After speaking with the Hawers, everything seemed to blur. The old man couldn't remember a thing about what had happened. It was unfortunate, though Erica had somewhat expected it to turn out that way. During their conversation, they'd mentioned the idea of ascending to Heaven a couple of times - it seemed the thought of changing themselves had begun to take root. That was a good sign.
Yet at that moment, all Erica could focus on was the food. Sagrite truly had the hands of a professional chef, even though everything he made was incredibly simple. Erica had planned on grabbing a few more "bargains," but looking at the couple's humble home and impoverished state, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
The house was modest, isolated from other villages. They had no children. They truly had no one but each other to rely on. Was it stubbornness that kept them living like this?
Erica wrote everything down in a papyrus scroll - details about the mysterious demon from Hell and the mind control incident in the central district. Once finished, she rolled it up neatly and tucked it into her satchel.
She and Lars bid the couple farewell. Even as they left, the two kept thanking her and inviting them to come again. Well, "come again" was a bit redundant - Erica visited often enough already. Partly to make friends, partly to check in on their condition. As for Lars, he cared about nothing but the food.
They headed home - but not inside just yet. Outside the main gate stood two tall guards, statuesque and solemn. One hand gripped a spear, the other a shield. They were clad entirely in black armor, concealing all features beneath. They looked intimidating, but that was mostly for show; they always fought using magic, anyway.
As Erica approached, both guards immediately saluted her in loud, clear voices. One then spoke to her in an ancient tongue, and she responded in kind. After the password exchange, the gates creaked open, the groan of stone echoing. The guard said,
"How did the mission go, young lady? I trust it was a resounding success."
"Is that even a question?" said the other. "Every mission Erica touches turns out flawlessly."
"You flatter me," Erica replied with a bashful smile, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "Well then, I'll head in first. Have a great day, you two!"
She walked down the basalt path toward the house, Lars lying sprawled on her head, eyes half-shut with sleep. Behind them, the sound of the gate closing echoed like thunder. The winding road stretched ahead, heavy with the scent of ash and scorched metal.
"What a stench!" Lars groaned, sniffling repeatedly. That smell alone could jolt anyone wide awake.
On either side of the path stood statues of hunched demons, mouths gaping, eyes hollow - yet somehow, they seemed to glare right at them. Well, they were demons, after all. No surprise there.
The house stood before her now, and the door opened on its own without her touching it.
As soon as she stepped into the main hall, she spotted Halcyon, speaking with a figure cloaked in black and wearing a stark white mask. She handed him a scroll. The figure bowed and vanished without a word.
When Halcyon turned and saw Erica, she smiled warmly and said gently,
"Welcome back, Eri, Lars. How did it go?"
"We finished it, no problems at all," Erica said. "Here's the mission report."
She handed over the scroll. Halcyon unrolled it, scanning its contents, but after a moment, she frowned and muttered to herself.
"A cavern in the middle of the desert? Hmm... sounds like the report I just received. Though, there are quite a few such caverns scattered across the wastelands. Who would've thought that house was connected? You two did well."
"It was nothing, really," Erica said.
"Exactly! As long as there's good food, we'll do anything," Lars chimed in.
Says the one who was begging for backup earlier. Still, Erica had to agree about the food. Having it as a reward made everything worth it.
"You two really are passionate," Halcyon commented with a soft smile. "Take a break now, I'll go fetch your next assignment. Oh! Lona's back too. She's in the lounge."
With that, she vanished.
Erica didn't hesitate. She strode toward the lounge.
The lounge was a massive room carved directly from coarse, black stone. The vaulted ceiling was held up by scorched wooden beams. At the center of the room stood a basalt fireplace, where smokeless blue flames danced coldly, casting long, snaking shadows on the walls. Surrounding it were heavy oak chairs, roughly carved and upholstered in demon beast hide.
There, with her back to Erica, sat a blonde girl resting her head on the back of a chair. She seemed to be gazing at the mosaic murals on the wall - ancient battles and triumphant scenes from the history of House Darker.
She was so engrossed that she didn't seem to notice the door open - or perhaps she simply didn't care. As Erica stepped closer, she realized the girl was fast asleep. So she took the seat opposite her and waited.
Fallon was one of Halcyon's triplet sisters, the youngest among them. Halcyon was the eldest. Fallon's long, wavy golden hair was tied into a low ponytail, cascading down to her knees. Her face mirrored Halcyon's, though where Halcyon's features were gentle and smooth, Fallon's were sharp and defined. She was currently dressed in sleepwear: a loose gray tunic and baggy trousers.
Erica rested her chin on her hands, watching Fallon sleep. Her mouth hung open, and a thin stream of drool slid slowly down her chin. No telling how long she'd been back, but clearly long enough to fall into a deep sleep.
Then Fallon's lips closed. She smiled faintly and spoke, still half-dreaming.
"Why are you staring at me like that, Eri? I know I'm beautiful."
