The next day, Velvet, Alisha and the seraphim was in Sorey's room as they waited for him to wake up once again. Velvet was dipping the towel again in cold water to make sure his fever was going down. She was being reminded of the days she took care of Laphi whenever his fevers would come back, she really missed her brother and sister, the old days before she became who she is now.

"It seems strange to see you taking care of Sorey like this." Mikleo pointed out and Velvet glared at him after placing the towel back on the Shepherd's forehead.

"For your information, someone dear to me used to have fevers daily, I'm quite used to it." Velvet explained with her arms crossed. Lailah and Alisha giggled at this.

"Well, we can all see that Velvet have a kind side than just a warrior and we know that she has an instinct to protect." Lailah said and Velvet looked away in embarrassment as it had been a long time since someone said something nice to her in that way.

"Lady Velvet have done many things under her time," Kurumi explained, "We think we know how to purify a full fledged dragon." The people in the room were shocked, Lailah was the one that was most shocked.

"One of my old comrades have turned into a dragon, he helped me a lot under my last journey." Velvet continued, thinking about Eizen. "I owe him many things and he made me realize a few things that I did was stupid."

"How are you going to purify a dragon?" Lailah asked worried.

"I'm planning to use my therion powers to draw out the malevolence in order to use the power of purification but it won't be easy since we need a team of people to fight in order to weaken it enough for me to do it." Velvet told them her plan. "I haven't tried it yet and it's risky if Sorey isn't strong enough, the dragons are weaker than a Lord of Calamity. If he can't defeat a dragon then he's hopeless against the Lord of Calamity."

"I see, it's much harder than we realized." Alisha concluded.

"With Alisha's resonance now almost in pair with Sorey's, she might be able to use the armatus as well." Kurumi said, knowing the information of the armatus from Velvet. "But let's save that conversation for when Sorey wakes up." Everyone nodded in agreement.

"His fever have gotten down quite fast." Mikleo pointed out.

"That is true." Alisha said in agreement as she placed a hand on his forehead as well taking off the towel.

"I'm surprised it only took him one day to recover. It took three when he forged a pact with me." Lailah said as they all noticed he's about to wake up.

"It depends on the strength and power a seraph have when you make the pact, have seen it with my own eyes how it would take." Velvet told her. "Also with how many you have already makes the difference."

"He has definitely got natural ability as a Shepherd." Mikleo pointed out and Velvet looked away guilty.

'It's all because of me, he was born from a monster with abilities that no one know of.' Velvet thought guilty as she was being reminded of the past and curled her hands into fists.

"Velvet, are you alright?" Mikleo asked and the black haired woman looked at the water seraph.

"I'm fine, just thinking about something." Velvet half lied as they heard groaning from Sorey waking up. "Glad you could wake up."

"I-I must have fainted again…" Sorey moaned exhausted. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it, at least you're okay." Velvet said caring as Sorey sat up on the side. "I had to carry you here, again."

"Thank you, Velvet." Sorey thanked the woman and stood up but as he took a step forward, Sorey swing side by side and Velvet had her arms out in case if he lost balance.

"Don't overwork yourself! You still need to rest!" Lailah said worried.

"What Lailah said is true, you can't overwork your body like this." Velvet said in concern over her son's condition. "You might collapse for real this time."

"I'll be fine." Sorey tried to convince them. "We gotta find the Lord of the Land and someone to pray at the sanctuary before the ice melts."

"Sorey, I won't allow you to fight like this." Velvet told him serious. "You've unlocked and used two armatus yesterday, your body's exhausted and your mana have just started to refill again."

"Let us do most of the fighting from now on until you've recovered." Kurumi said, agreeing with her partner.

Everyone looked at each other before nodding, saying that they agreed with the terms as well follow Sorey to the goal they were doing in first place. Alisha suggested they should find a priest called Breunor, who might be the only priest who believes in the seraphim. The group searched the town until they heard some people talking about prayers of the seraphim in an alleyway, it was Father Breunor and woman that was talking to each other. The group watched as Bruenor was trying to not accept the money from the woman which was a sign how corrupted Ladylake was nowadays, eventually he accepted the money and the woman walked away and Breunor noticed them.

"Princess?!" Father Breunor exclaimed.

"I'm here to ask a favor." Alisha said in her usual princess demeanor.

