I jumped down before the carriage stopped and ran up the stairs as fast as I could.

I got a few looks as I dashed through the hallways, but getting the old man up to speed was critical. This was beyond my pay grade. I quickly approached his office and walked inside. He was sitting at his desk with his arms crossed. I paused a moment to catch my breath.

“You’re here earlier than ex-” He began saying.

“Sir,” I exclaimed, cutting him off. “The situation is dire!” And so I gave him the short version.

His forehead creased with increasing intensity as I neared the end.

“This changes everything…” He whispered.

The old man cursed under his breath, his eyes darting all over while deep in thought.

Finally, he stood up, slamming his palms on the desk. “This is a diversion!” He exclaimed, fixing my gaze.

I frowned for a moment. A diversion? Burning the food storage seemed quite the main target.

“I don’t understand… What do you know that I don’t?” I asked.

“I cannot enter into the details,” He murmured, pacing quickly back and forth. “I thought the menace had been removed… The information was incorrect.”

After a couple of rounds, he stopped and sighed, before facing me again.

“Allen Smith! We must secure him, now!”

That person again…

“Him, again?” I said, irritated.

What’s the correlation? The fact that the body-stealing demonic spirit wanted to recruit him?

“Because the demons have an interest in him?” I inquired. “What is it that I don’t know? If he’s a problem, why not simply hold him in a cell, or even better… kill him.”

One less risk factor for my sweet niece.

“It’s not so simple,” The old man said, hesitating whether to say more. Was he going to keep withholding vital facts? “Listen well, this must not leave this room, as every variable might distort the outcome,”

He took a long breath. “There’s a prophecy involved. The recent events confirm that Allen Smith is part of it, and must thus stay alive—and outside the Nightmare God’s influence—so he may fulfill his part in it.”

At a loss, I couldn’t help but stare in silence. A prophecy?

“What exactly-” I started asking, but he hushed me with a look.

“A chance to end the Dark God Feras… for good.” He said, almost in a whisper, his eyes filled with cold determination.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

Ending a Dark God?

Mara’s knives…

What he said next filled my heart with dread.

And so I convinced Corgas to double our prices.

Despite his initial reluctance—my friend was too good a person—I told him it was okay, that Valarest had a backup plan—my vertical farms’ idea—and to milk as much money as he could while the crisis lasted.

Our personal provisions should be safe in the other restaurant since I spelled the door to our private area.

Some slight fear projection for unauthorized people touching the handle. A touch of telekinesis to self-close the door on their faces. A choir of illusory voices warning off against stepping inside. And then a more potent fear projection and nightmarish illusions for those who disregarded the warnings.

So far nobody had experienced the latter. I guess the early magical warnings were enough to spook most people.

Lord Radenrouge must be seething that he can’t have his minions snoop into our private kitchen.

I had prepared that space so that we could cook without having our recipes stolen. That noble piece of shit was onto us with everything new we introduced. Some of our chefs had to be leaking information.

I could only trust Corgas and Elaida, at least until I could afford to employ some of those Oathbinders–or whatever they were called–to magically force my employees not to spill the beans.

I didn’t give a damn about running a restaurant empire, but Radendouche could get fucked. I certainly didn’t want to enrich a piece of shit noble for free. His prices were insane for non-nobles. Fucking asshole failed to follow the proper isekai trope of licensing or buying my recipes and I certainly was not gonna accept a loss. You hear me Radendouche?

I waited to have lunch together with my party. And soon, everyone arrived, Yusdrolir included.

「Allen: Sorry to sour your lunch, but I have to tell you what happened yesterday…」

My friends eyed me in confused silence as I told them about my encounter with ExFeras’ cultist.

They were rightfully concerned about further attacks, given that the food storage had just been set on fire. I agreed I would ask Violet how to ensure they wouldn’t get crossed by nightmare cultists on my pursuit. The demonic worshipers must have had some way to track me, although they didn’t seem to know where I slept. Yet. Otherwise, last night would have been more eventful.

I gave them the key to my room and told them to grab some of the flashbangs, just in case. They would come in handy even against strong opponents.

Since Violet hadn’t contacted me in the morning, I assumed there was no immediate risk, but meeting her was my top priority right now so I left toward the Academy.

Did I need an escort or a place to hide?

This was a great chance to take away my freedom and have me locked up in a hole for my protection.

Why not at least send a messenger to tell me what to do?

Unless… something happened to my secret bodyguards, and she doesn’t know yet. I could almost feel Murphy’s law smirking at me behind my back.

One more reason to hurry.

Against the old man’s advice to take a rest while he managed the situation, I set forth for one last task.

I had to get Ellin to safety, she couldn’t stay near that person. Not with a demon on his trail.

“Busy day, master?” Asked the driver.

Had I been informed correctly since the beginning, I wouldn’t have to fear losing my dear niece.

The implications of what I had been told were momentous.

Did the demons start an early war just to secure the key to the prophecy? That was very possible.

What exactly was Allen’s role in its fruition? Unclear. He was too green to be the main factor in killing a god.

A major Dark God, for Mara’s knives!

