The Broken Halo

[A/N: This bonus Chapter is thanks to Matt-Hoguem Please thank him in the comment section.]

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The Black Horn Office stood near the centre of Velmora’s western district.

Unlike most buildings around it, it had no merchant signs, decorative statues, or bright lamps meant to attract attention. The four-storey structure was built from dark stone with thin lines of red metal running through its walls.

Two thick black horns curved upward from either side of the entrance, their tips pointing toward one another above the doors.

They were not mere decorations.

Simon sensed the demonic energy flowing through them before he and Sonya reached the broad stone courtyard. The horns were connected to the formations surrounding the entire building.

Several guards stood outside.

Their armour was darker and less decorated than that of Velmora’s city guards, but the pressure surrounding them was noticeably stronger. Every one of them was at least a Superior Archfiend, and the black horn insignia carved into their chest plates contained faint traces of demonic energy.

Other demons moved through the courtyard.

Some wore the same armour as the guards, while others wore long black coats with different markings around their shoulders and collars. Simon noticed a few carrying sealed documents, strange artifacts, and weapons covered with black cloth.

There were also several ordinary Two-Horned Demons among them.

One stood beside the entrance speaking to a demoness in Black Horn armour. Another came down the steps with two subordinates following him. A third was leaning against one of the stone pillars while examining something that looked like a broken formation plate.

Their two horns were similar to Simon’s, although they possessed one on each side of their heads.

Simon sensed the difference in their bodies even from a distance.

Their demonic pathways were naturally stronger than those of most ordinary demon races, and the demonic energy flowing through them felt heavier and more stable.

A few of them glanced at Simon as he entered the courtyard.

Their eyes paused on the single black horn growing from the right side of his head.

One looked away without much interest.

Another openly frowned.

The Two-Horned Demon near the pillar allowed his gaze to move from Simon’s horn to his pale-grey skin and black wraps. The corner of his mouth curled slightly before he turned his attention toward Sonya.

His disdain became even clearer.

Sonya’s steps slowed.

Although she could not see his expression, the small movements of his body and the faint scoff that left his mouth were enough.

She turned in his direction.

”What are you-”

Simon stretched one hand across her path without looking at her.

Sonya stopped.

The Two-Horned Demon raised a brow, almost as though he wanted her to continue.

Simon gave him a calm glance before facing the entrance again.

”Not here,” he said quietly.

Sonya’s lips pressed together.

”He was looking at this Honourable strangely.”

”You cannot see him.”

”I can feel his stupidity from here.”

The Two-Horned Demon’s expression darkened.

Simon continued walking before Sonya could add anything worse. After a brief pause, she followed him, though her steps struck the stone harder than before.

They had barely reached the foot of the stairs when the doors of the Black Horn Office opened.

Korran stepped outside alone.

The ordinary Two-Horned Demon wore a fitted dark coat instead of the clothing he had worn during the recruitment test. Two short black horns rose from his forehead, while narrow lines of dark metal covered his shoulders and wrists.

The demons near the entrance straightened slightly when they noticed him.

Even the Two-Horned Demon beside the pillar stopped leaning against it.

Korran glanced at Simon, then at Sonya.

His gaze lingered on her for a moment, perhaps confirming that she had actually remembered to appear.

”You came.”

”This Honourable said she would.”

Simon’s expression remained calm.

Korran looked at him.

”You came to give a statement too?”

”No. I’m here to make sure she doesn’t cause a scene.”

Sonya turned toward him.

Korran stared at both of them for a second before releasing a quiet sigh.

”Come inside.”

He turned and gestured for them to follow.

The interior of the Black Horn Office was far larger than the entrance suggested.

A wide hall stretched before them, divided by rows of black pillars. Red formation lines ran across the floor and disappeared beneath several reinforced doors along the walls.

Demons moved between different sections of the building with quiet efficiency. Some carried files and communication artifacts. Others stood before raised counters, reporting to officials seated behind dark screens.

There were no loud conversations.

No merchants.