"Of me? What could I…" Father Breunor trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"We would like to ask you to enshrine and look after a new seraph in our town's sanctuary." Alisha explained. "This is a request from the Shepherd."

"The Shepherd?! You mean this boy is the…"

"The one and only, we saw it with our own eyes." Velvet pointed out with a smile and Breunor started to be ashamed over accepting the money.

"F-forgive me." The priest begged ashamed.

"You are not to be blamed." The princess told him. "It is the fault of the royal family that so many have strayed from the noble path." Those words reminded the Nephilim about the Abbey's control over Midgand and many people strayed away from the path thanks to Artorius.

"Excuse me, if I may." Sorey suddenly said and walked forward Father Breunor. "It's nice to meet you. My name's Sorey and this is Velvet." Sorey suddenly sat down on his knees in front of the priest, Alisha giggled and Velvet pinched her nose to try not to laugh as this reminded her of Simon's own actions.

"You're just like your father." Velvet mumbled amused.

"I'd like you to be the one to worship at the sanctuary for the protection of Ladylake." Sorey explained while bowing which made it harder for the women to not laugh at him. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused by pulling the Sacred Blade so carelessly. I know I'm still a fledgling Shepherd who hasn't gotten used to things yet, but I promise I will do my best!"

"Now you're acting exactly like him." Velvet mumbled even more amused by her son's actions and behaviour. Father Breunor then sat down on his knees as well.

"Y-yes, of course! I-it's quite alright!" Father Breunor said nervous over Sorey's behaviour. "Please, do not prostrate yourself so!" Sorey looked up with a smile on his face.

"Thank you." Sorey thanked the priest. Alisha laughed a little before walking next to Sorey to sit down next to him.

"This request comes from me and Velvet as well." Alisha said. "Please, help me so that I in turn may help this… inexperienced but pure-of-heart Shepherd!"

"Of course." Father Breunor agreed. "I am honored that I may possibly be of service to ones such as yourselves. Though I am frail of body, I shall perform the task at hand with the entirety of my spirit!"

"That would be of good help, thank you." Velvet thanked the priest, knowing that Ladylake would be safer from malevolence when they found the seraph that can become the Lord of the Land.

"I'm glad." Sorey agreed until he moaned and started to shake his leg lightly. "Aww man, my foot's asleep!" Everyone laughed at his antics.

"Seriously? That's what happens when you sit on it for too long." Velvet giggled as they started to laugh together. After talking with Father Breunor a bit more, the three sitting down on the ground stood up as the sign to leave.

"Well then, Father Breunor. When you're ready, I will visit you again." Alisha said as a sign of gratitude.

"As you wish. Do be careful!" Breunor said before walking away.

Now the group had almost everything they needed to protect Ladylake, now what's missing is a seraph that is willing to be the Lord of the Land. While the group was walking forward the plains to look for a seraph, they were talking about Sorey's behavior with Breunor before hearing something about a bridge that had been destroyed by a water spirit so they decided to check it out as it sounded like a hellion would do that.

When the group arrived, it was pouring rain which was strange as in other areas it was sunny. This could only be a work of a hellion or a seraph and in the stream was a broken bridge that was impossible to cross the other side thanks to the strong stream. Alisha walked to the guards to ask about what happened while Velvet and Sorey walked up to the stream to look at it with worried looks over what did it.

"This wasn't caused by rain." Velvet concluded, seeing that the whole bridge had collapsed, Mikleo and Lailah came out so the therion and Kurumi could hear as well.

"The current is odd considering the water level." Mikleo pointed out.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Lailah said nervous.

"You're not the only one, Lady Lailah." Kurumi agreed and Sorey nodded as well before the humans turned to the guard behind them.

"You should evacuate." Sorey told the guard and some civilians started to gather around.

"Finally, someone who's talking some sense." An old man said in relief.

"Who are you?!" The guard asked irritated.

"Alisha, this place isn't safe for them. The thing that did this might come back." Velvet explained to the princess, who nodded as she understood what the woman meant.

"All right. Do as Sorey and Velvet suggests." Alisha told the guard.

"Sorey? You can't possibly mean the Shepherd?!" A man next to the guard asked in surprise.

"Velvet? As in Velvet Crowe, the traveler that is said to talk with spirits." The old man said impressed. "That is a name I haven't heard for a while! If they are, maybe they can stop the flood!"

"You really think there's anything that can stop the water spirit's rampage?" A young man asked as he was sitting by a tree nearby.

