The rumor mill was a blaze with talks of a succubus that had come to town. Such rumors were never a good thing, considering the amount of horny sailors that love to port here. Such a thing could keep one of those demons fat and happy for a long while. Not only that, with the amount of tantalizing women that frequent this harbor town, it would be hard to find one. For normal people, this would be a death sentence, or at well, at least a trip to the ER.

Well, the women of the guild had put Manzo on the case, seemingly because they had issues finding dates now because all the men were afraid. But it would not be enough to stop him from achieving his goal, he was a well known hunter and slayer of demons. So such a thing would not be an issue for him to over come. Though it was rather odd, it seemed that this demon was only looking to feed on pirates.

It was nightfall now, and perhaps this would be the best time to find this she devil, with both swords on his hip and a cigar in his mouth, it was time to begin his evening stroll and see what would happen.

Fortunately for Manzo it didn't take long before he was on the trail of his target. Yet what would await him during his stroll? A sudden tension lingered in the air, no doubt brought forth by the chilling sight in front of him. Near some nearby boulders a light dragging sound came from something moving in the sand, and should Manzo turn to look at the source, it would reveal to be a husk of a man. The pirate had been naked, although he looked closer to a living skeleton rather than a man, the way his hollowed eyes looked pleadingly at him, whether seeking aid or the mercy of ending him right there and then open to debate. However, an answer would never be found as the stranger collapsed lifelessly on the ground.

Further ahead was a campfire, several more men in a similar state were left lifeless on the ground, with one in particular seemingly suspended in mid-air in some manner. And in front of him. "Ah~ Manzo?"

A soft feminine voice called out to him as she turned around. Her hair was a long pure white, kept in two tails that ran each along the side of her face. The various markings on her face reminded one of a spider, and the presence that accompanied her sinful appearance reminiscent of a demon. However, the softness in her gaze and the tenderness of her playful smile betrayed her true identity easily.

"I didn't know you were on patrolling duty today~ If I knew I would have kept some for you~ But unfortunately I was quite 'hungry'~

His time on a stroll was cut quite short, disturbed by the sound of a body being dragged across the sand. He turned his attention to the where the sound was coming from. The sight that greeted him was a party of corpses around a campfire. "Well, that's not normal." Manzo said as he placed his hand on the hilt of his demon slayers blade. Before he could draw it, his focus was broken. The sound of a delicate female voice broke the silence of the dead stillness of the night.

With the silence broken, the smell that wafted through his nose was that of a familiar friend, mixed with the demonic lust of a demon. He placed his hand back upon the handle of his blade once more as he drew closer, wanting to be sure it was who he thought it was. As he drew closer to the fires light, he noticed the feminine shape of a dear friend, though far different than what he remembered her as.

Her hair was snow white, a far departure from the raven black it had once been. Her bare face replaced with the markings of a demonic contract resembling that of a nightmarish arachnid. But her eyes, her lips, and even the sway of her hips were all the same.

"I think you forgot to recycle your human juice boxes." Manzo making light of the situation he found himself in.

Esperia couldn't help but chuckle in amusement in response to these words. "Unfortunately I lost both my appetite for blood and my personal juice factory when I died~"

She hummed softly as she trailed a hand lightly in the air, causing the body that was held afloat by her strings to fall onto the sand with a soft thud. "You know how succubi tend to be~ Although blood is rich in life essence, it lacks the mana-rich substance that the soul provide~ As such Succubi don't really take to practices of violence~ Injuring people or maiming them makes it far more difficult to enjoy some high quality meals later~"

A step closer was made toward Manzo, the step so light and delicate that it almost seemed like she was hovering above the sand rather than disturbing it. "I'm glad to see you again my dear Manzo~"

Although she was not focusing on it, the power of her presence alone had caused the lust-like charm to stir in it. Yet even under her demonic influence there was still a semblance of her former self. "But surely you aren't here to hunt little old me? I'm afraid combat might be ill-advised since I have yet to master control over my new body and the magic it brings with it. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I injured you, or worse drained you to the limit... even if it's a experience you would be willing to die for~"

