6.20.

In Reese’s shadow domain, Sequencee opened his eyes.

He sat up and looked around this void-like realm which seemed to stretch to infinity. Turning to his right, he found himself looking at a woman with platinum blonde hair.

Leanne.

She was alive.

He heaved a sigh.

Leanne was rolled up in his coat with her back facing him. He decided not to mind it and layed back down, staring up into the abyss above.

“Where are we?” She broke the silence.

“A shadow domain. A gift a companion of mine has.”

“...”

It was another ten minutes before Reese appeared inside her domain with them.

“Sequencee, you better have a good explanation alright?”

“Mn..” he responded as such. The energy in him had all but drained.

Nodding, Reese tossed them out into the overworld. More specifically, the depth of the forest somewhere with a clear stream of water flowing.

Leticia and Schwii who were reviewing the documents turned to them.

“Sequencee..”

“Why is she..?”

“You explain,” Sequencee pushed the responsibility to Leanne. In the first place, he thought she had died.

“A-Ah.. yes sir. Um..” she stammered.

Leticia and Schwii furrowed their brows at the same time.

Sequencee found a spot, sat down and leaned against the tree. He shut his eyes.

‘Did I need to kill them?’

The implications of his actions.. it was supposed to be a peaceful negotiation, but he had just blown things up to such a scale.

Leticia was in the midst of having her territory rights transferred to her. If the management people at Estia learnt of Sequencee’s actions, what would they think? Hadn’t he doused Leticia in hot water inadvertently?

“What happened?” Lancet got down to a squat and asked. There wasn’t any blood, but it was clear Sequencee had suffered some major injuries that were no longer present somehow.

“...”

“Leanne, what the hell did he go through to become like this huh?” Lancet walked up to her and tugged at her hair.

“Hikh..?!”

“Calm down!!”

“Let go of her!”

Schwii and Leticia both tried to defend Leanne.

“H-He’s a demon..!” Leanne warned.

Everyone’s gaze turned livid. Her body froze completely.

“What did you say?” Schwii asked.

Leticia got in between Lancet and Sequencee. She wasn’t sure what his reaction would be if he had learnt of it.

And Reese.. she was watching the scene with a yawn.

“Demon, you say?” Schwii glare was as cold as winter. Leanne’s emerald eyes shook in fear. “Even though he risked his life to bring you here?”

“I-I..”

“Leticia. trust me, I won’t do anything to him. I had my suspicions since a long time ago, looks like I wasn’t wrong,” Lancet spoke with a deadpan expression

“Suspicion? How so?”

“Back when we were young, I found it odd that Sequencee had so much mana.”

“...”

“I don’t care if he’s a demon or not. The real demons.. it depends on the person, not much the race,” Lancet muttered.

“Alright,” Leticia came to an agreement.

“Apologize for the mess you helped make,” Schwii demanded.

“Yes..! I’m truly sorry for what I’ve done,” Leanne lowered her head all the way to the ground.

“You don’t need to be so harsh on her, do you, Schwii?” Reese quipped.

“But she..” Schwii bit her tongue. She couldn’t explain her current reaction other than that she had become an irrational, emotional tyrant.

“Trying to save that girl from whatever nonsense Sean was trying to pull, I killed a lot of the knight’s order,” Sequencee exhaled. “I also broke the arm of the commander.. I don’t think he’ll be able to fight anymore.”

Lancet’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Serves them right,” Leticia spat.

“I’m sorry,” Sequence apologized.

“What’s there to apologize for?” Reese asked.

“They’re now red hot on our tail no..? Now that it’s come to this, there’s no way the county will just sit still.”

===

“I don’t think we have much of a choice. I’ll have to stay here with Leticia,” Schwii said.

“Alright. But I’ll leave Reese with you just in case.”

Schwii felt troubled by his words. Though, logic wise it made sense.

Currently they were in the main villa of Estia Barony– Leticia’s old home. Reese was able to book a private coach from the county without being noticed. Stopping in the middle of the forest to pick up the rest, they traveled back to Estia.

Ever Lancet and Leticia left Estia, the manor had turned into an office-managerial residence where the head in charge of all affairs regarding Estia, Lewis, stayed. He was one of Cordon’s assistants which he had dispatched to Estia.

Thanks to his governance, Estia had become a new, flourishing town. At the same time however, because the county had been in power these past three years, many of the systems which had been built to run the barony benefited them more than it did Estia itself.

