Chapter 6-10: I'm the Saintess's Younger Sister

Chapter 6: Lucia's Prologue

"Ah…ah…"

Lucia stared at the scene before her, a whimper escaping her lips. Blood trickled down her clothes, staining them crimson. But it wasn't her blood, and that terrified her even more.

"S-Sister…?"

A warm body shielded her.

"No… please…"

"It’s… alright…"

A blade, buried deep in her protector’s chest. The nun had taken the blow meant for her.

The nun's trembling hand caressed Lucia’s cheek. Blood dripped from her lips, each breath a pained gasp.

"Your sister… will be… alright…"

She smiled, trying to reassure Lucia. But her smile faded quickly.

Slash

"...Huh?"

More demon blades sliced through the nun’s body. Soldiers tried to defend her, but their defense was crumbling.

"No… no, no!"

"Hey, you! Get out of here!"

A knight grabbed Lucia’s arm, pulling her away.

"I can’t leave her…!"

"She died for you! You have to live for her!"

"!!!"

The knight pushed the nun's body aside, treating her remains with a callous disregard that made Lucia flinch. But the knight’s next words forced her to bite back her protest and run.

"Hold them back! Even if we die, we have to slow them down!"

"Raaaagh!"

"You shall not pass, demons!"

The sounds of fighting echoed behind her. They were sacrificing themselves to buy time. But trapped in the cathedral, there was nowhere to run.

The demons finally broke through the weakened defenses. The last barrier protecting the people had fallen. Only one outcome remained.

Slaughter.

"Aaaaagh!"

"H-Help me!"

Knights fought desperately, trying to save even one more life. Demons fought just as hard, eager to claim more victims.

"Hey, you! R…"

A demon lunged towards Lucia. She closed her eyes, whispering a prayer.

[Will you accept it?]

A voice echoed in her mind. Time stopped.

[Will you accept it?]

‘Who…?’

Chaos surrounded her, yet she heard a clear voice in her mind. Or rather, chaos had surrounded her. The world had turned gray, frozen the moment she heard the voice.

White light coalesced in the gray world, forming a single mass. A girl emerged from the light, her appearance strikingly familiar.

"Ar…"

[I apologize, but this is merely a temporary manifestation based on your most familiar memory. It is not her.]

The girl resembled Aria, but everything about her, from head to toe, even her skin, was pure white. She radiated an almost holy aura. She stopped Lucia from embracing her, then spoke.

[I ask you again, Lucia.]

[Are you ready to accept the fate of the 'Saint'?]

The Saint. Not just a position within the church, but a symbol of hope for humanity, alongside the Hero.

[You have heard my call for some time now.]

It was true. Lucia had been aware of her destiny for years. She knew that if she wished for it, the Goddess would answer.

[But you were afraid. Afraid of the hardships and trials that awaited you.]

The legends and stories spoke of the Saint's destined path: ‘To overcome adversity alongside the Hero and vanquish the Demon King.’

But that was only part of the story. Most Saints faded into obscurity, their names lost to history.

Lucia feared the burden of that fate. She’d hoped the Goddess would deem her unsuitable and reclaim the destiny. She'd avoided facing it, seeking solace in others rather than confronting her fate.

[I do not judge you for this. All my children have struggled with this destiny. Many have rejected it.]

[Even the most celebrated Saints in legend could not escape fear. Do not feel burdened by your hesitation.]

[So, Lucia. Are you ready to embrace the destiny you have shunned?]

The choice was Lucia’s. The girl resembling Aria tilted her head, waiting for an answer. Then, she smiled.

"I don’t know if I’m worthy of being the Saint."

[...]

She was too afraid, too weak. She’d already lost someone precious. Was she truly fit to save others?

"But I can promise you one thing."

Her eyes were resolute.

"I will no longer turn away from anyone."

[I support your decision, Lucia ‘Iris’.]

As the girl vanished, the world regained its color.

[I am ####, the Goddess who governs this world.]

And…

[From now on, you are my agent. My new Saint.]

"Then please, help me."

