"Riley, sister, are you… are you alright?"
It was only when Grellia called out a second time that Alan's mind returned to the present, nearly casting a lightning bolt in a moment of panic that would have struck Riley.
"What… what is happening? How could there be a demon in Byronwell?"
Hmm… It seems I truly do not make an impressive sight, Alan thought, scratching his head.
Generally, demons enter the material plane through three methods. The first is via a demon contract, summoning a demon randomly from the abyss; such a demon can only exist for a brief period. Should the master's wish be fulfilled or the demon be slain, it returns to the abyss.
The second method involves large-scale magical rituals that deliberately open a portal to the abyss. Achieving this is a feat deserving of a place in human history. For instance, two thousand years ago, when the material plane was still dominated by elves, a powerful entity from the abyss colluded with certain individuals to conduct a massive spatial spell, leading to a spatial overlap between the abyss and the material realm, resulting in a flood of demons. At that time, elven civilization had reached heights unimaginable to humanity today, yet it still paid a great price to repel the demonic horde and close the rift to the abyss.
Despite this, a significant number of demons remained in the material realm, interbreeding with its creatures and resulting in various monsters that persist to this day.
The final method involves abyssal devils themselves, who possess the innate ability to traverse planes. The most powerful among them can briefly open planar rifts to summon demons into the material realm.
However, devils seldom engage in fruitless endeavors; they will only act if sufficient sacrifices are offered or if there is ample profit to be gained.
The being before Riley, however, was clearly not one of the latter two.
A sorcerer had bound themselves to a creature of the abyss, becoming a demon sorcerer!
A shock coursed through Riley as she glanced at Grellia beside Alan.
"You are… Myros's apprentice. How… how did you end up here, and… what is this…"
"Step aside…"
Before Riley could finish, Alan abruptly hurled her to the ground, then seized the witch hunter who had raised her sword behind Riley, tossing her aside. However, swarms of witch hunters soon surged down from above, including heavily armored soldiers wielding polearms.
"It's a demon! Everyone, come quickly!"
"Burn it alive! Bring the demon banishing bombs!"
Seeing the chaos unfolding above, Alan hesitated to act recklessly.
"Woman… run."
Alan turned and shouted at Riley.
"No! The coast is blocked; we need to find another route to escape!"
Riley, undeterred by Alan's shout, spoke loudly, dismissing the question of whether or not the being before them was a demon.
Hmm…
Indeed, plans seldom survive contact with reality.
Thus thinking, Alan pointed toward the sewer behind them, signalling for the two to retreat, while he relentlessly struck at the entrance of the sewer with his arms.
Riley understood Alan's intent and began to gather white light in her hands. Instantly, the ground began to tremble, while Alan turned, positioning himself and Grellia against the wall. After all, if this little ancestor perished, he would be forced back into that forsaken abyss.
Before long, the ceiling of the sewer began to collapse. Falling debris sealed the entrance tightly, crushing a witch hunter who had failed to evade in time.
Phew…
Only when the tremors ceased did Alan slowly rise, revealing Grellia beneath him.
The young girl, startled by the sudden turn of events, clutched Alan's arm tightly, eyes shut, appearing resigned to fate.
"We are safe for the moment."
The recent tremor had drained considerable energy from Riley, and she leaned against the wall, speaking.
"The sewers of Byronwell are intricate; they were originally intended as an underground prison… If we conceal ourselves well enough, we may survive… a little while longer."
As she spoke, Riley glanced at the towering demon before her and the trembling Grellia clinging to its arm. To be honest, she wasn't even sure who she was addressing.
"I…"
Just as Alan was about to speak, Riley suddenly raised her hands, radiating with blinding white light, coursing with savage electricity, the meaning unmistakable:
'Step back.'
"Step back! Demon, I do not yet trust you. I do not know what trickery you have used to ensnare Grellia, but if you do not retreat now, I will ensure you perish here."
Indeed, the demon's reputation was utterly tarnished.
Alan shook his head.
"I… saved you…"
"I… I know, but you are a demon; you must have an ulterior motive."
It was evident that Riley was profoundly conflicted; she struggled to discern whether to trust the demon before her.
As the two faced off, suddenly, footsteps echoed from the depths of the sewer. Just as Riley assumed it was the witch hunters preparing to turn the tide, a hand grasped her.
"Calm down, I am not a witch hunter…"
In that moment, aided by the glow of electricity from Riley's hands, Alan finally discerned the figure before him.
A hooded figure with graying hair, yet youthful features marred by a scar that nearly obscured half his face. Clad in light armor, he wielded a hand axe, with a crossbow slung over his back, and various flasks and metal balls hanging from his waist, appearing rather eccentric.
"Balros, what are you doing here?"
Just as Alan hesitated on how to respond, Riley suddenly exclaimed.
"As you can see, I have been tasked with tracking down a creature that has killed over thirty people."
With that, Balros's gaze shifted to Alan, then to the now calm Grellia beside him.
"It appears… this must be the little demon sorcerer and her demon. I must say, I have never seen such a robust little demon. Young lady, tell me, how did you summon this creature?"
At that moment, Balros bent down to maintain eye contact with Grellia, but upon noticing the scarred visage, she let out a shriek and hid behind Alan.
This action filled Alan unknowingly with warmth, enjoying the sensation of being leaned on by the adorable girl.
"She is Myros's apprentice."
Riley interjected.
"Myros, you say? I have long urged him to deal with that contract… Where is he?"