Report #329

This is [REDACTED], the vice-captain of the Demon Wall Brigade.

I'm speaking on behalf of the Captain [REDACTED] regarding the village near the Demon Wall.

For the past few days, the villagers reported several sightings of demons near the wall. We assumed they were hallucinating or lying to the authorities. But we did detect an unusual amount of dark mana near the village lately. Not only that, they also reported an unusual number of failed harvests such as spoiled wheat and apples, and the lack of rain for the last 3 days. While the last statement seemed to be unrelated to the demon sightings, the village leader insisted on the connections between them.

Regardless, the demon sightings shall not remain unattended. We may require extra men to investigate this further.

----------------------------------------

...st...r?

Huh?

...a...th to ...ter!

Ugh... That sounds like my master... At least I can tell from their slight deep voice...

How long are you going to sleep, Aster?

I open my eyes and gasp as soon as I hear those words. I turn around and ask, "How long was I sleeping?!"

My mistress chuckled. "Long enough to see your cute face, my little worker."

I frowned when she made that remark. "I'm not little, mistress."

"Do you want me to seal your thoughts and emotions again?"

I groaned as I got up from my hammock. "No, I apologized for that, mistress. Although I appreciate you refrain from calling me that. It's embarrassing."

"Awww... Try to be shameless for once, Aster. You can't stay as a wallflower forever. What happens when I'm gone from the store?"

I would say I might be free. But the thought of it hurt my head a bit because of the mistress. It's as if she handcuffed me to her soul and body and I couldn't express it through my thoughts or words.

"You know, you shouldn't force yourself. You're here to re-discover yourself while learning the ins and outs of my work. Besides, you seemed to be lost while you were observing me."

"Lost?" I repeated while I scratched the back of my head. "I doubt I'm going to be lost here considering how small the shop is. No offense."

"True. But that's not what I meant." She leans in closer to my ear with a smile. "You have your eyes on one of the products. Isn't that right?"

Huh?! What makes she think I want one of the knick-knacks on the shelves?! That's ridiculous!

"Fufu... Your face turned red the moment I asked that question. Proof that you indeed have piqued your interest in my creations. There is no shame to admit it. Besides, since you're my only apprentice, you have my permission to take one for free as long as you work hard in your job, of course."

She's surprisingly charitable despite our master-apprentice relationship. Even so, I doubt I have any interest...

"It's a box of tarot cards, correct?"

?!

"What makes you think I'm interested in those old superstitious deck of cards?"

However, the mistress simply chuckled again and said, "Your eyes won't lie. Whenever you were cleaning or organizing the stock on the shelf, you always focused on the deck despite you were currently in my command. Honestly, I was hoping to use it in my work. But it would be better if someone like you can use the deck to its full capacity."

Huh?! I couldn't believe what she suggested... "M-Mistress... You shouldn't have... I don't have the money to afford it."

But she simply smiled as she took the deck and shoved it into my hands. "I didn't exactly say it's a discount. Think of it as compensation for your work. You deserve it."

I don't know if I deserve a deck of playing cards. But if that's what the mistress wished, then I have no objections.

"Now, let's get back to work. You can help me with cleaning the counter."

I nodded. "Yes, my Lady."

As I started helping her again, I began to wonder about the "compensation" she gave me. She was right that I was attracted by this deck. But the question was why am I interested in it? It wouldn't make sense if I tried to ignore it.

Either way, I feel like I need to work more to get it off my chest.

----------------------------------------

"C-Casia?"

"Don't speak. You need to stay awake."

"I doubt I have the strength to do so. I only took his offer because I had some unfinished business in the living world. It's because of you and Mr. Hyde that I have a new lease on life. You let me get away from my former employers and gave me the freedom to finish my last work."

"No, wait!!!"

"Casia, don't worry about me. You said that you will absorb everything about me, right?"

"That's... I did it because I was desperate. But now... I can't bear to lose my only friend! Please stay!"

"Even if I do, there's nothing left for me because of my old home. I rather disappear than drag my name in the mud by my revenge and the people who ruined me."

"But... I can't..."

"I like to think of it as an inheritance from a friend. My knowledge from my old world, my name, and my legacy... Promise me that you will keep them in my memory."

"I-I promise..."

"...Thank you. Now I'm ready...to become you, Casia."

"NOOOOOO!!!!"

I gasped as I snapped awake. I didn't expect to doze off into another memory of my former host. I wished he could have gone out with a different fate. Yet, greed and envy drove him out of the civilization he called home.

I couldn't bring you back. But I will keep the promise that linked us together. I just need to focus on the present to achieve it.

