Chapter 54

Linus stood atop the tallest tower in the West District, overlooking the city. It wasn't that he liked heights; it was simply the easiest way to search for people. Even the rough crowd of the West District, the haughty merchants of the East District, and the faces of the people in the Central District, who swarmed like insects, could be distinguished from this distance by his keen eyes.

"Well, where did you go?"

The person he was looking for, of course, was Kiril. After hearing the soldiers' eyewitness accounts inside the castle, it seemed she had fled the castle in shock after hearing about Flamm. He had also checked Maria's room to see if she knew her whereabouts, but she was absent there as well. She must be busy, probably out at the cathedral.

"However... something feels off. What is this ominous wind?"

The sky was gray. The air that brushed against his cheeks was heavy and damp. But that wasn't all. There was a foul smell mixed in with the wind, one he was all too familiar with.

"It's blood, but not just human. It smells like beasts."

Moreover, the "thickness" of the smell suggested that the number was not just one or two. However, there were no signs of anything unusual within his line of sight. This meant that a large amount of blood was flowing in the "shadows" where the sun didn't reach. The discovery of deformed corpses or the strange atmosphere around Cardinal Satouki made the recent capital seem suspicious. Linus was worried about Kiril, who had fled. Since Jean was still holed up in her room, Linus had no choice but to search for her. He jumped down from there and landed silently on the ground.

"To be honest, I'm already swamped with Maria, and I don't have the time to get involved in more trouble."

Despite saying this, he stepped into the darkness, far removed from peace.

◇◇◇

Meanwhile, Kiril, who had fled the castle, wandered aimlessly through the capital. She pulled her hood deep over her face to hide it. She was a hero and a celebrity. If she showed her face, she would be recognized instantly. Therefore, she had no choice but to cover her face and choose paths with fewer people. However, she didn't know where she was heading.

Flamm had become a slave because of her. In other words, she didn't deserve to be called a hero. She was uncomfortable with Jean. Maria had turned into a monster. In other words, she had no place in the party. If she fled back to her hometown, she would betray the villagers who had been overjoyed when she became a hero.

No matter how much she searched, she couldn't find a place to go. Therefore, the only place where her heart found some solace was a dim, damp corner in a back alley, where no one was around. It smelled like a gutter, but even so, she couldn't stop blaming herself. The fact that she wouldn't encounter anyone was a relief in itself. She sat down, hugged her knees, and closed her eyes. Her mental fatigue seemed to manifest physically, and she felt unusually lethargic, almost falling asleep.

When her consciousness was half gone, she heard someone's footsteps. Her heightened senses forced her body to awaken. When Kiril reflexively lifted her head, there stood a young girl, also wearing a robe and hiding her face. The hair and skin visible through the gaps were white. In her hands, she clutched a dirty, human-shaped stuffed animal. Her presence seemed out of place, as if cut out from the scenery. Kiril's intuition told her that she was not a normal person. She tensed up and stared at the girl. Then, the girl slowly approached Kiril and pointed to the ground where she was sitting.

"This is my spot."

Her pronunciation was unique, but it was understandable.

"Um... you mean I'm using it?"

The girl nodded. Kiril thought she could just sit somewhere else, but as the girl's cheeks puffed up and her mood worsened, she hurriedly gave up her spot. The girl immediately sat down, hugged her knees, and looked relieved. It seemed that her "spot" was very important to her.

She was too defenseless to be a pursuer, and there was no sense of hostility. Naturally, Kiril had lowered her guard. In the first place, the idea that pursuers had been sent after her, who had fled on her own, was just a negative delusion. It was possible that someone was looking for her, but it wasn't as serious as a pursuit. Normally, Kiril would have understood this, but her mind was unstable due to the overwhelming shock of recent events. Her absurd thoughts were evidence of this.

"..."

The girl remained silent, staring blankly at the ground while hugging her stuffed animal tightly. Kiril thought about speaking to her but couldn't find the words, so she remained silent as well.

"..."

After a while of silence, the girl spoke up.

"Is something wrong?"

"Why are you here? Do you have nowhere to go?"

The girl's question hit the core immediately. Indeed, she had nowhere to go. That's why she was wandering.

"Why do you think that?"

Perhaps it was embarrassing to be seen through by a younger girl, but Kiril tried to sound cool and low.

"I'm like you."

"..."

Kiril asked in return, "Do you also have nowhere to go?"

The girl nodded.

"Oh, I see. That's why you're dressed like this and hiding in such a dirty place. Just like me, you don't want to be found."

Relieved to have found a companion, she became more talkative. However, the girl shook her head, and Kiril, as if splashed with cold water, regained her composure.

"That's not it. I'm not hiding."

"Then... why?"

