For most of the winter, the citizens struggled to bring food to the table. As the king’s paranoia grew stronger, he dispatched many corrupted knights to the surrounding territories. They tightened the borders even more. The travellers, citizens, and even merchants were refused passage unless they had a special permit to cross between territories.

While the city of Bamunz had provisions to last all winter, the town accepted many refugees from nearby villages. Therefore, the food supply quickly diminished as the price skyrocketed. Pushed to a corner, many young men tried to hunt to bring something to the table, but not all were successful. Some even failed to return home. They either died of cold, got lost, or were killed by a wild beast.

As the months went by, the snow slowly melted as each day got gradually warmer. Those who travelled to seek refuge in the city headed back. While some did it willingly, the majority were forced back. Each year, the farmers needed to pay a tax to the Lord of the territory, and failing to do so would end up with their land seized. While the tax wasn't reduced, to aid her citizens, the Lady of Bamunz promised to dispatch knights throughout her territory to protect and guard the land against the imperial knights. This news calmed most of them, as Lady Drusus always held her promises.

In the meantime, Malak with the help of his crows helped to distribute rations and heal the sick and injured. He also used this opportunity to practice his magic for purposes other than healing. His showy display of power and kindness hardened the citizens' beliefs. While the current king got the throne by buying his way in, the previous generations had to display a large amount of dexterity and ability with magic to be recognized. But this was centuries ago; few saw Kian's power and lived to tell about it. Also, nobles rarely displayed their magic, as their ability was vastly inferior to Kian's and all the previous generations of kings. Therefore, magic was rarely seen by commoners. It wasn't surprising for them to be amazed by it and how easily Malak gathered followers. By the end of winter and with the exodus of the farmers from the capital, the miracles created by the Morganite Saint spread like wildfire until they reached the ears of the citizens on the other side of the Kingdom.

In the square, Mizuki silently watched as Malak’s state slowly deteriorated as the day passed. She had been standing behind him since dawn. With a mask and black cloak to hide her animal characteristics, she felt restricted and stuffed by the heat. But she would not complain, she had a new purpose now. Both cat girls were previously slaves, but Malak never mistreated them like the slave traders. Instead, the pink-eyed demon gave them work and a fair salary. Mizuki wanted to repay him for saving them then. But, one day, when she has saved enough money and repaid her debt, her dream would be to buy her own house and live a peaceful life with her sister.

“It would be a good time to end the day,” Mizuki whispered to Malak behind her silver mask.

Panting, the pink-eyed demon nodded. Kindly, he excused himself from the line of people queuing. There was a brief wave of disappointment, from those hoping for a miracle. But they were understanding. Even the Saint had to rest. Therefore, they quickly left the square and went back to their usual routine.

“Here’s your coin,” Mizuki handed a leather pouch to a ragged man who guarded their carriage a few streets further from the square.

He weighed the pouch in his hand before scowling. “I must be too cheap for ya generosity. Yu’re a noble and act like a damn saint,” the man spitted on the ground. “Yu’re a liar,” he mumbled before walking away, grumbling.

Malak closed his eyes and ignored him before boarding the carriage. Inside, they took off their masks. Mizuki sighed in relief before staring at Malak worriedly. The latter had used so much magical energy that he was pale as a ghost. Even his usual bright pinkish eyes had dulled. She handed him a gourd of water and some bite-sized food she prepared yesterday.

“How much did you give him?” Malak asked weakly as the carriage started moving.

“One silver and fifty coppers,” she answered as she offered the water once more.

Malak thanked her before hydrating his parched throat. He also ate a few of the food she brought. In all honesty, Malak believed Mizuki overpaid the man. And yet, he still complained. Malak felt frustrated by the stranger’s ungratefulness. That amount of money will be enough to feed and lodge him for a few months with no work. Although he gained the title of the Morganite Saint, Malak was far from one. Everything he was doing was to help Kian regain his throne.