"Water spirit?" Sorey asked confused even though he knew what the young man meant.

"It's terrible. Destroyed the bridge in an instant." The young man explained a little scared. "It's some sort of… Monster!"

"Silence! Enough with your nonsense!" The guard ordered.

Just then, a big water spout appeared in the stream which in the newcomers eyes, was revealed to be an Ouroboros. All the people around them started to get scared.

"W-What?" Said the brown haired man.

"The water spirit!" The young man answered.

"Run to safety!" Velvet ordered them.

"That's an order, hurry!" Alisha said and they all ran away so the group could handle the situation.

The fight wasn't so difficult, probably because it was weaker than it usually was. This meant that it newly transformed into a hellion and Velvet knew this monster well which worried her a bit, when something become a hellion it is usually because of their malevolence but when a seraph turn into a hellion it'll always grow bigger before it turn into a dragon. This Ouroboros was a seraph. When they finished fighting and purified it, it revealed to be a male water seraph which was great shock for the beginners in the group.

"The hellion… turned into a seraph?!" Mikleo exclaimed in absolute shock.

"It's the other way around. Hellions that are strong enough to manifest themselves are those that were once seraphim." Lailah explained which shocked Mikleo a bit more.

"A seraph can become a hellion?!" The water seraph asked.

"Yeah, they can. I've seen it with my own eyes." Velvet told him. "Why would I make sure you stayed in my domain back in the ruin? Because of what would happen to you if the malevolence would overtake you."

"And seraphim that have completely turned into hellion are also known as…" Lailah paused for a second. "...Dragons."

"Dragons? Those really exists?!" Sorey asked.

"They aren't mare legends and fairytales, they truly exists." Velvet explained while crossing her arms. "I fought a few dragons and they are no joke." Sorey looked sadly down to finally know about the true nature of dragons. The moment was short as the water seraph started to gain consciousness, Velvet walked over to him to help him up on his feet.

"Thank you." The water seraph thanked her.

"I'm Velvet and this is Kurumi." The therion introduced herself and the wolf partner. "We're here with the Shepherd and helped purify you."

"I see. I'm very grateful you did." The seraph thanked them, he turned to the destroyed bridge in guilt over what he have done. "So the wrecking of the bridge was all… all my fault."

"That is not entirely your fault, you were succumbed by malevolence." Kurumi told him. "We can't control ourselves when we're turned into a hellion. That's what makes it dangerous." The seraph turned to them as Sorey and the seraphim came over to them.

"I'm so ashamed. If you hadn't been here to purify me, I don't know what would have happened." The seraph said ashamed over his actions. "Thank you."

"I'm really glad we were able to save you…" Sorey said before thinking back at that Uno would have become a dragon.

"That's the new Shepherd, Sorey." Velvet introduced him. "We never caught your name."

"I'm Uno." The seraph replied.

"Uno, in exchange for saving you, we would like to ask you favor, would you be willing to listen?" Sorey asked. Uno looked at him confused before nodding. "I would ask you to bless Ladylake."

"But as things currently stand in that town…" Uno pointed out worried.

The group then heard laughing from the villagers nearby that had been watching them as well the rain stopped. Somehow they were having a good time even though they were in danger a few minutes ago, something that was rare in both Hyland and Rolance. Velvet just smiled at the big progress since she left the world in a state of chaos to work itself back up in peace, she made sure that humans would rely on themselves instead of the Shepherds or malakhim because now normal humans can't know of their existence.

"So there are still people here who believe…" Uno said in relief.

"Don't underestimate humans, they've changed much under the time your existence has been hidden." Velvet pointed out, remembering how much the world changed because of Laphicet. "Will you do it?"

"Well, you did help me get back to my old self." Uno replied.

"Then you'll help?" Sorey asked and the water seraph nodded as an answer.

"I shall become the Lord of the Land for the domain of Ladylake." Uno answered.

"Thank you, Lord Uno." Kurumi thanked him.

"The same goes to me." Sorey agreed with the wolf seraph as Alisha arrived.

"And you must be the Prime Lord?" Uno asked Lailah. "You've picked a fine Shepherd."

"I agreed." Lailah replied while nodding.

"Let's go. Father Breunor is waiting for us." Alisha said to the group. Velvet suddenly felt an odd presence a few meters and saw a man walking away, who didn't notice Velvet glaring at him.

