Chapter 3

3

Under pain of death

Cyril hammered the last shingle into place then looked down to make sure no one was below him. While he had finished with the orphanage's roof that did not mean that he could afford to be careless, children were extraordinarily fragile after all and the Hunter knew his current employer would be most displeased if he had managed to drop a tool on some poor child's head.

The Hunter finished his task, put away his tools and approached the ladder, sliding down with nary a noise. His boots hit the grass below, startling the young brown haired girl who had been approaching.

"W-Whoa! Th-That was cool Mister Hunter!"

Cyril blinked and then turned around to see the young girl, Lisia if he recalled correctly, staring in unabashed awe at his skilled maneuver of going down a ladder. Cyril shrugged. "I am finished with repairing your roof but it is a temporary patch." He said softly. "You might want to hire a builder in the coming months." Cyril put his hat back on and pulled the cloth bandanna up over his mouth, causing Lisia to shrink back at the sight of him.

The Hunter shrugged again. He had volunteered to affect repairs to Miss Sasha's roof for free, despite the former's protests that he had to accept payment after the job was done but Cyril had firmly denied it. He owed Sasha for frightening the orphans under her care, and this was an easy way to deal with what had happened. Besides, she did say that he had to take it easy for a few days. Repairing a roof may have been a task that didn't seem like taking it easy but Cyril found comfort in such monotonous tasks such as sweeping, repairing a roof… He didn't know why but it calmed him down to be actually doing physical labor.

"You won't be staying?" Lisia asked. "Big Sister wanted to invite you over for dinner…"

Cyril didn't answer for a while. "I see." He said. "Well I guess I can stay for a little while." The smile on Lisia's face made him feel… uncomfortable. He did not like to be around people, children even less, all because of the Night of the Hunt. They reminded him too much of the suffering of that time.

He wanted no memories of that night, but he was resigned to remembering them all. If that was his burden, to bear the memories of dying Yharnam to his grave then so be it. He would remember the good folk that he had tried to rescue and strove to do good in their name, this act would not absolve him of the terrible crimes he had committed that one fateful night and neither would it lift the heavy burdens from his shoulders but he hoped it would be enough to atone.

A small ease to his burdens, that was all he asked for.

Sasha Fullmoon observed Master Cyril in his interactions with all the curious children surrounding him as he ate. He answered their constant questions with the calm patience of a man long inured to such things. Dare she say it but she could have sworn she had seen him smile a little when pressed by Lisia and Emiyu, the two of them having soon latched onto Cyril. Perhaps it was because he had helped their Big Brother Elt or maybe the Hunter had a soft spot for children?

She did not know but Cyril seemed to be getting better. He looked less tired, maybe he had taken her advice?

Sasha sighed and shook her head tiredly, a gesture that Cyril seemed to have noticed because his eyes narrowed albeit slightly in her direction. She raised a hand and waved… awkwardly, even as the Hunter's eyes flashed with disapproval. So he noticed too… but what could she do?

Ever since that terrible day, she doubted herself and everything she believed in. Man and Monster were enemies, the Order taught her that but why was it that whenever the crusades succeeded all she saw in the faces of the monsters was grief? She was supposed to make everyone smile and yet every victorious mission she led in the name of the Chief God always showed her nothing but grief.

Doubt made her want to atone. Atonement, her goal, made her raise not just one orphanage but two… one with human children who lost their parents in the Order's relentless march to save humankind and one with monster children, those who also lost their parents in the same war. It was taking a toll on her but she could not reveal anything to Elt or any of her colleagues under pain of death.

She again glanced at Cyril. Would he sell her out? He didn't seem fond of the Order, from the way he avoided anything that involved joining the knights. Merse had been persistent but even she had doubts as to how to best secure the Hunter's loyalty. The man was a mercenary through and through.

"Cyril… If you could mind coming with me? I… I have something to discuss with you."

The words were out of her mouth before she could reign them in.

Cyril blinked, but he nodded politely in her direction.

