Rade's Demon Elimination Service

Chapter 42: The Lurking Shadow

"And the plan just keeps on getting f**k up," a robed figure said while he was looking at what damages were left behind of the Cuare holy weapon. "You made a deal, Lord Haeven, with the Order of Prince that if Elora Isolde Aldam failed to give us the adavantage you are speaking of, you will kill her. Why the sudden change of heart, my dear?"

The moon has fallen in the sky, giving the courtyard where a mortal and a hunter fought off earlier a silvery brilliance. The remmants of the battle could still be seen on the courtyard. The arrow marks that have grazed on the trees around the area, the unsettled dust on the asphalt ground, and the stain of where the Cuare holy weapon's little demonic apparition manifested.

The robed figure sighed and looked up to the moon while Carys Haeven was beside him, wearing an exteremly bored expression on his face.

"But, then again," the robed figure said, rescinding the mockery and the threat on his voice. "It isn't as if I can dispatch you so easily."

"Dispatch, you say?" Carys asked, there was sarcasm on his tone when he talked to the robed figure, one of his brows were raised up. "May I remind, my lord, that in terms of rank and position, I am no longer inferior to yours. But," Carys paused, a mysterious smile appearing on the edge of his lips. "Because you are my senior in years, I will not talk back to you any longer."

There was a threatening glares that were passed between the two of them. It was apparent that the two do not trust each other despite being basically comrades and were on the same side. The animosity was quickly dispersed though as a slight smirk, though it was really just out of pure irritationr rather than out of joy, appeared on the robed figure's face or at least at the portion which could be seen and was out of the cover of the hood of his black robes.

"Was it London Aldeia?" he asked, his face was still directy looking at the moon above them. "Or was it his wench of a sister who always gets every single damn thing?" He clicked his clicked his tongue, looking at the smear on the asphalt ground with disappointment. "What a shame. What a pity, and I had thought that you will fulfill your promise to use that Aldam girl and prove that the Order of Prince's trust in you would be fruitful as we placed that cursed girl in the very bosom of the Aldeia clan. The Order of Prince have let you live in order to be useful, just as you promised, but the results..."

The robed figure paused for a brief second.

"But the results have proven a failure," he finally ended his sentence with another sigh which caused a deep frown to appear in between Carys' two brows. "You are a failure, Carys Haeven. You are supposed to draw Kalleid Hiro out using that wench of the cursed bloodline. Now, look at what had happened."

"I have already stated before that I did not come to the Order of Prince to be a helpless little pawn," Carys told the other person with a composed and relaxed expression as though nothing was really bothering him. "I came to help him, not the other way around. This time will be used by us while the Spatial Void is powering all of the demons in order to draw the Parallel Balance. The experiments should be conducted in a faster rate so we could prepare from when the time that the Parallel Balance has finally been drawn out."

The robed figure stilled from where he was standing, listening to Carys as the younger boy smiled with a dangerous glint.

"Because is that not what you want?" Carys asked rhetorically. "To draw out the Parallel Balance?"

At a distance, someone was coming. The silent, almost inaudible sound of a blade could be faintly heard. Both the robed figure and Carys Haeven discreetly looked back from behind, they could both hear and feel every steps of the coming person and even their breaths. Carys sighed, slinging the bow Cuare across his chest, he does not wish to engage the coming person in a figh while the other person was also making movements to get away from the place, quickly cleaning up the courtyard with any of their presence with a wave of his hand. Before he could finish cleaning up though, Carys was already moving away from thhe courtyard without even pretending to want to help the robed figure on cleaning up the place where he and Rade fought earlier that day.

Carys knew that the first part of his plan failed.

It was apparent on how things have gone so far astray from how he envisioned it but then Carys knew that the situation was not hopeless in his case, he knew that many opportunities would come and that he could make use of that.

"I guess that one person who moved within the shadows would always be you, my Lady Aldeia," he said with a smile, looking at some far away place.

When that someone have arrived, the courtyard was already empty. Geneva Aldeia sighed heavily, stroking the body of the spear by her side. As always, she does not look that much. Wearing just a pair of jeans and a white tee shirt, Geneva Aldeia could only be just a random person visiting the chapel late at night. If it were not for the unnatural long dark hair and the fearsome spear by her side, anyone who would be seeing her might forget her just as easily.

"My lady," Erinye, one of the Aldeia clan's hunters, called to Geneva. "Young Master London has already reported back in the manor "

Geneva nodded, looking at the place which was once the battlefield of Carys and Rade. She clenched her hands into balls of fist, her jaw was also clenched tight. The tension spread from the lady to the other three hunters with her. The trio straightened their spines, enduring the cold grace of their master.

"This place had been cleaned, my lady," Eros, one of the hunters, reported to Geneva who nodded solemnly. "But not too long ago. Erinye and I would like to track the one who cleaned the place."