"Milady, what's wrong?" Kurumi asked and the therion glanced at her.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Velvet answered before glaring back on the road. 'I don't like this feeling, that man is bound to come a hellion but why isn't he one yet? What is he planning to do by spying on us?' Velvet made a mental note to herself to be on guard.

The group then made their way back to the church with the Shepherd just happy to have the job done but Velvet couldn't let go the feeling that something is going to be wrong with all of this. She's been in these kind of situations before and is wasn't good to feel this way at all, especially when she has been traveling a long time to know that those of power would try anything to have her work for them as a weapon.

As they go to Ladylake, the group instantly walked over to the shrine to meet up with Father Breunor, who had already prepared for the ceremony over at the pedestal. Mikleo placed the ice in a basin on the pedestal and stayed away from it as Lailah used her flames to melt the ice into water.

"Ooh… Truly, this power is the stuff of miracles!" Breunor said and Uno crossed his arms.

"Hmm. Looks like he really can't sense us at all." Uno pointed out and Velvet just shook her head as this was amusing to her.

"I shall worship this sacred water with all my being!" Father Breunor said determined, turning to the opposite way from where Uno was standing which made Velvet and Kurumi silently giggle. "Oh venerable Uno, I am yet inexperienced, but would that I could serve thee for all eternity!" Uno snicker over the priest's act of trust.

"But he is earnest. I'll at least give him that." Uno pointed out, starting to like the priest before he made his vessel pact and goes into the basin. A wave of energy waved through everyone and Velvet sensed the domain quite easily even though this is the first time she's been there to see the Lord of the Land being created. Velvet saw that Alisha was probably the most affected as she's still the most inexperienced in the group.

"What was that?" Alisha asked, getting the females attention. "I feel like a sort of wind just blew right through me."

"That was a domain." Kurumi explained. "We seraphim are able spread a domain to protect or give their blessing."

"The blessing has returned to this town." Lailah said.

"Which means the malevolence will go down a bit." Velvet mumbled. Uno came out of his vessel.

"This town is now under my domain." Uno told the group. "But in order to maintain the blessing, I will need cooperation from the people."

"Indeed. There are all kinds of methods besides prayer that one can use to uphold the blessing." Lailah explained.

"Like offerings like food or items that you offer the Lord of the Land." Velvet explained, shocking Sorey, Mikleo and Lailah.

"I see, I'll be sure to give it a try!" Sorey said excited.

"This sure sounds like a pain to me." Mikleo pointed out.

"How do you know?" Lailah asked shocked.

"My husband used to do that to Maotelus back in the village we lived in, it was a long time ago before he died." Velvet explained smiling sadly at the memory.

"I'm sorry for asking that!" Lailah quickly apologized but the Nephilim shook her head.

"There's no need to apologize, I'm just glad to have memories of him left." Velvet explained, smiling happily at the memories. Uno suddenly felt something and looked up which caught everyone's attention.

"What's wrong?" Mikleo asked.

"I can still feel a powerful malevolence." Uno said worried and Velvet flinched a bit.

'Don't tell me he can sense my malevolence?!' Velvet exclaimed in my head. 'Thanks to Gramps, I know my hellion abilities are hard to sense but those with big domains can sense a small part of it easily.' Uno pointed forwards which made Velvet gasp in relief in her mind to know it wasn't her.

"And it's not far off. It's somewhere in town." Uno said which Alisha knew where that place was.

"You know where that is, Lady Alisha." Kurumi asked and the princess nodded.

"That's the royal palace." Alisha answered and the therion felt something in her domain once again, she became a little angry at the presence as the one spying on them.

"So this is a conversation with the seraphim? A bunch of lunatics talking to themselves out loud?" A male voice questioned as he was leaning against the doorway as the group turned to him.

"Says the one that was spying on us back at the bridge." Velvet pointed out and the man snickered at her.

"You knew that?" The man asked.

"I've developed many skills under my lifetimes, they become really useful for people like you." The Nephilim explained, not liking the situation at all. "What are you doing here, for starters?" The man walked over to Velvet and Sorey, giving them an envelope each.

"I am a messenger from Chancellor Bartlow of the Hyland government." The man introduced himself. "I have come to invite Velvet Crowe and Sorey to a private dinner conference, in light of their great suffering for the sake of Ladylake."

"You really did spy on us." The black haired woman concluded.

