PROJECT: Demon Annihilation

17: Night of Bliss

The Corps had a blissful night. Cheering, drinking, and arouses a never-ending laughter to celebrate Thormund and Ephraim's return. Looking at everyone will make you think that nothing happened several days ago. Even the headmaster of this fearsome organization nearly had his eyes out and shedding tears of either grief or delight while talking in a drunken state with a bottle of booze in his hand.

"Who gave the master booze? Look at this pitiful state of his. I thought I told you to never let this drunken kid have a single drop of wine?!"

Lamerexia, in her problematic yet having her lips slightly arching to form a smile, come closer and sitted in a flat-footed squat in front of her Master Frith with her arms resting on her knees.

In that position, she stared at the man in front of her who could barely open his eyes, had his long black hair touch the ground, and his robe falling off right on his left arm exposing his flesh. The Great Headmaster of the Anti-Demon Corps is currently sitting on the dirt and nearly passing out before his subordinates. This very sight of someone who should be cultured and well-mannered, is extremely....extremely undignified!

Asmodeus who was near them said,

"What's wrong? Let the old man have his way! This only happens every once in a while, kid. You should also suit yourself."

Lamerexia instantly threw a gaze of refusal. Right now, she was actually doubling up her guard, afraid that something might happen just like the last time. She cannot afford to be carefree now that everyone is having fun.

Blaise, who was silently listening to their conversation from the side, walked towards them and stood beside Lamerexia who was still sitting on the ground. Looking straight, she spoke.

"Ease up your guard, Lamerexia. Have some fun a little. Ephraim's giving you a longing stare for quite a while now. You should head over her. Or if you're 'that' worried, let's exchange places. I'll guard."

Hearing these words, Lamerexia diverted her eyes and looked at Ephraim who's sitting on a trunk on the other side of the bonfire. Ephraim hurriedly averted her eyes as soon as Lamerexia fixed her stares on her.

As she stood up, Lamerexia replied.

"No. That's fine, Blaise. You should also have some fun. Sorry for worrying you again. You are right. Since we've enhanced the concealment already, I no longer have to worry that much. Thank you."

She smiled. Her smile is real and as Blaise stared at her face, she couldn't help but to look sideways, her cheeks blushing. Blaise stammer as she speak almost hysterically.

"Yes, I understand! Q-quit smiling!"

She couldn't look at Lamerexia's smiling face. Because of her sudden behavior, Lamerexia couldn't help but to burst in laughter. Blaise heaved up a sigh before forming a relieved kind of smile.

This is the first time Lamerexia laughed for real after the battle in Mt. Safforon and this is also the first time that they had a good conversation after they had a fight.

She looked at the thing on Lamerexia's waist and looked sideways afterwards.

Blaise remembered what happened between them. The cold, blank stare in Lamerexia's eyes, the anger she felt that day as if she's a volcano ready to erupt, her unyielding intent to kill as she rushed forward Lamerexia with her sword in hand, and that one thing that will forever remain in her mind—Lamerexia's cry. The loud sobs of her resounds in Blaise's ears, almost tearing her heart apart. That's right! Blaise's punishing herself for that sin and decided to bear that cross behind her back.