There is no such thing as pure goodwill in this world.
If someone offers you something without reason,
you must always discern their true intentions before accepting it.
Humans are inherently like that.
They speak of goodness on the surface, but in reality, they are utterly selfish and cunning.
Unfortunately,
she realized this fact far too late.
As a result, she rashly accepted this "goodwill."
And in doing so, she incurred a debt.
A debt she could never escape on her own.
A debt harsher than any other.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The Eva company marched onward to return to the castle.
And that path was far from peaceful.
-"Kuaaaah!!"
"Captain! Trolls at the rear!"
"Haaah!!!"
-Pak!!!
A troll swinging a club at her back.
But before it could finish its motion, Eva sharply swung her sword and severed its neck.
A smooth yet devastating strike befitting the one who led the kingdom's greatest Holy Knight Order at such a young age.
Watching her, whose skills had noticeably improved even more recently, the knights could only marvel once again at her incredible talent.
With yet another battle concluded,
the Holy Knights let out rough sighs of relief.
"Whew... There were quite a few this time."
"Good work, everyone."
The knights wiped the sweat from their brows and sat down for a brief rest.
Traveling these forest paths meant encountering monsters at least two or three times a day.
It was as natural as running into roadside insects or wild animals.
Thus, in this world, travel was an inherently perilous gamble with one's life.
Those moving to other regions either brought their own guards, relied heavily on personal strength, or inevitably hired adventurers as the standard practice.
Of course, before these 12 elite Holy Knights, most monsters were no more significant than the laundry piled up at home.
"Alright, we'll camp here tonight. We'll reach the castle tomorrow, so everyone hang in there just a bit longer."
"Yes, Captain."
With the battle over,
and the terrain suitable, Eva ordered the group to make camp.
"Huh? Captain, where are you going?"
"I'll scout the surroundings just in case. No need to wait—rest up."
"Recon? Then let me..."
Even looking fatigued, a Holy Knight expressed her desire to accompany.
Edom, the red-haired woman.
Watching her as she brewed porridge from red beans... no, azuki beans, Eva gave a light smile.
"It's fine. Don't worry about me and have your meal. It won't take long anyway."
"Mm..."
Eva headed into the forest alone, refusing company.
Her dedication to her duties as captain, even in tough times, served as an example for any leader.
But the reality was a bit different.
She wasn't tired.
Even after leading the march ahead of the others for days,
and fighting countless monsters,
unlike her comrades who panted heavily, Eva herself hadn't shed a single drop of sweat.
And this held true even after the recent battle.
'It's because of that, right? Definitely from the contract with Seraphim.'
At first, she hadn't noticed the difference, but as time passed, Eva clearly realized it.
Her body had truly changed dramatically from just a short while ago.
Not just stamina, but instantaneous reflexes, eyesight, and even the holy power she could wield.
At this level, she might even stand a chance against the kingdom's... no, the empire's strongest Four Knights in the central continent.
'Taking care of me in their own way...?'
She still didn't know its purpose.
But after the initial curt warning, there had been no further pressure,
and the fact that it had strengthened her power made Eva feel a slight positive emotion toward it.
Thus, Eva patrolled while sorting through her thoughts for a moment.
Then.
'!'
A sudden presence.
Her former self might not have noticed, but her sharpened senses now told her someone was following.
"Who's there!"
"!.. I... it's me, Captain!"
At her sharp words, a figure emerged cautiously.
The red-haired Holy Knight, Edom.
Seeing her, Eva lowered her hand from the sword hilt and spoke calmly.
"I clearly said there's no need to follow."
"I'm sorry. Even so, I was worried about you... You haven't eaten properly all day."
"...Haa."
With those words, Edom offered a cup of azuki porridge.
Eva let out a small sigh at the sight.
Since the contract with Seraphim, her hunger had drastically decreased.
She wasn't particularly hungry now,
but regardless, she couldn't refuse Edom's such considerate gesture.
Feeling grateful inside, Eva accepted and drank it.
The thin porridge made from boiled azuki beans felt more like tea than food, but it still filled the simple need.
"Thanks, it was good. Appreciate you looking out for me."
"No trouble at all. And since we're here, let me join you. It should go faster with two."
"...Do as you like."
"Yes, Captain."
Edom spoke with enthusiasm and initiative,
true to her nature, and Eva permitted it with a light smile.
"That aside, it's worrying. Undead appearing in such numbers... I still can't believe how we escaped that."
"Yeah. How did we escape..."
Eva brushed off Edom's words vaguely.
Honestly, she wanted to tell her what really happened, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
Neither about the Great Seraph that defied all common sense,
nor the leash around her neck.