Before Erica could reply, Lars cut in, snickering.
"You look like a mess right now, though. That drool's all over your chin."
Fallon didn't seem to care. She wiped her mouth casually, then laced her fingers together - a sign she was deep in thought. After a moment, she let out a small "Ah!" and said,
"Almost forgot! The folks from the Gluttony Layer keep asking about you - especially that old coot Louis. They even sent you food and materials. Strange how those meat-obsessed bunch learned to share of all things."
"Really? That's the best news I've heard today!"
Fallon sat up properly, crossing her legs. Her deep red eyes stayed fixed on Erica, making the girl wonder if there was something on her face. She touched her cheeks to check, only to see Fallon flash a sly grin.
"Don't bother. Nothing's there except your sweet little innocent charm," she said. "Honestly, you've got an incredible aura. Let me think… You've completed over a hundred solo missions with a perfect record. What's your secret?"
Erica thought for a bit before answering.
"I guess it's like you said. I look innocent, so people trust me."
"…In this case, I think they just drop their guard because you look too dumb to be dangerous."
That hit hard. But it wasn't exactly wrong. Fallon had a way of snapping people out of their delusions.
Just then, Halcyon returned, carrying a scroll. She tossed it toward Fallon and said coolly,
"Your next mission."
"So cold," Fallon muttered. "Let's go, Eri, Lars!"
She reached for Erica's hand, but Halcyon stopped her, speaking in a commanding tone.
"You're going alone. Erica and Lars just got back."
" What's about me?"
" I don't care. Your presence does wonders - makes the place even uglier."
"Ah! That's hurt. But, come on! I'm sure Eri wants to go on another mission, right, sweetie?"
She slung an arm around Erica's shoulder, flashing her an imploring look. Erica didn't really mind, so she nodded. Halcyon sighed and raised an eyebrow.
"And then you'll make her carry you again, won't you? Don't think I don't know about your little tricks."
"That's not using her. It's called mutual benefit."
Two hot, delicious cuts of meat appeared in Fallon's hand. Erica and Lars pounced on them at once. Fallon smirked.
"See? I benefit, they benefit. It's the very essence of a fair demon contract. They call that a wholesome deal."
Halcyon looked like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She rubbed her temples, speaking with Fallon always felt like debating a cunning philosopher.
Indeed, Fallon was the sharpest mind among the three sisters - some might say sly, though in a strangely positive way. But she had one fatal flaw: sheer laziness. She was the kind of person who'd pass out just from seeing a flight of stairs. On top of that, she had a habit of speaking with such tactless wit that even the master of the house found himself bested by her biting remarks.
Before Halcyon could say more, a guard rushed in, announcing that an intruder had been detected. The intruder had bypassed the first barrier but was caught fumbling with the second.
"Bring them in," Halcyon said. The guard hesitated, so she added, "Just bring them. I know how to handle it."
Without further delay, the guard returned shortly, dragging in a child - a young imp with a single horn protruding from his forehead, red skin, and a long tail. His clothes were simple but covered in mud.
He'd been screaming his head off earlier, but upon seeing the three of them, he fell silent. Halcyon gestured for the guard to return to his post. Once he was gone, Fallon was the first to speak, sounding thoroughly unimpressed.
"So? What's the matter, kid? You were making such a fuss outside -now not a peep?"
She received a swift flick on the head and turned to find her sister's terrifying glare. That look clearly said "You're not helping."
Lars didn't seem to care either way, while Erica stepped forward slowly and knelt down in front of the boy, her voice gentle and warm.
"Hi there, little one. I'm Erica. What's your name?"
"…Jarrak," he muttered, avoiding her gaze.
"Well, I've got other things to deal with. I'm leaving this to you two," Halcyon said as she exited, closing the door behind her.
Fallon slumped into a chair, her tone flat.
"Alright, kid. Let's skip the games. Tell us why you're here so we can figure this out."
Fallon always preferred cutting to the chase, but her tone had all the warmth of a dead fish. As a result, things often spiraled into arguments - ironically aimed at the very people who needed her help the most. Jarrak's expression darkened; clearly, he'd had enough.
"This is how you treat someone who need you help?"
"Exactly. It's not like our little 'seeker of help' made a great first impression," Fallon replied coolly.
The boy wasn't about to back down either. He pointed straight at her face and snapped,
"Your guards started it! I saw your house and walked straight toward it, and just as I was near the gate, they arrested me without even letting me explain anything!"
Erica was taken aback. That meant he had passed through the barrier without noticing it - and she hadn't sensed anything unusual either. There were supposed to be guards stationed near that boundary. How did no one notice?
"But you did try to sneak in," Fallon shot back. "Don't tell me you didn't see the guards out there."
This time, Jarrak seemed flustered. He tried to stay calm, but his legs were trembling.
"Well… I was scared, okay? What if they refused to let me in?"
