Ch.155155. A Procession in Succession (2)

“For a thousand years, the established theory about half-human, half-demons that underwent verification, validation, and public discourse… has been shattered.”

Half-human, half-demon.

A term referring to those cursed beings born with mixed demon and human blood.

Ainel Sianella observed the church members who displayed stiff expressions and tones, weighed down by the gravity of the situation, while retrieving information about half-demons from her buried memories.

‘Those cursed with demon blood.’

Half-demons were those who, whether willingly or through irresistible force, ultimately inherited demon blood while being human. Along with this, they inherited demonic characteristics and powers.

Not only did they each have small black horns on their heads similar to demons’, but above all, they possessed bodies adept at accumulating Magia.

A race that killed tens of thousands of intelligent beings across the continent, turning rivers red with blood and scorching fields with Magia until they became barren.

It was only natural that resembling a demon’s appearance would make one an object of hatred and contempt.

Their violence ingrained in their blood and their natural deceit and intimidation were enough to earn them the hateful gaze and persecution of many intelligent beings for a long time.

‘Inheriting demon blood is an impious and sinful thing, but in a way, they are also pitiful beings.’

A long time had passed since the first people accepted demons.

In the end, their descendants today, unlike their crazed ancestors who praised their power, sometimes truly hated their own power.

It was true that there were some who felt uncomfortable simply sending hatred without any conversation.

However, as time passed, the instinctive aversion to demons became more firmly rooted and normalized in the world.

Thanks to this, even though their demon blood had thinned over the long passage of time and inheritance, and their thinking and rationality had clearly tilted toward the human side, it would never be possible for them to naturally blend in among people.

‘I too once thought the fate they were born into was unfortunate.’

Even she, the head of the County, when she had just entered the academy and was devoted to her studies, and when she traveled around the Kingdom, had felt some sympathy for them.

‘Now I don’t particularly feel that way anymore.’

Not since that half-demon tried to break down the County’s gates.

While it’s not desirable to generalize an entire group based on individual wrongdoing, it was inevitable that her heart would lean a certain way.

If the gates had been breached then, what would have happened to the County? How many people would have fallen with screams? It was quite difficult to ignore the anger that slowly boiled up just thinking about it.

‘Unless they cut off their own horns and damaged their blood vessels so they couldn’t handle Magia—’

She would never show the same sympathy as before.

And she would certainly remain vigilant against them.

Among them, those who had committed no crime except being born with demon blood should consider the County, which hated demons more than anyone in the current generation, as the most difficult opponent.

In the end, those who accepted Magia and affirmed demon blood even slightly should be wary of the County and ultimately fear it.

As long as they didn’t cause trouble, not beheading them immediately was Ainel’s final act of tolerance.

With her compassion gone and hostility risen, Ainel Sianella too listened to the church members with a cooled mind.

“The half-demon who died beneath the castle walls was regressing. No… rather than regression, it might be more appropriate to say she was getting closer to her essence.”

“Closer to her essence?”

“Yes. Violence and deceit. The reason their fateful nature continues to be passed down ultimately comes down to one cause.”

The church member’s brown eyes gleamed sharply.

“Demon blood. Her blood was not a mixture of human and demon, but closer to that of a primordial demon.”

Primordial demon blood.

At those words, even Ainel’s demeanor sank to an incomparably cold level, adding to the heavy atmosphere of the space.

Ainel’s blue eyes followed the church woman’s slightly rising hand.

Her gaze settled on the church woman’s chest where her hand was raised, right above the heart where life pulsed.

“The heart, which should have been scarlet, was deeply stained with Magia like a demon’s, colored a murky black like the depths of a swamp.”

“……”

“We confirmed that the horn, which should have been atrophied with only external features remaining unlike a demon’s, had regained its function. The horn responded to Magia, gradually amplifying that wicked power.”

The half-demon’s regression to a primitive demon.

It could never be welcome news.

Half-demons scattered throughout the world, hiding their traces and surviving.

What would happen if such beings, not just that abominable woman who invaded the County, gradually recovered their original demonic power?

“Indeed… this is certainly not something to be taken lightly.”

