Ophelia patiently waited as Cyril absentmindedly observed her head for a few minutes.
"So I am half demon."
"Twenty years ago, the most powerful knight fell in love with a demon. Just like something from a story."
He chuckled with exhaustion and lowered his head.
Was Nostro ashamed of it? How did mother die in the end? Is she even dead? Is that why he was so distant?
Cyril covered his face with a palm, slowly shaking off the shock.
Ophelia remained quiet as she put the headband back on, obscuring the unobvious stump.
"...What is this voice then? Do all demons have this?"
"Yes, but all hear it differently, some less clearly, some more." Within Ophelia's voice something close to reverence could be felt.
"It might be a bit unusual for you as a half human."
She glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.
"Please, I see that you need rest, let's continue after a brief break."
She hastily turned around and walked out of the dining room, the spell covering it soon dissipating.
Cyril was left alone, turning his gaze from the door back to Rhamn.
"She looked pretty respectful when talking about... me."
She excitedly raised her head. "Does that mean I am a god after all!?"
"..."
Stop with your delusions. That can't be the case.
You are just some aspect of demons humans have no idea about.
"Does Cosmas also have a beautiful woman who talks to him?"
Enough. Let's think about this later.
Without finishing his meal, Cyril got up from the chair and headed outside as well.
I need to rest.
With an exhausted mind, Cyril slowly walked back to his own familiar room within the mansion.
Perhaps I need a bath first...
Cyril changed his course slightly.
...
Inside of the quiet, dimly illuminated bathing chamber, Cyril leaned on the poolside, enjoying the warm water.
Mist filled the air as he observed the ceiling with a blank stare.
His mind wandering in many places, images flashing randomly.
The fearful looks of students, accompanied by the overwhelming noise of gossip and whispers.
An image of Rose holding the archdemon's hand, her face twisted in pain as she fell to the floor.
Myra patting his shoulder during Combat Training, followed by her bloodied state as the demon broke her leg in one cruel action.
Finally, the stern face of the elderly mage from the Tower.
'No matter how human they might look on the outside, inside they are nothing but pure evil and malice.'
I guess that relates to me too...
"Stop acting so weak!"
Weak?
Cyril turned to Rhamn with a glare, though soon his eyes shook somewhat, and his gaze went a little bit higher instead.
...Why are you without clothes?
Rhamn's deliberately innocent voice replied, "What do you mean? We are taking a bath, I can't do that in my suit."
"That's not important. Don't let something so small as being a demon become a hindrance."
So small?
Cyril snapped to look in her red eyes.
My goal was to become a knight! How laughable is it now that I am a demon? That's just asking for it to be exposed sooner or later.
My whole future is now under question! Will Ophelia now expect me to help demons? Is father actually secretly supporting them?
Rhamn shook her head, the only part visible above the water.
"No one is certain of their future, and everyone encounters difficulties. Giving up is what an ordinary human would do, but we are not human!"
Despite their situation, Rhamn's red eyes seemed brighter than usual.
"Ophelia asks you to support them? Just decline! She is only a maid!"
"Want to be a knight as a demon? Easy! That would be really thrilling!"
"Want to appear as a hero to the other students? Just deceive their feeble minds!"
"Do what you want to do, the rest doesn't matter!"
"We- you are way stronger than anything life may throw your way!"
"Don't forget, you aren't alone either. I and Morpho will support you no matter what."
"..."
Cyril observed her crimson eyes without moving.
In a moment he slowly leaned back on the poolside.
"Thank you."
He said out loud.
You are right, we are not that weak.
He returned to staring at the ceiling, though this time his blue eyes regained some of their usual coldness.
In a moment he closed them, fully relaxing in the warm water.
...
A rhythmic knocking came from the door along with a voice, "Master, may I come in?"
Cyril gave one last glance at the mirror, at his perfectly human-looking body, and put on his shirt.
"You may."
"What does she need from you in here, huh? You must resist!"
Cyril ignored Rhamn, who was back in her usual suit, and walked towards the door.
Ophelia entered the bathing chamber.
She cast a spell, isolating the room, and turned towards him.
"I thought now would be a good time. You can ask any question, Master."
He remained silent for a moment, staring at her expressionless face.
"...So what is this voice I am hearing occasionally?"
Ophelia's back turned even straighter, her dark eyes stared in the distance, shining with infinite affection.
"It's our essence, our shared source, and what unites us all."
