding Ellen in his arms like an infant. But even then, both of them were magnitudes faster than Iliana.

They were zooming through not only the forest but also it's dangers.

The Northern Forest were not only a natural barrier separating the Empire and the Vampire Covenants but also hoisted a lot of endangered flaura and fauna, making it a strict No-War zone.

Before Zandre became the emperor, the management of the Prison of Aslahan was in the hands of the now-retired Major General Alfas. He made a mistake of mocking the vampires and ended up burning about 59 trees, despite the warning from the Central Command.

He was suspended and retired soon after but the animosity of the forest towards Aslahan still hasn't disappeared since then.

Some say that the forest is a living being that watches and protects everything that lives there, wanting everything to go by natural order. And it imparts justice to those who dare to go against the natural being.

When Zandre took the throne, he declared the Northern Forest to be a protected region, prohibiting the use of armed forces in the region.

__________

"Why are you silent?" Abel asked Iliana, as she has been silently looking at him throughout the journey.

"Yeah, Why so quiet?" Eluya added.

"I'm comfortable so I was just appreciating the view in front of me," Iliana said with a light blush on her face, before she yelped when Eluya lightly spanked her ass.

"Don't get too comfortable," Eluya said with a solution before she slowed down to let Abel run in front of her.

"Meow! Meow!" Ellen meowed at Eluya and Iliana as Abel passed them.

"But yes, this is a view to appreciate," Eluya whispered as Abel was running in front of her.

__________

After a few hours of running,

Eluya put down Iliana, before sitting down under a tree while Abel was preparing breakfast for them by calling the bags from the darkness.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

"Wow, if you can run this fast then we don't need a car." Iliana said, amazed at how deep they were in the Northern Forest.

"We can, but transportation is a good way to make alibis in case people ever suspect us." Abel said as he handed a bowl of fish to Ellen and sandwiches to Iliana and Eluya.

"Thank you.. What about you?" Eluya asked Abel as she took the plate of sandwiches which Abel offered.

"Just a minute, I'll join you." Abel replied, before he used his ability to let darkness devour their luggage again. Then he sat down in front of Eluya to eat.

Iliana, who was sitting beside Eluya, munched on her sandwich with a smile, happy with the explanation of the car and the taste of the food.

After they were done eating, Iliana yawned before she began looking around.

The forest was densely packed with trees and there was no civilisation in sight. Despite this, it wasn't quite as animals were everywhere. There were trees and wines she didn't know existed and birds who were as brilliant as the night sky of Simphona.

This place was full of things she couldn't see anywhere else and all of this was visible on her face.

Neither Abel nor Eluya disturbed Iliana's sightseeing, finding it cute.

Ellen sat in the same boat, nestled on Abel's lap, her eyes fixed on the sunlight streaming through the gaps in the tree leaves and casting patterns on the ground.

After a while of rest, Eluya stood up and began stretching her back. "We should continue our journey. We'll reach Lady 4th's house in an hour."

"Please carry me with a bit of dignity this time. I'm not a sack of potatoes." Iliana said with a pout, not wanting to be carried on Eluya's shoulder again.

"As you wish," Eluya said with a smile as she lifted Iliana in her arms like a bride before speaking in a low seductive voice. "Is Milady satisfied with this?"

Iliana blushed profusely, shifting in Eluya's arms, unable to utter a word.

"E.L.U.Y.A. Don't tease her with your Blood Art," Abel said with a chuckle before they began running again.

The effect of the Blood Art was so overwhelming that Iliana remained quiet for the rest of the journey, with the only sound being the footsteps and occasional purring of Ellen.

__________

Residence of Fourth Progenitor, Northern Forests

Alice and Rei were sitting in the garden, enjoying the sunlight and the plethora of smells that originated from her flowerbed of extinct and endangered flowers from all around the world, when suddenly Alice stood up.

Her lips curled up into a smile when she suddenly spoke. "My disciple Ab.. He is coming."

"Oh my.. It seems the boy you talk so much about is finally coming," Rei spoke as he slowly stood up. "What are we waiting for? Let's welcome them, Lady Alice."

"Yes.. Let us prepare some snacks for my disciple and his... friends." Alice said with a chuckle, confusing Rei. "Lord Rei, it seems I need to update you on what my disciple has been doing."

"It seems you have foreseen a future you very much like." Rei said as he followed Alice inside the house.

"Yes.. I won't foresee any further though. It's good to keep casual conversations fresh." Alice said with a smile, opening a box of biscuits in her kitchen and putting some of the homemade Caramel biscuits in a bowl for the guests.

Then she began preparing tea with a smile on her face, it was unlike the emotions Alice has ever shown to Rei.

Alice was happy from the bottom of her heart. It just goes to show how proud she is of her disciple and how much he means to her.

And right as tea was prepared, Abel with Ellen in hands, Iliana and Eluya walked in the house. They took off their shoes near the door and entered the house barefooter until they reached the dining area where Alice and Rei were waiting for them.

