Chapter 96: A Small Team - II

Kuvie looked back on her life so far.

After misunderstanding the organization known as the Tea Party, she ended up joining the <Living Gemstones>, the <True Wills>, and the <Shadow Markers> in her attempts to escape from its clutches.

<Angel’s Bane> was thus the strongest among them, capable of nullifying the Tea Party’s pursuit using the Blood Seed in her heart.

If only she had joined it sooner.

’Still, at least <Living Gemstones> with their enchanters and <Shadow Markers> with their information brokers aren’t all lunatics like the other three.’

But that was still less than the majority.

True Wills were definitely the creepiest group she’d joined, composed of people faithful to an entity called the <God Within All>.

When Kuvie had read a single scripture, she felt something squirming inside her soul.

Scared that a monster was being born inside her, she joined the <Shadow Markers> and had all her knowledge of its prayers and scriptures erased from her mind.

Only when that was done did she calm down... But the Tea Party was still looking for her. Despite joining the <Living Gemstones> to search for a soul-based enchantment to help her hide, nothing came up after all her efforts.

With her deadline to return coming up, Kuvie had no choice but to bow before a group of lunatics on par with the Tea Party.

<Angel’s Bane> who she encountered in the midst of wounding an angel.

Awed by their strength, Kuvie instinctively felt that they could solve her problem.

...Until they placed a Blood Seed in her heart. A month-long blur of agony followed, and after that, she no longer had to worry about the Tea Party.

Now... she had to tear out the wings of angels.

When Kuvie informed Clementine of this part of her life, the Snakespawn’s expression made Aventine chuckle.

Clementine glared daggers at the human before taking a deep breath.

"I think if you explain all of this to Reazue, he’d understand why you’re in <Angel’s Bane>. We can wait for him to wake up so that he can process that Wolfman’s blood is inside his stomach. Then, we’ll head back to the surface."

"...Got it," Kuvie said, sitting down with a long sigh. "I’ll do my best to explain... But I can’t mention that one group without the shadow veil."

Clementine tilted her head. "Didn’t Aventine already make you an offer to help?"

"Huh?"

"Mhm." Aventine hummed, smiling. "I can stay until Mister Reazue wakes up. No worries."

***

Reazue regained consciousness after a long moment of complete darkness. Opening his eyelids was a struggle, and his body wasn’t responding in the way he was used to.

The blood in his body...

’Right, I devoured that Wolfman’s lifeblood...’ His thoughts trailed, ’Then... Kuvie—’

His eyes widened as his blood surged.

"Kuvie—!"

That traitorous friend he treasured so much was in front of him!

—Clang!

His fist was blocked by a familiar blade.

"...Damned meddling Coldblood." Reazue hissed a curse. "Why are you stopping me, knowing what those Blood Mages did to my family?!"

"Reazue... Kuvie can explain her circumstances now. This time, nothing will kill us all if she speaks."

"...Huh?’

—Bwooop!

Reazue shuddered as a deep, deep darkness enveloped him. The shadows had surged in an instant, moving faster than he could react.

Suddenly, Clementine, Taylor, and that one other human vanished from view.

Only Kuvie was standing in front of him, with an expression of guilt and sorrow.

"It was like this..."

The Satyress poured her heart out once more, leaving Reazue in stunned silence. With every word, every syllable, the Werebat found his rage slipping away.

After all, he was already inclined to believe her. He would not have questioned her if he had no doubts.

So, he listened.

From the mistake she made when she joined the Tea Party, to an expensive fee to join the <Living Gemstones>, the terrifying description of the cult of <True Wills>, and the desperate plea towards the <Shadow Markers>.

Kuvie told him about why she wanted to open a flower shop, and from where she got the idea to grow enchanted flowers with calming effects.

It turned out, a part of the Tea Party’s philosophy still influenced her.

Though she was not as... passionate as them, Kuvie still admired their perseverance and their endless creativity.

If she had not received endless pestering to permanently transform into a Nymph, she wouldn’t have left.

They wanted her to take root within one of their estates and become an unceasing source of leaves and tea-making materials.

Of course, Kuvie valued her freedom as a Satyress. She was not an Ancient Nymph who could not leave the place they were born.

She loved to roam the world, meeting new people and seeing new things. A life of ups and downs, of creation and destruction.

The stale life of being trapped in place was terrifying.

At least, she had no desire to take root anywhere anytime soon.

"With my transformations using Nature Magic, I can explore the world..." Kuvie’s eyes turned wistful. "Perhaps one day... when I am no longer bound by all these restrictions..."

The Satyress shook her head and continued her story.

She spoke about the intricate, detail-oriented scholars from <Living Gemstones>. How every single one of their bejewelled accessories bore intricate Magic Spells engraved within.

As expected of a secret organization of enchanters, they were rich... But even with their talents, the restrictions of Tea Party were enough to deter them.

Kuvie told Reazue the story of how her mind grew slower and slower by the day. The scent of intoxication never stopped wafting around her, turning her room into a colorful world of fantasies.

The Tea Party’s control over her was tightening as her deadline approached.

Thus, she discovered the existence of <True Wills>, and their so-called <God Within All>.

Just a single prayer was enough to stave off the intoxication. However, she was not allowed to stop at a single prayer.

Something else engulfed her mind.

Something more... invasive.

At least, the Tea Party still wanted her to have a semblance of herself, pursuing the greatest goal of the perfect cup of tea.

The <God Within All>, however, seemed to be transforming her entire being—as if her body was a sufficient vessel for his manifestation.

Kuvie did not know what would have happened to her if she stayed.

Thus, she sought out the <Shadow Markers>, erasing all knowledge of the <God Within All’s> prayers and scriptures from her mind.

...But that meant that the Tea Party’s intoxication returned.

Kuvie persevered a little longer this time, delaying the onset of intoxication by constantly being on the move.

She travelled from the central portions of Walvaskaz all the way to the outskirts, far past the Soulless City of Grakkis, and approaching the human border.

In her travels, she encountered a legendary existence—angels... And witnessed one fall.

It was an experience so majestic that it carved itself into her heart.

<Angel’s Bane> had torn off an angel’s wings and gained a new member that day.