"He's dead now, isn't he?" Dignitas stared at the lifeless body of Baldurai, who had fallen from John's blade.
"Yes, he is. Like his brother, he died in the hands of the humans they detested so much…" John replied, looking at the dead Stone Demon with a grim look on his face.
Noticing this, Dignitas donned an amused expression. Even John couldn't find it in his heart to completely hate the demons the same way they hated the humans. He just didn't have it in him.
"Never change, John." He thought to himself. "Anyway, now that we're done here, what say we continue on? We're running on a tight schedule, might I remind you."
While they had technically just gone through a battle to the death and survived, they still weren't in the clear yet. The pillar of light that swallowed up Baldurai when John stabbed him alerted the people around. Dignitas figured the more curious ones would come poking around soon, that is if they hadn't already noticed them from the commotion they made in their fight.
"What should we do with the body, Dignitas? We can't leave it here."
"Why not? It's not like we can take it back home with us. The early bird gets the worm, they say. Probably in the next few minutes, some curious individuals will come upon it, and haul it in to sell on the market."
"Now come. We're almost halfway through our agreed time, and Andrea is going to void the contract the second we don't come back there with the All-Seeing Eye Implant."
***
It took no more than a few minutes for the trio to finish recovering from the fight before they continued on their way to the Sister Of Fate. This time, nothing else would come to obstruct them while on their way to the auction.
That is, only until they reached it. Once they were on their way home… Well, that was a different story.
Unbeknownst to the trio, not even a minute after their departure, an entire squad passed by the area where they fought.
Surprised to see it in a wrecked state from the fighting, the first of four masked individuals, who seemed to be the leader of the squad, pulled out a walkie-talkie and began reporting on their findings.
They had a symbol etched on the back of the robes they wore. One that Elliott Serrano had already encountered: a dagger embedded into a gem. This was the symbol of the Rogue Guild.
"Yes, that's right, sir. We came across the scene while on patrol. No, sir. It was already like this when we came in. Call the appraisers to haul in the demon? Indeed, sir, right away."
The masked figure turned to the three others behind him. Taking off his mask, he shook his head sideways, causing his long hair to pour out of the hood he wore.
"We've got our orders, team. We're to analyze the surrounding area and look for the ones who killed the demon. We've been told to notify the higher-ups once that's dealt with."
"You don't think Branch Leader Sektor will agree to us killing these demon hunters? I'm kinda starved for some good action." The tallest of the four cracked his fists.
"Absolutely not. If our targets are able to defeat a demon, then that must mean they're strong. No reason for scouts like us to engage them in battle." The only female in the squad replied.
"She's right. Focus on the job, and you'll get your pay." The smallest one piped up.
***
"Holy hell, it's hurting my eyes."
The first thing Dignitas noted about the Sister Of Fate was the unreasonably bright neon lights that lined its exterior. The building itself was modeled oddly in the form of a cathedral, having much of the same design as the one located in the Academy district.
People of all races were constantly entering and exiting the many doors around its exterior. Some had eager looks on their faces, thinking this was the chance for them to turn their lives around.
Of course, almost every time, they would turn out to be the same as the ones currently leaving. They had mixed expressions on their faces, some littered with anger, some close to bawling their eyes out, and even some just… unresponsive.
However, the fact still remained that the Sister Of Fate currently in front of the trio was where their objective was. The All-Seeing Eye Implant… it would most likely be put up for auction.
"Let's go. I'll be at the front to present the letter. John, you keep Eva close to you. And, uh… maybe, be a bit rougher."
"Right… I'm sorry, Eva! Please endure this for a while."
"No… it's okay." The Lunalite smiled, trusting the two of them. From the moment they found her, they had never once plotted to do any harm. A few minutes of unintended pain wouldn't do much to change their image to ruthless humans in her eyes.
Then, on cue, John tightly grasped both her hands with one of his own. He also activated the collar on her neck, which the trio had managed to figure out how to use while on their way there.
Like a slave driver looking to sell his product, John cruelly dragged Eva around as they followed Dignitas to the entrance.
The moment they approached, they were stopped by one of the many guards that lined the entrances.
"Got any identification?"
Nodding silently like a certain Lunalite, Dignitas dug into his pockets before pulling out a small letter. He handed it to the guard, who inspected the letter for a short while, before muttering a "go on ahead."
The trio was let past the entrance, and were led in through. Inside, they gazed upon a beautifully crafted lobby that seemed to glow with wealth. Surrounded by three, gigantic stairs of marble, there was an elegant golden statue of Kyrato, the God of Fortune. The statue boasted of pure, unalloyed gold, fully displaying the god in all his glory as he struck a pose.
Seemingly from the inside of the statue, a constant stream of water welled up, and was spewn onto the flowing fountain below it.
Hundreds of guests, all dressed in outfits that seemed like they were attending a banquet, were chatting in every corner of the room.
"Not bad. Didn't think it'd be that easy." Dignitas laughed to himself. "Anyway, now that we're inside, we should start looking for a way out."
"Right. Do you hear that, Eva? You can finally go now." John continued.
However, instead of taking on a sad expression, Evangeline simply pouted, before shaking her head wildly in response.
"You want to come with us? Don't you have a home to return to?" John questioned the girl.
"It's very… far. Can you take me to the Moon?"
"You know the answer to that, John. And she doesn't look like she's planning on leaving soon." Dignitas answered for him.
Evangeline's glowed with a pristine light. Her blue eyes reflected the light from the chandeliers hung above, showing a determined look. It was the same face one would put on when faced with an important decision, or a vital hurdle to their growth.
"Do you think… will the Academy allow it if we enroll her?"
"Oh, there's no need to worry about that. I'll take care of it. That being said, you sure about this?" Dignitas asked to confirm the protagonist's decision.
From the moment Evangeline involved herself with John, she became one of the many characters playing "The Academy's Regressor."
With John taking a liking to the Lunalite, the Log was bound to have taken their new relationship into account.
Dignitas brought out the Log and began to flip through its pages. He was indeed right. Evangeline had been written into the book's chapters, cementing herself as another actor in this play.
"If Eva is fine with it…"
"What say you then, Eva?" Dignitas looked at the Lunalite. "I'm sure there's a lot waiting for you back on the moon, but at the moment, we won't be able to guarantee a trip there. It'll be safer if you come to the Academy with us and enroll as a student."
Evangeline wasn't quite sure about her decision yet. Indeed, she wanted to follow her benefactors for the moment, but she knew next to nothing about who they were, nor where they came from.
"Well, there's no need to make a choice right away. I'm sure you'll hear plenty from John. Just tell me your decision when we've escaped Mislokur with the implant."