Gesine:
As I heard my name being called, I looked behind me and saw no one. I only saw the crowd of people behind me, and Cassius was gone as well. I stayed at my spot and looked around, but the entire place was crowded.
I don't think calling for his name would help as well. Either he won't be able to hear my voice, or my shout would just cause a commotion.
I don't know what to do. Then I saw something shining on the ground. It was calling for me. I approached it and saw the box that was open and two earrings that were on the ground.
I stood up, and a sudden message appeared in front of me.
[The Goddess of Hunters is offering her temporary blessing Detection. Will you accept? Yes/No]
A goddess? The moment I saw it, I felt pressure. Should I accept? It's only temporary, but I don't know what's the catch. From what I heard, only heroes get to have the blessings.
But with this, I might be able to find Cassius. Though why the timing? Why is it that the moment Cassius disappeared, the goddess offered me her blessing?
I feel something is about to happen, but maybe that's just my imagination. "I accept the blessing."
[Congratulations! The skill Detection has been given to Gesine Ainsley. To activate, say "detection" with the item of the person or creature that you want to find.]
Item? Can I use these earrings? It looked like they belong to Cassius, so maybe I could use them, but it said temporary. How much time do I have left?
[Your remaining time is 1:57:38]
Gah!? Only two hours? Well, that's a scam. Then again, it's the blessing of the goddess, so I should be grateful.
I took one earring from the box, held it in my hand, and then I said, "detection." Immediately, I started to see footprints on the ground. I saw two footprints where I found the earrings, but it suddenly stopped.
Then I saw arrows pointing the other way. It was only me who could see it, so I followed it. It led me to the alleyway. There were a lot of obstacles, and it's still a long way to go, but I'll find Cassius no matter what!
Esmond:
I looked into the eyes of the lustful princess. She was like a beast, a very hungry beast that couldn't contain itself. But one thing lingers in my mind: how did she know my identity?
I had a disguise when I came into the city. Even when I was out, I still had a disguise.
"How did you..." She approached me and covered my mouth with her hands. She looked at me and told me to be quiet.
"You're gonna ask how did I know it was you, right? Hehehe, of course, I'd know. I know you: your height, your weight, your movement, everything. Hahaha! I was so sad when you disappeared for almost three years, but now you're back!"
She removed her hands and started to dance around in front of me like a crazy maniac. Her grinning face was still visible.
"Ugh! The love between the demon king and the saintess! Wouldn't that be a beautiful story?"
She stopped her dancing and giggled for a few minutes until she pulled something out of her pocket and hit my thighs.
"Urgh!?" I felt something penetrate my thighs; it stung. I looked at it and saw a bent knife. It hurt, but I wasn't really worried. What I'm worried about is the new pants.
"Hmm, I was expecting a bit more. Maybe I should have taken the holy treasure and stabbed you with it. That thing could deal damage to you, won't it?" She took the bent knife and threw it away, then sat down on the opposite side of the table.
"I can't believe that of all the girls you'd meet, it has to be Gesine." Does she know? This might be dangerous; this wild girl is out for blood.
"You know, back in the day, I really liked to dress up like commoners and go down the busy streets without any bother."
I chuckled as she stopped her words and looked at me. I laughed, "I didn't ask for your backstory, so shut up." I can't be kind to this girl in this situation.
"Well, what can you do? Just shut up and listen. Back to the story: one day, I met a pretty elf with white hair. We became good friends, of course, but that was until she told me to deliver her groceries to her house. That was the day I saw you."
So, she is a friend of Gesine, but will she hurt her knowing about my relationship with Gesine? Wait, relationship? I don't have a relationship with Gesine. I meant maybe she might misunderstand our relationship.
"Your movement, your smell, and especially your voice gave it away. You didn't change your voice, but you changed your face!" she was the one laughing this time.
She looked out the window and murmured the words, "It's about to start." I don't know what she is talking about, but I need to get out. I used my strength to get out, but it didn't budge.
"Can't get out? Well, of course, that chain was forged from the strongest metal. It was imported from the continent of Azaria and blessed by the Gods, so you can't break it."
"What the hell do you even want?"
"You, of course! Just you, you, and you. No one else. The two of us will be together forever. We can marry, have eleven children. Wouldn't that be fun? I already have names for them!"
"Use your damn perverted brain, a demon king and a saintess can't marry! It will cause disturbance to the entire continent!"
"You're worried about that? Hahaha, don't worry. If they oppose, I'll gladly start the war all over again!"
"You have gone even more mad."
"Yes! Madly in love, that's why we will stick together! Forever and ever!"
Then, in the far distance, I heard banging sounds. I couldn't turn around since I wasn't facing the window fully, but I could see colors flying around.
"It has started, the fun has begun," Cassandra looked outside the window; she was also in awe.
I couldn't be with Gesine for the promise, damn it. But what can I do now? There's a way to escape, but it might cause trouble. I won't use it.
Then, in the sounds of banging and fireworks going up, I heard footsteps. I don't know where it was coming from, but from the roof? Wait, no. From the door.
The door creaked open and revealed a sweaty, white-haired elf that was out of breath. It was Gesine.
"Did you come here to get Esmond?" she went in front of me.
Gesine took a few breaths of air before saying, "Esmond? I came because Cassius is here. Why would that demon king come here?"
She moved aside and pointed her hand at my face, and the disguise magic that I had disappeared; my eyes and hair became normal again.
"Red eyes that signify the inferno he will cause, and with a single glance, he will plant terror into the hearts of the citizens. Is this Cassius? Or is this Esmond?" Cassandra looked at Gesine, and Gesine's face had a perplexed expression; she was confused and scared.
"What is the meaning of this? Cassius?"