Cooled by the water blasts, the Flame Demon lost its ability to cast fireballs and other ranged elemental attacks. As its core temperature dropped, the magma flowing through its body hardened, causing it to become heavier and more sluggish than before.By nullifying its long-ranged fire attacks, Ezra had temporarily saved Avondale from going up in flames. However, the demon still posed a tremendous threat, even without its special abilities.The necromancers had bound the demon to Zepheroth’s staff, compelling it to obey their will, and their orders were clear: the Flame Demon’s goal was to cause as much destruction as possible and obliterate every living settlement standing in its way.Although Ezra and Count Gressil had attacked the Flame Demon, it chose to ignore them and continued walking toward the village.“Get the hell back!” Ezra pulled out his legendary sniper rifle and loaded it with a Doom Strike bullet. He aimed for its head and took his first shot.The bullet shot out of t
Ezra quickly flew up and fired a charged magic bullet at the Flame Demon, but the blue flash disappeared inside its flaming body, leaving it completely unscathed.Instead of going after Ezra, the Flame Demon turned around and set its blazing eyes on the village. As the villagers trembled in terror, the demon spread its claw-like fingers and conjured three fireballs at once.“Get away from the damn village, you damn bastard!” Count Gressil shouted and flew up. Switching to his Blunderbuss rifle, he fired a volley of Frost Bite rounds at the demon, but the icy globules melted in seconds as they flew toward the demon.Ignoring its attackers, the Flame Demon pointed at the village on the ground, causing all three fireballs to rain down from the sky like burning meteors.“The light is my shield!” Tanya’s voice rang out from below as she stood in the middle of the village, holding an ancient silver scepter with both hands.The fireballs screeched and exploded overhead, but instead of strikin
The villagers burst into tears as the Flame Demon’s body was blown to bits. They had mentally prepared themselves to meet a burning end, but Ezra and Tanya had swooped in like guardian angels and saved Avondale from destruction.Though much of the village had been charred by the flames and several shacks and cottages lay in ruins, the children were safe, and only a few men had sustained minor injuries. As Ezra landed on the ground and set foot inside the village, the village chief, an old man with a shabby gray beard, hobbled forward to greet him.“Who are you, kind stranger? Did His Majesty send you to save us?” the old chief asked before turning to Tanya. “You must be Ishani’s priestess…but you look far too young to be a part of her flock. Are you also from Magaravia?”It was clear from his words that the villagers had never heard of them before. Despite living so close to the capital, it seemed they were cut off from the rest of Valaria and had no clue about what was happening beyo
The news of a Flame Demon being spotted near Avondale quickly spread through Magaravia, and the courtiers even heard whispers of an unknown hero defeating the demon and saving the village. However, since Ezra had requested the villagers to keep his identity a secret, not even the best spies in the capital could come up with a name. There were several speculations in each noble circle, but the involvement of the Romanovs did not come up even once since everyone knew that the family had been massacred in Aranor.Meanwhile, inside the mansion in Verdant Gardens, Count Gressil and Ezra freshened up and gathered at the meeting table upstairs to discuss their next course of action. Tanya and Glenn also joined them after dismissing the attendants and knights.“If the necromancers have been successful in summoning a demon once, it is quite plausible that they will try to do this again. We were able to stop the Flame Demon this time, but I don’t think we will fare too well against multiple dem
The following morning, Tanya woke up at the stroke of dawn and reached Ishani’s Shrine on Bolter Street before its doors could open. On the steps of the shrine, Tanya met the High Priestess and accompanied her to her inner chambers. Here, in the presence of the sworn priestesses, she was safe from conspirators and spies and could confide her secrets to her spiritual sisters.Princess Aleena was expected to visit the shrine in the early hours of the morning to avoid the public eye. But she was always accompanied by her chambermaid and music instructor to keep her safe.“I want to meet Princess Aleena, sister. Please help me out,” Tanya requested with humility, taking the High Priestess’ hand in hers. “The matter is urgent, and if you help me, it would greatly benefit the kingdom.”The High Priestess was a wise old lady with a calm demeanor and a face crisscrossed with wrinkles. But despite her sweet nature, she could be severe when it came to dealing with those who strayed from the pat
Lying in the house of the Goddess was one of the highest of sins, but Tanya knew she was doing this for the greater good, so she prayed for Ishani’s forgiveness and eased herself into her new role.“Welcome to the Veiled Chamber, my child. Remember, the Goddess listens to all our problems and answers all our prayers. Unburden your heart and be free,” Tanya spoke in an altered voice, doing her best to sound as detached and austere as possible.Aleena took a deep breath and lowered her head. Her voice cracked as she opened her lips to speak.“I…don’t know what’s happening anymore. Someone attacked my father a few nights ago, and now he refuses to leave his room. It feels like everything is falling apart around me, and all I can do is watch like a helpless lamb trapped inside a pen.”Tanya realized she had guessed correctly about the princess’s life when she had first seen her. Aleena wasn’t happy in the palace and had little freedom to do anything without being guarded by her protectors.
King Reginald had strict orders not to let anyone enter the palace grounds without his permission, but no one in the royal household could dare to refute the words of the princess.Vivette and Aya remained silent throughout the journey as they accompanied Princess Aleena and Tanya to the palace. As they entered through the front gate, the Royal Guards rushed to open the door and bowed like obedient pups.Although Aleena did not like this kind of slavish obeisance, her instructors had taught her that it was all a part of being a princess and it would ruin her image if she refused to uphold her dignity as the only heir to the throne of Valaria.A bronze footstool was laid down for the princess, allowing her to alight from the carriage without soiling her sandals. Aya quickly joined her at her side and held a silk umbrella over her head to shade her from the pitiful gaze of the morning sun.Tanya could tell that King Reginald took care of all his daughter's needs despite not being present
When Tanya returned to Verdant Gardens it was already afternoon, and Count Gressil and Glenn had just left. Only Ezra was still at home, waiting for her.Entering the mansion, Tanya removed her veil and took off her disguise. She then went straight to Ezra’s room to relay the outcome of today’s meeting with Aleena.Ezra was happy to hear that Tanya had managed to gain Princess Aleena’s trust and get better acquainted with her. However, the fact that Aleena was always accompanied by her guardians created a critical problem.As long as those two were around, there was no way Ezra or Tanya could talk politics in front of the princess or learn anything useful about her bedridden mother. To even suggest replacing her father as the new ruler of Valaria was equivalent to treason and it was suicide to plan something like that while the king’s loyal servants were watching them.“So, how do we talk to the princess in private?” Ezra asked after listening to everything.“I handed her a note before