[Randall's POV]
"Considering the previously mentioned factors, plus the fact that all Notes are both 'coded,' at a certain wavelength, and done with very specific materials, you get the core reasons as to why the Demon Notes are considered to be such a safe and reliable currency throughout our world."
Days passed after the raid. Seven days, to be exact.
As expected, a bit of a manhunt took place to get the heads of the farm's owners. While they managed to flee the premises of the settlement, a certain group was ready to jump at the opportunity that came with the abandonment of the farm.
Yes, the Blue Shepherds.
"It's not uncommon for those living under unstable economies to take subterfuge in the Notes. Either way Jack, to wrap this up, do you understand?
"Yeah, somehow… The mechanisms behind Demon Notes are complicated."
"To those not related to a School's inside business, maybe."
A few of the farm's guards opted to go with their fleeing leaders. Many others remained in the town, but only one of them managed to land a slight win… That one demon who caught up to Jack while the rest scrambled around, Rodion Spectre.
In other words, the one who, at the time, almost caused our entire false-flag operation to backfire in the worst possible manner.
Someone probably saw potential in him, and roped the then-jobless guard in. Honestly, that was a fair move. He really got off well. In fact, probably no one expected any of the guards to join the Syndicate… But there he was.
'As a holder of the blue coat, and wielder of the oceanic weapons-'
"Randall?"
"A-ah, yes."
Frigidness emanated by the demon's squinted eyes froze up her mood. "... You were not paying attention. I can tell, so don't try to lie."
… Yeah, no point in hiding it. "Maybe. It's just hard to focus… I can't help but think about recent events. Something feels off here."
She'd let out a sigh shortly after processing my answer. "Does this concern also involve the demon from yesterday?"
Of course it did. A well-dressed demon wearing brown clothes, and scribbling down notes on a handbook, and I was supposed to not find concerning how he was snooping around? Taking notes and all.
"I'll admit, it is concerning. However, you needn't give it too much thought. For now, preparation to seek out the materials needed for your breakthrough is all that matters."
Despite Anne's efforts to get me to focus on the breakthrough, the threatening sense it carried stuck to my shoulders. 'Besides, the uniform was too wrong.'
It didn't even look like a combat uniform, but fancy clothing…
'... Though, it's also true that focusing on the breakthrough is relevant.' If there were new threats to face, it was hard to deny that a boost in raw power would be helpful in overcoming said adversity.
"... Alright. Any guesses where we should start to search?"
Her reply quickly came. "Maybe the forest. It's bound to have something related to your element-"
Outside, thundering, panic-charged screams tore through whatever conversations we had. Jack's body tensed much more than mine did. However, we all shared a reaction.
That something was wrong.
"We'll finish this later." Jack dashed out immediately, and we had no choice but to follow him out after I picked up my scarf.
Outside his house, winged figures stormed the town's buildings. Fire rained down the heavens, embracing the wooden buildings with warmth. Amongst them, some dark spells quietly mingled with the fireball projectiles.
Impacts of the magical barrage spread debris everywhere. Ground, river, roofs. Nothing got spared.
"Shit… This is horrible."
Each of them ran off unhesitatingly, yet… Something within my heart poked out.
What happened to them for this sort of bravery to appear…? This familiar, yet distant feeling…
It still lurked nearby. Maybe its presence was telling me a word or two.
"I have to help…"
As Jack marched towards the northwest front, where the warmongering fires flared up with the most intensity, a string momentarily pulled my heart.
Familiar feelings rooted my feet to their place. Heat born out of violent flames that burned away the sluggish effort invested over the years in the structures. Screams meeting an abrupt, yet inevitable ending at the edge of a blade. Or a spell, too.
Blood from the past and present melded together in my sight, becoming indistinguishable from one another.
… Realistically, many buildings far from the heat of battle still stood well. The harm scale was much more limited than it was back in Danpold.
"Doing nothing isn't an option…"
Perhaps against my will, I had to force my feet to walk in danger's direction. 'But I can't take someone else's life away… N-not again, and not this early…'
And soon, I started to run after whatever route Anne took. I couldn't be sure if it was the exact same, but it can't be too wrong.
'Taking them down… It's a good alternative to killing, and it can help to gather information later through interrogation.'
Yeah. I like how that sounds.
'In fact, it's the only thing I like now…'
Ashy puffs crept up my nostrils, which I hastily covered alongside my mouth. Breathing ash wouldn't do me any good.
Some assailants rushed into homes, and in some cases, silenced their owners. Integrants from the Blue Shepherd would chase the usurpers inside, and fight off those who stayed outside to wreak havoc.
"Help!"
Someone's close-by yell caught my attention.
I ran over to the origin of the scream, where I found a female fiend collapsed on the ground. Barely inches away from a couple of steps leading into a house, she clutched a large gash on her right arm, causing her hands to be dyed dark.
Blood dripped from a knife's point. Black blood.
A human-like demon grasped his knife powerfully. Downwards force sent the weapon en-route to the civilian's body, whose lying body had nowhere to run away to.
Hence, I dashed ahead and rapier-lunged towards the civilian.
Knowing whether I'd make it was impossible, but its the least I can-