Chapter 10

Iris was awakened by a vibrating sound.

The magic mirror, resting against the wall beside her pillow, was only a few inches away. The clatter of it hitting the wall during its vibrations roused her. Iris opened her eyes to check the time and saw it was already seven o’clock.

Street patrol was supposed to start at ten; she really should get up, wash, eat breakfast, and prepare.

However, Iris was not a person with great habits. As a modern internet-addicted youth, she usually opened her phone to check messages first.

【Scarlet Despair: I must say, humans are creatures who have absolutely no sense of occasion.】

【Scarlet Despair: I was in the middle of a delightful, wonder-filled flesh experiment; the scalding blood-aura was wafting toward me in the boiling cauldron, everything was so beautiful... and just then, some ignorant human set up an altar, foolishly hoping to summon me!】

【Scarlet Despair: All that beauty just drifted away from me. I was forced to come to the altar, forced to partake in human sacrifice...】

【Scarlet Despair: The most hateful part is, after he summoned me and realized I had no wings, he actually had the audacity to ask me: "How can you be a Goddess? Aren't you the Great Demon of the Abyss, Behemoth?"】

【Scarlet Despair: ...He even summoned the wrong god! Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!】

Iris felt the sheer, unbridled rage in the other party's impassioned tone.

At the same time, she mentally attempted to translate this "roleplay-processed" text: She had been forcibly dragged away while doing her little experiment, and the other person had summoned the wrong entity.

Acting on humanitarian grounds, Iris offered some comfort first.

【That person is truly reckless.】 After saying this, she added a line in the style of the group members: 【Didn't you punish this rash fellow?】

【Scarlet Despair: Of course. I am not a merciful crow.】

【Scarlet Despair: This fellow wanted to sacrifice his own family to Behemoth in exchange for wealth and status. It shows he is a complete fool with no grasp of occult common sense. Evil gods like Behemoth don't care for such things, and they don't eat just anything, for that matter. But I do know a bit of the Art of Gold... Since he wanted gold, I turned him into a lump of silent gold and sent it to his family's dinner table.】

Iris: ?

What was that?

Failing to decode the group member’s message, Iris was silent for a few seconds before supportively saying: 【...Very well, that is very much like an evil god.】

She then asked: 【However, why did a summoning pointed toward Behemoth connect to you?】

She knew about fixed-point summoning. It was said that if one possessed a special fetish prepared by the target (usually hair, nails, or flesh processed with magic), one could attempt to summon them. But because this spell was fraught with issues, it had long been lost, existing only as an urban legend.

【Saint of Darkness: Do you have anything related to Behemoth on you?】

【Scarlet Despair: ...Wait, I remember now.】

【Because a part of Behemoth was eaten by me and became part of my flesh.】

Iris: 【...?】

When I type a question mark, it’s not because I think there’s something wrong with me; it’s because I think there’s something wrong with you.

What did "eaten" mean? Could you just casually eat a summoning fetish?

...Is this Ms. Scarlet Despair perhaps suffering from pica?

【Scarlet Despair: It’s not fair; I’m not the only one who took a piece of Behemoth.】

Ignoring these strange issues, Iris found the key point and asked:

【Saint of Darkness: Did the others who took pieces of Behemoth also eat it?】

【Scarlet Despair: ...Oh, you remind me. Those guys probably used it to craft items.】

Iris: ...So, there are still plenty of normal people in this world.

【Saint of Darkness: Then, as long as you remove that piece of flesh, you won't be summoned as Behemoth anymore, right?】

However, after she sent this, there was no reply for some reason.

Iris didn't mind. She had already noticed that Ms. Scarlet Despair was an extraordinary being obsessed with her own wild experiments; perhaps she had come up with a new idea and was busy with her own affairs.

After this bit of banter, Iris felt much more alert, so she climbed out of bed to wash up.

It was still early, and since it was a day off, she didn't run into anyone else in the communal bathroom.

When she returned to her room, she saw a new message on the magic mirror.

【Scarlet Despair: I just separated the flesh. I feel much better now. [Image]】

As soon as Iris opened the group, she was caught off guard by something that, by current internet standards, would definitely be censored.

Scarlet Despair had taken a close-up shot. On the red-black, meat-like substance, Iris saw coarse veins and translucent membranes; it looked like a prop dug out of a special effects horror movie.

...It was a good thing she hadn't eaten breakfast yet; the sight was rather nauseating.

What shocked her even more was that the other party had actually eaten this thing. She felt her imagination lacked the capacity to grasp the lower limits of "extraordinary" beings.

She replied emotionlessly: 【That’s great, congratulations.】

【Scarlet Despair: I have you to thank for the reminder; you are a pretty good sort! I’ll craft Behemoth’s flesh into an item and send it to you. My skills in this area are excellent; you’ll definitely be satisfied.】

Iris: Oh, no.

