Most people would've been scared of them after finding out that they destroyed the Church of Light branch that the world considered their protectors. Still, strangely enough, he couldn't feel even the slightest bit of fear from her when she addressed him.
Even though the branch was way weaker than the Main Church of Light, it was still an affiliate so going against them was no different than going against the entire Church. Anyone would've been scared of them but not this girl. He wondered why that was.
"I won't lie, initially I was scared... Very scared." Olivia placed her hand on her chest, remembering just how fast her heart was beating when she saw the entire Church of Light burning in the deep blue flames.
She wasn't the only one. The entire town was scared and everyone wanted to run, only to have their escape routes be sealed by the Infernal King. No one was allowed to leave.
Everyone in the town expected them to be killed by these Demons. However, strangely enough, the Infernal King didn't touch anyone at all.
"After destroying the Church of Light branch, he asked everyone if there was anyone amongst them who could treat you. He also promised that as soon as we treat you and you are fine, he would leave without harming anyone."
'Stick and Carrot approach, I see. Not bad. First he instilled fear in them by destroying the Church Branch while also taking out a potential threat who could've informed the main branch and then they offered them the carrot to get their help.'
Gabriel was quite impressed to hear the story about how the Infernal King handled everything.
"My father was the only physician in the town, so he raised his hand and we took you in. Since then, we've been treating you as much as we can to our capacity."
"That still doesn't explain why you're not scared of us. Is it because you think you won't be killed if I'm healthy? Do you really believe everything that he said?" Gabriel asked, wondering if that was all there was to it.
"That's not all. Even after he promised us that he'll let us all leave if you're healthy, I was still scared. We didn't know any of you, and didn't know your personalities. We also couldn't be sure if what we were promised was true, but did we have any other choice?" Olivia responded.
"The person who could take out the Branch of Church of Light, just how long would it take him to exterminate all of us?" she continued, not even realizing that they were already at the gate. "That's why, I was still scared. But since that time, I got to know more about your friend by watching his actions. And I don't know why, but I think I can believe his words."
"What do you mean?" Gabriel asked, right as Olivia pushed the door open.
Olivia basked in warm sunlight as soon as she opened the door. The sun was high in the sky, shining brightly.
"That man... He was really worried for you. He never once left your sight. Throughout the time you were unconscious, he was always by your side. I don't think he even slept at all in the last two days."
"Two days? I've been here for two days?" Gabriel exclaimed, surprised. He was out for two days? How was that possible?
"Approximately two days, yeah." Olivia nodded. "If it wasn't for my father saying that he needed to get some herbs from Beast Mountain, I doubt your friend would've left your side even now."
"A person who can worry about their friends so much, I don't know why, but I can't bring myself to doubt him. That's why, I believe what he said. I believe that he would keep his words. I know I can be wrong as well, but we don't have a choice in the matter, do we?"
"I see..." Gabriel stepped out of the house, observing the streets that were completely empty now. That wasn't surprising either since not many people were going to dare to walk outside in fear of coming across the Infernal King.
"It's alright. If he promised you, I'll keep it. But there is one condition..."
"What condition?" Olivia asked. Wondering if he also wanted them to do something for him.
"Sooner or later, the Main Church will send some people to investigate. As soon as they come here, I want you to tell them something."
"Tell them what?"
"Tell them that we forced you to treat us. That should protect you from their wrath for helping us. If anything, you can also give them a clue about our next destination."
"Your next destination?"
"You can tell them that you heard us discussing where we were talking about going to the Yan Empire next," Gabriel responded.
"You aren't going to the Yan Empire, are you?" Olivia asked, wondering if this was truly their destination. Or was this to set a trap for them.
"I'm not. But that information should keep them busy for a bit. And for giving information like that, you might even be rewarded. We both win something in this deal, don't we?"
Since Gabriel hadn't told the Infernal King that he wanted to go to the Arecia Empire, the Infernal King took him in a different direction. They were still within the Lumen Empire, but they were closer to the Yan Empire territory than they were to the Arecia Empire.
That gave Gabriel an opportunity to send the enemies on a fake trail while he went to the Arecia Empire without any worries to retrieve what he needed from Novius' descendants.
Olivia wasn't sure if she should listen to Gabriel. It was going to be bad if she sent the Church to the Yann Empire only for it to be a trap. There was a small possibility that the Church was going to blame her.
But if she didn't do it, or even pretended to help the Church, they were definitely going to consider her and her father a Traitor for helping dark mages even though they were supposedly forced.
"It seems I have no choice in the matter, do I?" she asked Gabriel.
Gabriel only smiled in response. "That's quite true. If you don't do as I told you, the Church of Light will punish you as well. You have no choice but to do it. It's for your safety as well."
"You... Fine. I'll tell them once they come." Eventually, Olivia could only agree. "But can you tell me honestly. Are you planning to set a trap for them?"
