They all looked like common people, to say the least. None of them seemed to have any combat training, with some trembling while holding their spears. She scanned the area and saw rows of other carriages filled with minerals and iron ores, and tents pced around the area.

  “Who is your leader?”

  Adeline spoke as she stepped forward. None of them were brave enough to speak up as they slowly backed away. Alfred slithered down the mangled corpse and stood next to her, his eyes constantly scanning for any threats.

  “It is a simple question. I really don’t want to torture you guys.”

  It was then a man emerged from a tent, yawning. He zily scratched his stomach as his eyes nded on Adeline and Alfred. He rubbed his eyes, then stared at the duo once more. He looked around and grabbed a sword from one of the men.

  “Listen, dy, killing people and dressing as a demon is a crime or something. If you leave, I will overlook this and call it even.”

  “Are you their leader?”

  “I don’t know about leader, I am just stationed here. If you want to speak with the higher-ups, take it to the empire. Lady, I really don’t want to hurt you, just go away.”

  “Boss, I think that’s an actual demon.”

  One of the men spoke up.

  “Nonsense, what would a demon be doing here? It’s just a dy with a snake.”

  “Boss, that snake just snapped James in two different areas and turned him into well, that. How will we break the news to his wife?”

  “One problem at a time. Let’s ask the dy here if she is actually a demon.”

  Adeline watched the scene with a confused face. These people were either too stupid or id back.

  “Yes, I am a demon, but no need to panic, let’s have a civilized conversation.”

  Adeline slowly walked over and sat on a nearby stone as she waited. Confused, the man also joined and sat adjacent to her.

  “Are you an actual demon?”

  “Yes, I am. I do have a question: who owns this mining operation?”

  “Why would a demon be interested in that?”

  “Because it’s causing a lot of unnecessary disruptions, and also those orcs were more like sves than employees, and that rubs me the wrong way.”

  “Why would you care about those stupid monsters, or any of them, for that matter? You are a demon, that in itself gives you a way higher status.”

  “The reason is quite simple, they are under my protection. So would you kindly disclose your employers so we could reach some agreement?”

  The man started to ugh maniacally as he covered his face. Adeline suddenly sensed bloodlust from the man. Alfred took an attacking position, ready to change to his true form, but Adeline stopped him. Once he was done, he stared at Adeline with a crooked smile.

  “What is stopping me from just beating you half dead and selling you? Even your corpse would sell for a lot, especially in the bck market.”

  “You would most likely die, but you are free to try.”

  “You’re quite confident for a monster, you all fall the same in the end.”

  “You are quite stupid for a mere ckey. I really don’t want to do this since it’s very time-consuming, but if that means I get the name of your employer, so be it.”

  “Do what exactly, dy, no monster?”

  “Let’s have a duel, just you and me. I want to see if you can back up your talk. So far, everyone I have faced has been very disappointing.”

  “I know you monsters don’t know much, but my name is Magnus, I am a swords master. The best in the empire. You should be thankful I am entertaining this.”

  “Let’s actually see if that’s true.”

  “Are you quite sure about that, dy?”

  Adeline stared at the man with slight disbelief. Who was this moron in front of her? He didn’t look like a fighter at all. If she compared him to Melora, an actual swords master, he cked nearly everything. Adeline got up as she clicked her tongue. Alfred took it as a signal to get ready for attack. In an instant, Alfred turned into a huge snake as he stared down at the humans. He let out a powerful hiss which was enough to paralyze them in fear. Magnus stared at the giant snake while still seated, he started to sweat profusely.

  “What are you doing? Get up, I want to find out how strong you really are.”

  “I will give you one st chance, let’s talk this out.”

  “I am surprised, no, astonished, how you bunch of idiots are able to subjugate these creatures, let alone run this scheme.”

  Adeline’s anger fred as her red mana shot out of her body. Magnus started to rethink his previous decisions as his mask started to crack. Fearing for his life, he fell to his knees and started to ask for forgiveness.

  “I am sorry, I was just put here to make sure the carriages are sent to the empire in time.”

  “I asked you nicely, then you started to py coy with me. Do you think I am the same as the others?”

  Adeline kicked Magnus as his body flew across the camp. She started to take breathing exercises to calm herself. Alfred kept a close watch on the remaining group who had already dropped their weapons. She then heard the distinctive sound of rocks breaking. She slowly traced the sound to the back of the camp. She saw a rough-looking man breaking the ores with a rge hammer. She stared at the man for a moment as his eyes narrowed. Something about this man was off.

  She slowly made her way to the man, then sat nearby and only watched the man. He continued doing his work diligently, ignoring her completely. Screams suddenly could be heard, but she ignored them. She assumed one of them tried to run and was subsequently eaten. A small smile slowly appeared on her face.

  “What is a man like you doing here?”

  The man stopped and turned towards Adeline while still holding the rge hammer. His eyes were devoid of all emotions. Adeline was very familiar with such a look; at one point, she too had it. It was a man with no purpose, a dead man walking.