Rade's Demon Elimination Service

Chapter 34: Any Hope Left

"I have a question to Lady Aldeia first before we depart," Lyu said as Megumi and Fannie were both preparing to go. The other two were already standing already when Lyu interevened before they get to the door of the office. "How is Rade doing?"

Geneva Aldeia did not look up from the documents that she was working on nor did her expression change from the knowledge that Lyu knew what Rade has been doing these days.

Lyu supposed that it was not shocking that Geneva Aldeia has probably predicted that he already knew since, after all, the knowledge that Lyu has an ability of seeing in all four cardinal direction without moving an inch and even replay within his mind what had happened in the past, present, and future was never a secret amongst the Aldeia hunters and them. Though Lyu was also aware that Geneva could certainly move without being seen by him. Ai would never underestimate the head of the Aldeia clan.

Meanwhile, Megumi looked at Lyu with knotted eyebrows, confusion was evident on her face. It was the truth that Megumi hasn't seen Rade for the past almost month now, but she assumed that it was only because the girl was busy taking advantage before the Spatial Void arrives to gather more cores since she also needed to pay the Aldeia clan from a prior consequence of her action. Much like the other hunters inside the city, it was not a peculiarity if they would use this time period for their advantage, hunting as many demon cores as they could. An appearance of a manifestation like the Spatial Void, as dangerous as it wasdoes not happen often so being cooped up inside her apartment would certainly something that Rade would not do.

But that doesn't seem to be the case, Megumi thought with grim as she waited for Geneva to answer her younger brother while Fannie was only watching with a bored expression on his disgustingly beautiful face though it was apparent that he was not bored at all.

And so, Megumi just let Lyu proceeded on what he intended to do, not interfering in any case that Lyu would like to do this on his own (and anyway, Lyu would absolutely ask for his big sister's help if he ever needs it, Megumi would only wait for his words before she do something about it). Fannie stayed behind them, almost bored but his eyes were keen and sharp. The same was true with London, although she was the epitome of a relaxed person, Megumi could feel the tension on both of her shoulders.

"If anything goes wrong," Lyu said.

His voice was thick with acid and his eyes became golden, morphing into something that does not resemble humanity. With that sudden changed of his visage, from the angelic countenance of the innocent to the monstrous face of a demon, Megumi put her hand on his shoulder. It was not good to make an enemy out of an ally and that was what the Aldeia clan was to them; only just an ally. To say that it was more than that would be wishful thinking, both Megumi and Lyu knew despite them both being gentle and kind to everyone.

In this cooperation, all the presence was aware that that it would be Megumi, Fannie, and Lyu who would be benefitting more from this alliance. There were additional source of ammunition in any case that the HODE was finally pent up and, out of nowhere or maybe even slightly provoked, attacked the city. They were very good assurance of victory and Megumi was aware of that fact.

At the end of the day, it was all just business.

"Then it would not be changing anything, that is what you're thinking... is it not?" Lyu finally asked after a prolonged pause that was filled with tension, seemingly quoting some exact words from a textbook, Geneva Aldeia's own words no doubt that he had seen from the Sky Teller.

Finally, a reaction could be seen on Geneva Aldeia's face. She chuckled lowly, an uncharacteristically action from her, and when she looked up, Lyu involuntarily clenched his teeth. It was like being looked down upon, Lyu thought while swallowing the fire that was rapidly building up on his throat. On both of his sides were the great demons of humanity and in front of him was the greatest warrior of the humanity.

It was quite uncanny how their positions matter and how it symbolizes their stand.

In terms of strength, Geneva was obviously in the disadvantage but although Megumi was in her optimal condition, she would prioritize on protecting Lyu than to fight Geneva if this building tension suddenly turns into a bloodbath. Geneva would certainly go first to Fannie who was still rather weak while commanding her hunters to pursue both Megumi and Lyu. Even if they could get out of the manor, it would still be hard on escaping the influence of the Aldeia clan.

But all five of them knew that it would be foolish to engage on a battle.

"As expected of the bearer of the Sky Teller," Geneva complimented though Lyu was not reassured, she stood up which made London's eyes widened and bulged, not expecting his sister to show the least bit of respect to the guests. "The power may not have been absolute, but it is still rather useful."

"What is Lyu talking about?" London questioned his sister. After receiving only silence, London frustratedly stood up and directly confronted his sister. "What are you talking about? Am I the only one who doesn't have any idea about anything?" he further asked, clearly offended by being left behind. He looked incredulously at Megumi, who only shook her head as if to warn him not to say any offending words, then he scoffed in disappointment towards his older sister.

That's bull, London thought as if offending his sister slightly and even internally would incite the rage of the whole Aldeia clan when he was part of it. London looked at his older sister and never before had he seen her so cold from what she could remember.

He shivered, maybe a little thankful that he never has to be an enemy of his older sister. On a one on one fight, London would instantly be beaten into a pulp by his older sister and maybe even everyone else. Only these demons might stand a chance against the Geneva Aldeia.

Geneva has always been the prodigy, the one who was great at everything without even trying, and because of that, she was always removed from worldly things. She has always been in a pedestal, not to be meddled with because it was in the people's thinking that no one could ever surpass her.

