An invasion has many stories

- At the beginning of the assault-

A small dark green-eyed devil girl and her headless knights have been walking around the market district.

A place that the once reclusive child has grown more familiar with, and with one of her familiar protectors nearby. Finally, she feels safe. A sense of comfort that she didn't even have in her life before.

Elizabeth or rather Eloisa Calliope Aurora as she has been given a new name is walking around in this new world with the headless knight Idrilth.

She does not look like a child going shopping. A face of sadness and frustration far more prevalent than one of joy and excitement.

"What's bothering you, my lady?" Idrilth asks in a polite and cautious tone. A clear attempt to not overstep any boundaries.

"Idrilth drop the "my lady" part, it's bothersome." Eloisa replies in an annoyed tone.

"As I've already mentioned, my lady doing so would undermine the difference in status between us. Thus, for your honor, I am unable to do so." The headless knight replies, clearly haven given this answer many times before.

"Tch" Eli clicks her tongue in annoyance.

"...." Idrilth stays quiet, not wanting to push the small girl in front of her.

"How would you feel, Idrilth?" The small horned devil girl asks, breaking the silence.

"About what exactly do you mean, my lady?"

"Just....everything. I had to watch my family member almost die in some tournament. Then I couldn't even watch or even worse know anything about his recovery. Because someone else that I trusted decided to lock the door and let no one in. MIND YOU, APPARENTLY, HE'S SOMETHING ENTIRELY ELSE THAN WHAT WE THOUGHT AND WAS PROBABLY 2 FACED THIS ENTIRE TIME!" The small devil girl yells the last sentence in frustration.

"Is that everything that bothers you, my lady?" Idrilth asks once more.

"No, it's not."

"Idrilth."

"Yes?"

"What would you do when someone you cared about becomes a weakness? One that could accidentally cause your death?" The girl asks, her voice sounding heavy, struggling to even ask the question.

"May I presume that you've heard these words from your brother?" Idrilth asks trying to create some context around the question.

"Yes..." Eloisa answers hesitantly.

"I am a knight, my lady. I have luckily never faced the conundrum because I do not care about others to that extent. My sword is there to follow the will of my master and my life one for him to decide." Idrilth answers in a soft and cautious tone.

"..."

"To abandon someone weaker is common sense. I've had to abandon others that I've had to work with. It is not uncommon, only dremoras tend to refuse to leave their comrades behind."

"Why? Why would you abandon something you care about?"

"Well, whilst I might not have experienced it personally, I can hazard a guess. For one, caring about someone else should never be detrimental to your own life. The strong live, the weak die, that is simply how life works. It is the fundament of our existence and the way of life. However, let's change the example to fit your narrative. You and your brother have a good bond. Now imagine that you're dying and him caring about you will end up getting him killed. Would you want him to care till the end?" Idrilth the headless knight asks whilst bending on one knee. If the headless knight actually had a face, one could say that they would be facing each other right at equal height.

"No, I wouldn't want him to die." the girl answers firmly.

"Then do you understand why he might have told you that?"

The devil girl does not reply with words, a simple nod is far more telling after all.

"ARGH!" a loud screaming sound interrupts the conversation.

Everyone turns around, it is after all unusually to see others fight in the market district. An explanation was unnecessary. A wraith knight stands upon a corpse. His ethereal blade was painted crimson.

"ARGH"

Before any demon could react, another scream pierced through the confusion.

Another scream.

Another

Another

A widespread panic bursts out as people began to realize that a large-scale battle had begun. The only part of Lucille's Light that had been considered "safe" quickly turned into a battlefield.

Demons and devils clash against the wraiths and orcs that have come to kill.

The weak were the first to crumble. They couldn't flee from the chaos, as nowhere in the city was it safe. It did not matter what you were: a defenseless child of a succubus, a trader under the protection of a powerful evil. Either you killed the invader or you were to be killed.

Idrilth, the experienced headless knight, immediately positions itself in a defensive stance. The long sword that it wields engulfs itself in a green flame identical to the one underneath its helmet.

2 wraith knights come towards the pair of Idrilth and Eloisa. Trying to use the confusion to kill a child and her knight.

As they try to strike their victims, their vision turns green. An uncontrollable heat starts to form around their ethereal forms.

The green flames that Idrilth commands are burning them until only dust shall remain. Connected by a simple strike, the ethereal forms of the wraith slowly wither away.

"My lady, follow me. We'll be going back to the estate." Idrilth says in a commanding tone. A stark contrast from its usual tone. Showing that this is not their first chaotic battlefield and that they are used to commanding or at least filling in when needed.

"Don't worry. I'm not weak! I can help you!" Eli yells out in an attempt to either hide her nervousness or to show the fact that she understands their conversation.

"I am aware of that, my lady. You're so much stronger than you can imagine. However, if possible, do not use your powers."

"Why?"

"Your power comes from your voice and would attract attention. I do not want to risk attracting the stronger individuals of the invaders." Idrilth says, pulling the child it has to protect closer to it.

"..." Eloisa does not reply, a look of disappointment and panic evident in her dark green eyes.

"My lady, do not look that way. My task is to keep you safe, not to kill of these miscreants as possible. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, I'll stay safe, and I'll keep an eye out and help!" Eli replies, changing her look of disappointment and stress to one of determination and vigilance.

"Good, follow me."