"So? Any gains from this trip?"
I ask Himmel, back from his usual journey. We're in the living room, mid-tea. I'd rather kick them out, but they'd cause a scene in the village, so I'm stuck hosting. My peaceful days are gone. I sent Lily home—can't drag her into this chaos.
"Of course. Another legend for us."
"So, nothing progressed."
His smug boasting tells me all I need. No results, as expected. For five years, Himmel's been off with Heiter and the others, supposedly seeking clues to decipher the Goddess's scriptures. Uncharacteristic. Himmel respects the Goddess but isn't devout. Heiter's a priest but not that pious. Eisen, obviously not. It's likely about that elf, still missing. Quite the effort.
"You saw through me. No secrets with you."
"Priests shouldn't hide things."
"Aura-sama said lying's bad."
"Hardly demon-like words. Frieren would faint."
"Don't care."
The elf comes up, leaving Linie confused and Himmel with a complicated look. Idiot. Just find her instead of chasing relics. Pointless to say, though. At this rate, fifty years will fly by.
"I got stronger, Eisen!"
Bored and left out, Linie brandishes a wooden sword, like a kid showing off a toy. She's young for a demon, but her future worries me.
"Good. You've been training."
"All thanks to my excellent mentorship."
"Himmel, you're in the way."
"Harsh much?"
"Hierarchy's unchanged."
"Even your disciple walks over you, Himmel. Sinful."
"Shut it, Candy Priest."
"My apologies."
I silence Heiter's nonsense. Can't he live without talking? Five years later, Linie and Eisen's dynamic hasn't budged, hierarchy included. Himmel was once top dog, but now? Linie would answer honestly, but I'll spare his fragile mentor pride.
"Here, before I forget."
Eisen pulls something wrapped in cloth from his bag, handing it to Linie. Familiar. I've seen this before.
"What's this?"
"A real sword. Not wood. You'll need it soon."
When we first visited Eisen, he gave Linie a wooden sword for her birthday. She's on her fifth now. This one's iron, a short sword sized for her, likely Eisen's own work.
(He's the softest on her…)
I recall Linie's first "errand." She wanted to visit Eisen for a birthday gift. I was busy in the Holy City, Himmel had a job, so she went alone. No issue—her obedience spell was adjusted, and as a demon, she could handle the journey. Demons survive alone young. Yet, Himmel, the doting fool, secretly followed, and Eisen trailed her back. Overprotective.
Eisen's as soft as Himmel, despite his lectures. Unlike Himmel, he knows it. Not as bad as the priest, but still a hero's party member.
"Thanks, Eisen! You're the best!"
"Naturally."
"Great, Linie… but don't swing it here. It's dangerous, and the house'll break."
Linie, eyes sparkling, waves the sword. So simple. Eisen watches, satisfied. He claims demons don't get family, but he's an exception. Himmel's terrified—mostly of house damage. Men care about their homes, apparently. Incomprehensible. It's already scratched up by Linie. Pathetic.
"I'll train her then. Mind if we use the yard, Aura?"
"Do what you want. Don't get hurt."
"No worries. I train daily."
"Not worried about you."
"Let's go, Eisen!"
No cure for Eisen's flexing. I'm worried about Linie, not him. What could hurt someone Himmel's sword can't scratch? I'd like to know. Ignoring my exasperation, Linie drags Eisen off. Like a storm passing.
Then it hits me. Eisen bringing a gift isn't odd, but carrying it around is. Almost like he planned to stop here. Why not tell Himmel? Suspicious, but—
"Linie's settled in. I was worried when I heard you picked up another demon."
"Don't treat her like a pet."
"Says the guy borrowing Aura, Heiter?"
Heiter's nonsense interrupts my tea. I recall our first meeting—he treated me like a stray, then begged to "keep" me when I proved useful. Demon-level flip-flopping. Himmel seems to agree, a rare moment of alignment, but—
"My apologies. Don't worry, I won't take her. Did you know, Aura? While you were in the Holy City, Himmel—"
"Shut it, Heiter!"
