Chapter 65 : Do You Hate Demons?

Was it a trick of the light?

Should she check, just to be sure?

No. Tifna knew what lifting a girl’s skirt meant. Without Milly’s consent, she wouldn’t do it.

“Milly, I think something just ran under your skirt.”

Hmm?

The milk nearly sprayed from her mouth. No way, did Tifna see it?

The wings had retracted quickly, but the tail was long. She had been too hasty getting out from under the covers. She should have waited.

Stay calm. Her mind raced. The tail was gone now. Letting Tifna check was the best way to dispel her suspicion.

“Can you check for me? It might have been a bug.”

“I don’t think it was a bug.”

Tifna’s voice was soft. She replayed the fleeting shadow in her mind. It was long and slender, definitely not a bug.

With Milly’s permission, Tifna gently lifted a corner of her skirt. Seeing nothing, she let it fall.

“I must have been mistaken.”

Phew… that was close. Next time, she’d have to be more careful.

Milly drank her milk, relieved. Tifna’s expression remained complicated.

No… she was probably just overthinking it.

The incident was quickly forgotten, and life settled into a quiet routine. Two more days passed without much change.

She spent her days sparring with Tifna. In just two days, Milly’s progress was astounding. She could now hold her own against Tifna without the breathing technique. With it, Tifna was no match for her. But that was just training. A real battle was a different story.

At night, it was time for her own training. She didn’t know how, but she had figured out how to retract her wings and tail. The process was slow, though. If she was exposed, she couldn’t hide them quickly.

Stacy was right. It would take a lot of practice. And most demons didn’t need to hide their features. Only those who, like her, had infiltrated Starlight City needed to learn.

She wondered what life was like for demons in this world. If she ever had nowhere else to go, maybe they would take her in.

But she didn’t even know where to find them.

A bitter smile touched her lips. She looked at her little demon form in the mirror and, following the method she had found, retracted her wings and tail, her eyes turning back to their usual blue.

She thought this peaceful life would last until she was exposed, or until Stacy dragged her back.

She finished the milk Tifna had prepared and was about to go to bed when a knock came at the door.

So late, what did Tifna want?

Tifna entered, her expression normal, but Milly could sense a hidden sadness.

“Milly, would you like to watch the stars with me on the roof?”

An invitation from Tifna. She couldn’t refuse. Besides, she hadn’t had a chance to really see the night sky in this world.

The night air was cool. The moonlight washed over the roof, stretching their shadows long. Milly wrapped the blanket Tifna had given her tighter and sat close to her. Her white hair glowed in the moonlight, as if coated in silver.

Tifna looked up at the sky, pointing to a few stars.

“See those stars in an arc?” Her voice was gentle. “That’s the Silver Bow constellation. Legend says it’s the bow of an ancient human archer who slew countless other races. It watches over us.”

Milly followed her finger. The sky was filled with countless stars, like a thousand eyes watching them.

“And over there, those three in a triangle, that’s the Dragon’s Heart. Legend says it’s the heart of a slain dragon, a symbol of human courage and strength.”

All legends of humans slaughtering other races. A bitter feeling welled up in Milly. The stories were probably spread by the Church for indoctrination. No wonder the entire empire was so xenophobic.

Tifna didn’t notice the change in Milly’s expression. Her voice grew nostalgic.

“When I was little, my brother used to take me to the roof to watch the stars. He said the stars were the eyes of our lost loved ones, watching over us.”

Her gaze drifted from the sky to Milly. “He always said that besides our family’s duty, his sword was for protecting those he cared about.”

“After he was gone, I thought the only reason I had left to wield a sword was for revenge. I was wrong.”

Tifna suddenly took Milly’s hand, her voice full of warmth. “Now, I have a new reason to fight for someone I care about.”

Her words sent a shiver through Milly. The “someone” she was talking about… it had to be her. The more Tifna said things like that, the tighter her heart was squeezed.

“Tifna, do you hate demons?”

The words slipped out before she could stop them. Milly froze. What had she just said?

Tifna’s expression turned solemn. “Of course. It’s what every citizen of the Augustian Empire is taught from birth. Those filthy creatures should be wiped from this world.”

Her heart was squeezed even tighter. In that moment, Milly felt her strength drain away. She almost fell, but managed to steady herself before Tifna noticed.

“Why do you ask? Is that person, Stacy, a demon?”

Breaking imperial law was one thing. Being a demon was a death sentence.

Milly nodded slowly, her lips forming a silent question. She wanted to ask Tifna, if she were a demon, what would Tifna do?

But the words wouldn’t come out. She didn’t have the courage.

“You can’t say? It’s okay. We’ll find her eventually.”

They were talking about two different things. Looking at Tifna’s gentle smile, Milly’s heart plunged into an icy abyss. She could only nod silently, her fingers absently rubbing the blanket until her skin was raw, but the turmoil inside her wouldn’t cease.

Tifna didn’t notice her distress. She looked back up at the sky, as if having made a decision. “Milly, tomorrow I’m gathering the team. We’re taking a new commission. Training at home can only do so much. It’s time for a real test.”

Milly had no reason to refuse. She needed to test her skills in a real battle.

But a sense of unease washed over her. Was she afraid? Was it because of the question she had asked, or was it a premonition of what was to come?

She didn’t know. After a moment of silence, she nodded firmly. “I’ll go with you.”

As she spoke, Tifna suddenly put an arm around her, pulling her close.

“Milly, thank you for being here. Because of you, I’m not alone.”

Milly didn’t respond. She just leaned into her, finding a moment of peace before the unknown tomorrow.

As for what tomorrow would bring, she would just have to wait and see.