The girl's eyes, unlike Kiril's, were not dead. They held a strong flame of will. When she looked at them, they seemed so pure, beautiful, and powerful that she felt drawn in.

"I want to repay my mother. I don't intend to disappear. I want to leave a mark of my life here."

Repaying her mother. That's how Kiril interpreted the girl's words. Even without a place to go or a future to look forward to, she would do what she could. Even a small girl had such positive courage, so why was she, called a hero, running away and sulking in such a place? Why did she only think about running away without making amends or atoning for her sins? She questioned herself, blamed herself, and fell into a vicious cycle of self-torment. Even when she tried to shake it off, the memory of Maria's monstrous, terrifying flesh vortex replayed in her mind.

Sweat trickled down her palms, and her breathing quickened. All her mental escape routes were blocked, and the only option left was to physically leave the capital. However, even if she left the capital, she had nowhere to go. She thought the girl's resolve was admirable and worthy of praise, and that she should be like that. However, despite recognizing the ideal, she didn't have the energy to strive for it. She wanted to keep running. She wanted to go to a world without pain. She even thought it would be fine if she disappeared. No, perhaps that was the right answer. That way, she wouldn't inconvenience anyone, and she would be free.

"Do you have nowhere to go?"

At the girl's straightforward question, Kiril bit her lip. The girl tilted her head in curiosity and added, "There must be a reason. It's impossible to live alone. You must have gratitude, hatred, or a purpose."

"I do. I do, but... I think I'm the worst person. That's why I don't want to do anything."

"Blaming yourself is tiring and pointless. It's better to use that energy to help someone important."

Kiril understood this without being told. However, whether she could put it into practice was another matter. She didn't have the strength to rise up.

"Kiril Sweets."

Suddenly hearing her name, Kiril's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't told her name, so why did the girl know?

"There are many people who would be happy or troubled if you disappeared."

"Why do you know my name?"

"You're a very famous hero. It's impossible not to know."

"..."

Even a child knew her, making it clear that there was no place to hide in the capital.

"The purpose is to give the son of the previous king more human..."

The girl muttered so softly that Kiril could barely hear, as if talking to herself. Then she exhaled lightly.

"Do you want to see?"

Before Kiril could ask what, the girl stood up, cutting off the timing. She looked down at Kiril with unwavering eyes.

"This is where we leave our mark of life."

It seemed the girl was telling Kiril to "follow me." Why would she do so much for someone she just met? She didn't understand, but at that moment, she desperately needed a goal. In a bad way, she "wanted to lean on" someone. Even knowing the other person was much younger, she acknowledged her shame and nodded. The girl seemed to smile.

"Mute."

"Huh?"

"That's my name... Nice to meet you, Mute."

"Nice to meet you, Kiril, even if it's just for a little while."

They shook hands. The moment their palms touched, Kiril felt a chill. It felt as if some unusual power was circulating within Mute. However, the other person was just a girl under ten. "I'm overthinking it," she told herself and left the alley with Mute.

◇◇◇

Flamm and Gadio left the Children's research facility and headed to Flamm's house. They gathered around the table with Eterna and Ink, who had been waiting for them. Milkit, unable to join the conversation, sat next to Flamm and occasionally went to the kitchen to refill the tea.

"So, Fuis... is dead."

Ink said sadly. They weren't particularly close, but they had spent eight years together. There was some affection, but he was also an enemy. Flamm and Gadio, who felt a bit of relief at his death, had no words to comfort Ink.

"What kind of child was he?"

Eterna asked gently.

"He was a coward. He used to play roundabout pranks on me. When it came to it, he would fake tears and blame me. But he was often spoiled in front of Mother."

Without the Core, or even with it, they were just children in non-combat situations. If Ink had gotten a heart and become a normal human, the other Spiral children could have had that possibility too. Imagining a future where they could live as normal children made Flamm's chest ache. Ink and the remaining Spiral children were different; they were not people he could reason with. Even though he understood this, he couldn't help but think about it.

"I have a fight with a boy named Nect, and if he has the same level of power, it would be difficult to face him without the strength of an S-rank adventurer."

"Knowing the location of the Children's base and having the power to defeat them narrows down the candidates. It could be the Church Knights, the Kingdom Army, or—"

"Chimera."

Gadio said with a voice filled with hatred. Milkit's throat moved up and down, sensing the hostility.

"Why did they start fighting among themselves? Because we ruined their necromancy?"

"It might be related to Satouki's speech. He clearly stated, 'We will not conduct human experiments.' If they intend to continue the Children's research, there would be no need to say it."

"Chimera can continue their research without humans, just using monsters. They might have abandoned them to avoid criticism when exposed."

"That's a possibility. But—"

Before Gadio could continue, Ink said regretfully,

"It's terrible to kill someone for such a reason, after working with the Church for so long."

