The next day arrived with a barely resplendent fluctuation in the sky, letting people know that the sun didn't completely forget them, at the very least. The bleak sky rolled languidly and peacefully, unlike the struggling creatures underneath it. Of course, it couldn't possibly care about the predicament of the mortals beneath its lofty heights, carrying on as it always did.
But where the light of the sky could not reach, there was a room where all but red globes were cloaked in shadow. Not even the windowpane allowed light anymore, the thickened dark miasma like a sludge as it rubbed up against the glass.
In the cold crimson light, the legs of a figure sitting atop a pedestal were barely visible. Folding his hands together behind the rays of the crimson blare, his feet shuffled as one leg was brought over the other. The indomitable pressure exuding from his body reigned supreme in this room...
"I have sought fit to meet with those children today. Lest their accolades bring ruin to their bodies."
The heavy voice of the figure shook the very foundation of the area, the rumbling causing Casmere's kneeling form to shiver. With a nod, he slowly stood up, his face still pointed low towards the ground and a heart over his chest.
"Sir Iberrfal. If it wouldn't displease you, could you please do me a favor?"
"Oh?" The man's voice seemed quite amused, the fluctuating rise of his chest barely resembling a chuckle. He brought a hand along the side of the chair, rubbing the arm of it as his other beckoned as if to allow the demon hunter before him to continue. And so he did.
"Please, contain yourself. And please don't force those children to do anything they don't want to. I can't budge on this."
Casmere's baleful eyes were extremely resolute, and there was a stalwart air about him. With his fist clenched to his waist and a shaking hand held to his chest, he stood as firmly as possible.
The crimson eyed figure arose from the pedestal, making his way before his disciple before looming over him. The red circles suffused a blood-soaked glimmer, and the darkness seemed to envelop his frame in full. Hugo's tall stature was reminiscent of a small giant, and the pressure he carried even stronger still.
"I will honor your request. We will be going, now."
'But that does not mean I cannot trick that boy, correct? Casmere, you have a lot to learn. Hahaha!' Underneath the shadow was a rather tickled expression, the man finding hilarity in his disciple's outright straightforwardness. The expression was quite hidden, however, and diminished completely underneath the reddened glow of his eyes.
Hugo Iberrfal walked past, followed by Casmere. As they approached a paned door, the room itself disappeared into nothingness.
--
Bie was alone in the receptionist area, Lah and his peers nowhere to be seen. The reason why the owl-masked demon (?) wasn't here was odd. She didn't explain when he came in, but he could clearly tell that she was bothered, having hurriedly finished her food with a grimace.
After that, she gave Bie a hug and told him to be careful. Although it wasn't like he didn't know what she was talking about, he didn't have a full grasp on the scope of the matter. What's more, if his hunch was right...this Iberrfal was an existence that he couldn't contest against.
He could hear one set of footsteps, the sound of which distinguished its owner, Casmere. Swiveling his body to meet him, the chair turned and stopped suddenly as Bie's eyes narrowed.
In his line of sight, there was a genial man with a kind, wrinkled face and a hunched back. Long red hair met his shoulders, and his eyelids were firmly shut. Clothing him were simple white robes, lacking adornments or accessories, and it hid a seemingly burly physique.
Although the man had a hunch, he was still as tall as Casmere even with it. Despite the pronounced gentleness about him, his gait was stable and domineering. In the eyes of Bie, it was impossible for this man to be as frail or weak as he attempted to portray.
"You are rather young. How commendable, for one to be so achieved at your age." The man's lips parted; his tone somewhat grand yet respectful. Bie couldn't help but shudder however, feeling as if the words didn't quite fit such a figure. In fact, it came off as a bit forced.
Casmere looked over, and the man sent him a nod. With that, the demon hunter pulled up a chair and sat at Bie's table, eyes alert as he gazed around his peripherals.
"Thank you for the kind words. May I know who you are?" Bie's polite tone held no sarcasm or condescension, despite his skeptical thoughts arising intermittently in his mind. It could be said that he had successfully hidden his doubts so well, only someone who could read his thoughts would know what he was wondering.
"My name is Hugo Iberrfal. I have heard you were a considerable help in dealing with many demons."
"It was nothing much, sir. I'm sure an experienced man such as yourself could have done better?"
"Quite flattering, but there is no need to stay humble. In fact, I have the authority to reward your efforts."
If Bie let his countenance slip, his nose might have crinkled in disgust. His blue violet lips were fixed in a courteous smile, and his eyebrows were gentle and relaxed. There was even amiability in his eyes, but he could sense that this old man was a viper!
So, even if he needed to receive something from him, he had to do so in a way that wouldn't come off as too suppressed or weakened. If Bie did it that way, it would be like opening the door for Hugo's demands from this day forwards.
'Flattery it is, then. Annoying, but you do what you gotta.'
"How could I possibly take something from you? Judging by your clothing and your power, you must be at work day and night to improve the conditions of this grand capitol. Instead of humoring my meager efforts, I would like to ask for you to give what you would give to me to this city. It is all I can ask."
The amiable glimmer fell down to his grin as his crescent eyes curved upwards, eyelashes brought together. Casmere stifled laughter, and a vein bulged on Hugo's forehead.
'This silver-tongued brat...in that case!'
"Oh my, I am touched that you would be so considerate for me. But I am merely doing my duty, which is to reward the squadrons of sufficient merit. And your time for rewards has come, young Bie."
He walked forward and pushed out his left hand, open and waiting for Bie's right to clasp it. Bie could sense an intense energy radiating from the hand, however, and so he took a small step backwards as he rose from his chair.
"Please tell me where the rewards are for my fellow members of the Pinions of Ire, then."
"...What?"
"I'm not the only one who brought in those demon corpses. I had ample help, and so if you are rewarding me, I insist you reward them as well."