And the other details…

I felt increasing drowsiness. The potion effect was waning.

“Stop here,” I uttered to the driver.

“Your will is my wish, Inspector,” Said the driver, slowing the carriage to a halt.

I darted inside the familiar inn, ignoring the owner, and upward toward Ellin’s room.

I knocked hurriedly. Please be here. I heard the shuffling of boots and soon the door opened. She was there.

Blessed be the Light Gods, I breathed out, seeing the healthy and alive form of my niece.

“Uncle?” She exclaimed. “What are you doing here? I thought you were bus-”

“Get inside, quick!” I pushed her inside, closing the door behind me. Her adventurer friends weren’t there. Good.

“Ellin, listen,” I said looking at her in the eyes. “Do you remember what I said a while back?”

She nodded, staring at me with an air of worry.

“We found the culprit. It’s a powerful demonic spirit with the anomalous ability to possess even strong magicians…” I let my words sink in. “His main target is your party member, Allen Smith.”

Her eyes went round, as her mouth. “But.. I thought-”

I held both her shoulders. “Now listen to me very carefully,” Tiredness almost made me yawn. “You absolutely can’t get near him now. Come with me to your parents’ house and stay there until…” I stifled another yawn. “Until we… deha wihh-”

I felt my legs giving away. “Uncle!” Was the last thing I heard as consciousness left me.

I helped my unconscious uncle to the sofa. He looked pale and tired. A stark contrast from his usual energetic self.

Allen was being hunted by a demon spirit who could take over anyone?! A… bodystealer, like the stories!

If uncle came here like this, it must mean something bad is happening right now…

What was I supposed to do? I felt my heart sink.

I couldn’t just abandon Allen! He had put his life on the line to save me…

I should at least make sure he was safe and warn him of the danger. If I could reach him in time.

What if I ran into the demon spirit? I was taught how to exorcise a spirit at the church… But I had never tried it on a real full-fledged possession, I lacked experience. I felt like this task was beyond me.

I slumped down, filled with anxiety. I gripped the couch, squeezing hard.

Only the memory of the past encounter with a demon, in that burning village, was enough to remind me just how scary and powerful demons were.

Uncle’s chest was heaving up and down as he breathed. “What am I meant to do?” I whispered. At this time, Allen would be back at the Academy.

A quick knock came on the door. I twisted around, seeing Namrick and Grastel enter the room.

“Hey, Ellin! We’re here.” Then they noticed me near the couch with my uncle.

“Uh… who’s that? What happened?” Asked Namrick, mirroring the worry he read on my face.

“It’s Allen… He…”

I told them.

I finally reached the entrance of the Academy. I pulled down my snow-covered hood and nodded to the ever-scowling guards.

Today’s weather was turning out to be as angsty as the commoners screaming along the roads. Someone even tried to stop me for whatever reason, but a proper application of 【Project Fear】 made sure I could continue my route undisturbed.

Surely this snowstorm would cool off their temper.

「Allen: Greetings.」

I said as I passed next to the clerks. One of them recognized me and said something to a group of soldiers or guards that were standing there. Those guys had richer embroidery embedded in their armors and mantles.

The most lustrous one, perhaps their leader, approached me.

What now?

「Leader: You are Allen Smith, correct?」

The man said more as a statement than a question.

「Allen: Yes.」

「Leader: We were told you may be found here. You are to be put under the protection of the Crown, urgently.」

I guessed it had to be about yesterday’s attack. A bodyguard upgrade? I wasn’t going to play difficult like those brain-dead novel protagonists making everyone’s job harder.

I felt a sense of relief knowing Violet had taken action, which meant everything was under control.

「Allen: Alright, so you’ll be my new bodyguards?」

I asked the stern-faced guy before me.

「Leader: We have to relocate to the Palace Grounds, follow us. Quickly, your life may be in danger.」

He started steering me back toward the exit.

「Allen: But wait, what about my lessons?」

I got no response. Was there a reason to rush? Since the start of the war, I had seen an upgrade to the Academy’s security.

I thought I was pretty safe here. Who would be dumb enough to attack a place full of guards and magicians?

As we approached the gates, a figure materialized, or should I say we only now noticed it.

An unfamiliar grinning face. The man took out two blades and took a loud breath.

「Stranger: Sssmell that? Fear iss in the air!」

Then he finished with a loud a mad cackle.

Does he think he’s some sort of anime villain. Cringe as fuck.

The two guards at the door regained their composure after the sudden appearance and moved in to block his way.

「Halt! Who are you?」

* SWISH *

The newcomer moved in a blur, at the same time my bodyguards shoved me behind them.

「Allen: Hey!」

I fought to regain my balance.

I saw the heads of the door guards hit the floor, sliced clean off. Blood quickly spread all over.

「Allen: Oh…」

That didn’t look good.

Adrenaline kicked in, sharpening my senses.

Several onlookers let out surprised screams and began panicking.

「Leader: Protect the target! I’ll hold him off.」

Shouted the leader, unsheathing his sword and standing on the ready.

「Stranger: I have come to get your anssswer~!」

The attacker shouted with glee. Who was he talking to?

Me?

