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The moon hid its face behind rain clouds, plunging the night into darkness.

Torch-bearing guards hurried through the village long after everyone should have been asleep.

Hamel, already at the port entrance, murmured.

“…So something’s happening.”

“Tonight, sleeping is out of the question.”

Ono sighed and urged his horse onward.

As they neared the center of the commotion, more guards gathered.

Fortunately, the men recognized Hamel, so no one needed to be identified individually.

They stopped in front of a warehouse on the docks.

A now-familiar metallic stench of blood hung in the air.

“Er, lord?”

The captain of the guard widened his eyes when he saw Hamel.

He had sent a courier at noon but hadn’t expected Hamel to arrive so quickly.

Hamel nodded and dismounted.

“What’s the situation?”

“Ah, well……”

The captain lowered his head apologetically and trailed off.

At that moment, a woman standing beside him spoke for him.

“There are new victims. This time, five people have been killed.”

Hamel regarded her with a puzzled look.

A silver-haired woman in a white dress from head to toe—she was completely out of place on a rainy night thick with the smell of blood and entrails.

Yet for some reason Hamel found her familiar.

Her gray eyes watched him as if she found him amusing.

“Who are you?”

“Oh my, Lord, don’t you know me?”

“…?”

What could she mean? They were meeting for the first time.

Just as Hamel tilted his head in puzzlement—

“Hey, you idiot!”

Ono grabbed the back of Hamel’s neck, dragged him back, and hissed.

The woman covered her mouth and laughed as if amused.

“It seems the priest behind you knows me.”

“…You know her?”

At Hamel’s quiet question, Ono blurted in shock.

“How can you… not recognize one of the only three Saints in the Empire?!”

“Ah—then could she be…?”

Only then did a single name occur to Hamel.

The holy figure who, years ago with the Knight Order, had helped destroy the super-class demon Rasmar’s calamity and been granted the title of Saint.

“The Priest of White Ice. Eleora Saint Winterborn……”

“Yes, that’s right.”

She smiled broadly and nodded.

Hamel was slightly taken aback. It was a name he’d only heard during his training. He’d heard she retired from active duty before thirty due to the aftereffects of exorcism work, and that she became a cardinal in the Papal See.

Why would such a heavyweight be alone in his domain at this hour?

As Hamel entertained those thoughts, she said—

“Lord, you’re really as young as the rumors say. You might well steal my title of youngest Exorcist priest.”

“Thank you.”

Hamel had little to say and simply nodded.

“An Azure Flame’s Exorcist priest, huh. The alias is cool, and you’re handsome too. You’ve got it all.”

“Y-yes……”

She said that and kept glancing his way.

Why was she acting like that?

Hamel stared blankly, and she pursed her lips.

“What goes around comes around, you know……”

“Ah.”

Hamel made a low sound and answered bluntly.

“Lady Eleora, you are truly the beauty I was told about.”

Half of it was forced politeness, but it wasn’t a lie.

Though nearing thirty, she could pass for a teenager. Her silver hair, slightly paler than Hamel’s, flowed like a waterfall, and her casually upturned eyes gave a mesmerizing, almost hypnotic impression. Anyone who saw her once would hardly forget her.

Ono’s flustered reaction behind him was probably how most men would react.

Eleora snorted softly at Hamel’s praise and shrugged.

“Indeed. Heh heh. Thank you.”

“Yes. Then could you explain the situation in more detail?”

When Hamel asked, Ono interjected.

“Hamel, you brat. What’s with that interrogative tone! Did you forget you’re a Saint now?”

“W-well, I am a Saint too, but……”

“Indeed… now that you mention it, that’s true.”

Ono looked between Hamel and Eleora with renewed expression.

Though he didn’t show it, the saintly name given to Hamel was no small thing. It would earn him guest-of-honor treatment in other kingdoms and commanded respect among the order regardless of rank or affiliation. Of course, inquisitors more loyal to the Empire than the Papal See might be exceptions.

In any case……

“Hamel, you’ve… gone further than I thought.”

“The title of Saint isn’t exactly an official position, though……”

As Hamel and Ono exchanged words—

“Pfft.”

“…?”

“Ah, sorry. Your conversation was just too amusing.”

Eleora watched them with trembling lips.

Ono’s face flushed and he stepped back.

“I’ve seen something I shouldn’t have.”

“No, not at all. More importantly, you asked about the earlier situation, didn’t you?”

Eleora composed herself and spoke slowly.

“I was on my way to visit the bishop of Lettria, but an unbearable stench came from this direction.”

An unbearable stench, huh.

Hamel searched his memory. He was certain she’d been said to detect traces of magi by scent, with a range far beyond ordinary senses. He had keen senses himself, but Eleora’s reputation for smelling magic was almost supernatural.

She continued.

