Chapter 227 - The Demon Warlord Vs Jennie ( Part 5 )

Victory came with sunrise.

But Jennie felt no victory in her heart.

Dawn crept through Seraiya, covering the shattered streets with a pale gold hue. It was peaceful, almost tender – like sun itself was attempting to comfort the broken kingdom. The smoke from yesterday’s battle turned the morning rays into a dull orange cloud that colored the world in shades of amber and ash.

Demons were gone.

Draven was dead.

Seraiya stood.

These three truths were echoed in every ruined street. They resonated through the kingdom like prayers, mantras, like the only thing which kept people from being overwhelmed by their horrors.

Soldiers helped the injured to move through the streets, looking exhausted and relieved. The Royal Knights assisted civilians in the search through the collapsed buildings and saved whoever they could. Healers ran through the ruins, glowing with magical power and tending everyone who was still alive.

And among the surviving soldiers there was one thing which hadn’t existed the previous day.

Hope.

"We survived!"

"Draven is dead!"

"Seraiya is still standing!"

People’s voices echoed through the broken kingdom. Some laughed – wild, hysterical laugh of the people who can’t believe what just happened. Some cried, their tears drawing bright lines through the dirt on their faces. Some simply leaned against ruined walls, gazing at the sky and unable to believe their own survival.

Seraiya won.

But Jennie couldn’t feel her victory.

She sat in solitude among the remains of the royal palace.

Her back touched cold marble pillar. The stone was freezing against her spine, but she did not notice it. Her silvery hair was stirred by the morning wind, catching the pale sunlight and breaking it in a pieces of the broken moonlight.

In her hand she held the golden piece.

Lilia’s hairpin.

Jennie stared at it. She was staring at it since last night. She didn’t know for how long – minutes, hours, it didn’t matter anymore. For her, time lost any sense.

Every time she was staring at it, she remembered Lilia.

Balcony. Golden eyes. Expression on her face.

And then... nothing.

Gone. Stolen.

Jennie squeezed the fragment in her hand. Her palm ached. She did not care.

"I was too late."

The words slipped quietly. They were barely audible – a whisper carried by the wind.

Her golden eyes lowered.

"I was there."

She remembered the fight against Draven. She remembered the five Divine Swords answering to her call. She remembered the moment when the Demon General fell.

She won. She defeated a Demon General.

But while she was fighting... Lilia was stolen.

Jennie closed her eyes.

If I would have noticed it sooner...

If I could move faster...

If I was stronger...

The endless thoughts repeated. They circled in her mind like vultures, tearing her wounds.

Nothing could change anything.

The five Divine Swords floated around her.

Excalibur stayed beside her shoulder, glowing in dim golden light. Leviathan was hanging motionlessly, its blue surface was still and peaceful. Tempest gave only faint sparks of silver lightning. The dark shadows of Eclipse became deeper. The crimson color of Gram faded and seemed to fade into embers.

For the first time even the Divine Swords were silent.

Jennie opened her eyes.

"I will bring you back."

She looked at the golden fragment. Her voice became colder.

"No matter where they took you."

She squeezed the hairpin even tighter.

"Even if I have to go into the Demon Continent alone."

Her voice was interrupted by the familiar one.

"That’s exactly my concern."

Jennie did not turn. She already knew who it was.

"Roxy."

Roxy stepped from behind her.

Her hair was tousled by the previous day’s battle. Small scratches appeared on her face. There was a bandage on one of her arms. Her clothes were dirty and torn. Her ears sagged with exhaustion.

She looked exhausted.

But she was smiling. Barely.

"Found you."

Jennie looked aside. "You should rest."

"So should you."

"I’m fine."

Roxy stopped. Something in these two words changed her expression.

"No."

Jennie glanced at her.

Roxy stepped closer. "You’re not."

Jennie sighed. "Roxy..."

"You did not sleep."

"I’m not tired."

"You did not eat."

"I’m not hungry."

"You’ve been sitting here, holding Lilia’s broken hairpin since yesterday night."

Jennie fell silent.

Roxy sat next to her. "You’re not fine."