The Hunter followed the Priestess silently as they walked down a path through the woods. Cyril didn't expect an attack but he still kept an eye out for anything untoward. Sasha may have been a veteran hero but he had seen how pale and drawn she was, she was also stumbling slightly. More than once, Cyril had to steer her straight lest she blunder into a tree, such was her fatigue that it was making him feel concerned.

Cyril looked around however. It was a clear, moonlit night, but the silence was what made him cautious. He felt the familiar weight of his Saw Cleaver on his back in open hostility. His holster was unbuckled and his pistol was ready to draw at a moment's notice. Like Sasha, he too had a small hand lantern to light their way.

"I am sorry for my silence, Master Cyril but this is a secret I am hesitant to trust to others." Sasha said.

"Even to your friend, Elt was it?" Cyril asked in return. The silence told him everything. He felt like he was stepping into something serious, something that he would regret knowing. Cyril was no craven, he'd make his decision when they got to the end of this path… wherever it may lead.

"Even to him. I have not known you long, Master Cyril but I have a feeling that I can trust you to keep your silence in this matter." Sasha spoke after a long pause, sounding really tired. The Hunter's eyes narrowed. He secretly drew his pistol. Something in the Priestess's tone made him even more cautious than before.

The path led to a small building, this one was more of a cottage more than anything. Cyril didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but he knew that being complacent was more lethal than a blade or gun. The Hunter let Sasha open the door. He stopped in the doorway.

"Um… Big Sister?"

Cyril was looking right into the bright blue eyes of a child with fox ears. The Hunter blinked and shook his head. He then turned his gaze to meet Sasha, who looked away guilty. He honestly was very surprised, Sasha had always been loyal to the Order and yet here she was raising the orphans of the very crusades she led against the monsters. The Hunter closed his eyes and straightened his posture, his gaze was then very cold.

"What is this." He said to the priestess. "What is going on, Sasha?"

"This is my secret sin." Sasha told him softly.

"Big sister?" The fox child asked, and Sasha hushed her and pushed her back suddenly as Cyril raised his pistol… and promptly holstered it. His gaze was still locked onto the rather surprised Sasha.

"You can start by explaining what you plan to do with these children." He told her. "And what this plan has to do with me. And for your sake, this better be good."

The inside of the cottage was far more roomier since the monster children were less in number than the humans. Cyril hung his own hand lantern on an alcove and Sasha lit more candles. The fox child was but one of many monster children. Cyril saw a Salamander, this one older than the other kids and carrying a wooden sword. Odd, considering the trails of fire that often sprung to life in her claws and her tail. There was another girl with the horns of a sheep struggling to keep awake. The poor girl nearly tumbled onto her twin, which startled them both briefly before they suddenly began to drowse. Again. Both were Weresheep if Cyril remembered from the guide correctly. Another girl had squeaked when his gaze met hers. She fluttered briefly away with her wings, into the shadows but there was a loud thunk and a squeak of pain.

A Harpy. This one must be trouble to keep track of.

The Hunter crossed his arms, feeling the gaze of the Salamander on his form.

"I… don't plan on hurting any of them." Sasha said quietly but firmly. "My actions may not have directly caused the deaths of these little ones' parents but it is my atonement to take care of them."

"Hence why you look ready to keel over." Cyril pointed out. Sasha was swaying on her feet. The Hunter gestured for the Salamander's help, the young girl quickly grabbing a chair for Sasha to sit down in. Cyril helped the priestess sit down before she fell. "And why you cannot ask for help, the Order would sooner kill these children than let them live."

He sighed. "Why did you involve me in this?" He asked her. This was clearly not something he wanted to know but he made the decision to get involved. Cyril cursed himself. Sasha had asked for his help, he was well within his right to refuse but this secret would be known to more people now.

"You can walk away if you wish." Sasha said. "But I implore you, Master Cyril. Keep this secret, I do not want more innocent blood on my hands."

"Blood will stain your hands no matter what you do." Cyril answered, harsher than what he intended. He was frustrated with the situation as it is. Sasha flinched at his words. "These children will be found out, and they will die by Order blades. And because you informed me of their existence my fate will be tied to yours in return."

"I still trust you to do the right thing, Master Cyril." Sasha told him. "I know that you are still a good man. Even if you do not show it."

