Chapter 36: So-Called Leader
The war with the Abyssal Demon Realm had seen countless elven units fall.
Norma, having been on the front lines, had witnessed it all, and had carved the names of the forgotten units onto her armor.
In a way, they were still fighting alongside her…
Bai, as a former squad leader, understood Norma’s sentiment. She stood up and offered a solemn knight’s salute to the armor.
These warriors, who had given their lives to fight the Abyss, deserved respect, regardless of their race.
“A Dream Demon, saluting like a knight. A strange sight, and so… standard,” Norma chuckled, walking towards the tea table.
“I was once a knight,” Bai said, her gaze following Norma.
“The Vampire Knights? I thought they didn’t accept other races.”
Norma sat down, expertly cleaning the tea table and replacing the used cups with fresh ones.
The Vampire Knights were indeed a special case. While other demon legions accepted members from other races, the Vampires had a strict “Vampires only” policy, and even then, there were bloodline requirements.
It was understandable. Vampires valued their heritage, their noble bloodline far more than any acquired skill.
“Not them, although I have had… dealings with them,” Bai said, sitting down, her gaze shifting to the tea Norma was pouring.
“Oh? That’s even more interesting,” Norma said, placing a cup of tea before Bai. “Please. But be careful. Your tail is twitching. You wouldn’t want to spill your tea.”
“…Thank you,” Bai said, quickly controlling her tail and taking a small sip of tea. “The tea is excellent.”
“No need for formalities. It’s just to quench your thirst,” Norma said, then, in a surprisingly rough gesture, downed her own cup in one gulp.
“Yes,” Bai nodded.
“In three days, at the meeting with the human Empire and the Savage Lands, will you be attending?” Norma asked, her tone casual.
“The trade zone negotiations?” Bai paused. “That doesn’t seem to have anything to do with me.”
“It’s not just about negotiations,” Norma said, her gaze fixed on Bai. “The real purpose is to investigate the explosion you caused. The area of effect was too large, and the timing is… sensitive.”
“…My apologies,” Bai said, putting down her cup.
“Apologies are useless, Captain Bai,” Norma said, her voice low. “The sacred lands have already sent an envoy, likely at the High Priestess’s request. Your situation is… delicate.”
“Is it because of my identity?” Bai’s gaze sharpened.
“Perhaps. Fortunately, besides me, no one else knows you caused the explosion. But after the investigation, that might change.”
She refilled Bai’s cup. “Dream Demons are a forgotten race, but not entirely. I’ve encountered one before…”
“Sister Neily?” Bai blurted out.
Norma paused, then shook her head. “No, not the Vikarn researcher from the human Empire.”
Neily’s name was well known on Solor, at least among the high command. But the Dream Demon Norma was referring to was from a much earlier time.
“In that case…” Bai frowned.
“So?” Norma asked again. “I can get you into the meeting, even onto the investigation team.”
“Lady Norma, why are you helping me?” Bai asked, looking into her eyes, trying to read her intentions.
Her kindness was… suspicious. It couldn’t be just because she was Eleanor’s friend.
And Eleanor’s own fear of Norma suggested otherwise.
“It’s no skin off my nose, is it?” Norma shrugged, pushing the teacup towards Bai. “Drink up, before it gets cold.”
Bai looked at the rippling surface of the tea, then, after a long silence, said, “Alright.”
Regardless of Norma’s motives, she knew the meeting would be dangerous, and the investigation could easily turn against her.
With the Abyss sealed off, the other races were still wary of demons.
If she was exposed, it would cause a lot of trouble.
So, for now, the best course of action was to play along, to conceal her true nature.
Seeing Bai’s agreement, Norma smiled, then, from a nearby rack, took a ranger’s cloak and handed it to her.
“Here. This will conceal your form—at the very least, it will keep your tail from twitching.”
Bai quickly controlled her tail, then took the cloak. “Thank you.”
“A common ailment of Dream Demons. Once you have more tails, you won’t be able to control them at all,” Norma chuckled.
Her demeanor was so different from Bai’s initial impression of her.
She had seemed like a stern, stuffy old… aunt. Now, she was like a kind, gentle older sister.
Norma, as if sensing her thoughts, said, “Sometimes, one must be stern to be a leader.”
“Perhaps Eleanor would prefer you this way,” Bai said, putting on the cloak.
At the mention of Eleanor, Norma’s expression softened slightly. “Eleanor… she’s a good child, but so reckless. And she already has the High Priestess’s gentleness. I can only be the stern one.”
Bai looked out the window. In the distance, Eleanor was waiting anxiously.
“She’s lucky to have you, and the High Priestess.”
“And you,” Norma said softly, then, from under the table, she pulled out several books. “These are the basic theories of magic circles. Although I don’t know why you’re studying elven magic, this should be enough to get you started.”
“Thank you,” Bai said, taking the books, then, after a moment of hesitation, she tucked them into her tail.
The tail twitched, then began to sway gently.
“It seems it’s about time… Lady Norma, I’ll take my leave. No need to see me out.”
Bai stood up, offered a respectful bow, then left the room.
Norma watched her go, then saw Eleanor, her face filled with anxiety, rush towards her, and she relaxed slightly.
She looked down at the small tuft of pink fur in her hand and said nothing.
