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Anlesa and Flick’s training session didn’t lead to any immediate results, as both expected. Even with the instructions, it was going to take more than that to become even competent.

“Come on, let’s move.” Said Syrus once the children had eaten some small roasted lizards for breakfast.

While they were in the demon territory at this point, the land was still mostly barren but did have a few more trees growing. Tall, lanky trees with ghostly white oak that swayed in the breeze but never snapped no matter how strong the wind was.

“Right.” Jerry turned away from the fire that Syrus had made that burned up the remains of their mess.

[They... are looking better...] (Eva)

[It’s been two days now. Being free from that suffocating environment... the stress of the time there is slowly being released.] (Luna)

[Better, but they still aren’t good.] (Syrus)

They were able to smile when they were together, but the pain could still be seen behind the joyful expressions.

“We should be reaching the core of the demon territory today, right?” Flick asked, with a giddy jump in her step.

Out of everyone here, she was the only one who was actually excited about this journey. Which was reasonable, but it did make the atmosphere slightly awkward at moments.

“We should be reaching the heart today.”

“How long do you plan to stay there?”

“That really depends, but ideally not for long; I have places to be.”

Due to the natural mountain range that separated the Nevald Kingdom, the demon territory, and Arisea Station. They couldn’t just walk around the edge of the territory to reach Arisea Station; they had to go through the heart of what was considered demon territory.

The children stayed close to Anlesa. Going through this unknown land without a speck of civilization in sight was frightening for them in a different way compared to their recent events.

“Getting hungry?” Syrus asked.

Billy answered, “I’m… not sure… We ate earlier, but my stomach feels weird.”

“That’s nerves.”

“But… I’m always nervous…”

“You can be extra nervous. This area is probably pretty different from where you grew up.”

Jerry asked, “You know where we lived, right...?” He knew that she did based on some of the previous conversation but had never asked her directly. “About what it was like?”

“I did; I wanted to visit one day, and I got the chance when I didn’t want to.” Syrus continued with the lie they had told before.

Susan asked, “Did you ever meet Anna?”

“No, I only heard about her from letters, and I sent a few back to Jen speaking about tips for Fire magic.”

Jerry asked, “Was that why she was so good?”

“Can you do the same with Lightning magic with my tips?”

“No?”

“Then no, my letters would be less detailed as they were only my mumblings, and I didn’t know about her progress.” It was weird lying about their past to people who knew Anna, especially awkward for Eva when she heard Syrus praise their past self.

Susan asked, “Do you wish you met her? At least one time” Billy and Jerry’s eyes widened as they looked up at Syrus.

Anlesa didn’t immediately answer. At this point, they could feel the children projecting their own insecurities onto her. If they could only see a person one more time before they never see them again.

“We will always wish to see someone more time,” Eva answered.

Flick didn’t say anything during this back-and-forth between Anlesa and the children, but she was now feeling the awkwardness.

The group of five continued their journey for another hour, and as they walked through the land, the scenery improved.

The wasteland, which had a small splatter of trees, slowly shifted as fields of orange grass with boulders of stone erupted from the ground.

Anlesa hoped but didn’t expect that they wouldn’t run into any demons during this trip. If they didn’t, it could mean this journey would be over faster and they could reunite the kids with their remaining family sooner.

“Hrrmmm. Little Humans. Many, But Few.” A loud voice echoed in the area.

But the chance of not encountering any demons was ridiculously low.

The children tensed up and huddled closer. Flick paused for a moment to judge the situation, but even she placed her hand on the knife on her waist, ready to enter combat mode.

Syrus, who was standing in front of all of them, didn’t even shift her posture as the rest of the group heard a loud sigh.

[Sigh… I wish I had my sword…] (Syrus)

[We can get it back.] (Luna)

[That is a big maybe.] (Syrus)

[Where is the sound coming from?!] (Eva)

[At this point I think demons like being ominous with their introductions.] (Syrus)

[But do you know where it is this time?] (Luna)

[Rubbing salt on my previous failure, but yes, I do know.] Syrus chucked a small, harmless flame on the nearby mountain.

The mountainside came alive as rocks fell and roots were torn up from the ground.

Standing five times Syrus’ height was a being appearing to look as if it was made of smooth rocks and stone shaped into a four-legged being with a humanoid torso and arms, but a large eye in the middle on the chest, and above that eye was a massive horn.