"Not at all, in fact, I was quite surprised." The man explained, not convincing Velvet. "That the Princess of Hyland, as distant as her claim to the throne may be, would have relations with the Shepherd that are so... intimate. I'm sure these news will please your beloved subjects to no end, Your Highness."

"If you are insinuating that-!" Alisha was cut off by Velvet holding up her hand as a sign to be quiet and calm down.

"Where to?" Sorey asked.

"Roundtable Palace." The messenger answered.

"Very well. Tell Bartlow we accept his proposal." Sorey replied, knowing that Velvet would follow him wherever he goes no matter what he would do and the look on her face meant that she was going to say the same thing. The man bowed as an answer before walking away.

"Please, you mustn't get involved with the Chancellors. I can feel it from them…" Alisha told them worried.

"Alisha. I'm doing this to try finding out what they are planning to do with us." Velvet explained. "But they are not the people spreading the malevolence even though they sound corrupted."

"The malevolence does seem to be coming from the palace." Sorey pointed out.

"I apologize for being so weak." Alisha apologized but Velvet placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Power and strength isn't what makes you strong, it's the emotions and goals we all bear that can make us strong or corrupt." Velvet told her. "We chose which way we want to go."

"It's true, and we really do want to see what's going on at the palace." Mikleo pointed out.

"Thank you, Velvet. Mikleo." Alisha thanked them, cheering up a little.

"It'll be our first time. You'll have to be our guide." Sorey said with a smile.

"Just as you have been to me." Alisha pointed out.

Alisha began to lead them through Ladylake forwards the palace, the princess was a little nervous but with the group and the words Velvet said to her made her feel like she can do this. The therion wasn't nervous rather angry and irritated, she wanted to know why the government was so interested in them all of a sudden when they thought she and Sorey were lunatics talking to themselves. That was why Velvet wanted to meet them to know why and the purpose of all this.

As they arrived the guards wouldn't let Alisha to pass through at first before they laughed at her. These guards were corrupted as well by the looks of it, one of the guards lead the group to a waiting room until it was time for the conference. Velvet was sitting on a couch to think through a plan in case something happens while Sorey, Lailah and Mikleo was reading a book from one of the shelves while Alisha was in deep thought. Kurumi walked over to her mistress worried over the black haired maiden's look on her face.

"What's wrong, milady?" Kurumi asked which caught Velvet's attention.

"I'm just thinking." Velvet answered. "These people are dangerous and I somehow know they want to try something on me and Sorey."

"You think they will turn into hellions?" Kurumi asked a little shocked. "They do seem to almost hit their limit."

"No, they are doing this on purpose and starting a war for no specific reason whatsoever." Velvet explained. "Malevolence can only come out when you're feeling despair, anger, hatred, sadness or guilt. When one of those emotions get to far, the malevolence comes out of control and you turn into a hellion that reflects the state of your heart."

"Of course, then the Chancellors doesn't show these feelings and aren't hellions." Kurumi agreed. "You think the Scattered Bones would try anything?"

"They were given false information from someone in the government." Velvet pointed out hushed for the people around them to not hear them. "If Bartlow is responsible, I can get that information and I've already sent a message to them just in case something were to happen. They still owe me for what happened."

"You've told me about that, such assassins would do such a thing but why keep you alive though?" Kurumi mumbled to herself, unconscious that Velvet heard that and she smirked as the therion knew the answer but don't want to tell.

The knight that called for Velvet and Sorey came to the door which meant it was time for the conference but Alisha was stopped once again and she was going to be given orders to go to a village called Marlind and forced to stay. The knight led mother and son together with Kurumi through the hallways forwards the Round Table Chamber which they both knew that they should be on guard inside the chamber. The knight waited outside as the three guests walked in to meet the four Chancellors at a big table with food in front of them and two empty chairs that were supposed to be for Velvet and Sorey.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, gentle Shepherd and Miss Crowe." The man sitting on the other side said. "Please, take a seat." Lailah and Mikleo joined them and the water seraph was looking suspiciously at the food on the table.

"Poison pot pie." Mikleo pointed out and Kurumi sniffed in the air to confirm.

"Lord Mikleo is right, I smell poison mixed in the pot pie." The purple wolf concluded and Velvet narrowed her eyes at the old man.

