Do you know memories lie?
It is common knowledge that once we witness it, it becomes a memory to keep within our mind and soul. Realistically, there are times you tend to forget due to the limited capacity of your brain. It's normal to forget due to various circumstances. One of which is focusing on your daily activity and current goals. That's why they tend to use the proverb, "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."
However, there are times when you may remember the wrong details of a specific memory. Most of the time, you may intentionally make up a memory to hide the genuine article out of fear.
You lied because you were traumatized by the events that created that memory. You lied to attract attention. And you lied because you simply hated your life.
If you continue to lie and misremember, you may wonder if those memories are even real to begin with.
However, memories exist for a reason. You cannot live without the past to push you forward.
So I want to ask, Vander...
Are your memories real or fiction?
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I gasped in shock as I got up from my seat. That wasn't a normal dream. Of course, I forgot all about it and I recalled it's not a nightmare. But I knew something wasn't right about that dream. For once, it mentioned something about my past and memories. Now that I think about it, do I have any memories left after I was reborn as Vander?
Although, I think the better question is, "Did Aster still have memories after our rebirth?"
I don't know what our rebirth entailed after the deal nor the price of it. But what's the point of recalling our past life if I simply focus on our current life now?
"Vander!"
Oh, right. I was so wrapped up in my dream that I almost forgot why I was in the garden in the first place. I stood up and I watched Gabriel run up to me.
"Sorry about that. I must have dozed off back there," I apologized. "How was your training?"
"I can cast [Fire Ball] now!" Gabriel answered. "But it would be better if you could have paid attention like Casia."
Great... He's pouting again. I told him I wasn't the teacher type.
"Again, I'm sorry. If it makes you feel any better, how about we spar for a while to see how much you've improved?" I suggested.
Gabriel sighed. "I guess. But it would be better if you could just... Huh?"
To my surprise, he suddenly turned around and walked away from me without another word out of his mouth.
"Hey, what's the matter?" I called out to him. "I told you I will pay attention next time!"
"I-It's not that, Vander." Gabriel closed his eyes and put his hands around his ears. "I thought I heard some footsteps just now."
I raise my eyebrow. "Footsteps?" I closed my eyes like him and tried to focus my hearing for a few seconds. "I don't hear anything nearby. Are you sure it's only Casia?"
"No. I heard several of them, not just one. It doesn't look like it came from Casia."
Several? I really didn't hear anything at all. How did Gabriel hear them in the first place?
"I need to check it out."
Just as I turn around, I gasp to see him running out of the garden and the gates of the mansion.
"Hey! Get back here!" I called out before I chased him. "When Casia said it's dangerous outside the walls of the mansion, he means it!"
I went out with Casia a few times during our hunting practices and I saw many dangers with my own eyes. I was safe because he was with me at that time. I don't know if I can protect Gabriel all by myself.
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To my relief, we only strayed a few meters away from the mansion through a path Casia, Gabriel, and I only knew. If an intruder would attempt to find it, they would simply run around the foggy forest in circles. I quickly caught up with Gabriel as I gasped after running for an hour.
"Seriously, Gabe... We need to go back!" I called out to him again. "The mansion will be unprotected if no one is there to power the..."
"Who's there?!"
Huh? That's not Casia's voice. I stepped in front of Gabriel and summoned my iron sword from my sheath.
"If you don't answer, we will resort to force!"
I sensed a decent amount of mana nearby, but they were not as strong as the Wild Demons. But if we fight here, Casia would kill us. It would be better if I could avoid that possible outcome.
"Do that and you will be answering to Casia!" I warned while keeping my sword up. "You're in his territory and I assure you, a fight would mean your death in his hands!"
It seemed like mentioning Casia was enough to calm the other party because I saw the said intruders coming out of the bushes. Most of them were Demi-Fiends who seemed to be of the same physical age as Casia and they were wearing leather armor and sheaths holding their weapons. One of them approached me and put his sword back in his sheath.
"I apologize for our rudeness, young man," he said. "I'm Thurkith from the Wild Demon Execution Squad. We're here because there have been reports regarding a Wild Demon rampaging near the towns and villages."
I raised my eyebrow and crossed my arms. "Mercenaries, huh? Casia said it's rare for you guys to be in this area." I put down my sword and into my sheath next. "My name is Casia of the House of Lavender. I'm guessing he mentioned me at some point."