She teasingly poked out her tongue at the little jest after which she continued. "Now I understand why most demons would discard the last traces of their humanity upon turning into a demon. It is surprisingly hard to hold onto notions people consider normal as a human. Emotions like love, affection, honor, justness, they all become o so complicated once you turned into one. Imagine for a moment~"

She paused for a moment, a chill running across her being as she visibly wrapped her arms around her waist, as if to try to hide the squirming. "The sensations that draining someone of their soul brings are truly amazing~ even the lowest of scums like these pirates become like a delicacy~ Now imagine if these sensations are amplified by feelings like love or affection? It would even drive the wisest of sages into a state of debauchery~ All you can think of is the lust that drives one and the irresistible pleasure that comes as you savor that blissful moment~"

"Okay hold the phone here cheif. You're telling me you're a succubus now. I did not have that one on my bingo card." He said as he remove this cigar from his mouth to ash it, placing it back in his mouth once more. This was certainly an odd turn of events to be sure. Though he believed she had the wrong impression about him. One, he knew she only liked women, and men had to be some kind of an easy snack.

Two, no matter how much a horny toad he might be, tangoing with a succubus in the bedroom was surprisingly not on his bucket list, about a thousand collective spit takes occurred within the blue Pegasus guild hall with just that private thought. "Also, why am I going to fight a member of my own guild, makes no sense, you're killing pirates. What is it Tuesday in hargeon?" He said making light once again of this rather uncomfortable situation.

"And third of all, what is that weirdly sweet smell. It smells like pheromones and death, like seniors night in a whore house." He said as he pinched his nose. Truly the sell was far too much for any sane person to just, sit with.

"the phone?" She pondered, tilting her head slightly to the side as she made a phone-like gesture with her fingers. "Aye~ Aye~ I got hit by truck-kun, quite badly in fact. Ended up in a draw, I died but so did the truck~ but then it seemed some big wit Demon called 'Bael' decided to be a dick and put my soul in the body of a demon. Seems said demon housed the essence of good old Lilith~ who was more than eager to help her old friend get a ride out of the abyss. With me so far Captain Demanzo?"

She playfully shifted her head to the other side, this time using her other hands to make the phone-like gesture. "O~ good point! I guess even if I died and came back we're still family~" Esperia exclaimed happily as she took a playful hop with her feet, yet curiously one would be able to see her feet seemingly bounced of the air as she tried to playfully hug the man, arms trying to wrap around his neck while she gently pressed her upper-body against his. "It's actually Monday, it's because everyone is usually too busy during the weekends that the pirates tend to get bold. That's why this group was planning to raid some shops on the outskirts of Hargeon."

Nodding her head a few times as if she was finding the reason justified enough. "Oooy~ My succubus pheromones are very high quality! Nothing you'd find in a whore house---- unless I'd be opening a brothel~ Actually that would be an idea, no longer any need to seek out pirates when they could come straight to you?"

Pondering for a moment about the idea she lightly released her grasp on Manzo and turned around, her own excitement causing her spaded tail to flare out from underneath her dress and playfully wag back and forth behind her as she inhaled sharply and then leaned forward as she shouted: "HEEEEY PIRATES! WHO WANTS TO FUCK?! I promise it be an experience to die for~"

Yet even as her voice echo-ed through the night air nobody replied. "Puuh~ guess I got all of them, unless I'm just a poor seller~"

Snickering as she playfully swayed her hips she turned to look at Manzo. "What do you think Captain Demanzo? Did the culprit escape? Also dear Lily, when was the last time you went to town with the big boy? Just looking at you makes me almost think that you're trying to become an appetizing all you can drain buffet for a horny demon~"

Once more she took a step closer and grinned mischievously. "Is that a venus-fly trap strategy? If so, I can say it's working... splendidly~ It's taking a lot of my resolve right now not to go nom~ nom~ But the amount of scolding I'd receive... Ali likely would tie me up again and I'd have to explain again that I'm not into Shibari...

