The Broken Halo

By the time day arrived, Simon had not fully recovered.

He had spent most of the night guiding Unholy Regeneration, making sure his demonic pathways did not heal wrongly. Flesh and bone could be repaired again if something went wrong, but demonic pathways were different. If they healed in a bad state, it would affect the circulation of his demonic energy and cause problems in the future.

So, he had no choice but to remain conscious for a long time.

As for Akaza and Sonya, they had planned to rest for only a short while before going out to gather information, but the moment they entered their rooms, their bodies and minds reminded them that they were not made of stone.

They had escaped the Shadowgrave Clan, survived a battle between Demon King level beings, lost their right hands, fought Merath, crossed an unknown forest, and entered an unfamiliar city.

Even Supreme Archfiends needed rest after something like that.

So, they slept.

When morning came, both of them woke up, cleaned themselves as best as they could, and went to Simon’s room.

Simon was awake.

He was lying on the bed with his eyes half-open, and although he still looked terrible, his condition was not as bad as the previous night. The dark golden cracks on his body had faded a little, and his breathing was steadier. However, it was obvious that he was still far from being able to walk on his own.

Akaza looked at him for a few seconds.

”You look less dead.”

Simon glanced at him.

”Thank you for the compliment.”

Sonya walked into the room and looked at Simon from head to toe.

”He still looks like a corpse. Just a cleaner one.”

Simon closed his eyes.

”It was more peaceful when you guys were not here.”

Akaza chuckled.

”Peace is boring. Learn to love the chaos.”

Simon glanced at Akaza from the corner of his eyes.

”I refuse.”

Sonya’s lips curled up slightly, then she leaned against the wall.

”Are we going out now?”

Simon opened his eyes again.

”Yes. Just remember what I told you yesterday. Find out where Vashar City is, who controls it, whether the Shadowgrave Clan has influence here, and what healers are available.”

His gaze moved to the stumps of their right hands.

”Also, don’t rush to any healer just because you hear one can regrow limbs. Find out their price, reputation, and who they are connected to first.”

Akaza nodded.

”Understood.”

Simon looked at both of them with a calm gaze.

”And don’t fight.”

Sonya raised a brow.

”Why are you looking at me?”

”Because I know you.” Simon said with flat tone. ”Even master knows how troublesome you can be.”

Sonya’s expression became ugly.

Akaza folded his arms and looked at Sonya with a slight smirk.

”He has a point.”

Sonya slowly turned her head toward him.

”Don’t act innocent. You are the one that says foolish things with confidence.”

Akaza shrugged.

”That is called charm.”

”That is called stupidity.”

Akaza placed his remaining hand on his chest.

”You wound me.”

Sonya looked at his missing right hand.

”You’re already wounded.”

Akaza stared at her silently for a few seconds, then he shook his head.

”You’re a very unpleasant demoness.”

Sonya smiled.

”This Honourable knows.”

Simon watched the two of them for a moment, then he released a soft sigh.

”Leave before both of you give me a headache.”

Akaza turned toward the door, while Sonya pushed herself away from the wall.

”We’ll be back soon, little kitty.”

”Don’t call me that outside.”

Sonya waved her remaining hand casually.

”No promises.”

Before Simon could respond, she left the room with Akaza.

After the door closed, Simon stared at it for a few seconds before shifting his gaze back to the ceiling.

He did not like the fact that he had to rely on others while he remained on a bed, unable to move properly.

But he had no choice.

His body needed time.

And time was something he had to create with information, caution, and patience.

Meanwhile, Akaza and Sonya walked down the stairs and entered the main hall of River Rest.

The old demoness at the counter glanced at them, then returned her gaze to the small wooden board in front of her. A few demons were eating in silence, and a cleaner was wiping black blood from one of the tables as though it was the most normal thing in the world.

Mira and her companions were not in the hall.

Sonya noticed this, but she did not say anything.

Akaza did not care. His attention was already on the smell of food coming from the kitchen.

Sonya noticed his gaze and spoke.

”We’re not here to eat.”

Akaza looked at her.

”We’re going out to gather information. Information is easier to gather with a full stomach.”

Simon looked at him with a raised brow.

”Is that what you were taught in the academy?”

”It’s common sense.”

Sonya stared at him, and Akaza stared back.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. Then Sonya walked toward the entrance.

”We’ll eat if the place we find is useful.”

Akaza smiled slightly.

”See? You understand reason.”

”This Honourable understands that hungry demons are annoying.”

”That sounds like concern.”

”That sounds like you hearing what you want to hear.”

Akaza laughed softly, and the two left River Rest.

Vashar City was already awake.

The street outside River Rest was not crowded, but demons were moving about. Merchants opened their stalls, workers dragged carts, and a few hunters with beast blood on their clothes walked past them without sparing them more than a glance.

Akaza and Sonya kept their hoods low and walked with steady steps.

They did not walk like injured prey.

They walked like demons who were injured but still dangerous.

That alone was enough to make most demons mind their business.

After moving through a few streets, they reached a busier area filled with taverns, food stalls, and small drinking houses. The smell of roasted meat, cheap alcohol, smoke, and wet stone filled the air. Demons sat outside some of the taverns, drinking even though morning had barely passed.

Akaza looked around.

”This place should work.”

Sonya glanced at the signs above the taverns.

”Which one?”

Akaza pointed at a building with a wooden sign shaped like a cracked coin.

The words on the sign were simple.

The Split Coin.

Sonya looked at him.

”Why that one?”

”It has merchants, hunters, and travelers.”

Sonya looked inside and noticed that Akaza was right. The tavern was not too loud, but it had enough demons inside to make information flow naturally. There were merchants with dusty clothes, hunters with weapons beside their tables, and a few demons who looked like they were waiting for somebody.

She nodded.

”Fine.”

They entered.