The moon was still high in the sky when they returned to the village.
The waters have already receded by now, revealing the wet ground.
Confused villagers left their houses upon hearing the noise outside, greeted by a group of guards and wounded people.
It was decided to take shelter here and return to the city in the morning.
Cyril found the fact quite convenient.
He leaned on the railings of Myra's house, looking down at the small gathering on the ground. Morpho flew in the air, enjoying the view of the village at night.
Pete and Jessie, along with their parents, stood among the others, busily talking about their harrowing experience.
However, at some point, an angry voice interrupted their discussion.
"I can't believe you would hide something like this from me! A whole family disappeared into the woods, and you just accepted it as is!?"
Myra stomped as she pointed her finger at the other villagers.
They looked on in shame, some trying to find excuses, some staying silent with their heads hung low.
"We've searched for a long time but found nothing! Who knew something like this happened!"
"You should've asked help from the city!"
"And would they spend the effort to search for a few villagers!?"
"..."
Cyril sighed, looking at the moon above instead.
"Hey."
Suddenly a familiar voice called out from his right.
There, leaning in the same way, was Cosmas, his pitch-black eyes observing the villagers below.
"...!"
Cyril flinched before calming down, occasionally glancing at Myra below. The butterfly on his shoulder worriedly fluttered her wings before growing quiet.
"Don't worry. Your 'friend' won't notice me."
Cosmas waved his hand in dismissal before turning to him.
His face completely expressionless, he stared at Cyril for a few long seconds.
Finally he uttered.
"Why?"
A look of genuine confusion formed on Cosmas's bony, pale face.
"Because I wanted to."
"..."
"Hah, that's certainly a reason."
Cosmas chuckled, a polite smile now on his face.
"It wasn't my project anyways, and I did evacuate people that mattered."
"I am certain whatever it is you are doing, the will approves. So it is what it is."
He nodded in satisfaction, in his eyes, not a trace of hostility.
The sight gave Cyril a bitter feeling for some reason.
Getting a peculiar whim, he opened his mouth with a frown.
"And if I foil more and more of your plans of destroying the city. What will you say then?"
Cosmas shrugged, the smile on his face unchanged.
"I'll say the same. I believe in you."
"Oh, and I must correct you on something."
Cosmas straightened his tuxedo, his voice completely casual.
"We are not planning anything. 'Demons' will not attack the city anymore, dear 'knight.'"
What?
"Don't try to deceive me. In ten years or sooner, you'll attack in full force."
The archdemon widened his eyes, staring at him blankly for a few seconds.
"I would've wanted that, sure. But a clear order came through to 'stop,' and 'the war is over.' It was before your awakening, so you missed it."
"My infiltration of the Tower is the last mission of us all for the foreseeable future."
Cosmas shrugged, his tuxedo messing up again.
"These laboratories don't count. Everyone is just pursuing their personal projects."
"..."
"Believe what you want, do what you want. Call me if you need me, that's all."
Cosmas bowed lightly.
"Have a go-"
"Hold on."
The demon tilted his head in confusion.
"Yes, Cyril?"
"...Where do you get resources for projects like these?"
Cosmas's smile widened as he sent him a knowing glance.
"Haha. Some archons have their methods, while some are getting 'sponsored' by certain noble families."
"...I see."
"Now, have a good night, Cyril. Do you want me to take you to the city?"
"..."
"Haha, alright, bye!"
In a blink of an eye, the archdemon disappeared, leaving Cyril staring at an empty spot.
Soon Rhamn appeared there, meeting his eyes.
"We were warned that demons are cunning. Maybe Cosmas is lying."
Maybe...
He sighed and turned his attention back to the ground.
There, a few villagers were sitting on their knees, listening to Myra's preaching with red faces.
Cyril focused on her lively face. It lacked any of yesterday's bitterness or indecision.
However, she also seemed smaller now.
The sight gave him mixed feelings.
...
As the sun began rising on the horizon, Cyril stood in front of the rickety wooden gate leading into the village.
He calmly stood in front of all the villagers gathered to see them off.
Myra stood to his side, emotionally saying her goodbyes.
A certain distance from them were numerous carriages with guards and rescued prisoners. They patiently waited for Cyril and Myra's arrival.
"Start writing letters!" Polly sternly waved her finger.
Myra retreated for a moment before advancing back with renewed vigor.
"And you be sure to tell me about any problems here!"
Myra patted Cyril's shoulder, her other hand patting herself.
"We are future knights! Whatever problem you have, we can solve it!"
We?
He blankly stared at the hand on his shoulder but said nothing in the end.
After some time of saying goodbye, they finally separated. The villagers, the kids, and the rescued parents all waved from the gates.
Myra walked backwards after Cyril, waving to them in return all the while. Morpho flew in the air, fluttering her goodbyes as well.
Finally they climbed into the carriage, and it soon sped up.
Even once the village disappeared behind the trees, Myra still stared in its direction for some time.
The guards riding with them appeared respectful, if a bit fearful. The ones sitting furthest away whispered among themselves, sending him occasional stares.
Catching another curious glance his way, Cyril met the guard's eyes and smiled.
The guard flinched before hastily nodding and looking away.
He received no more stares this ride.
Are you sure the smile is good?
"Of course! Don't underestimate my ability! It's just that they are shook up by how handsome you are!"
Morpho on his shoulder twitched her antennae in support.
Giving them a suspicious glance, he turned towards Myra.
"Myra, is my smile still unsettling?"
She slowly turned her attention to him and froze.
A bit of red soon colored her face before she turned around to watch the passing trees.
"Not at all. It's... good."
"See!?"
Myra is too biased. We'll see once we are back at Ailanthus.
"Are you going to see your dad before that?"
No. The studies are about to begin.
...It doesn't matter who's saying the truth, Cosmas or Myra. My plans don't change.
"That's right!" Rhamn gave him a thumbs-up, her red eyes shining with approval.
Looking into her eyes, he listened in on the guards' whispers.
"Thorne actually saved lives. Can you believe it?"
"Quiet! ...Yeah, the last time someone uttered this sentence must've been twenty years ago."
"I think we are witnessing the return of a knight!"
"We'll see..."
He heard plenty of whispers in his life, but these were the least annoying.
Cyril glanced at the green outside, ignoring the occasional flashes of familiar paintings in that office, as well as Cosmas's words.
Nature seemed even more beautiful this day.
Let's try to change my image back in Ailanthus.
"It will be easy!"
...
The journey back proved itself much more pleasant for Cyril.
It could've been because of their placement in the VIP car of the train.
Or it could've been because of the gradually increasing mana in the air.
Every hour Cyril felt more and more strength return to his body.
The difference is staggering...
"We should really do something with this issue before committing to exploring the world like we wanted to."
"Myra, you've said you travelled outside the city. What did you do about the lack of mana?"
"Oh. You just get used to it. And there are some manaveins out there too. The Empire is founded on top of the largest one, not the only one."
Ah, that's right.
"What a good thing."
"Speaking of good things... when are we going to get a new family member?"
...Let's talk back at the academy.
"Look, Cyril! We are passing a lake. It means we are halfway there! It looks different at this time of day."
"Morpho, don't eat Myra's snacks."
This train ride was somehow livelier, though Cyril didn't mind it.
By the time they arrived at the city, it was already getting dark outside.