Grant a miracle. The new Saint prayed.

[So shall it be, my child.]

The heavens answered. Light descended.

Ironically, the demons were the first to sense the miracle. A sudden brightness, a sense of unease. Their instincts screamed danger. They searched for the source, but…

Flash

An overwhelming wave of holy power engulfed them.

"What is this…?"

"A miracle… a miracle!"

"The Goddess has answered our prayers!"

"The Saint…! The Saint has appeared!"

Joy, shock, reverence. Different reactions, but a shared understanding.

A miracle had occurred.

"Gah… Aaaaagh!!!"

"My… eyes…!!!"

Unfortunately, not everyone shared in the miracle’s blessing.

As in most fantasy stories, demonic bodies, composed of magical energy, were highly vulnerable to the Goddess’ holy power. And this light was a divine blessing, a miracle, a deadly poison to demons.

Lower and mid-ranking demons disintegrated instantly. Only those above mid-rank survived.

"You…! If I can just get rid of you…!"

Some demons, realizing Lucia was the source of the light, tried to attack her. It was the worst possible decision.

"Aaaaagh!"

"! Damn it!"

The light intensified as they approached, protecting Lucia. Their desperate attempts to survive only hastened their demise.

Frozen in place, their life force drained away by the holy power. Retreating wouldn't save them. It would only prolong their suffering, and they’d face an even worse fate upon returning to the demon realm.

As the surviving demons contemplated their options…

‘To all surviving troops.’

A voice echoed in their minds. A ‘message’, a power only high-ranking demons, Legion Commanders and their lieutenants, could use. This was a direct order from a Legion Commander.

‘All forces are to withdraw from the city immediately.’

Retreat. Their instincts screamed at them to kill the girl, but they couldn’t disobey a direct order.

"Damn it…"

They turned and fled, abandoning the girl and the humans.

"We’ve won!"

"Wooohooo!"

Cheers erupted. The day Lucia became the Saint. Her first miracle.

"Aria… wait… I’m coming…"

"Saint! You mustn’t overexert yourself!"

"I’m… alright…"

But also the day she lost her only sister. A victory, and a defeat.

It was over.

...................................................................................................................................................................................

Chapter 7: 2nd Legion (1)

I woke up in an unfamiliar bed.

"Where…"

Crack

"Ouch!"

A searing pain shot through my muscles as I sat up.

"Ugh…"

As the pain subsided, the memories of the battle flooded back.

"Well, after all that, it would be stranger not to be sore…"

I hadn't felt it at the time, fueled by adrenaline, but my body had been on the verge of collapse long before I’d landed that final blow. It was a miracle I’d lasted that long.

‘At least I’m alive…’

The vision in my once blood-blinded eye had returned, albeit blurry. I tried to raise my hand to my aching head, but…

Jingle

"Huh?"

My right wrist was chained to the bedpost.

‘Who changed my clothes?’

I was wearing a simple dress, not the blood-soaked rags I’d been wearing before. They must have changed me for hygiene reasons.

‘They would have had to remove my clothes to bandage my wounds, so it makes sense…’

Even with the memories of my past life as a man resurfacing, I’d lived as a girl for years. I wasn’t embarrassed.

Probably…

‘Unless it was a man who changed me… No, don’t think about it.’

"Where am I, anyway?"

Creak

The door opened.

"Awake, I see? How are you feeling? I tried to be gentle, but…"

She spoke casually, as if our brutal fight had never happened.

‘Anyone would think we were friends.’

"Thanks to you, I'm incredibly sore."

"Better than being dead, right? Be grateful I spared you."

She approached the bed. I hid my nervousness, pressing on with my questions.

"How long have I been out?"

"Exactly a day. I thought I might have accidentally killed you."

"Where am I? And why did you kidnap me?"

"Kidnapped is a bit harsh…"

Swipe

"Ugh."

She placed her hand on my throat, a playful smile on her lips. It was a light touch, yet the underlying threat was clear. She could snap my neck in an instant. I knew better than to underestimate her, unpredictable as she was.

