Chapter 83: Fire

Peleti followed Xiao Lü all the way into the noble district. She remembered that Aierbona’s residence was located here.

So she came back after leaving the church…

This place was far livelier than the trade district. Everywhere, members of the Gluttony Church in black robes searched through the ruins for survivors.

“Tch… no wonder I couldn’t find them elsewhere. They’re all here.”

Hiding in a corner, Peleti muttered under her breath. She was still wearing the Holy Light Church’s robe—if she walked out openly, she’d definitely be riddled with holes.

With this many people, there was no way she could slip past their sight…

“Caw! Caw!”

The fat bird beside her croaked harshly. Its body suddenly glowed gold, and when the light faded, a figure identical to Peleti stood before her—same face, same clothes.

“You’re… that fat bird?” Peleti stared at her own double, struggling to connect it with that noisy crow.

“Obviously! Who else could it be but this genius? And you dare call me fat? I’ve wanted to curse you out for a long time!” Even the voice was indistinguishable.

“Whatever. As Lady Karolin’s finest creation, I won’t stoop to arguing with a baby like you.”

“In a moment, I’ll lure them away. You go save that human. This morning I saw her absorb something pretty nasty—if you’re late, she’ll probably die.”

Xiao Lü placed her hands on her hips, brimming with confidence.

“You… lure them away? Are you sure?” Peleti asked uncertainly. She had no clear understanding of this bird’s strength.

“What kind of question is that?! I’m Lady Karolin’s greatest creation—way stronger than you!”

As she spoke, Xiao Lü grabbed Peleti’s hand. Instantly, Peleti felt a warm current gathering within her body and flowing toward her wrist—then being drawn out.

“So this is pure light element…”

Xiao Lü examined the glowing energy in her palm with curiosity.

Karolin had conducted countless experiments on light elements, all of which had failed. Light was similar to fire, but far more lively and unpredictable.

Fire could at least be collected—but light rejected all forms of containment, moving too quickly to observe or capture.

Every experiment had stalled at the very first step.

And yet now, for the first time, Xiao Lü was seeing light element resting quietly in her hand.

“Light element? How did you do that?”

“Reversion technique—one of Lady Karolin’s spells. It’s also the prototype of the human ‘light-stealing’ technique.”

She tore off a piece of the robe, wrapped the light within it, and pocketed it.

Spellcraft was a special form of magic Karolin had invented during her time as a human. Unlike conventional magic, it required no elemental affinity—any human with enough mana could use it.

Most of these spells were designed specifically to counter elemental beings—namely, vampires.

“But that’s not important. I’ll take this light as payment. Here—this is for you.”

Xiao Lü tossed her a spear, then stepped out of the ruins and shouted loudly:

“Help! Someone save me!”

Once she had everyone’s attention, she ran off in the opposite direction.

A fair trade—take payment, do the job. That was her logic.

And honestly… she ran incredibly fast.

When Peleti peeked out again, the street was empty. Compared to the crowd earlier, it now felt eerily deserted.

Seizing the opportunity, she stepped out openly and sprinted toward the residence without hesitation.

The closer she got, the stronger the unease in her chest grew. Her heart pounded violently.

I’m missing something important…

Aierbona was inside her residence—so why hadn’t the cultists just killed her?

And what did Xiao Lü mean by “absorbing something dangerous”? As one of Karolin’s alchemical creations, Xiao Lü wouldn’t casually say something like that.

Could it be… they left her there because they were certain she would die anyway?

The thought made too much sense.

Peleti quickened her pace.

“Aierbona!!”

Turning the final corner—

A massive blaze burst into view, crimson and blinding, like a second sun.

“…Fire…”

The world in her vision began to distort, shatter, and reform.

The air reeked of scorching heat.

—

A small boy, drenched in blood, knelt before the ruins, staring blankly at the burning wreckage. Flickering flames reflected in his pupils.

Beside him, a little girl lay with her eyes shut, whimpering softly.

“Ugh… w-wah…”

The fire crept closer.

He wanted to stand. To move. To escape the flames.

But no matter how hard he tried, his body wouldn’t respond.

“Run!”

“Run quickly!”

“Run as fast as you can… don’t look back!”

From the second floor, a hand had reached out—

His mother’s.

She had thrown them out of the window with all her strength. They survived—but the window collapsed immediately after, leaving only a narrow gap.

Where was his father?

He didn’t know. When he woke up, his father had still been asleep… and never woke again.

“Is… anyone there…” His voice was barely audible.

A cool sensation slid down from the corner of his eye. He didn’t understand it.

“Dad… Mom… where are you…”

The boy sobbed weakly. Breathing grew harder. His lungs burned with pain. His once-rosy cheeks turned a bluish purple.

His body trembled uncontrollably.

“D… Dad… Mom…”

“Run…” That was his mother’s final voice.

“Wah… wah…”

He didn’t know what was happening. The cries forced themselves from his throat, swallowed by the fire.

“Someone… anyone… please save me… I’m so scared…”

“I don’t want to die… I don’t want to die… why… why is this happening…”

“W-what happened to home… Dad… Mom…”

Gradually—

He stopped feeling the heat.

He was so tired.

He couldn’t speak anymore.

“Why… why…”

“How did this… happen…”

The girl’s body went limp and she collapsed heavily onto the ground.