Quite a bit of time has passed since Eve left, and Roselia had already finished most of the documents needed. She is just waiting for them to be collected and sent to her father.
She stepped out onto her balcony looking up at the sky, the sun has completely gone down and the moon has risen. Stars spread across the sky, like multiple flickers of white paint from a paintbrush, onto a solid black canvas.
She suddenly recalled what His Majesty and the Crown Prince were saying, "Today is the Blood Moon Night huh..."
The Blood Moon Night is a once-in-a-year event where demons of different ranks from the underworld are way more active and strong. Unlike any other night, when a Red Moon Night happens, the moon itself is covered in a blood-like color.
The light from the moon can influence the demons roaming on land and make them stronger, not that they were not already strong demons in the mortal realm.
"I hope Eve and her family are safe," Roselia said quietly as she brought her hands together to pray for the safety of the Seiza family mages.
Considering the Seiza family is one of the most prestigious mage families in the Elftarise Empire, they have the highest number of GrandMaster Mages in their household. Graduating at the top of the Elftar Magic Academy, they are respected all around Elftarise, alongside the Hogan family, for protecting the citizens and the Emporer of the Kingdom. It was kind of strange that amongst the other Blood Moon Night, they were struggling to seal the demons for tonight.
Roselia opened her eyes and looked up at the moon again, noticing something strange about it. As chills went down her spine from the howling winds, she noticed that the red light emitted by the moon was way brighter and blinder than usual, much like a solar eclipse.
With a brighter and much more blinding light emitted, the demons can absorb more power and influence from the moon.
"Was that the reason why the Seiza family mages were struggling," Roselia mumbled to herself as she continue to look out from her balcony.
.
A knock on her door could be heard from her balcony, "Lady Roselia, I'm here to collect the reports for the duke."
"Come in," it was Amy. She came into the room, and unlike how she would normally dress, in a maid's uniform, since she was not on duty, she came in with her casual gown.
"Amy, I'll come with you to deliver the documents to Father, and afterward, care to join me for a night stroll?" Roselia turned around as she came back into the room, closing the door to the balcony right behind her.
"I do not mind Lady Roselia but isn't it a bit dangerous to go out now?" Amy questioned.
"Didn't my teacher put up the protective barrier today?"
Roselia's teacher, one of the only few mages who was able to achieve the GrandMaster rank within a short period, loves to live in seclusion in her tower indulging in her experiments. She taught Roselia alchemy and medicine when the duke introduced her.
"Yes, but-"
"Then it should be fine to go out right?" Roselia stopped Amy from talking and continued to walk towards her desk, handing the documents to Amy.
.
"Father, I'm coming in." Roselia entered her father's study after getting approval.
"Oh my sweet child, what brings you here?" Her father, the Duke, stopped whatever he was doing and looked up at Roselia.
"I'm here to bring you the documents I have completed Father." Roselia took the documents from Amy's hands and placed them on the table.
Her father took her documents and looked through them thoroughly, "I see that you have finished most of tomorrow's documents as well." His hand slowly flipped through the pages while looking in detail. After finishing one, he placed them at the side and continued checking the other documents that Roselia had given to him.
"Yes, Father, since I'll be heading out tomorrow, I decided to finish some of it today," Roselia explained.
"Hm...okay, the reports have been nicely received, your schedule can be cleared for tmr...but... where are you going so late in the evening?" Her father looked up at Roselia and placed his fingers on his chin.
"I'll be going out for a stroll in the garden," Roselia explained.
Nodding, her father replied, "Though you will still be in the garden, please be careful since it's Blood Moon Night today. Luckily, your teacher's barrier should be strong enough to withstand the dangers it might bring."
"Yes, Father. I'll be taking my leave then." Roselia bowed and left the study.
.
As Roselia stepped out to the garden, the night was cold, the wind flowing past Roselia's hair. Amy helped support Roselia, "Lady Roselia, please be careful."
Roselia and Amy continued walking around the Manor's garden when suddenly...they heard a loud sound. "My lady! Up there!" Roselia looked up in confusion and saw a small crack in the barrier.
"Teacher's barrier should be strong enough but why..." Roselia muffled to herself.
"Amy, let's head there," Roselia held Amy's hand and dragged her towards the source of the sound.
The two ladies reached the barrier to see the damage. Luckily the barrier itself was not shattered, it was still standing, with a small crack at the side.
"Look! There's someone over there!" Amy looked around and saw a floating shadow a few meters away from where they were standing.
Roselia turned her head to look at where Amy was pointing. She thought that Amy was joking but there lay someone! Floating? Sadly, the figure itself was not recognizable under the night sky.
"I-I t-think we should head back! It must be a demon! Let's go and alert the guards!" Amy exclaimed, tugging at Roselia's arm, however, Roselia did not move an inch and continued to stare, squinting, at the figure.
"Wait- let's wait and see what's going to happen." Roselia held onto Amy's arm, tightly, stopping her from calling the guards on duty at the manor.
Still shaking, Roselia opened her mouth, "Something must be wrong with them."
Looking at the figure, they did not look stable, they were floating sideways, and sounds could also be heard coming out from them.
The figure then stop floating and came down.
As they were coming down, they turned around and started walking towards the ladies, limping, and with their left hand, covering their side. Seconds later, in front of the lady's eyes, the figure suddenly fell to the ground with a loud thud.
"Amy, I think they're injured! We need to go help them!" Roselia shouted, running towards them but Amy held her back once again.
"I'm sorry Lady Roselia but I can't put you in danger!" Amy continued to hold back Roselia with all her might.
"But they fainted-"
"Rosy!" Roselia stopped and she turned to face Amy, eyes widened. It has been so long since Amy called her by her name, "O-oh my- I apologize, Lady Roselia!" Amy let go of Roselia's arm.
Roselia then calmed down and replied, "It's fine. Since you're worried, why don't you go call Leo? I'll try and see what I can do with my support magic. Oh yeah, try not to let the other guards know."
"Y-yes Lady Roselia but please...please be careful." Amy then ran off to the manor to call Leo for help. While, Roselia, on the other hand, quickly picked up her pace and continue to run towards the figure.
.