Sitting on the snowy embankment were about a dozen demons. This was Cass's first time seeing any in person. As the troop drew closer, Cass let out a sigh of relief. There were thick mana chains connecting them together. A short, stout man walked out onto the path.
"Road's clear up to the base. Welcome home, fellas."
"Wait here, boys."
Captain Stanev was in a hurry to speak with the man. Cass couldn't help but let his eyes wander to the captive demons sitting not 20 yards to their right. In his brief time in the trial, he had studied the soldier's field manual enough to recognize the chains. Their thickness and color told him that these demons were quite formidable. Even Captain Stanev would be helpless if he were wrapped in those. Most of the demons were lethargic under the chain's effect, save for one: the one whose eyes he'd seen shining among the blanket of white snow. The ones that were fixed on him at this very moment. His entire body tensed up as he froze in place. Her tone was terse.
"You there. Hello? You wouldn't happen to have any water would you? They haven't brought us any today. Hello? Do you speak another dialect perhaps?"
Cass looked around. Both troops were at ease and paying little attention to the captured fiends. That made Cass even more nervous.
"Who? Me?"
"Yes, of course. Could you spare some water? Every one of these damnable soldiers who captured us is ignoring me now. I may have said a few terse words, but honestly, it's no reason to act like children."
Damn you, legs!
Cass was already moving towards the demon. He knew it wasn't really his legs that put him in this mess though…Even from far away, he could see how stunning the demon girl was. Drawing closer, it was even more apparent. Her skin almost matched the snow, if not for the subtle grey tint. Her hair was black as night, tied up in a loose ponytail, and her eyes were a deep red. The loose, plain white shirt and baggy fatigue pants couldn't hide the flowing curves of her defined body. Being Blessed, the cold didn't pose her any threat, even in her sparse outfit. She tilted her head back, opened her mouth, and slightly pushed her tongue forward. Cass could now see her razor sharp fangs glistening in the sunlight.
"Water, please."
"H-huh? O-oh! Right!"
Cass steadied himself as well as he could and poured some water into her mouth.
"Ah! That's perfect! You're wonderful!"
"Anytime."
Cass awkwardly put his canteen away.
"That's some beautiful hair you have. Are you part demon?"
"What?"
"I've never seen a human as young as you with pure white hair. And your eyes are blue, so you can't be a full demon. Plus your skin tone…hmm."
"I was born with this hair, but my parents are human. I've never even heard of a human/demon hybrid before."
She chuckled.
"I'm sure you haven't. No doubt the government, nobles, royals…hell, even the commoners would want them dead. Oh, no offense. Demon society would feel the exact same way."
"Sounds about right."
Cass paused for a moment.
"If you don't mind me asking, how did you get captured?"
She raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Why do you ask? Are you a secret agent here to rescue me, demon boy? Or should I call you…?"
Cass didn't respond. He knew better than to give his name to a demon. Some possessed terrible abilities that required the target's name to fully take effect.
"I may not be Blessed, but recently I've become more in tune with judging people's…and demon's, strength. Even suppressed you seem quite powerful, Ms…?"
"Ariayah."
"Lady Ariayah, am I correct in my assumption?"
She beamed with pride.
"Yes, I am very powerful, as you say. It was some low ranking general who got the jump on me. A cowardly fellow, really. Had I been at full power at the time, it'd be him chained here."
If it was a general fighting on the battlefield, he was likely 3rd tier. So Cass had an idea of her upper limit. Assuming the rest of her claim was simply prideful boasting. He was pretty familiar with such things, so confidently assumed it was. Either way, It didn't bode well if she got loose. Captain Stanev was 5th tier, and the other Blessed in their troop were 6th, the lowest tier. If the other troop was the same, her alone might be more than they could handle. Not even counting the other demons.
"Where are you from, demon boy?"
"I'm from the central lands."
"Keeping it vague? Fair enough. I am from the great demon House of Eisheth. First daughter, in fact."
"It's an honor to make your acquaintance."
Cass bowed out of habit. It made his stomach turn every time, but it was ingrained from all his etiquette training. She seemed intrigued.
"A noble?"
Cass laughed nervously.
"I guess so."
"How old are you?"
"Well, I just turned 18, actually."
"And no blessing…"
Was she mocking him? No…was the fog mocking him? He was in the process of getting his blessing, damn it! Technically at this point he was over 18, but as long as he entered the trial before he turned 18, he could take as long as he wanted.
"I'm managing so far."
She gritted her glistening teeth.
"Can you believe my little sister got her blessing before me!? 12 years old and besting me in combat! I mean, I did finally get one, so uh, sorry for ranting I guess. But it's the principle of the thing, ya know?"
"You don't say. How long ago did you receive it?"
"4 years and 256 days. It was worth it just to see the look on those disgusting fool's faces! Thought they'd have me as a new toy, did they?"
Cass looked around with an uneasy expression.
"What happens to demon nobles who don't receive a blessing?"
"Not to brag, but given how I look? I'd probably sold off, at a VERY high price, as a concubine or used to broker a deal with another noble family."
She paused and looked down.
"It was close. During the last year, I finally received my blessing. Although, given the circumstances, maybe I'd have been better off lying on my back for some fat, exceedingly wealthy demon noble for the rest of my life."
"Huh. I think this is the first time I've heard anyone regret receiving a blessing. At least one who survived their trial."
"What's that tone?"
"Ah, forgive me. I was simply surprised to hear you say that. It was presumptuous to assume I know you."
She scowled and her eyes burned with a dull red glow.
"Clearly you don't if you're pitying me. My meaning was obvious: escaping that noble would've been easier than escaping from my current situation. That is all, understand?""
She opened her mouth and looked at him expectantly. Cass hurriedly pulled out the canteen and poured.
What the hell? Did she already have him trained? Demon's really were terrifying creatures.
"Ah! Water's never tasted so delicious!"
She licked her lips with a look of pure joy on her face. Cass had to steady himself yet again. He took a drink from his canteen.
"Whether you're a demon or not, it was nice to see a somewhat familiar face among this sea of fools. Especially one as handsome as yours."
Cass almost spat out his water.
"Huh!? What are you talking about!?"
She giggled.
"Don't worry, once I escape from here, I'll be sure to whisk you away back to our castle. You'd make an excellent personal assistant to me, demon boy. And It's the least I can do for the water."
Her eyes narrowed and she smiled from pointed ear to pointed ear. It sent a shiver down Cass's spine…but he didn't dislike it.
Captain Stanev yelled.
"Let's move out!"
Without hesitation Cass turned and headed toward his gathering troop.
"Stay safe, demon boy."
"You too."
What!? She was clearly being sarcastic. Why did I say that!? It just came out.
He could feel his face turning red as his feet moved faster and faster.