Chapter 15

"Holy crap, thank you! You just saved the two of us!" Lennix exclaimed, letting out a sharp breath as he placed a hand over his chest, as if calming a racing heart—despite the fact that his didn't beat in the first place. He had no clue what the demon had been about to pull, but judging by the black knight's reaction, it wasn't anything good.

"No need to thank me," the unknown man replied as he made his way toward them, his tone light, almost casual. "I just did what any good person would do." 

The black knight dismissed his shadow greatsword, his gaze fixed on the newcomer with quiet suspicion. A man appearing out of nowhere, killing a named and horned demon like it was nothing? That was a hard thing to take at face value.

"Who are you?" the black knight asked, voice steady. "Where did you even come from? And what exactly was that?"

"I'm just a traveler. Came as fast as I could after I heard the screams." The man stopped in front of them, offering a lazy hand for a shake. "Name's Carver."

The black knight's eyes flicked to the outstretched hand before shaking it, still wary. "And the demon?"

"Ah, that?" Carver ran a hand through his hair, smirking slightly. "Just a raw mana blast. Took a lot out of me, actually."

The black knight studied him for a moment, but before he could say anything, Lennix suddenly popped up next to them, staring Carver down with a scrutinizing look.

"Hey… are you lying?" Lennix asked. "Because your heart's beating really fast."

Carver blinked, looking almost offended. "I told you—I ran here as fast as I could. That's why my heart's racing. Also, how can you even tell that?"

Lennix narrowed his eyes, stepping uncomfortably close. Carver tensed, shifting back slightly, only for Lennix to suddenly lean away with a small nod.

"Ah, checks out," Lennix said. "And I can hear your heartbeat because I'm a vampire."

Carver froze. "A what?"

The black knight clapped a hand on Carver's shoulder. "Don't worry, he's nice. Most of the time. Some of the time. Rarely."

Carver did not look reassured.

Lennix shot the black knight a flat look. "Is this just going to be your bit? Introducing me like that?" 

The black knight shrugged. "It's funny."

"For you, maybe," Lennix muttered before gesturing to Carver. "But look at him. He looks terrified."

Carver, in fact, did look absolutely terrified.

"Uh… if you two don't mind me asking," Carver spoke up, his voice carrying a newfound hesitance after what he'd just learned about Lennix, "are you Demon Hunters by any chance?"

The black knight let out a sigh, rubbing the part of his helmet where his forehead would be. "No. But with the number of demons we've been fighting, we might as well be at this point."

Lennix exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging backward. "We were supposed to reach your covenant over a week ago. Where the hell do these demons keep coming from?"

Carver glanced between the two of them before frowning. "Wait… you don't know what happened?"

Both Lennix and the black knight turned to him.

"No? What happened?" the black knight asked.

"Well, I don't know the exact details, but these portals have been opening up all over Aetheria. Demons are pouring out of them. It's been a real problem for everyone."

Lennix rubbed his chin "If that's the case," he mused, before suddenly grabbing his head with both hands. "Crap! Does that mean all the places we saved got attacked again after we left!?"

The black knight shook his head. "I know enough about demons to make a few wards. Unless they were attacked by named and horned demons, those places should still be fine. But seeing as one showed up here…" He paused, glancing at the demon's corpse. "We might have to close the portal nearby."

Lennix gave him a skeptical look. "And you can do that?"

"Nope."

Lennix groaned, running a hand down his face.

"I can do it," Carver said, raising a hand.

Both men turned to him.

"You can?" the black knight asked.

Carver gave a half-hearted shrug. "I'm a mage. I know enough about magic to close a portal… I think."

The black knight nodded. "I guess that's the best we can hope for. If you don't mind risking your life coming with us?"

Carver smirked. "Sure. It's not like I'm doing anything else besides wandering around anyway."

"First, let's get back to the girls and explain what happened," Lennix said, starting to walk. He glanced at Carver. "You can come too if you want."

Carver nodded. "Lead the way."

As they walked, Lennix mused aloud, "Hey, do you think if we became actual Demon Hunters, my crimes would be forgiven?"

"No."

"Alright."

Carver—better known as Darek Quill—sighed an internal sigh of relief. *Thank goddess that worked. The vampire seems gullible. Not very smart. The knight, on the other hand, is smarter, but also trusting. Good. This is going to be quite fun.*

Sure, he could have just grabbed the two of them and dragged them back to the King. But where was the fun in that? He didn't get out much, so The Reluctant Deity was going to enjoy this little game.