Chapter 60: Amidst the Demon’s Turmoil

“Vilin, old… let me tell you, when I was young, I trained at Windsor Castle for two and a half years, and back then, it was the Count of Eagles himself who gave us our training.”
“Oh, and at that time…”
Flora recounted her glorious history at Windsor Castle, while Vilin sat quietly on a small stool, listening attentively.
According to his estimation, this aunt of his should be around thirty years old, but he dared not ask directly.
Having observed the strange behavior of those knights just now, Vilin suspected his aunt had a rather fierce character.
“Vilin, is Elder Miller well?”
“Ah. Oh, Elder Miller is fine; I owe my arrival here to him.” Vilin quickly answered as he came back to himself.
“That old fellow is still alive?”
Flora’s words came out too fast, and she suddenly realized she might have said something inappropriate.
Vilin opened his innocent, wide eyes, watching Flora’s embarrassed expression, and suddenly asked, “Aunt, why are you blocking off this place?”
“It’s all because of my damned big brother. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have to stay here. If I could beat him, I’d give him a good thrashing.”
Hearing Vilin’s question, Flora clenched her fists unconsciously and spoke through gritted teeth.
“Aunt, perhaps… it’s for your safety.”
“Enough, let me explain in detail why this blockade was put in place.”
At this, Vilin focused, listening intently.
“Seven days ago, the bishop of the Life Cathedral in the provincial capital of Cadro received the goddess’s command; demons were discovered in Kent Territory… One third of the Sixteenth Silver Knights Regiment set out… but it was still too late. Over a thousand demons passed through the Demon Gate, and thousands were infected, becoming half-demons.
When the situation spiraled out of control, a legendary figure from the Dawn Church appeared, and with a single slap, wiped out all the demons and half the half-demons.
You heard me right—a single slap. Thousands of demons and half-demons were reduced to nothing but meat pulp.”
“Aunt, since the Dawn Church intervened, shouldn’t the catastrophe be dealt with swiftly? Why block off such a vast area?”
“The legendary figure from the Dawn Church chased after a powerful demon and left. The remaining half-demons and some demon worshipers scattered in all directions. With limited forces, we could only eradicate most, and the rest must be hunted down in a net-like search.”

“Did any of those demon worshipers or half-demons escape?” Vilin, thinking of his own territory, couldn’t help but ask Flora.
“No need to worry; they’re still within the blockade. With the church priests and our knights regiment here, those remnants can’t possibly get out,” Flora replied confidently.
“Can I pass through now?”
“No,” Flora said bluntly. “Vilin, unless the order to lift the blockade is issued, you either take a detour or wait here.”
“I see.” Vilin lowered his head, pondering whether to wait or take the long way around.
Flora watched Vilin bow his head and gently advised, “Vilin, the commander gave this order personally; I can’t disobey. If…”
“Aunt, don’t worry. I’ve decided to take the detour.”
Vilin thought for a moment, then raised his head to Flora, and took out the Dawn token the gray-robed elder had given him.
“This is a Dawn token, imbued with the power of dawn. You’re now clearing out demons, perhaps it will be useful.”
Flora looked at the gray cross badge in Vilin’s hand. Though time had worn it down, it still inspired awe.
“Where did you get this? I remember, I remember, I must have seen it before, but I just can’t recall.” Flora knocked her own head, muttering to herself.
“Aunt, I got it by accident from an ascetic of the Dawn Church. Don’t worry, I didn’t steal it.” Seeing her confusion, Vilin hurriedly explained, fearing his aunt might let her imagination run wild.
“No, this kind of gray cross badge, I ought to know its origin, but I just can’t remember,” Flora said, shaking her head in puzzlement.
“Perhaps it’s not important information. If you didn’t make a point to remember it, forgetting is perfectly normal.” Seeing Flora’s troubled look, Vilin comforted her.
“Maybe you’re right.”
Flora gave up thinking about it—perhaps it would come to her unexpectedly in the future.
“Then, Aunt, please accept it.”
“This is yours, and it holds the power of dawn; it’s valuable. Are you just going to give it to me?” Flora didn’t take the gray cross badge.
“I don’t need it now, but you’re fighting demons—it’ll be of use, so why should I keep it?” Vilin said softly to Flora. “Most importantly, you’re my kin; we share the same blood.”
“For our family to have come this far, mutual support among its members is essential.”

“In my first year as a Pioneer Knight, I avoided many troubles and dangers thanks to the influence of our family.”
Flora listened to Vilin’s words and nodded in agreement.
In the Kingdom of Illya, no family rivaled theirs—a single family with five counts, and each one, taken alone, could compare to a typical noble house.
Besides, other members of the Exs family also held considerable power within the kingdom’s army.
“You’re right. Only by working together can we go farther.” Flora recalled how, in the kingdom army, she’d benefited from the care of her elders, enjoying more opportunities and paths than others.
She’d seen young nobles from different branches of the same family fight each other to the death, which she could never understand.
“Then I’ll accept it for now, and return it to you the next time we meet.” Flora solemnly took the gray cross badge, carefully stowing it, and then said, “Later this year, there will be a military campaign to retaliate against the monsters of the Gray Light Wasteland. It’s a good chance to earn military merit; be prepared.”
“Thank you, Aunt.”
Afterward, the two conversed further, and after sharing lunch, Vilin bid Flora farewell.
Outside the camp, Raimondo directed the caravan to finish preparations, then departed according to the newly mapped route.
...
Night. In a forest, over a hundred half-demons and more than a dozen demon worshipers gathered, watching the distant flickering lights and plotting in secret.
“Master, there’s only a squad of kingdom knights and a thousand noble irregulars ahead—our force can definitely break through.” One demon worshiper knelt cautiously before a half-demon and reported.
“Bah, this tough old meat tastes awful.” The half-demon spat out human flesh, fixing his green eyes on the worshiper. “If you dare deceive me, I’ll eat you all.”
“No, never, never.”
Surrounded by a hundred half-demons, the dozen demon worshipers collapsed to the ground, legs limp, deeply regretting being tricked into joining the organization.