Chapter 216 - Fifth Stop - Envy (3) (1/2)

Zero didn't know why everyone was in a rush. Shittomi didn't explain why he had to go on an errand but complied anyway. He didn't remember much of what happened in the tea room but swore that he would never again consume any alcoholic drinks.

Baal took a short nap in the carriage while Zero was left to wonder what was going to happen. According to the snow queen, Zero was going to represent her to address some of the problems a village on the outskirts of her domain faced. He wasn't given any details but Shittomi did caution him about making promises. They were still demons and words held power.

Zero marvelled at the breathtaking white scenery. It was a very rare sight but not unwelcomed. Zero embraced the distraction and change of pace. He was sorely in need of some solitude to sort his thoughts out. It was subtle but he knew Baal as up to something. It wasn't like the Demon Lord to be so meticulous about planning trips and accompanying him on his travels. Something was definitely up but Zero couldn't figure out what Baal was planning.

It was obvious to him that all the Demon Lords were bidding farewell to him in their own ways. Some of them were very hospitable and made Zero feel at home. Some were very professional and kicked him out as soon as they were done with what they had to do, not that Zero minded in the least. Strangely, he didn't feel very lonely having to part with the Demon Lords he'd met so far with the small exception of Beelzebub. At some point of their tour, the young doctor knew that he would also have to say goodbye to Baal. He didn't know what Baal was planning but knowing his friend, Baal wouldn't go as over the top as some of the other Demon Lords had.

Still, to run an errand as a parting gift? It sounded a little strange to even Zero. Also, the name Qian Qiu sounded strangely familiar. The young doctor just couldn't put a finger to where he'd come across it. The bigger problem was understanding that strange book Amon gifted him. Zero wondered if Ruth would be able to comprehend the translated riddles. Speaking of that vampire... Zero didn't know how to feel about having to train in combat. He understood the importance of being able to defend himself if the need arose but shouldn't magic and the unique clothes the Great Gods gifted him be enough?

”What's on your mind?” Baal yawned. It was difficult to rest when he could practically hear the loud turning of gears in Zero's mind.

Zero hesitated for about a minute. Baal didn't rush him. Ever since Zero matured into a teenager, he noticed the little changes in his friend. Zero had become more observant and picked up on the things he usually would have glanced over as a child. His sixth sense was becoming more powerful as if there was something guiding his intuition. Baal also noticed how Zero would analyze with his mind more than following his emotions. It wasn't a bad change but sometimes Baal missed the naive kid he could bully for his amusement.

”Bell... you do plan on saying goodbye to me properly, right? You won't just disappear on me silently in the middle of my sleep or something... right?”

Baal blinked. ”Was this worrying you the whole time?”

Zero didn't answer and Baal had to hold his laughter back. He took that back... Zero was still plenty of adorable even after becoming a teenager.

”Don't be silly, what good would that do for me to disappear on you? I still haven't given you my gift, have I?”

Zero looked suspicious at once. ”I didn't think you'd put in the effort to prepare anything as grand. For all I know, you accompanying me on the grand tour of the abyss could be my gift.”

Baal looked offended but there was no bite in his tone. ”The nerve of you! Brat, do you know how much you owe me? I have to clean up after your mess and you can't even be satisfied with my glorified presence? Just so you know, there isn't a better tour guide in the abyss than me so you shouldn't complain!”

Zero snorted and Baal leapt from his seat, tickling Zero into apologising.

Once the laughter died down and the two friends were huddled underneath a blanket, Baal cuddled up to Zero's side and yawned. ”No, I won't disappear on you in your sleep so stop worrying about the non-existent things already. We have an errand to run. I'll give it about half an hour before we need to work again so if you want to catch up on some rest, now's a good time for some shut-eye.”

Zero nodded and closed his eyes.

Not two minutes into the silence, Baal felt a heavy weight on top of his head and growled lightly. The Demon Lord shoved his friend off and scowled as Zero's head flopped from side to side with the twists and turns the carriage made. So much for getting some shut-eye now...

***

Zero was woken up by a grumpy Demon Lord and quickly wiped the drool at the side of his mouth. They'd arrived at the village that looked a lot more like a luxurious spa resort. Zero was intrigued by the stone garden and long flight of stone stairs that didn't seem to lead anywhere.

”Is this the entrance of the village?”

Baal nodded. He didn't seem to be too impressed with this level of illusion. Seeing Zero's troubled expression at the long flight of stairs, Baal didn't think Zero had figured it out yet. Whatever Shiro wanted to do, Baal promised Shittomi that he wouldn't interfere with the foxes' tests unless it put Zero in danger.

”Greetings,” a fox demon greeted. She wore a white cloth veil over her head that covered her face so Zero couldn't make out her features. Only the bushy reddish-orange tail gave him a clue of what kind of demon she was.

”Hello! I'm Zero. Queen Shittomi sent me on an errand to this village. May I know whom I should be speaking to?”

The fox demon bowed and told the guests to follow her lead. Zero didn't ask why they weren't climbing up that flight of stone stairs and followed behind as closely as he could. hey entered a snow-covered bamboo forest that their guide wove through with no difficulty. As the got deeper into the grove, the snow got heavier and it was becoming more difficult to see. Thankfully, Baal and Zero had no problems dealing with the harsh climate. The doctor silently worried about the fox demon who wasn't as warmly dressed. He tried calling out to her but the wind was very loud and his voice simply got drowned out.

Despite the accumulating snow on the ground, the fox demon didn't slow down. Zero was having some keeping up with his feet sinking six inches into the slush. Baal had given up on walking altogether and levitated behind Zero. The brunet envied the flight ability so much and wondered if he could request for Baal to teach him how to fly as a parting gift.

It was an outright blizzard by now and Zero realised in horror that he'd lost sight of their guide. Thankfully, he still had Baal with him.

”Bell, did you see which direction she went in?”

The Demon Lord didn't answer so Zero turned around to check. He felt his heart drop when he couldn't find his friend.

”Bell?”

There was no response.

”Bell, don't do this to me... I know you're here somewhere.”