London knew that the power his sister holds as the head of the Aldeia clan was something he could never imagine on reining by himself only. He would always think that himself was so far removed from the world in which his older sister was moving seamlessly that it has nothing to do with him, of course London was wrong in that aspect.

Geneva raised a single finger, and London knew that it was time to shut his mouth up and he did.

"Carys Haeven has been spreading unbalance throughout the city," Geneva Aldeia said coldly, "as the head of the Aldeia clan, I cannot act rashly nor do I want to eradicate him. I cannot send any of my hunters to punish him, he is the only Haeven left in the new generation, the only one who would be able to continue his clan's legacy. To punish him is to insult the ancient name and the reputation of the Haeven clan."

There was one implication on that statement and it was quickly caught by Lyu.

"So you used Rade to get Carys Haeven," Lyu sneered. "You sent her to find him and eliminate his presence. Just because you do not want to involve yourself with him?"

It was the very first time that London saw Lyu be very angry at anything. Even as a demon himself, Lyu has always had a mild temperament and he was also basically an open book. One could know what he was thinking and his emotions just by looking straight on his face. He would smile when he feels happy, he would cry when feels sad, and he would frown when he feels confused or if there was something that he doubted. He was fairly easy to read, just like an open book.

He has always been, London thought while he looked at the current Lyu; a complete contrast from the person that he was accustomed with.

The current Lyu, who was facing against her older sister, has his lips curled up in a snarl. He has an inhuman shade of eyes, too beautiful to be true, and the tips of his curled hair was enough to cover the upper part of his face, only leaving the shining and glowing light from his eyes. The ambiance being emitted from him was one that made people's hair on their arms stood up.

London has been friends with Lyu for a long time now, but he has never seen him lost his temper on anyone. Not even when he was being repeatedly teased by people.

Only now.

"How is it fine for you to let Rade take the blame yet again?" he snarled at Geneva, but Megumi's hand was already on his shoulder.

" Lyu," Megumi said gently, patting the shoulder of her younger brother. She was wearing her kimono as her usual routine and on that pretty kimino, Megumi looked quite vulnerable as though she would not be able to withstand even just a punch from anyone. But that was the complete opposite though. In this room, Megumi was currenly in par when it comes to strength with Geneva Aldeia, one must not let their guards down in the presence of a great demon of humanity. "Enough, Lyu, we are here to check on Kalleid and not pick any fights. I beg you to stand down. Please."

"How can I?" Lyu demanded from his sister, there was a complicated expression that was plastered on his face that made London winced in pain. "Rade has already taken the blame from Laurinette Haeven's death a year ago and now, just because Lady Aldeia could not dispatch of Carys Haeven, she would use her to repeat the same mistake? It is unfair for Rade, Nee-san. She shouldn't suffer just because others are so reckless."

Still so polite, London thought and relaxed quite a bit. He was upset and that was understandable of course, but London was not aware of everything that was happening. This was his first time knowing about such a thing so he would keep his mouth shut though he would be lying if he says that he did not worry about Lyu but there was one thing that registered on his mind though which he realized a second later.

"Carys Haeven is around the region?" she suddenly asked and Lyu nodded haughtily.

"Carys Haeven has been breaking the rules laid out by the Aldeia clan," Geneva said coldly and there was an impending doom within her tone. "Other clans and officials from the HODE would think that the Aldeia clan has become too prideful, punishing a little boy who has lost his own family just for petty crimes. But if I don't do anything about that young boy, then it would mean that the Aldeia clan could not even handle just a little boy. So in which side should I be? In which side I shouldn't be? I'm not asking Miss Aldam to eliminate the Haeven boy, only to neutralize him and investigate further,"

"But if something goes south," Lyu started, "you won't have Rade's back. Am I correct to say that?"

Geneva nodded, not bothering on denying what Lyu speculated.

"I have known that it would not be just about my dear brother, Kalleid, why you would come specially," she said. There was a slight amusement on the edge of her lips curling up just slightly to indicate such amusement did exists. "But that is the condition in which I told Miss Aldam. And, for everyone's information and sanity, Miss Aldam consented on this. In fact, she'd rather if she would be the one who would handle this, maybe to settle old scores; I do not care. She knew of the risks, but she took on the job and I respect her for that. She will be handsomely compensated, of course, if she succeeded."

Lyu shut his mouth, but it was still quivering and trembling as though he has been bullied by the head of the Aldeia clan. London could not help but also to feel as though he had indeed been bullied by his sister.

"My brother is only worried for the girl, Lady Aldeia," Megumi said, but there was a slight bit on her tone as though she didn't really want to say anything of sorts.

Lyu looked at his older sister whose jaw was clenched so tight that he was afraid it would shatter and break. This was the moment that Lyu realized that the bond between his sister and that lady over there was fragile and could be broken so easily as though it was made out of cracked glass, it would not even live up to how difficult it was to build.

Lyu looked down on his hands, thinking if it was fine that he said that. When he looked at his sister though, she only gave him a gentle smile.

