Chapter 41: Night Visit

After having dinner, everyone went back to their rooms. The house seemed small from the outside, but inside it was like a large maze filled with various rooms. I got a single room, apart from my companions who were sharing a large room.

I wanted to discuss the situation with Chief Elsa, thinking she might offer us some guidance for our upcoming journey toward the Ignis Veil, since we were complete strangers to whatever lay ahead.

I was lying on my bed, wondering what we needed to do from now on, spacing out while staring at the ceiling and sighing heavily.

“I am totally lost on how we will proceed from now on…” I muttered under my breath.

I had so many things to ask Chief Elsa. It seemed like she might have a hint about what my cheat skill could be, but I guessed she wouldn’t be returning anytime soon. I wondered what kind of meeting the dwarves and elves were having. I just hoped I wouldn’t get dragged into any political matters here as well.

As I was thinking, someone knocked on my door three times.

“Huh? Who could be coming at this hour?” I wondered, as it had already passed midnight. I stood up, walked toward the door, and opened it.

“Chief Elsa?” My eyes widened seeing her standing at my door.

“Why are you making that face? Anyway, is there anyone in here?” she asked, stepping past me and marching inside.

“No… they are currently resting, I guess. But… what are you doing here? And how did the meeting go with the dwarves?”

“Don’t ask personal questions regarding the village. As it is our affair, an outsider must stay out of it.” She turned around and scolded me.

“Huh… I see. Sorry for that, but at least tell me why you came here.”

“Nothing…” She sat on the bed, stretching her arms. “I just came here to ask you something…”

“Something?”

“Yeah, but first, sit here.” She patted the spot beside her. I walked over and sat down.

“So… fill me in on everything.” She casually asked.

“What are you—” As I began to speak, she interrupted.

“I am asking why an earthling is joining forces with demons. No matter how many earthlings I’ve seen, every single one was associated with humans, trying to slay every demon out of this world. This is the first time I am seeing someone leading a group of them.”

“How did you know that I am leading them?” I asked, confused and surprised at how easily she could tell without us saying a word.

“Haha…” She chuckled. “Well, there is no way a demon commander casually lets two earthlings wander around her that easily. That leads to two possibilities: either you know how to manipulate minds, or you are forcing them to follow you with your power.”

She pointed her finger at me. “And aside from that earthling girl Coco, it doesn’t seem like you have any mana in you.”

“No mana?”

“I am surprised as well. It’s my first time seeing someone with no mana, so I just came here for two things: explain to me what you are doing with the demons, and how you are able to hide your mana.”

“Wait, I am not hiding it! Also…”

I explained every single detail to her: how I was summoned by the Demon Queen, how things had gone from that point to where we were now, and why I was traveling with them.

“I see… I can tell whether you are speaking the truth or not, but for now, I will believe your words.” She stood up, processing what I had said.

“Thanks for that.”

She turned to me, her eyes locking onto something shiny on my clothes.

“Don’t move!” she said.

“Huh?” She pushed me back, causing me to fall onto the bed as she leaned over me, narrowing her eyes. I crawled backward, seeing her act like that.

“What are you doing?!” I raised my voice as Elsa slowly crawled toward me.

“Stay down! Don’t move!”

“But! This is—!” I panicked, my face turning bright red.

“Sshh… It won’t take long.” She placed her finger on my lips. Soon, her hand reached toward the camera lens hidden under my clothes, and with a swift tug, she snatched it away and crushed it using raw power. She then crawled back.

“It seems like someone was listening to our conversation through this thing.”

I looked at the destroyed camera and quickly realized who might be behind this.

Eva… I know you want to protect me from danger, but using this kind of trick? I think we need to have a long talk after we clear our path… Wait? If she was using a camera, did she see…?!

My face went entirely red.

“I will not let this slide, Eva…” I muttered in anger.

“Huh? Did you say something?” Elsa tilted her head, confused.

“Na… Nothing. Chief… I was just muttering to myself. Thank you for letting us stay here. Also, there are many things I wanted to talk to you about, but it’s late already. You can go rest, and I’ll ask tomorrow.”

“Very well, then… Good night,” she said as she left the room.

“Phew, that was intense. I was terrified when she marched in like that… but it seems she is just as clueless about what my skill might be. Now I wonder whether I really have one or not.” I lay back down.

“I can think about this later. Tomorrow will be a long day too, so I should get as much rest as I can.”

As I closed my eyes and pulled the blanket over myself, I felt a strange sensation on my chest. I half-opened my eyes and looked under the blanket.

Ribbit.

My eyes narrowed.

“What are you doing here? You should go back to Liriel. Shoo, shoo…” I said, picking her up and setting her on the ground. She hopped toward the window and leaped outside.