Yseif frowned when he saw the body. It was a body of a Demon kin. Its skin color was dyed in blue. Covered lightly by purple scale, the body has a deep wounded cut across its chest. On the back, a cut made by a thin but sharp weapon can be seen. The face was filled with the regret of not knowing how it died.

“The front wound is surely Tamara’s work but this wound on the back…” Yseif mumbled.

The front wound had a deep gouge made by claws. Three scratch marks can be seen going from the left shoulder to the right side of the waist. The color of the blood slowly degrading into shades of black.

The back wound was a neat cut. There was no hesitation in the cut. As the cut was able to damage a Demon’s body, the attacker must certainly have a strong level of power. Ordinary mercenaries or bandits would not be able to wound a Demon. Yseif then thought of what he heard while he was in Hamada Village.

“The Church…”

After pondering the issue for a while, Yseif decided to burn the body. The whole body was burned except a golden spherical object which wasn’t destroyed.

“This is…”

After a slight pause in Yseif’s thought process, he stepped on the object and it was instantly destroyed into powders. The wind scattering the powders away.

Yseif felt a slight movement of mana when he destroyed the core. Although faint, he still could sense its origin.

“Goddess of Light, Raella…”

“This is becoming troublesome…”

***

Somewhere within the Balestein Empire, an old man with full white hair wearing a bishop robe was reading through reports. The candle light on the walls swaying left and right. The shadows dancing within the room.

*knock* *knock* *knock*

“Come in”

The door to the room opened and a Pastor quickly scuttled in. The Pastor got down to one knee. With one arm cross over his chest, the Pastor quickly reported. If one was to see this, they would think that the Pastor was a knight under the Bishop.

“Sir, I’ve got an emergency report to make”

The Bishop stopped what he was doing and finally looked up towards the Pastor.

“What is it?”

“Sir, the magic that we endowed on the Demon’s core has been broken through and the core destroyed”

“WHAT?!”

The Bishop stood up and slammed the table causing the papers and supplies on the table to scatter. The force quickly blew out the candles within the room. Darkness fell onto the room. Instantly, the Bishop snapped his fingers and the candles lit back up, relighting the room. The Bishop regained his senses and calmly sat down. The Pastor didn’t dare move an inch.

“You’re saying the magic blessed by Goddess of Light, Raella, has been nullified?”

“I-I don’t have the answer at this time b-but the trace on the Demon’s Core did disappeared.”

“Hmm…”

An awkward silence enveloped the room. After a while, the Bishop finally spoke again.

“Do we have an idea where the Demon’s core disappeared at?”

“Sir, the last place we traced to was the forest bordering the Demon’s territorial barriers”

“That forest huh…”

“S-sir d-do we…”

The Bishop lifted his hands, cutting off the Pastor mid-speech.

“We finally have a hint at where the entrance to the barrier is, move the forces at once”

“Y-yes Sir!”

“I don’t have to tell you how to move them, just take 50 decently strong ones”

“Use mercenaries too so we don’t stand out too much”

“I will handle the rest of the work”

“I-I will get to it Sir!”

“You’re dismissed”

“Yes Sir”

The Pastor quickly stood up and walked out of the room. The door closed behind the Pastor. The Bishop got up and walked towards his window. Looking out of his window and overlooking the Empire, the Bishop was in deep thought.

“Someone who is strong enough to break through Goddess Raella’s blessing…”

“Can it be…”

“No, only a blessing can nullify another’s blessing”

“Other than that exception…”

“The others would not interfere…”

“Who can it be…”

***

Morning, Yseif once again made breakfast for Sana. Potato stew with bread, hot vegetable soup, and her favorite, rabbit jerky. Watching Sana eat her food excitedly was Yseif’s happiness and glory. Putting down the utensils, Sana sat lazily on her chair rubbing her plump stomach.

“Pa, yum-mee fuu-d!”

“Glad you loved it” Yseif smiled and replied.

After letting Sana digest her food, Yseif suddenly ask her.

“What do you want to do today Sana?”

“Hmm…” Sana brought a finger to her chin and acted as if she was deeply in thought.

She saw Yseif do it many times and wanted to copy him. At this scene, Yseif just laughed to himself while allowing her to continue.

“Buhg ca-cheen!” Sana’s eyes sparkled while proclaiming.

Yseif nodded his head and prepared an outfit and tools for her. They set out, caught, and let loose many bugs. Sana screaming happily while chasing and catching the bugs. Yseif trailed behind her to make sure she doesn’t get injured. At sunset, they finally returned to the cabin. Yseif gave Sana a bath and they’ve finally prepared to go to sleep.

“Pa, tell me stoor-wee” Sana requested.

Yseif went along and told her one of the many fairytales in the world. Sana listened carefully at the start but then quickly dose off. Yseif tucked her inside the blanket and watched her sleep happily. Looking at his daughter, he can see the many similarities with his wife. After a while, Yseif finally closed his eyes and lightly went to sleep.

***

Within the darkest of night, a mass movement of personnel are slowly moving towards the Demon’s territorial barrier. A rumbling of footstep marching through mountains and plains in the dead of night. The lighting of campfires blurring out the shadows of darkness. And so, they’ve finally reached their destination.