IDDYD 10

Chapter 10

Arriving near Blosha Plaza, Alice sent the carriage away, telling the driver to return for them in the evening.

As Alice and Aiden stepped into the plaza, numerous gazes fixed upon them.

Their dazzling appearance and clothing, coupled with elegant strides. People cleared the way left and right at the sight of nobility rarely seen on the streets.

Thanks to that, Alice, despite wearing a heavy dress, found it much easier to navigate the streets and smiled with satisfaction.

She strode confidently down the very center of the street. This level of attention was something she was used to, having lived as a noble.

“This way leads to the magic shop alley.”

Alice led Aiden into the alley connecting to Blosha Plaza.

Then, a street lined with various magic shops came into view.

“……Are all these magic shops?”
Aiden said, his eyes wide. It was natural for a magic-active nation to have magic shops, but an entire street filled with them was uncommon.

“It’s the pride of Erdin Territory. Since my family is a mage family, things related to magic are more developed here compared to other territories.”

Alice boasted of her territory with a proud expression. She headed towards a shop she had picked out in advance, with Aiden in tow.

The door opened with a tinkling bell sound. The shopkeeper sitting behind the counter looked up at the sound.

“An honored guest returns after a long time.”

He stood up to greet Alice. His light gray hair and the fine wrinkles around his eyes seemed to show the years he had lived.

“What do you need today?”
“Well, today…”

Alice pondered, looking at the glass display case placed before the counter.

It was only then that Aiden realized most of the items in this antique-styled shop were accessories.

“A ring would be a bit cumbersome for a knight, right?”

Aiden was still puzzled by the interior of what seemed more like an accessory shop than a magic shop when Alice’s voice reached him.

“Probably inconvenient.”
“Then we’ll skip rings. Can you show me some others? The highest grade.”

At her words, the shopkeeper moved busily. To satisfy Aiden’s curiosity about what she was buying, Alice added an explanation.

“This shop specializes in accessories made from mana crystals.”

Mana crystals were raw stones that stored mana.

Usually, mana crystals were only used as auxiliary tools to replenish mages’ insufficient mana or greatly shorten spell-casting time.

But Alice knew a way to engrave a magic circle onto this mana crystal to extend the duration of the spell cast on Aiden.

Of course, the process was very complex, but for a genius mage like her, it was possible if she invested enough time.

Unaware of this, Aiden still wore a puzzled expression. He didn’t seem to understand why she wanted to give him, a knight, mana crystals, the tools of mages.

Meanwhile, Alice examined the accessories the shopkeeper brought out, one by one.

“This…”

Her eyes landed on a necklace. Alice carefully picked up the necklace and held it against Aiden.

The shimmering blue mana crystal of the necklace matched well with his blue eyes, changed by magic.

“This one, please.”

Alice purchased the necklace on the spot.

Indeed, dressing him up was fun. Alice left the shop in high spirits.

Seeing Alice’s light steps, Aiden let out a soft chuckle and followed her.

* * *

After that, Alice practically swept through the shops as she wandered the streets.

For her, who loved magic, this street was heaven.

It wasn’t until the sun set and the streets grew quiet that Alice finished her shopping.

By now, her hands were full of parcels. Aiden was also holding several bags in one hand to help her.

Alice had thought he’d find accompanying her shopping a hassle, but she was surprised he looked around without seeming tired. Finally, unable to hold back her curiosity, she blurted out.

“Aren’t you bored?”
“By what?”
“Just, human world life or these things. The place you’re from originally is, well, full of destruction and despair, right? Compared to that, this place must be peaceful. Isn’t it dull for you?”
“No, it’s good because it’s peaceful.”

Aiden’s reaction, as if asking what she was talking about, made Alice flustered instead. Aiden continued.

“It’s interesting, observing humans. Watching humans work hard day by day is even a little admirable. You can’t see this kind of vibrant vitality in the Demon Realm.”

Ad…mirable? Did he just say he finds humans *admirable*? Alice reacted as if she’d never heard the word ‘admirable’ before.

Seeing his serious expression, he didn’t seem to be lying.

*‘He’s different from the demons I know.’*

A demon who liked humans and peace? She’d never heard or seen such a thing.

