Chapter 34 : How About Hiding at My Place for a Bit?

“Miss Eileen, I’ve got a question.”

After finishing the salvaged vegetables, Milly plucked leafy bits from her hair and popped them into her mouth, chewing as she spoke.

Of course, Eileen already knew what was coming.

“You want to know why people in this city hunt demons, right?”

Milly nodded. That was exactly it. The mob had gone feral.

Before her wings emerged, she was just a stranger—curious, maybe.

Now? A pariah. A monster. Like vermin scurrying through the streets.

“Let me explain briefly. The Augustian Empire is a single-race kingdom—founded and ruled solely by humans. Why? Because of extreme xenophobia.”

“Because they’re super racist?”

“Exactly. And that hatred stems from the Holy Radiance Church’s Holy Scripture, which claims humans are the only children of the Goddess of Light—while all other races are manifestations of chaos filth.”

Centuries of indoctrination. Historical trauma—nearly wiped out by other races, especially demons. All of it bred this deep, violent prejudice.

“And Starlight City is the capital of the Augustian Empire—also the headquarters of the Church. It’s the most influenced place in the empire. So tell me… what do you think happens when a demon exposes herself here?”

Milly chewed another leaf, now understanding why the crowd turned rabid the moment her wings appeared. Not one of us—therefore, not human. Therefore, kill.

And she’d revealed herself in the capital? She should be grateful she wasn’t torn apart on the spot.

The why was clear.

But the how?

Why did she suddenly grow wings and a tail?

She still didn’t get it.

The new appendages felt alien. Especially the tail—twitching on its own, like it had a mind of its own.

She wondered what it would feel like to touch.

“But how do I make them go back?”

She pointed at her small wings. Earlier, Eileen had shown hers—then retracted them seamlessly. But no matter how hard Milly tried, hers stayed out.

As long as she looked like this, she’d be hunted everywhere she went.

She’d planned to escape the city, hide somewhere quiet, maybe find a way home.

Now? Just surviving to the city gate seemed impossible.

With the chaos she’d caused, Stacy—whoever she was meeting—must’ve noticed. She was probably searching the city right now.

Milly picked the last leaf from her hair, ate it, and sighed.

Well. My future’s officially trash.

“Depends on you. I can’t teach you.”

“What?”

She expected it to be hard. To take practice.

But “can’t teach”?

That sealed it.

She’d planned to learn control, then ask Eileen for directions out of the city. Wait until nightfall, then sneak away.

Now? No guidance. Just trial and error.

Was she supposed to yell, “Retract!” and hope it worked?

Eileen watched the dejected white fluffball with a hidden smirk.

Of course she could teach her.

Retracting wings was simple—just a bit of focus.

But she needed Milly to fail.

If she retracted them and looked human again, would she willingly follow Eileen home?

No.

So better to lie.

“There’s no point hiding here forever. How about I take you to my place for now? Once the city calms down, I’ll help you leave?”

“Really?”

Milly perked up instantly.

Perfect! Shelter! Safety!

But… they’d only met twice.

Who helps a total stranger like that?

And every time Eileen smiled…

Milly saw her.

The nightmare. The tormentor.

She almost said yes—but hesitation cooled her excitement.

“Are there other hidden demons in Starlight City?”

Stacy loved tentacles. Always had them crawling from under her skirt. Maybe her true form was an octopus. Definitely a demon.

And if Eileen was also a demon… maybe they knew each other.

What if she followed Eileen home—only to walk straight into Stacy’s arms?

No way. Not falling for that.

Eileen pretended to ponder, tapping her chin.

“To my knowledge, there were a few. But they’re all dead now. You and I… we’re the only ones left alive.”

Milly exhaled.

Other dead demons? Whatever.

But if Eileen didn’t know Stacy… then maybe it was safe.

Relieved, she decided:
Go with Eileen.

She had nowhere else.

Until she controlled her transformation, she’d have to hide like a rat.

But rats had sewers.

She had nothing.

Guards searched the city. Stacy hunted her.

No allies. No refuge.

And now—shelter offered. From someone who didn’t know her captor.

How could she refuse?

They used a cloth from Eileen’s basket to drape over Milly’s wings and tail. The tail kept peeking out, but once night fell and the streets emptied, they began their slow, careful journey home.

They dodged patrols—Eileen handled each encounter smoothly.

Finally, they reached the back door of a modest house.

The end of a grueling escape.

But the moment Milly saw the building—

A chill ran down her spine.

Something felt… wrong.

“We’re home. Come in.”

Eileen opened the door.

Milly’s pupils shrank.

“Uh… stomach ache. Must’ve been those dirty veggies. Gotta go outside real quick—”

She turned to run—

But Eileen grabbed her collar.

“Little Milly,” she said, voice shifting—sweet, mocking. “You said your stomach hurt. So why run outside? Didn’t you say you loved staying home? Even refused to go out with your Master?”

Hearing her name—and that voice—Milly’s last hope shattered.

She was done.

No resistance.

Eileen—now Stacy—dragged her inside, stripped her bare, and threw her onto the bed.

“Little Milly… where did you say it hurt? Here? Or… here?”