Nao had rarely faced such a situation. She had always been vigilant and careful to keep an eye on Maria. It had been her duty for as long as she could remember.

But one moment of distraction had been all to take Maria away from her side. One distraction where Nao had her attention on someone else and Maria found a way to create a problem for them all.

“Let her go if you know what’s good for you” Suna threatened in a soft voice. It would have been effective on most people but the small creature only looked unamused at the threat. Its gaze told the pair that they were not being seen as a threat by the small creature.

The fairy let out a yawn and Nao felt her temper rise at the dismissive action. They were not even being seen as a threat by the small creature.

“No. I don’t think I’ll let her go. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve seen this far. Just her magic alone could sustain me and this forest for centuries. There is no way I’m going to let this treasure go. But I will allow you both to leave this forest” the creature replied and snapped its hands.

Roots emerged around them and cut off their view. Nao tried to reach for Sana to make sure they did not get separated but it was already too late. A root slammed in between them and Nao felt herself being pushed away.

When the roots separated, Nao was in a clearing she had never seen. The map did not indicate where she was but she could see red eyes watching her from the forest. The vampire rabbits made no move to attack but they kept a tight eye on her movements.

The roots re-emerged again on Nao’s other side and spat Suna out. The younger demoness looked pissed off at the behavior she was being subjected to.

“-dare treat me like this. Give me Maria back so that I don’t have to kick your ass” Suna yelled but her words fell on deaf ears. The roots retreated away inside the forest and left the other two out.

“Are you hurt?” Nao asked as soon as Suna had broken out of her rage. She had no intention of being on her accidental-hit list so she kept her distance for now.

Suna did not look hurt but looks could also be deceiving. Nao would only be able to access Suna’s true condition from her voice.

“Not hurt but pissed off. Who does that fairy think it was to spat us out like that? And to even take Maria with it? I’m pissed off now and where are we?” Suna finally noticed her surroundings and asked a rational question.

“I don’t know where we are but I can take a guess and say that we are out of the forest at least. I don’t know how we’ll get past all that to go back inside” Nao replied as she pointed toward the glowing red eyes.

Somehow, it looked as if the red eyes had multiplied in the last few minutes and now there seemed to be hundreds of them inside the forest. Nao could feel the sweat run down her face at the thought of taking all those vampire rabbits on.

“I don’t know but we will have to try. It was the responsibility being entrusted to us so we have to make sure we see it through” Suna sounded determined. She had a ‘we’ll get through it’ face on her which made Nao’s heart skip a beat.

Nao could feel herself slowly fall for the other demons but she had not paid any real attention to that attraction. There had never been any time in their journey for Nao to sit down and access her feelings.

So, while the feeling of fondness and desire was not new, it was a smack in Nao’s face and reminded her that she was getting attached to someone not part of her duties. Suna was a temporary addition to their team and would likely leave once they managed to find the members of Simon’s court then what would happen?

Split loyalty was a dangerous thing to have for someone like her. Maria did not have many others on her side of the court while Suna also needed her support.

“Nao, we need to go back. I think we will need to force our way through” Suna’s voice knocked her out of her thoughts. The younger girl stood on ready, her body tense and ready for action.

It made Nao feel ashamed for her hesitation. Suna was ready to give her life for Maria and now was the time Nao hesitated? She had to push through her boundaries right here and now.

“Let’s do this” Nao replied as she charged into the forest after Suna. The vampire rabbits circled the pair and they prepared to engage when they head-on. It would be now or never for them.

But the rabbits never reached them.

Halfway through their attack, all the vampire rabbits froze before scattering around like bugs. They seemed to be in a panic and Nao understood why as a strong aura brushed against her own.

It was strong, overpowering, and consuming. It left Nao short of breath and even Suna looked like she was about to faint under pressure. This was something Nao had only left with Lady Karin and even that had never looked this overwhelming.

“N-Nao, l-look” Suna forced those words out as she pointed toward the forest. Nao tried to look as well but did not see anything at first.

But then she was a little cleared as footsteps came closer to her and her head forced itself down on instinct. She could not help her body’s reaction against the force of magic in front of her.

Her eyes took in a pair of hands parting the hanging vines away and Nao could see a path leading directly into the forest. The force had been strong enough to keep the partition in its original shape as well.

The figure passed in between Nao and Suna and his glare left an impression on Nao. It felt like she was about to be boiled by heat as the person focused on her. She could only tell that the body in front of her was young and male.

“Go in. Do what you must” the words were almost a whisper but they were also an order that could not be disobeyed. Nao could feel her heartbeat out in fear and respect.

And then the figure left, leaving with the horde of vampire rabbits behind him and with a way ahead for the pair.