The Holy Knights halted in their tracks and turned around. A girl dressed in pure white saintess robes hurried over, placing herself protectively in front of Via.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Sis…?”
Via was utterly shocked.
She truly hadn’t expected her older sister Sophie to appear here.
“Mm, it’s all right now, Via.”
Sophie turned back, smiling gently at her little sister—an expression completely different from the one she wore toward the Holy Knights.
“As long as I’m here, no one can bully you.”
“Lady Sophie, we are only performing routine duties,” the Holy Knight explained. “After all, Lady Via appearing in the underground black market is simply too suspicious. Since you are accompanying us, you should be aware of the objective of this mission, yes?”
“Of course I know. The Holy Knight Order came to the underground black market to hunt heretics who dare touch abyssal aura,” Sophie replied matter-of-factly.
“Ugh…”
Via lowered her head.
By sheer coincidence, the very heretic Sophie spoke of was none other than herself.
“Lady Sophie, we cannot let even a single person with potential to become a Demonized Being escape,” the Holy Knight said firmly.
“I agree with that statement. But using such a righteous excuse to bully my little sister—do you think I can just sit by and watch?” Sophie challenged.
“Lady Sophie, that was not our intention—”
“And you still dare say it wasn’t?” Sophie glared at him. “Isn’t your current behavior exactly the same as suspecting that my sister might be connected to heretics?”
“We are merely following orders.”
“My sister and I are both daughters of our mother. From childhood we received the Holy Land’s education precisely so we could inherit Mother’s will—to save innocent people lost in peril and error!”
Sophie’s tone grew angrier with every word.
“And now you suspect my sister of being involved with heretics?”
“We… did not mean it that way.” Language failed the clergy.
“No, that is exactly what you mean. Don’t think I can’t see it. From long ago, all of you have looked down on Via just because her talent is slightly lacking. You always view her through colored lenses—every single time, including today!”
“…”
The Holy Knights fell silent.
Sophie spoke the truth. Within the Holy Land, everyone favored Sophie and believed she had a high chance of becoming the second “Sylvia.” But their attitude toward Via was basically contempt. Few respected this drag-on-the-family failure; most treated her as nonexistent.
“Hand it over!”
Sophie snatched the abyssal aura detector and held it in front of Via.
The sudden move nearly stopped Via’s heart.
Yet, surprisingly, the device showed no reaction at all. Via looked closer—Sophie had never pressed the detection switch.
“You all saw that, right? No alarm. My sister has absolutely no connection to heretics.”
Sophie tossed the device back.
The Holy Knight who caught it was speechless.
“Apologize to Via,” Sophie said, enunciating each word.
“This…”
The Holy Knight’s face turned ugly. He hesitated for a long while before finally bowing his head to Via.
“We are truly sorry, Lady Via. We should not have been so rude. Please forgive our recklessness.”
“Mm…”
Hiding behind Sophie, Via showed only half her face, reacting with her usual timid demeanor.
“Let’s go. We’ll check elsewhere.”
The Holy Knights left the area to continue their mission in other parts of the underground black market, no longer bothering Via.
“Via, why are you here?”
Once the others had gone, Sophie asked curiously.
“The underground black market is very dangerous.”
“I… I went to the Adventurer’s Guild earlier and registered as an adventurer,” Via answered.
“All by yourself?”
“Mm.” Via nodded. “On the way to accept a commission, I met an adventurer who told me about the underground black market. I was curious—I’d never seen it before—so I thought I’d take a look. And the moment I arrived today, this happened.”
“Via, I understand you’re curious about many things, but a den of villains like this isn’t suitable for you. You’re too kind.”
Sophie took out a token she carried with her.
“Take this for now. Head to the southeast area of the underground black market—there’s another exit guarded by the Holy Knight Order. When you get there, show them this token and tell them to arrange your departure on my authority. They’ll definitely help.”
“What about you?”
“I still have to stay and carry out the mission—search for suspicious heretics,” Sophie said seriously.
“All right…”
“Go quickly, Via.”
“Mm.”
Via acknowledged her, accepting the token with great relief.
It was practically a safe-pass.
“Lady Sophie, where are you? At the underground black market docks, someone on the verge of falling into demonization has appeared—we need you for purification!”
The communication device at Sophie’s waist rang out.
“Understood. I’m on my way—I’ll be right there!”
After that brief reply, Sophie sprang into action.
“She…”
Watching Sophie’s retreating back, Via deeply felt the gap between them.
…
…
“…That really was close.”
Following Sophie’s directions, Via reached the southeast area of the underground black market, showed the token to the guarding Holy Knights, and had them assist her departure.
Though the Holy Knights were reluctant, they did so for Sophie’s sake.
Thus, escorted by Holy Knights, Via safely withdrew from the chaotic underground black market. She took a carriage from Doff City and returned to Avalon Academy.
The very first thing she did upon reaching her dorm was hide the Silver-rank magical core infected with abyssal aura.
Then she collapsed onto the sofa, utterly drained.
This trip to the underground black market had truly been thrilling enough.
“Sophie, she…”
Staring at the ceiling, Via’s expression gradually grew complicated.
I am the Demon King feared by the world. Since I’ve decided to walk the path of the Demon King once more, I should have no unnecessary emotions.
They would only hinder me.
From the perspective of human ethics and morality, Sophie Shirleyford was her twin older sister.
But as the Demon King, she should never acknowledge such a bond.
How could a weak human possibly be her sister?
Ridiculous!
If the other demonic races learned of it, wouldn’t they laugh their heads off?
Though she felt a trace of gratitude that Sophie had helped her escape, gratitude was gratitude.
“I will prove it—no one can sway me.”
Easy destroy the “holy” -pervert- land and take your sister with you.