Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 54 - Cautionary Tale, Part 3

Amoria strolled joyfully through the market, turning into a narrow alleyway.

Suddenly, the same guard who had hit on her while she was with Van began to follow her, his expression unreadable.

Amoria halted in the shadows of the alleyway.

"Just come out. I don't have time for this," she sighed.

"Alright, alright..." he chuckled, stepping out of the darkness.

"Well, well, well, Miss Veil... All alone," he muttered as he approached.

At first glance, one might underestimate Amoria. Despite her gentle appearance, she was stronger than most, having traveled with Magus. She held more cards than she let on...

Indeed, she had.

"Ugh," Amoria rolled her eyes and tossed a coin bag towards the 'thug'. "Here. I put in a little extra for your effort," she murmured disdainfully. He caught the coin purse and examined its contents.

"Thank you, miss. As always, it was a pleasure..." he replied, rubbing his bruised back from her earlier attack.

He began to giggle as he counted the coins.

"Anything else you wanted to discuss?" she asked impatiently.

"No, no... It's just funny, that's all. Seeing how far you're going to impress that kid. I couldn't help but laugh," he added. Amoria's fingers twitched slightly. "The only thing he found flawed about me is my teeth, and he clung to it... Isn't that cute? It's like his first time dissing anyone, in a desperate attempt to defend this oh-so-gentle lady," he jeered.

Amoria took a deep breath and looked up at the clear sky above the trashed alleyway.

"Ahh... Mr. Henry. Former Knight of the famed First Battalion..." she addressed him.

"You see, normally, I'd actually try to hurt you for saying something like that to me," she began, turning around with a smile. "But when you opened your mouth just now, I could tell someone had already spoon-fed you with shit earlier today, from all the way over here. It seems he hadn't clung to it for no reason." She smiled again, but it never reached her deadpan eyes.

The man twitched slightly. "... And she's funny too," he added.

"As for me wanting him to see me one way or another... That's my business. As always." She continued walking down the alleyway.

"So scary..." he called playfully as she walked away.

A moment later, he pondered. "She did call that kid Van... And that kid... Looks... awfully similar to—..." he muttered, thinking while walking away. "Ah..! That means..." He realized, a lightbulb going off in his mind.

"Meaty is finally back after all this time..." he murmured, a joyful snicker stretching across his lips.

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"Have you calmed down a bit?" Marcy casually asked, her deep red eyes facing forward as she led Cerille out of the pool area by her surprisingly delicate ear. Her touch, wasn't as casual as her tone.

"Y-yes... Yes...! I'm sorry, Aunt Marcy...!" Cerille cried, while Van and Anne walked side by side, unable to suppress a slight pity for the girl.

"So, you were childhood friends then?" Van asked.

With a soft exhale, Anne replied, "Yeah. But that's as far as I'll say."

"Fair enough," Van replied casually.