For a while, Caelus and Leyna walked through the forest. They trudged up a large hill, where Leyna lost her footing and stumbled back with a yelp.
Caelus was quick to catch her.
"Ah. Careful now," he said.
"T-thank you," she mumbled.
"Don't worry about it. Does your leg still hurt?"
"Just a little."
"Then, is it okay if I carry you?"
Leyna panicked.
"Y-you don't need to do that, Mister Caelus! I don't wanna bother you..."
"Nonsense. It wouldn't do to have you walk on your own when you're still injured. Come. Let's get you up."
Reluctantly, Leyna climbed onto Caelus' back, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck.
"I'm... not too heavy, am I?" she asked.
"Haha, not at all," he chuckled. "Are you comfortable? Should I adjust anything?"
"N-no. This is okay."
"Alright. Let's keep moving then."
Caelus finished the rest of the climb while Leyna hung from his back. She was confused about why this human was helping her, but she didn't necessarily dislike it. Every single human she had met up until now was hostile. Children threw rocks at her, screamed at her to go away, while adults chased her off. It wasn't until she encountered those hunters that her life was truly in danger.
Meeting Caelus here gave her a breath of fresh air she didn't think she'd have the chance to breathe again.
Finally, they made it to the top.
"And there it is," Caelus said.
Leyna peeked over his shoulder, and her eyes widened with great curiosity.
Beyond the hills and roads, the capital of the Vectis Empire loomed in the distance. It was a breathtaking construct of towering spires and sprawling districts. The city gleamed under the afternoon sun, its ivory and gold architecture standing in stark contrast to the deep blue sky.
At its heart, the Imperial Palace rose like a monument to human ambition.
"Hmm... It's quite bright compared to Vellum," Caelus noted, which caught Leyna off guard.
"You've been to Vellum, Mister Caelus?"
"Of course. I live there."
"W-what? But... you're a human, aren't you?"
"Ah. Well... it's a rather long story. I wound up in Vellum about five years ago due to a rather perplexing... incident. You see, I'm quite familiar with Lord Arkus."
"H-His Majesty?!"
"Haha, yeah.
At first, Leyna questioned the merit of his words. Arkus de Vellum is the Ego of Strife and the lord who rules over all of Wyrheim, the demon realm. But since he saved her, she decided to place her trust in him.
Caelus carried Leyna through the forest until they made it out. Between them and the city was a massive plain filled with roads, farmlands, and grassy fields.
"Hey, Mister Caelus," Leyna called.
"Hmm? What is it, Leyna?"
"I don't mean to sound like I'm doubting you, but... how come we're going to the city? Isn't there where the humans live?"
"A valid question. You're right. It is where most of the humans across the empire are gathered. The reason is that I'm meeting someone there. Are you familiar with a certain devil named Mephisto?"
"Eh?! C-Commander Mephisto?!"
"That's the one."
Leyna was at a loss for words. These names were nothing short of the most powerful people in the demon realm, and Caelus had just tossed them out there like it was nothing. Vellum is the capital of the demon realm, Wyrheim, but Leyna had never been there before. Even then, she wasn't foolish enough not to recognize those names.
"Mister Caelus... just who exactly are you?"
"Who am I, huh? I've been asking myself that question for a very long time. Let's just say... I'm not like other humans."
Eventually, they made it to the city. Stone buildings flanked a wide dirt road. To the left, a farmer stood by his cart, cheerfully peddling fresh produce to passersby. On the right, a small boy tugged at his mother's sleeve, tears in his eyes as he pleaded for candy. The air was thick with chatter and movement, and it was... undeniably loud.
Before they arrived at the front gate, Caelus had given his cloak to Leyna, for red skin and horns aren't necessarily human features.
He rested his hand on her head.
"Keep your face covered, Leyna. Who knows what'll happen if people find out who you really are."
"O-okay, Mister Caelus. But... I can't see anything but the ground."
"That's fine. Just hold my hand tight, and I'll guide you through."
With their hands together, the pair weaved their way through the bustling street until they made it to the doorsteps of a small building.
"We're here, Leyna. Don't peek until I say it's okay. Got it?"
"Yeah."
"Alright. Here we go."
A bell chimed as they pushed the doors open. It was an office of sorts with nothing but fancy furniture and a desk towards the back. Behind it was a massive cabinet filled with trinkets, scrolls, and books.
"Ah! Hello there!" said a rather deep voice.
From the back door came a tall man with a respectable build. He exuded an aura of raw power, his towering frame clad in a sharp black suit. His long, tousled brown hair framed a sharp face. He wore a pair of gleaming glasses, so his eyes could barely be seen.
"Welcome to my humble information center," he greeted as he approached them. "Now, what can I—"
He paused the moment he saw Caelus' face, a small curl forming at the edge of his lips.
"...Oh. Fancy seeing you all the way out here, my friend."
Caelus bowed.
"Mephisto."
"Tch... Didn't I tell you to drop the formalities a long time ago, kid? And why are you here so early? You weren't supposed to arrive for another week."
"Well, good thing my eagerness got the better of me."
He looked down at the cloaked figure standing beside him.
"It's okay, Leyna. You can show yourself now."
"A-ah... Okay."
Leyna slowly pulled the hood down, revealing her demonic features to the man. His eyes widened, and he quickly snapped his fingers.
The front doors locked with an audible click, and the curtains moved to block the light from outside.
"What is this?" Mephisto muttered.
"Her name is Leyna, an imp child," Caelus replied. "She was being chased by hunters in the forest west of the city. Purely by chance, I was able to make it just in time."
"I see. And the hunters?"
"Dead."
"Good."
Mephisto brushed his hand through his long hair, pulling it back as a pair of midnight black horns materialized from a burst of flames. He pulled off his glasses, revealing a pair of piercing red eyes that seemed to glow eerily.
Mephisto D. Felis, the third seat of the Malevolence, the seven Apostles of Strife.
He knelt in front of Leyna to meet her eyes. Despite his imposing appearance, he managed a smile that comforted her.
"Hello, Leyna," he said. "My name is Mephisto. I'm sure you heard of me."
"I... I have. It's an honor, Commander Mephisto."
"Ah, you are far too young to be referring to me as 'commander', child. Perhaps when you are older, serving in the demon legion, you may call me that. But for now, let's get you cleaned up."
He took Leyna to the back office while Caelus lingered in the lobby. Moments later, Mephisto returned with an envelope and handed it to him.
"Here is what you requested," he said.
"Thanks, Mephisto. I really appreciate it."
"No problem, but I must ask... why the college? I can't imagine you'd stand to gain anything by mingling with a bunch of immature children who believe they're adults just because of their age."
"I would've preferred to avoid this if I could, but at this point, I have no choice."
"...Are you still searching for her?"
Caelus stayed silent, which was an answer in and of itself.
Mephisto sighed.
"I won't pry any longer. Lord Arkus has given you free rein. Whatever you wish to do now is your business. Just... be careful."
"I will. Thanks again, Mephisto. And take care that Leyna returns to Wyrheim safely. She's been through a lot."
"Of course."
Caelus turned and walked to the front door, resting his hand on the knob as Mephisto called out once more.
"Just out of nothing but my own curiosity... what do you plan to do now?"
"Well, first things first, I suppose I should announce my return. My family name is now a relic. If I wander around with it attached to my back, then it'll grow to be a headache. Might as well get the hard part out of the way. After that... well, I'll figure that part out as I go."
He unlocked the door and pushed it open, disappearing into the streets beyond.