Chapter 245 – Rumours

“Hmmm. That valley… no, there shouldn’t be any Demon Homes there.” Alraius looked at the map that Anlesa provided. 

Anlesa returned to the Redux Demon Home to get some answers about the valley. In their head it sounded like a great idea, but they weren’t expecting all the excited demons who wanted to spar with them. Blame was tossed around, but it landed on no one in the end. 

“Strangely, there are many mutated creatures there from what appears to be a long time.” Luna mused, “Though what is considered a long time for demons? This could be a relatively new arrangement.”

“Ha, true.” Alraius chuckled and nodded. “If it came into existence within the last fifty years, then yeah, we wouldn’t know about it. There is only one Demon Home that came into existence around eighty years ago, but the rest are various levels of ancient.”

He looked at the map and tried to recall his recent trips. “Still, I don’t know if this could be classified as the early stages of one. From what you have told me, there are a few oddities about it. Not to mention, even if it is one, it looks like humans will be claiming it and we have plenty of room here.” 

Alraius gave Anlesa a history lesson on some of the different Demon Homes at her request. They also talked about what could’ve caused so many mutated creatures to gather, and he did mention some natural core that had increased impact on natural wildlife. Overall, it was a lesson that Eva was deeply interested in, and they kept some of the information in their back pocket for future use.

“Now that you are done with all that, are you sure you don’t want to come close and tango?” Velelenra's wings made some light flaps as she flew ever so slowly closer. Anlesa had just left the small room with Alraius, and who they were worried about was already waiting. 

Velelenra was hoping to fight. 

She had been brimming with excitement the moment Syrus arrived. 

“I am in a time crunch…” Syrus sighed 

“Come on, you and me sweating in a bloody glory~” 

[What is wrong with her word choice!?] (Luna)

[I did miss these reactions. Hard to replicate.] (Syrus)

[Maybe a bad time for teasing?] (Eva)

The group thought about it, and it was about time they helped Velelenra with this urge, because otherwise she might just attack them on site.

The demon and human moved to a private area for their first official fight. 

Alraius played watcher, and under the light of red crystals, both parties rushed towards each other.

After having an intense bout with Velelenra. They reached the city again on time.

Upon their return, with everything seemingly reasonable, they decided to accept the job. When they did reach the office, there was a little bit of fanfare; before they could even bring the job, the staff asked if she could join in on the expedition. 

[Pay is good, and if the extermination goes well, the trip should be short.] (Syrus)

[Though if any demons are in the area, we are to help safely extract them.] (Luna)

[Which could be difficult if they are large…] Eva remembered all the very strangely shaped demons. If there were any in the valley on the crazier end, that would be a difficult experience bringing them to Redux.

Leaving the building, Syrus noticed their water was low, so decided it was time for a refill. On the way, she noticed Lavender walking in the opposite direction across the street. 

Syrus signalled Lavender from across the street. The latter noticed and crossed when appropriate, noting that Syrus was headed for the water tower. Within a reasonable speaking distance, Lavender returned a polite wave and said good morning. 

Syrus opened her empty pouch of water. “Looks like I have been roped into the expedition.” 

“Oh, you did accept?” Lavender asked, surprised, “I really thought you would find a reason to leave, because they had been roping you into a lot recently.” 

“What can I say, the pay is good.” Syrus shrugged and refilled her water from the local water tower. “Though, I see your name mentioned anywhere? You not participating is an actual surprise.” 

“I did get another job… but not what you would expect—” Lavender paused to crack her neck, as it was an annoying feeling that needed to be clicked out. Though by her words, Anlesa assumed it wasn’t anything Mary-related. “A select group of people have been hired as the city guard duty for while the expedition occurs.” 

“That is reasonable.” With the recent damages the city suffered, no one wanted a repeat experience, and the expedition would eat a large amount of the city’s combat force.

[Do you think… The Aurora Church would use this as an opportunity?] Eva worried about the people they cared for in the city.

[It feels too soon, but they possibly have plotted something in anger that the previous one failed.] Luna was leaning toward the negative, but the possibility still frightened the thought of taking up the expedition job away. 

“If that was a job offering, I do wish they extended the invite to me before the expedition request.”  

“I’m not sure what their requirements were, but it does seem like something they handpicked before the expedition was posted. I guess it was their precondition before they could go ahead with the expedition.” 