My past aside, I sighed as I got up from the shade of the tree and walked through the forest outside the Demon Territory once more. It has been 2 days since Gabriel's permanent induction into the House of Lavender. Vander is still keeping an eye on him back home and it would be the end of our debacle regarding his place in the world. However, something was still bothering me. I would ignore the village since they thought the ritual would work the moment he entered the Demon Territory. But the question was how the hell did they even have access to it? It should be impossible due to the laws placed in the land as well as the [Demon Wall] surrounding the territory.

I shouldn't let the village go unattended like this. I need answers and going back there should give me the ones I'm looking for. But this time, I'm not going alone.

"Well, nice to see your scaly face back here."

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

I turned around and smiled to see a familiar jovial man strolling right behind me. Unlike my previous associate who accompanied me, he has metallic armor enough to blind anyone when looked under the light and a sword sheathed on his belt, enough to remind me of an old-fashioned knight. Only this knight was a bit...out there. And that's a saying from a fellow demon.

"I'm not in a mood for your black humor, Val. I need your help in investigating [Holi Village]."

"Oh? You mean those religious fanatics? Why are you so interested in that kind of village? I thought you dislike zealots worshipping those stuck-up gods."

From Val's grin alone, I have a feeling I'm in a world of teasing right now. But the boys' safety must come first. "I heard they started to conduct a sacrificial ritual that involves young children from Holi Village. I need some evidence to confirm my suspicions."

"Evidence, huh?" I slowly back away as I notice his grin widen. "You're not the type to get involved in humanity's morality. Don't tell me... You're interested regarding those nonsensical ritual rumors or..." He leans closer to my face. "You smuggled the human sacrifice. Tell me if I'm right on one of them."

Dammit... This demon is unbelievably nosy...

Most Sentient Demons have mixed opinions on keeping a human in the Demon Territory rather than draining them for mana and slavery. One reason why is that they will eventually be possessed and turn into demons if they stay there too long. Another was sparing a humanoid, which is seen as a disgrace and a sign of weakness. I only care about the former reason and never my power between the Draco Nox and Demon Lords. But if they knew about the human boy, then who knows what would happen to Aster and Vander? I shouldn't tell anyone, not even Val, that we're harboring a human child in our care.

"The only thing you think was "right" is your lack of patience, Val. How about you let me finish what I said before you run through your mouth again?" I would have bare my claws if it wasn't for my patience and my human adventurer disguise.

"Hahaha! I'm half-serious, Casia. Don't take it the wrong way, bud."

I groaned. "Don't get all buddy-buddy with me after that tasteless joke." I sighed while rubbing the nose bridge between my eyes before continuing. "I want to visit Holi Village in person. Not through crystals or telepathy. I want to see it with my own eyes."

I let Val take in my declaration as I watched him stumble with his eyes widening and his smile dropped.

"My god... You are serious. But are you sure you want to go there? That village may have villagers with low Mana, but they're guarded by the military assigned in the Demon Wall nearby, remember? Who knows what will happen if they recognize you as a demon?"

He's right. Since the village is located near the Demon Wall, some guards tend to oversee them to ensure their safety from any runaway demon that goes under their radar. However, their range and number were limited and we only got out unscathed because of our connections to the people outside the Demon Territory.

"When it comes to suppressing my Dark Mana, I'm an expert even before obtaining my human form. If I get in with some forged documents for my adventurer disguise, I will evade any suspicion from both villagers and guards," I explained.

"What happens if they do? Once they know a powerful demon has escaped, they will do everything in their power to chase you down until you're dead. Not even your new human body can face the might of the powerful adventurers in this land."

I groaned again. I begin to regret telling him my plans. "Do I have to repeat myself? I have the ability to manipulate their memories. I could have used it to alter their memories. However, the guards are watching them like hawks. They have magical tools to detect any Dark magic or mana from a demon. However, I doubt I need my powers to waltz into the village for my investigations. You only need to suppress my mana and the right words to avert suspicions. Not only that, you're here to help me as a witness, so that's enough for me."

"Or some luck to get away from those eagle-eyed humanoids." Val sighed. "But out of all Drago Nox I met, you're the only one who still has a brain."

I'll pretend that's a compliment. "Just don't say anything stupid. Remember our roles. We are adventurers stopping by to restock our supplies for a quest. They have a small shop and armory there, so we should purchase some items to make it believable."

"That and you want to send some gifts to that young Master of yours."

I groaned once more and smacked him from behind his head. "Stay silent and do as I say."

I take a deep breath as we continue our trek into the woods. Despite his jovial and annoying nature, Val is one of the powerful Sentient Demons in the [Domain of Canyons]. While he wasn't one of the [Demon Lord Candidates], he is still one of the strongest mercenaries in the [Hunting Order]. The fact we became friends over a proof of strength was still beyond me considering I only won because he surrendered in exchange for a compromise. But despite his focus on strength, he is no fool. He wasn't wrong about the guards. During my patrol, I noticed some of them mentioned they would be having new recruits coming in a week. I'm not surprised considering the number of monsters appearing lately. Although I am bothered with one detail from their conversation.

