Despite their argument earlier, the group seemed to recover quickly. Perhaps it was the looming dread of having The Church after them… Or maybe desperation for companionship… But regardless, there seemed to truly be no lingering resentment among them.

But that did not mean their conversation continued.

They were quiet as they kept walking. The forest was quite a beautiful view, despite its strangeness. It was something all four of them admired in silence.

Azanor’s words still had a strong grip on Kazius’ mind.

He was in a reflective mood.

Trusting a Demon… Running around with a Princess and a Crazy Elf… He felt more at home than how he had as a Holy Knight… Indeed, his life was strange… Yet he found comfort at not being alone… Despite this comfort, he had never felt more confused of who he was.

‘I must have lost my damn mind.’

Kazius thought to himself.

As they kept walking, all of the forest was beginning to look the same.

How long had they been walking for?

Azanor had not said anything about them possibly being lost… But Kazius was beginning to worry. Then again, he could be getting into his own head… With all he had to stress about.

His thoughts were interrupted though.

“Through here.” Azanor suddenly spoke up, pointing at a cluster of trees that looked very uncomfortable to pass between.

It was the only place that looked different though, so they would have to try…

It was a tight squeeze, but they took turns going through and followed Azanor.

Once they made it through the group of trees, it was almost as if the forest ended abruptly into a massive plain. The sky in view finally once again.

It was night, showing they had indeed been walking for quite some time. Despite this, it was far from dark. It was unlike anything Kazius had seen before.

A city that lit up the night…

The buildings were taller than even the tallest building in Ratier. The stars of the city were the tallest two buildings of them all and the most notable. One looked like it was some sort of mansion, while the other looked like a furnace of sorts. The furnace being the tallest of the two.

‘Is that a furnace? It has to be…’

The tower shaped furnace looked to have a large smelter. Instead of vents, it had a metal sculpture of a snake that coiled around the building, its eyes glowing from the heat as it let out steam. Each individual scale glowed, likely also letting out heat through them as well. It was a project that looked built with zealousness that put The Church’s Cathedral to shame.

Above all… The most notable thing was the materials the buildings were made of.

Stolen story; please report.

All the building sparkled, not only because they were lit up using what appeared to be Light Magic, but also because the walls were decorated with precious metals. Silver, Gold, Bronze, Platinum, and even Mithril were used as mere wall decorations… It was insane. Just one bar of Mithril was enough to buy an entire house, a large, sizable, and lavish one at that…

The only way anyone could get Mithril was by importing it from Thimdur and only their royal family had the skill and ability to produce it… And the amount was extremely limited. At least that was what Kazius had been told.

“Wow.” Alice stated in awe as she took in the sparkling lights and lavish city.

“I never thought there would even a settlement over here…” Azanor admitted in awe.

“Sparkly.” Eve stated in a giddy manner, a wide smile on her face.

“This place did not exist last time you were here?” Kazius asked in awe. To him, even a thousand years was not enough time to build such a place.

“I told you… This place was full of Gorgon Snakes, the size of Dragons. Leviathans. I guided you here because there were not signs of any nearby… Those things are very hard to miss, you know? I am shocked anyone would be insane enough to build a city in this area… Even with them gone… Then again…” Azanor trailed off, looking in the direction of the city.

“Is it even safe to go into that city?” Alice asked in horror.

“I can sense the presence of one in that city… A soul like that has too much of a presence to not feel it even from here… That was why I was secretly concerned when I first met you, Kazius… But you mean well enough, and I know that now…But the first time I felt your soul’s presence it gave me a chill. The place seems safe enough though. There should be a good amount of kind souls in there… And I don’t feel any particular hostility from The Leviathan either… As to where such a massive creature is hiding… Your guess is as good as mine. We are too far for me to tell.” Azanor added with a surprisingly casual tone.

His words seemed to take Alice by surprise, just like it did Kazius.

‘Now that I think about it… Back at Remus… Didn’t Azanor tell me he figured out what I am? I never asked… I really don’t like the idea of being something that unsettles a Demon though… Do I even want to know?’

“I wish you had said something about that sooner… Could you tell me?” Kazius asked, not afraid to ask Azanor questions, unlike a few days ago.

Azanor looked away from the city, staring back at Kazius. His expression was surprisingly serious, even a little weary. Perhaps it wasn’t that Azanor forgot to tell Kazius what he was… But rather he would have preferred not to say.

As if to prove this, Azanor’s eyes darted about a bit, looking at almost every shadow in concern, as if looking for something. When he couldn’t find anything, he finally looked back at Kazius. He truly did seem more uneasy talking about this than a Leviathan.

“To be honest, I know very little about your kind… They are very secretive, and it doesn’t help that there are few accounts from those that that survived encounters with them. I have never met one of you in person… But you don’t look the part… Not from the descriptions I’ve heard. From what I can tell, you’re a mixture of Shadow Fiend and something else. What that other thing is, is hard to tell. The blood from that side is so weak compared to the rest… It is almost negligible… But… If I were you, I would keep that knowledge to myself… And not say the name if you can help it… The Shadows have ears… I… I didn’t even know those damned things could have kids… I… I… Sorry. Just… Just trust me… The less you know about them the better” Azanor stated, sounding very uncomfortable at the topic before growing apologetic.

Those words… They were more than heartbreaking.

‘Great, even a Demon thinks I am something damned.’

Kazius thought in dismay, the words coming in like a cold chill. The amazing view was forgotten by him, Azanor’s words coming quite heavy.

He felt terrible.

He was beginning to worry. Perhaps when it was convenient, even Azanor would flee from him.

“For what it is worth… I think The Church is scary… Not you.” Alice suddenly spoke up, taking hold of his hand.

“I’m sorry… I probably should have phrased it better… It isn’t you that concerns me... Far from it. Believe me… I am far from easily scared. You promised to look past what I am, I will return the same courtesy.” Azanor admitted sheepishly.

“Why are you sad? I’m still your friend.” Eve added contently.

At this Kazius relaxed. Perhaps what he was truly did not matter… He just had to focus on the now…

“Thank you.” Kazius stated, relief showing on his face.

With that, he would look back at the city. It was about the time they would go in. He could worry about such things later.