NOVEL NEXT Chapter 155
“The consensus on half-demons, forged through a millennium of evidence, validation, and public discourse… has been shattered.”
Half-demon.
A term used for the cursed beings born of mixed demon and human blood.
Ainel Shianella, weighed down by the gravity of the situation, observed the congregants with their tense expressions and hardened tones. She dredged up buried memories of what she knew about half-demons.
‘Those cursed ones, carrying the blood of demons.’
Whether by choice or through unavoidable circumstances, half-demons are ultimately human, yet carry the blood of demons. Alongside this, they inherit features and powers symbolic of demons.
They bear small black horns, resembling those of demons, and possess bodies adept at accumulating magic.
A race that has stained rivers with the blood of countless intelligent beings and scorched the lives of the plains into desolation with their magic.
It is only natural that they are viewed with disgust and contempt for resembling the appearance of demons.
Their blood carries an ingrained violence and naturally leads to deception and intimidation, which has long subjected them to the disdain and persecution of many beings.
‘To bear the blood of a demon is an unforgivable and sinful act, yet in some ways, it is also a tragedy for them.’
It has been a long time since the first acceptance of demons.
Ultimately, their descendants now sometimes genuinely hate their powers, unlike the mad progenitors who once reveled in their bloodline.
It is true that there are those who cannot help but feel something when sending hatred without a backstory.
Yet, as time passes, the instinctive aversion to demons has become deeply ingrained in the world.
Thanks to that, even if the long flow of time has diluted the demon’s blood, tilting the axis of their reasoning towards humanity, it is certainly impossible for them to integrate naturally among people.
‘I once thought the fate they are born into today was unfortunate.’
As the head of the Count’s House, she had felt a twinge of sympathy towards them during her studies after just entering the academy, as she traveled around the kingdom.
‘Now, I can’t say I even feel that way.’
Not until those half-demons came to break down the Count’s gates.
It may not be ideal to generalize the entire group due to one person’s misdeeds, but the inclination of her heart was unavoidable.
What would have happened if the gates had been breached then? How many more people would scream and fall? Just thinking about it made it hard to ignore the slowly boiling anger within her.
‘At least unless it’s someone who has willingly cut off their horns and destroyed their branches of bloodline—’
She would never show the same sympathy as before.
Moreover, she would remain vigilant against them without fail.
Excluding those born with demon blood, anyone who has committed no sin would likely be the most difficult for the Count’s House, which holds the deepest hatred for demons.
Ultimately, those who embrace magic and endorse their demonic blood should dread the Count’s House.
As long as there are no foolish actions, the Count’s last concession would be not to behead them.
With the disappearance of her compassion came a rising animosity, and Ainel Shianella opened her ears to the words of the congregants.
“The half-demon who died beneath the castle wall was evolving. No… perhaps it would be more fitting to say it was drawing closer to its essence.”
“Drawing closer to its essence?”
“Yes. Violence and deception. The reason their fateful traits keep getting passed down invariably results from a single cause.”
The congregant’s brown eyes sparkled keenly.
“The blood of demons. Her blood had transformed closer to that of a primordial demon rather than a mixture of human and demon.”
Primordial demon blood.
At those words, the mood around Ainel instantly turned icy, adding to the heavy atmosphere of the space.
Ainel’s cat-like eyes followed the slightly rising hand of the congregant.
Her gaze rested on the woman congregant’s chest, where a heart pulsating with life resided.
“The heart should be a vibrant crimson, yet it was heavily stained with magic, murky like the depths of a swamp.”
“…….”
“Unlike true demons, it had degenerated, so only the exterior remained, yet I have confirmed that the horns had regained their functionality. They responded to the magic and gradually amplified that nefarious power.”
The stark return of the half-demon to their original demonic form.
This could not be welcomed news.
Half-demons scattered across the world, hiding and struggling to survive.
What would happen if those, not just the abominable ones who invaded the Count’s House, gradually regained their innate demonic powers?