"So you say." Cyril answered. "But this is still something I should not have been involved in." His tone was razor sharp, laced with a growing impatience that Sasha noticed with growing alarm. The Salamander child swallowed the lump in her throat.

Sasha Fullmoon realized with no degree of uncertainty that Cyril Sutherland was more than capable of ending not only her life but those of the children in this very cottage. His shadow seemed to darken the room they were all in, such was its darkness that the moon itself refused to give its light.

And then, Cyril exhaled and regarded Sasha with tired eyes. "You will owe me for this." He stated quietly and left without another word.

Sasha let out the breath she had been holding and squeezed the Salamander child tightly. She would not be sleeping for quite a while it seemed.

A few days later…

The merchant caravan he was escorting through the grasslands was moving at a clipped pace but Cyril wasn't paying attention to that. The Hunter sat beside the lead wagon driver, pistol in hand. The older man beside him didn't bother to ask any questions because the look on Cyril's face was outright murderous.

Cyril kept an eye out, his temper barely kept in check. That night was a mistake he should not have made, and Sasha should have known better than to involve him in whatever scheme she was up to. He should have left her to whatever fate was in store for her. Instead, he now had to carry a damning secret that could jeopardize not only her life but his as well, and even if the Order had no realistic way of putting him down he would still have to avoid them at all cost.

If that was going to happen then he might as well leave this continent. Zipangu was starting to look like an ideal option… even if there were also monsters there, at least a lot of them were reasonable.

The Hunter checked his handgun again. The grasslands around Lescatie were remotely secure, and often times the only monster encounters were the roving bands of Centaurs, reasonable monsters that were half women half horse, and even then they were rare in Lescatie.

The Hunter blinked as the wagon stopped. Someone shouted that the rear wagon was having trouble with one of its wheels. Cyril was annoyed even more, wonderful now they were stuck here for a few more hours. Even if Lescatie was safer than most kingdoms, nobody wanted to be away from the city walls at night. It was a sentiment that Cyril agreed with and not because of the roving mamono. The Hunter got off the wagon to walk around, bringing up his Saw Cleaver in his right hand. Cyril began to walk around while the wagon driver and the merchant checked up on their goods, an assortment that Cyril did not care to find out about.

There was a nagging feeling in the back of his head that something else was wrong. Cyril looked back at the caravan to observe the guards. Men and women were in attendance and this band numbered around ten. He looked at the black haired young woman with the sword and buckler. She wore a white tunic and brown leggings underneath a leather chest plate, looking more like a traveler than a warrior. He never met her personally and had never seen her before in the Adventurer's Guild but something about her was making him feel uneasy. She was apparently a newbie though, that was certain.

As if noticing his glance, the girl waved at him awkwardly. Cyril's eyes narrowed and he continued on his patrol looking for signs of trouble. He had more important issues to worry about. The Hunter moved back into his routine.

Demon Army, 4th Company Campsite, Lescatie…

"Doctor."

"Captain."

Ursula looked her healer right in the eye. The vampire, Seras Mariana Brusilov, had lived on this earth for more than four hundred years. Two of those centuries were spent under the tutelage of Doctor Greilia Little, Mistress of the Greilia Sabbath of Pharmacomancy. The other two were spent under the tutelage of Ursula's great aunt, Duchess Aria Gremory, swordmaster captain of the Red Guard who were responsible for guarding her mother's life. In a sense, Seras was capable of healing someone who was supposed to be dead… and more often than not was seen in the presence of several dead bodies in the defense of patients under her care. She had a deep seated hatred for the Order's Inquisition who were fanatics to the extreme.

Dressed in the white coat and robes of a healer, Seras was a slim vampire with a no nonsense attitude and less patience for those who got in the way of her healing. Hence why few were willing to risk her wrath, lest they wake up in a cot themselves. Blonde, blue eyed with a beautiful heart shaped face and an equally scary scowl, Seras was no softy.

"What brings you here, Captain?" Seras asked Ursula, her voice quiet. "As you can see I just finished doing inventory and taking care of one of our agents. The Fourth Princess was also waiting for your report."

