Chapter 16

She looked in front and noticed that her members didn't notice her. She takes a deep breath before speeding up to walk beside her members.

"Don't do that in a public place!"

'I sensed danger, you moron!'

She's conversing with her demon, Raum, through her mind. Though they were not on good terms, they pledged to inform each other about the dangers and creatures, as creatures are ravenous for demons.

When Raum detects danger, he will send Nash a trigger to alert her that danger is there in her surroundings.

"What is it?"

'I'm not sure.'

Nash walked slower than the others.

"I noticed red small lights earlier in the trees, what could it be? It looks like eyes though."

'It's most likely to be a creature'

"A creature!? In the city?!"

'There must be something going on. I think IT will start soon.'

Nash felt a heavy thing in her tummy once more, worried and anxious about what was going on.

"Does dad know something about this?"

'I'm not sure'

Nash and Roven's demons may be the same, but because the demons are in different bodies, Nash's demon cannot see what is going on with Roven and his demon. They will only be aware of each other's existence if Roven uses his demon ability.

"Nash! Walk faster!" Nash was surprised and ran towards her squad members.

There were no traces of creatures in the city before; the creatures are all in Asra's forest. I'm quite sure it's surrounded by a barrier to keep them out.

The Forest of Asra is located in the Serichia Kingdom's northeast. That was once a park where the citizens mostly went to enjoy the beautiful scenery, but after the previous war, a few creatures began to live inside the park and gradually transformed it into a forest-like environment, prompting the citizens to refer to it as the Forest of Asra, formerly known as Asra Park.

Knowing that animals were gathering inside, the former emperor invited a foreign nation family known for their sealing powers to construct a barrier with the assistance of the Empire's sorcerer.

Ivelisse, the current empress of the Marquea Empire, was among those who assisted in the construction of a barrier.

"What's in your head?" Aidan knocked at Nash's head.

"Huh? Ah, nothing."

...

"Hey," Nash looked at Jaxael who called her. "Go to your room and sleep. I'll be turning off the lights."

"But I'm still eating," she said as she showed her the fishball she had purchased. Jaxael sat in front of her, exhausted.

"You look tired. You should go upstairs first. I'll be the one to turn off the lights." Jaxael shook his head but Nash insisted. Jaxael was about to leave when a loud crash was heard outside their inn. Both turned to face the windows at the same time, readying their weapons. They're both holding a dagger.

They walked stealthily to the door, opened it quickly, and peeked outside. "There are boxes all over the place."

"Must be a cat," Jaxael whispered.

"But the cat was supposed to make a sound." Nash whispered back.

"The cat is deaf?" Jaxael asked in a serious tone.

Nash holds her mouth trying to stop her laugh. 'I'm sorry if the cat is really deaf.'

"Ehem. Should I look at the alley?"

"No. Leave it," Jaxael murmured, taking a glance around.

They continued to whisper.

"What the hell are you two whispering?!"

"Shit!" Nash shouted in surprise.

Yjhan flicked Nash's forehead. "Stop cursing. You're too young."

"You surprised me, leader!"

"Why are you two outside looking like that?" Yjhan sees Nash and Jaxael gripping their daggers, about to attack.

"There was a crash, and look, there are boxes here. When we arrived from town, there were no boxes here." Yjhan flicked Jaxael's forehead as well.

"What the?!"

"It's just the cats chasing mice."

"But if it's a cat, then it's supposed to make a sound, right?" Jaxael asked. Nash glared at Jaxael, That's my line.

"Maybe the cat is deaf."

Nash closes her mouth again, attempting to stifle her laughter. 'Are these two related to each other!?'

Yjhan grabbed both of his junior's heads and pushed them inside the inn. "Finish your food and turn off the lights."

Nash continues to eat her food while Jaxael eats the apples Nash bought. After they ate, they turned off the lights and went to sleep. Ignoring the incident that occurred outside.

...

(Training day)

Nash awoke early to make breakfast. She made fresh eggs and toasted some bread with butter.

"Good morning," Aeries said as he sat at the dining table, reading the newspaper.

"Morning. Want some coffee? Or morning tea?"

"I prefer tea."

Nash nodded and brewed some tea. Even though Nash doesn't like tea, it is still an etiquette to know how to brew tea especially if you're hosting a tea party.

"You're early," Yjhan sat beside Aeries and took away the newspaper.

"Get yourself one!"

"There's only one."

They eventually hear the sound of others walking towards the dining area. It's already part of their routine to get up at 8 a.m. and eat breakfast together.

"Would you like coffee or tea?"

"Tea," they all answered.

Nash frowned. She wants to make them coffee but they prefer tea instead.

"There's a report in the Kingdom of Serichia about a big creature classified as an Orc," Yjhan read from the newspaper.

The newspaper is not like any other newspaper that the empire's citizens read. The newspaper they're reading is exclusively for knights, and part of the information in it is kept from the rest of the empire's population. One of the hidden details is concerning the creatures. It's also the reason why there's only one piece of newspaper available.

Nash quickly came to a halt.

'Creatures... Orcs...'

"Where exactly?" Kane asked.

"Carnelian City."

"Here's your tea and breakfast," she wore her smug face while she put down the breakfast she made. She's always confident in her cooking and brewing, and she's always waiting for them to compliment her.

"Thanks."

After professing their gratitude, they began to eat. Nash, on the other hand, sits and stares at them.

"What are you waiting for?" Yjhan asked.

"Praise me."

They all looked at her blankly and proceeded to eat.

"Tsk. You're welcome!" She sat down properly and sipped coffee and dipped the toast inside.

"Don't you like tea?" Idris asked. He's the one sitting beside Nash.

"I don't like its taste."

"How come you're so skilled at brewing one?" " Nash smiled again, smugly.

"I guess I'm good at making foods and teas," she said with a smug face.

"By the way, the Colosseum will be open later tonight from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you're going out, make sure to arrive at the Colosseum before 7 p.m.," Yjhan said.

The training grounds will be held in the Colosseum, which also hosted the Knight examination. It is a large training ground, larger than the Imperial Knight Grounds, and the Imperial Knights frequently use it when the Imperial Knight Grounds are overcrowded.

Kingdom knights and Imperial Knights generally meet and battle each other at the Colosseum.

...

"I'll be back in the afternoon!" Nash waved her hand as she bid her farewell. She went to the Barcley's Diner.

After her is Aidan leaving to meet his parents.

"What time will you be back?" Yjhan asked. Making sure he comes back at the right time.

"I bought mana stone the other day so I can teleport before 7pm." Yjhan nodded after he confirmed and let Aidan go.

...

"Here's a letter for you," Francis says, handing the letter to Nash.