Chapter 20
“LOOKS LIKE I still can’t beat the great Danblf’s speed record versus bigger armies,” Wallenstein mused as he returned
from below. When his words were met with an uncomfortable gaze from Faust, he raised an eyebrow in confusion.
“Listen, Wallenstein. My name is Mira now. Mira. Not Danblf.”
Faust nodded along for emphasis.
“Huh? Ahh…an alias! Got it. Okay, it’s Mira from now on. And you call me Wally, okay?”
She wasn’t sure if he really understood, but this was a workable solution.
He looked at the demon lying on the ground. It was fast asleep, apparently due to something Faust had done.
“I guess all we can do now is take it home. Faust, meet up with the others and go on ahead,” Wallenstein ordered with a sigh.
“Understood.” Faust slung the bound demon over his shoulder and turned. “See you later. That goes for you, too, Mira.” The former demon bowed and returned to the train car. A few faces peeked from the windows, apparently Wallenstein’s friends who had been lying in wait, just in case.
“So, uhhh, Mira. Looks like I won’t get back to Alcait for a while now. But I’ll try to poke my head in at least once this year, so let Solomon know. Buuut if you could fill him in for me…” Wallenstein slumped apologetically, a stark contrast to his sharp secret agent-like attire.
“Hrmm… Well, I do understand your circumstances. If your work can turn demons from foes to friends, then we can hardly ask for more.” The plans of demons were the source of countless tragedies. If such darkness could be erased from the world, then it would be truly revolutionary. “I’ll let Solomon know to wait a little longer.”
“Thanks!”
“So, I was thinking.” Deciding to put a pin in the issue for now, Mira shifted topics. “We were forced to fight here today. In these cases, what happens to the sealing process? Also, what should I do if I run into a demon without you around?”
In some situations, fighting was inevitable. This would happen again, and now that Mira knew about the demon sealing, she had to decide how she should deal with this dilemma.
“In cases like this, we often give them a chance to escape,” Wallenstein said. “Simply releasing them would make them more cautious, so it would be harder to tail them.”
It was necessary to make the demon think it had escaped of its own volition and ability. Once things had calmed down, they would resume the sealing.
“But when you run into a demon by chance…” Wallenstein retrieved a few black threads and some round white rocks. “Demons who don’t remember their true purpose can be incredibly dangerous. It would be better for the people around if you defeated them swiftly. But I would still greatly prefer to release their memories.”
He then held out the two tools.
The black thread could subdue any demon up to duke for three days. When the white rock was shattered, it would emit a special signal that could be sensed by Faust’s kind. If she took the subdued demon to a safe place and shattered the rock, Wallenstein’s friends would come take care of it.
“Aha, understood,” Mira said. “I’ll do my best not to defeat demons just because they’re demons.”
“I would be delighted if you tried.” Wallenstein smiled faintly now that he had Mira on his side. Then his expression tightened, and he added, “But if human life is in danger, do what you’ve got to do. If people die, then what’s the point in all of this?”
“Very well… And you’re certain you’re fine with that?”
“Yes. Besides, as long as you don’t damage the demon’s soul, it’ll be reincarnated as a demon again. It may extend the process, but I think we’ll see the work done someday.”
It might take years or even decades, but they had as many chances as they needed to return the demons to their original mission. It seemed Wallenstein was ready and willing to pursue this for the long haul.
“Reincarnation!” Mira gasped. “Then maybe that demon…” Mira told Wallenstein about the demon she’d encountered in Nebrapolis.
“Soul Howl used that as his base, and there was a demon there? Add in the zombie outbreak and the appearance of a half-demon… Could Soul Howl be involved in this, too? No—unsealed demons are all still firmly on the side of evil. Perhaps…?” Wallenstein was absorbed in thought. He muttered to himself, thinking and rethinking on different explanations.
“So, Wally. Will the demon I killed in Nebrapolis reincarnate?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. Yeah, don’t worry. One broken neck won’t damage the soul.”
“Hrmm. Very good.” Feeling her heart grow a little lighter now, she recalled something else. “Incidentally, there is one more thing on my mind. It’s about those Lesser Demons…”
She filled him in on the flower field.
