Chapter 48

(3rd of January)

The winter season is slowly coming to an end.

"You're leaving tomorrow?!" Idris exclaimed.

Nash nodded as they ate breakfast, "If I want to come back soon, I have to leave early, right?"

"When will you be back?" Aeries asked.

"Within three weeks at most,"

"That long?" Idris said, pouting, "Another festival will be held soon."

"There's still five of them, go with Aidan."

'He never rejects a request anyway.'

"But he doesn't eat any food I offer."

"Of course he will," she said, staring at Aidan with a fake smile.

Aidan slowly nodded.

"See?"

...

Nash was sitting outside their inn, looking at the dark, empty sky.

"It's late,"

Nash heard a deep voice coming from behind. She was well aware of who it was.

"I only need a few minutes."

Jaxael sits next to her without saying anything.

"It's late, you should head inside." Nash said, looking at Jaxael.

"You should be the one going in. I thought you were going to leave early tomorrow?"

"I am. You won't be able to see me as soon as the sun rises."

"Do you really have to go?" Nash was stunned for a moment.

"Yes, it's for the future of the empire." Nash gave him a wink.

"Huh?"

Nash chuckled, "Nothing. Let's head inside. I'm starting to feel sleepy"

They head inside, Jaxael watches Nash as she enters her room.

...

Nash had only gotten three hours of sleep before leaving. All she has with her is the books about demons and her two weapons, her dagger and her sword.

Quietly, she headed downstairs. She went to the kitchen to leave a note and almost shouted when she opened the lights, she saw someone sitting there staring at her.

Nash covers her mouth to keep from yelling. "What the heck are you doing here?" she exclaimed when she finally calmed down.

It was Kane.

"Eating."

"But you don't have any food."

"I'm done eating."

Nash gave him an odd look.

'Why is this guy here? It's like 3 or 4 in the morning!'

"You frightened me." She remarked this as she placed the note on the table. "Please inform them that I have already left."

Kane remained silent and simply observed Nash's every action.

"I'm leaving," Nash said as he exited the dining room.

"Take care."

Nash looked back and peered at the dining room, "Did you say something?"

"Huh? You're hearing things. Tsk." Kane walked past her and up the stairs.

"Why did he have to be annoyed? I was just asking." Nash rolled her eyes and went out.

Nash eventually left the inn and proceeded to the Imperial Palace, where her father was waiting for her.

Meanwhile, Kane was in his room, looking outside the window.

"Why did I say that?" he stroked his head.

'Thank the highest she didn't hear it.'

...

"You're late."

Nash came into her father's office to find Roven already there.

"Sorry," she said as she set the book down on her father's table.

There is already enough room to draw a magic ring.

"Your mother has awoken. I told her she couldn't come in here." Roven said

"I already told her not to worry, I've been independent at a young age," Nash smiled.

"That is something a mother can't just stop doing."

Nash faints a smile.

"Let's start, do everything I told you to do. Step by Step. Understand that one wrong move and we'll be right back where we started?"

Nash nodded.

Roven began to show her daughter how to draw a magical circle. It took nearly an hour because the magical circle for entering the underworld is intricate.

"It's done!" Nash steps out of the magical circle and gazes at the masterpiece she has created.

'Man that was tough.'

"What's next?"

"Draw your blood in it."

Nash's blood splatters across the magic circle, brightening it in a red dark tint. Roven motioned for Nash to enter. Nash was being led to the underworld by the light.

"I'll see you in three weeks." Roven said.

Nash nodded, waving her hand.

The light had vanished, as had Nash, leaving the magic circle on the floor.

"Haa..." Roven sighed as he massaged his temple.

...

'It's too bright! I can't open my eyes!'

The dazzling light faded after a few seconds. Nash gently opened her eyes to see a red orange sky and a small village ahead of her.

She noticed a few demons roaming around, completely unaware of her existence.

'Why are there humans here? I thought only demons live here? But they're eyes are all red...'

"You're finally here?"

Nash turned to her right and saw a stunningly attractive man with red eyes and maroon hair. He gave her a charming smile.

'Who's this handsome guy?'

"Who are you?" Nash walked towards him and moved close to his ear and whispered, "Why are there humans here?"

The man laughed at how dumb Nash is, "It is I, Raum."

Nash steps backward with a shocked face.

"RAUM?!" She exclaimed, drawing the attention of the other demons to her.

Why did my naive mind believe that devils have red skin?

"How could she easily shout the sacred name of the prince?"

"Right? Who is she?"

'Did I just hear the word "sacred"? in the underworld? How ironic.'

"Shhh... Now everyone's looking here. Come with me,"

Raum dragged her to his father, the Demon Lord, who had been waiting for days just to see the owner of his precious son.

"Is that all you've brought?" Raum inquired, referring to Nash's two weapons. "Didn't you bring any clothes?"

"You said it's fine not bringing clothes?"

Raum chuckled. Nash glared at him. 'This guy... he's been making fun of me since earlier.'

"The lady's attire here is different from those dresses you wore in your world."

Nash noticed it. The lady's attire is cropped and short. They don't mind if their belly buttons are visible as long as their top and bottom are hidden.

"It's fine. I used to wear those kinds of outfits before going back to my family, remember?"

"We're here."

Nash gazed ahead and saw a large stone castle.

'Woah! Thunders are the only one missing ones when you see the castle of the Demon lord.'

Raum continued to drag her until they arrived at the throne.

"We've arrived, Father."