"I agree. I think that's what Gadio was going to say too."

Eterna's words made Gadio nod. In other words—

"That's not enough reason to abandon them. There must be a bigger reason."

A big reason to kill all the Children.

"The Church is not a monolithic entity. It's natural to assume there are several opposing factions, like when Satouki purged two cardinals."

"Speaking of which, the cardinal who managed the research—Fermo, I think—was also arrested."

"Yes, that's evidence of Satouki's growing power within the Church."

Satouki Ranagarki is said to have strong ties to the Kingdom Army. Moreover, winning the human-demon war was his father's lifelong wish. If he were to become the Pope and gain power, the Kingdom would undoubtedly start a war. Chimera would be the more convenient choice for use as a weapon in that war. Therefore, the Children, who were unnecessary and belonged to an opposing faction—

"In that case, was Fuis killed because of the factional conflict?"

Ink said in a depressed voice. Even if that was a "big reason" for Satouki, it didn't matter to the individuals involved.

"..."

"I think death is inevitable. I know what the Church has done, and I understand that my survival is a miracle. But being abandoned by the Church... it feels wrong."

She was no longer part of the Spiral children, but hearing such talk still affected her.

"Sorry for interrupting."

"It's fine. Your opinion is important."

Eterna patted Ink's head, and her expression softened slightly.

"Thank you... I'm fine now, so please continue."

Even so, it was uncomfortable to continue the conversation in front of her. However, if they stopped, Ink would blame herself. Flamm cleared his throat and gathered his resolve to return to the topic.

"I'm also worried about Satouki, but it's strange that Fuis was the only one found at the research facility. There was no sign of blood splatter or anything."

"We need to find out where the other three children and Mother went before it's too late."

"..."

"They won't surrender easily. They'll probably leave a mark on the Church or the Kingdom."

"A mark..."

Their enemies were Satouki or Chimera. However, they must have known they couldn't defeat Chimera in combat. It was unlikely that Satouki would allow the Children to approach him in such a situation. While it was possible to attack the research facility or assassinate, it would likely be in vain. With Mother as their leader, they wouldn't make such a foolish move. If so, their next action would be—

Gadio's face was serious as he tried to predict the Children's next move.

"Oh, by the way, Gadio."

At that moment, Flamm remembered something and snapped his fingers.

"I received a strange letter."

"A letter? From who?"

"The sender is unknown. It just says 'four more days'... Eterna, can you bring it?"

"Sure, wait a moment."

Eterna stood up and went to her room upstairs.

"When did it arrive?"

"Right around noon today, when Ink noticed the sound."

Gadio looked at Ink. Sensing his gaze, she nodded slightly.

"But, the letter was in the mailbox, and there were no footsteps."

"Is that true?"

"Absolutely! I heard the sound of it being put in the mailbox."

"So, they used magic. Even if it was a prank, it's a creepy timing."

"Exactly. That's why I thought it might be related to this incident."

The timing coincided with the destruction of the Children's facility. There was no evidence linking it, but Flamm felt uneasy. Eterna returned and handed the letter to Gadio. He spread the paper on the table and glared at the words.

"I checked, but there was no special magic in the content. However, the ink, paper, and envelope are all of high quality."

Ink reacted to the word "ink" but realized it wasn't about her and blushed, looking down. Eterna smiled briefly at her gesture and continued seriously.

"An ordinary family wouldn't use such materials for a simple four-word letter."

"So, who sent it...?"

"A rich person, the Kingdom, or the Church. One of these is likely."

None of them had a reason to be on Flamm's side. Rich people like Leech or Welcy were possible, but if they were, they could just speak directly. They were cornered and had to use a letter to communicate? It wasn't impossible. Flamm decided to visit them the next day. However, another possibility was that one of the Children sent it. But in their current situation, they wouldn't have the luxury to use high-quality paper. Moreover, they had no reason to warn Flamm and his group, who were their enemies.

"No matter how much we think, we don't have enough information to identify the sender. However, we can't dismiss it as unrelated."

"It's probably related to the Church. We should talk to people who might be involved."

"The Children's movements are also concerning. We need to walk the capital ourselves, regardless."

Flamm sighed, feeling tired. He had thought they were on the offensive with Daffy's information, but they were still being manipulated by the situation. Milkit, sitting next to him, couldn't participate in the conversation or contribute in battle, but she wanted to be of some help. Her feelings were painfully clear. Whether they were behind or ahead, Flamm's actions wouldn't change. —No matter what, he would protect her. With this resolve, he squeezed her hand back.

◇◇◇

The kingdom is home to countless ruins, remnants of the time when humans and demons united to face the Origin. The capital was built by expanding these ruins. Initially, the ruins themselves were used as dwellings. Now, the city is built on top, and few people know about the underground.

The royal castle in the northern district of the