"Don’t get any ideas. I can still kill you."

"You would have done it already. You kidnapped me instead, which means I won, didn’t I?"

"...Tsk, you’re no fun. Fine, you won. I was planning to take you anyway."

I hadn't expected her to concede so easily.

She added,

"By the way, what made you think you could survive that? Holy power doesn't work on you. The captured priests couldn’t even heal your arm. You’d have lost it permanently if not for an emergency potion."

So she knew about my immunity to holy power. I'd suspected as much when I saw my wounds were healed.

"I wouldn’t have won otherwise."

"Well… that’s true. Even I had a moment of panic."

"Why?"

"I don't want my new toy getting damaged."

Are all demons this insane, or is it just her…? I studied her face, trying to discern whether she was joking, but her expression gave nothing away.

"But first things first."

"W-What are you…!"

She leaned in close, her breath on my face. I squeezed my eyes shut.

Click

The sound of metal. The chains were unlocked. I opened my eyes. She was standing a few feet away, the key in her hand.

"Follow me. We have somewhere to go."

"Where?"

"If you don't want to die, just follow me."

Her smile was chilling. Definitely insane.

"Stooop!"

She’d brought me to a room filled with clothes. Servants stood waiting, their arms laden with garments. I’d been forced to change outfits for an hour. Where did they even get these clothes in the demon realm?

‘Did she kidnap me to torture me to death with fashion?!’

"You’re thinking strange things again."

"..."

‘Can’t even think in peace.’

"Try this one next."

"..."

‘Kill… me…’

Two hours later, I was finally released.

"So… you kidnapped me just to play dress-up? What’s the point?"

"No reason. Isn’t it natural to want to dress up a pretty doll?"

"..."

‘Definitely insane.’

"Here we are."

She led me to what appeared to be a training ground.

"What is it, Legion Commander?"

"Find me a suitable opponent for this child."

"Huh?"

"No, I’ll choose."

She scanned the area.

"Ah! That one will do."

She called over a demon.

"What is it, Legion Commander?"

"Spar with this child."

"Huh?"

She wanted me to spar with him.

…

‘Wait, what the…?’

"Seriously? With this human girl? She’s injured. And why is a human even here?"

"She's my new toy. Now get ready."

"I… see. Understood."

‘Wait, did this demon just… accept that? No conscience…’

Then it hit me.

‘Oh right… she's a Legion Commander. ’

Even in a dog-eat-dog world like the demon realm, this felt… wrong. Like a superior officer ordering a subordinate around in my past life.

‘I guess that’s accurate. A Legion Commander and her underling.’

The chain of command was the same, whether human or demon.

"Choose your weapon."

I formed a blade of shadows in my hand.

"I'm good."

The demon realm, perpetually bathed in moonlight, was ideal for my shadow manipulation.

‘A human with the most useful ability in the demon realm… funny, and fortunate…’

"Right, that’s your ability. Then you don’t need a weapon. Follow me."

She led me to the sparring arena.

"The rules are simple. A fight to the death. The one who kills their opponent wins."

"?"

‘Wait, what? I thought this was a spar?’

Silence fell upon the training ground.

"Legion Commander? I thought this was a spar, and she’s your precious human…"

Slash

Asmodeus’ blade grazed the soldier’s cheek.

Trickle

Blood flowed, but the demon remained silent. He knew better than to provoke her further.

"No arguments."

"..."

She smiled at me.

"And don’t hold back. You might be the one who dies."

"...Understood."

"Any more questions?"

‘Does it look like I have any…?’

"Then begin."

We charged.

Clang

Steel clashed against steel. The fight began.

Clang

A sword flew from a hand.

"Ha…"

"...I lost. Kill me."

Ten minutes. I’d finally disarmed him. He accepted defeat.

"I’m not going to kill you."

"What…"

Slash

"Huh?"

"That wouldn't do~"

A clean cut. The demon collapsed, blood spraying onto me. I was too stunned to react.

"Wh… why…"

"I told you."

Until one of you dies?