[Did… you know that was there?] (Eva)

[Not until it spoke.] (Syrus)

[A better question is what on Earth is that thing?!] (Luna)

[A demon?] (Syrus)

[We had a snake with insectoid legs, an enchantress, and now this monstrosity?] (Luna)

[The label of demon… does feel very broad… Can these different types of demons even reproduce?] Asked Eva. Demon biology was a massive mystery to her, one that she was curious to know the answers to.

[LILLY!? LANGUAGE!] (Luna)

[HUH??!] Eva squealed, [What did I do?!]

[Haha, don’t worry, Luna just heard something she didn’t want to hear. Don’t worry, let us focus on the demon in front of us.] (Syrus)

“What. Doing. Here?” The demon asked with its non-existent mouth.

[How does it do it…?] Eva was filled with a wonder-filled curiosity.

[Maybe not the time.] (Syrus)

“Passing by, and figured I would say hello to someone who invited me last time.”

“Invited?” The demon wobbled forward, its voice nearly sounding excited.

[We are in so much trouble…] (Luna)

[Maybe not.] (Syrus)

[We went from one fight into another, and now we might get thrown into another one.] (Luna)

[I’ll do my best to pass if such an opportunity does occur.] (Syrus)

“Is that a problem?” Syrus replied.

“Hehehe. Not at all.” The giant spoke.

Jerry tugged Syrus’ pants.

Syrus' hand ruffled up the boy's hair. “Don’t worry, kid.”

Jerry's voice was quiet. “Really–?”

“Human!” An excited female voice yelled out from above. The tense atmosphere nearly shattered with the pure joy released.

[Well… they showed up…] (Syrus)

[Scary how they found us so fast…] (Luna)

The children's eyes widened as the female demon flew down from the sky.

It was the same overly sexual demon from before.

Wearing the same clothes that appeared rocky in look but stretched over the body, covering her top half to her elbows and her bottom half down to her knees.

Her muscles were clearly defined. Still possessed the amber-orange skin that shifted to purple towards her extremities, two purple horns, and the purple feathered wings.

Her skin practically glowed with energy.

“I’m so happy you decided to join us!” She flew around Syrus in a circle with an excited smile pasted across her face.

The trio of children’s eyes widened not in fear but in shock as they watched these demons fly around. A red tinge covered their faces as they saw the demon.

[Puberty has hit.] (Syrus)

[Syrus! Heinous! Disgraceful! Immoral!] (Luna)

[What, did someone not teach you about the birds and the bees?] (Syrus)

[Is reproduction not taught at the church?] (Eva)

[I…] Luna was stunned into silence by Eva and Syrus’s responses.

That discussion was immediately pushed to the side as there were more important matters to handle.

“I guess I did. I am on a bit of a tight schedule, so I can’t be around for too long.” Syrus rolled her head to look at her company. “Escorting this lot home, but since I am passing through, I figured I would drop by.”

Syrus needed to be on good terms with the demon because, based on the last few conversations, she was genuinely worried a fight might break out just because it seemed fun.

“Hehe, good enough.” The demoness giggled. “I’m sure you would like a taste once you see what we have in store.”

“Well, we will follow if you guide the way. Also, keep an eye on these kids; they mean no harm and can’t do much either.” Syrus suggested, along with adding a request.

“Sure.” The demon agreed. “Your other companion then?”

“Eh, that’s up to her, but she is good at running.”

Flick’s eyes darted back and forth, not quite believing what was happening was real.

The demoness turned to the other demon. “Good to see you, Roasjhta. Will you be coming around?”

The demon’s body wobbled back as it lay on the mountain again. “Mayhaps. Sleep long. Body. Slow.”

“If you aren’t around, so be it.” She shook her head disappointedly. “Come on, you lot, let’s provide food before the party.”

Her body swayed in the air as wings barely even flapped, and the party began following her. The children stayed closer than ever to Syrus’ hip in case any more demons emerged.

Flick walked up to Syrus during this walk. “You know.” She quietly whispered. “I hadn’t fully trusted you when you said you had an entry pass here.”

“I’m a very trustworthy person.”

On that note, it wasn’t long before the group made it into the true home of the demon territory.