With the ruling rights transferred back to the original heirs, the issue with the management systems had to be dealt with immediately. Most especially the people working within these systems. They were the count’s, not of Estia’s own. No one knew if they could be trusted.

Leticia would need to hire new people to replace roles that had already been created.

For now, the power over the systems in Estia was in the count’s hands. With Schwii’s intelligent intervention, she hoped to wrangle back control over the ship. Hence why she needed to stay with Leticia, even if that meant forfeiting Riestallia Academy.

“The problem now is we need more of our people. Otherwise, there’s an issue of safety.”

The discussion is currently being held inside Leticia’s room. Lancet and Leane were among the people who were involved.

Sean might launch an attack any time. Internally, or externally. Since a secure line of communication between Stravince County and Estia had been established, it wouldn’t be impossible that some of the people here already received Sean’s order to mess with them.

“Do you recognize anyone in your home you think you could trust? Lancet, as someone who had plans to rule this territory, have you made any connections with the people here?” Schwii asked.

“A few. But I have to see them to know.”

“Do you have any inkling as to how managing a territory works?”

“Yes. I’ve been taught under the count.”

“Then you’ll be assisting me in most of the matters until Leticia gets up to knowledge. Leanne, you have been the strategist of the knights' order of the county, I hope you trash your loyalty for that place and work with us wholeheartedly.”

“.. I will do my best.”

“In terms of management, what do you believe you are good at specifically?”

“That, I can work with schedules and event management. Also, I often review plans and add my opinions. In regards to a management of this scale.. I may not be the best.”

“Alright, I’ll assign you the temporary role of bookkeeper. I’ll teach you my method of bookkeeping later, you will follow that framework for what we will do.”

“Yes.”

“Where’s Reese?” Schwii turned to Sequencee.

“Don’t kn..”

A black spot slid through the door and expanded.

“I brought help!”

From the shadows, a group of people appeared. Leticia’s expression cracked– this was her room, not some party lounge. The only reason they were using this place to discuss was because they felt that it was the safest place in the manor as of now.

“A pleasure to meet the team, I’m Lyu,” the elf with rare snowy hair bowed.

The other people who stood behind him bowed in unison, hands in the same position.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all.. Reese, what is this?” Schwii asked.

“The savior’s religion is built on the foundation of equality. And since you’re planning to turn the territory into a neutral land without discrimination between the races, there’s no way we’re not going to help out, right guys?”

The group cheered.

‘She’s trying to turn the nation into a cult..’

“While it may take time to adjust, we’re willing to run basic errands if you need any assistance with that. Also, we will be willing to provide sordid services should you need any,” a glint could be seen in Lyu’s eyes.

Schwii contemplated.

“I take it that you’re the leader?”

“Yes,” Lyu nodded.

“What do you want in exchange? It would be better if we understood each other’s needs at a deeper level than to struggle for it secretly underneath. I don’t want needless conflicts. Come clear with your needs.”

“Two conditions,” he raised two fingers. “First, we would like it if you could establish a building for the savior’s religion and have it be protected under the jurisdiction of your authority.”

“Not a small demand with the influence of the church, but I will help Leticia see to it.”

“Secondly, for these people, it would be to their benefit if you could provide them with financial aid for their homes.”

“Alright. Wages will be paid fairly to the job assigned. That I will promise.”

“Thank you.”

“Earlier you mentioned that you provided ‘sordid’ services. How great is your ability to maintain security?”

“That depends on the job. While we are able to perform things like interrogation and assassination, when it comes to open protection, we lack the necessary skills and manpower. However, if you can guarantee the first two demands I outlined, I would be able to bring in people who will fit the criteria.”

“Or, Reese could just brainwash the people here,” Sequencee muttered.

The room fell silent.

“Reese, you’re going to stay here to assist them.”

“What?! I can’t just leave maste– I mean– you alone! If you travel too far I’ll die!”

“Liar.”

Reese gripped her chest and fell on the bed with a palm on her forehead. She fainted in a dramatic faint.

“””...”””

“That settles the issue of safety.”

“Then.. Sequencee, you’re going to leave for Lumbire Kingdom alone?” Leticia asked.

“Yeah.”

“Can’t you stay..?”

“Someone needs to let Shiro know about the situation here.”

“Sequencee. As much as I dislike you colluding with them, I hope you will be careful,” Schwii warned.

“I will.”

‘That’s odd..’