“I only arrived a moment ago, but the whole port reeks of magi. Several people are already dead, and it seems to be a rather dangerous creature.”

At that, the captain nodded and explained.

“The first victims were found last night—two wanted men discovered dead. This morning, two merchants were additionally killed, and that’s when someone saw the thing.”

“That thing?”

When Hamel asked, the guard trembled slightly.

“Yes. A monster that took the form of a gigantic serpent.”

“Wait, I heard it took the form of a dragon.”

Hamel interrupted; the guard nodded hesitantly.

“Some say snake, some say dragon. What is certain is it’s dangerous enough to squash two grown men like overripe tomatoes.”

Hamel stepped toward the grisly scene behind the captain.

It matched the description.

Remains mangled beyond recognition lay scattered everywhere; fragments had been flung onto walls and rooftops.

Would one look like that if struck by a giant’s club? Hamel frowned and scanned the area.

With rain falling, reliable clues were hard to come by.

Hamel turned to the captain.

“The dead have been counted. Are these all the victims?”

“Ah, no. There have been reports since yesterday that two boys haven’t returned home. And this early evening, a guard went missing as well. One of his patrol companions returned safely, however……”

What did that mean?

Hamel furrowed his brow. Despite their quick response, the damage had spiraled.

He had a gut feeling they had to hurry.

At least they had Eleora.

“We need to see the boys’ guardians. Where is the soldier who returned?”

“He wasn’t in good condition, so we sent him home for now……”

They’d sent the only living witness back home?

Someone who might even be a suspect? They should have detained him, for protection or precaution.

Hamel swallowed and put the captain in charge as he led the way.

“First, we need to meet that soldier. Lady Eleora.”

“Hm? Why is that?”

“Lady Eleora, could you perhaps track the thing?”

Eleora lifted her head, sniffed, and nodded.

“The traces of magi are strong in every direction, but… let’s give it a try.”

“Please. May God’s blessing be with you.”

“May God’s blessing be with the lord as well.”

When Hamel bowed, Eleora waved and walked away.

Though retired, with this legendary Exorcist priest’s help things might go more smoothly.

Hamel ground his teeth as he looked at the corpses.

There must be no more victims.

He wouldn’t allow it.

Hamel steeled himself and stepped into the pool of red.

“Anton, are you there?”

In a residential area where several families of the Blue Mane clan had settled, the captain who accompanied Hamel knocked on the most conspicuous house.

It was likely the home of a prominent clan member.

For some reason, there was no answer.

“Huh, are they out?”

The captain tilted his head.

A familiar scent brushed Hamel’s nose.

Not as strong as Eleora’s, but Hamel had a keen sense of smell.

It was……

“Step back. It’s the smell of blood.”

“Yes? What do you mean……”

Hamel grabbed the bewildered guard’s shoulder, shoved him back, and kicked the door open as he ran.

—Bang!

The wooden door burst with the lock splintering.

Startled, the captain was momentarily speechless.

“Th-this… what is this.”

“…This confirms it.”

Hamel clenched his teeth at the scene.

The woman who appeared to be the homeowner had been killed horribly.

The soldier who was said to have returned home was nowhere to be seen, and food still sat on the table.

The food was still warm.

There was only one implication.

“Describe that man’s appearance. We must pursue him.”

“No—surely you don’t suspect Anton now?”

The captain’s eyelids trembled; his voice betrayed the conviction that it couldn’t be so.

Hamel spoke coldly and firmly.

“You don’t know what we’re up against.”

What demons are capable of. What sort of beings they are. The captain knew nothing.

“For now, follow orders.”

A blue radiance flowed from the corners of Hamel’s eyes.

The chilling aura pressed down on the surroundings.

“…Y-yes, sir.”

Only then did the captain stiffen and nod.

Hamel looked around.

The place settings on the table were laid out for three people.

“Captain… does that man only have a wife in his family?”

“No, he definitely has a boy too… ah!”

The captain went pale.

Not just Anton—his child was gone as well.

—Gnash

Hamel ground his teeth.

What on earth were they planning to do?

Cold fury at the unknown demon’s handiwork washed over him.

He wanted to pursue them at once, but there were no traces.

This was the work of a highly skilled hunter. Did it even retain a sense of self?

Hamel clenched his jaw.

There was not much he could do immediately.

“Captain, tell your soldiers that as soon as they find Anton and his child……”

Just as Hamel was about to continue—

“…Lord!”

Someone rushed through the doorway.

White hair, a staff in hand, and a monocle over one eye—Benjamin, always impeccably dressed.

“Benjamin, I was just about to come see you.”

“It’s an honor, Lord, but… I’ve already found them.”

“Found them? What do you mean……”

As Hamel tilted his head—

Something flashed through his mind.

No way.

“Anton, whom you mentioned. A soldier found him a little while ago.”

The case was slipping beyond anyone’s control.