"Miss Aldam knew of the risk," Geneva said, repeated again, "but you also know her history with the Haeven clan, do you not?"

Lyu heard Fannie sighed beside him and jusy quietly exited the door. He only looked at him, he did not even tried to prevent from going. It wasn't about him, Lyu thought, Fannie's relationship with the head of the Aldeia clan was just as fragile as it was with Geneva and his own sister.

He does not need to implicate himself because of something he wasn't part of.

"I would like to let her deal with Carys Haeven herself," Geneva said again. Though her next words were quite soft, her tone was just as cold as though she wasn't telling the her sentiments. "To heal the past cuts that has not been healed for the year that passed. I know I just said that I do not care but believe me that it would be better in this way. Fannie is a demon—" she nodded towards the door "—but he does not have the same compassion as Miss Megumi and you, Lyu. I could only ask for much, but he won't be at my disposal. Miss Aldam could never get revenge against Fannie, but she could mend her relationship with Carys Haeven. And won't that be wonderful."

Lyu was taken aback, actually, London was also taken aback. No one would have thought that those words would come out of Geneva Aldeia's mouth. It was so out of her character to be caring of others, much less someone who wasn't entirely and directly related to her. But then all was said in such a cool manner that one has to pay special attention to Lady Aldeia's wordings.

"I... I did not know, Lady Aldeia," Lyu stuttered, his eyes were still down, looking at the immaculate floor as though something interesting would spout out of it. "I was..."

"Worried that Miss Aldam has gone rogue," Geneva stated, she sat down again on her seat. "I know," she said in a very matter of factly tone, "to think that she was on a quest that pursue the very person who most likely try ro kill her. It draws different conclusions, and not all of them would be positive as I imagined. But Miss Aldam is not out there, getting herself killed. That, I assure you."

Megumi led Lyu out of the office, behind them was London who stayed amicable and boisterous as usual. Usually, they would be invited to the library where the workforce of the Aldeia clan's hunters would be. Though the Spatial Void has not officially started, there was a heavy tension that hung on the air and Megumi wouldn't put it past.

The hunters were thirsty for hunting demons and Megumi, who was known to be one of the great demons of humanity, would be the best target. Her core alone would be sufficient enough to exchange for a lifetime of money. Even Lyu's core would be enough for a lifetime if a person was extremely thrifty.

She could secure their safety currently, but Megumi wouldn't be certain in the future that the Spatial Void indeed start.

"How come you didn't tell me about Rade going up against a Haeven?" Megumi asked her younger brother once they have excited.

Lyu didn't respond at first and Megumi just let him be.

"It's fine even if you don't tell me," Megumi said, there was a gentle smile on her face that Lyu was relieved to see. Megumi has never lost her temper on him, even when he was being mischievous and such. "I was just surprised to learn that."

Behind Megumi was London, who also smiled at Lyu and gestured him to come. Finally, when he thought that he couldn't take it any longer, he finally spoke. When he did, both of the women turned towards Lyu.

"Carysia Haeven is Laurinette Haeven's brother."

He paused and frowned.

"When Laurinette Haeven, the one the hunters' society deemed that was killed by Rade herself, died, Carysia went into hiding, pretending that he alsondied. And now, I saw from the Sky Teller that Carysia was out and about to get revenge against Rade. No one can ever win against Fannie, everyone knew that, and Carysia probably did not know every detail, so, naturally, he went for Rade."

Megumi nodded at her younger brother.

"In this fight," Megumi started, "I think we should let Rade deal with the matters of the past. We weren't there when it happened and we aren't certain of what and how it did happen. But I know that Rade would never do anything as atrocious as killing somebody on her own accord. Let Rade deal with her past, and welcome her when she came back."

After getting Fannie, the three of them went out to go home, to the Attic. Using London as their driver, they arrived safely, but London didn't drove away when he dropped the three of them off.

"How would Kalleid do that?" he asked suddenly.

Megumi who was about to thank hoim immediately halted from any action. Outside, Fannie, who was looking bored out of his wits as usual, and Lyu were already walking towards the side of the barrier. They were preparing for the entrance, waiting for Megumi.

"He will learn, London. You have got to trust Kalleid that he will make it with his humanity still intact. The Spatial Void would last for a long period of time, let us not lost any hope, shall we?"

Megumi then hopped off the car, leaving behind a looking London. When they were about to enter the barrier, she turned to London and waved at him with the same smile that London has closely associated the woman with.

London came back to the mansion and went directly to where his older sister was. It seemed like she didn't even left her seat since the four of them departed and was still working in piles of documents.

"What exactly is happening?" London asked. "Is this why Rade hasn't come over in a while now?"

Geneva didn't directly answer him, instead, she slid the drawer at the bottom of her desk open and rummaged through it until she found a brown envelope. She threw it to London's direction and he easily caught it. When he opened it, he saw a person.

A girl? London asked, but quickly dismissed the idea upon observing the person on the picture. Although his hair was long and fair, there was still a certain angle on him that took away softness of his and replaced with a more angular features. He was extremely alike with that one person, London thought and he realized who exactly this person was.

"That is Carysia Haeven."