***
“A flower field with a white pillar and monsters killing each other… That certainly is strange.”
“Isn’t it? Faust told me that Lesser Demons only act on the orders of demons. Is that universally true? Could demons be lurking about Alcait, plotting some scheme?”
Mira had killed that Lesser Demon, but based on what she’d learned today, it must have been part of something larger. Demonic activity always heralded disaster. Mira was uneasy at the thought that Alcait might be in greater danger.
But Wallenstein promptly dispelled her worries. “I don’t know what the demon was planning there. But for now, I doubt they’ll go near Alcait. My comrades have been searching that area for a few days, and I’ve heard of no sightings. I’ll have them do another sweep just in case. Leave the investigation of that flower field to us.” It seemed Wallenstein had some cards up his sleeve.
“Thank you for everything, really.”
“Alcait is still home, after all. I can’t leave it to suffer. Besides, demons are kind of my specialty at this point.”
Before they realized it, the passengers had returned to the train, and the engine had begun to rumble. Around them, a few adventurers and railroad staff were performing safety checks. One of them looked Mira’s way. Mira waved toward him to signal that there was no problem. She then looked back to Wallenstein.
“So, Dan—erm, Mira. I’m glad we were able to catch up.”
“Me too. If you need anything, just ask.”
“Thanks.” Shaking Mira’s hand, Wallenstein finally excused himself and backed up a few paces. A magic circle floated up from his feet. He disappeared in a flash of white light, much like a summons being dismissed.
“Come on! Really?!” She gasped at the sight.
It truly happened in an instant. Had he developed some sort of teleportation magic? Why hadn’t she been informed of this?!
“Teleportation, exorcism… An application of barriers? Or perhaps Ethereal Arts? It was just like summons dismissal…” she muttered to herself as she returned to her seat. After a while, she suddenly remembered Garuda and the others were still standing guard in the sky and dismissed them from afar.
***
The army of Lesser Demons and the appearance of a full-on demon had quite an effect on the passengers, who were eager to be anywhere but the trestle bridge. Once the engine itself was back in working order and the checks were complete, the train rushed off to escape the place.
As they sped to the next stop, Mira found herself surrounded by adventurers who had seen her rather spectacular performance in battle. She was stuck answering question after question.
The adventurers asked about every detail, but whenever she was asked about her strength, Mira responded in only one way:
“You have witnessed the true power of summoning!”
As for Agent Smith—or rather, Wallenstein—Mira made up a convincing story about him being a demon hunter who had left to pursue another demon still at large. Many had witnessed the demon appearing on the train and Wallenstein protecting him, so there were rumors that they were in cahoots. A rumor like that would certainly make it harder for Wallenstein to do his work. Mira generously spun him up a good cover story.
You owe me for this one, friend. Mira smirked to herself and swore that she would wring the secrets of teleportation from him one way or another.
But the image of the enormous horde of Lesser Demons hanging in the sky stuck in her mind. Mira and Wallenstein had destroyed them all before they could cause any real trouble, but the sheer numbers alone were abnormal. Given the scale of the attack and the fact that all the passengers had witnessed it, this was sure to become public knowledge.
Word was about to spread across the continent.
***
Eventually, the train reached the next station. Several representatives of the Adventurers’ Guild Union were waiting on the platform. When they spotted Mira, they requested she visit their office the next day to be debriefed. Mira readily accepted, as this would surely come with some reward.
The Union put her up for the night at a high-class inn, and before long, Mira found herself sprawled out in the room’s private bath.
I really never expected to meet Wallenstein like that. At the very least, we have his word that he’ll be back within the year. I suppose that’s one down? Six to go!
Not a bad start. Deciding to pamper herself a little, she expensed an alcoholic drink to the Union’s tab.
Demons, though… Their original mission was to create a better future. What a surprising twist. But Faust seemed nice enough. If that is a demon’s true form, then if Wallenstein achieves his goal, it could be a world-changing accomplishment.
Mira mowed through a plate of expensive cheese as she pondered the matter.
“But I have to wonder what exactly their original mission was…”
What would demons do in service of a better future? Realizing that she hadn’t asked, Mira shrugged and assumed that as long as Wallenstein was involved, it couldn’t lead to anything bad.
