Finn sighed. He realized the townspeople were extremely stubborn.
"Take me to the church," Finn decided he needed to see the church himself. He didn't believe the mayor's story.
"Alright, let's go," The mayor put on his coat and led Finn towards the church.
As they left, Finn saw a crowd surrounding a girl with white hair.
"What's going on?" Finn pointed at the crowd.
The mayor recognized the girl and showed disgust.
"That's the demon's sister. She's probably becoming a demon too! She dares to show her face here?"
The mayor stormed towards the crowd, and Finn followed.
Angry shouts filled the air.
"Get out of this town, demon!"
"Get out of here! Are you here to hurt us?"
"We won't give you a grain of food!"
Some people held shovels and forks, menacing the small girl.
"I just want to buy food and medicine! Please, we haven't eaten in two days! My sister is very ill!" the girl pleaded.
After being driven out two days ago, they'd found a cave but had no food. Their sister went to find food, but she returned injured after encountering a powerful monster.
Now, their sister was injured, and they were starving. The youngest sister secretly took their savings (10,000 Jewels) to buy food and medicine.
But they were surrounded by the townspeople.
Why were these usually kind people so cruel?
The girl didn't understand.
"Give it up," a middle-aged man shouted.
"It's better if the demon dies."
"Get out! We don't want you here!"
"Get lost, you're disgusting!"
The girl knelt, tears streaming down her face.
"Please, let me buy something. My sister…she's very ill…please…"
This didn't evoke sympathy but angered them.
"I told you to leave!"
A stone hit the girl's arm, causing a bruise.
She cried out. She tried to see who'd hurt her, but the people were bathed in the setting sun's glare.
"My sister isn't a demon! She saved you! She defeated the demon!" the girl shouted, filled with resentment.
This angered them further. They threw things – vegetables, fruit, stones.
"Since you won't leave, die!"
"The demon's family is also a demon."
Finn's eyes widened. He vanished and appeared before the crowd.
"Enough!!" His roar silenced them. He blocked the flying objects.
The mayor was startled.
"Who are you?"
"Yeah, who are you?" The onlookers were angry.
Finn ignored them and turned to the crying girl. "Are you alright?"
The girl looked up. "Brother, you are…?"
"I'm a Fairy Tail mage. I won't hurt you," Finn said gently.
"Mage! This kid's a mage?" The onlookers were surprised.
"Shut up! I'll judge for myself!!" Finn shouted.
"I'm Finn. I'm here to deal with the demon. Can you tell me what happened?" Finn knelt and wiped her tears.
The girl was still crying but tried to calm down. She knew Finn wasn't going to hurt her.
"My sister defeated the demon, but they say she's possessed. We're family. She's still our sister, not a demon."
"Heh, what about her arm? That's proof of demonic possession!" the mayor scoffed.
"Shut up! I haven't asked you yet," Finn glared at the mayor.
The mayor's face darkened. "Mage, you're here to solve the problem. Why are you helping the demon?"
"Whether she's a demon isn't decided by your prejudice," Finn said impassively.
He turned to the girl. "Can you take me to the church? Tell me what happened."
The girl nodded, wiping her tears. "Okay, I'll take you. But my sister isn't a demon."
"Alright, let's go."
"Mage, you can't trust demons," the mayor said anxiously.
Finn ignored him and followed the girl. The townspeople followed.
"What's your name?" Finn asked.
The girl said, "Brother, I'm Lisanna Strauss."
"Lisanna, that's a pretty name," Finn ruffled her hair.
They reached the church. It was old and dilapidated.
Lisanna pointed. "The demon was in this church."
Finn nodded. "Let's go in."
The townspeople followed the mayor into the church.
Rows of dusty pews lined the church. In the center was a statue of an angel with a large hole in its chest.
Lisanna pointed to the hole. "The demon was on the statue. Flames burned in the hole."
"The demonic whispers came from the statue."
Lisanna turned to the townspeople. "My sister heard about the demon and came to help."
"But that doesn't change the fact that she released the demon," the mayor said.
"Yeah, your sister let the demon out!"
The townspeople started arguing again.
"Enough!!" An invisible blade pressure cut through the ground, creating a large trench.
The noise startled everyone. Dust filled the air.
"I'll investigate and solve the problem. But don't interfere, okay??"
No one dared to object.
Finn nodded at Lisanna to continue.
Lisanna, shocked by the display of power, continued, "My sister told us to wait outside. She went to deal with the demon."
"Soon after, a bright light erupted from the church, along with screams. We were worried and went inside."
"My sister's hand was touching the hole in the statue. The light disappeared."
"The flames and whispers vanished. Then, my sister's arm turned demonic," Lisanna said sadly.
"But she's still our sister. She still cares for us. She's not a demon…" Lisanna grabbed Finn's hand.
Finn had an idea but needed to see Lisanna's sister.
He patted Lisanna's head. "I believe you. Can you take me to your sister?"
"Will you hurt her?" Lisanna asked weakly.
"Haha, don't worry. I won't hurt her. I'll help her."
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