Jennie stared straight ahead.

They were silent for a while.

Then Jennie said, "I’m leaving today."

Roxy’s eyes narrowed. "Where?"

"You already know."

The Demon Continent.

Jennie nodded. "I’m going alone."

Roxy looked at her. "No."

Jennie frowned. "I was not asking."

"I know."

"Then do not argue."

"I will argue anyway."

Jennie looked at her.

Roxy’s expression was strangely serious.

"You defeated Draven."

Jennie did not respond.

"You saved Seraiya."

Still nothing.

"You protected thousands of people."

Jennie tightened her grip on the hairpin.

"And Lilia was stolen."

Roxy’s expression softened.

"That does not mean you failed."

"It does to me."

The words slipped quickly – sharp and bitter.

Roxy gazed at her.

Jennie’s voice became softer. "I was strong enough to defeat Draven."

She lowered her head.

"I had five Divine Swords."

Her fingers trembled.

"I had every advantage."

Silence.

"And she was stolen."

Roxy did not interrupt her.

Jennie swallowed. "What will happen when I get there?"

Her voice cracked a bit.

"What will happen if I will be too late again?"

Roxy’s expression changed.

Jennie looked at the ruined palace. "What if she is already hurt?"

Her voice became even weaker.

"What if they started the ritual?"

"What if..."

She stopped.

For the first time Roxy saw something behind Jennie’s resoluteness.

Fear.

Real fear.

Not the fear of death. Not the fear of demons.

Fear of losing someone again.

Roxy slowly stretched out her hand.

"You don’t have to carry all of that on your own."

"You do."

Jennie looked at her.

Roxy shook her head. "You don’t."

Jennie’s eyes narrowed.

Roxy smiled sadly. "That’s what friends are for."

Jennie’s expression softened.

Roxy went on. "You’re always in a rush."

She smiled. "You always rush off, leaving me behind and deciding you’re going to sort things out on your own."

Jennie looked away.

"And you always get yourself hurt in the process."

"I don’t."

"You do."

"I don’t."

"You do, absolutely!"

Jennie almost smiled. Almost.

Roxy noticed it. But then her expression became serious.

"I don’t want to lose another friend to the darkness."

Jennie’s eyes widened slightly.

Roxy looked down. Her fingers trembled.

She hadn’t planned to say those words. But once the words left her mouth, she couldn’t undo them.

"I’ve lost too many people already."

Her voice became quieter.

"And I..."

She swallowed.

"...don’t want to lose you too."

Jennie didn’t know what to say.

Roxy suddenly embraced her.

Jennie froze. Completely.

She kept her arms at her sides.

Roxy held her tight. At first, Jennie didn’t move.

But... slowly... she relaxed.

She rested her forehead against Roxy’s shoulder.

Roxy closed her eyes. "It’s okay."

Jennie’s fingers slowly entwined in Roxy’s clothing.

"I miss her."

"I know."

"I should’ve protected her."

"You did try."

"I promised..."

"Then fulfill your promise."

Roxy ran her hand through Jennie’s silver hair.

"But come back alive."

Jennie closed her eyes.

For the first time since Lilia’s disappearance... she allowed herself to cry.

Quietly. Discreetly.

Just a few tears.

Roxy didn’t say anything. She simply held her.

And finally, fatigue claimed her.

Jennie’s breathing slowed down. She released her grip.

Roxy looked down.

Jennie was asleep.

Roxy smiled faintly. "You really are an idiot."

She adjusted her position carefully. The woman who beat Draven, wielded five Divine Swords and opposed whole army of demons now looked almost peaceful.

Roxy looked at her. Her heart ached.

She knew where Jennie’s heart truly belonged. She knew that her thoughts were with Lilia. She knew that she was ready to cross an entire continent to rescue her.

And still... Roxy couldn’t help but feel...

She cared too much. Much more than she expected.

Her gaze softened.

"I don’t expect anything from you."

She whispered.

"I just wish you to come back."

Roxy hesitated.

Then... unable to contain her emotions any longer, she bent closer.