"Don't worry, I promise you it's not poisoned." The man try to convince them. "We simply felt it would be best to be closer to you. Let me introduce you." They looked at each person introduced. "This is Military Chancellor, Mathia, leader of the Royal Army. This is Professor Simon," Velvet's eyes widen at the name, "administrator of the law in Hyland. And this is Archbishop Nathael, the highest ranking holy man in the kingdom."

'Not at all, Sorey is a holy man because he can see the seraphim.' Velvet said in her head as the man was really suspicious to her taste.

"And last, the man who manifests the will of the king himself," The bishop introduced the man.

"Bartlow." The man finished.

"I am Sorey. Thank you very much for your invitation." Sorey said polite.

"They already know who we are, Sorey." Velvet pointed out, getting into her old personality as the dangerous woman she was. "They have eyes and ears all over the kingdom." Sorey nodded before sitting down in his chair and began to take some food, the therion did the same but didn't take the food.

"Whoa, Sorey! I hope you don't trust them." Mikleo exclaimed serious.

'He's planning something, I just know it.' Velvet thought, not taking her eyes off Bartlow.

"You know of our special connections." Bartlow pointed out to the black haired woman. "Is your pet the cause of it?"

"Kurumi isn't a pet, she's my friend." Velvet replied sternly as Sorey tasted the food.

"It's quite delicious!" Sorey said smiling. "Though I would have liked to let Alisha taste it as well."

"What is your relation with Lady Alisha, if I may ask?" Bartlow asked the Shepherd.

"We're just friends." Sorey replied. "She invited me to come to the outside world with her."

"How about we drop this silly game and have you tell us the real story, hm?" Bartlow asked, not believing in Sorey's words.

"What Sorey was telling you is true." Velvet told him. "I've been with the two since the beginning, they aren't using each other for personal reasons. Unlike you, that is."

"I'm not using Alisha. The Shepherd does not do such things." Sorey defended himself. Velvet curled one of her hands into a fist as that weren't entirely true, Artorius did such things. If you don't believe her, look at her appearance. Velvet is forever a monster that can't age or die entirely.

"Oh, he doesn't? I couldn't say. I've never actually seen a Shepherd before." Bartlow said.

"So they doubt you, I figured as much." Mikleo pointed out.

"Not only that, they don't believe the legend or Sorey." Kurumi continued as she didn't like the atmosphere at all.

"Believe me or don't, I don't care." Sorey said which shocked Velvet a bit but it didn't show, he acted like herself just now.

"Well, we DO care." Bartlow told the two. "It would be quite the scandal if the royal family had produced a false Shepherd to curry favor with the populace." Velvet was getting really angry at the man and slammed her hand on the table, she quickly stood up and threw a glass past Bartlow's face which shocked everyone in the room.

"You ask for proof of Sorey's power? That he really is a Shepherd?" The Nephilim asked dangerous. "Don't make me laugh." Bartlow just snickered which made Velvet even more angry.

"Truth be told, it matters not whether you're real or just a boy in a silly outfit. Or that you're a beautiful woman that acts like a mad lunatic." Bartlow pointed out which made the therion growl. "The issue is that, regardless, the citizens are beginning to side with you."

"It's the nature of the people to yearn for some dramatic sort of salvation, and easy way to have their every desire fulfilled." The bishop said.

"Yes, that is true that many people expect many things of a Shepherd but putting far too much can make him to walk on the wrong path." Velvet tried to defend not only Sorey but herself as well.

"The common man is but a fool and a cur." The administrator said. "It's an unfortunate observation, but that is the reality of it."

"But, in fact, it is for that very reason that we need you." Bartlow finished.

"Us? Why us?" Sorey asked confused but Velvet knew what was coming.

"I will be perfectly frank with you. We are asking you to work under us… Shepherd Sorey and Miss Crowe." Bartlow explained. "As the Shepherd who would protect Hyland, we want you to reinvigorate the people. Boost their morale."

"The rampant disasters have rather dampened the people's spirits lately." The bishop said. "It's very unfortunate for the council."

"Those ignorant fools! Right when we're on the brink of war with Rolance!" The Military Chancellor exclaimed.

"We will reward you handsomely, of course." Bartlow continued, throwing a bag of money to their side of the table. "This is your advance. If you're really all the rumors say, I hear that you're quite interested in ancient ruins, yes?"

"Blackmail?" Velvet pointed out. "To use us for war? Sorey is still getting used to the world, bring him to war is going to tear him apart! He doesn't deserve to have blood on his hands just to get fortune so he can fulfill his dream!"