As the priest said, as their blood became closer to that of demons, the violence that had been suppressed would be awakened.

Furthermore, couldn’t they cause chaos with the strengthened power of that cursed Magia?

“We must be more vigilant against them from now on. Not just the half-demons, but also the gangs of rogues deeply connected to them.”

Ainel said, slowly stroking her silver hair.

“Rumors have been circulating for several years that cultists have emerged in large numbers within the Empire.”

The reality of the Empire as described by the elf from House Arielt was close to the worst.

The Empire, more belligerent than ever, was ultimately said to be in decline.

“The Kingdom has also suffered from the vicious attacks of cultists for nearly a year, and a demon even manifested at the County.”

The cultist first encountered when her second daughter, Sione Sianella, was heading to the Marquisate of Feiosha.

Followed by the attack on the princess’s coming-of-age ceremony and the defense battle.

Haven’t there been quite chaotic events in the past year?

“The turbulence of the currents and waves is not small. At this rate, a larger and more violent wave may someday come and sweep through the Kingdom.”

Tap… Tap…

Ainel, with her arms crossed.

Her right index finger, placed on her left arm, begins to tap her arm rhythmically.

“I must send letters to various places to warn them to prepare. We must carefully observe the waves coming from the Empire, and with the continent in this state… It would be better to prepare even a little more for the greater events that might come someday, even if it’s just formal. Don’t you agree?”

The church member nodded silently at Ainel’s words.

“Your words are most wise.”

* * *

We had been traveling for quite a long time.

Nothing special had happened during that time.

Just the typical scenario of chatting moderately, then gradually speaking less, and eventually just staring out the window silently.

So when it was finally time for lunch, the carriage stopped briefly.

I looked at Sione from the entrance of the carriage.

“Haaawn…”

Sitting right next to the window, basking in the warm sunlight, she was in a half-asleep state, not fully conscious.

Unless I slapped her cheek or something, she probably wouldn’t wake up immediately.

There’s still some time before the meal is ready, but we’ve been sitting all day.

It wouldn’t be bad to wake her up now and take her outside for a walk.

And I could also ask her to help with some simple tasks.

“Lady Sione, how about getting out for some fresh air?”

“Mmm…?”

Sione raised her head that had been drooping down, moving sluggishly.

She looked at me with her eyes slightly open.

“…Did the carriage stop?”

“Yes, we’ll have our meal here and then depart again. You’ve been in the carriage for a long time, so why don’t you get some fresh air now?”

“Ah… I’ll go out a little later—after I wake up a bit more.”

Sione’s head droops again.

“You go ahead… first…”

Like a dying soldier dropping his head with a thud.

As she closed her eyes, unable to resist her heavy eyelids, her head dropped down.

“Well…”

At this rate, even if I shake her awake now, she’ll probably just get irritated.

If she really can’t get up, I’ll have to force her awake when it’s time to eat.

I was planning to ask her to help with some work.

With that plan turned to bubbles, I left the carriage with disappointment, and at that moment—

‘Friel Arielt?’

Friel Arielt, who had just stepped down from the carriage ahead.

She waved at me, her beautiful golden hair shimmering in the sunlight.

Apparently, she had something to talk about, as she came straight toward me without looking at anyone else along the way.

“Ray, thank you for enduring the long carriage ride. Is the Lady not coming out yet?”

I gave only a ceremonial response to her smiling expression.

“Lady Sione is still meditating in the carriage. She asked to be called before the meal.”

With a bit of a lie mixed in, of course.

“Hmm—is that so? Then we can talk comfortably.”

Friel began to show a playful smile.

“Ray, could we talk privately for a moment? It’s just that I still have many questions about your spirit magic and things I want to ask.”

“If it’s not too important—”

“This conversation is not only about your spirit magic but also about the Great Forest. And… it’s also about a current problem that anyone proficient in spirit magic like Ray would sense.”

Her smile faded as she looked directly at me with a blank expression.

“I’d appreciate it if you could follow me for a moment.”

She subtly pressed down on me with the pressure that came from her years of experience.

“Elisa is waiting for us too.”

In a low, playful voice, as if suggesting that if I didn’t come now, she would be more annoying later.