Chapter 193: Empathy? Or...?


    <strong>193. Empathy? Or...?</strong>


    What do you mean you cant help me?


    I gave the receptionist behind the desk an exasperated look. He leaned back, speaking apprehensively.


    Apologies, Miss, but the Adventurers Guild itself isnt all knowing, and cults are known to be elusive in their operations. We can give you some general directions what we know about the region. But if I may suggest, inquiring with localpanies would likely lead to better results.


    Localpanies?


    I cocked my head. He nodded.


    Yes. The Storm Swords Company


    I know.


    I scowled.


    I went there beforeing here. They dislike me for whatever reason. I thought Jacob was a nice guy, but it turns out hes just a jerk!


    I didnt know why he had been so nice to me at first, only to reveal his true colors now and turn me away from hispany. Whatever the case was, I wasnt going to get any help from either the localpany of Wimborne, or the Adventurers Guild here.


    I turned back to Saffron who was ufortably standing in the middle of the guild hall. With a sigh, I trudged back to her.


    Its no use. Theyre no help at all.


    I-I see


    She didnt face me, even as I walked past her.


    Come on, lets go to the next city. Maybe theirpany will be more helpful.


    Saffron followed me out of the Adventurers Guild, into the busy streets of Wimborne. The smell of gross fish perfumed the air, and I wrinkled my nose in disgust.


    Ugh, whats with this citys obsession with fish?


    Obsession with fish?


    The noble woman stared at me, puzzled.


    Yep. Why does everyone here sell fish. Theyre gross and stinky!


    Thats because were in a port city?


    Huh. And?


    She didnt say anything as I strolled ahead of her, headed out of Wimborne. I produced a map from my bag, trying to find the next closest city. I murmured to myself for a bit, in thought, when Saffron spoke up.


    I believe I may be able to help you locate some [Cultists].


    I blinked and turned back to her.


    You can?


    I have connections. Since I am...


    She gestured at herself, and my eyes widened.


    Huh.


    That made sense. Saffron was a Vampire, so shed likely keep a tab on the various cults around Mavos Academy if there even were any. I smiled politely, offering her a hand.


    If you could please help me prove myself to you, Id be very grateful.


    Pursing her lips, she eyed my hand with some reluctance. But eventually, she took it.


    Follow me. I know a few things off the top of my head, however my information may be outdated. I will have to speak with Matthew for more up to date details.


    Sure wait a minute, you arent just trying to trick me, are you?


    I narrowed my eyes, and Saffron nched.


    No, I swear I am not!


    Good. Because I really want us to be friends again, Saffron. Maybe evenpanions, you know?


    Cpanions?


    Saffron blinked as I ushered her out of the city. I smiled.


    Yep. Like Daniel! Werepanions because he knows who I am and he doesnt want to kill me for it!


    Daniel? Wait, that man you were with? He <em>knows </em>youre a and hes fine with that?


    He is. Although, he did try to kill me when we first met. Edithe too. Hm everyone keeps trying to kill me when they discover that I am who I am. Its kind of annoying.


    Well, not everyone. The Elves were nice to me! Adan and Xidra were too! But some of the Kobolds, like Zix, werent as nice, and I wasnt sure what most Cyclopes thought of us Demons. Honestly, maybe I shouldve asked Visanya if there were magic academies in the Elfnds.


    I probably shouldve tried attending their school instead. Oh well, I was here in Mavos Academy now, and I had to repair my rtionship with Saffron.


    She led me back to Mavos Academy, which reminded me of something.


    By the way, can your connections help me get sagetree sap? Oh, oh, I know! How about tempest-fused blood?


    Saffron hesitated, biting her lower lip.


    Sagetree sap is rare. Youll have to speak with [Traders]ing from the east, since theyre likely the only ones who have them in stock. But as for tempest-fused blood I may be able to help you with that.


    I paused. Then I snapped my fingers.


    Oh, right, because youre a V


    Not so loud!


    Saffron ced a finger over her lips, and I smirked.


    Oh, so when I do it, its a problem, but you do it, its fine?


    She drew her lips into a thin line as I snickered.


    I-I


    Its fine. Come on, wheres Matthew?


    --


    Yes, Lady Saffron, I have been keeping tabs on the two main cults here in Shedos. I have marked their general base of operations on the map here, and you may inquire locals for further information. However, I have to say, their activity as ofte has been odd, to say the least.


    Matthew had been staying in a hotel in Mavos Academy. Yep, they had hotels, which were pretty much nicer version of inns and why did the campus have a hotel in the first ce? I had no idea!


    Odd, how?


    Saffron raised a brow. He exined.


    The two main cults are the Followers of the Demon King and the Netherworlds Communion. Im sure youve heard of them. And I expected their activities to spike ever since the Primeval Demon came down from Motharis, yet both groups have grown idle.


    Idle? Do you mean that theyve halted their activities?


    She rubbed a hand on her chin.


    Are you certain they arent preparing to leave to join and aid the Primeval Demon in Nixa?


    Perhaps that is a possibility with the Netherworlds Communion, as their activities have nearlypletely ceased. But I do not think it is likely for the Followers of the Demon King. You see, they have been sending their members abroad. To Elutra.


    The Elutra Kingdom?


    I spoke up for the first time since getting here.


    Thats where Daniel went! Wait, arent they at war with a bunch of [Cultists] right now?


    Saffron shook her head.


    There are rumors spread by princess Faith of Elutra that their enemy, the Inoria Empire, has been overtaken by a cult. But there is no clear evidence for such a im. Id have sent some of our thralls to investigate, s the Primeval Demons presence is a more pressing matter to Father. He has rallied all of the thralls under our family.


    What are thralls? Is that a type of ss or something?


    I tapped a finger on my chin.