Then she helped herself to some top-shelf charcuterie.
***
The next day, Mira testified to the Union on the grounds that she had spoken with a suspect. She protected Wallenstein’s identity by telling the same improvised cover story she’d told the adventurers. Her testimony was readily accepted as truth when she presented Solomon’s medal.
Witnessing once again the power of Solomon’s name, she had to marvel at the influence her country held.
Mira couldn’t depart on the day she had to testify, so she spent the rest of the day sightseeing. Station cities were often a melting pot of a region’s cultures, making it quite enjoyable to explore them.
Her room at the inn was once again comped as she waited for the next day’s train, and Mira arrived back at Silverside the following evening.
***
It was a bit pricier than the surrounding inns, but Mira couldn’t help wanting to spend one more night at the Starry Villa.
When morning came, she heard the usual broadcast announcing the railroad schedule. With nowhere to be, Mira snuggled deeper into her comfy blanket and continued to snooze.
After lazing about for most of the morning, she finally crawled out of the covers and rang the breakfast bell. Today’s breakfast was full of familiar comfort foods. After savoring every last morsel, she sipped green tea, relaxed for a bit, and finally left the room.
***
“Thank you for choosing Starry Villa.”
“Right. Thank you.”
Mira left the inn, adorable twin ponytails bobbing behind her. The receptionist had been happy to tie them for Mira again. High on her own imagined perfection, Mira stepped into the street to find a good place to summon Pegasus.
A man stood idly before the Starry Villa, as if he’d been waiting for her to exit. When he saw her, he hurried over.
“Excuse me,” he greeted her. “I believe you are Miss Mira, Danblf’s pupil? Might I have a moment of your time?”
“I am. But who are you?”
He looked to be in his late thirties and balding, with crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes. His remaining hair was black, as were his well-tailored butler clothes.
“I would love to give you an answer, but there are too many people here. Forgive me, but might I trouble you to move somewhere…quieter?” The man glanced about, voice lowered.
If he had business with her due to being the supposed pupil of a Wise Man, then it was likely important. The two strode away from the bustling main street and faced each other again.
“My apologies for imposing on your time,” he began. “Now, allow me to answer your question. I serve someone quite like yourself: a fellow pupil of a different Wise Man. I’ve brought a letter for you, and my master wishes to arrange a meeting. The details are enclosed. I hope you are willing to consider my master’s request.”
“A pupil of a Wise Man? Are there others besides myself? Whose pupil are they?” Mira asked, eyeing the man’s bald spot. She had been led to believe there were no other pupils. If they existed, then Solomon would have told her.
Who could they be? Mira glared penetratingly at the man.
“My deepest apologies. My master is quite cautious and fears those who would take advantage of their power. I have been asked to conceal their name and their master’s. Apologies again for my rudeness, but the answers you seek are in the letter.” With that, the man pulled a carefully sealed envelope from his pocket and offered it to Mira.
“Hrmm. This pupil is a shut-in, eh?” She’d get this sorted out soon enough. Besides, Mira was interested in knowing if there truly was another—or, more accurately, an actual—pupil. She accepted the letter.
“I must now take my leave.” With a deep bow, the man disappeared into the crowd. Mira did not bother to watch him go, instead tearing open the envelope and reading the letter on the spot.
Forgive me for my presumption in writing to you.
When I heard there was another pupil of a Wise Man like myself, I could not help but reach out immediately. Due to personal circumstances, I cannot appear in public.
I understand that this is difficult to ask of a stranger, but I hope that you will meet me at the abandoned garden in the southwest of Silverside.
I will wait for you as long as necessary.
Mira returned the letter to its envelope, shoved it into her waist pouch, and opened her map.
Hrmm, the abandoned garden? I think it was around here…? The station town known as Silverside had not existed in-game, so Mira was unfamiliar with its layout. After staring at the map for a while, she made a vague guess about where to go.
I wonder what sort of person they are? I hope she’s a cute girl!
It bothered Mira that they refused to go out in public, but this seemed to be a way to kill two birds with one stone. If they truly were a pupil, then they would know where one or more of the other Wise Men would be.
Not a moment later, she had mounted Pegasus and was on her way to investigate a new lead.
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