“We left too suddenly and now I feel guilty. Do you think we should go back and check on Howl and her family? Or send her a message at least to let her know that we left?” Maria voiced her thoughts out.

The pair had been moving for a few hours now but the thought of what they had left behind had yet to catch up with Maria.

Every time she thought back to Howl and the situation she had left her in, she could not help but feel guilty for leaving so suddenly.

“I don’t think we should. We decided to cut all ties with her so we should keep up our words. Let’s keep moving since we’re almost to our destination” Nao, the voice of reason, in this case, shot Maria down without hesitation.

Maria decided to follow her advice and not think about the situation they were in. She just quickened her steps to catch up with Nao.

“You still have not told us where we were headed to. Can I at least get a hint?” Maria asked as she finally reached Nao’s side.

The other female had slowed down considerably and now seemed to be checking her map. Maria felt helpless in the situation since she had no idea where they were heading.

“You never asked so it slipped my mind but we are heading to the Central metropolis-1. We can get the only train heading to the Grand Canyon from there. Lady Karin hinted that the node was located near there” Nao explained as she put her map down.

Maria felt foolish for not having guess their destination already. After all, there was only one major city in the direction they were going in.

“But won’t the city be under alert? How are we supposed to get tickets for the train? More importantly, how will get past the security check to enter the city” Maria questioned as she walked slower to match Nao’s pace.

The city boundary would not be visible for some more time which gave the two some time to prepare.

Central Metropolis-1 was not like the capital city. The security and scale of the population in the central metropolis were far greater and denser. There were a lot of different species that headed in and out of the city daily.

In short, it was not impossible to slip in there but it was considerably difficult with the right help.

And Maria did not think their financial situation was that sound. There was no way they would be able to bribe their way in.

“I don’t think it’ll be too much trouble if we played our cards right. We have a considerable advantage on our side that the guards do not know – your change in physical features. They will be on the outlook for a human, not a half-demon” Maria felt realization roll over her.

Maria’s hands reached out to touch her ears but she let them go instantly, even a single touch had been enough to excite her body and there was no time for that.

“That is a good plan. But still, aren’t our features too noticeable? And what about the ID? Will they not cause any trouble for us?” Maria pressed for answers and saw Nao sigh.

Then the other demon reached out into her bag and pull a stack of papers out of it.

“These are our new identities. Lady Karin made sure to set them up for us before we left as a parting gift. The rest we can change with the help of a little make-up” Nao replied with a straight face.

Maria felt the lie in those words but Nao seemed unaware that she had been caught in it. It did make Maria curious about the part which she had lied about.

‘System, can you scan these papers and record all information about them?’ Maria had not been curious before but now she was.

She might not have caught the lie had she not been familiar with Nao’s tones and her behavior. And it was not like the other lies to her daily.

[Scanning completed. The commissioner: Silvya Kishin]

Huh, this was not something Maria had expected to know.

Her mother was the one who had gotten those papers commissioned? But for what reason and why did Nao have them with her.

But more importantly, why did Nao feel the need to lie to Maria about it? Surely she could have told Maria that these papers had been commissioned by her mother. Did Nao not trust Maria?

Or was there another reason?

“Read them and memories some of the details. Your name remained the same but your last name has been changed. It is not important but would be good for you to know” Maria quickly looked the papers over.

The window for questions was already over and Maria felt awkward to bring it up again. Maybe she should bring this topic up another time.

“I think I can get them memorized before we reach the city gates. But are you sure it will work? What if they still recognized me?” the city gates were finally visible over the horizon line but it was a long walk.

Maria found it weird that Nao was allowing her to show her face to the guards when she had been so insistent on not showing it to anyone before.

“The people back there had seen you live so the chances of you getting recognized are higher. The people on the outskirts have only seen the oracle on the screen and it had been censored most of the time. We should be alright” Nao explained and she pounded confident enough.

Her confidence gave Maria enough confidence to believe in their plan as well.

Her information had remained relatively unchanged but it was enough to make her different from the oracle. It made it easier to remember as well and Maria felt consistent that she would not mess it up.

Now the only part left was the make-up to change their facial features a little.

“Come with me. There is a public facility nearby we can use to apply our make-up. It will also be a good cover for us to hide in and change” Maria looked at the small building Nao was leading them to.

It looked worn down and unsanitary. It was the kind of place Maria would not have gotten caught dead in if she was still the oracle.

However, now she did not have much of a choice.

Not when her whole identity was that of a stripper coming to the Central Metropolis to perform in a big show. Maria sometimes really hated her life and decisions.

But at least she was alive to regret them and that almost made it all better. It had allowed Maria to chew her complaints and give out a happy smile as the oracle. It was also what kept her going now.

[I promised an extra chapter so here you go. Hope you leave feedback for me here]