"Disarming him means you’ve already won. I just finished it for you."

"But he surrendered! Why… ugh…"

Bang!

A kick to the stomach sent me flying. I hadn’t been prepared. The pain was intense.

"Ugh… ack…gah…"

My lungs struggled for air, my vision filled with static.

Grip

She grabbed my hair, forcing me to look up.

"Surrender? There’s no such thing as surrender in the demon realm."

"And if he had won, he would have killed you without hesitation."

Her voice was calm, matter-of-fact.

"When you lose, you die. That's how it is in the demon realm."

"You'll get used to it."

Her words, though unwelcome, were clear. I’d been naive, lulled into a false sense of security by the relative peace. I’d seen her kindness, her playful demeanor, and forgotten that she was a demon, a Legion Commander, one of the strongest beings in this realm. And this was my new reality.

I was in the Legion Commander's private bath. I’d been in a daze since the fight.

She'd led me here, helped me change out of my bloodstained clothes, and even spoon-fed me dinner while I sat in a stupor.

I hadn't even registered what I was eating. Only after she led me to the bath to wash the dirt and blood from my face did I finally regain my senses.

"Ahh… this feels good…"

"..."

She sat beside me, soaking in the hot water. She turned to me when I didn’t respond.

"Going to stay quiet?"

"What do you want."

"Hmm… you sound a bit tense."

"...You don't know?"

I'd anticipated this. I knew that choosing to follow the original storyline would be difficult, even life-threatening. But I hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

Drip

Drop

Water dripped from the ceiling. The image of the demon’s severed neck, the gushing blood, flashed through my mind. I flinched.

It wasn't the blood itself that disturbed me. I’d seen plenty of blood during the fight in the city.

It was…

"Hey… Asmode…"

"Hmm… I don’t like that."

"What?"

"That name. It’s not my real name."

"..."

I knew. Asmodeus was a title bestowed upon a demon when they became a Legion Commander. Titles taken from legendary archdemons.

Like Baal, the First Legion Commander, or Mammon, the Fourth. She was no different.

"Then what should I call you?"

"How about… sister?"

"What?"

My blood ran cold.

Snap

My hand instinctively flew to the dagger at my hip as she grabbed my wrist.

Splash

Water cascaded down on us, but our attention was locked on each other.

The training ground incident was nothing compared to this. And I was trapped here, with her, indefinitely.

The thought made my hands tremble. She’d dragged me into this hell, and now… what? She wanted me to call her by the same affectionate term I used for my only family, my precious sister?

"You don't like it?"

"..."

I hated it. Her calm demeanor, her knowing smile, made me want to scream. But I was no match for her. She could kill me in an instant.

"Then just call me Bathory."

Bathory. Her true name, only revealed in the game. The Blood Countess. A fitting name for her madness.

"Bathory, then."

"I’d prefer sister, but this will do."

"Don’t be ridiculous."

I would never call her sister.

"...So why did you call me?"

"Why did you kidnap me?"

"To make you mine, of course."

"Choke!"

I choked on my own saliva.

"Cough, cough… w-what?"

"I just want you as my toy. A toy that obeys me, that smiles only for me."

‘But first, I’ll break you.’

I didn’t realize then that she’d omitted the last part, a sinister promise hidden behind a smile. I didn't know the depths of the hell she was about to drag me into.

"..."

‘Why didn’t you just say that in the first place…’

"I… I misunderstood!"

I felt pathetic for even entertaining the slightest bit of hope in this situation.

"Oh? How so?"

"N-Never mind."

"Even if it’s a misunderstanding, I don’t m…"

"Stop!"

She finally stopped teasing me when I raised my voice.

"Anyway, let's go."

She led me out of the bath. I looked out the window.

‘Disgustingly beautiful. Maybe my head really is messed up.’

Unlike the human world, the demon realm had no sun or moon, only a single celestial body that shifted from blue during the day to red at night. The sky, shining even in this hellish abyss…

…felt more beautiful than terrifying.

.....................................................................................................................................................................................