...That really isn't necessary.

The other party was so enthusiastic that it was hard to refuse, but Iris did not want to expose her address to anyone.

【Saint of Darkness: I appreciate the gesture, but I really didn't do much. You don't need to send me anything.】

After a moment's thought, she added: 【And it’s not very convenient for me to receive things right now.】

【Scarlet Despair: Alright. I’ll keep it for now once it’s finished, and I’ll have a courier send it to you when it’s convenient.】

【Scarlet Despair: But letting someone who brings me such joy return empty-handed doesn't fit my aesthetic. I just improved a few practical minor spells; you can take them for your followers to use.】

A small window popped up with what looked like three pages of handwritten notes.

Although they were scrawled, Iris understood them. She quickly copied them onto paper and placed them into her bag for item appraisal.

【Flesh Recovery · Improved Version: Accelerates flesh regeneration through magic. Can use animal flesh as a supplement, and by improving it through magic, the ratio of animal flesh that can be used is increased compared to traditional flesh-recasting.】

【Bloodstain Retrospection · Improved Version: Retraces the final moments of the deceased through the bloodstains they left behind. After improvement, the duration of the retrospection is extended, allowing for more information to be seen.】

【Corpse Dancing Art · Improved Version: Converts a corpse that has been dead for no more than 24 hours into a living corpse. The roaming time of the living corpse is extended to a maximum of three days; once it reverts to a corpse, it cannot be converted again.】

As Scarlet Despair had said, these three spells were visibly practical.

Moreover, the system appraisal noted all of them as "Improved Versions" and thoughtfully listed the differences, proving that Scarlet Despair's claims were true.

The advancement of extraordinary arts was the result of countless people simplifying and refining old spells, allowing them to be optimized generation after generation—but that was no simple task.

After thanking the other party, Iris mentally added a "highly accomplished in extraordinary arts" tag to this "flesh-crafting specialist," "experiment fanatic," "possibly forgetful," "sincere, straightforward, and generous," and "pica-suffering" lady.

Ms. Scarlet Despair said she had new ideas and left, and the group returned to silence.

Iris experimented with these extraordinary arts; she didn't release them, only practiced the incantations and the flow of magic.

When the time was right, she went to the canteen for breakfast—though there wasn't much to eat: half a loaf of bread, a bit of potato, and milk. After finishing, she found herself missing the hot buns, noodles, soup, and soy milk with fried dough sticks from Earth.

As she headed toward the assembly point for the patrol team, the magic mirror vibrated. She opened it to find a message from Kai.

【Do you need potions? I can sell recovery potions to you cheaper than the market price.】

【Are you up? Are you coming here today?】

【Do you know anyone around you who needs my "Strength and Longevity Potion"? We could cooperate; the profit-sharing is negotiable.】

【You’re an adventurer, right? When you leave Newt for a mission, could you bring me a Purple Silver-Tail Flower? I’ll pay you.】

The Purple Silver-Tail Flower was an ornamental plant, rarely seen in city flower shops because it only liked to grow near cliffs.

Iris ignored the earlier questions.

【Iris: If I see one, I will bring you one.】

When she reached the assembly point, Iris found many people were already there.

The assembly area was a dedicated practice ground, lined with weapons on both sides. However, the style was different from what extraordinary beings usually used; there were polearms, one-handed swords, and other cold weapons. Two family members were already practicing—and to her surprise, they were engaged in close-quarters combat.

Noticing Iris's arrival, a woman with a ponytail chatting nearby greeted her companion and walked over.

She looked to be in her thirties, not wearing a cloak or robes, but a fitted, practical outfit. She looked clean and sharp.

...And her expression was very serious.

"Are you the intern here for this week's training?" the ponytail woman asked, greeting her first.

Iris had to look up at the tall woman and introduced herself: "...Hello, I'm Iris."

"I'm Bella," the woman said, patting her shoulder. "...You should eat more. You need to study combat well, too; you'll get strong soon enough."

"Thank you, I was thinking the same," Iris said. "Though, this is my first time knowing we had to learn combat."

"Did you think extraordinary beings just wave their staves from afar and gracefully defeat enemies with magic missiles and fireballs?" Bella said seriously. "Once you participate in the family's daily activities, you'll know that's the biggest lie taught by the family academy. An extraordinary being who only knows how to cast remotely is easily restrained and lacks self-preservation skills. We must learn how to fight and protect ourselves when we cannot cast spells."

"I’d be happy to," Iris said. "I think that makes a lot of sense. Should we start learning now?"

Perhaps because she adapted so quickly, the serious look on Bella's face softened.

"There's still over an hour until the daily patrol, so we can start practicing for a while now—"

"Excuse me, don't you think a shooting lesson should be scheduled as well?"

