Humans can be turned into demons, and demons can also transform into humans.
However, affirming that I once thought it was possible to save those demons, I am not sure.
Witnessing such a miracle happening right in front of my eyes seemed so hard to believe.
But it is true.
Either way, it is too late now to wish things were back to the way they were.
If…
"Albert, you are still determined to change this country, right?"
"How do you know that?"
I pretended not to hear his question and continued to ask.
"If I betrayed you now and told everything to my father, or the King, what would you do?"
His expression changed slightly, but remained strangely calm.
"If you wanted to sell me out, you wouldn't have to wait until now to do it. When Ress revealed to you my bogus identity, or when you were taken care of by that soldier codenamed S, and dozens of other opportunities for you to turn your face. But perhaps my choice to trust you did not turn into a disappointment. In fact, I knew you could be trusted since you were in your mother's womb."
"And I know how much of a madman you are just from our first met!"
"Expected from the lady of the Scottfields, such discerning eyes. Though it is true that you would want something believable."
I got my answer, at least for now.
He will sooner or later betray me and use me like any other noble, real noble or not.
But certainly not in the near future.
I have to be one step further than him. Many steps.
He was the one I didn't know I needed for so long.
I will change the tradition of this cursed family by myself, myself alone.
"Ray, my brother. And my mother, Mrs. Froids, they need to be freed from that house, from my father and scum who only profited for themselves and their family on the tears of our blood."
"Cecile, you do understand what this means? You will not only help me overthrow the corrupt regime of this Kingdom, but also against your own family."
"You think I care? But… overthrow the regime? Are you planning to go that far?"
Ray looked at me for a moment, then just nodded silently.
As if sensing his thoughts, I poured him a cup of tea, quietly exiting the tent.
The girl, who was once a demon, was overjoyed when she heard about it.
"Thanks… thank you! I am Luster... A Harock villager."
"Harock village. Sorry to tell you, but the village was unfortunately completely wiped out by the demons. My condolences on this loss…"
"It is okay, I know that. I was the last person in the village to be attacked by them. My parents, my younger brother... They were all butchered, eaten alive by them... Those who ran were skewered by their spears, and their houses were burned. They even raped women and children, beat the elderly to death… I was too scared to do anything. Now I have nowhere to return to. No more…"
"Enough, Luster. Do not be like that. You must not allow yourself to sink any further into this mire. Do not give up!"
Luster suddenly lunges forward, grabbing my throat, tears running down her face.
"So tell me, what should I do? Life isn't hard enough yet hah?! What the hell do you nobles understand the suffering of the people, of what you consider a talking money machine! All of you… exactly the same. Speaks flowery words like someone from another world and then looks down at the commoners from above, showing your fake understanding! Damn you all…"
She was crying, cursing, her hands were tightening more and more on my neck.
"Calm… calm down, Luster… I… can't breathe…"
Albert stepped out of the tent, wrapping the raging woman arms around her back, locking them in an upside down position.
"You women are scary… I was going to leave you two alone to talk, but you almost killed each other."
He let go of Luster's hand, bowed in apology, and whispered in my ear.
"It seems that the remnants of her wild nature have remained since she was a demon. But it will be over soon, I guess."
She immediately wiped her tears and ran to me.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that… Believe me."
Holding Luster's hand, I held the poor girl in my arms.
"We still have hope, Luster. Let me get you a uniform first."
"Thanks…"