"…What nonsense are you spouting right now? A demon?"
Bella looked utterly dumbfounded.
"Fernan!"
Even Ruina was flustered by the sudden outburst. But Fernan didn't care.
"Ruina, leave it all to me."
"…You're saying you know just by looking once?"
"I found a definite clue."
"Are you serious?"
"What the hell are the two of you talking about?"
"Bella Hoenne."
Fernan's voice dropped low.
"I know this is shocking. A demon, tainted by demonic energy—it must sound ridiculous."
Bella's eyes grew sharper, as if to ask if he really understood.
"But you have to trust me completely."
"That doesn't make any sense…"
"If you can't trust me, then trust your friend, Ruina Berchef. Has she ever harmed you or lied to you for no reason?"
"…That's true, but…"
A demon?
Bella began to suspect that her kind friend had fallen for Fernan's silver tongue and was now spouting nonsense.
Honestly, that seemed the most plausible explanation.
"No."
"What?"
"I didn't brainwash Ruina or anything."
"…How do you know that?"
"Come on, Bella. Do I look like someone who would fall for that?"
"I mean, no, but a demon? That my head is full of demons? That's crazy. How can you say something like that so confidently without being insane?"
Though demons hadn't appeared in a thousand years—and humanity had mostly forgotten them—they were still a symbol of fear.
Monsters who once nearly brought the continent to ruin.
A cursed species the first emperor had warned about.
Though their name had long since lost meaning, the fact that inquisitors still existed proved they were real.
"I'm saying this because I do believe your head is full of demons."
"You two have clearly lost your minds. Otherwise, none of this makes sense!"
"We'll know whether we're crazy or not once we get to the temple."
"And why are we going to the temple?!"
"The temple mages are more sensitive to demonic energy than anyone else."
There was no such thing as divine power that countered demonic energy like in novels or plays.
But the Dragon God Cult had long since crossed an irreversible line with the demons in the struggle over dominion of magic, and a thousand years ago, they had been the most fervent demon exterminators.
That policy continued even now, with the development of artifacts and spells specifically for tracking demons. If anyone in this world could find a demon, Fernan would undoubtedly bet on the Dragon God Cult.
"If they find demonic energy in your body, that means we're right. If they don't, then you're right."
And then, he added with a firm declaration,
"I'll offer you a proper apology—on the name of Fernan Pellenberg."
"…Your neck seems a bit stiff for someone who's planning to apologize."
"Well, I haven't done anything wrong yet."
"..."
"Bella, just this once."
"Ruina…"
Honestly, Bella couldn't make sense of the situation. Everything was so sudden and absurd.
She had never even seen a demon, and now they were saying she made a pact with one?
'Could this all be a demon's prank?'
Maybe she was actually asleep in bed right now, and all of this was just a nightmare created by a demon.
Unconsciously, Bella pinched her own cheek.
"Still not a dream."
"…You're annoyingly sharp."
Rubbing her stinging cheek, she asked,
"So what are you going to do if there is demonic energy?"
"We'll purify it. That's the only option. I have no intention of turning you over to the inquisitors. Ah, though we'll have to investigate your movements."
"My movements?"
"We need to know where the demonic energy came from so we can respond properly."
"Haven't you already looked into that?"
"Shh, Ruina. Staying quiet right now is how you help."
"…I see."
'…Since when did those two get so close?'
Bella let out a dry laugh as she watched the two whispering like a comedy duo.
Even though the topic was serious, it honestly didn't feel real.
How could anyone easily believe that demons and demonic energy, long gone for a thousand years, had suddenly reappeared?
"…Fine. Let's go. I've got nothing to hide. But if nothing's found, you'll have to apologize to Ruina too."
"To Ruina?"
"Yes. You dragged poor, innocent Ruina into your weird scheme."
"That's a bit of a misrepresentation, but if you insist, I'll do it."
Screech—Bella shoved her chair back roughly and stood up.
"Well? Are we dragging this out or what? If you're so eager, let's just go now."
"Hold on a moment."
"What now?"
Fernan pointed at the half-full glass on the table.
"If we're going, at least finish what's left. That coffee was made with the finest beans from Mount Argond."
Slurp. He sipped the coffee appreciatively.
"Did I really see it correctly?"
Fernan and Ruina walked a few steps behind Bella, keeping some distance.
"You did. You saw it clearly, and your friend is tainted by demonic energy. Of course, it's so faint that she's not at risk of losing her mind like Berian."
Even so, traces of demonic energy remained. Unlike Berian, who had completely succumbed, Bella's case was a slow accumulation.
"If it's true… then Bella…"
"That won't happen. She didn't form a contract with a demon, and the infection happened without her knowledge. That's exactly why we're going to the Temple instead of the Inquisitors—just in case."
They might be able to deal with the Dragon God Cult's apostles, but not the Inquisitors.
The Inquisitors existed solely to destroy demons. With no demons around, they'd become almost obsolete—and would do anything to regain power.
In fact, there had even been past cases where they fabricated evidence of demons.
If they brought Bella to the Inquisitors and demonic energy was detected, she'd be as good as dead.
Naturally, her relationship with Ruina would fall apart, and Aint might get involved too.
That was the one thing Fernan couldn't allow.
Bella must live. She has to survive, detect the demonic energy, and become the proof.
For Ruina's sake, for Fernan—who needed Ruina's favor—and for the continent.
"…Thank you."
"There's nothing to thank me for."
"Can you two stop whispering already? Are you really sure about all this?"
Bella stopped walking and asked gruffly, arms crossed.
"You said we were going to the Temple, but now you suddenly want to stop by every place I usually go. What gives?"
If she hadn't met a demon or made a direct contract, then the most likely cause was that she had picked up demonic energy from a specific location or object.
