Chapter 7

A week before the knight ceremony

While they were eating dinner, Nash brought up the subject of her going to Greytown.

"I'll stay at an inn in GreyTown."

She had already decided to leave early the next morning because it would be difficult to find an inn if she left late because the Knight's Accolade would be watched by people from all over the countries.

The knight examination will take place after the Knight's accolade. The event will be held in the Cathedral, and Greytown is the closest lodging choice aside from the capital city.

"Why don't you just stay at Lawrence's?" Roven suggested.

"I disagree. I have to get used to living in a town"

"Are you sure you don't need a maid to accompany you?" Ivelisse inquired for the nth time.

"Don't worry, mother. I'll be fine. I know how to take care of myself."

...

After dinner, she began to pack her things. While packing, she heard a knock at her door. She stood up and opened it since she had locked it earlier and there was no other than her who could open it for her.

"Why should you bother opening the door when you could just ask me to come in?" Roven asked as he entered her daughter's room.

"I locked it earlier,"

"Why?"

She shrugged as she glanced at her father innocently. She had no idea why she locked it in the first place. Roven sat on her couch, watching Nash, who was sitting on the floor, packing her things.

"So, father, what brings you here? If you're trying to stop me from leaving—"

Roven interrupted her. "You'll need an extra weapon, a dagger is the best choice to have since you're used to close combat."

Nash approached her side table and slid the first drawer open. She pulled out a dagger that belonged to her father. It's a dark-colored dagger with a unique design.

At the sight of his old dagger, Roven's brows furrowed. "How long has it been in your possession? That was something I buried 16 years ago. Do you have any idea why I buried that? Hand it to me."

Nash immediately hid it behind her. "I know. Isn't this the same dagger that was used to turn me into a vessel? Then that means it belongs to me."

Originally, the dagger belonged to Roven. It was used to cut Nash's finger when she was a newborn in order to draw blood to feed Raum, the demon that now lives inside Nash. Because the dagger reminded Ivelisse and Roven of their daughter's difficult circumstances, they chose to bury it.

"Your mother will be upset when she sees that." Nash disagrees with a shake of her head.

"Mother was the one who told me the location of this dagger."

"She did?" Roven was perplexed. She did? Why?

Nash nodded.

"What are you two discussing?" Ivelisse entered Nash's bedroom. Nash finished packing her things and placed her luggage on her couch. Ivelisse took a seat next to Roven.

"The dagger," Roven answered. "What was your reason for telling her about the dagger?"

"The other day, when you're not around, she asked me for a dagger. While we were talking about it, I was thinking about the dark-colored dagger you used to own. I showed her where it was buried, and explained why it was buried in the first place." She looked at her husband's red eyes that shows that he is a part demon. "Because the dagger was previously yours, I realized it was suited for Nash."

Roven's lips were curled into a smile. "I see. If that is what my wife wants, then I see no reason to object."

Nash looked at them with a blank expression. "Mom, can we talk about why you've come here right now?"

"Oh, right. I forgot. I didn't know Roven would be here. Anyways, it has to do about the request you asked me earlier.

"The seal?" Ivelisse gave her a nod. "So, what kind of seal could I use?"

Ivelisse comes from a foreign country where seals are their main prowess. They used it to protect something precious to them, as well as to seal creatures to keep them from raging. Ivelisse was one among the sorcerers who sealed the Forest of Asra.

"The seal that..."

Ivelisse explained the seal that Nash could use that is appropriate for her situation. They went with a seal that may be undone at any time. However, depending on the user's emotion, the seal can be broken for a short amount of time if the user's emotions go out of control. This is also why sustaining this form of seal can be difficult, especially if the individual has anger issues, which Nash have, but this type of seal is more appropriate for her circumstances, especially if danger is present.

...

The next day

"This is a present. You must carry it with you wherever you go. " she gave her family a gift. It's a pair of earrings for her sister and mother. It's constructed of a gemstone that has Terry's healing abilities. "At least have it with you, even if it doesn't match your dress."

Mana can be stored in two different sorts of stones. Plain gemstones appear translucent, but once a mana is placed within, the gemstone's color changes to match the mana's color. Gemstones can also be shattered into smaller pieces. Then there are Mana Stones, which may contain mana, but the mana is just transitory and may only be used once. It must be crushed before it can be used.

For her brothers and father, it's a small brooch with the gemstone hidden in it. "Again, even if it doesn't suit your outfit, at least have it with you."

She hugged them, one by one before saying goodbye.

"Oh! Make sure Dopey is taken care of!" Dopey is inside the palace playing balls with the maids. Dopey is already a big wolf dog.

She didn't take a carriage; instead, she walked just as she did when she got home before. She walked straight without looking back.

'Goodbye... See you later.'

...

She went into a weapon shop where her sword was forged. This is also where she purchased all of the wooden swords she used for training, as well as the rest of the equipment she needed for her training.

"You're early!" Said the owner, Sero. "Please wait here, I'll just get your sword."

While waiting, she took a look around the shop. Since it's too early to shop, she's the only one inside. She took a look around and examined the swords, daggers, and knives hung on the shop's walls.

"Here it is,"

The owner unwrapped the fabric that had been wrapped around her sword. She saw a beautiful Rapier sword. It appeared to be identical to the drawing she had sent the swordsmith.

"Beautiful!" As payment, she gave him ten golds.

"It's a pleasure to be your patronage, lady!" She stowed her sword and boarded a carriage to Greytown to find an inn.

When she arrived, she recalled being teleported to a dark alley in Greytown.

'Time sure flies fast.'

...

'Now, where can I find an inn?'

As she turned to look around, a delectable scent passed by her nose.

"Where is that!?" She followed the delicious aroma until she reached a plain looking diner. She stood in front of the diner for a moment, unsure whether or not to enter the diner, but eventually did due to the grumbling sound of her stomach.

"Welcome!" Her heart thumped when she heard the familiar voice of the lady. The lady's back was all Nash could see. Nash's eyes widened as the lady slowly turned to face the door where Nash was currently standing. When the lady turned to face the door, she lost her grasp on her tray.