A Demon's Journey

Laura was depressed today. It had been nearly one week since this gravity array training started. All her close comrades here had gotten used to the gravity arrays yet she hadn't.

Even Yrellea and Noah had gotten used to these gravity arrays.

Yrellea realized her friend was sad and went over to cheer her up, but no matter what she said, she couldn't make her feel better.

Laura laid under a tree as she gazed in the direction of Noah and saw how he was even running while his body was under the influence of the Gravity Arrays.

Sargan and Ralph could run quickly even under the influence of the gravity arrays as well.

Laura was somewhat jealous of them. She wondered if it was because she was an elf that her strength was rising so slowly.

At a distance, Tiana looked at Laura. She had an emotionless look on her face.

Unlike Azaroth's other retainers, she had basically been threatened and then brought here. Although she had somewhat gotten used to her surroundings and living arrangements, it didn't mean she liked it yet.

But she never complained to Azaroth about these things. Because she owed him a massive favor.

He healed her body of that terrifying poison. Although it was for his own motives, the fact didn't change that she didn't need to experience that excruciating pain every day.

Moreover, she didn't have to be worried about being poisoned by someone here. This was another fact that truly relieved her.

For this reason, she was following all of Azaroth's orders here.

She also tried to maintain a good relationship with everyone here. Tiana had seen how Azaroth placed Josephine under his hypnotic control, there was little chance Jonas could find her.

Tiana reasoned that since she will be living here for the foreseeable future, it would be better to maintain amicable relations with everyone.

Now that she saw Laura somewhat distressed, she was thinking of how to help her.

Soon enough, it was lunchtime.

Azaroth usually ate together with his retainers. He would ask them how they were training. Depending on the method narrated by the person, Azaroth would give them a few tips on how they could train more efficiently.

Their training would then show results much quicker.

The only one who never asked Azaroth any question was Laura. She wasn't happy with this training method and felt it was forcing the body too much.

There was no point in training the body if the enemies couldn't near her at all. This was her view on this point.

Many long-range combatants, in fact, would agree with her. The majority of them would continue to hone the abilities in which they excel. This resulted in speedy results, which thrilled them.

As a result, when asked to practice in non-traditional training methods, these individuals would vehemently object.

Once the lunch was over, Tiana called out for Laura, "Laura, can we talk?"

Laura was quite surprised to hear Tiana call out for her.

Even though Tiana had a good relationship with everyone, she was quite introverted. She wouldn't usually talk to someone else.

Thinking that it might be serious, Laura nodded her head, "Alright. Let's go near the tree where I rest."

Soon enough, the two girls were under a large tree.

Laura was the one to ask the question first, "What is it you wanted to talk about, Big Sister Tiana."

Tiana smiled slightly and spoke, "It's about you."

"About me?"

"Yes. I noticed how you seemed depressed. Is it because you still haven't gotten used to these gravity arrays?" Once Tiana asked this question, a frown appeared on Laura's face.

"…I apologize, big sister but I am not in the mood to talk about it." Laura was also normally very polite with Tiana but right now, she appeared distressed.

She really didn't want to talk about that topic with anyone.

Tiana, however, didn't budge from her spot. She looked neutral as if she had expected Laura's response.

"If you say so, I won't talk about it. But remember that if you don't talk, it will keep building up in your mind. The difference between you and everyone else will just keep widening. Just listen to my words and decide whether they are right or not." After speaking so much, Tiana took a small pause.

She observed Laura and noticed that she was looking at her curiously. Once Tiana knew that she had Laura's entire attention, she continued speaking, "I am sure you feel distressed that you can't get used to the gravity arrays. You must even feel jealous when you look at the guys who are running around."

There was a frown on Laura's face as she heard Tiana. This was true but she knew that herself as well. She wanted a solution and not someone to keep on repeating this question again and again to her.

The thing she wanted even less was for someone like Yrellea to try and motivate her.

"In my opinion, the fact you still can't find a solution to this issue even after staying depressed for an entire day shows that you are really stupid." Tiana began off by berating Laura.

Those words displeased Laura quite a bit but she still kept her mouth shut and continued to hear Tiana, "You are sad because you haven't gotten used to the gravity array. But what right do you have to feel sad when you haven't even tried at all."

"What? I did try-" Before Laura could even finish her words, Tiana raised her arm.

"Don't kid yourself into thinking you did your best. Once you feel that your body is slightly tired, you will immediately lay on the ground. You never try to get up from the ground on your own. It's always either Yrellea or someone near you who helps you to get up from the ground."