"I wanted to see how Miss Murasaki is doing." Ursula stated calmly. "If that is appropriate, Doctor?"

Seras exhaled through her nose. "I do not want you troubling her any further. You have ten minutes." She brusquely turned away from the Demon, who smiled. Seras was always brusque when it involved her patients… which was why she was such an effective healer.

Ursula followed Seras to the sole occupied cot. The healer's tent was empty for now, but that would change when the invasion of Lescatie began. Already, monsters from the wilder areas of the kingdom were encroaching on Lescatie waylaying the garrisons located throughout the kingdom.

Druella's army was headed straight for the city itself. The 4th Company was responsible for scouting out the city's defenses. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd were on the move with the Fourth Born and her retinue. Ursula was not apprehensive, normally for what Demon ever was? But as she approached the forlorn Kunoichi who lay in her cot her smile curdled.

Seras approached the cot carefully. "Natsume?" She whispered. "My dear, are you awake? Captain Ursula wants to talk to you."

Natsume the Kunoichi blinked and looked around blearily. "I… I had another nightmare." She told Seras.

"I know." Seras gently patted Natsume's head. "I'm sorry for what you had to go through, child. It's a good thing that Fina was here to look after you."

Ursula winced as she heard the recrimination in Seras' tone. Sending Fina out to replace Natsume did not sit well with the vampire at all. True, a Vampire would normally be inferior to a Demon such as she but Seras was one of the best swordsmen in the company. She shook her head and put a more gentle expression on her face as Seras allowed Ursula to step towards her. Ursula sat down on the cot, putting a hand on Natsume's thigh, a touching gesture from such a fierce warrior such as she.

"Hello, Natsume-san." She said softly. "You know why I came here to talk to you."

"… That man will kill me." Natsume whispered. "If I tell you anything, he'll kill me. He'll know because you'll send people after him." She started to shake.

"If this man is dangerous, then he must be neutralized Natsume-san." Ursula said to her. "I won't let anything happen to you. Or Fina. On my honor as the Captain of this company, you will be protected if he retaliates."

Natsume didn't say a word at all. Ursula frowned and looked at Seras who crossed her arms and stared right back at her sternly.

"You'll know him, if you see him. He has no mana and yet…" Natsume said blandly. "He's… terrifying. I just wish…" She shook harder. "Oh gods… Fina… Fina, I'm sorry. I should have been the one. Please be careful Fina, he'll find out who you are… He'll kill you too."

She sobbed into her hands inconsolably.

Seras put a hand on a surprised Ursula's shoulder. "Okay, your ten minutes is up." She snapped then turned to a Kikimora that had just entered the tent. "Bennia, get your ass in here with a damned sedative!"

Shaken, more than what she wanted to admit, Ursula left the healer's tent.

"And you are certain that this man is a danger to our operations? Forgive me madame, but he is just one human male. Perhaps the Kunoichi is shaken by something else?"

Demeter's tone brokered no argument, but she was skeptical about what Ursula had told her. The Dullahan walked with Ursula as they made their rounds.

"I have considered that point but Natsume speaks the truth." Ursula told her subordinate. "I was there in the tent with her and that Kunoichi is horrified. That plus there was indeed something different about this human male." She regarded the Dullahan with seriousness. "The man has no mana. At all."

"You mean to say that he is dead?" Demeter asked, looking incredulous. "The only way someone could have no mana is if they were dead, my Captain." The Dullahan frowned. "Still, if this one is as dangerous as you say then perhaps we should approach with caution."

"He is not working for the Order however." Ursula mused. "Still… to track down a Kunoichi and best her in combat is not something any ordinary warrior can do. Even a Hero would be hard pressed to do so."

"A Hero with no affiliation with a god?" Demeter was surprised. "Or is he someone who has broken the limit of his physical form?"

"Both are possible." Ursula said suddenly smiling. "Which makes me excited. What if he is worthy prey?"

"Then I wish you all the best, milady." Demeter said, knowing full well of the Demon's wants and needs. She was prideful, that much was certain. Demeter just hoped that Ursula, the woman she had chosen to follow, would not allow that pride to be her downfall in the coming invasion.

