"Bieeeee...!" Wanxi interrupted the two's conversation, jumping into Bie's arms without care for her current predicament. Casmere revealed a shocked look, looking at the robes the girl was wearing before looking back at Lulac and Gyuho. Gyuho crossed his arms over his chest with a smile on his face, and Lulac raised his hands upwards in a shrug as he shook his head.
"I was so afraid..." The War-Mer was sobbing on Bie's chest, her face obscured by his chest. Although he revealed a somewhat uncomfortable look on his face, he sighed and put his feelings to the side as he patted her back and offered her a warm smile.
Honestly, he disliked being touched under most cases, or at least, that's what he had found out. Bie was willing to make exceptions for people he was familiar with, though, and Wanxi wasn't just some stranger. Moreover, she seemed to be quite distressed as of now, and he thought he knew why.
He looked at the old man who was trembling with ungainful fury, sending him a level stare as his eyes began to glow. The smile on his face seemed to freeze, and behind him seemed to be the shadow of a beast that roared at the priest.
The old man harrumphed, though beneath his robes his body was shaking as a nauseating fear crept up on him. He felt even further discomfort when he realized the boy standing before him was no demon, but rather, a Demon Hunter...and he wasn't ever recognized before! He walked up, introducing himself.
"I am Reverend Juther," His eyes darted to the crying girl who was basking in the warmth of her feelings mixed with the slight coldness of Bie's body. "You seem to be acquainted...however, I would require her to return with me."
"For what reason?" Bie's voice was soft as he spoke, cooing in an attempt to help calm down Wanxi. The illusory beast behind him hung down and turned into a cold smile, only noticeable by Casmere and Juther. He was also exerting nigh indomitable pressure, the suppressive effect and power that usually came from utilization of the Cassius Eyes welling forth from his body at this moment.
"Casmere, you should explain what those robes mean to your little "friend." I will report it to the association that you have seen fit to bring unknown Demon Hunters into our mighty capitol!" The old man's wrinkled face contorted into a scowl, and he tapped his cane upon the ground impatiently. To his surprise though, a weathered and burly voice answered in Casmere's stead.
"No need. Why, I would like to know why an unknown girl is in your robes..."
"Hunter Balir! Why, we've inducted her as an Autumn Maiden, and have even given her the Thane Quality! What rights do you have to question the Autumn Parish?!"
A gaunt middle aged yet still handsome man emerged from a shadowed alleyway, a cloak with metal plates and silver trimming slung over his back. On his right eye was an eyepatch, on his head was a tricorne cap. He wore a Victorian style suit that had minor tears in it, and swathes of his face and the skin on his body were covered in bandages. The flesh that was exposed had long, thin scars, and in his mouth was a cigar that seemed to leak dark green wisps of smoke.
"It is my jurisdiction as headhunter to know who comes and who goes in our "mighty capitol", Juther. Whether you like it or not. Casmere, I would like to question the Demon Hunters that you have led here?"
"Hmph, three Demon Hunters they are. Mutated beings unfit to be recognized as human..." Juther scoffed, adding along to Balir's questions with his own prejudice. Balir turned to him, green murky haze illuminating his blackened hair as he spoke his own question in turn.
"Your maiden has the ears of a fish. Care to explain?"
"An unfortunate result of having to live outside with the...savages. She probably consumed some horrible corpse out of desperation!" He revealed an irritable look as he spoke in an annoyed manner, waving his cane as he spoke. Casmere's brows furled in vexation as his cloth trembled, and he could maintain his silence no longer.
"You'll twist whatever word your "blessed" tongue can come across. For those in your fold it is mere desperation, for our people it is unquestionable heresy. You sicken me, holy man..." His baleful eyes held intensified hostility, and his wheel began to spin as his ire reached it. Balir held a bandaged hand outwards, and the burgeoning power that threatened to rise was quickly halted.
"Enough, Casmere. And you, Juther, your words make no sense."
"Why should I care for the opinion of a bastard who hides under bandages so that the few human parts of his body will remain recognizable to family!" Juther huffed, his robes billowing as veins bulged on his face. Balir was annoyed, and sent him an icy stare as a dark green aura suffused his form, but was quickly dismissed by him.
"Twisted words from a holy man. Casmere, bring the four with you to the questioning hall of the Hunter association. I have reason to question these strangers, what with the increased children of Gant sightings."
"How dare you! I will have a word with Hugo Iberrfal!"
Casmere held his hand over his chest and bowed, his face upturned to glare at Juther. "Please do, and tell the master that his disciple has returned." Juther couldn't take it any longer and left in a stormy hurry, his face showing the fact that he was fuming.
"Wily old bastard." Balir tunred back, refocusing on the four children. Wanxi had stopped sobbing and was giggling as Bie pet the back of her head before softly pushing her away. The girl stayed by his side though, enduring the questions Lulac was asking her and calmly answering. Gyuho gave a knowing smile and sent her a nod of support, thinking back on the tournament and remembering her fixation on the baby blue kid.
"Right. Casmere, come with. You are the only trustable testimony I need, and the four will sit outside the questioning room."
"Of course, Hunter Balir. I will vouch for them by telling you all that I know."
The two exchanged respectful looks before the six people made their way past the rundown city, Bie taking in all the ruined architecture that still revealed traces of beauty.
'This capitol must've been an extravagant place, once. But now, all it has to show are broken buildings and saddened faces.' He took note of all the differently covered folks, the people with nothing but sadness, and the disdainful clergy. Scanning all of them with a curious and yet distant gaze, he wondered how exactly things had come to be this way. Maybe like the Renthians, they were more content to kill each other and cast out those who didn't align with them rather than help those in need.
They arrived at the tall gothic building that pierced into the skies, going inside and taking a left into a dark corridor lightened by a flickering torch hung along the stony walls. Casmere and Balir entered a grand looking room, and the four Guides obediently sat outside of it.