"Not even a single remnant of an arrow of the Cuare could be seen," Geneva muttered under her breath, looking at the marks all over the asphalt ground that could never be erased. She turned to the hunters she brought with her. "Eros, Erinye, you two go and track like what Erinye suggested. Minerva, stay here and make sure we didn't miss anything. And, continue with your report, will you? What did London reported?"

The two hunters, Erinye and Eros, nodded before saluting to Geneva and leaving the two of them behind. The two hunters made little noise as they dived into the forest just behind the chapel. Meanwhile, Minerva did continue with her report to the lady.

"Young Master London reported that the mission with acquiring Young Master Carysia Haeven has failed, my lady," she told Geneva who was still observing the little courtyard. "And Miss Aldam isn't successful on eliminating Young Master Haeven. Miss Aldam is currently unconscious from the fight."

"I told her not to overwork herself," Geneva commented. "And now look at what happened. I know that look, Minerva," Geneva suddenly said, defensive and resignated.

"I know, my lady," Minerva then sighed, "but what you did here. Giving the execution to Young Master London, deliberately using Miss Aldam to investigate what was the Huntsman Order up to, and even wanting to take Young Master Haeven into our side. What for, my lady? What was it all for?"

"You do not agree with my methods, I understand you, but I hope you will put more trust in me. Something is happening within the walls of Huntsman Order. Not only even half a year passed when new officials rose into seats, we must be ahead of them every step of the way."

"The Aldeia clan is prosperous enough, my lady," Minerva said, kneeling on the asphalt ground and observeing the aftermath of the battle that was held here. "We do not need to be involved in the matters of the politics outside our region."

"I'm only looking out for every hunters inside the region, Minerva. You do not need to be so worried about this." Geneva said, she patted the back of Minerva, indicating that she would be going.

"You are gambling with the Order of Prince," Minerva worriedly said. "Those officials, don't you think that it's the Order of Prince's doing?"

"This is a gamble I'm prepared to play," Geneva only said which did not appease Minerva at all. "Aldam has failed to bring Young Master Haeven to our side, but that does not necessarily mean defeat. The Huntsman Order has a reason, you do not know the Order of Prince the way I do. What he is planning to do, we must stop it."

Minerva sighed yet again and nodded. She stood up in front of Geneva, saluting while the other was speeding away out of her sight. On her mind, Geneva was in a turmoil.

She knew that the Aldeia clan's image outside of their region was on its best and going against the HODE was not the greatest way to further polish their reputation. She knew what they were being called despite being the most powerful and influential clan inside the hunters' society yet those words of praise would not be long lasting.

Demon spawn, they called them.

Fraternizing with the demons and even employing them under their care, those other hunter clan members would tell each other.

"They kept on chirping and whispering to each other like birds," Geneva muttered under her breath while she speed through the route towards the Aldeia clan's manor.

It has not been that long since she was forced out of the manor, patrolling the area personally though she did not really need to. The appearance of the Shadow Fantasm came in a flash. Evacuation of the hunters, the violence of the demons around the region, and even preparing the needed equipments so the hunters that were on duty would be well-equipped.

And that was only before the official descent of the Shadow Fantasm.

After the Shadow Fantasm has turned into its humanoid figure, there was still a lot of things to do around the region. Kalleid, her future brother-in-law and one of the few immortal half-demon in the whole world, was injured causing for his demonic side to take over and his humanity to be subdued. Then her brother became injured, their youngest sibling. She was prepared to make the decision of killing Kalleid for breaking the statement on his certificate given by the HODE yet she did not.

But Geneva didn't want her brother to wake up to the dead and lifeless body of that immortal being though that reason was only a quarter of the real question why Geneva did not make any drastic choice.

It was not like she could just randomly kill Kalleid Hiro.

She had been tired for a long time, but it seemed that time and certain circumstances would not make her rest any sooner. The hunters in front of the manor welcomed Geneva home, opening the gates to their very ordinary looking mistress. The Aldeia clan's manor was still full of activity despite the night being already deep into late hours and wee hours of the morning was already approaching.

"Long night?" someone asked Geneva.

When she looked up at the staircase, Geneva's eyes spotted the handsome countenance of Felif Astride, the representative of the Observatory Division of the Huntsman Order. He smiled at Geneva, looking genuinely handsome in the darkness of the night.

"Day," Geneva answered, "a long day actually."

"Couldn't really sleep so I figured to just roam around," Felif said to Geneva in a hoarse voice as though he had just woken up from his slumber. "People are extremely busy, aren't they?"

What are you doing here exactly, Lord Astride?

But that question did not make it to Geneva's lips, not even the slightest change on her face expressed any displeasure. Instead, she only nodded somberly at Felif. Her face was devoid of emotion though she was aware that fatigue was probably already seeping through her body's movements.

"We are in charge of this region after all, it is our responsibility," she reasoned as though that was enough of a reason for the buzzing of the people around. "If you'll just excuse me for a moment, Lord Astride, I'm exhausted."