"Miss Crowe, you are really protective to him. You can join him and travel to the end of the world if you like." Bartlow tried to convince her but it only made it worse.

"This will only make matters worse!" Velvet exclaimed angry. "I know what it is like to kill people but using us will only make people fear us and bring chaos that everyone wants! WE aren't as greedy to just take that money just so we can travel, I've traveled around his world twice already without your help. We're not taking anyone's side, we walk our own path that we choses, not yours."

"There's no need to side with Princess Alisha, Miss Crowe." Bartlow told her. "The princess is to be transferred to the city of Marlind, where the epidemic yet thrives." Velvet's eyes widen in shock and tightened her fists.

"They're sending her to a plague town!" Mikleo exclaimed in realization.

"Surely even our spirited princess knight will learn her limits after toiling in such a star-crossed locale." Bartlow pointed out, grinning a bit. "Of course, if she herself were stricken with illness, I suppose she would have bigger things to worry about."

"She's so pure and innocent, she's trying her best to give hope to the country and you're just going to order her into get a sickness without a cure!" Velvet yelled really angry. "You're sacrifice innocent lives for what purpose? To gain full control over the populace."

"There's nothing to even think about, is there?" Bartlow asked, not caring about her words.

"Damn you!" The former Lord of Calamity growled wanting to devour him with her arm.

"I refuse." Sorey answered. Velvet turned to the Shepherd to see he was unfazed by Bartlow's threats by seeing his straight and serious face that she recognized as her own mixed with Simon's as the Shepherd stood up. "Darn. Guess they weren't the type you can sit down and talk with after all." Velvet got to his side together with Kurumi.

"Ain't that the truth." Velvet pointed out. "It's better this way than trying to get some sense into them."

"Proud words from a false Shepherd!" Bartlow exclaimed. "You two and Alisha will all learn the hard way what comes from crossing us!"

"Actually, it's the other way around." The therion said, glancing at the old man. "You don't know what lies inside someone's heart. Don't underestimate Sorey or me for that matter." Sorey gave Bartlow a grin as a sign of agreement as they were about to walk to the .

"Wait!" Bartlow said as he was about to ring a small bell beside him when they heard an angry Alisha behind the door before she came into the room.

"Lord Bartlow, what is the meaning of this?" Alisha asked serious. "Stand down at once!"

"Nice castle, but we're done here." Sorey said determined. "Let's go, you guys." Sorey and Velvet was slowly walking forward the exit. "I can fulfill my dreams with Velvet's help, not your 'help'. And the same goes for Alisha."

"Indeed it does!" Alisha agreed.

"You've matured in these last few days but you still have a lot to learn." Velvet pointed out to the brown haired boy, who smiled at her.

"Death to the knave Shepherd who deceives the people!" One of the guards said and the three humans prepared themselves for a fight. Velvet immediately took out her therion arm out as more guards came into the room.

"Discord!" Velvet said her Break Soul arte which she did three heavy slashes with her claw up and down which knocked many guards down immediately.

Kurumi noticed how strong Sorey had become when he was fighting, it was almost like he was gaining even more power whenever he was fighting and using his artes. Kurumi was worried that he can't restrain his powers and he was in pair with Velvet as well which was really dangerous if they don't tell her soon. Even Mikleo and Lailah was worried over his sudden strength.

It took some time before the guards finally gave up and Chancellors was backing to the window in fear of the group's power and Alisha finally made her words heard. The nearby window was suddenly opened and the wind blew out all the candles that lit up the room, Velvet knew why. Assassins came in and placed daggers each of the Chancellors' throats in front of the group.

"I'd be more worried about your own neck if I were you." A man's voice said behind the bishop.

"Who are you?!" Sorey exclaimed as he and Alisha got ready for an attack.

"The assassin guild, Scattered Bones." Velvet answered, shocking the two.

"Yes. That man approached us and tried to hire our guild to murder your princess here." The man replied, shocking Alisha more.

"Are you saying Lord Bartlow was plotting to kill Alisha?" Sorey asked while Velvet crossed her arms, knowing that part.

"D-Don't be ridiculous!" Bartlow tried to deny.

"He says we're liars. Should we kill him?" The man asked to the person holding Bartlow, possibly their leader and the person placed their dagger closer.

"Stop!" "Enough!" Sorey and Alisha exclaimed at the same time.

