Published: March 21, 2026
The green leaves above rustled gently in the wind, and the time flowing through the forest felt so peaceful that it hardly matched the fact that dangerous demonic beasts prowled here.
That peace, however, belonged only to nature; humans were another matter.
“Crow, if you stay this irritated you’ll drag us into trouble too, so could you stop?”
Ever since he encountered his mother, Crow had been lashing out everywhere, and I couldn’t help but say that.
His eyes narrowed into a sharp glare; after that look I realized I’d blundered.
Who was it that decided to stay out of it?
Words once spoken can’t be taken back. I squared my shoulders and added to what I’d said.
The three women preparing the campfire paused and peered over to see what was happening.
I waved to indicate it was fine, but the tense atmosphere seemed to bother them.
“That fight earlier was awful. What happened?”
I already knew the cause, but I couldn’t not ask.
During the battle with the demonic beasts, Crow had been attacked from behind, saved and scolded by Amelia — an unexpected situation.
Even the fire-starting they were trying now, which had been going for some time, showed no sign of catching.
Around Crow lay countless small Demon Stones drained of the magical power they once held.
Even for demonic beasts, those stones were gained by consuming lives.
Seeing those little Demon Stones disappear meaninglessly felt like such a waste.
Put plainly, Crow right now was just a useless nuisance to everyone around him.
Usually nonchalant, Crow apparently turned useless whenever a certain person was involved.
It was troublesome in the present situation, but seeing this human side of Crow made me feel a little relieved.
My words were like pouring gasoline on the flames of his anger, but maybe thanks to years of living, he didn’t yell pointlessly; the anger was soon extinguished and he turned away with an awkward expression.
“……”
His mouth tightened into a displeased line, looking uncomfortable — oddly fresh.
Ever since he met his mother, Crow’s reactions were like those of an elementary school kid.
His tail, which had been thrashed against the ground moments ago, now hung limp like a dog being scolded.
“That woman didn’t ask anything about my sister.”
Crow muttered the line softly.
The drooping tail swayed to the side.
This time it looked a bit lonely.
It seemed Crow had left his usual poker face somewhere behind.
“Since I ran off from home with my sister, the day I met that hag was the first time I’d seen her in ages. She can’t not know my sister is dead. And yet she said nothing.”
So that’s why he’d been irritated.
I tilted my head at a feeling I wasn’t very familiar with.
My household and Crow’s both involved a single mother and a younger sister, but beyond that our family relationships apparently couldn’t be more different.
“What did you expect from your mother? Did you want her to scold you for letting her die?”
I felt like I was dealing with someone younger than me.
Crow reflexively shook his head at my question.
Then he drew a sharp breath as if realizing something.
“No, that’s not it, I…”
And then he fell silent.
I sighed and took a new small Demon Stone out from my pouch.
“Well, fine. But you still have to keep your promise.”
I tossed the Demon Stone into the bundle of dried branches Crow had gathered in front of him.
In an instant, the fire caught and flames spread to the twigs.