Chapter 8: 2nd Legion (2)

After I’d bathed, Bathory offered to show me to my room. She stopped before a door, and I peeked inside, stunned.

"So? Do you like it?"

‘…Am I really a prisoner?’

The room was at least three times larger than the one Lucia and I shared. A large window offered a panoramic view, and the bed was so big it seemed meant for more than one person. It was far too luxurious for a prisoner. I glanced at Bathory, wondering if this was some kind of joke.

"Is this for real?"

"Hmm? What is?"

"...Never mind."

Her reaction suggested it wasn't a joke.

"Sleep well, then."

"Wait."

She was about to close the door when I stopped her. Something felt off.

"Hold on!"

"?"

"Aren't you going to chain me up?"

Bathory froze, then burst into laughter.

"Ahahahaha!"

"What’s so funny?"

"I just didn’t expect you to ask that."

Was it that funny? I’d been kidnapped, I’d woken up chained to a bed. This was a perfectly reasonable question…

"Oh."

I realized how my question must have sounded. I hung my head.

"Well, you figured it out. Goodnight."

She closed the door. I stared at it for a moment, a mix of awkwardness and disappointment swirling within me, then turned to survey the room.

"Nothing special, huh?"

Aside from some basic furniture, the room was bare. Even the bookshelves were empty.

"Escape is… impossible…"

Escape from the Second Legion's headquarters, right under the Legion Commander’s nose? Not a chance. She probably knew that, which was why she hadn't bothered to restrain me. Besides, who knew what she’d do if I was caught.

"Sigh, might as well sleep."

I pushed those thoughts aside and lay down on the bed.

"This is surprisingly comfortable…"

Exhaustion claimed me. The luxurious bed was a stark contrast to my usual sleeping arrangements.

Snore

I drifted off to sleep.

Rustle

Sunlight streamed through the window. I sat up, frowning.

"..."

I hadn't slept well. Or rather, the quality of sleep was excellent. I felt refreshed, physically.

The problem was the throbbing headache. I’d had a dream, but…

‘…Ar… wa…

"Ugh…!"

Only fragments remained, a voice, and a splitting headache. I clutched my head. The sound of the door opening made me look up.

"You’re awake."

"Bathory."

"What’s with that tone?"

I wasn’t surprised to see her. She was the only one who would come here.

"Get up and wash up. Let’s go eat."

"...And then?"

"You know what comes next."

Another training session. I’d asked out of a sliver of hope, but I hadn’t expected a different answer.

"Sigh…"

I dragged myself out of bed.

"Whoa!"

"Oops~"

I stumbled, lightheaded, but Bathory caught me before I fell.

"Seems like yesterday took more of a toll on you than I thought."

"You think?"

She seemed unconcerned.

"Are you sure you’re okay?"

"Just… still sleepy…"

The headache lingered, blurring my senses. This had never happened before. No, it's just because I didn’t sleep well.

"Sure you don’t need help?"

"I can manage…"

I suddenly understood what a hangover felt like, even though I'd never experienced one in my past life.

"I don't think so."

Before I could finish, she scooped me up into a princess carry.

"Hey, what are you doing?!"

"It would take forever if you walked like that."

"Put me down!"

"Don't wanna."

I struggled, but her grip was firm.

"...Are we there yet?"

"Not yet~"

I gave up, resigning myself to my fate.

"Aria?"

"..."

"Say something."

"..."

We were in the same bath, yet Bathory kept calling out to me.

"It’s rude to ignore me, you know."

"...Hmph."

I sat with my back to her. I was sulking. Thirty years old, across two lifetimes, and kidnapped, yet here I was, sulking.

I’d seen her deliberately slowing down as she carried me, a smirk on her face. That wasn’t the only reason I was upset, but it definitely contributed.

‘Is it better now?’

The headache had subsided, though a faint unease remained. Not enough to hinder me in combat, though.

"Aria~"

‘My head hurts…’

The headache would have faded faster if she wasn't constantly calling my name. I maintained my sulky silence, hoping she’d give up. There was a bit of genuine annoyance mixed in as well.