Maybe she had been viewing Aiden negatively just because he was a demon.

Alice stared at Aiden, lost in thought. Feeling the gaze, Aiden met her eyes, looking puzzled.

Soon, he lifted one corner of his mouth in a smile.
“Why, am I too handsome?”
“Wh-what?”

Alice snapped back to reality. The man before her was indeed smiling a sculpted smile.

Flustered, Alice hurriedly denied his words.
“Wh-what are you talking about? Why would I think that about you…”

At that moment, as she tried to walk ahead of him, she accidentally stepped on the hem of her dress and stumbled forward.

*‘Wait…!’*

Her body rushed towards the ground at high speed. She happened to be holding parcels in both hands, so she couldn’t even use magic to cushion the impact.

Bracing for the imminent pain, Alice tightly shut her eyes.

“Huh?”

When no pain came even after time passed, she cautiously opened her eyes. An arm was supporting her, preventing her fall.

“Are you okay?”

Aiden was holding her with the hand not carrying bags.

His face was close, right before her. Alice blinked rapidly. She could feel the warmth from Aiden’s forearm around her waist.

At this distance where their noses might touch if they leaned closer, in the quiet moment, an unknown heartbeat thumped loudly.

Alice’s and Aiden’s gazes collided in midair. Aiden, who had been silently watching her, soon straightened Alice up and smoothed her crumpled dress.

“Seems you’re not hurt.”

Alice, who had inadvertently received his escort, nodded.

*Just like in the carriage earlier*, his actions were elegant and restrained, one by one.

*‘Where did he learn such manners?’*

Alice tilted her head, curious. Meanwhile, Aiden stepped away from Alice.

“Ah, um… Thank you.”

The tips of Alice’s ears flushed red. She remembered how she had practically been in his embrace just moments before.

“L-let’s go. The carriage must be waiting.”

Feeling inexplicably shy, Alice hurried ahead with quick steps. Her hair swayed gently in the weak breeze.

“Brother!”

A scene from the past flashed through Aiden’s mind as he watched her retreating back. A small smile touched his lips.

“Coming back to the human world was a good idea after all.”

*How long has it been since I last felt enjoyment?* Aiden chuckled softly and followed Alice.

* * *

The Grand Temple in the capital of the Parthia Empire. High Priest Henry spoke in a low, grave voice.

“What did you just say?”
“The Goddess statue has cracked! We received a report from House Erdin just yesterday about finding traces of a magical beast in the Saint Mountains, and now even the Goddess statue has a problem! Doesn’t this mean a grave issue has arisen for the Empire’s divine protection!”

The priest reporting to him spoke excitedly, raising his voice. At his words, Henry’s expression hardened severely.

The statue of Goddess Ferdia in the plaza before the Grand Temple had stood firm in its place, rain or shine, wind or snow.

Under the protection of Goddess Ferdia, the statue of Goddess Ferdia would not break under any circumstances.

If a flaw appeared on such a statue, there was only one reason. Someone in this Empire, watched over by Goddess Ferdia, had dared to summon a demon.

“Sir Frederick.”
“Yes.”

At Henry’s call, Frederick, standing behind him, answered. The priests’ gazes shifted to Frederick.

Short-cut black hair, black eyes. Skin slightly tanned from frequent training. Combined with a height nearing 190 cm and a sturdy build.

If not for the spotless white holy knight uniform he wore, one might believe he was a mercenary rather than a holy knight, given his solid physique.

Despite his wild, rugged appearance, he was the most devout among the holy knights.

Frederick Chamber. He was the holy knight High Priest Henry trusted the most.

“I shall entrust full authority in this matter to you.”
“To me, sir?”

Frederick looked at Henry, startled. Henry nodded and continued.

“Yes, assemble the holy knights to form an investigation team. Then go to the Saint Mountains and deal with those who dare to challenge the divine. According to Imperial law, both the demon and the summoner are to be executed on sight.”
“I shall obey your command.”

Frederick spoke, kneeling on one knee. Unlike his calm actions and speech, anger towards demons could be heard in his voice.

“I will make sure they pay the price for summoning a demon in the Empire ruled by Goddess Ferdia.”

His stern face reflected a cold determination to not let a single demon escape.