    Theyre simply our servants. But enhanced and powered by Father. You see, at Level 100, us Vampires dont receive a second ss, like ordinary Humans. We receive a Subspecies. One rted to being a Vampire. And his Subspecies allows him to empower those under his family. Simr to a ss specialized for ruling ormanding.


    Huh.


    Was that too confusing for you? I could simplify my exnation, if necessary.


    She cocked an eyebrow. I waved a hand off.


    No. Im just surprised youd be willing to tell me all that.


    She blinked. Then she sputtered.


    T-thats I


    Saffron took a step back, and Iughed, changing the subject as I gestured at Matthew.


    Anyway, youve been a lot of help. We dont want to be bothering you, Matthew, so we should be going now.


    Matthew nodded.


    There is no need to worry. I am unbothered by your requests. I am, however, surprised that you have revealed your nature to Salvos, Lady Saffron.


    Thats


    She trailed off. I patted a hand on her shoulder, winking.


    Lets just say Saffron and I exchanged some <em>secrets </em>the other day.


    I grabbed her, practically dragging her out of the room. I waved goodbye to Matthew.


    Thanks for the help! Well be going now!


    We reached the door right as he called out to us.


    If I may inquire, what exactly are you going to do with this information?


    Isnt it obvious?


    I grinned, ncing over at Saffron.


    The both of us are going to destroy these cults!


    For whatever reason, that elicited a nervous swallow from the pink-haired woman. I hoped shed stop being so nervous around me. I needed to find a way to help her be more rxed lighten the mood.


    An idea crossed my mind as I brought her out of the building. Turning to face Saffron, my lips curled up and I spoke.


    Saffron, what do you think of flying?


    Uh, what?


    --


    <em>Ahhhhhhhhh!</em>


    Saffron screamed in my ears as we soared over the clouds. Her pink hair, usually neatly kept together in different hairstyles, was now a frazzled mess. Her eyes were bulging out of their sockets, and her gilded dress was covered in dirt and sttered bugs from our ascent.


    Iughed, feeling the thrill of flight overwhelm me. Saffron, however, was less than thrilled to be flying.


    Please put me down! Please I dont want to die!


    Just rx! I wont drop you, promise!


    I nced over at her, but my words did nothing to reassure her. I really wasnt trying to frighten her, yet it seemed like everything I did only pushed her closer and closer to the edge. That wasnt good. I was trying to do the opposite of that.


    Ill slow down, here.


    Saffrons eyes were snapped shut, even as I drifted to a more floating pace of flight. She was wriggling in my arms, struggling, which only made things worse. I held her tightly and gently so she wouldnt fall. I spoke softly into her ears.


    Open your eyes. Its not that scary. Look.


    I-I


    Slowly, she looked down at the world below the clouds. At the vastndscape that sprawled out into rolling hills, dense forests, and towns and cities teeming with life.


    See? Its not that bad.


    R-right. Its


    She nced around. Not just at what was in our surroundings. But at a far-off mountain, peaking high above even the clouds with a snow-white cap. The azure sky looked like it held the ocean above us, sparkling and clear, while clouds fluffed its teething edge, decorating it to be a moreforting sight.


    Its beautiful.


    Saffron breathed, and I nodded.


    It really is.


    It was a stunning sight, no matter how many times I flew up and looked down at the world. Perhaps it was because I had grown up in the Netherworld where everything looked the same. However, I truly thought the Mortal Realm was a marvelous ce. It was full of rocks, yes, but also so much more. Meanwhile, the Netherworld was just that.


    I wanted to stay here. Not just amongst Humans. I wanted to travel to the Elfnds and meet the Dominion and the High Rulers Visanya talked about. I wanted to visit the Beastmen ins I had heard very little of. I still had yet to see a Cyclops city, and taste the delicious fishballs Edithe told me about. Although I was slightly dubious about the delicious part, I still wanted to give it a try. I tried to trust mypanions words, just as they believed in me as a person.


    Saffron.


    My voice drew the attention of the noble woman. She looked up at me as I carried her under my arms.


    Youre my friend, Saffron. Youve helped me out so much, especially since I enrolled in Mavos Academy. I dont want you to hate me, because I like you. And now that you know the truth about me, we could even bepanions.


    She said nothing. I continued.


    Just think about it. The Mortal Realm is such a beautiful ce. I really like it here. My friends are here. Mypanions are here. Why would I possibly want to follow that stupid Demon King in trying to destroy it all? That doesnt make any sense.


    I murmured more to myself than to her. There was a moment of silence as I let out a sigh. I didnt want to say the next bit I was going to make a promise I might regret. However, I went ahead and said it anyway.


    If even after I killed all these [Cultists] to prove myself to you, you still refuse to believe me and choose to tell Matthew or the Headmaster about my nature, I will not kill you. I will leave Mavos Academy and finish my education for space magic somewhere else. Itd be annoying Id probably have to go ask Kobolds or Elves for their help instead. I really dont want to leave, but I dont want to kill you even more.


    It was an odd feeling. It felt like something Daniel, Edithe, and Lily kept lecturing me about. Empathy? Perhaps. Or maybe it was the feeling of loss over what <em>could </em>be. Saffron could be mypanion, if she just chose to trust me. I didnt want to be the one responsible for stopping this oue from being a reality.


    So, I wont kill you. I will let you decide what you wish to do when we return, and Ill react ordingly.


    I finished. Saffron remained silent. There was no visible reaction from the Vampire. However, she didnt meet my gaze. She avoided looking at me as we continued our flight to our destination.


    Shortly after that, we reached Mistpire, a province to the southwest of Shedos. This was where the Followers of the Demon King resided. And where I was going to kill these[Cultists] responsible for making us Demons a hated Species in the Mortal Realm.