"Oh, of course, my lady! Have a sweet dream, my Lady Aldeia."

Geneva only nodded at him and passed by him. While Felif was up on the stairs, the lady was down so she had to climb up to where Felif was. Out of nowhere, Felif ran down the stairs though he did not really have any reason to do so.

"Felif," Geneva unconsciously said, her spine stiffened and her hand reached for the spear that was now on a necklace form, very much how the Aztle looked which was New York's holy weapon, but Felif only smiled at her.

He reached for her hand, guiding her up the stairs and it seemed terribly romantic how the moon, which has risen up the night's sky, glinted with a silver brilliance making Felif's brown hair almost golden. Geneva's eyes widened when she felt the warmth on the man's hands which was now holding hers. It was thanks to her extremely long hair which reached down to her knees that Geneva did not shudder from the sudden coolness she felt.

"I could not wait for you to just tire yourself out further more and decided to meet you halfway," he explained with a smile. On the side of the stairs was a great window, overlooking the sea near the manor. "There wasn't any unrest in the region in a while now, I don't understand why you mist tax yourself too much, Geneva. The Spatial Void is not due for at least a few weeks from now."

It took a moment for Geneva to say something, only looking at the man who was smiling down at her and holding her hand. The man who was wearing a very worn pair of pyjamas with a matching long-sleeved shirt. He looked every bit of a sholar and there was not of that sword prowess that London mentioned he has.

"You are impatient, I see," she finally said and found her voice. She cleared her throat, stepping away from Felif. "Please refrain calling me by my name."

Damn, Geneva thought.

Maybe she really should sleep now. Her habits were coming back now that her guard was down due to fatigue.

The man was only looking at her while her eyes shifted to see the sea. It was serene like how the night was, but Geneva could not help but think that she was on the very eye of the sword.

"Of course, " Felif answered yet he did not step away from Geneva. "Shall I guide you up this undeniably taxing staircase?" Felif asked Geneva.

Tired and wanting nothing but sleep, Geneva did not even have the strength to be cold and distant. She simply looked at Felif's handsome profile but, at the corner of her eyes, she saw an amazing thing which made her stop. Because of the sudden halt Felif noticed what Geneva was looking over at.

"It isn't the first time that I saw a manifestation," Felif said, reclaiming the lady's hand. This time, Geneva did not shrink back. "But it still amazes me. It must be because of the Spatial Void. They are powerful enough to manifest. I knew that when I came here, it would be absolutely worth it. I have managed to see the Shadow Fantasm, now even experience seeing the magnificent Spatial Void. Not a day in this region is boring, Geneva."

"I'm certain she would be very please to hear that," Geneva said under her breath.

"What is it, my lady?"

"Geneva," she responded with a rather forlorn expression on her face which made it so that even Felif could tell. "I'm certain she would like to hear that."

"Hhmm," the man hummed with his free index and thumb fingers on his chin. "My lady, I'm afraid that I'm not aware if you are mocking me or saying that out of seriousness. Is it not you? Are you not Geneva Aldeia, my lady."

There was a sigh that came from Geneva and she turned away, abruptly tugging away her hand from Felif's grip. The suddenness of the move caught him off his guard and he let her go accidentally. Now, it was Geneva who was up the steps of the staircase while Felif was stepping on the lower steps.

But Felif thought he heard something from her.

"I do not even feel myself most of the days," Geneva said under her breath and quickly ascended the staircase, leaving Felif alone.

That Geneva from a few years ago, she was already dead, shhe thought internally and refused to look at Felif again. Geneva's hand was turning cold from where Felif's warmth was imprinted yet she did not reach out to the man again.

His hand was still outstretched, as hough he was still guiding the lady on the stairs. His eyes were still on the scenery that made Geneva Aldeia held still, right on the spot where they were almost equal by a few steps. One or two, Felif didn't really know since he could not see clearly earlier.

He was still, like how a statue or a corpse would be so still after time have touched them.

"How beautiful," he whispered.

The warmth from Geneva Aldeia's hand that he held earlier has now faded and turned cold similar to how Geneva's did, only his warmth remained. His feet was still halfway, in the very edge of the steps of the staircase. He watched the manifestation lurked on the waves of the sea. It was beautiful, making the already colorful blue of the sea shimmer with brilliance.

Felif laughed despite feeling a dread on his chest. There was strange emotion within him, making his heart clenched tightly and rathher painfully (as he was surprised to know). And it was not just his heart that clenched tightly, but also his jaw and his hands balled into fist. His right hand that touched Geneva closed on its own, trying to catch the last warmth from her.

On a very small and silent voice, he spoke just seven words that conveyed how abandoned he was at the flight of the lady, not even looking back to where he was and just leaving him on his own.

"You have always been hard to reach."

Felif's gaze found none of the trace of the person he was with earlier. Sighing, he turned his gaze away from the empty staircase and with another glance towards the sea and the manifestation, Felif turned around and just went up the stairs.