The way that Esperia was going on and on was certainly not normal. At least not normal for him to see. Perhaps the demon in question truly had taken hold of her. But if that was indeed the case perhaps it would be best to hunt her, but he couldn’t possibly do such a thing. Not because of the gap in power, simply because he couldn’t bare to raise his blade against one of his oldest comrades.

A blush came across his face, something he wasn’t used to, having someone refer to your lower area has big boy wasn’t the worst thing that could happen. Yet it made him just the slightest bit uncomfortable coming from someone he knew to be a gold star lesbian. In all his time with her he had never known her to be one for complementing men, on their, well, things. So in truth this was more shocking than it was anything else.

He removed the cigar from his mouth once more for a brief moment and ashed it into the sand before he would try his best to muster up a reply. Finding it a bit hard to concentrate with the way she swayed her hips to and fro like that. But demon or no demon, this was still Esperia and he respected her far too much to simply jump at the chance to perhaps share a night of carnal pleasures with her. Also he wasn’t sure who was in control of her at the moment, so the lines of consent were far too blurred for his liking.

“I think the last time I got laid was when I was 27.” He said as he put his cigar back in his mouth once more.

"I guess I'm not one to brag since my first time was when I was eighteen, and since then it's been a bit of a bumpy ride~" The succubus chimed softly, still sounding quite playful yet something seemed a bit different now, when she finally straightened herself and hummed softly. "Considering it's you, you must know a fair deal about demons." Esperia's voice still carried that sweet and playful tone as before as she continued. "Did you know that depending on the power of the demon, a succubus doesn't necessarily have to engage in sexual intercourse with a target to consume their soul?"

She gestured with a hand at the corpses of the men and the clothes surrounding them as she continued. "Of course a sight like this might suggest otherwise, but in truth it was to ensure they wouldn't draw upon any hidden weaponry. In fact, as the Demon Queen of Debauchery I possess the gift to drain one's soul by making them simply come in contact with my essence." She raised a hand lightly in the air as she produced a small swirling sphere of purple energy. Small bits of the light seemed to trail toward Manzo, yet there was no energy being drained from him, rather to the slayer it would appear as if his body was regaining more of its strength and vigor. Some type of healing spell? Yet that same glow seemed to cause the pirates around them to whine and whimper in pain.

"You might recall that I possess a gift that allows me to read a person's past deeds and glimpse their nature through it, that is how I decide on who to feed till they die, or who to leave alive. Among these four there are..." She gestured at the corpse Manzo had seen earlier. "A man who forced himself on the lover of his friend and then turned his blade onto said friend, after the treachery he started a life of crime and continued to do countless vile deeds."

She turned her gaze at the two pirates near the campfire. "Similarly these two were serial killers, wanted by the law for countless robberies and murders. Sadly we both know how inefficient the prison system of Fiore is... So I drained them till the brink of death, to them prison will be a sanctuary, they'd rather hide in there forever than to encounter a demon again~"

She finally turned toward the last one who had been airborne and naked and was now laying on the sand dozing off. "That one was a bit weird... He started stripping himself and doing these obnoxious motions with his hips, but when I looked at his past I saw he was just a poor pervert who hung with the wrong crew, so I drained him till he became lethargic and fell asleep."

She sighed softly and soon turned toward Manzo, her lips still curved up into a smile. "Did you really presume that merely because I became a demon I would forget my origins? Even as a human I was able to keep control while possessed by a demon lord, and while I might no longer be a human being, I'm still Esperia~ Although I admit that being known as a Demon Queen in the abyss is quite an awkward situation to find oneself in~ Priorities for demons are quite different from what we're used to Manzo. Also doesn't help that someone among the Seraphim wants me dead simply because Bael forced me to reincarnate as a demon in the abyss..."