"I beg of you, please stop." Alisha begged. "The Kingdom of Hyland needs this man."

"You're all you're made out to be." The leader said amused, sounding like a female, before looking at Velvet.

"He isn't worth it. He's just a coward that thinks he's safe with a ton of guards and would pay anything to keep his place." Velvet told the leader her own opinion. "It's your call if you wanna do it."

"Listen and listen well, Bartlow. We do not kill against our own honor." The leader told him. "Understood?" Bartlow fell to the ground right after the leader took away her knife.

"Why?!" Alisha exclaimed and Velvet stopped her from walking forward them.

"Don't worry, they didn't kill him." The black haired woman assured her and the leader kicked Bartlow so they could hear him cough for breath. Velvet saw the leader nodded to her which meant that it was soon time to leave and she nodded as well, getting the message.

"Not your usual assassins, are you." Sorey pointed out as Bartlow stands up close to the table.

"I'm impressed they snuck into the palace." Mikleo said fascinated.

"A-Apprehend them!" Bartlow shouted while ringing his bell. "They're the conspirators!"

"We have to leave. Now!" Velvet told the group. "Before the guards catch us."

"Thanks to you, our work was quick and painless." The man told the group, looking at Velvet mostly for the information.

"Here's your reward. Follow us." The leader said before they ran away.

The group ran after them but there was obstacles, guards had closed off every way out and some of them was running after them. Sorey was wondering if they'll get out of this situation as guards came in front of them but Velvet did something interesting. She took out paper from her pocket that Lailah usually use when she was fighting and Velvet used different seraphic artes on the guards that knocked them out, you could tell how skilled she was when fighting. The assassins led the group to the kitchen, where a hidden passage had been opened in the corner but closed when the last assassins went through.

"Find the switch! I'll hold them off!" Velvet said as her friends try finding the switch for the door, Velvet waved her hand with two fingers out.

The only door closed shut with a barrier on it while an orb was in front of Velvet's hand as she tried to hold it up as the guards tried bash open the door with brute force. Sorey, Alisha and Kurumi was trying their best to find the switch in the kitchen but time was running out.

"Where is it?!" Alisha exclaimed really worried.

"Kurumi, can you pick up their scent here?" Sorey asked the wolf.

"I'll try my best!" Kurumi said as she sniffed the floor finding a trail which led to one of the fountains that was broken. Sorey immediately came over to check it out.

"Hurry!" Velvet yelled as it was getting harder to keep it closed. Sorey then found the switch and the wall opened to reveal the hidden passage.

"Velvet, come on!" Alisha yelled as she ran in with Sorey and Kurumi.

Velvet dashed forward the closing door and hurried the trio as fast as she could as the hidden door closed on its own. The therion was panting as she looked behind her in case if someone managed to follow her but it didn't and she gasped in relief. The passage somehow led to an underground ruin beneath the castle.

"Are you okay?" Mikleo asked as he and Lailah came out to talk with the two.

"Yeah, I haven't used my seraphic abilities for some time." Velvet explained turning to them.

"I'm just glad we managed to get out of there." Lailah said in relief.

"Looks like it will get hectic for some time now, we should lay low for some time until this calms down." Kurumi suggested.

"I agree. The guards will look all over for me." Alisha pointed out unsure. "They might look after you and Velvet as well."

"Yeah, thanks for having my back there." Sorey thanked Velvet, who smiled.

"Let's take that conversation when we get back to the inn." Velvet suggested as they led them through the ruins.

The therion was already being reminded of the prison cells in Titania as there was a few big ones that was around the ruins, this worried Alisha even more but Sorey was excited that managed to cheer her up. The group knew that the source of malevolence was there and they found it, an Egidona. Velvet fought it as a Code Red daemon before so there wouldn't be a problem.

Under the fight, Sorey managed to use a seraphic arte on the Egidona when Velvet was about to get hit as the others thought it was Velvet but after the fight Sorey looked at his hand in shock while the black haired woman looked at him worried that his powers that he was born with are awakening inside him now that his Shepherd powers are growing. Hopefully the two would get the chance to have a conversation about this once they get to the inn, talking alone.


Sorry for the long wait! I needed many things from the game I don't own it myself but I hope you like this chapter.

I want to point out that Sorey won't be getting into a relationship in this story and Alisha will leave the group and I'll try to make it a better reason than in the game.

See yah next time!