"As you can see, the nursery is made to be an ideal condition for molds to shed any traces of their ego and absorb the collective consciousness of fellows. When the daemon fully blooms, it sheds everything that was "them" and becomes the embodiment of their brand. They may incubate for a year or maybe a century - the time will come to everyone... However..."
"?"
"There are daemons who have left their cocoons way earlier. From what I've seen - it typically happens to the molds who haven't come to terms with their demise. These daemons retain some of their humanity, yet at their half-baked state - they're more than likely to become food for their seniors."
"I see..."
"... There are outliers though. Be it through sheer leftover will, hatred or monstrosity - they manage to strive in spite of their unfortunate condition. One of the outliers you might know is..."
"Is it the hunter in silver?"
"Yes. In spite of odds, they managed to claw their way. And it's due to their leftover humanity they ultimately yearned for freedom."
"Wouldn't that be an inconvenience to you, My Lord? Beings with such autonomy in the world of strict purposes, isn't it kind of a taboo?"
"Fret not, premature daemons while retain their ego, they do not retain their identity. It would be more akin to the feeling of endless seeking. No matter how much you seek it, you can't find it. No matter how much you try to remember, you always end up forgetting. It's a painful cycle."
"... Hm... So that's why they left?"
"..."
---
"What's our next destination?" Aden asks and Virgilia stretches.
"We'll be taking on an extermination... Perhaps it might be "phenomena" type of deal."
"Oh, you're still doing those? Guess you still have that spunk in you even after five years."
"..."
"So what's the deal with the extermination?"
"There is a rogue DAEMON of GLOOM terrorising the coastal region of west Grinwicke; so we must be careful when approaching it. It was said that it can manipulate those with an ailing heart."
"Shouldn't you be staying out of this? I mean, I personally don't consider myself like "that", but aren't you being too reckless?"
"..."
Seriously why does everyone talk about Virgilia like she's a saint?
I mean, she did save me on the request of Carolyn, and she seems to want to see the exorcism through... But why is everyone worried?
"... I'll be fine. Besides, there were several records of casualties caused by this rogue beast."
"..." Carmine looks at her skeptically, but then just lays down, turning her back against Virgilia "Kiddo, we might need to accelerate our training."
"Got it."
---
"So what was that dark carriage thing was all about, are they trying to hunt us back again? Didn't we already suffer enough from these bastards?"
"... Rambald won't stop until he gets a hold of me, I think we've been through this already."
"It's been what? Five years? Does he not know when to give up?"
"Unfortunately... Some people won't give up. Especially when it comes to their obsessions. Rambald... Is one of them."
~
"Bellamy, just let me claim it. There is nowhere you can simply run to. We have eyes everywhere and we control everything. Just let me be, please."
"Rot in hell, you creep!!"
~
"... I have another question to ask you: why do you still follow me? Associating with me has put a target on your backs as well, so wouldn't it be easier to retire?"
"Well, because we owe you, boss. You are the only remnant of sanity after his tyrannical overruling. You still stick to the morals that our master gave us before well... You know. Besides, we can't just un-associate you easily - you explained it yourself, didn't you. So we do or die. We won't let the captain sink on the ship alone!"
"Tch, guess I couldn't ask for a better crew. Guess the only issue is my loyalty to Virgilia then. She is already targeted by the Hunters of Magi, so dealing with my issues might be a massive pain in the arse."
"Well, even if you tried to leave, Virgilia wouldn't let you."
"You damn right."
"So we gotta stick together. If that bastard strikes again, we will repay him in kind."
---
"DAEMON of GLOOM?"
"Yes, this specimen has been terrorising locals. The danger rank is estimated to be three stars. However with you impeccable fencing skills, it should be less difficult of a fight. Do know that this specimen will slow down you and your comrades' movements and that any pity is lethal."
"Understandable."
"Of course, be on the lookout for vigilantes. They will be ruthless when it comes to preventing you from accomplishing your mission and they won't hesitate to kill you just to prove a point. Got it?"
"Yes sir."
"Oh, and beware of the Fungal Witch. Fighting her at close range is ill advised as she will immobilise you via spore puppetry. She is also usually accompanied by other notorious vigilantes which will pose danger, as they're noted to have high loyalty to her - persuading them is a losing game."
"Doesn't she also possess a runaway experiment?"
"E-M173, yes. They're extremely volatile and will NOT hesitate to kill you in general. They relish in carnage, so proceed with caution. Erase any connection you might have with the Hone Research Facility, as they were particularly cruel to them, killing over 29 on-field crew, which is no small feat."
"..."
"You're showing yourself to be a promising rookie cadet, Minerva. Even if you fail to exterminate the DAEMON of GLOOM personally, any intel you would gather is valuable."
"I won't disappoint you."
---
"Is that so?"
"Please, Mr. Argent! You gotta save my family! That evil daemon... It... It consumed them! Right before my eyes! And I couldn't look away, it even almost got me into its thrall! Please... Save them..."
"I'm afraid it's not possible. If a Daemon consumes a person just like how you described it to me, it's not possible to even retrieve a body. My true apologies."
"I know, but... I can't... Literally everyone I loved... Were killed... Mother... Father... My baby sister... They were all dissolved in its clouds... How can I live like this..."
"... I might not be able to save your family, but I will try to prevent further casualties. I think... My master told me about that daemon."
"Really? You would do that?!"
"It is my job to exterminate rogue daemons."
"Thank you, Mr. Argent!"
---
Walking around in the library, going through a routine of grabbing random books to pass the time, I notice that one of them talks about magic for dummies.
Wha? How?
I know this is a library, but besides "him", I don't think there are any magicians... Not even that incompetent disgrace of a guild.
Can I?... Even pick this?...
~
"Good grief, I'm so glad that you're not a magician. I swear these people just don't have breaks in their lives. I'm so lucky that you at least get to experience a relatively peaceful one instead."
~
If she finds this, she'll probably kill me.
"What are you looking at, miss?"
"Gwah!! Don't scare me like that."
"Oh I'm so sorry, little lady, my apologies. Are there any specific books you're looking for?"
"Uh... No! I think I found one! But I'm afraid I won't be able to take it home, can I "nominally" rent this?"
""Novice guide to magic"... Sure! I think it's an interesting read for non-magicians to see how they operate. I heard it was written by someone who wanted people to experience magic, but unfortunately it didn't seem to work as they hoped. Heard it was a general briefing of how magicians operate."
"Hmm..."
Well, I was looking for something to pass time, so I suppose it won't hurt even if it doesn't work.