She raised a hand lightly, balling it up lightly into a fist and playfully tried to bump the back of her hand against his torso. "But thank you for not succumbing to the temptation~ It shows that I was right in trusting you~"

Her smile more innocent than before she turned her gaze toward the distant sea. "In case you're wondering, I do share this body with an old acquaintance. One that Alisa is intimately familiar with. Lilith: The Gift of Debauchery~"

Espy would go on at length about her abilities, which was nice, as he had only encounter one type of succubus before hand. Though he had heard the rumors, hell he even read about them before. But all in all, he had never had first hand experience with a higher succubus. Especially not one from the royal line. But then again, he also didn’t know that they even had royalty, he just knew there was a bit of a variety. “Well that’s kind of neat.” He said as he crossed his arms and watched her treat corpses like a marionette.

“Well of course, why would I succumb to temptation. I’ve been sworn to slay demons, and angels alike. Anything that would do harm to humanity.” He said as he put his arms by his side for a moment. He knew that protocol would be to engage Espy in combat, but he had a soft spot for her, it would be hard for him to do it, even if it meant he would meet his death upon trying.

“But I like you, so I’ll overlook ya know, the whole demon thing.” He said with a thumbs up in her direction.

Hearing Manzo's words she turned toward him and shook her head lightly in response. "Then I wouldn't be your enemy to begin with~" She paused for a moment, thinking of how to best express the information she was about to provide when finally she spoke. "While I might be reborn as a demon, I was a human once~ My home remains in Earthland, and so does my friends, as a result my allegiance is still with the denizen of Earthland~ I don't know how, but it seems my power seems to influence my demonic followers as well, as a result they tend to be less inclined toward the destructive impulses demons are known for."

Still, hearing Manzo's words she couldn't help but smile gently. He mentioned how he liked her, and that he would overlook her existence as a demon. As a result Esperia decided to reveal a bit more of her knowledge to Manzo. "In return I'll teach you a bit more about Demons~ Although I mentioned before that I possess the powers typically attributed to Succubi, it appears that they are more akin to a type of demon, rather than exclusively a species of demon. If we were to go into detail: You seen my regular demonic form earlier, but you have yet to see my true form, right?"

She raised a hand to her torso, letting it rest for a moment as she calmed her heartbeat, allowing her mind to focus on the sensation as it drew out her true form. In the blink of an eye her skin turned into an ethereal color. Her skin looked soft and free of blemishes. However, equally curious was the fact that there seemed to be traces of a magic seal trailing along parts of her hair. Her snake-like tail swished back and forth below her as she smiled sheepishly at Manzo.

"This is the true form of Esperia, the Demon Queen of Debauchery~ Also I commanded my followers to not harm mortals, they can only act in self-defense, or if they are truly deemed evil like these pirates and bandits that terrorize the innocent."

She took a deep breath, her gaze lingering at Manzo as she inquired softly. "Although I guess it must be disturbing to see me like this?" She smiled sheepishly and continued. "I still have to get used to it myself~ For despite the fact I look like this, deep inside I'm still the same Esperia you knew all these years~ Whether it's Esperia or Lily, I still am the same person." She sighed softly and shook her head. "I do think that my body is still vulnerable to divine magic or blessed steel, so that's something I need to be wary of~ However, I'm still more than capable of entering a church." She giggled sheepishly at the little jest.

So, she was more than just a succubus at the end of the day. He did find that quite interesting, something he would have to add to his bestiary, specifically the section he had dedicated to the demon clan. Though he would be a bit taken back by her transformation, he could not help but marvel at his friends beauty, even if every bone in his body screamed to separate her head from her body and turn it in for a bounty. He was so confused by this, but it was still Espy, a beloved friend, using her power for what seemed to be good. “I don’t usually say these things out loud but, Esperia, to this day, you’re still one of the most beautiful beings I’ve laid my eyes on.”

It was true, and he did mean that. Still though he felt conflicted in his soul about this whole thing. Befriending a demon wasn’t something he had ever considered. He had dedicated most of his life to taking them back to after life kicking and screaming. “So Lilith is in there?” He asked.

Esperia couldn't help but giggle softly, her cheeks flushing up lightly as she flashed him a playful smile: "That means a lot, especially when you're surrounded by the likes of Alisa and Sophia, so I take that as a big compliment~" She smiled gently, turning her gaze back toward the sea as she heard his next question.