"But the Empire is polluting this essence, making us sick, deformed, and flawed. You probably will not hear it too clearly."
Hatred clouded her eyes for a moment before gentleness returned.
"Try to adapt to this will. I am not sure why you only started hearing it now, but it's undoubtedly good news."
Cyril gave Rhamn a side glance. She shrugged in response.
I don't get it either...
As he looked into her red eyes for a moment, a suspicion sneaked into his mind.
I have a mana dependency, but Cosmas never mentioned anything like that when Rose questioned him.
Was he hiding a weakness?
"Or maybe this need is not a characteristic of a regular demon."
"Your carriage. It's quite demanding on the mana. What if you run out of it on the road?"
Cyril suddenly said, trying to make his voice sound concerning.
Ophelia's eyes widened, clear surprise within them at this out-of-nowhere question.
"...There are precautions for such a situation. Besides, even if the carriage crashes into a wall at max speed, I will not be harmed."
The atmosphere around her somehow appeared warmer.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Master."
Cyril slowly nodded.
"Aha!" Rhamn by his side snickered, staring at the maid in contempt. "So we are different, probably superior!"
"And this need is technically mine alone, a necessity to make your heart beat. That means they don't have your advantage, me~"
So demons hear someone else? What will happen if Ophelia finds out about that? She seems so sure...
He observed Ophelia's deep black eyes and the seeming pure trust within them.
Let's hide it for now...
A headband on her head fell into his sight, and a certain curiosity appeared in his heart.
"You are an archdemon, right? Do you also have an innate ability like Cosmas?"
Ophelia hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"I do. We archons," she put an accent on the word, "all have an ability from birth."
"Archon?"
I should be an archdemon too, what ability do I have? Is it shape-shifting?
Rhamn pinched her chin in contemplation, then shrugged.
"Somehow I don't feel that's the case. Maybe you don't have one, you are only part human after all."
Part human…
Another question quietly sneaked into Cyril's mind.
"...What about my mother? Is she really dead?"
To Cyril's cautious words, Ophelia simply nodded.
"Undoubtedly."
"..."
"How does she even know that if she never met her?"
...
After talking to Ophelia for some time, Cyril finally returned to his own bedroom.
The room was spacious but somewhat barren, as it lacked any decorations, with only bare necessities within.
He took a seat on the bed, Rhamn joining him on the side.
"There we have it. Now we can simply return to Ailanthus and continue studying."
I just have to be more careful in hiding my identity, in more ways than one.
He looked out the nearby window, at the moon rising above the garden.
...Where is Morpho?
"Great timing for your question, she is coming." Rhamn pointed outside with anticipation.
Cyril opened the window, letting the night breeze in.
In a moment a red blur crashed through, right onto his shoulder.
"There you are."
Cyril lightly smiled.
Soon, however, a different creature climbed through the same window.
A black cat with green eyes stood on the windowsill, eyeing the butterfly on his shoulder.
It pawed in the air a few times, seemingly unafraid of the young man in front of it.
"Who's this?"
"Morpho found a cat in the garden. She played with it until now."
Isn't that dangerous?
"Have more trust in her. Morpho is stronger than some cat."
The butterfly flew off his shoulder and began circling the black cat.
The cat pawed at the air around it in a desperate attempt to catch the red menace, however, it was of no use.
Morpho nimbly landed on the cat's nose and victoriously fluttered her wings.
"Good job."
Cyril picked her up and put her back on his shoulder before turning his attention to the cat.
His cold blue eyes met the cat's green eyes, and they stood at a standstill for a few seconds.
Eventually Cyril moved his hand and closed the window.
The cat simply observed.
Seeing it remain calm, Cyril attempted to pet it.
The cat gracefully moved its head to meet his hand.
Cyril felt its soft fur on his palm, a peculiar warmth settling inside of his very soul.
"Cats are not bad at all." Rhamn slowly nodded with a blissful expression.
Soon in her red eyes a new spark appeared. It sent a shiver down Cyril's spine for some reason.
He took the obedient cat with him and sat on the bed.
There is another difference between me and other demons. Ophelia never mentioned anything about being able to create new life.
Morpho on his shoulder twitched her antennae.
"It's obvious that our abilities are above humans and demons both."
"Speaking of this, do you want to try making another family member?"
Cyril's hand froze mid-pet, and he sent her a blank stare.
Rhamn innocently smiled, a spark in her red eyes getting stronger.