===

The evening streets.

“You’ll find a surprise if you follow this road,” Robert said.

He wasn’t lying. Making his way down the unfamiliar path, Sequencee found himself before a very familiar stall.

Sequencee looked at the man behind the grill, the air of nostalgia hit him at once.

“Mister.. Dee?”

The man, looking like he had aged a decade, turned to Sequencee. An eyepatch to his right eye, his left arm missing, yet that bright smile of his.. he couldn’t forget.

“You’re.. alive?” Sequenccee’s voice trembled in disbelief.

“Sequencee? You’re alive too?” meanwhile, he was aloof as ever.

“...”

“...”

The sounds of popping grease filled the silence.

Then the both of them burst out in laughter.

“I can’t believe it! You’re actually still here!”

“I can’t believe you lived!”

Mister Dee, with his grease covered hand patted Sequencee’s shoulders.

“How have you been?” Sequencee wiped the tears from his face.

“Been great! Business was harsh in the beginning, but things have been picking back up. Even though it isn’t as good as it was back then, I’m still holding out!”

“Give me an order of fifty.”

“Fifty huh? Coming right up.”

“Make it a hundred,” a voice rang behind.

“Hm?”

Sequencee turned around. It was Schwii.

“Oh, girl, you’re.. all grown up now. What, a beauty.” Dee whistled.

“Thank you for the compliment,” wearing a black dress with an ochre cardigan over her shoulders, Schwii curtsied.

“Here’s something for you while you wait. No charge, just take it.”

“Thank you.”

Taking the two free samples, Sequencee and Schwii took a seat nearby. The customers that were enjoying the satay, most of them young adventurers, showed envious looks.

Schwii bit into the meat.

“Though I can’t remember the taste the last time I had this, it’s without a doubt delicious. I can see why you would like it,” Schwii remarked.

“Yeah.”

The savory flavor of barbeque and smoke. There was a tangy sweetness to it which wasn’t overpowering, adding to the saltiness to just the right amount. Some of the grease got on Sequencee’s face.

He was about to wipe it with his wrist when Schwii leaned in and licked it. Nonplussed, Schwii then proceeded to wipe it clean with a handkerchief she brought.

“Brings back memories, doesn’t it?” a smile blossomed on her rosy face.

Sequencee touched where her tongue licked him. “Sure does.”

Schwii giggled.

The two, under the evening sky, enjoyed a moment together.

“Sequencee.”

“Yeah?”

“There’s something that’s making me worried.”

“Hm..? What is it?”

“I don’t want you to die.”

“Why this all of a sudden?”

“You’re tempting me to keep you in a cage.”

“What?”

“So that you will be forever safe beside me.. but that’s an impossible situation.” Her arms wrapped tightly around him.

“...”

“Sequencee, bit by bit.. you have to break away from the hero.”

“.. I thought you changed your opinion of that– why?”

“War.. it’s going to happen in the future.. I don’t want you to be part of it.”

“War..?”

“When this year ends, I’ll bring you to the demon empire. There, we’ll wait until the war passes. If you want to bring Evelyn and Leticia, I’ll help you convince them. Please understand that my biggest priority is you.”

“Schwii.. how do you know it’s going to happen?”

“A trustworthy source,” she raised her head to look at him with glazed eyes. “So please promise me.”

‘The demon empire is preparing for war..?’

Aaron’s words rang in his ears.

– This is the New Dawn, Sequencee. When war arrives, it won't matter if the demons are different. United under one Sovereign, do you think they would dare to go against the order of their king? Do you think us normal people could go against His Imperial Majesty if we wished to?

– I don’t want you to fall to the wrong side, Sequencee. If you join the demons, you’ll become humanity’s enemy. Don’t forget what the demons did to your mother. It doesn’t matter that it was a mistake. Ultimately, it was a mistake which benefited them.

“Schwii.. how much do you know about what’s going to happen? And since when..”

“I don’t know the details. All I know is that it will happen,” Schwii lowered her head. “Take your time.. to decide..”

She was basically saying that he should coup up in defense instead of stepping up to resolve it. Accepting this wasn’t going to be easy. It was wimpy and thoughtless, she understood that. But more important was his survival.

After the war, he could try to regain his pride. For now.. until the New Dawn passed.. she wished that he would consider her option.

“I still.. don’t know what to believe here” Sequencee said with a bitter smile.

The gears of fate were moving.

They just didn’t know where it was going.