"These rags carry the Demon Sword’s aura? Seriously?"

"Mhm."

Rayelle raised an eyebrow, lifted the rags for a closer look, then sighed and set them back down.

Nothing on them.

Just ordinary scraps of cloth.

"You must’ve made a mistake."

"Mmm… Maybe they wrapped the Demon Sword in this?"

Lulu scratched her head, frustrated.

She’d hoped to find even the faintest trace of the sword—any clue at all.

Instead? Nothing.

Just rags that once held a replica. It was like hunting for a banana and finding a cheap knockoff peel.

"Can’t leave empty-handed… Might as well check everything."

Rayelle muttered to steel herself, picked up an envelope from the table, dusted it off, and unfolded it.

The tiny white sword spirit hovering nearby drifted closer, curious, peering at the contents with her.

Inside lay several crumpled notes. Rayelle smoothed them out carefully before reading:

*"...Rumor has it the Chaos Sect’s headquarters located Demonic Sword Jormungandr. Consider approaching their bishop to borrow it..."*

The rest was blurred. Only that line remained clear.

Few words, heavy meaning.

"...So it really is with the Chaos Sect."

A hint of excitement colored Lulu’s voice.

This letter was clearly internal correspondence. If an insider confirmed it, the sword was almost certainly there.

"Someone wanted to *borrow* the Demon Sword?"

Rayelle frowned. A chill slithered down her spine.

Jormungandr, twin to Holy Sword Gungnir, was no weaker than its counterpart. Facing a Chaos Cultist wielding it? Rayelle, barely first-tier now, stood no chance.

Lulu noticed her worry.

"Don’t fret. If we meet its wielder, I’ll protect you. Won’t let them kill you. After all, Rayelle’s just a timid little wyvern~"

"..."

*Timid little wyvern...*

Why did that sound so strange coming from her?

"Keep reading."

"Right."

Rayelle memorized the note, tucked it back, and opened the next.

*"...Apologies—I couldn’t secure the Demon Sword itself. But the bishop agreed to lend a replica housing a fragment of its spirit. It should arrive in a few days..."*

"Ah."

Lulu glanced at the rags. The pieces clicked.

"Those scraps must’ve wrapped the replica."

Rayelle nodded. "Makes sense. Otherwise, the aura wouldn’t be so faint..."

Lulu murmured to herself, eyes flickering with a trace of loneliness as she stared at the cloth.

"But this clue helps. I’ll dig deeper into the Chaos Sect later."

"...First, figure out how to *join* them. Honestly, watching you puff your chest like this? I’m worried you won’t even get past the front gate."

Lulu deadpanned, watching Rayelle’s bravado.

"Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?! I’m the infamous wyvern Rayelle! Infiltrating a cult? Child’s play!"

Rayelle shot her a glare. Was she being underestimated?

"Sure, sure. Honestly, did you wake up stupid today? The Rigmore I knew wasn’t this adorably clueless."

Lulu sighed.

"Keep going. The initiation’s soon. No time to dawdle."

"Tch."

Rayelle bit back a retort. Time was tight. She turned to the remaining notes.

*"...Curious—why do you need the Demon Sword? Bonn City has no strong figures. Even you could stir chaos there easily..."*

*"...I plan to use its unique ability. It curses foes—perhaps it can also absorb curses. Even Extraordinary contamination..."*

*"...Absorb contamination? Chaos Sect doctrine embraces Extraordinary corruption, letting it seep into the soul to become part of Him. You’d be branded a heretic..."*

*"...Truth is, I’m not a true Chaos Cultist. I joined out of hatred for the Holy Light Church. They’re ruthless—execute anyone tainted. They forced me into the Sect. Compared to them, the Chaos Sect is far more tolerant..."*

*"...I see. Well, good luck. I’ve never used the Demon Sword to absorb curses myself. No such worries for me..."*

*"...Right. Since you’re not even human anymore. Lastly, thank you for helping me borrow the sword. Visit my home sometime—I’ll treat you well..."*

Rayelle stopped there.

The rest wasn’t worth reading. This was enough.

She understood now: he sought the sword to cleanse Extraordinary contamination.

Likely, someone dear to him was heavily tainted. He hoped Jormungandr could purge or ease it.

"Can the Demon Sword really absorb contamination?"

Rayelle returned the envelope, turning to Lulu.

"No idea. I’m not its spirit. It *can* absorb curses, but Extraordinary contamination? Unclear."

"I see."

Rayelle nodded slowly.

If it *could* cleanse contamination, Jormungandr would be invaluable to her.

Her own Extraordinary Power could do it too—but contamination stemmed from higher-dimensional entities. The mana cost would be staggering. It might even drain her lifespan.

Rayelle knew mid-story tragedies often began with such corruption. Dark, brutal events would push Aerin toward her breaking point.

If she could stop the contamination… maybe those tragedies could be avoided. The triggers for Aerin’s fall might vanish.

Then, perhaps, she could simply stay by Aerin’s side. Quiet days. Peaceful moments.

"Time’s almost up. Let’s go."

Lulu’s voice softened. Her form began to fade.

"I can’t stay visible long. Heading back. Stay safe on your way..."

Before Rayelle could reply, Lulu vanished.

The golden mark on Rayelle’s skin dimmed, as usual.

"...Huh? Leaving me alone?"

Rayelle stepped into the corridor. Pitch darkness swallowed the path ahead.

No choice. She gritted her teeth and charged forward.

Thankfully, she was tough enough to take a few hits. Soon, she’d battered her way back to the entrance, then soared upward on leathery wings.

The Crimson Barrier seemed one-way: invisible from outside, but clear from within.

Judging by the moon’s position, it was around ten o’clock.

Two hours until the initiation, yet figures already gathered around the altar’s clearing—all here for the trial.

"Quite a crowd."

Rayelle glanced at her empty mana gauge. A wicked little smile curled her lips.

Perfect.

Time to have a little fun.