87 The Necromancer and the Priestess 21 (2/2)

”This, wait. Could it be that....” Leon trailed off, staring at El.

”Kiel was El's alternate identity while he was residing in the capital,” Yin Mei answered, as they walked through the forest.

To think that the greatest criminal of the continent had been hiding under their very noses this entire time...! And as an honorable professor of the great magic academy of all things! Leon felt that his three world views had been destroyed.

”Ah!” Yin Mei suddenly shouted out, stopping in place.

”What is it?” Leon and El asked at the same time, and immediately El glared at Leon, who didn't know what he did wrong.

”I almost forgot about that thing,” Yin Mei said, running back to where they had been and picking up Eve's corpse (unconscious body), carrying her back over like a rice sack.

”You should've just left that thing there,” El said, his expression one of distaste as he could barely stand to even lay eyes on that girl. She had been such an eyesore during his return to the demon world, that he simply wanted to be rid of her as soon as possible.

”No. She'll be useful,” Yin Mei said. She had gone through all that trouble to try out a new magic technique, there's no way she would abandon her experimental subject just like that right?

”What do you plan to do with her?” Leon asked curiously, as they once again continued walking.

”Hum. Something interesting,” Yin Mei answered vaguely, and Leon gave a huh sound before falling silent. The awkward silence between the trio continued until they finally reached the camp again.

With Yin Mei and El both disguising El and Eve's demonic aura, the barrier could not sense any difference between them and a human at all, letting the group in smoothly.

They had already been gone for several hours, but surprisingly, Rosella and Kai were still at the place they had left them. They weren't speaking, and were sitting on opposite sides of a campfire, the air between them heavy and awkward. Yin Mei thought that by leaving them alone, they would be able to solve the issues between them, but in the end what had happened? Did it result in the opposite effect? But no, the fate between them shouldn't be that weak that it would so easily break apart, right?

Yin Mei tried to recall her experience in the other worlds, but it had been too varied for her to give a concrete answer. Sometimes, it seemed that the fate of these protagonists were actually weak, and other times, it seemed like as if everything moved in their favor.

So, Yin Mei really didn't know how things would turn out.

”Oh, you guys are finally back...” Kai trailed off, staring at the new addition to their party, and the girl that El was carrying over his shoulder. Along the way, El had taken Eve from Celes - after all, there was no way that he would let her carry that thing the entire way.

”Ah! Master Kiel! Didn't you go overseas to study the magic of the eastern islands?” Rosella exclaimed, startled to see him here.

This whole studying the magic of the eastern islands thing was an excuse that Yin Mei had prepared for Kiel, asking for leave from the magic academy for him, just in case he wanted to use this identity again when he came back. Sigh, the things that she did for this guy! He needed to appreciate her more, instead of running off to the demon world without even saying anything!

She inwardly pouted, but in her heart, had already basically forgiven him. She knew that it would be hard on him if he didn't, but was just upset that he had barely said anything before disappearing. But after all, one look at the pretty face of his, and a person would be unable to stay angry... Damn, that sort of beauty was truly unfair!

Well, Celestina also had that sort of beauty though.

El glanced toward Yin Mei, and then smiled without missing a beat. ”Yes, I came back when I received news that the demon bridge had opened.”

Kai looked at El up and down. This person... wasn't he the famed Sir Kiel? He had been a very popular topic among the priestesses of the inner sanctum, as he was the high priestess's childhood friend. That meant that that girl really was... his eyes turned to Yin Mei, but still doubted the conclusion that he had come to.

Although the signs seemed to point there, but he still couldn't believe it.

This person, was that same high priestess? That same person who smiled so warmly, who seemed so at peace, as if she wasn't even a part of this world? But now...

He glanced at Rosella, who purposely was not looking at him, instead talking happily with Yin Mei.

As for Yin Mei, she didn't notice anything at all.

”What's wrong with the girl?” Rosella asked curiously. Although she couldn't see the girl's face, she was wearing some high quality clothing, and her silver hair was exceptionally beautiful looking. It made her think of the silver hair of the princess they had rescued before.

”Oh... her? She's just unconscious. You don't need to worry about her. She's someone that Kiel met on his journey to the eastern islands,” Yin Mei said, the lies smoothly slipping out of her mouth. She didn't even notice just how good of a liar she had become, her expression indifferent and unblinking with each lie she spoke.

”Oh? She's someone from the eastern islands?” Rosella's eyes sparkled, and she fidgeted, wanting to get a better look. She had never seen someone from the eastern islands before. She had heard that they all had very beautiful and exotic appearances, and that their culture was very different from that of the people of the main continent.

”Maybe you can talk with her later,” Yin Mei said. ”For now, there's something more important.”

”? What is it?” Rosella tilted her head.

”Information on the demon army, of course.” Yin Mei smiled.