"What."

"You weren’t answering me."

"I answered. Happy now?"

My response was sharper than intended. I glanced at her, surprised by my own tone, but she seemed unfazed.

"Fine. I’m getting out."

"Oh, ready now?"

She got out as soon as I said I was leaving.

I was a fool to feel even a little bit sorry for her.

We sat at the dining table. Food appeared before us.

"How’s the food?"

"It's fine."

Demon food wasn't that different from human food. Despite their stronger bodies and their reliance on magic, they still needed sustenance.

But it felt… strange. Like discovering royalty ate the same food as commoners.

"How’s your body feeling?"

"If I say it hurts, will you cancel the fight?"

"Of course not. I just don't want you dying on me."

I hadn't expected her to. I was already wearing combat attire.

‘I brought you some clothes. I wanted to dress you myself, but you seemed to dislike that.’

At least I hadn’t been forced into another dress-up session.

‘Hmm~ it suits you. Cute.’

…Almost.

The outfit was black with red accents, matching my eyes and hair. Comfortable and practical, clearly designed for combat. Annoyingly, it looked good on me.

The fact that I had to fight hadn’t changed, though.

‘It’ll be okay… they’re just demons… I can’t break down now. I’ll have to face this again and again.’

I didn't realize then how naive I was.

.....................................................................................................................................................................................

Chapter 9: 2nd Legion (3)

"Is this… real?"

I asked, my voice filled with disbelief. I wasn’t sure if the question was directed at Bathory or myself.

We’d arrived at the training ground. I stared through the bars of a gate at the opposite end of the arena, speechless.

"A… person?"

My opponent wasn’t a demon. It was a human, like me.

"Hmm? What’s with that look?"

"You planned this from the beginning, didn’t you?"

I questioned her, hoping I was wrong, but her nonchalant response confirmed my fears.

"Well, too bad if you're shocked."

"What are you thinking?!"

"Isn’t it obvious?"

Her tone was cold, a stark contrast to yesterday’s playful demeanor. Or maybe that was just a facade.

"Every demon here is a valuable asset. I'm not going to waste them on pointless fights."

"..."

"Better to make use of the prisoners we have, the ones just eating up our resources."

I was speechless. A mixture of despair and unease washed over me.

"So, today too…"

"You already know the answer. You have to kill them."

I'd already known what she’d say.

"Get ready. It’s about to begin."

"I can’t! I can fight demons, but I can’t kill another person…"

"Sigh… you’re not listening. Fine."

She walked towards me, a ruby necklace in her hand. It glowed with an unsettling crimson light.

Danger.

My instincts screamed at me to get away. I backed away, but…

Thud

"Huh?"

My back hit something. But the wall was still some distance away.

"You can’t run."

Bathory’s magic had sealed the exit.

Ah.

She'd anticipated this. My reaction, my every move, had been part of her plan all along.

"What is that?"

"You’ll find out. There’s nothing to be afraid of."

Her eyes gleamed with a disturbing mix of childlike excitement and something dark, something viscous and unsettling.

"W-Wait! Don’t…!"

"Don’t worry."

I couldn’t move. I could only watch as she fastened the necklace around my neck with a metallic click.

"Everything will be taken care of."

Her voice echoed in my ears…

Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice. Voice…

I didn’t know who was speaking, or what they wanted from me. All I knew for certain was one thing.

-Be a good girl and listen.

An instinctive understanding that I had to obey.

-Go. Kill.

So I obeyed. The light faded from my eyes, and my consciousness sank into darkness.

A man in armor, chained at the ankles, stood at one end of the arena. He’d once been a renowned paladin, now a prisoner. He saw this fight as his only chance for freedom.

Asmodeus, the Second Legion Commander, had visited his cell. He’d thought she was there to mock him, but she’d examined him, then made an offer.

‘Want to make a bet?’

A one-on-one duel against an opponent of her choosing. If he won, she’d release him.

‘If you win, I’ll let you go without laying a finger on you.’