"She was~" Esperia explained with a sheepish smile. "It seemed that during my time in the abyss I became intimately familiar with her powers, until it became my own. Since then I haven't seen, heard of even felt her presence. In fact: Ever since I gained the ability to transform into this shape I have lost my connection to her."

She was curious what the reason behind that might had been. "According to some, they believe 'I' am Lilith, but one of my confidants suggested that it might be because this body, originally was meant to house only one Demon, it was either me or Lilith, but when I became strong enough to stand on my own, her presence vanished? Almost like she was just an imaginary friend all along..."

She couldn't help but ponder about the matter, not entirely certain herself. "It's why I been planning to consult with Alisa about the matter as well. Aside from the denizen of the Lucent wanting me dead for some reason, I don't feel comfortable with the thought of having her house a demon within the guild without her awareness of my situation. Even if I'm still myself, my presence brings dangers with it, so if she decides to cast me out, then I will accept that decision."

Not that Alisa would do such a thing, she knew her well enough for that.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine, just so long as you don’t ya know, start a cult. Unless it’s a sex cult, that feels very Blue Pegasus to me.” He said with a laugh as he kicked his shoes off, feeling the sand between his toes. It was a nice feeling of being grounded in this moment. Something he had been lacking in this rollercoaster of a life. But being a nature dragon, the strongest nature dragon, he couldn’t help but feel grounded when standing upon it. After all he was a living tree, at least that’s how it felt to him. Of Sofia were here, there would have been a dick joke made right there. Probably would have gotten a lot of laughs.

For a moment he felt as though he need to just walk to the sea, to marvel at all of life’s creation. Even if it was for a moment. He put his hand out in her direction. “Come.” He said in a gentle tone of voice.

The comment about a sex cult earned a sheepish chuckle from Esperia. "I guess since in the abyss I AM known as the Demon Queen of Debauchery, it wouldn't be that wrong to expect?" As she watched Manzo extend a hand toward her Esperia gently slithered closer toward him, her tail smoothly sliding through the sand as she gently took a hold of his hand.

"It's nice to be back home~ Despite what some might think, even now I became a demon I still prefer the peace and beauty of places like this over the chaos and turmoil within the abyss."

She went quiet for a moment, smiling reassuringly at Manzo. "There is something about places like this that remind me why I struggle so much~"

Indeed, the very reason she had been willing to go through so much suffering: Not because someone expected it from her, but because she wanted to protect beauty like this, the beautiful moments of peace spend among friends and loved ones.

She was right, the beauty of this place was worth defending, and it was to know she shared his feelings and sentiments about it. Seeing as to how she had revealed her true self to him, he felt it only appropriate to do the same for her. He squeezed her hand lovingly, while exerting his own magical energy into the area around them. Scales beginning to pop up all over his body, specifically down his arms and hands, his nails shifting into talon like claws. Small horns protruding out of his forehead, his red eyes shifted to a serpent like yellow. “You’ll always have a home here, and you’ll always have me by your side.”

He said with a smile as I began to flow some of the dragon force energy from himself over to her. Allowing her to feel all the life around them, the songs that even the sand would single, grateful to simply exist with them.

She had to admit that seeing Manzo transform under the influence of the Lacrima was fascinating, a gesture of revealing their true selves to each other which was appreciated by the Demon Queen. Although she smiled, a hint of sorrow lingered in her smile upon hearing these words. While it was true that she always had a home in Hargeon to return to, and that she was incredibly grateful to have Manzo at her side, it did open a fresh wound in her heart as she recalled the feelings of anguish that she experienced when she returned to an empty home... her family not having been there to await her return was painful, but even then she couldn't help but wonder how curious life could work at times. It was true: Priscilla and Hasani were gone, but she had that peculiar yet adorable half elf camping in her backyard, and she still had dear friends like Manzo.

"It might not be the type of relationship you desire~ but please know that I am genuinely grateful for your friendship Manzo~ You're akin to an older brother to me, a feeling I thought I had lost when my family perished all these years ago during that Lycan attack..."