"Why yes. Although I didn't expect a Demi-Fiend child to be the new master. But I noticed your Mana is somehow stronger than any Demi-Fiend child I know." Thurkith hummed while staring at me. "It might be too early for me to judge, but it seemed like the previous master has a keen eye for talent."
I can't help but smile at his compliment. I took a bow and said, "I appreciate your kind words, sir."
The older demon then turned his attention to Gabriel next. "And what about this human?"
Right... It's only a matter of time until they notice him. Gabriel is already retreating behind me, so I need to clear it up before his appearance creates some misunderstandings.
"This is Gabriel, a new resident of the Lavender House," I introduced. "There is a lot of stuff happening behind his current circumstances. But all you know is he has no intentions of going back to his village."
I turned around again to see him nodding to my statement.
"I see. I sensed his mana was being corrupted by the darkness in here. But I won't press any further," Thurkith said. "But I suggest you two should head back to your home. We also heard that this Wild Demon is recruiting other wild ones in its path. There's a chance there will be some Sentient Demon casualties if we're not careful."
I was about to ask him about that. Looks like they're not willing to discuss it with us because of our ages. I understand what they were trying to do, but I'm a bit frustrated that I'm not allowed to see the Demonic Mercenaries in action. But if I do, Casia will have a field day when he gets back and finds out.
"Wait, you're giving up just like that?" Gabriel asked so suddenly. "You're not gonna join them?"
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"I'm confident with my magic and sword skills and I've been in a lot of hunts with Casia," I explained. "But with Casia out of town at the moment, we can't leave the mansion empty. If it goes down, it will be my responsibility. Please understand I'm not giving up because of his instructions. The mansion is my master's final gift and home to me and I don't want to let it burn in flames because of my recklessness. Not to mention it's not only my home but also yours and Casia's."
"Home, huh?" Gabriel frowned as he hummed in thought. "Right. I'm sorry, Vander. I didn't know."
I nod with a smile. I'm glad he understands. I turned back to Thurkith next. "In that case, we should head b-"
"Leader! This is bad!"
We looked up and saw another demon landing next to Thurkith.
"What now? I was about to bring these children back home," Thurkith scolded his fellow mercenary.
"But sir, you don't understand! We found the Wild Demon and it's heading to the Demon Border!"
The Demon Border?! But that's impossible! There's no way a Wild Demon would find its way to that wall so easily! Casia did say that they tend to lose their way whenever they go around aimlessly. Even if they tried to leave their habitats, they simply go back where they left off. Something wasn't right about this...
"Don't be daft! There's no way a mere Wild Demon would dare make an attempt on the wall!" Thurkith yelled.
"B-B-But it's true, sir! There were a lot of other Wild Demons parading beside it and many others were absorbed into the target!"
Absorbed? So this isn't any other Wild Demon I know. Casia is still on the other side of the border and who knows what would happen if it breaks through the wall.
"Mr. Thurkith?" I approached the leader and asked, "Do you have any professional Wild Demon researcher on your team?"
"Even if we request for one back at the kingdom, it would take time for them to arrive."
Then it has been decided.
"Gabriel, head back to the mansion immediately," I ordered. "Do not leave until Casia and I get back home."
As expected, everyone gasped at my words. I guess some of them already had an idea of what am I going to do next.
"Young man, you can't!" Thurkith protested. "What you're suggesting is suicide! We won't allow any young demon in the vicinity of a Wild Demon without any supervision."
"But I don't have to go there alone. Casualties will be unavoidable if you go there without knowing what you're dealing with," I explained. "I know most of the Wild Demons through my studies and books. I won't be in your way, but I will help you determine our rampaging target."
While I wanted to entertain the thought of challenging a strong Wild Demon, Casia told me facing one unprepared meant death for me and everyone nearby. I have to know my limits and for now, I have to keep my distance if I want to help the mercenaries stop the Wild Demon.
"I don't know... I have a standard when it comes to reckless youths like you..." Thurkith cautiously answered. "But since you're the young student of the former Master of Lavender, I doubt we have a choice in the matter."
At least that's enough to convince them. I turned to Gabriel next, who seemed to be on the fence with my decision.
"Are you going to be okay on your own, Vander?" He asked me solemnly. "I thought they said that Wild Demon is dangerous."
