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Chapter 96:

Arthur's Point of View

Reed Farmstead

"Did Arceana send you?" I inquired.

"We were sent to inform you that your presence would be required again soon for another meeting. This will have to deal with your pay and your house being almost finished." Ziah answered with a salute, which made me roll my eyes. "I am unsure of what the Captain wants to speak about with you, though."

Her gaze drifted to the Zugal beside her, who had kept his gaze on me. "Did you really reveal your eyes because the Priestesses had already seen them?"

My eyes narrowed at the Captain. "Careful, Captain. Poking your nose into things has a way of backfiring sometimes."

"I'm willing to take that risk." Greigh confirmed without budging.

"Why the sudden interest in me?"

"A few things have been occurring which have disturbed me. The presence of these Ghouls, you, Rudnurth, and more. All of it seems to be connected." Greigh replied honestly.

Crossing my arms, I quirked a brow. "And you think I'm the one responsible for these things happening?"

Shaking his head, he gestured to me. "Whether directly or indirectly, you end up involved in some manner. I had never even heard of Ghouls until they were found massacred at your hand."

Ziah then nodded in agreement. "Neither had I, and I've researched Demons before. Even after our studies on Demonology, I looked into them further." She put her hands on her hips and tilted her head. "There was not a single mention of Ghouls."

"And you think I have the answers you seek?" I asked back.

"Given how the Ghouls have focused on you, and only you, I think it is safe to say that you've had run-ins with them before. Am I wrong?" Greigh pressed further.

"Not at all. I told the Priestesses I killed a few on my journey through the Hollow Forest while on my way here."

"But you still avoid the real question. Do you, or do you not, know what a Ghoul is?" Greigh shot back.

Amused at this, by a small amount, I replied. "Did you ask the Priestesses?" He nodded. "What did they say?"

Ziah sighed in annoyance and kicked at the dirt. "They said it wasn't important for us to know."

That made me frown, which Greigh noticed. "Both Priestess Arceana and Priestess Elincia have been very guarded since your arrival. Asking them questions about Ghouls, you, or Rudnurth have all been ignored." At my look, he gestured to me again. "All of which I think you know why."

"So, you thought about asking me something that your priestesses disapprove of would be a good idea?" Then I narrowed my eyes on them. "What if this was all a trick to see who would look into things when they were told not to?"

Greigh's facial expression didn't falter in the slightest. "Then I've been played, but I am confident that you and the Priestesses have not been colluding." He then shrugged once more. "You make them nervous, which has gained my attention."

My arms fell to my sides as I walked up to him and studied him closely. "You're sharp. Very sharp and very inquisitive."

He nodded proudly. "I like to think it is why I was the one stationed and put in charge on the outskirts of the Hollow Forest."

"To answer your question, Ghouls are Demons that appear to be Human." I told them, and both looked surprised at that. "That or they could be an Elf, Zugal, and more. It really just depends, but they could walk down the street, and no one would ever even suspect them."

"Then why did they appear to be such grotesque creatures?" Ziah asked in a soft tone.

"They transformed. Demonic power usually alters their appearance in some way when they try to use their powers. So, they're essentially the perfect spies." I explained.

Greigh looked lost in thought for a moment before speaking. "So, we weren't informed because if the news spread, it could sow hate and distrust among each other. If the people ever heard about it, they'd definitely panic." Crossing his arms as he turned from me, he continued. "Makes sense why they would keep it a secret..."

Ziah looked up at me. "Then why do you know about them?"

"Ghouls are just another branch of Demons, Ziah. Ancient Demons and even more powerful Demons exist that are far more troublesome than some measly Ghoul." I answered. "Rudnurth could technically classify as one of them."

"How do you know all this?" Greigh inquired in a serious tone.

Scoffing, I turned from him. "Demons have been around far longer than Arceana and Elincia have."

Both of them paused at that before they became far more serious. "What?" Ziah asked in a dead tone.

"You think your priestesses are old as time itself?" I shot back. "Surely, you're not foolish enough to believe that they've been around forever, are you?"

"Are you suggesting that you're older than the Priestesses?" Greigh questioned.

That was a tricky question, but I certainly felt like it. Even if our experiences with time were different.

I shrugged. "Believe what you want. It makes no difference to me." Crossing my arms once more, I gave the two an amused look. "Now that you know all this, what do you two plan on doing?"

Ziah turned to Greigh with a determined look. "We should train to fight them!" She pumped her arms as her wings fluttered rapidly as she spoke with conviction.

I merely rolled my eyes in response.