A trap. A cruel demon’s trick. That’s what he’d initially thought. But her words, like a devil’s whisper, had slowly chipped away at his doubt.

‘Do I look like I’m lying? I can swear an oath if you don’t believe me.’

Doubt turned into hope. Whatever the demon had planned, he would win this bet and escape. He raised his sword, ready to face his opponent…

‘A… girl…?’

…only to find a young girl, barely a teenager, standing opposite him. He lowered his sword in confusion.

Thud

"Uh…?"

A jet-black blade pierced his abdomen. It was over.

"Damn…"

Consciousness returned, bringing with it a wave of disorientation. I’d been unconscious? Voices murmured around me, but I couldn’t focus.

"Huh?"

Where was I? I’d been talking to Bathory…

"Gah!"

A splitting headache. I thought it had subsided. Had I passed out because of it?

I remembered talking to Bathory, her saying something…

Throb

Then…

Throb, throb

"Ugh…!"

Throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb, throb

"Gah… ugh…! Ahh…!"

Why? What was happening? The pain was unbearable, far worse than before. I stumbled, collapsing to my knees. Images flashed through my mind.

"What is this…!"

The perspective was mine. Memories I didn’t have, yet they existed. Unfamiliar, yet strangely familiar. Walking towards my opponent after talking to Bathory.

‘Die!’

Swinging my sword. The final blow, severing the head.

The most shocking thing… I was smiling in those memories.

"Ugh…"

No…

-I’m afraid it’s all true.

A voice echoed in my head.

No, it’s nothing. There’s no voice.

"Shut up…!"

-The proof is right before your eyes.

Someone was whispering in my mind.

No, it’s just my imagination.

I finally took in my surroundings. And as they came into focus, as my senses sharpened, I was consumed by despair.

"Ah… ah…"

A sword in my hand, dripping with a viscous fluid. Blood, far too much blood for a single person, covered everything.

I… I did this.

"Did I… kill someone…?"

-Denial won’t change anything.

"No, no, no…!"

Denial wouldn't change reality.

"Noooooooo!"

But what else could I do?

"Well done, Aria."

"Huh?"

Bathory’s voice, whispering in my ear, shattered my last vestiges of denial.

"I knew you could do it."

"No… I didn’t want to…"

"I look forward to seeing more. Ar.i.a?"

Her voice was a curse, beautiful, terrifying, and absolute…

"Ah… ah…"

-You wanted this, didn’t you?

‘Shut up…’

-Why deny it? After all…’

I didn’t care if it was real or just a delusion.

-No matter how much you deny it…’

Shut up. Shut up.

Please, be quiet.

Stop it. Please, just make it stop.

-…you’ll accept it eventually.

"Aaaaagh!"

A warm embrace. Someone was holding me. I wanted to disappear, to erase myself.

-How long can you keep this up?

‘How long until you see me for who I am?’

And her thoughts, forever out of reach.

-Time is on my side. I can wait forever.

‘I can wait, but please, don’t make me wait too long.’

My consciousness faded, seeking refuge in the only escape I had left. Sleep.

…or so I thought.

.....................................................................................................................................................................................

Chapter 10: 2nd Legion (4)

Have you heard of lucid dreaming? It’s when you’re aware you’re dreaming, even while you're in the dream.

Like me, right now.

My heavy eyelids fluttered open. Judging by the feeling against my head, I was lying down.

"You’re awake?"

"...Sister?"

I opened my eyes to see Lucia greeting me.

‘A dream…’

It wasn’t unusual for her to join me during my afternoon naps on weekends, giving me a lap pillow. It had happened often enough that I wasn't surprised. But… it meant I missed her enough to dream of this.

‘What’s this feeling?’

A strange unease lingered. Like a thorn in my throat. I looked around, trying to identify the source.

‘Huh?’

And then I saw it.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"...It’s nothing."

Lucia’s face was… blurry. Her height, her figure, her clothes – everything was clear, except her face, shrouded in a haze.

‘Is it because of the shock?’

