Eric, Lyria, and Livy were enjoying a calm and peaceful stroll.
Just by seeing the clean, developed area, they could tell that the old man Gideon had taken excellent care of his city.
Everywhere they passed, they heard people chatting about the infamous 'Cloaked Demon'. Practically all the passersby mentioned this 'Hot Guy' at least once while walking right past the man himself.
Hearing all that gossip, Eric felt as if he had turned into a comic book character. The only good thing was that people weren't taking him for a hero, but they were also too terrified to talk badly of him, so they only admired his demonic powers.
Unfortunately, there were still a few who insisted he was a hero and a great man, which felt like a direct stab to Eric's liver.
Brunhild sighed, "The Cloaked Demon has really become a legend. I won't be surprised if he is depicted as a hero by poor and middle-aged families, while being cursed as a ruthless killer by the wealthy."
Livy agreed and responded with an anticipated smile, "Hm... I really want to fight him."
All three of them looked at Livy weirdly and chose not to comment on her statement.
Eric coughed and smiled, "The nobles are indeed correct. He has killed countless people without discrimination. When people's eyes are always comparing themselves to others, discrimination is the only way to be. Without discriminating, that person can only be a vile and evil entity to any society."
He suddenly smirked, "Whether the Cloaked Demon's intentions were good or bad is of no importance to these people; they are only clapping their hands because he succeeded. If he hadn't, right now all of them would be mocking and laughing at him while praising and admiring the Devils Spice's strength."
His smirk then turned wicked, "Currently, these people who are calling him a 'hero' do so only because he hasn't harmed their personal interests. If he had... well, it would really be amusing to see their expressions and the words they would be articulating right now."
Livy was confused, but Lyria somewhat understood and could see that it was just Eric's offhand remarks on reality. It was best not to delve too deeply into it, and he wasn't expecting them to comprehend his meaning anyway.
Brunhild thought deeply on it and looked back at Eric in surprise, "What you say is quite true. Currently, the nobles' interests are most affected, as Devils Spice was largely filled with only wealthy people." Her tone changed to amazement, "Little brother Eric, you are so young but very observant!"
'That's not what I meant.'
In short, he meant that the people were celebrating the pain and suffering of the wealthy and noble, and not really the point that the Cloaked Demon had delivered justice to helpless people. Perhaps a few were, but the large mass were just celebrating because their own interests weren't harmed while the people above them had been crushed.
Eric avoided elaborating. He just adjusted his cloak's collar with both hands and smiled smugly, "From now on, call me the 'Uncloaked Demon'."
Brunhild couldn't help but giggle upon hearing this.
After strolling for a while, Brunhild took them to a new street. As soon as they entered this area, Livy's and Lyria's eyes brightened at the rows of stores selling branded clothes and accessories—something they hadn't seen before. They quickly pleaded with Brunhild to 'introduce' these stores to them.
And so, Eric's simultaneously fun and regretful time began.
It was quite pleasing for Eric to check out the girls freely while judging their new outfits, but it was equally boring to wait for ages while they conversed and debated on clothes, taking their sweet time trying everything on.
Eric felt annoyed and told them to just buy everything since it merely cost a few mana stones, but he immediately received daggers from all three girls' glares. So, he gave up.
At first, Brunhild didn't want to try any on; she always wore her adventurer's outfit, which was her favorite since it was the most practical in all situations. But after being forced by both Lyria and Livy, she also proceeded to show Eric some new eye candy.
Brunhild suggested that Eric try some clothes too, but she was directly rejected by both Lyria and Livy. Brunhild was confused and asked why, but received no response, so she gave up on that as well.
Eric smirked. There was no way Lyria or Livy would allow his 'handsome' chest to be seen by other girls. Ahem... Not just girls, but males too. It was such a mess that even if people didn't know he was the Cloaked Demon, they would still call him a demon because of how horrendous his chest scars looked.
'Sigh, what a sad fate. Girls can show their chests, cleavage, and all that, but as a man, I have to cover my chest in fear of getting raped. Truly a tragic time to be born as a man.' Eric sighed with loneliness.
In truth, Eric's favorite dress code since his past life was to wear loose clothes with a portion of his upper chest left exposed. Yet now he had to cover himself up like how a grandma might dress her granddaughters.
They continued with their mass-slaughter shopping spree. Eric was only glad that there were space pouches and rings, meaning he didn't have to carry the purchased items.
After hours of shopping, Brunhild finally recalled what they had come to the market for in the first place.
She looked back at Eric's dead eyes and quickly apologized, "This... Little Brother Eric, I am sorry I got swayed by the Little Sisters' enthusiasm. Right, you wanted hats; did you find any that you fancy?"
Eric glanced back at Brunhild and sighed. Finally, someone recalled this lonely Overcooked Demon's existence, rather than just showing off their curves and new looks to him. He knew what 'women x shopping' meant, and honestly, he was enjoying leering at their bodies openly, but none of them had remembered they came for his hat!
"All the hats here are of high quality; I am searching for something of lower quality," he replied.
Brunhild looked at Eric strangely. People usually searched for higher quality, and he was searching in reverse? She didn't pry into his interests and inquired, "What type of hat does Little Brother Eric want?"
Lyria and Livy also turned to Eric curiously.
Eric grinned and informed them, leaving the girls completely speechless.
---
After the shopping was over, including some sightseeing, it was already midday. They decided to call it a day; walking long distances for sightseeing was annoying, especially when they couldn't speed up within the city limits. They decided to do that some other day while riding horses.