Cyril panted. It had started raining and worse, there was a pack of monsters that had managed to ambush them in the night. He threw the cowering merchant aside as he blocked a claw strike from one of them. The Werewolf snarled before being silenced as Cyril's Saw Cleaver crunched through bone and brain. The Hunter bashed the corpse aside with his off hand as cries of alarm echoed throughout the merchant camp.

What a disaster. At least one of the guards was a competent mage and had sent out a magic flare that lit up the area. Cyril heard the shriek before he saw the charging orc come in. The Hunter kicked the thing in the stomach and cut it down all the same. The Hunter stayed silent as he swung his weapon to the side, extending it into a long bladed cleaver. He stood his ground as more monsters came at him.

Cyril beheaded another werewolf even as the monsters pressed into the group of guards. Already Cyril had seen a pair of men get dragged away by victorious monster girls. Cyril didn't even bother trying to shoot at them, it would have been a mercy but he had his orders. The Hunter struck down another monster, blood staining his blade.

Another orc tried to scream before her head was chopped off. A werewolf held her stomach, howling and screaming in pain before Cyril's pistol ended her life with a loud roar. No, not a roar it was more of a bark. The roar was coming from the Hunter's throat, an incoherent stream of rage.

Another beast had clawed onto Cyril's back and the Hunter shrugged her off and beat her to death with the butt of his pistol. He swung his Saw Cleaver back, beheading another monster in a spray of blood and water. He killed. And killed. And killed.

He didn't stop until the space around him was clear and he was surrounded by slain beasts, all in a state of dismemberment. Such was the slaughter that the merchant he had been defending had passed out from the utter bloodshed the Hunter had visited upon his foes. The surviving men and women of the caravan guards were murmuring, some were in awe yet more were cautious and even afraid of the fell handed Hunter that slaughtered fifty monsters in a matter of moments.

Cyril exhaled as he looked around, his eyes dilated. He was still looking for targets, for prey to kill. He wasn't in Lescatie anymore, everything and everyone he saw had blended into the nightmarish tableau that was Yharnam during the Night of the Hunt. And the mamono he had cut down had taken the shape of the nightmarish beasts that he had slain-

"Hey!"

The Hunter had to stop himself from swinging his weapon as he spun around to see the leader of the caravan guards, a tall man with an axe in hand. He grinned at Cyril who did not return the gesture. He just… stared.

"Nice job out there, friend. We probably wouldn't have made it if it weren't for you."

Cyril said nothing. He swung his weapon down to fold it back into the compact saw form and stood there, eyes blank. It was still raining. He panted heavily as the guard captain watched him closely, he reached out. "Hey are you-"

" Do not touch me. " Cyril growled. His voice was hoarse. The captain gulped and stepped back at the Hunter's stern gaze from beneath his tattered tricorne hat. The caravan, what was left of it, eventually gathered up whatever and whoever could be salvaged and headed to Lescatie as quick as possible.

Cyril didn't linger too long. The moment they were allowed into the city, the Hunter disappeared from the adventurer's guild and headed home as quickly as possible to avoid pointed questions. It was still raining by the time he got home.

Closing his door, Cyril tossed his Saw Cleaver into the corner. Blood flickered out and stained the floor. The Hunter removed his hat with trembling hands as he sat down on his chair. It was still dark so he lit his hand lantern and set it on his table. The dim light chased away some of the shadows but it was still dark inside.

He… He was going to have to fix that. Slowly Cyril stood up, still soaking from the rain. The Hunter made several attempts but it was worth it in the end because he now had a fire going. He dressed into his extra clothes; the tattered vest, shirt and trousers were clean at least. Cyril kept his hood off and instead sat down in front of the fire while getting some tea started. Calm, he needed calm. That was the worst fight he had ever been in. He had never lost control like that and it shamed him to even think back about that fight.

He had become a beast. Even briefly, the surge of frightening strength… it scared him to go back to that. The Hunter shook his head as he tried to calm down, listening to the sound of rain coming down in sheets. It was going to be a cold, cold night and if he couldn't sleep-

The crack of thunder startled him, causing him to reach for a weapon. He sighed and grabbed his lantern, going to retrieve his Saw Cleaver to c lean it off and give it a good sharpening. He sat down in front of the fire again and unfolded his Saw Cleaver. He reached for his whetstone. The sound of steel being sharpened echoed throughout his humble home.