A man's voice abruptly cut into the conversation. Iris looked over to see a middle-aged man with curly hair leaning against the wall, showing off the revolver in his hand as he walked toward them.

"It's the age of firearms now. Combat is such an old—" Before he could finish, under Bella's oppressive gaze, he immediately changed his tone. "Combat is a technique passed down from the old era, of course, it’s very important. It’s just that we must also learn new things. Firearms help you save mana, allowing you to use it in more appropriate places... right, Bella?"

"That's right. But Layton, could you stop interrupting when I'm introducing a newcomer?"

"Uh, sorry," Layton coughed lightly. "I just couldn't help myself... You start first, then give me the rest of the time?"

Bella looked at Iris: "Iris, what do you think?"

Iris: "...I will learn both."

Twenty minutes after Iris was dragged to the practice ground by Bella, Jace, who was interning with her, finally arrived late.

He stood at the edge of the practice ground, watching Iris train with Bella in horror, looking as if he were thinking, "This is exactly why I came late." When Iris noticed this, she told Bella.

She humbly said: "The student interning with me has arrived. I’ve already practiced for a while; he should learn too."

Bella, who didn't sense anything wrong, replied: "Is that so? Then go rest for a while, and let Layton take you to the shooting range for a bit. Don't push yourself too hard; save some energy. We leave promptly at ten."

Iris nodded, and then she watched as Bella enthusiastically headed toward Jace.

She sat on a bench outside the practice ground and reviewed what Bella had taught her.

Bella had said that because they were patrolling later, they were only doing simple drills—basically a warm-up. She said the real training would be tomorrow, which made Iris breathe a sigh of relief, as she still had to meet Annie tonight.

As the time to leave approached, everyone exited the practice ground and began organizing their equipment. Iris had nothing to carry except the new dagger she had bought yesterday.

In addition to Bella and Layton, the instructors, there were several younger members in her squad—men and women whose names Iris hadn't yet memorized.

Peony Street held many of the White family's properties and was close to the Church's Great Cathedral in Newt. Patrolling this commercial street served not just the basic purpose of safety, but also demonstrated the family's power to those nearby and helped foster a relationship with the Church.

Iris had gradually come to understand that in Newt—or rather, the entire Saint France Empire—the Church was an entity above all others. Even the royalty had times when they had to bow to the Church.

Deep down, Iris didn't think the royal family would accept being perpetually checked by the Church.

Before leaving, everyone gathered to pray to the "Almighty Lord," asking for everything to go smoothly.

Iris stood among them, pretending to participate without a shred of sincerity.

Just before reaching Peony Street, Layton checked his watch and asked Iris and Jace: "By the way, when did you eat breakfast?"

After they reported the time, Layton looked at Iris: "Then... well, you seem brave, you should be fine."

He looked at Jace: "You can close your eyes later."

Jace, a somewhat timid boy, shivered at Layton's words.

Iris had a bad premonition. She wanted to ask Layton why he asked that, but they had already stepped into the area of Peony Street. Less than ten meters into the commercial street, Iris saw the Church's massive cathedral with its giant cross, and the huge second-floor terrace extending from the front.

...And on the cross tied to the terrace was a disheveled young man. Below him, on both sides, were priests in white church robes holding golden torches.

Iris heard the discussions of the people around her.

"The execution is about to start... It's a good thing I came early to get a spot. It’s my first time seeing a 'Remnant of Darkness.' They don't look any different from us, do they?"

"It's my first time seeing the Holy Fire. The gold is so beautiful..."

"I heard the dark folk spread plagues to destroy our homes so they can gain power from the darkness... what a bunch of shameless devils."

"Thank the Lord for blessing us and letting the Church find these evil Remnants of Darkness. Just thinking about these demons being right next to me makes me lose my appetite!"

"Burn him! Burn him! As long as these evil extraordinary beings are purified, my child's illness will surely get better!"

Iris stood there, her throat dry. She didn't notice that her teammates had moved away, and the crowd of onlookers behind her pushed forward, surrounding her like leaves around a cabbage.

The cathedral bells rang at the perfect moment, startling the pigeons that had been resting leisurely on the eaves.

The flock of birds flew off the top of the cross like white shadows, but as they flew over the heads of the crowd, they absurdly dropped a few piles of bird droppings. Immediately, shrieks and jeers erupted in the crowd; they shoved each other, pressing the mass of people even tighter together.

"The purification ceremony begins—" a loud voice declared from the high platform.

The crowd around Iris raised their hands and cheered; the fanatical atmosphere flushed everyone's cheeks red.

She looked up with difficulty, but could only see the golden flames and the chin of the person bound. Her ears were filled with chants like "burn him" and "execute him," sounding like curses.

Locked in the surging crowd, Iris was forced to watch this insane performance—the execution of her own kind.