Why fall to earth...?
As she softly speaks the last line, a sudden gust tears through the air, tossing the unfinished pages into chaos.
She presses the pages down, and through the fluttering blur, sees a few children waving from afar.
Miss, the wind's picking up. It looks like it's going to rain soon—
Nirvatia closes her book, nods slowly, and gives them a gentle, almost motherly smile.
Then let's go home.
A few months ago, a teacher named Nirvatia came to the village.
Unlike greedy tax officials who demand goods in the name of progress, this elegant young woman quietly sets up a school on the mountain, asking nothing in return.
"Anyone who seeks knowledge is welcome. I'll share everything I know."
That selfless promise, and how she follows through, quickly earns her the village's respect.
Miss Nirvatia, little Beatrice, finished class early today?
Yeah, we saw rain clouds from the hill, figured we'd head back early.
How's it going up there with Miss Nirvatia? Missing anything?
Nope, we're doing great. Thanks for asking, sir.
A few years ago, Beatrice's parents were taken as "blood tax." She's relied on the villagers to get by ever since.
Then Nirvatia arrived and took her in, and they've been inseparable since.
This rundown village rarely gets visitors, let alone teachers, so everyone deeply respects Nirvatia.
Oh right, we picked too many pumpkins from the field. Take some with you.
Thank you, sir.
Miss Nirvatia, we can have pumpkin pie tonight!
So Beatrice wants pumpkin pie?
Yep! Pumpkin pie's my favorite. Pumpkin cake would be good too!
Hearing that, Nirvatia lowers her eyes in thought, like it stirs an old memory.
She then opens her eyes and smiles faintly.
Alright then, pumpkin pie it is.
Yay!
Beatrice takes the big pumpkin and awkwardly tries to fit it in the basket, when shouting erupts from the far side of the village.
Hey, everyone! Get to the central plaza—
The Demon Hunters are here! Anyone hiding indoors will be treated as a demon!
Beatrice freezes, her hands still. She instinctively looks to her adoptive teacher, just like last time, years ago, when another group came claiming to collect "taxes" and took her parents away.
...It's alright. We just have to wait a little. Once they're gone, we'll go home and finish the pumpkin pie.
And as always, the teacher she trusts so deeply comforts her.
...Mm.
She forces herself to swallow the fear rising in her throat and grips Nirvatia's hand tightly as they head toward the shouting.
Herded by the Demon Hunters, the schoolchildren arrive at the village square with Beatrice. Nirvatia stands at the front, leading them as their teacher.
Where are you from? Why didn't we see you during the last few inspections?
...I'm the new teacher in the village.
You came all the way to this backwater to teach? Don't you think that sounds a bit too goody-goody to be real?
Since when does the world have so many good Samaritans?
Knowledge doesn't discriminate. I believe everyone deserves an education.
It's exactly because this is a remote village that someone like me needs to be here for the children. Don't you agree?
Nirvatia doesn't rise to the obvious bait. She answers calmly and firmly.
The Demon Hunter is about to press further, but the villagers cut in with shouts of protest.
Stop this, please! This lady has helped us so much. She built a school and taught us how to treat illnesses...
Please, sirs, have mercy. Our children finally have a chance to learn...
Silence! Demons have the most bloodthirsty, devious souls. They'll stop at nothing to blend in, just to feast on human flesh!
Angered by the villagers' resistance, the Demon Hunter fires a shot into the sky as a warning.
Quit trusting every stranger who smiles at you! The more naive you are, the easier it is for demons to exploit you!
The crowd scatters in panic at the gunshot, but Nirvatia stands her ground, shielding the children behind her.
Listen up. If she turns out to be a demon, then by Sanctuary law, you're all guilty of harboring her...
So think carefully. Whose side are you really on?
Through the haze of smoke, another man steps forward, raising a dreamcatcher.
The dreamcatcher is shaking like mad. There's a demon in this village, no doubt about it!
The Cardinal Deity says, those who shield demons are no better than demons themselves! If you won't listen, we'll do what must be done!
You! Grab the kids! And someone light the torches!
...Miss Nirvatia!
Beatrice tightens her grip on Nirvatia's hand and looks up. Her usually composed teacher no longer wears a calm expression, but one edged with a fierceness she has never seen before.
...It's alright. I won't let anything happen to you.
As the man draws closer and the dreamcatcher shakes harder, Nirvatia leans down and whispers to the girl.
Whatever happens, don't look back. Take everyone and run to the school.
But, Miss Nirvatia...
Before Beatrice can finish, a warm, firm hand gently covers her mouth.
Shhh... no more talking now.
You don't need to worry. Just focus on getting away. Leave the rest to me.
With newfound resolution, Nirvatia slowly rises to her feet. She clenches her hands as if gripping unseen threads and strides toward the two shouting men.