"If we find the medium for the demonic energy in Bella's usual routine, that would be ideal."
Of course, even if they didn't, it wasn't a problem.
But if they did find something that had injected her with demonic energy, it would make the Temple's inspection all the more convincing.
"Just do as I say."
No need to explain this kind of thing out loud in a public street.
"Did you really just say that?"
"Please, Bella. Just this once."
"…Seriously, Ruina. Once this is over, we need to have a long talk."
"As long as you want."
Grumbling, Bella entered the bookstore. The air was heavy with the familiar scent of paper and books.
"Welcome!"
The shopkeeper greeted them with a bright smile, and Fernan and Ruina followed Bella, browsing around the store.
"Nothing out of the ordinary here either."
Still, Fernan mentally marked it. He wasn't that sensitive to mana—so maybe he just couldn't detect anything.
"You visit often, don't you? Did you finish the book I recommended last time?"
"Yes, it was pretty fun. Especially the ending with Adran and Hella—it really stuck with me."
"If you'd like, I can recommend something else too."
"I'd love that."
After circling the bookstore, Fernan saw Bella chatting with the shopkeeper.
"A book recommendation?"
"Bella enjoys reading romance novels."
"A common hobby."
Fernan was staring at the back of Bella's head when his gaze drifted absentmindedly to the shopkeeper. He seemed like a normal, unremarkable person.
When their eyes met, the shopkeeper looked slightly startled, as if he recognized Fernan. Then he bowed politely.
"An honor to meet you, Lord Fernan."
"You know who I am?"
"As a merchant, how could I not? I frequently get goods from the Golden Turtle Trading Company."
"A customer, huh."
"You've come with your friends. Would you like me to recommend a book for you as well, Lord Fernan?"
Fernan shook his head. He didn't need to buy books—most decent titles were already stocked by his trading company and family estate.
If not, he could always go to the academy library.
"That's a shame. I had something I think you'd enjoy."
"I'll take a look if I get the chance next time."
"Of course. Please visit us again."
And with that, their tracking of Bella's daily routine came to an end.
"Follow me."
"This isn't the way to the temple."
"If we go to the temple and your demonic energy is revealed right away, it'll be a problem, don't you think?"
"You're assuming I have demonic energy? I've never met a demon and I'm not crazy."
After going in a wide circle, they returned to the original café.
"Why are we back here?"
"Just follow me."
More precisely, they went to the 5th floor of the café. There was a hidden room Fernan always used when meeting with Ruina.
"You've arrived, sir."
Someone was already there waiting.
"You're quick."
"If my lord calls, of course I'll come running."
"You're just excited to make money."
"Money is what keeps the faith thriving."
"All in the name of the Dragon God." Jace pressed his hands together briefly in reverence.
"But this one's unfamiliar."
"Jace Vines?"
Bella and Jace recognized each other a beat late. Fernan didn't bother introducing them and moved straight to business.
"Yes, instead of going to the temple, we'll confirm things through Jace. You brought it, right?"
"Of course. I guarantee there's nothing more reliable for detecting demonic energy or demons than what our Dragon God Cult has developed. We've been refining it steadily for a thousand years."
Though demons had vanished, the Cult had always remained vigilant—because of a prophecy from the first High Priest that the demons would one day return.
"So it can detect all demonic energy? Even a tiny bit on the street?"
"Sir, do you have no conscience?"
Jace chuckled.
"Unless the energy is fairly concentrated, you can't detect it without contact or a ritual. Not with current magic technology."
"Too bad."
If it could pick up on any surrounding demonic energy, they could track down the source right away.
"But did you really sense demonic energy? Why all this, suddenly…?"
"There's someone who's been infected."
"Who—wait, not her, right?"
"That's right."
Jace tilted his head, incredulous.
"I don't feel anything at all, though."
"That's why I told you to bring the artifact."
"You're seriously claiming she made a pact with a demon?"
"She didn't."
"Then why are you so sure there's demonic energy?"
"That's exactly what I'd like to ask," Bella chimed in.
Both Jace and Bella stared daggers at Fernan, who simply crossed his arms and gave a small nod.
"We'll know once we check."
"Well, since you're paying for the artifact, I have no complaints. Still, it feels like you're overreacting this time, sir."
Jace opened a wooden box from his coat. Inside was a transparent crystal orb.
Countless minuscule rune characters were etched across its surface.
"Well, you're the one paying, so let's begin. Miss?"
"Just call me Bella."
"So you're Senior Bella Hoenne. Please feel free to speak casually. Would you place both hands on the orb?"
Bella laid her hands atop the crystal. When Jace placed his own on the opposite side, the runes began to glow.
"Mana will seep into you and observe your internal state. Please don't resist it."
"Simple enough. Let's get this over with so I can get my apology."
Mana surrounded Bella's body, and she winced at the strange sensation.
"…That thing can really detect it?"
"In theory, yes. If this can't detect it, nothing can."
Perhaps Ain't Armian or Sir Gardener Alpenfarsen might have other methods, but for now, this was the best option.
"I may not be in a position to say this, but I sincerely hope nothing's found."
"We'll see."
As Fernan gave his vague reply, the mana finished scanning Bella and returned to the crystal orb.
Then—
Woooooom—
With a faint vibration, the once-transparent orb slowly turned a hazy gray.
It wasn't very dark. You wouldn't notice unless you looked closely.
But what mattered was—it had changed.
"..."
Jace stared at it for a moment, then made the sign of the cross and began to pray.
"Oh great Dragon God, today I offer unto you one vile creature who dared to harbor a demon within. Please watch over your servant."
"…What?"
"…Huh?"
Fwoosh—flames flickered in Jace's hands.
"One sinner, coming your way, O Dragon God!"
BOOM!
An explosion erupted.