"Idiots."
Heiter's reason is as absurd as his. What do they take me for?
Temporary transfer of master-servant rights.
That's how I operate in the Holy City with Azelieuze. It's fine, but Himmel's presence is required to temporarily lift the obedience spell. He can't stay long—hero duties pile up. The solution? Transferring rights to Heiter. A joke. It still chills me.
Himmel's not thrilled either. I've caught him hovering, treating me like a pet or possession. What happened to "friends"? By human standards, he's scum.
A sharp metallic clash echoes. Familiar to me, nostalgic. Himmel, unfazed, munches snacks. Only Heiter's rattled, cautiously checking the yard. There, Linie swings her real sword with glee, Eisen blocking barehanded. Obvious without looking.
"What are these guys…?"
"Been a while. Nostalgic."
"Monsters, as always."
Heiter's stunned, the sanest of the hero's party. He's likely more shocked by Eisen's toughness—or his enjoyment—than Linie's demon-like swordplay. Both are monsters. Himmel's no different. Humans call us monsters, but who's talking?
"Ahem, but it's good we came. Bonding's important."
"You just want free booze."
"Caught me."
"No alcohol here."
Heiter changes the subject, realizing the scene's bad for his sanity. But it irks me. I recall our week in the capital—since then, alcohol's banned here, except for special occasions. Same in the Holy City. Eisen's magic strips alcohol from Heiter's drinks. Yet he calls me, meaning I'm that useful.
"Settling down's tough, huh, Himmel? I'll be careful."
"You're a priest!"
"Give me a break, Heiter…"
"My duty as a priest."
"Scheming priest…"
I can't help but snap. A lifelong celibate priest saying that? "Settling down" means family, a word I hear often now. I denied it at first, but not anymore. Himmel's no help. Heiter's scolding him as a priest—rare. Himmel's using it, so he deserves it.
"By the way, I have a gift for you, Aura."
"For me? What?"
Heiter, likely inspired by Eisen, says this out of nowhere. A gift for me, not just Linie? Suspicious. Another déjà vu—because it's a grimoire, like before. But this one—
"You… this is…!?"
"Yes. The 'hair-drying spell.' I heard you wanted it."
A legendary spell.
My hands tremble, eyes wide. It's real. Since Linie arrived, I've wanted this grimoire. I knew it existed but couldn't find it—too legendary. Heiter's smug face confirms he used his influence to get it. Unfit for a priest.
"What's your angle?"
"No angle. A thank-you for your help in the Holy City. But since we're all here, maybe we can let loose a bit?"
He's trying to bribe me, not Linie. Candy or grimoires, same tactic. What does he take demons for? This must be malice. I don't get it, but he's dripping with it. Knowing that—
"Fine. Just for today."
"Much obliged."
"Did I just witness blatant bribery?"
"Your imagination. She has no malice."
"It's a transaction. You need some guilt."
"The world's doomed."
Heiter's usual laugh, Himmel's exasperation. Compared to him, Holy City priests are tame. Who'd think a hero's party priest is malice incarnate? Guilt's supposed to curb it, but he has none. I just made a deal, no malice. Only he'd exploit a demon's purity.
"Aura-sama, this sword won't cut. Useless."
Our pure, village chief's words, problem child returns, visibly annoyed. Her long-awaited real sword doesn't cut, apparently. Where do I start? Eisen follows, looking proud.
"Don't worry, it'll cut anything but Eisen."
"Really? Himmel, come here."
"Wait… you're not testing it on me, are you?"
"Can't you handle it? Useless."
"Failed warrior."
"We need a serious talk, you two."
"I'll mediate. As a priest, I can't let my friend get sliced."
"You guys…"
Linie's innocent actions, as always, throw Himmel into chaos, worsened by Eisen and Heiter. I feel foolish for pondering malice at the chief's. These guys have none, at least.
The house descends into chaos. Unable to manage, Aura's punishment Azelieuze silences the hero's party.
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