The next day…

Fina moved through the brush, hood up. While Dhampir had superior physical abilities compared to normal humans, she did not let herself become too overconfident. Especially now, ever since she witnessed their person of interest in a fight.

The Dhampir was shaken but she kept her cool. She had never seen someone move so fast. The 'Hunter' as he had called himself back when she had first caught sight of him in the Adventurer's Guild was a mystery man of great interest to Captain Ursula.

She was right, the man had no mana but that apparently didn't matter. Because he was more than capable of killing monsters with ease. Heroes were dangerous to the average monster but the way this man slaughtered his way through the monster packs…

Fina shuddered as she looked back at the foreboding walls of Lescatie, as if focusing her thoughts on the Hunter would summon him… and surely that would be the end of her life because he was inimical to Mamono. Fina had her own reasons for reporting back to camp so soon as well. She wanted to check on Natsume, because Seras had told her that she was getting worse. She had been having more recurring nightmares, thus making it hard for her to sleep during the night. She also kept asking for offerings because she said that she was going to die soon.

Fina bit back a sob as she wiped her eyes. It wasn't fair. Natsume didn't deserve whatever insanity had befallen her.

The Dhampir eventually made it to the point where her magic stone would not be detected by any magic leaning heroes. Fina took it out of her cloak and held it up. A dark shadow engulfed her and soon, she had disappeared from the forests surrounding Lescatie.

In a few seconds she would reappear in the 4th Company campsite.

Fina stepped out of the portal and looked around. The guards stationed around the camp readied their weapons but paused as she waved at them and removed her hood. The sergeant in charge of patrols gave her a smile and let her in. Fina returned the gesture and walked into camp, which was busy. She saw soldiers getting geared for a fight, a rarity in the Demon Lord's armies since discipline was usually lax but Captain Ursula had trained her soldiers to be the best they could. Sure they all wanted a man for themselves but Ursula made it clear that they had to work first before the fun began. Perhaps that was why her soldiers were quite lustful when the battle was over.

Fina… just wanted to come back alive. The Dhampir made her way to the healer's tent to report to Seras, her tutor and foster mother.

She found Seras sitting down, checking on a catatonic Natsume who was holding a piece of paper in her hand, paper that Seras had plucked out. The vampire turned to see Fina just watching with wide, worried eyes.

"I had to sedate her." Seras said simply as Fina approached. "I'm so sorry, my dear. I'm going to have to send her back with her comrades when I get the chance."

Fina just sat down on Natsume's cot, placing a cool hand on Natsume's cheek. It wasn't fair for Natsume, who had just graduated to becoming a full fledged Shinobi, one hoping to find a man to call her own. Fina wanted to know what exactly she had seen. Seras straightened out the piece of paper she had managed to get from Natsume. She walked away a bit as she placed the piece of paper on a table.

She had given Natsume something to do, just some sketching since she mentioned that she had like drawing back when she was a girl. Seras blinked as she examined the sketch. It was that of a man, shrouded in a gray coat. He faced backwards, the tails of his coat billowing in a breeze. Natsume had even drawn the moon above his head. It wasn't a romantic picture at all. Seras found it downright disturbing because the man had weapons in each hand, the one in the right in particular looked like a madman's cross between a saw and a cleaver.

The symbol drawn over the moon was concerning. It… was a dangling rune, like a fork. It made her head hurt to look at it. It… looked like it was squirming. Seras blinked and the rune in the picture stilled. The Vampire swore under her breath.

"Fina, keep an eye on Natsume will you?" Seras said.

"Yes ma'am." Fina answered.

The vampire exited the tent and went to find a messenger. She was going to have to ask for a Sabbath's help.

She wondered if the White Goat or the Sleepy Magical Archive had any ideas on who this man was. Seras shivered as a chill went up her spine, and decided to start thinking about the questions she was going to ask the two.

Somehow, she knew this was going to be a bad idea.