Chapter 144: The Mystery of the Demon Child’s Birth

“Well, it’s well-organized. It seems you’ve truly thought about the situation of both sides, very good, Holy Knight Kleisius.”

“You’re too gracious, Your Highness.”

After responding with humility, the Holy Knight who had proposed his suggestions stepped back slightly. Soon, other clergy members began to speak up, adding further comments or suggestions.

“Kleisius, the captain, has made a valid point. I believe…”

While the others were still fervently discussing strategies, the Priestess, who usually had no interest in military tactics, had her mind wandering elsewhere.

For instance, the Holy Knight before her, who should be a direct descendant of Summerfield but for some reason was concealing it.

It was clear that this Kleisius had a rather radical approach towards demons, adhering to the mantra of “Kill, kill, kill, kill! The enemy must be completely eradicated instantly!”

This oddly reminded Vilyric of the girl she had encountered earlier, who had suddenly turned into a demon on the street.

At that time, to save her, this guy had mercilessly killed another Holy Knight who was accompanying him. Moreover, from the information derived from the investigation into the “Gaze of Iroen,” it was not difficult to infer that Kleisius had likely also protected other children like Eudora, who possessed a latent demon bloodline.

Isn’t that strange?

Why would a clergy member who detests demons so much go to great lengths to protect them? Could it be that Kleisius’s current demeanor is merely an act? Or does he not consider those children to be “demons” at all?

Speaking of this matter, one cannot help but touch upon some questions arising from Eudora.

First of all, this unique hybrid of demons and humans, as verified by some Life Goddess, should not ordinarily exist. In simple terms, there is reproductive isolation between humans and demons.

Moreover, from the similar hybrids Vilyric encountered, most were children of approximately the same age, suggesting they likely came into being during the same time period.

That’s over a decade ago.

In other words, the emergence of children like Eudora is not a coincidence but a result of some people specifically orchestrating it over a decade ago.

Those people “manufactured” this batch of children with latent demon bloodlines using special methods and, whether by mistake or design, scattered them across the Holy Kingdom… at least throughout the vast western lands.

In recent times, they have either sought them out one by one or, right from the initial “manufacturing,” set the stage for the awakening of the demon bloodline around the age of eleven or twelve, like a fuse, triggering a series of subsequent changes…

Earlier, Vilyric had specifically questioned Eudora in detail, and the answer she received was that during her “sickness,” she had not come into contact with any strange outsiders.

As for the neighbors mentioned by Tilysha, when they talked about this matter, they became vague, unwilling to take Eudora to the temple for treatment, nor wanting her to be taken away for cure, such an attitude led to Miss White Fox making a personal visit to inquire about the situation.

After some harmonious and friendly exchanges, Vilyric learned that some unidentified individuals had left a warning letter in Eudora’s home during her early illness, unbeknownst to the girl.

The letter was presumably meant to inform the guardian responsible for Eudora that they should not take the girl to the temple for treatment and to keep her illness under wraps, or else they would bear the consequences.

However, since that bastard had completely neglected Eudora, the letter was instead discovered by the neighbors who later felt pity and came to care for the child. The neighbors, of course, wouldn’t be as tight-lipped as the concerned parties, so the warning in the letter quickly spread among the people.

With such a mysterious warning letter left behind, Eudora’s strange illness naturally became shrouded in mystique, and those neighbors who didn’t have a close relationship with the girl dared not step in and defy the contents of the letter by taking her to the temple.

Yet, they could not bear to see the little girl suffer and die, so they could only attempt to treat her with some local remedies.

But clearly, that was of no use. When Tilysha and her companion suddenly appeared and expressed their intention to take Eudora away, people viewed them as the masterminds behind the warning letter.

And that’s the whole sequence of events.

Therefore, setting aside the unknown origin of the warning letter, there were no investigable breakthroughs from the start, and the letter itself had long been discarded by the parties involved out of fear.

Now what can be known is that behind Eudora and the batch of children, there surely lurks some long-planned scheme, and this incident likely has intricate ties to the various anomalies occurring within the Holy Empire today.

Otherwise, how could it be that at such a critical juncture, they all began to exhibit the mutations known as “demonization”?

That said, Vilyric still didn’t quite understand Kleisius’s reason for adopting and protecting those children, but since the current situation and his stance were not yet clear, she also didn’t plan to confront him straight away.

If… only she could find those people who “manufactured” Eudora and the others.

Just as her thoughts wandered, Yuna and the others nearby seemed to have come to an initial consensus regarding their next actions.

“So finally, regarding this tactic, Miss Xī, as a guest not belonging to the temple, do you have any unique suggestions or thoughts?”

With the voice of the Saintess, everyone’s curious or expectant gazes gathered on the mysterious Miss White Fox, who had scarcely spoken up, always silent, apparently lost in thought but actually just bored and daydreaming…

Thus came a sound mixed with confusion and awkwardness.

“…Ah? Eh?!”

…

“Eh?! So, we’re not going to that flower city then?”

In the luxurious carriage powered by the crystal beasts, upon hearing Miss White Fox roughly outline the upcoming action plan, Miss Renée, with her four white wings fluttering in discontent, immediately began to lament.

“Why is it like this… so unfair! I heard that place is warm like spring all year round, with flowers blooming everywhere. It’s super ~ famous for tourism! The artistic atmosphere is particularly rich, with many talented painters and musicians, not to mention how much delicious food there is! I’ve been looking forward to this for so long!”

“That last sentence is the key, isn’t it…”

Slightly shaking her head with amusement, Vilyric punctured the little scheme of the white-winged girl, then comforted her.

“Alright, after all, this time we’re following the army, not a merchant caravan. You all saw what happened previously; this isn’t some game, it’s a life-or-death war based on the beliefs of two nations and races.”

“How about this, if you really want to explore over there, when the Eastern War ends, I’ll take you on a detour, because we’ll probably be staying in the Holy Empire for quite a while anyway.”

“Woo… I guess that’s all there is to it…”

Ignoring her downcast little sister, Leila, sitting beside her, took the opportunity to chime in.

“Then, Miss Xī, our next stop is straight to the Holy Capital, the City of Angels, right?”

“Yes, I heard that the healing group led by the Redeeming Saintess will also set out after communication, arriving at the City of Angels around the same time as us to combine forces before heading directly to the main battlefield.”

“Although the specific circumstances and timing will depend on the actual situation, nonetheless, it’s clear that the Holy Empire is going all out this time.”

After casually commenting as if it didn’t concern her, Miss White Fox shifted the topic.

“By the way, how have you all been lately? Since that time you took action, have you encountered any strange guys bothering you?”

The girls exchanged glances, and in the end, it was still Leila who shook her head on behalf of the group.

“Not really, maybe it’s because the Saint of Bright Light has given instructions, plus we rarely leave the carriage, so the past few days have been relatively peaceful. If I were to say, the only one who…”

Before she could finish her sentence, however, a familiar and clear voice suddenly rang out from outside the carriage.

“May I ask if Miss Xī is here? I am the Soul of the Lingyin Merchant Association, daring to request a private audience.”

   

---