Act 2: The Demon in the Forest
Chapter 1
Sarah awakened in her quarters. She still enjoyed sleeping even though she no longer required it as a demon. She still found a strange comfort in it, something grounding that kept her connected to her past self. Rising from her bed, she prepared herself, summoning a dark and elegant cloak from [dimensional storage]—a spell used to keep her items stored. The cloak draped around her shoulders, covering her entirely, its rich fabric lending her an aura of nobility.
Exiting her room, she moved through the castle halls, observing the attendants and officials going about their daily routines with a kind of quiet detachment. She paused at a large window, her gaze drifting to the royal gardens below, where carefully arranged flowers and fountains lent a touch of calm and beauty.
Moments later, she sensed a presence beside her and turned to see Princess Helen, her expression both bright and eager.
“Good morning, Miss Sarah,” Helen said, smiling warmly. “Would you join me for breakfast? I’d love to talk more with you.”
Sarah nodded, a faint, polite, yet fake, smile gracing her lips. She could only hope that the people here wouldn’t realize her act. “It would be my pleasure, Princess Helen. Thank you for the invitation.”
They settled at a table by a large window, with sunlight filtering softly through, illuminating the room. The princess lifted a delicate porcelain cup to her lips, sipping her tea thoughtfully, though she seemed to have little appetite for food. Sarah followed suit, her gaze drifting occasionally to the gardens outside.
Helen was the first to break the silence. “The kingdom is investigating the attack,” she began, her voice controlled but laced with concern. “They’re searching for clues, questioning possible witnesses, but… I can’t shake the feeling there’s more to it. The timing was too precise.”
Sarah listened while trying to demonstrate polite interest, careful to keep her expression neutral, revealing nothing of what she already suspected. She nodded in understanding, encouraging Helen to continue, but withheld any hint of the knowledge she’d gathered.
As the conversation shifted, Helen’s expression grew heavier. “Things aren’t as they seem, I’m afraid,” she confessed, her voice filled with frustration. “Corruption has taken root in many cities; officials grow rich while the people suffer. And our military, once strong, now struggles to face the threat from the Elizia Empire on our western border.”
Sarah’s attention sharpened at the mention of the empire, though she kept her face impassive.
“The Elizians are relentless,” Helen continued, her hand clenching slightly around her teacup. “They push with small invasions, forcing us to mobilize, to stretch our forces thin. It’s a slow bleed—one that weakens us without the need for open war.”
She sighed, a sadness in her eyes as she looked out the window, as though seeing the troubles of her kingdom reflected in the peaceful gardens. “It’s a game to them, one we’re struggling to play.”
Sarah listened, her mind racing through strategies and possibilities, already contemplating how these challenges might play into her own plans. She nodded sympathetically, understanding that the kingdom’s vulnerabilities could, in time, serve her ambitions as well.
Helen observed Sarah across the table, noticing how quiet and reserved she had been through much of their conversation. The princess tilted her head, curiosity bright in her gaze.
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“Miss Sarah,” Helen began, a slight smile on her face, “you’re so quiet.”
Sarah met Helen’s gaze, her own expression impenetrable. “I’ve always been more of a listener than a talker,” she replied softly, her tone polite but dismissive.
Helen gave a small laugh, though a hint of hesitation lingered as she studied Sarah thoughtfully. “I see. Well, if I may say, it’s refreshing to find someone who isn’t constantly concerned with matters of politics. It’s… rare.” She paused, her smile softening as she seemed to consider her next words carefully. “But in truth, I wanted to speak with you about something more important.”
Sarah raised an eyebrow, remaining with her guard up to dismiss any questions that would lead her to reveal more than she could. “Go on, Princess.”
Helen straightened a little, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “Gillen, my Royal Knight, has spoken highly of you. He… well, he believes you have the strength of at least 3,000 soldiers, and from what I’ve seen myself, I’d say he’s right. To deal with such high-level knights that even pushed Gillen to his limits… well its impressive. That kind of power could be transformative for us.”
A quiet chuckle escaped Sarah, her lips curling into a faint smile as she looked down. ‘Three thousand?’ she thought, amused. ‘I could probably multiply that number by at least a thousand, and it would still fall short.’ After witnessing the powers of the people of this world and reading about it in books, she was well aware of the gap between her power and that of any mortal army. But rather than correcting the princess, she maintained her polite demeanor.
Helen continued, mistaking Sarah’s silence for reluctance. “Our kingdom could really use someone like you,” she pressed gently. “With you in our ranks, we could maybe turn back the Elizia Empire’s relentless incursions, protect our people more effectively… you could save lives.” Her voice softened, her sincerity clear. “I know it might seem forward, but would you consider joining us? You would have my full support, and my father’s gratitude.”
Sarah’s expression softened momentarily, her eyes meeting Helen’s with an almost sympathetic gleam, of course, she had to muster all her acting skills for that. But behind her polite exterior, her thoughts were more calculated. Aligning herself openly with a mortal kingdom was neither in her plans nor her best interest. While Helen’s words were heartfelt and genuine, Sarah understood that the kingdom’s concerns—however real—would only restrict her, involving her in their endless politics and human conflicts.
She shook her head, her answer calm. “I’m honored, Princess, truly,” she said, her voice with a firmness that left little room for argument. “But I must decline. I’ve found that I prefer my independence. Involving myself with armies, politics, or territorial disputes… it’s simply not in my nature.”
Helen’s face fell slightly, though she hid her disappointment well. “I understand,” she said, though her tone betrayed a hint of regret. “But it’s such a shame. There are few in this world with power like yours, and even fewer who would use it so selflessly. Gillen believes you to be above the realm of heroes, only one in 10 million is able to reach such level.” She paused, her gaze growing more intense. “As you might have guessed, we have no such people here in this kingdom.” Helen smiled. “Surely, you would consider aiding us in other ways?”
Sarah leaned back in her seat, folding her hands together as she regarded the princess thoughtfully. “Princess, my actions are guided by my own motivations. I am, let’s say, selective about the causes I take up. You and I crossed paths, and I helped you, yes, but that was… different. I’m afraid I don’t have a desire to involve myself in ongoing conflicts.”
Helen studied Sarah, her expression pensive. “You seem so wise for someone who prefers to stay uninvolved.”
“It’s more caution than wisdom,” Sarah replied, allowing herself a slight smile. “The world is full of people who wish to lead, to conquer, or to make a mark. I don’t need to add to that crowd. I prefer to walk my own path.”
Helen sighed, offering Sarah a smile. “I see. I suppose it was foolish of me to ask.”
Sarah nodded gently, acknowledging the comment but saying nothing further. ‘If only you knew, Princess’, she thought, a flicker of amusement crossing her mind. Sarah had indeed walked many paths, most of them hidden from the eyes of others. For now, she was a mystery, a figure who would appear when least expected and the kingdom’s politics and skirmishes held no real interest to her at this moment.
Not wanting to leave the conversation on a dismissive note, Sarah offered a small gesture of goodwill. “However, should the need for help with something else arise, I may lend my assistance again,” she said, her voice low. “I just don’t want to involve myself in a country’s conflicts.”
Helen brightened at this, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thank you, Miss Sarah,” she said, genuine relief in her voice.
Sarah gave a small nod, the conversation seemingly reaching its conclusion. Helen’s desire to strengthen her kingdom was noble, but Sarah knew she could not be swayed from her own path—not by promises of influence or gratitude. Her goals lay elsewhere, in the mysteries of this world and the magic it held, not in defending a kingdom against its enemies.
And so, they finished their tea.