“Indeed… This is not something we can easily overlook.”
As the priest had said, the closer their blood gets to that of a demon, the more their innate violence would awaken.
Moreover, with that cursed magic becoming stronger, they could easily wreak havoc.
“We must be even more vigilant from now on. Not just against half-demons, but also against the despicable scoundrels deeply connected to them.”
Ainel, stroking her silver hair slowly, said.
“Rumor has it that cultists have been appearing in the Empire for several years now.”
The elf from the Arielte Family spoke of the dire state of the Empire.
The hostile Empire, on the decline more than ever before, had even summoned demons to appear before the Count’s House.
The attack incident on the royal coming-of-age ceremony and the defense battles that had ensued.
Hadn’t there been a chaotic series of events in a single year?
“The turmoil of the waves and currents is no small matter. At this rate, an even bigger and fiercer wave could come and sweep over the kingdom.”
Tap…. Tap….
Ainel, with her arms crossed, began to rhythmically tap her right index finger against her left arm.
“We need to send letters to various places to prepare for it. We must carefully observe the blue waves from the Empire and prepare, however formal it may be, for a larger catastrophe that may come our way someday. Don’t you think?”
The congregant silently nodded in agreement at Ainel’s words.
“That’s a very valid point.”
*
We had been traveling for quite a long time without respite.
Nothing particularly special had happened during that time.
We had made light conversation, which gradually became quieter, leaving us simply staring out the window; it was a typical event.
So, as it happened, lunchtime arrived, and the carriage briefly stopped.
I looked at Shione from the entrance of the carriage.
“Haah…”
She had been basking in the warm sunlight by the window and seemed to be in a dreamy state, utterly oblivious.
Unless I gave her a light slap, she surely wouldn’t wake up anytime soon.
Although it would take a while to set the table, we had still been seated all day.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to wake her up now for a little fresh air outside.
And maybe while I was at it, I could ask her to help with some chores.
“Princess Shione, how about stepping down for a moment to get some fresh air?”
“Umm…?”
Shione lifted her drooping head, still blinking her half-conscious eyes at me.
“…Did the carriage stop?”
“Yes, we’ll have our meal here and then head out again. Since we’ve been in the carriage for a while, why don’t you catch some fresh air?”
“Ahh… I’ll come out in a bit—let me wake up a little more.”
Shione’s head drooped again.
“First… you go ahead….”
Like a dying soldier, her head fell abruptly.
Unable to battle her heavy eyelids, Shione closed her eyes again, her head dropping.
“Really…”
At this rate, she would probably sulk the moment I finally woke her up.
If it came to it, I would have to forcibly wake her for mealtime.
I had wanted to ask for some help, but I was about to be disappointed when I stepped out of the carriage.
‘Friel Arielte?’
From the carriage ahead, Friel Arielte stepped out.
Her golden hair shone beautifully in the sun, and she waved at me.
It seemed she had something to say, making her head straight for me without glancing at anyone else.
“Ray, thanks for your hard work on the long carriage ride. Has the young lady not come out yet?”
With her cheeky smile, I responded just formally enough.
“Princess Shione is still meditating in the carriage. She asked to be called before the meal.”
Of course, that was a bit of a fib.
“Hmm— is that so? Then we can chat comfortably.”
Friel’s smile began to widen mischievously.
“Ray, could we talk separately for a moment? I still have many questions about your spirit magic, and I’d like to ask you about it.”
“Unless it’s a serious matter—”
“This isn’t just about your spirit magic; it’s also about the Great Forest. And… because if you’re skilled in spirit magic like Ray, it’s an issue anyone could feel.”
Before I knew it, her serious expression returned, and she stared at me intently.
“I’d appreciate it if you could follow me for a moment.”
Her subtle pressure blended with her experience started to weigh on me.
“Elisa is also waiting for us, you know?”
Her voice dipped with playful mischief, hinting that if I didn’t go now, it might become more troublesome later on.