"And on top of that," Fallon continued, "you passed through the fortress barrier without even realizing it."
"Not my fault!" Jarrak replied, puffing up slightly. "Maybe I'm just too strong for it to stop me."
Fallon let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Oh please. That barrier's designed to repel anyone with hostile intent or unstable magic. The only reason it didn't react is because you're so weak it didn't even recognize you. You didn't even know there was a barrier!"
Jarrak's mouth fell open. He looked like he was about to cry. Erica thought that was a bit harsh - even if technically true. Low-ranked demons like him were often looked down on for being powerless, and Fallon's jab had struck right at his pride. Lars, on the other hand, barely held back a laugh. And honestly, Fallon could've said something much worse.
"So that's it, huh?" Jarrak said bitterly, voice quivering. "Even you people look down on us? I thought the Darker family was supposed to be kind, but you're just as cruel as the rest."
"Oh wow, are we doing the whole moral high ground thing now?" Fallon groaned. "I think I'm about to have an epiphany."
Erica quietly approached him, gently guiding him to sit down. She sat beside him, offering comfort, and he surprisingly didn't resist. Only then did she notice a rather strong smell coming from him - thanks to the disgusted expression Lars had been making. Fallon kept going,
"Also, we're not part of the Darker's household. Just their servants. So spill your problem already - we've got things to do."
Jarrak hesitated. He glanced at Erica. Seeing her smile and feel her hand clasping his, he finally spoke.
"It's about my best friend… Louise. He's a sinner. And he's gone missing."
"Hm. A sinner, huh? Go on - how long's he been gone?" Fallon leaned forward, eyes narrowing.
Jarrak scratched his head, his face twisting with frustration. He opened his mouth a few times, then shook his head and forced a strained smile.
"Sorry but… I don't really remember."
All three of them stared at him in disbelief. Fallon's patience snapped.
"What the hell!? Your friend's missing and you can't even remember when!?"
"Don't blame me! I came all the way from the Violence Layer without resting! Okay, maybe I stopped for food once or twice..."
"WHAT!?" Fallon stood up in shock. "You came from there!?" When the boy nodded furiously, she smacked her own forehead.
Erica was just as stunned. There were portals between layers, yes - but they were hard to find, and some only went up or down one level. Climbing multiple layers like that would be a nightmare.
No wonder he looked so filthy. Judging by the state of him, he'd probably spent years getting here. She was starting to admire him a little.
But definitely not with Fallon - Darker's number one slacker, who treats laziness like a masterpiece of art. Not that she looks down on hard work - she just can't handle it.
"I'm surprised," Fallon said dryly. "I thought you were just weak, but turns out you're dumb too."
"What!? Why are you insulting me again!?"
"Because apparently you won't understand unless someone beats it into your head! You could've told your village chief. They could've passed the message up to the Wrath Overseer, and then it'd get to us much faster. But noooo, you chose the dumbest possible way. Brilliant."
Jarrak looked like he was at his limit. He clenched his fists, probably ready to punch Fallon, but Erica still held his arm. He glared at Fallon, voice trembling with bitterness.
"I did try to talk to the chief. But he just laughed and kicked me in the stomach. Everyone else just laughed too, like I was some kind of joke. What choice did I have?"
Fallon's expression shifted. She stared at the ceiling, brows furrowed, then looked back down and nodded. Her voice was softer this time.
"I see... So you do care enough to climb all the way up here for a friend. Guess I was wrong about you being totally useless."
She opened the mission scroll from earlier and blinked at it several times, as if unsure she was reading it right. Erica was about to ask, but Fallon spoke first, clearly annoyed.
"Of course. Of course my next mission's in the damn Violence Layer too."
"Hey! That means we're going to the same place!" Erica beamed. But Jarrak looked less than thrilled.
"So that angry lady's coming too?" he muttered.
"You got a problem, brat?" Fallon shot him a glare.
"Yeah! I'd rather go with the blue-haired one!" he replied, clinging to Erica's arm.
"You don't get to choose!"
Suddenly, Jarrak froze in place, as stiff as a statue. He looked shocked and tried to move, but couldn't. Erica glanced at Fallon - who was smirking. She was controlling his shadow.
"So be a good boy and listen to the elders," she ordered.
Jarrak nodded immediately. His body relaxed and he could move again. He almost cursed, but bit his lip. He'd clearly realized that arguing with Fallon was a losing battle.
A lesson everyone learned eventually, Erica thought to herself.
"Let's get going then!" she said cheerfully.
Erica stood and helped Jarrak to his feet. She glanced toward Lars, only to see him asleep - probably had been for a while. No wonder he'd been so quiet. Then her eyes turned to Fallon, still slouched in her chair like an old lady trying to get up. Erica knew that look all too well.
"Why are you still sitting there?" Jarrak asked, annoyed.
"I am getting up... It's just... this chair is too damn comfy."
Oh no. She's going into lazy mode again!