Just as the man moves to pull the trigger, she raises a finger and draws a rune through the air so fast no one sees it—
The unfinished rune freezes in midair as another, unfamiliar shout cuts through the commotion.
Her hand stops. Eyes wide, she stares as a figure bursts into view.
(...It's you?)
The cloaked "hero" descends on the nameless village, snatching the man's gun with one hand, seizing Nirvatia's wrist with the other, and raising her arm high for all to see.
Her strength vanishing all at once, Nirvatia can't resist the "judgment."
Like laying out proof beneath the burning sun, the venerable Gray Raven raises an arm, revealing a glowing golden chain binding them together.
The whole village is in shock. The gentle and kind Nirvatia turns out to be a demon. For a moment, they even forget to cheer for the commander of the Iron Army, who appears in person.
At first, whispers ripple through the crowd. But when they realize Gray Raven's not joking, panic breaks loose.
The Demon Hunters click their tongues in frustration, clearly displeased to have their blood sport cut short.
Iron Army... this isn't the first time you've crossed the line.
Let me warn you, demons never come alone. She's bound to have followers hiding here.
Faced with Gray Raven's stern command, the hunters can no longer find a reason to stay. Grudgingly, they gather their weapons and retreat in frustration.
Only after the Demon Hunters and villagers have dispersed does the cloaked figure finally turn to the demon with a stern, scrutinizing gaze.
...You're taking me to the tribunal, then?
The figure nods silently.
Miss Nirvatia!!
The purple-haired girl ignores the adults trying to stop her and stumbles forward.
Gray Raven, this has to be a mistake! There's no way Miss Nirvatia is a demon!
Please, let me come to the tribunal too! I can testify that she's never hurt anyone! She's always been helping us!
Beatrice...
The child throws her arms around Nirvatia, clinging to her like she'll never let go. Nirvatia looks down at her with a storm of emotions: pity, guilt... and an overwhelming reluctance to part.
No words are needed. Anyone watching can see the deep bond they share.
In the end, even the Iron Army's famed commander chooses compassion over protocol.
That's enough. Thank you, Gray Raven.
Bound by demon shackles and too weak to resist, Nirvatia lowers her head slightly and gathers the child gently into her arms.
At least... I still have time to make her a pumpkin pie.
Gray Raven... if you don't mind, would you care to join us?
The simple meal can hardly be called a feast. The table once crowded with students now sits empty. After forcing down the flavorless pumpkin pie, Beatrice is tucked into bed by Nirvatia.
Gray Raven remains nearby, bound to the demon with demon shackles, watching as the two say goodnight. Nirvatia picks up a candelabra and steps out of the room.
I can read your face. You've got a lot of questions, don't you?
Come on. I'll tell you what you want to know.
A pale moon hangs in a gray-black sky. Tonight is anything but bright.
Nirvatia steps into the courtyard but keeps her distance, just close enough that Gray Raven needs only look up to see her.
You ask that question bluntly.
Before I answer that... Gray Raven, I want to ask you something first.
What do you think... How does someone change the nature of their soul?
She makes no attempt to conceal her identity as a demon. Under the moonlight, she raises her hand and calls forth a raven pet from the void.
The raven does nothing. It simply perches on a branch without a hint of aggression.
I used to think that if I just kept doing good, the world would one day see me as a good person.
But my soul was still caught by your dreamcatcher. It didn't see my intentions as pure.
Nirvatia snaps her fingers. The hollow-eyed raven dissolves into scattered feathers.
So Gray Raven, does that mean that once a soul is judged to be demonic...
Or like they said earlier today, what if all the good I've done is just a cover for something evil I plan to do tomorrow?
Then no matter what I do, I'll still have to live the rest of my life as a demon?
You take a moment, carefully weighing the meaning behind her words. You've met many demons who pleaded for mercy, but this is the first time you've heard one ask such a question.
As the Commander of the Iron Army, you draw from a lifetime of dealing with humans to offer your answer.
...
If I'm a good demon, then why can't you just let me go?
Her voice is quiet. The faint laughter that follows carries a bitter edge.
Your voice remains calm, free of emotion.
But Nirvatia hears the truth behind your words. She stops resisting. Slowly, she lowers her hands and once again submits to the heavy weight of the demon shackles.
I understand.
As for your question, why I pretended to be human, the answer lies in the question I asked you.
She turns with a smile. The moonlight outlines her long hair in silver.
As for the answer, Gray Raven, that's for you to figure out.
What could make a demon want to change? Want to be good? I'm leaving that answer in your hands.
When we reach the tribunal, you and Beatrice will decide what happens to me.
The two of you will tell Lord Michael whether I'm guilty, and whether I deserve to be erased, body and soul.
Under the cold moonlight, her smile looks like she's quietly saying goodbye.
If it's a decision made by the two of you, I'll accept whatever it is, gladly.