Brunhild hired a carriage to return to the Pierce estate.
On the way, the girls kept chatting about their private matters openly, completely ignoring the sole, lonely male in their group.
After the carriage had proceeded more than halfway, Eric noticed something from his side of the window.
Mana Wielders were rushing toward another direction in a great hurry without reducing their speeds.
He pointed outside his open window and remarked, "A new commotion seems to have begun."
"Where? Where?" Livy, Brunhild, and Lyria all jumped toward the small window Eric was pointing through.
Livy was the fastest since she was sitting beside Eric. When she squeezed in, her ample breast was entirely pressed against Eric's hand, which was still pointing outside.
Livy acted completely oblivious to it. She definitely felt it clearly, but didn't even blush or move away.
Eric's mouth twitched. He pulled back his hand, wondering if Livy was trying to awaken a new demon within him.
He then started playing with Livy's long, beautiful hair, which fell like a waterfall in front of him.
"Mm... Something major must have happened for so many of them to break the law. They are heading toward... the west? Or perhaps the northwest?" Brunhild murmured, watching the adventurers, mercenaries, and soldiers sprinting toward a certain direction in a great rush.
"Has the Cloaked Demon reappeared?" Livy asked excitedly as she sat back in her seat. She still wanted to duel with a demon.
Lyria stared at Livy hopelessly.
Brunhild gently shook her head, "Probably not. Since the Cloaked Demon was powerful enough to kill so many Apprentice Ranks while being completely alone, no one will volunteer to fight him; only Lord Gideon might. So this must be a new situation."
Eric nodded while still playing with Livy's hair, and speculated, "Necromancers are probably attacking the gates or somehow smuggled themselves inside the city."
Brunhild agreed and sat back in her seat. Noticing how both Eric and Livy were enjoying themselves, she felt pity arise in her heart for her lonely sister Elianor.
Lyria didn't mind; she knew that Eric liked playing with Livy's hair occasionally. At first, she had been quite jealous, but eventually, she accepted it and didn't mind at all.
"Do you want the carriage to change direction?" Lyria asked Brunhild.
Brunhild pondered for a moment and then shook her head, "No need, we are already close to home; we might as well check if there are any summons or reports. The other gates are far away from here; if we change direction without knowing the situation, it will take too long."
All four soon arrived back at Brunhild's mansion. It was chaotic, with maids and servants running everywhere, alongside Mana Wielder guards and family members.
Marabeth, Brunhild's mother, immediately rushed over and hugged Brunhild, causing her daughter's mouth to twitch.
Brunhild calmly asked, "What happened?"
Marabeth broke the hug but grabbed Brunhild's shoulders tightly, answering gravely, "Necromancers broke through the western and southern gates."
Brunhild's eyes narrowed. She thought for a moment and asked, "Was there any summon from the Adventurers Guild? Also, has any Master Rank been spotted yet?"
Marabeth shook her head, "No Master Rank has been seen yet, but they must be here!" She paused and pleaded in a sad tone, "Don't go; it's too dangerous. Let's just leave the city."
Brunhild frowned, removed her mother's clutches from her shoulders, and stepped back. She looked toward the old butler standing a few feet behind Marabeth. He was a late-stage Rank 3 and a very powerful warrior of the Pierce family.
"Uncle Dustin, has the Adventurers Guild requested anything of me?"
Dustin bowed slightly and answered, "Miss, they told you and your team to head toward the south with haste to help defend the gate, and also to eliminate any necromancers who might have infiltrated."
Brunhild nodded and then instructed after a brief thought, "Uncle, please send someone to bring Garrick's and Eilif's family members and hide them in a safe location within the estate. Right, have all my companions left?"
Dustin calmly answered, "Yes and no. Everyone has already left except Miss Elianor; she apparently doesn't want to go. Shall I also bring her here?"
Brunhild shook her head, "No, let's leave her alone; she is strong enough to run away in case of trouble."
She ignored Marabeth's pleading look and turned to Eric, Lyria, and Livy. But before she could open her mouth to request help, Eric smiled and waved his hand, "Go."
Brunhild was stunned and then slowly nodded, her sadness and disappointment apparent on her face at such a blunt rejection.
She thought that after an entire morning of accompanying each other they had gotten a lot closer, but it seemed it was just her imagination... If they had followed her, they surely would have been of great help to Batley City against the necromancers, as they were all very strong.
She didn't look back to hide her sadness, quickly leaving with her face down.
Lyria and Livy felt bad but didn't try to console Brunhild either, as they truly couldn't show their full strength in the open. Following Brunhild would mean doing nothing more than watching others die while they put on a 'struggling' act. Just showing their full stats without even using any abilities was bound to draw too much attention, much more so if they went all out.
After Brunhild left, Marabeth glared at the trio and snorted coldly; she turned and left without saying another word. Behind her, the old butler Dustin followed without expression.
Seeing this, Lyria and Livy frowned, while Eric smiled without any meaning.
Livy muttered in a low voice filled with dissatisfaction, "What's her problem now? She suddenly turned so cold."
Eric turned and started heading toward the stables, casually answering, "She must be... ahem. I mean, she must have her own worries. We, as Rank 1s, are useless anyway. So, let's go home; I am hungry."
He was about to joke that Marabeth was on her period, which wasn't actually an issue for female Mana Wielders. But nonetheless, there was a high chance that both Marabeth and her butler would have overheard his distasteful joke, and then there would be another legendary battle that he didn't want to entertain.
He was tired from fighting, killing, and shopping, and now he just wanted to retire like a good Sage for at least a few days.