Yes, that must be it. I could never forget Lucia's face. I tried to ignore it, closing my eyes, but…

"Aria?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you leave?"

!!!

Lucia's words…

…sent a chill down my spine, shattering the peaceful illusion. The scene around me shifted. The warm room dissolved, replaced by the outside world. The bright sunlight turned into a dark, ominous sky.

And then, the transformation was complete.

A ruined, burning city. Bloodied figures approaching me. Familiar faces, yet… some were headless, some had swords piercing their hearts, all bearing different wounds. But their expressions, filled with hatred, were the same.

Traitor!

Die!

Happy to be the only survivor?!

Dozens of voices, accusing me. Their hatred, sharp and focused, pierced me from all directions.

"I… I just wanted to save you…"

"If that were true, you shouldn’t have left."

Lucia’s reply was cold. I wanted to say something, anything, but the words wouldn't come.

"W… wait…"

Lucia turned away. I reached out to her, but my hand grasped only air.

"Aaaaagh!"

I fell, and woke up.

"Ha… ha…"

I gasped for air, drenched in cold sweat. My lungs burned, as if I’d been drowning.

‘Was it a dream?’

I took deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. And then…

"You’re awake? Look at you, sweating so much. You need to wash up before you catch a cold."

Bathory’s voice.

"I pushed you too hard today, trying to get you acclimated."

‘Liar.’

I remembered her smile as she showed me my opponent. The rest of the dream was hazy, but that image was vivid.

But what difference did it make? I was the one who obeyed her.

"Ugh…ngh…"

"You can rest. I won’t make you train like that for a while."

She embraced me, a comforting gesture. I should hate her. I should despise her for what she’d done to me.

But right now… I just want to stay like this, for a little while longer.

We were in Bathory's private bath.

"..."

"Feeling better?"

"Mmm-hmm."

She’d carried me here after I’d woken up from the nightmare, crying and clinging to her. She’d said I’d catch a cold if I stayed in my sweat-soaked clothes. I’d only regained my senses after soaking in the warm water for a while.

"..."

We sat in silence.

‘I’m not a child…’

Eighteen, technically still a minor, but with the mental age of a twenty-year-old, I felt a wave of self-consciousness.

"Asmo… Bathory."

"Yes?"

"Thank you for being kind to me, for comforting me… but…"

"...But?"

The words caught in my throat. But I had to say it.

"You’re the one who brought me here, who made me do that."

"...So don’t expect any gratitude?"

"...Yes."

"Sigh…"

She sighed, then stood up and walked towards… wait.

"W-What are you doing?!"

"Listen to me, Aria."

She cornered me, her face inches from mine. Asmodeus was one of the most beautiful characters in the game. Her close proximity made me flustered.

"Y-Yes? I mean, okay."

I almost slipped into formal speech.

"Do you think anything will change now?"

"..."

"The moment you killed that man, you became a traitor in their eyes."

It didn’t matter that I’d been forced, that I’d had no choice. I’d still killed someone.

"A traitor… huh."

Traitor. A title that would follow me forever. The man I’d killed was gone, but Asmodeus wouldn't let me forget it. She'd make sure humanity saw me as a traitor, trapping me in this world.

…it would be easy for a Legion Commander.

"Ha… haha… hahahahaha!"

"I see you understand now."

A hollow laugh escaped my lips, tears streaming down my face.

"Ahahahahahaha…"

It was inevitable. I’d known it since I decided to follow the original story, but I’d ignored it, hoping things would change. I looked at her, and she smiled, uttering the words I dreaded most.

"Then let's get along."

And then, with chilling certainty…

"Traitor."

"Hahaha…"

I saw it clearly now. The path ahead, the one that would break me, shatter me completely. A path to hell, with no return, no escape.

And she, the one I should hate, the one I had no choice but to rely on, smiled at me.

This wasn’t a game. This was reality. There was no reset button. Knowing this, I had only one option.

-See? I told you.

"I… look forward to it…"

-You’d accept it eventually.

Just two days in the demon realm. And I was already breaking, choosing the path of destruction to survive in this hell.

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