Cyril Thorne was a demon. The more Luce thought about it, the more it actually made sense.
That weird poker face, that uncanny strength, that strange regeneration. But of course someone so inhuman would be a demon.
So Anna has a vampire as a friend, a demon as a crush, and selfish nobles as parents. Does she have a physique that attracts monsters? How did she even achieve that…?
Luce's red eyes filled with pity, staring into the distance. Though soon, a bizarre thought entered her head.
Maybe it's not so bad. A demon would actually be better than a noble. It's a good thing Anna knows more monsters than humans.
Luce's eyes widened in surprise as she slapped herself on the cheeks.
"What am I thinking?!" she exclaimed under Herman's increasingly confused gaze.
Demons are violent creatures that want to exterminate all life in the city! That's not someone they can befriend or even just reason with!
But that's just what the Empire says about them…
The Empire also keeps vampires in the zoo. Is it really a reliable source of information? She should know better than to trust it.
Luce shook her head, trying to get her thoughts in order. It felt like there were two voices in her head, arguing against each other. It gave her a headache.
"Herman!" she said, putting everything else aside.
"So you will definitely not help me?"
The old vampire stiffened, evading her gaze. "Please, Lucrezia. There is simply nothing we can do. Sometimes, to survive, we have to make hard choices. As you gain more experience, you'll understand."
She will not. If they won't help her, then so be it.
Luce carefully stretched, feeling the state of her body. Miraculously, she appeared to be full of strength, not a trace of the usual weakness that should be there after a strenuous duel.
Must be the result of drinking demon blood. That was an experience she won't forget for a while.
"Herman, leave me alone for now. I need to think," Luce said.
The old vampire immediately bowed down before swiftly leaving the room.
Luce looked around, paying attention to the sounds that had returned with the old man's departure.
Suddenly she noticed a dress lying on the bed.
She slowly looked at her body, finding a burned nun habit there, barely obscured by the blanket.
Without any words, she stood up and wore the dress.
Luce scanned the empty room she was in for any other means of escape, finding nothing.
Whether the demons are actually evil or not doesn't matter. She needs to make sure of Anna's safety. If something happens to her, she won't forgive herself.
Luce's red eyes became sharper as she glanced at the door leading out.
She just needs to figure out a way to get rid of these vampires. They most likely won't approve of her plan.
Luce grabbed at her neck, caressing an amulet in the form of a flower. She closed her eyes and prayed.
"Earth Goddess," she solemnly whispered, "you are the mother of us all and the steward of our world. Forgive me my failures and guide me. Give me the strength to go through this trial."
Her voice was full of respect, void of her usual energy. Luce's whole temperament changed to something peaceful and serene. At this moment, despite the luxurious dress on her, she looked just like a priestess.
Luce prayed without expecting a response. This wasn't a plea from her for the Gods to strike the evildoer and make her life easier. She didn't need to hear a confirmation of her goal. She just wanted to speak.
She was but a simple girl who could live a bit longer than most, and she still felt fear. But with the Gods looking over, this fear seemed so insignificant. Vampires, demons, nobles—it doesn't matter. She had the strength to deal with all of them.
Then, just as she lowered her hands, determination in her eyes, something unthinkable happened.
In her mind flashed something that could only be called a vision.
A brown-haired girl with above-average looks stood in the orphanage's lobby. Her face was somewhat dark as she caressed the bracelet on her arm. She looked healthy.
Then, the image went away as quickly as it appeared.
Luce froze, her expression becoming blank. Somehow, she just knew that what she had just seen was the current state of her longtime friend, Anna Welley. She wasn't harmed, nor was she in danger.
After a few seconds, from Luce's red eyes a few lonely tears began to flow, dropping to the ground below.
"Thank you," she whispered, grasping the necklace tighter.
This must be the Earth Goddess answering her prayers! A vision! Something that only the most pious members experienced. To think that a vampire like her was worthy…
She knew it. It didn't matter to the Goddess that you were a bit different from a regular human. She was Her child. She was loved.
More tears formed in Luce's eyes as she desperately tried to hold them back. Finally, she stopped resisting and allowed herself to cry.
"Thank you, Goddess!" she mumbled through tears and snot, repeating it over and over again.
…
"Hahahaha!" Rhamn rolled on the floor, holding her stomach.
Her laughter, ringing loudly in the room, showed no signs of stopping.
"Can you believe it?! Ha ha, she- she called me a Goddess!"
Cyril blankly observed her, his hands crossed.
"I just didn't want her to come back and sent her an image of Anna. But this is really not too bad! I told you I am divine! Yes, Lucrezia- no, Luce is really not too bad! I like her now."
Rhamn's red eyes were filled with the satisfaction of achieving all her dreams.
Cyril knew what she was so happy about. Rhamn was just retelling him in real time what that vampire was up to.
It seems being treated as a Goddess was something like her fetish.
"Don't say it like that! Ha ha." Rhamn's laughter showed no signs of stopping.
"Is there anything else, Cyril?" a female voice asked him in confusion.
Anna was standing near him, her expression somewhat dark.
"No, let's go," Cyril replied, no longer paying the euphoric Rhamn attention.
He exited the door of the orphanage, Anna silently following after him.
Outside stood Ophelia, behind her a horseless carriage.
She bowed to him, her face as expressionless as usual, then opened the door inside.
"Please," she uttered, her voice seemingly stoic as ever.
Cyril gave her one look, then fearlessly climbed into the carriage itself.
It was already quite late, and he wanted to go back to the academy. Ophelia's carriage was the fastest method to get there, even if it carried a slight side effect.
Anna, blissfully unaware of what's to come, entered the carriage soon after him.