She smiled warmly, leaning in to give him an innocent kiss on his cheek and leaned then back. "I do wonder at times~ What would have happened if I didn't go on all these adventures? If I had just settled down and become a dotting wife, would my family had still been waiting for me? But it's no use wondering about what-ifs."

She nodded her head sheepishly, thinking back on the matter a bit more. "Sceneries like this make me think a lot... sometimes more than I'd like to~ What about you Manzo? What do they make you think about?"

Manzo accepted the kiss on the cheek with a smile, knowing the bond they shared was as strong as iron. “Trust me, the only feelings I have for you are purely family-like.” He said returning her kiss on his cheek with one atop her head. She mused for a moment on how different her life was now, compared to how it is now. It was true that things were different for her at this point, but there is a season to everything. Even people, it was just true, and it had never failed to be that way. But, when she turned that same question on him, what moments like this made him think of. “That’s a loaded one for me. But I will do my best explain.”

Manzo cleared his throat for a moment before beginning to speak, not wanting to fudge up his words. “Times like these, remind me of all the pain I had to endure to get here. It reminds me of both the good and bad times. More than anything, it makes me grateful to be alive.” It was true, he did have plenty of regrets, but then again, all of them led him here to this beach.

“It makes me hold my family close to me, you, everyone at the guild. As your ace, you are all my brothers and sisters. When I stand on the beach, I feel like the bastion protecting you all.”

She smiled warmly in response to his words, yet when Manzo cleared his throat she clearly seemed to be attentive to every word spoken. "The good things and the bad ones hmm? I do get that~ I mean it's not like I only had bad memories and things to endure. At times I can't help but wish the good memories were ones that could last forever, but that is just wishful thinking~"

She nodded her head lightly to the words Manzo spoke. "I believe Alisa couldn't have chosen a better ace~" She turned her gaze toward the sea and pondered. "In a way I understand your feelings, not just the guild but even the people of Hargeon. From the nice lady at the bakery who sometimes gives me a free snack for the road, or the friendly fishermen who are eager to share the latest rumors of the sea, in a way it makes me desire to keep them safe. To return their kindness, but at other times I can't help but worry..."

She paused and sighed softly. "I know we can't save everyone, but then I think about these other-worlders. Whether they be God, Demon, Seraphim or something different alltogether. These beings often possess such great powers and for what reason? They only ever use it for their own whims."

She turned her gaze toward Manzo and continued. "When I was in the abyss and on the verge of returning to Earthland I was ambushed by Seraphim of the Lucent: Illumin's followers. I... still feel my anger boiling when I think about how easily they ignored all the selfless sacrifices my family made for the church throughout many generations. We were even living jails for one of the Demon Lords of sin! And what did that selfless servitude get us? They turned their blade at my throat without a second thought... A danger to their 'Order' they called it..."

She shook her head firmly, her voice shaking lightly from the sheer anger she felt. "It was at that time I was certain of it: Earthland will never enjoy the providence or protection of a higher being. It falls upon people like us to protect it. For only the denizen of Earthland can see this beauty and are aware of just how much it is worth protecting."

Indeed, she had truly become certain of that fact.

“Idols, they’re just anchors. Even the gods of Joya have grown silent.” He said with a bit of worry in his tone. The silent guardians of his island nation usually would send signs of their providence, either through good harvest, or good weather. But the seas were too quiet, the moon too dim. Even the fires had lost their glow. It saddened him in a way that could not be put into words.

“As the avatar of creation, a monicker given to me by the elves. I have a hard time swallowing what’s happening in the world today. Specifically those who would usurp the divinity of this lands living gods, the dragons.” He reverted back to his previous form, he found it hard to keep in that state when he was upset. His emotions were to back and forth for him to be able to concentrate on it.

“I apologize, it’s hard for me to keep my emotions in check at times.”

"The dragons?" Esperia paused for a bit, a hand raised to her cheek as she pondered for a while. "I know that dragons are ancient beings, but I didn't know they were revered as gods as well." She frowned for a moment as she thought back about the time she was still a member of the Sentinel Syndicate and ventured with Yarghast on a grand quest. "I could see that being the case... During my adventures I encountered a cult once that worshipped Nacht, they were desperately trying to free him, a feat that was better left incomplete as you surely would understand why..."

