'Have I signed a deal with the devil? I won't regret this in the future, right? Oh god! I am beginning to feel nervous now.'

The mayor felt his hands and feet go cold as he decided to hand over the mine.

This dream of his was beginning to feel increasingly real by the second, but he continued to force himself to sign the deal.

Ultimately, the deal was complete, and Layla stood up and stretched her body.

"Thank you for your cooperation. As promised, we will try to help you people out as much as we can. But we can only help those who want to be helped. Now, we shall take our leave and check out our purchase.

We will be back in the evening."

The mayor looked dumbfounded.

His heart bleeds in regret as he realizes he has given his most prized possession to someone who does not care for him or the village.

"H-Hey, where are you…are you going to abandon us?"

The mayor asked, reaching out to grab Layla's shoulder and turn her around to face him.

But before his hand could contact Layla's shoulder, Mary grabbed his arm and twisted it, forcing the mayor to clutch his half-broken arm in shock.

"I would appreciate it if you do not touch our young miss! You see, our young miss is a little sensitive, and she does not like to get touched by others. So, if you don't want to die, stay in your lane."

Mary spoke about this harsh world with a soft smile on her face.

But despite her expression making the Mayor startled, he knew he could not back away here.

"H-Hey, you have to help us, alright? You are our only hope-"

"We shall see about that. I will help if I have the time and means to. But as I said before, you are not our top priority. So do not expect me to put you first, no matter what."

Layla spoke these final words before she disappeared from the Mayor's office.

Her heart skipped a few beats as she threatened that huge, bear-like man.

She had realized pretty early on that the mayor was harmless and he wouldn't be able to do anything to her. But knowing this and feeling it were two separate things for Layla.

Layla could not suppress the small shudder her instincts forced her to feel when facing someone much bigger and stronger than her.

"Young miss! Shall I take care of that man for you? I won't be difficult for me either-"

Mary offered as she took out her knife.

One word from Layla, and she knew that her maid would make quick work of that mayor for her. But Layla did not want that mayor dead.

Her inability to stop feeling fear was not a reason for another to die…just yet.

"It's fine! That mayor is a good man and would be beneficial to have on our side. I feel he will plead his loyalty to us when we are done.

And if that's not the case, you can still kill him later, right? A demon like you should not have any problem with such a simple mission in the future."

Layla praised and flattered Mary at the same time.

"Oh my! Such high praise from Young Miss makes me happy. I shall do whatever order young miss gives me, and I promise to carry it out with as much grace as I can."

Mary promised as her face bloomed into a smile.

It was difficult to tell if Mary genuinely felt happy for Layla or if this was an act she was putting up for her sake.

Nor did Layla want to know what the truth was either desperately.

She would live in ignorance and bliss for as long as she could. And when she could no longer ignore the world, she would think about something else to do.

...

"So, these are the mines you were talking about? I can feel a lot of monster presence inside. No wonder you said that we would need purification. Even I would require a long time to clear this place out."

Mary looked at the delicate mine where Layla had led her and Raziel.

The mine had a small entrance, making it difficult for a large crowd to run out simultaneously.

But it was still big enough for three people to enter in there.

"I can clear out this mine as well, but it might take me a week, and some monsters might be able to hide from me. I see what you brought Raziel and insisted on him performing a spiritual purification."

Mary looked satisfied with the solution they had come up with, but Layla was more concerned about Raziel.

The teen had gone quiet as he felt around for the presence in here.

"Raziel, if you are feeling nervous, then tell us beforehand. We will give you some time to adjust and calm yourself down.

Performing purification when you are nervous will not work."

Layla ignored Mary's speech and turned her attention to the priest beside her.

Despite the nervousness on his face, Raziel had a determined expression.

"I am fine! I can do this! I can take care of these monsters for you, Lady Layla. Please, allow me to do so."

Raziel almost begged when he asked to be allowed to do the purification, but Layla had no intention of holding him back.

"Fine! Show me what you've got. Mary, you should hide somewhere and put up a barrier so you won't be affected. Or rather, head out of the range and care for the monsters they are trying to escape."

Layla ordered, and Mary's face lit up at those words.

"Sure thing, miss! Call me if you need my help, and I will hear you…probably. Stay safe, and I will see you once the purification is finished."

Mary ran out of the purification range so that it wouldn't affect her. She made it to safety in record time.