What the fuck? Another nightmare cultist?!

「「Yes, sir!」」

My other bodyguards sandwiched me between them and started running in the other direction.

I could but comply.

And then, all hell broke loose.

I had a bad feeling.

“Why are we stopping? We aren’t there yet!” I asked the carriage driver.

It had been fortuitous to find Uncle’s carriage just outside. The driver, who was a former member of the family’s staff, had recognized me and agreed to deliver us to the Academy before going back to collect my uncle.

“Apologies young Miss, but there appears to be some commotion up ahead. We can’t continue further,” He said apologetically. “You may consider continuing the last stretch by foot.”

And we did so.

Namrick helped me down.

“Thank you,” I said, and he nodded back.

Grastel hopped down and peered on, through the snowstorm. “What’s going on up ahead? All this snowing…”

“Let’s go take a look!” Namrick yelled, moving ahead with a jog.

“Do we even have a plan?” Asked Grastel.

Neither I nor Namrick replied.

“Okay. Great plan.” He murmured drily.

We reached a line of soldiers trying to keep order and pushing people away from the streets leading to the Academy.

“Hey, you three! It’s dangerous. Stay away!” A soldier shouted at us, moving in to block our passage. “Nightmare creatures are prowling about in this area!”

Nightmare creatures? I shivered, and not due to the cutting cold wind.

“We’re adventurers! We can help.” Yelled back Namrick, standing his ground.

The soldier shrugged and signaled the others to let us pass. “Try not getting underfoot!” He yelled back at us as we moved on.

It was hard to make out much with all the snow swaying around us, but it appeared that soldiers and mages were not focusing their attention on the Academy.

In fact, when we caught sight of it, there was no one standing guard. There were scorch marks just outside. Many footsteps were still clearly visible in the fresh snow.

“A fight happened here. The defenders gave chase to whoever attacked, in great numbers,” Grastel knelt down to inspect something, and we slowed down beside him. He pointed at some marks on the snow.

“These footprints are unfamiliar. Could they belong to the nightmare creatures the soldier warned us about?” He stood up. “Anyway, all the tracks lead away from here. They must have driven them away.”

Perhaps the attackers had been repelled, and Allen was safe inside.

“Let’s go!” Namrick spurred us on.

We reached and passed beyond the gates. We had to be close enough to use the rings to communicate.

Allen! We’re here! Where are you?! I sent through the ring.

Please be safe…

A short silence ensued, during which only our footsteps and my heartbeat could be heard against the frenzied snowstorm. We were just a few steps from the entrance…

Suddenly, Namrick tripped over something. He quickly turned into a roll to recover his footing, but we all stopped when we saw what it was.

A dead body covered in snow.

Grastel hesitated just a breath before rolling the body over to take a better look. I stood there, my mind blank before the dread settled in.

“No blood… I see dark spots, a magic attack?” He said.

Something moved in my peripheral vision. I jumped, twisting in that direction.

“What-” Grastel’s voice died down.

A dark shape emerged.

It just looked… wrong.

A keening noise filled my mind and made goosebumps prickle across my whole body.

The shape moved close, I wanted to run. But I couldn’t.

I was paralyzed. My body wasn’t responding!

“Don’t look at it!” Namrick shouted, dragging us forcibly. “Inside!”

The loss of eye contact interrupted the keening and I clumsily regained control of my movements.

My heart was beating so fast it could explode,

It all happened in a breath, but it felt so much slower.

Together, we dashed through the entry door, thankfully not locked, and shut it behind us.

I had felt it.

I had felt that creature drawing closer. My limbs were shaking.

A loud bump against the door made us jump backward.

We waited for several breaths. Expecting the nightmare to burst inside any moment.

Had I made a mistake coming here?

But nothing happened.

It was then I noticed. The hall wasn’t as bright as usual. The silence behind the hissing wind was almost oppressing.

And the place smelled of death and smoke.

I conjured an illusory light, almost regretful for doing so.

We weren’t ready for what we saw. The shapes, that didn’t seem real in the low light, manifested in all their horror.

The blood… The dismembered bodies. And the smell of burning. The dark spectacle made me nauseous.

We froze in place.

What… What happened? I wanted to say, but my mouth didn’t move.

“This…” Grastel tried to say, but nothing else came out.

Even Namrick looked uncertain.

My illusory light winked off. It was too much. Never had I seen so many people so horribly butchered. I felt sick, the bile rising toward my throat.

All I could do was turn away and puke on the floor. I thought adventuring had prepared me for this. I pictured myself able to stand my ground in any situation.

I was wrong. I blinked away the tears building up in my eyes. Keep it together!

“Ellin, how are you?” Namrick asked with a whisper, his hand clasping my shoulder.

“F-fine,” I lied.

I reignited the mana light, trying to look away from the worst.

“We can’t get out,” Stated Grastel. “That thing outside…”

“Stay away from windows and doors,” Namrick said, steeling himself. “If anything happens, I’ll buy you two time to run.”

Everything looked so.. sinister. So hopeless.

Allen… Please… I sent again, my last embers of hope waning as the cold reality washed over me.

Had we come too late?