She gently squeezed Manzo's hand, as if to reassure him. "I do understand why you would be distraught with everything that has been unfolding. I hope the closure of the dark rifts will signal a time of peace for us, but even then we can't allow it to let us become lenient in our watch."

“Not all dragons were as benevolent as people would have liked them to, that is true. But my father, Yggdrasil, he was not like them. He cared and loved the elves, protected their forests.” Manzo could not help but return her squeeze with one of his own. Interlocking his fingers with that of his surrogate sister.

“I know I am not the strongest amongst us, but I would give life and limb. Give up my very soul to protect this town, and this family.” He said as a tear streamed down his face, glistening in the moon light. She never knew him to cry, so this was a new sight for her, well for almost anyone but Alisa . She had seen him cry more than once. But still it wasn’t common. “I need power, I need so much more power.” He said as he wiped the tear from his face before composing himself. This was a large weight that fell on his shoulders.

Esperia shook her head firmly in response to these words. "Sacrifice is never the solution." She had experienced it enough, knowing that dying for a greater cause while perhaps noble would simply cause these who were left behind to feel regret and sorrow. Perhaps it was because she died that she was in this situation now. "But the search for power is one I understand intimately. No matter how much we train, there always seems another hurdle to overcome, another person to surpass."

As she raised a hand, she gently rested it on Manzo's shoulder and continued to speak. "But perhaps that search for power, that ambition is a driving force for us to keep giving our all. There are many who would be content to just sit idle and stagnate, but it is the fact that people like us continue to seek to improve, that desire of improvement and the determination to do something about it? That in my opinion is the true embodiment of strength."

“You’re right, but all the same, I still feel incomplete. Like I’m missing something.” He couldn’t help but feel the way he did. He had seen so much, endured so much. It was hard for him to just accept such things. Almost impossible to be perfectly honest, maybe he too needed to leave his home in search of something greater than what he had. Though that would be hard considering how much business he had in town, not to mention the fact that he was the Ace of a guild. He felt it was his responsibility to be present at all times in case of being needed.

“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do anymore. I hunt man and beasts alike but something is always missing.” He said with the tone of strife in his voice. He turned to espy, her power was palpable, she could make a difference, why he, he could not hope to in his current state. He needed more, much more, but was unsure of how to get it.

"Hmm..." She pondered, trying to help think of something that might possibly help Manzo in his search when finally an idea dawned upon her. "What about trying to undertake the Ancient Trials of The Hero?" She smiled as she turned her gaze toward Manzo and continued speaking. "While there are plenty of regions that intertwine the search for power with religion, the country of Seven is particularly known for its rich history of heroes who surpassed mortal limits and ascended to become more. Not exactly the same as Other-worlders, or a demon like myself. But these mortals literally surpassed the limits that the common folk came to consider fact. Take for example the legend of Hercules. If my resources are correct there is a sanctuary of Gaia that contains records about these trials. I could seek to commune with Gaia in order to find the whereabouts of this sanctuary so you could go and undertake them? And you don't need to worry about Blue Pegasus while taking them~ I and Ali will be here to watch the house while you're out and about~"

Smiling cheerfully she tapped her chest lightly and continued. "There are a lot of paths to power, but I feel following a path similar to the Demigods of yore would fit you more than seeking power from another being like a demon or Seraphim."

Her words made sense, and perhaps it was up to him to set out on this path to power, though he was unsure of where to start. Though Esperia thought that Seven would be a good place to start. Maybe she was right, but he would have to prepare for it. “Seven huh.” He pondered for a minute, maybe that’s the only thing for him to do at this point. “Seems like I’m going to be gone for quite some time.” He whispered to himself as he let go of Espys hand. Placing a cigar back in his mouth, lightning it once more.

He took a long puff from it and ashed it into the sand. “I’ll need to start packing my bags, I can only imagine how long I’m gonna be gone. But maybe the fresh air will do me a bit of good.” He said to himself as he returned his gaze to the ocean.