[On a church possible attack again. I am in agreement that another attack on the city seems low. The previous one took a long time, and the resources that were used to perform the attack can’t simply be replicated in such a short time. The only option would be to do a front-facing attack, and there is nothing they can drag out of the woods to harm the city.] Syrus looked at Lavender, who looked a little annoyed about being given the role but did accept it.

“Well, I’m glad they picked you,” Syrus said earnestly. “There are very few people I know who I would trust this job with more than you.” 

“Why, you nearly made me blush.” Lavender jokingly turned her face away, but it did go slightly red. “But I do appreciate it, especially from someone with your level of experience." 

Anlesa understood Lavender inclusion in the city defence side of the operation. Her abilities were extremely effective. While those abilities would also be very useful in the offensive expedition, the city decided that level of firepower was better suited to defending against any sudden threats. 

“Are you also believing the recent rumours?” 

“The ones about you being ex or currently special ops from some country?” Lavender smirked. “Oh yeah, I have heard of them, and if they are untrue, that would be very funny. Personally, I am debating the theory; I can see evidence on both sides.” Lavender poked Syrus’s shoulder. “But I don’t believe you are aware of all the recent rumours.” 

“For the love of everything…” Luna pinched her nose. “What other stupid  thoughts have been cobbled together...?” She wasn’t sure if she actually wanted that question answered.

Lavender cackled and slapped her knee. “Oh girl, there are some good ones. Let me list a few. One is that you are actually over a hundred years old with an Attribute which keeps your age young. Another hmmm… what’s funnier… I know. There is a theory you are a living weapon made by some mad scientist. A theory that you paid for this promotion; you can debate for higher pay on contracts. Another one is that you are actually a demon. There is also the theory that was half caused by the people that came from across the sea, that you are actually the secret of a red-haired legendary merc or something. There is also a theory that you make drugs, well, the kind that makes you high and strong.” 

[Bloody…] Luna swore into the voids of their soul.

“What happened…” Anlesa felt a migraine coming. “I didn’t even do anything that crazy. All this talk only started after I stopped a half-chopped monster.” 

“You are underestimating all the talk that happened with your cleanup and peacemaker job. That didn’t cause any rumours directly, but it did get your name out there, and make it a synonym for terrifying." 

“I can’t say any of them make sense.” Luna complained, “But what on earth do you mean being a child of some mercenary across the sea?” Though her question was mostly done to have a few laughs at Syrus, as the ‘legendary red-haired merc’ really only had to be one person.

“That one is the most offensive?"

“No. But I do have parents.”  Anlesa replied as if it was obvious. “They definitely weren’t mercenaries in any shape or form, and before you ask, I do look like both of them.” 

“Damn, that theory is dead in the water then.” Lavender clicked her tongue in fake annoyance. “To save you from beating up some boy souls from across the sea who may have accidentally made some people think your folks are unfaithful. They weren’t the ones to suggest the theory. They were convinced to tell stories of their home, and eventually that led to them talking about myths and legendary figures. The ones from history were alright, but there are/were a lot of powerful figures on the Vita content in recent times. Out of the ones who lived in a similar time to us: Golden Knight, Pack Breaker Witch, Kingdom Defender, Crimson Lion, and Supreme Mage.” She looked Syrus up and down. “The red, fire, and being terrifying made people spend the night laughing about the idea.” 

Syrus really didn’t know if she should be offended.

“I see…” Syrus cracked her knuckles. “Let people know if they want to ask me about those theories.”

Lavender giggled and imagined the outcome. “Sure, I will let them know.” 

Before the duo even split, hearing those figures had caught Eva’s attention.

[Pack Breaker Witch, was that Levi?] That was the only Witch from the Vita continent that Eva remembered. 

[Perhaps. She may have gained that title after the fact… but there was someone else who had the Pack Breaker title, so I am unsure why it transferred.] Only Syrus knew that title was for the betrayer whose actions shattered many aspects of mercenary etiquette. The betrayals weren’t a story she had planned on telling others. 

Even if it wasn’t Levi, the idea of that title transferring to anyone made no sense. The only part about it being Levi… she could see overlap, but they were still very two different people. 

The conversation ended with a few threats and laughs, but Syrus didn’t enjoy the new thoughts swirling in her head. The life she left behind seemed to have become more chaotic and confusing since her death.