"Also, instead of ever asking help from Azaroth, you just try to discredit the training method because you aren't proficient in it." Tiana mercilessly stated her thoughts about Laura.

Laura looked quite shocked and replied while looking at the ground, "T-That's not true."

Tiana though snorted in return, "But this is true. You think that you are still in your Elf Kingdom where the people will obey your orders. And since Azaroth ignores your words or suggestions, you wanted to ignore his training regimen since, in your opinion, it will be useless for you."

"However, now you see how it had helped Noah and others and it makes you jealous of them. Internally, you feel regret why you hadn't trained. If you had done so, you would also be enjoying the fruits of your labor."

Tiana had basically broken down Laura's entire character with those sentences.

It was so detailed that Laura was utterly speechless. She had no excuses to give this time.

Laura gently asked Tiana, "…What do I do then, big sister? You have observed me in such detail. You must have a solution."

"Solution? You have it with you for a long time. The only thing you lacked was the motivation or the willingness to put your pride aside and follow his orders." Tiana spoke while rolling her eyes.

"I know this as well, big sister. But it's not so easy…" Laura spoke with a hint of helplessness, "I get really nervous and it prevents me from speaking my mind. At that moment, I feel as if it will be okay to give up."

Hearing Laura's words, Tiana sighed out. Then, a very serious look appeared on her face, "Nervousness? You mean, you forget about the chronic illness of your little brother because of something as worthless as nervousness? Wasn't he so precious to you that you disobeyed your mother's orders and left the Elf Kingdom? Were you not nervous at that time? I am sure you were. But that didn't stop you. So why is it stopping you now?!"

Laura was completely taken aback when she heard those comments. She had never considered it from this perspective before.

This time, Tiana was speaking a little more fiercely, "Tell me, if the situation goes on like this, do you think you can even help your brother in time? What if Azaroth refuses to take you to the Elf Kingdom because of your bad attitude? What will you do then?!"

Laura cowered as she heard Tiana's fierce tone. She didn't think Tiana would lose her calm and begin shouting at her.

But she wasn't angry at Tiana. She wasn't stupid enough to not recognize that Tiana was shouting at her for her own good.

"From what I have noticed, Azaroth allows us freedom as long as we follow his orders and become stronger. If you continue to disobey him or try to act over-smart, your chances of saving your brother will be really low."

"If you feel embarrassed or feel that your pride is hurt then remember your brother. Remember that you have to save him!"

Soon enough, Tiana was done speaking.

There was a short period of silence.

Tiana suddenly bowed politely and spoke gently, "That's all I had to say. I sincerely apologize if my words hurt you but I really hope instead of wallowing in despair, you would actually try hard."

"Thank you for listening to me, Laura." Tiana turned around and left the area.

Laura remained underneath the tree with a slightly happy smile on her face.

'It's been such a long time since someone scolded me other than mother.'

Tiana would have had a heart attack if she learned she had actually reprimanded and shouted at the princess of the Elf Kingdom.

Other than Azaroth, no one else knew that Laura was actually an Elf Kingdom's Princess. Everyone else had been informed that she had a unique identity in the Elf Kingdom. They all figured that she was probably Noble's daughter.

The difference between a Noble Heir and a Royal Descendant was the difference between Heaven and Earth.

As a woman who had married into a Marquis' Family, Tiana understood that much quite well.

Because her previous identity was Marquis' Wife, she wasn't opposed to reprimanding Laura while thinking of her identity as the daughter of a Noble Elf. Even if it was only for a short time, Tiana had grown accustomed to conversing with Nobles and could hold a regular conversation with any Noble Family member.

The Royal Family was another matter altogether.

They ruled an entire nation and no matter how great a Noble Family's prestige was, it couldn't compare with that of the Royal Family.

Laura tried to get up on her feet without any help.

She mustered all her force in her legs and stood up.

Once she was on her feet, she began to walk towards Yrellea.

Yrellea was surprised to see Laura coming towards herself.

She immediately walked towards Laura and asked her with some concern evident in her voice, "Are you alright? Your face looks pale. Maybe you shouldn't force your body too much, Laura."

Laura was feeling slightly guilty when she heard Yrellea's concern-filled voice. She lowered her head and sincerely spoke, "I apologize elder sister. I haven't been nice to you these days. I promise to never be rude to you."

Yrellea laughed and flicked Laura's forehead, saying, "You little girl, you think I mind those minor things? You really look down on your elder sister. Now tell me, are you fine?"

"Mhm~ I am really okay. I actually feel better than ever. Please help me train, elder sister. I want to grow strong too."

And thus, Laura began her training seriously as well.