No demons standing around without purpose.

Simon noticed several more Two-Horned Demons among the officials, although most of the demons working inside belonged to other races. A few glanced at him and Sonya, but none openly stared while Korran walked ahead of them.

They passed a wall covered with black plaques. Each plaque carried a name, rank, and a short line describing how the demon died.

Sonya tilted her head as they walked.

”Old man.”

Korran nearly tripped at Sonya’s words, but he controlled himself and calmly glanced at her.

”What?”

”What exactly does the Black Horn Office do?”

Korran looked over his shoulder.

Sonya continued before he could answer.

”Are you guys guards? Spies? Assassins? Examiners? Every time I hear about Black Horn from some demons, I hear different things all the time and everybody seems to treat you guys in high regard.”

Simon listened quietly.

He had read a few books about Black Horn in the Shadowgrave Clan’s library. Some described it as one of Velmora and even the Darkness Kingdom’s special military organisations, but the information had been incomplete and several decades old.

He was curious about how Korran would describe it himself.

Korran faced forward again.

”We do whatever Velmora’s ordinary forces are not equipped to handle.”

Sonya waited.

Korran continued as they entered another corridor.

”The city guards deal with crimes, patrols, disputes, and most threats inside the walls. The army protects the region, its roads, and the settlements under Velmora’s authority.”

”And Black Horn?” Sonya asked while tilting her head slightly.

”When a beast tide is too large for the army to handle, we’re sent into it. When another king sends hidden forces into our territory, we find them. During war, we carry out operations the regular army cannot.”

His voice remained calm.

”Sabotage. Infiltration. Assassination. Capturing enemy commanders. Destroying important formations. Protecting targets that cannot be publicly guarded.”

Sonya’s brows rose slightly.

”So you are assassins.”

”Sometimes.”

”Spies?”

”Sometimes.”

”Guards?”

”When necessary.”

”Examiners?”

Korran glanced at her.

”You met me during an examination, didn’t you?”

Sonya nodded slowly.

Korran continued.

”Black Horn also investigates spatial rifts, ancient ruins, forbidden artifacts, and anything that could threaten Velmora or the kingdom on a scale ordinary officials cannot manage.”

He paused before adding:

”The simplest answer is that we are Velmora’s last response before the city calls for help from the ruling clans.”

Simon’s eyes flickered.

That explanation was broader than what he had read in the Shadowgrave library.

Black Horn was not simply an elite military unit.

It was a tool used wherever Velmora needed strength, secrecy, authority, or all three at once.

Sonya seemed to reach a similar conclusion.

”So you can arrest anyone you want?”

”No.”

”Kill anyone you want?”

”No.”

”Destroy a building if there are rebels inside?”

Korran stopped walking.

He slowly turned toward her.

Sonya’s expression remained perfectly serious.

Simon looked away.

After several seconds, Korran continued walking.

”Black Horn has authority during recognised operations. Outside those operations, we answer to the same laws as everyone else.”

Sonya clicked her tongue softly.

”Do you like have a rank? Or are you just the big boss?”

”I am one of the three Vice Commanders of Velmora’s Black Horn branch.”

Simon looked at him more carefully.

That placed Korran directly beneath the demon commanding the entire Office.

”I oversee examinations, internal emergency operations, and several field units,” Korran added. ”The Branch Commander is above me. The other Vice Commanders oversee intelligence, external warfare, and several other things.”

Sonya smiled faintly.

”So you’re important.”

”Important enough to decide whether your statement is acceptable.”

Her smile disappeared.

Korran stopped before a reinforced black door and placed one hand against the formation plate beside it.

Red lines spread across the metal.

The door opened inward.

”The guard commander is waiting,” he said. ”Try to answer his questions without threatening him.”

Sonya raised her chin.

”This Honourable does not threaten demons without reason.”

Korran entered the room without responding.

Simon followed him, wondering whether Korran had already learned that arguing with Sonya was usually a waste of time.

Behind him, Sonya muttered softly.

”He could have at least agreed.”