"Greetings, Master.." Abel greeted Alice with a smile and a bow.

"Greetings, Lady 4th." Eluya greeted Alice with a bow and Iliana followed Eluya's action.

"You can raise your head.. Come sit at the table." Alice said as she pointed at the seat beside her.

But before sitting, Abel turned to the man beside Alice and bowed. "I am Abraxas of the Red Iron Covenant, 2nd Disciple of Lady Alice, and 5th of the Numbered. It's an honour to meet a legend, Lord Rei."

"And this little one is Ellen." Ellen purred, with an obvious smile on her face, earning a smile from both Alice and Rei.

Eluya followed Abel's action. "I am Elaira of the Crystal Moon, 6th of the Numbered. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Iliana, who was still standing behind Eluya bowed to Rei before she introduced herself. "G-g-greetings to Lady 4th and Lord Rei.. I-I am Iliana... It's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you all. Though I am surprised that you recognised me, Abraxas.." Rei said calmly as the others settled down on the dining table.

"It would be a disgrace for us to not remember you, Lord Rei. Though it's partly due to how detailed scriptures are about you. That and the fact that you are in Master's house narrows down your identity." Abel said with a smile.

"A sound and logical deduction.. But wasn't the word about my legend that 'I fell to corruption in the battle against the Demon Lords'?" Rei asked, since that's the story that Alice knew, thus what must have been passed down the generations.

"That is.. true. But as a scholar, it is our duty to doubt any and all knowledge that has been passed down to us. We should be skeptical of any discrepancy in the knowledge and I could not fathom someone as notable as the Child of Faith being corrupted by the likes of Demon Lords." Abel said with a smile, scratching Ellen's belly.

"It's rare to see such an astute scholar. It was rare to see such people back in the days and I'm not too sure about current times." Rei said with a smile as he took a sip of the tea.

"That aside... Ab, Elaira.. You are forgetting to introduce someone, aren't you?" Alice said calmly, her gaze fixed on Iliana, who was anxious.

"Ah, yes.. She is Iliana. We love her." Eluya said with a smile without any hesitation, while Iliana's face turned cherry red from embarassment.

'Oh my god.. I am not even meeting their parents.. Well, the two in front of me are.. like straight up from fairy tales.. What am I supposed to say? Is my silence disrespectful? Should I get on my knees and beg? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?' Iliana thought to herself, screaming internally and her anxiety from obvious from how much she was shaking.

"Child, you may speak freely. If these two accept you as is, then I have no right to question you." Alice said with a warm tone.

Upon hearing her, Iliana stopped shaking. For a moment, it seemed that everything fell into place. It was as if she had won everything she ever wanted.

"T-thank you.. Lady 4th." Iliana said as a drop of tear fell down her cheeks but before she could speak any further, Alice was holding up a sword against Abel's neck.

"My dear disciple Ab.. If you ever break this child's heart, I will make sure you will never bed a woman again." Alice said as the Sword, which was made out of bone and was pulsing blue blood all over it, touched Abel's neck.

But Abel remained calm as he replied. "Master.. I would like to be beheaded before that day arrives."

Abel said it with conviction in his heart that he will never wrong Eluya or Iliana.

"Spoken like my disciple.." Alice said with a smile as she dropped the sword from her hands and it disappeared into nothingness.

"The same goes for you, Eluya.." Alice said calmly to Eluya, who in turn nodded.

Eluya nodded as she took a bite out of the biscuits provided.

After they were done eating, Alice looked at Eluya and said, "Eluya, show Iliana where you three will be staying."

Eluya nodded calmly, before showing Iliana around the house, taking her to the room where they will be staying at.

In Lady 4th's house, the Numbered have a place. A room with seven bunk beds and since there are only ten Numbered, a lot of the beds aren't used. This room acts as a safe haven for the Numbered where they are welcomed without question.

After Eluya and Iliana left, Alice looked at Abel. Her tone was imposing as she asked him. "You must have read the letter 13 prepared.. What are your thoughts?"

"I will lead the forces to Techonia. I have also asked for help from the Republic and Empire so they will help us in Techonia as well," Abel replied.

"Do not avoid the point, Ab.. You know exactly what I meant." Alice said as she looked at Abel with a piercing gaze.

"My decision remains firm.. I will do what I must. If there is nothing to salvage then I will give orders to kill everything on sight." Abel said with a firm look on his face.

It was a possibility. Since Techonia has been under their control for a while now, it's hard to speculate if there is anyone alive.

Thus the one in charge needs to be ready to take actions as severe as burning the entire city to the ground. It is not the decision that they will have to take first but it is a decision they have to keep in mind.

"Abraxas, do you have an idea about what we are dealing with here?" Rei asked, wanting to know if Abel is competent enough to lead.

"Yes, Lord Rei.. I am well aware of what, or should I say, who we are facing. And I want to say this from the bottom of my heart." Abel took a deep breath before he continued.

"They will die."