She briefly kissed Jennie’s lips.

It lasted only a moment. Roxy immediately pulled away.

Her face flushed red. "What am I doing...?"

She covered her face with one hand. "I’m truly an idiot."

She looked at Jennie. Jennie hadn’t woken up yet.

Roxy sighed.

"Maybe..."

She paused.

"...maybe my feelings aren’t just admiration anymore."

She smiled sadly. "But that’s alright."

She stroked one strand of Jennie’s silver hair.

"You don’t have to know. You don’t have to reply."

"Just live."

Roxy pulled Jennie close.

The night passed quietly.

At some point, Jennie stirred. Her eyes opened halfway.

It was dark. She felt the warmth beside her.

Unthinking, she reached out. Her hands met Roxy’s.

Roxy instantly woke up. "Jennie?"

Jennie didn’t reply. She just moved closer.

Roxy’s heart skipped a beat.

Then Jennie whispered something so softly that Roxy could hardly hear it.

"Lilia..."

Roxy’s expression saddened. She embraced Jennie.

"She’s waiting for you."

Jennie slowly relaxed.

Roxy held her all night. She stayed awake long after Jennie fell asleep again, watching the stars disappear behind the clouds of smoke, watching dawn appear in the sky.

And before the morning came, she whispered:

"Come back alive, idiot."

Morning Came

Jennie opened her eyes.

For several seconds, she wondered why she felt warm. Then she saw Roxy.

Beside her. Holding her.

Jennie blinked. "You stayed?"

Roxy quickly looked away. "Someone had to make sure you wouldn’t run away in the middle of the night."

Jennie smiled faintly. "I wasn’t going to."

"You were absolutely going to."

Jennie got up. Roxy followed.

Jennie looked at the horizon. The Demon Continent was somewhere across the mountains and seas. Lilia was there. Waiting.

Jennie’s expression hardened. "I have to go."

Roxy’s smile vanished. "When?"

"Now."

Roxy stared at her.

Jennie turned towards her. "I’m going to the Demon Continent."

Roxy’s voice became quiet. "Alone?"

Jennie nodded. "Yes."

Roxy opened her mouth. But before she could say anything, Jennie turned and started walking away.

She didn’t look back.

Five Divine Swords followed her. Excalibur. Leviathan. Tempest. Eclipse. Gram.

Jennie walked through the ruins of Seraiya, toward the road leading outside the kingdom. She had made her mind up.

No matter how dangerous the path ahead would be... she will go.

No matter what would happen after crossing the sea... she will go.

No matter how many demons would stand in her way... she will go.

Because Lilia was waiting. And Jennie was coming for her.

She had only taken a few steps when a voice came from behind.

"You’re not going alone."

Jennie stopped. Her eyes widened slightly.

She recognized that voice.

Slowly, she turned around.

Rudy Kiss stood amidst the ruins. Her purple hair was lit with the morning light, and her golden eyes were serene. Her expression was resolute—unwavering.

And the Legendary Divine Mark in her body glowed faintly.

Jennie looked at her. "...Rudy."

Rudy smiled. This was a warm smile—smile of a woman who already made her decision.

"Good morning, Jennie."

She stepped closer, her cloak sweeping along.

"You’re going to the Demon Continent."

Jennie nodded slowly.

Rudy’s smile didn’t falter. "Then I’m going with you."

Jennie opened her mouth to object.

Rudy raised a hand. "Don’t."

"I—"

"I already know what you’re going to say."

Rudy came closer. "You’re going to tell me that it’s too dangerous. That you can’t risk anyone else. That this is your fight."

Jennie fell silent.

Rudy stopped before her. "But you’re wrong."

She touched her chest, where the mark of divinity radiated through her clothing.

"Lilia isn’t your responsibility alone."

Her gaze turned gentle.

"She is mine as well."

Jennie gazed at her.

Rudy grinned. "But..."

Her gaze drifted towards the distant horizon, towards the darkness that lurked behind the sea.

"They want me as well. And I want to kick some ass."

The trip to the Demon Continent just got a little bit more complicated.