'A pure and concentrated sin given a monstrous form...'
Seth turned the phrase over in his mind, finding it strangely clinical and chilling.
It was such an odd, detached way to describe a demon.
In his original world, demons were portrayed very differently.
They were ancient, evil entities from hell, tempting humans and seeking to claim souls through deals and corruption.
They were external threats and corrupters of morality.
But here? A demon was just a failed human, a soul that wasn't cleaned up in time.
It was a municipal problem, like a garbage strike leading to a plague.
The sheer practicality of it was somehow more terrifying than the biblical knowledge he was used to...
Not to mention, it was real and it existed here!
That made it all the more terrifying!
Given Phoebe's explanation of witches as sin-eaters and demons as spiritual waste products, one question rose to the top of his mind.
He decided to be direct.
Playing the part of the confused amnesiac was his best tool right now.
He slowed his pace slightly, turning to look at Phoebe with what he hoped was an expression of innocent confusion.
"Can I ask... why was I buried alone in that forest?"
Hearing this, Phoebe's expression immediately grew cold.
The relaxed, explanatory tone she had held moments before vanished.
A subtle tension tightened her shoulders, and she went completely silent for a few seconds.
The only sound was the crunch of their feet on the gravel path.
Seth had considered investigating this on his own.
Sneaking around and perhaps looking for clues.
But that was risky.
This was better.
By asking directly, he was reinforcing his role: he was just a lost man seeking answers.
It made him seem harmless, not a threat trying to cover his tracks.
Finally, she spoke, her voice carefully neutral.
"Your sister was the one who insisted. She told me it was your final wish. She said you loved that forest as a child, that you played there often. It was a special request from her, to lay you to rest in a place you held dear."
Seth simply nodded, keeping his face a blank mask.
"I see."
He murmured, looking away as if digesting this information.
Inwardly, his mind was screaming.
'That's a lie. A really, really bad one...'
The thoughts in his head spun rapidly as he analyzed Phoebe's answer...
First, Phoebe had clearly stated his hometown was hours away from Matamisan City.
What kind of childhood memories could he possibly have in a random forest so far from where he grew up?
It made no logical sense.
Second, the keyword was "often played."
That implied frequent, repeated visits.
How could a child frequently travel hours away from home just to play in a single, specific woodland?
It was absurd.
And third, the forest itself.
He remembered it clearly...
The forest had a very oppressive silence... like the feeling of being completely cut off from the world.
It wasn't a friendly, sun-dappled woodland for games that children would usually play in.
It felt more like a lonely and forgotten place.
What sane person, let alone a child, would choose to "often play" there?
A one-time adventure, maybe.
But a cherished, frequent playground? Never.
Every thought in his head told him the burial site was chosen for secrecy, not for sentiment.
The real reason was being hidden from him...
But he couldn't voice any of this.
To question her would be to reveal that he was analyzing her words, that he wasn't the blank slate he pretended to be.
So, he did nothing.
He simply let the silence stretch, his gaze fixed on the distant end of the street where the city lights began to blur together.
...
After they finished at the telegram office, where Phoebe sent a carefully worded message urging his sister to visit Matamisan City, a heavy silence fell between them on the ride back to the Linere District.
Seth's mind wasn't really all that calm...
He was about to meet more people who supposedly knew him, and he had to keep up his amnesiac act...
They finally arrived at the familiar house.
Nothing seemed different from the outside, but as they approached the door, Seth noticed Bella, the small white dog, peeking from behind a bush.
The moment the dog saw him, she let out a tiny whimper and darted under the porch.
'Still scared of me...'
Seth noted with a sigh.
'What is it about me that spooks her so much?'
His thoughts were interrupted when Phoebe paused, her eyes on a pair of worn leather boots and a smaller set of sandals placed neatly by the doorstep.
"It seems my mother and sister are home."
The moment Phoebe pushed the door open, the sound of low, choked sobbing reached them.
The atmosphere inside felt like it was filled with sadness.
"Mom? Fate? I'm back."
Phoebe announced, her voice softening.
She slipped off her own shoes and gestured for Seth to do the same.
"Seth's going to be staying with us for a night or two. That alright?"
Seth stepped inside, his gaze immediately scanning the room.
His eyes landed on two figures on a worn sofa.
One was an older woman, slightly plump, with the same dark hair and eyes as Phoebe.
Her face was streaked with tears, and she clutched a handkerchief tightly.
The other was a slim, teenage girl with a sharp, toned nose and wary eyes.
The family resemblance was clear.
The crying woman must be the mother, Seth deduced.
And the girl is definitely the sister, Fate.
Although, Seth could not really tell who was older between Phoebe and Fate...
"Hello, Seth."
Fate greeted, her voice flat and her eyes briefly flicking over him before returning to her mother.
There was no warmth, but no hostility either.
It was as if his presence was just another fact of the day.
It seems that this family did not really mind visitors and were quite welcoming...
The mother, hearing his name, seemed to remember herself.
She quickly dabbed at her eyes with the handkerchief, forcing her sobs down with a visible effort.
She offered Seth a watery, fragile smile.
"Oh, my apologies for this sad sight, dear. Please, make yourself at home. Of course, you can stay."
She stood up abruptly, smoothing down her dress.
"I'll... I'll make us something to eat. Warm up the atmosphere a little."
She hurried off to the kitchen, leaving a heavy silence in her wake.
Phoebe and Fate exchanged a long, silent look.
It was a whole conversation without words, filled with a shared understanding and a deep, familiar worry.
Seth felt like an intruder on this family feud...
Seeing the tension,
Seth knew this wasn't the time for introductions or awkward questions from the "amnesiac."
He needed to give them space.
"I assume you all need some privacy."
He said gently, taking a step back toward the hallway.
"I'll just be in the living room if you don't mind."
He didn't wait for a reply, retreating to give the family their moment.
As he left, he couldn't help but wonder what tragedy had befallen this family.