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The young male demon sighed and watched the grey city start gaining back its colour with the arrival of spring. A calm yet stressful year will soon fly by. Months of planning and waiting will soon bear fruits. It'll soon be the time to act. They weren’t allowed any mistakes because if they failed, death was their only future.

“We can’t fail… I can’t fail,” Malak mumbled to himself as his grip tightened on his mask. “Mizuki, after some rest, I’ll head to the training grounds.”

o(TヘTo)

Sweat dripped down Malak’s forehead as he leaned forward with hands resting on his thighs. He stared at the wooden cross shaped like a man. In his past life, he reached a high level of healing magic but was never interested in fighting spells. To achieve his goal, he had to move his magic differently. Malak had to create new magical veins in his body to be able to bend light to his will. Without a teacher, everything took longer. But a few months ago, he succeeded in creating a few weapons made of light. But the bow and arrow were the hardest. Currently, he was training in shooting light arrows at the target, but the arrows always kept disappearing before hitting it.

Tired and with his core almost empty, Malak sat down under a budding tree, where Mizuki was waiting with cool drinks and snacks. After taking a bite of a cookie, Malak smiled.

“Your baking skills improved,” he complimented.

“Thank you,” Mizuki’s expression didn’t change, but her tail moved back and forth happily.

Watching her tail, Malak asked. “I heard the royal family can change fully into your beast form. Why don’t you do it?”

Mizuki stared at the drink in her hands. “I’m only a werecat. There’s nothing spectacular in my animal form.”

“So you can do it?” he asked excitedly.

“Yes, but it has been a long time,” she answered bitterly as her tail slightly thumped on the ground.

Malak quickly caught up with her tone. He guessed she resented her lineage or something happened in the past. Swallowing his disappointment of being rejected, he tore his gaze from her to the castle.

“Can Saori do it?” Malak decided to talk about her favourite subject.

Mizuki nodded with a soft smile as her tail wagged softly once more. “We don’t need to learn it. At birth, we instinctively know how to shift.”

“Was it weird? I mean the first time in your cat form.”

“Not as much as seeing everyone else towering over you,” she answered coldly.

Malak quickly finished his drink before standing up and stretching his arms. He needed to get away from the piercing glares. “I should go back. One, day, let's spar. I heard Ezrel is training you.”

She sucked her lips. “He’s a strict teacher,” she mumbled. “But I'm still lacking.”

“He’s Kian’s most competent soldier. There isn’t anything he can’t do,” Malak praised, as he knew Ezrel would never betray the man he loves. Although, he had a twisted personality. “Under his guidance, you'll grow a lot stronger. I believe in you!”

“Thank you,” she said shyly. “He's a genius, but he has a nasty personality, especially during combat,” Mizuki mumbled as Malak walked down a slight slope to reach the training grounds.

“Well, maybe my nasty personality would improve if you were a dedicated student.”

Hearing Ezrel's crisp voice so close to her ears sent shivers through her spine. She jumped away from the demon with a hiss. Everything about him screamed danger.

“You’re late for training,” he added.

Mizuki glared at him. She never felt safe next to him, especially with the acrid scent of smoke always surrounding him. At all times, fire danced wildly in his eyes while his smile was as cold as ice.

“My priority is to be at my master’s side,” she countered, keeping her gaze fixed on him as he circled her like a starving hyena.

“For what purpose? To pamper him?” Ezrel mocked. “Kitten, there’ll be hundreds of servants on their knees for him in the castle. He won’t need an extra one that can’t even brew proper chilled tea.”

Mizuki gritted her teeth but kept her mouth shut. Malak told her she had improved. It was what mattered. It was important to her not to let Ezrel take away the little joy she had.

“Your ability to protect him will separate you from the useless trash. This is your real duty and privilege. Never forget that,” he growled the last part as she fought the urge to tuck her tail in between her legs. Tasting her fear, he smiled with a wicked grin in his eyes. “Let’s go.”