And it's the fact some of them came from another world summoned by the God of Light.

----------------------------------------

This is ridiculous...

I accepted the mistress's offer. But what am I going to do with this deck of cards? She released the seal from my emotions and thoughts before she left for important chores outside while I had to stay here to guard the store. But I don't know what kind of games I can play with 78 cards and I'm not the type to do those card reading mumbo-jumbo. There was nobody to visit the store today and I'm doing nothing but to read a book she gave me while drinking a cup of chamomile tea. It seemed to be related to my deck as it's about a Fool and his strange journey of sorts. I didn't understand the whole thing about his journey. He didn't have a destination in mind, a fitting trait of an idiotic hero.

Although, I feel a bit bad calling the Fool as an idiot. The more I read about the characters he met, the more I began to wonder if he was me. The characters and events that occurred in the book gave me deja vu, yet I couldn't recognize them at all. All my life, I experienced abuse and suffering from my family and bullies. How can I relate to these characters if I don't have those people in my life?

CLANG!

A customer already? But the mistress hasn't come back from her chores yet. Thankfully, she also commanded me to take care of any customers coming and entertain them until she came back. I put down the book and approached the new customer. To my surprise, it's none other than a young boy carrying a backpack as he looks around the store. It's a bit odd since most of our customers so far are teenagers and adults. Regardless, I don't have a right to deny a customer as per her orders, so I might as well queue him up until she gets back.

"Hey, kid. Are you interested in our wares?" I asked as I slowly approached him. "My mistress is out for a while, so I suggest you should sit down on the chairs on the side."

Looking closely at the young customer, he reminds me of me back in my elementary school days. From his brown hair and narrowed eyes to his white shirt and light purple sweater vest, brown shorts, long white shorts, and black loafers, it felt like I was staring at a past reflection in a strange mirror.

"H-Have you seen my friend?"

Huh? His friend? Was he only here to find them?

"I don't think so," I answered. "Did you recall what they look like? I might help you find them."

"S-She has black long hair, a black dress, and black shoes." He raised his hand next to his head. "She's about this size."

So a young girl in black... Why does that sound familiar?

I looked outside the shop and judging by the grey clouds in the sky, it seemed like it was going to rain soon. I feel bad for shooing him away and he might get wet if he heads out without waiting for the mistress. I should let him know before he leaves the shop.

"I doubt she's in here. But maybe I might help you find her, yet not now. Can you wait here for a while until the clouds are clear?"

"But she said she'll be here to play with me. She promised we'll play shop here before she goes..."

Before...she goes... This sounds all too familiar... I recalled that as a child, I was playing pretend shop with the same young girl similar to his friend. Those were a few times I was happy outside of my despair and struggles with my family and bullies.

"I get that you're frustrated, but there's nothing we can do about it. I'll see if I can find her p-" But then, the boy suddenly turns around and runs into the backroom of the shop. "Hey! Not over there! Only shop employees are allowed there!"

Looks like the kid isn't stopping despite my warnings. I quickly chase him down before he hurts himself. But once I catch him, I stop and notice he's staring at nothing. Or at least that's what I thought when I noticed something behind the boxes. I feel like I shouldn't look what it is, but I need to take him out of the authorized area before the mistress gets back. I reach out to him and call out to him, but he suddenly smiles with his eyes perked up.

"Hey, look! That's my friend!"

Huh? What did he say?

I turn around and my eyes widen to see a young girl who seems to be the boy's age emerge from behind the boxes with black long hair, a black dress, and black shoes... No... This can't be... She looks like the same girl I knew from my childhood days... Her scratches on her knees, the rips on the edges of her dress... It can't be her... It was 19 years ago...

"I come back as promised! So let's play again, Umbaria!"

U-Umbaria...

Now I remember... That's the name of the g-

No, that's the name of the girl I befriended. The girl that was my only friend in the world.

"Sure, Aster! Let's play!"

But why? Why is she here? And why is she playing with the boy who looks like me? What's...the hell is happening here?

Remember...

Remember... Remember what exactly?

Remember...to forget... Remember...to exist...

No... I can't...

Remember...what you promised...Aster...

My promise... I don't want to remember it. But I couldn't forget it...

How I met Umbaria... How I played with her every day...

And how I was forced to part with her because of my family...

That was the greatest regret of my life. Something I wish to go back to meet her again.

If only I couldn't meet her...

No, if only I could stop myself from letting her leave...

I tried to reach out to her. But before I could, the whole world around me turned black...