Chapter 8 – Did He Discover the Saint’s Secret?
“Do you think Sir Ascalon figured out the Saintess’s secret?”
“I doubt it. He’s never even seen her use holy power.”
At the entrance to the camellia forest, the three girls stood talking among themselves, wrapped in fox-fur robes. White breath puffed from their lips as they spoke in hushed but heated voices.
Anne had delivered Kyle’s exact message to Winter:
“Tell her I was wrong. There’s no enemy inside the sanctuary.”
Winter, who had been working in her office, gave no visible reaction.
But the girls had lived with her in Atlans for years. They didn’t need to see her face to know.
She must have been angry… but forcing herself to smile.
After gathering her thoughts, Anne stepped closer to the other two.
“…Anyway, we should be careful what we say in front of Sir Ascalon.”
“I agree!”
“Got it.”
Just then, a heavy crunch sounded in the snow. All three turned at once.
Kyle stood there.
“Sorry. Did I keep you waiting?”
His casual tone made them sigh in relief.
Nina hurried toward him.
“No! We just got here too.”
“Seems that way.”
Chloe raised her hand timidly.
“Um… how far are we going with you?”
“Just to the large camellia tree the Saint cares about.”
So, fairly deep inside.
“Shall I guide you—”
“I memorized the way.”
Already?
Anne glanced at the dark circles under his eyes.
Had he stayed up studying the forest?
“Sir Ascalon—”
“Kyle.”
“Huh?”
“Call me Kyle.”
The girls blinked.
Chloe, bold as ever, walked closer.
“Why can’t we call you Ascalon?”
“It’s easier this way.”
Anne frowned slightly. His tone was noticeably softer than when he spoke to Winter.
Nina tilted her head.
“Then… why do you dislike the Saintess?”
“I don’t.”
“Did you argue?”
“Chloe.”
Anne cut her off with a warning look.
After a few more short answers from Kyle, the girls fell silent.
Twenty minutes into the forest, something felt wrong.
The trees were charred black, down to their roots. The air was thick and hard to breathe.
No birds. No life.
“W-wait, Kyle!”
Kyle stopped and looked back at Anne.
“What is it?”
“…The forest feels different.”
“Be specific.”
His hand slowly moved to the pommel of his sword.
Nina, pale-faced, spoke up.
“When we came a week ago, it wasn’t this bad.”
“Not this bad how?”
“The smell. The humidity. The temperature. Everything’s wrong. It’s not even as cold as it should be.”
“Do you want to turn back? I can escort you.”
“No.”
Anne stepped forward firmly.
“We can’t let the Saintess waste holy power unnecessarily.”
Nina and Chloe stiffened.
Their greatest duty was protecting Winter’s lifespan.
“Right?” Anne pressed.
“R-right!”
“She trusts us too.”
Kyle sighed faintly but did not lower his hand.
“…Fine. Then touch that large camellia tree.”
The girls exchanged uncertain looks.
Anne stepped forward.
She placed her hand on the bark and closed her eyes, scanning it with holy power.
Nothing.
“It’s just a normal camellia. I don’t sense anything.”
The moment she turned—
A clear metallic ring echoed.
Kyle drew his sword in one smooth motion.
“Ka–Kyle?”
“Anne.”
His voice was cold.
“Don’t move.”
Before the other two could react, he lunged.
“Anne!”
A sharp, wet sound burst beside her head.
***
“Ugh—!”
Back in her office, Winter suddenly doubled over.
A sharp pain pierced her heart.
Documents she had been reviewing scattered into the air before fluttering down.
Her lungs felt crushed.
She gripped her desk, sweat pouring down her neck.
That energy—
It was coming from the camellia forest.
She tore off her veil.
Why hadn’t she sensed it sooner?
Clenching her fists until her nails dug into her skin, she rushed toward the altar.
***
A woman stood where the camellia tree had been.
Red hair like flames. Purple skin. A crimson dress burning at its hem.
“Was it… possessing the tree?” Anne gasped.
“You’re right,” Kyle replied calmly.
He had anticipated this.
He had replayed the forest’s layout in his mind all night. The familiars. The drained trees.
“I thought about where a demon would hide. Turns out it didn’t need to hide at all.”
The demon clutched the empty socket where her right eye had been.
“Y-you—!”
“First time seeing one in battle?” Kyle asked.
“…Yes.”
“Flame demon. As the name suggests.”
He lifted his sword.
“Be careful. You’ll get burned.”
“Then we’ll help!”
“No.”
He dragged his blade across the ground, blue eyes blazing.
“I fight alone.”
The demon hissed.
“You insolent human!”
She clapped her hands.
Flames formed in midair, gathering into a blazing fireball.
The heat was suffocating.
“If you fight alone and get hurt—!” Anne cried.
Kyle said nothing.
The fireball shot downward.
It struck him directly.
“Ka–Kyle!”
The explosion blinded them.
Anne cast a shield around Nina and Chloe.
Through thick smoke, she screamed,
“Kyle!”
No answer.
His entire body was engulfed in flames.
Anne collapsed to her knees.
What will I tell the Saintess?
“How should I—?”
The demon’s voice echoed.
“The man is dead. You little girls are next.”
Terror gripped Anne’s spine.
Chloe and Nina couldn’t move.
Then—
A wet, tearing sound.
The demon froze.
Slowly, she turned.
A sword pierced through her chest.
Blood dripped along the cold blade onto the snow.
“Sorry about that.”
Kyle stood behind her, smiling faintly.
“I’m immune to curses.”
