They were in a park that would normally be lively with playing children and their parents. But right now, there were only two presents.
Mysteriously, the two of them were standing in the very area that other people were currently avoiding, glaring at each other even though they used to be comrades. They both served the same master, were both given the title of one of the Twelve Zodiac's Guardians, and were powerful enough beings to be ranked among the top in the world.
Of the Heavenly Twelve Zodiac's Guardians there was: Fiona of the Aries Constellation. And opposite her was similarly of the Heavenly Twelve Zodiac's Guardians: Tayuya of the Capricorn Constellation.
They were both comrades with the title of one of the Twelve Zodiac's Guardians, but the two of them were facing off against each other with an atmosphere between them that was a far cry from what one would normally find between old friends.
Both of them had yet to launch an attack, but were mentally ready to respond to any strange movements the other made. They both had the resolution to launch a deadly attack at the other without hesitation even though they had been brethren in the past.
"Tayuya… Why are you here?"
"As if you don't know. All I desire are the lives of the Seven Maidens of Midgar. You should know that."
Tayuya responded to Fiona's question with a low, impure-sounding voice.
Tayuya's voice had a creepy echo to it, as if several people were speaking at once. Her mouth, which was normally what issued sound, didn't seem to move at all. Her voice seemed to reverberate directly in Fiona's ear, something that would be creepy and uncomfortable even if the one doing it was someone close.
Anyone with a normal amount of mental fortitude would probably have their sanity and spirit shaved away just by speaking with Tayuya. Doing so naturally caused psychological discomfort, like nails on a chalkboard. This discomforting effect was always present in her voice. Tayuya ate away at her opponent's sanity by confronting people, conversing with people, and even just by existing.
She was ranked highest among the few real demons that existed, an 'Archdemon' who struck fear into the hearts of others.
Fiona narrowed her eyes, thinking Tayuya's eeriness still hung around.
"Are you still allied with the grimmfolk for that end?"
"Mmm. I use them, and they use my power. Our objectives are aligned at the moment."
Hearing Tayuya's reply, Fiona put on a grim expression.
She did not find fault with wanting to bring down the Seven Maidens of Midgar. Fiona considered them enemies and hated them enough to want to kill them, as did all of the Twelve Zodiac's Guardians. In fact, Fiona wanted to support Tayuya in this endeavor.
However, Fiona did not like the fact that Tayuya was allying herself with the grimmfolk.
Fiona also once cooperated with one of the grimmfolk by the name of Vernal. But even then, she'd refused to be completely under Vernal's control. In the end, their interests had just aligned. She had never once fallen to the grimmfolk general's control.
"Fiona. I will once again ask you the same question as before. Come with me. Help me drive these hateful heroes to the depths of hell, my homeland."
"…Sorry, but I can't accept that invitation. I'll never be a subordinate to the grimmfolk, even if I die. My only master is Lady Naru."
"And I am the same. I will not tell you to pledge loyalty from the bottom of your heart. Just think of it as using them."
"Even so, I refuse. I don't even want to pretend to bow my head to the grimmfolk."
Tayuya and Fiona glared at each other, the atmosphere between them still one step away from going critical.
Tayuya wanted to count Fiona as an ally, even if she had to force Fiona into it. But Fiona was also one of the Twelve Zodiac's Guardians. It would be in no way an easy win. Weighing up the merits and demerits of such an action, Tayuya found more demerits.
That was the birth of this stalemate, and while the situation was one step away from bursting, it never did. It was a strange situation.
That was when Fiona threw a stone.
"Especially now that our master has come back to us. That's even more reason to not do something so unsightly."
"… ! So, that means the one who killed Vernal really was…!"
"Yes, it was Lady Naru. She isn't dead."
Their master was alive and well.
When she heard that, Tayuya's figure wavered. That was when Fiona offered her own invitation.
"This time, I'll ask you. Cut ties with the grimmfolk right now and come with me. The time has come for the Twelve Zodiac's Guardians to once again gather under Lady Naru."
"…I cannot do that yet."
"Tayuya!"
"To join back with my king… That would be nice. But if I do not destroy our sworn enemy, then history will just repeat itself. In order to return to my master's side, I must first send those hateful heroes to hell." Tayuya refused Fiona's invitation.
No, she simply stated that she couldn't accept it right this moment.
I still haven't killed those damn heroes. I have yet to massacre those fools who ruined my king's hegemony.
If I return without accomplishing that, our failures will only repeat. If I want to go back to my king's side, I must first crush those awful enemies of ours!
"My will is resolved! Look well, Fiona. I will be sure to remove Hinata's head and drive this country down to the depths of hell and chaos. I will offer my king hell and death and the screams of these fools! Then, I will eat through the grimmfolk from the inside and make them sacrifices to her."
If Naru herself were to hear that speech, she would no doubt have said, "Hey idiot, stop that!" But unfortunately, Tayuya, who had her passion lit after hearing news of her master's well-being, could not stretch her imagination that far.
No, she might actually have reached that conclusion, but she completely believed that killing the heroes would be good for her master. So she didn't stop. She wouldn't stop. She believed that the blood and destruction of her enemies would be the best offering, following the normally bloody lines of thought for a demon.
"Farewell, Fiona. Observe as I dye this country in madness, blood, and death alongside our great king."
After speaking her piece, Tayuya disappeared.
Fiona did not want to stop her. Killing the Seven Maidens of Midgar was the greatest wish of the Twelve Zodiac's Guardians. Fiona found no reason to stop Tayuya.
After seeing Tayuya off, Fiona pondered.
Should I tell my master about this…?
"Lady Naru doesn't like excessive killing and attacks on civilians, right…? So if I tell her, then of course she'll stop her… But the white half of this country are all people who would persecute Lady Naru…"
Let's just observe the people of the white town for now and figure out how we should act depending on their personalities and how they think.
If they no longer cling to the color of their wings, unlike the past, and have lost the unsightly tendency to discriminate against others, then I can just tell my master.
If I do, then my master–who loves peaceful people and hates needless death—will definitely stop Tayuya. But if they are still the same people who rejected my master, then…