Familiar Sight

-----Kaede's POV

Just before the sun set, everyone from the Leris kingdom and us from Yarene packed up our things and began moving. The Leris commander did recover from what I've heard, but I have yet to see his face.

With that said, we all began to move as one joint force, but due to how close we are to the Inasdale borders, I've been told to stay on foot. I then questioned why it was okay for our wyvern to keep to the skies, but the masked captain just said that "It'll be fine. Monsters would think that it's a part of their force." Personally, I disagree with that theory of his, but I do agree that if I were to fly up, it would draw more attention than a simple wyvern. It's kind of funny how that works. The wyvern is like a hundred times my size, yet I'm the one that'd attract more attention.

But even though I have to keep to the ground now, we're still going at a snails pace compared to before. Since the Leris soldier's don't have horses with them, we're now moving at their pace. It's honestly infuriating that they're holding us back like this. Aren't they just cannon fodder? Can't we have just left them behind?

Neri: "Heh. I know."

Kaede: "Hmm?"

Neri: "You just want to charge straight into battle, right?"

Kaede: "Yeah... Those guys are just-"

Neri: "I know. But they are important for this plan to work. The queen wouldn't have requested their aid if they weren't capable."

I figured it was the queen that organized this, but having it confirmed to me does make me feel a bit better about this situation.

Kaede: "I don't sense any strong soldiers among them though."

Neri: "Oh? You're not familiar with the Leris kingdom?"

Kaede: "No. It's the first time I've heard of them."

Neri: "I see. Well to put it simply. They're a very religious kingdom, and are well adept at dealing with monsters and demons."

Kaede: "...Is that why they reacted that way towards me?"

Neri: "Yes. They probably think it's impossible to become an ally with your kind."

Fair enough. I know just how revolting my kind can be so it's understandable. I've grown to accept it now thanks to remembering my old memories growing up, but I still remember the many fucked up things I've done in the past. And even somewhat recently back when I fought against Lucien's army, I still remember that sense of pleasure as I cut through those countless bodies. I think if I was Leris soldier, then I'd hate myself as well.

Kaede: "But you said that they're adept at killing monsters?"

Neri: "Correct. It's hard to see from a glance, but they're quite experienced. At an early age, they're trained at dealing with many kind of monsters. Also they're very specialized in casting group magic."

Kaede: "Group magic?"

Neri: "Instead of relying on yourself to cast magic, they combine their magic together to create a more powerful spell."

I didn't even know you could do that. Or well, I suppose I did know. Marcus for example used both wind and earth magic in tandem to become quite a formidable foe, at least to the others. Actually, now that I think about it. Where did Marcus go? He was with us, right? Ah, not that I really care about him anyways.

Kaede: "So it's like when one person can use two different elements?"

Neri: "No. It's similar, but it's not as simple as that. They need to create a structure in their magic in order for it to be chained together with another magic. It's why the Leris soldiers end up dividing themselves into groups, with each group being about to compliment each other like that."

I'm grateful that Neri is teaching me more about who I'll be fighting with, and it's quite interesting in learning about "magic chains" and stuff, but I can't help but wonder how Neri knows so much? I know she's full of mystery and after tasting her blood, I really want to learn more about her.

Kaede: "You sure know a lot about Leris."

Neri: "Hehe... Well... It's a long story."

Kaede: "Did the queen send you on a spy mission or something?"

Neri: "Oh, no. This was before I began working under Cecelia."

Wait, so before Neri came to Yarene? I always figured she was always there, but I guess people do move places. Take Yui and I for example. We moved all the way from Inasdale to Yarene, so- wait.

Kaede: "Wait, you were a citizen in Leris?"

Neri: "Pfft. Like I said. I'll talk more about it after this battle. So be sure to stay alive, okay?"

Kaede: "...Fine."

Is this her way of making me live? I wasn't planning on dying as that'd only bring pain to Yui, Mell and the others. But maybe Neri is trying in her own way to keep me alive. Thinking that, I end up smiling as we continue our march towards Inasdale.

...

A couple hours pass as the night sky has completely engulfed us. Some of the soldiers still carried torches for some light, but it's not like that really helps me. I didn't bother to try and socialize with anyone else and just stuck with Neri during the walk, but we soon find ourselves at a familiar sight... At least for me.

We're still surrounded by trees, but I can't help but remember a certain tree. I recall the time when I killed my first person, at least when I was conscious. I still remember their body imploding and the fear I felt of my secret getting out... Makes me feel a bit guilty now after everything that's happened.

And after walking for a bit longer, we pass by a cabin, the same cabin that Silas brought me to when he found me in that carriage. My stomach is already feeling queasy at remembering all of that as I end up averting my eyes at the cabin.

Neri: "Kaede?"

Kaede: "I-I'm fine."

Just how would my life had changed if all of that didn't happen? If I hadn't- killed, Silas. Maybe I never would've reunited with Yui, or even met Fleur or Faye, or made a family with Mell, Sicily and Lillian. It's fucked up to think about, but it feels like if I hadn't killed Silas, my life would be completely different, and not in a good way. I don't want to change the past because of it, but I do wish that I could've done everything without Silas' death being the catalyst.

Neri: "Seems like you have some secrets yourself."

Kaede: "Fufu. I'll tell you after the battle, hehe."

I make a stab at Neri, giving her a taste of her own medicine. But of course, it didn't take us long to stumble back into Azalea as it wasn't too far from that cabin. I half expected for monsters to have claimed everything in Inasdale, but I can't sense a single living thing in this town; that's unless you count the rats. I glace over to the guild as there's still numerous bodies, or at least what's left of them, scattered around the entrance and leading inside. The wooden floor and walls are now stained in blood, creating dark patches in the wood, and bones with barely any flesh on them. This place... This place where so many heartfelt memories took place, is now like this...

My anger slips through as I clench my fists as we pass by more buildings. I did accidentally draw out some blood from my hands, but I quickly healed it before I made a mess.

Masked Captain: "So this would be Azalea?"

Kaede: "Yes."

Masked Captain: "Okay. We'll stop here for now to gather our bearings. We don't know how far the monsters have expanded so we need to prepare now while we can."

Masked Soldiers: "Understood."

Kaede: "Uhm. Then I'd like to go and check out the guild for a bit."

Neri: "Okay."

I part ways with Neri and go on my own, slipping though the other passing soldiers. I'm still getting stares from the Leris soldiers, but I don't care at this point and just enter through the front door of the guild, taking care not to step on any of the bones on the floor.

The smell isn't revolting, but it definitely gives of a depressing feel, as if everything inside has just whittled away, leaving on just the blood stained floors and walls, along with rats scuttling around. I move pass everything and move behind the counter where Fleur and Faye would take care of adventurers as I find myself placing a hand on top of it. It's gathered quite a bit of dust, so I take a moment to wipe it down before looking around some more.

Moving into Fleur and Faye's room. I end up storing whatever I felt was important, such as books, clothes, paintings, letters, and some jewelry. I suppose we did leave in a rush so of course stuff would be left behind. I hope this'll help Fleur and Faye.

I then move upstairs to my room, as I feel like there's even more bodies up here than downstairs. But I move past all the little bits of rotten flesh and bones and move inside. I notice the bucket that's filled with water and blood beside the bed as I recall the time when I was last here. Sure I saved Fleur, but I did ruin her life at the same time, same goes for Faye. I could store this blood in my bottles, but I really don't feel comfortable doing that. So instead, I end up storing more clothes into my bag along with any other valuable before leaving the room.

Kaede: "How did it all come to this..."