Beyond secrecy,
even thinking about it left her in lingering confusion, so it would be hard for anyone else to believe anyway.
As she felt a bit frustrated, Eva arrived at an open field.
Emerging from the continuous forest, she thought, 'A place like this exists too,' and followed Edom, who had taken the lead.
Then...
-"Now! Seize her!"
"!"
A sharp voice pierced her ears.
At the same time, a group of people appeared before Eva's eyes.
They wore black masks and robes that nearly completely hid their appearances.
Seeing them gripping weapons, Eva quickly assessed the situation.
"Who are you! Approach further and I'll attack!"
They showed no sign of retreating at her warning.
Faced with their clear hostility, Eva made a swift decision.
"Edom, fall back behind me for now!"
After ordering her weaker subordinate, Eva drew her sword from her waist.
She didn't know their strength.
But she had a duty to protect her subordinate right now.
Moreover, with her increased power, she felt she wouldn't lose to most foes.
Thus, poised for battle, Eva gathered holy power to launch an attack.
But...
"Huh?"
Her vision suddenly blurred.
A faint dizziness hit her, causing her to stagger unwittingly.
'Wh... what's this? Why... why my body all of a sudden?'
Perplexed by the unexpected situation, Eva's concentration wavered, and her holy power dispersed.
Then...
"Gahk!"
Sudden agony struck.
In the excruciating pain from her abdomen,
her gaze fixed on the blood-soaked sword protruding from her stomach.
A sword engraved with distinctive red patterns.
Eva instantly recognized its owner.
"E... Edom... Wh... why...?"
"I'm sorry, Captain."
"E... E... d..."
Her voice drenched in pain, Eva collapsed to the ground.
Confirming the situation resolved, Edom slowly approached the black-masked figures watching her.
"With this, the contract is fully fulfilled."
"Heh heh heh, yes, well done. Thanks to you, it ended far more easily than expected."
A pleasant laugh emanated from the mask.
Then, the masked figure held out a single sheet of paper to Edom.
It bore complex incantations and ominous magic—not mere paperwork, but a magically bound contract, signed boldly by Edom at the bottom.
"As per the contract, we'll return it. You're no longer needed."
"..."
Back in her squire days,
starving on the battlefield, she had signed it in exchange for a mere bowl of azuki porridge.
That one moment's folly had bound her soul for over a decade. As Edom took it back, complex emotions clouded her eyes.
"Kuh..."
Regret, liberation, and an overwhelming guilt that dwarfed them.
She had betrayed Eva—her superior, comrade, and benefactor—and schemed to lead her to death.
No matter that it stemmed from a youthful soul-binding contract, recalling her own faults brought thick tears welling in her eyes amid rising sin.
Then.
"Gahk!"
Sudden torment assailed her.
Seeing the sword piercing her throat belatedly, shock, pain, and deep doubt crossed Edom's face.
"Wh... why...?"
"Didn't I say you're no longer useful? Contract fulfilled, so we clean up thoroughly."
"Th... that can't... this filthy... kuhk!"
Unable to finish, Edom crumpled like a puppet.
Spilling blood as red as the azuki porridge her soul had bought, she closed her eyes.
The two Holy Knights lay collapsed, drenched in blood.
The masked swordsmen watched them.
Vera and his subordinates spoke in pleased tones.
"Heh heh heh, this ended even more anticlimactically than thought."
"Indeed. All that 'prophecy protagonist' talk had us tense, but it's disappointing."
"We should've done this from the start. We overvalued the need for justification."
"Enough of that. No time to slack—cut off that Eva woman's head now."
"Understood, Vera."
Though Edom had lured her perfectly, the other Holy Knights would grow suspicious soon.
No need to dawdle after a clean job and stir the hive.
'Heh heh, with this, my chances for the next archbishop seat rise even higher. I've worked in the shadows long enough—time to step into the light.'
Glad he hadn't even needed to summon heaven's messenger, Vera pondered the command and rewards this mission would bring.
But...
"...What? No, why are those guys just standing there?"
He'd ordered them to decapitate, yet his subordinates stood rigid, blankly staring somewhere.
Vera shouted at them in confusion and frustration.
"Hey, you! Snap out of it! I said move!"
Then.
"V... Vera... sir..."
"?"
A subordinate's trembling voice called him.
Puzzled, Vera turned toward where the subordinate gazed.
And...
"!!?! Ah...….…."
A broken sound escaped his lips.
Too shocked for even a scream, his eyes beheld...
Countless red pupils staring at him.
And
their owner,
the massive being with six pure white wings, hovering in the air.
"De... Demon?"