"I told them that I would keep myself away from it and the mercenaries. I do plan to inform Casia as soon as we arrive at the border," I explained. "What's more important is your safety, not just the mansion's. If some of the Wild Demons get to it, then it's over. As Casia said, "We have a chance to be a hero. But we shouldn't rush in out of vanity." Once you're ready, you will know when."
I don't know how many hunts I have to learn that lesson. I don't even know how many failures I took with or without Aster. But I saw many dangers in the Demon Territory and it might be the same in the outside world. Until I have my full strength, I'm not risking either of us on a real battlefield.
"I-I understand," Gabriel answered with a sigh of dismay. "Just be careful out there, Vander."
I nodded. "I will."
I turn around and let out a whistle. Then, I backed away just as a large black and red bird landed next to me.
"What the hell?!"
"It's a [Dark Preying Spargle]! Kill it before it releases the spikes on its back!"
Dammit! I almost forgot that I'm dealing with a mercenary group that has experience with dealing with rampaging Wild Demons! They're already pointing their weapons against her and she might think of them as enemies if they provoke her any further.
"Kill her or the deal is done!" I sternly yelled. "Not only she's my familiar, but she's my only mount that my little wings can't handle. Also, she knows her way to my mansion."
To my relief, the mercenaries put down their weapons. I let out a sigh as I pet her head.
"I apologized for my men's overreaction, young man," Thurkith said. "But I'm confused. You said that this spargle is "your familiar", correct?"
I nodded. "She approached me injured one day and after I treated her, she stayed by my side ever since. Of course, I'm aware of her instincts from Casia. So I made a spell to tame her properly as my familiar. She remained as a well-behaved mount ever since."
"Oookay?" Thurkith stretched out his wings on his back and started hovering above me. "We'll escort you to the Wild Demon. But you need to keep your distance as promised, understand?"
"Again, I promise." I turn to my familiar next. "Poole, bring Gabriel back to the mansion! After that, head over to the Demon Border and wait until either me or Casia come back!"
"CAW!"
With that, I stretched my own wings and followed the mercenaries in the red sky. If what the messenger said was true, then I have a bad feeling about this. I hope whatever happens outside, Casia won't be one of the casualties.
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"ACCHHHOOOO!!!"
Damn... The pollen in this field is terrible. I'm glad Vander offered me a room that only has lavender by the door or I would be sneezing all night. Still, I wish I could have stayed in that village a bit longer. However, I saw the truth behind the villagers' smiles. Staying there would be suicidal. But acting based on the evidence we saw so far won't solve Gabriel's dilemma that cannot be undone. If we do, then the humanoids have a good reason to instigate a war against all Demons.
"So what now, Cassie?" Val spoke up as he was still walking alongside me. "I tagged along because you asked me, too. If you like, we should stop by the town nearby. I heard there's a restaurant that offered a good steak."
I sighed. "Do you always think about steak all the time? What happened to Mana Crystals?"
"Come on, there's no way to replicate the taste of the crystals! I also heard they have a berry salad for vegetarians like you!"
"Hey! Who are you calling..."
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I stopped walking. Was that Vander's voice? What in the world did he use telepathy at this distance for? Regardless, I need to answer it immediately.
"Excuse me. I have to take this call."
I quickly walk a few steps away from Val. Obviously, he can't listen to telepathy. But it would be embarrassing to react to another one of his antics back home in front of him.
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A breach?! That's concerning and something I didn't hear from Vander of all demons.
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A Wild Demon on its way to the Demon Border?! This was unexpected and impossible! I shook myself out of my disbelief.
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The Wild Demon Execution Squad... I know Thurkith is a leader with 50 years of experience. If what he said is true, then this might be a disaster waiting to happen. What's worse is that the Wild Demon in question has an unknown ability to ignore their habitat completely. Not to mention there is still an issue regarding the border guards bringing in new otherworlders as meat shields. I'm still suspicious of these details, but I can't just ignore this with unarmed otherworlders in danger.
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I cut off the telepathy at that point. Looks like this situation escalated to dangerous territories. I should prepare for the worst.
"Hey, why the long face, Cas?"
I turned around to see Val looking at me with concern. At least I'm not alone in this situation.
"I'll explain along the way. Right now, we need to head to the Demon Border."
We quickly ran in the other direction. We could have flown there quickly, but the security would kill us if we did. I just hope Vander and the mercenaries deal with that monster before our nightmare might come true.