Chapter 71: The Rescue

Edward rested deeply when he saw the traces of fire in the town he had been to. There is no doubt that it was made by the demon he had been looking for. He needs to get revenge on this demon and if he is lucky, he just hope he recovers the student he took it from, a long time ago... This walk is personal to him. He looked around and saw a girl crying. It was in the corner of a burning pillar of a house. He walked closer to it. He bent down and looked at the girl. It was as if he suddenly remembered Alice when he found her before. She was orphaned by her parents and family because she was attacked by a demon. It was the only survivor because he came and his student rightly and set it on fire. He took a deep breath.

"Child, what happened here?" he asked.

The child slowly looked up. It is very dirty and full of charcoal on the face and body. Its face was soaked with tears.

"A- A man came here... Then, then... Suddenly his body caught on fire. He burned everything." she cried.

Edward looked at the child curiously.

"Child, how did you survive the fire?" he asked curiously.

"M-My parents hid me in the bathroom."

Edward rested deeply. He stared at the child more.

"The man you are talking about is a demon. Still, you do not have to be afraid of him. I will give you protection. Put it on."

Out of his pocket he took a cross necklace.

"This necklace is blessed with holy water. Moreover, its cross itself is marked with holy symbols. You will not be able to be hurt or approached by the devil when you wear it."

The girl looked carefully at the necklace he was holding and then looked at his face again. Moments later, her gaze suddenly deepened.

"Damn you, exorcist!"

It suddenly released a loud spell. And Edward couldn't avoid that. The girl's appearance suddenly changed. It got old and there were black stripes on the face. Laughing, it looked at him.

"As expected, exorcist... You bite into our trap." the woman said.

"W-Witch!" Edward's difficult language.

He could not move because the spell that hit him paralyzed the body. He did not expect it to happen.

"You are right, exorcist. I am a sorcerer... Evil sorcerer. We who believe in the power of darkness are your mortal enemy. I would like to kill you, right now... But my demon boss told me that he needs you."

"W-Who's your boss?"

The woman laughed softly and sarcastically.

"King Paimon-one of the Kings of Hell. One of Lucifer's most faithful disciples. I know you've been looking for him for a long time because you want to retaliate. But I'm sorry, because that will never happen."

It laughed again. From her pocket, she stole some black powder. It threw it at Edward and the old exorcist fainted.

"Maybe you're strict and rude... But you still have a weak compassion, especially for children... Huh, it's too late."

Meanwhile... Rusty was very depressed as she looked at her Aunt Alice's face. She is at her house now because her Dad said, it has something important to do with Kief. She is in her room now and they are lying on the bed.

"Do you want to ask something?" Her aunt asked.

"Auntie, please don't be mean if I will ask this... Why haven't you had a boyfriend yet? You have a lot of suitors but you didn’t pay attention to them." she asked hesitantly.

Her Aunt is beautiful... Besides, she is also kind. An awkward smile appeared on Alice's lips. She sighed deeply before she looked at her niece's face. She hug the pillow.

"You know, I'm waiting for someone. Until now, I hope he comes back and I'll see him again."

"Really? What's his name?"

"He's John Gray Mist..." Alice smiled as she mentioned that name.

It was a long time since she last uttered the man's name because they were not talking about it. Rusty suddenly thought.

"Is he related to Sir Orphen?" she asked.

"He is Orphen's older brother..."

"Ha?!"

Rusty was shocked. Her uncle Clemen and his friend Orphen never mentioned to her about John.

"I know you're surprised. We haven't talked about him since he disappeared..."

"disappeared?"

"He was your grandfather’s student. And John became close to him... Just so, they face a strong demon. That demon, took John, since then we have not seen him. That is why Orphen became a good exorcist because he wanted to find and recover John from that demon. Like him, I also hope John is still alive. Your Grandfather was saddened by that incident... Until now, he has not stopped looking for John."

Rusty was saddened by what she found out.

"That is why grandpa didn’t take another student?"

"You're right. He blames himself for what happened. He said he was not able to protect his student. He doesn't seem to care but he was very much affected on what happened to John... But I don't blame him. It just so happened that the demon was strong and John just protected his brother Orphen so he fell into the demon’s trap and got him."

Rusty was silent. She can't imagine the feeling of taking the person you care about.

"You know, John is a good person. When I was young, Kuya Constantine, Kuya Clemen and Orphen often left me. They didn't want to include me in their game because they said I was a girl. I always chase them and they always run after me. Until I just cry in the corner because I will be left alone and no one can play. Then, John suddenly comes... He will calm me down and he will present to be my playmate. Whenever I get tired, he carries me behind his back. He also always makes me laugh when I am sad, especially when I remember my parents and my family gone. He always says that everything will be fine. You know, because of that... Even though I was young, I liked him. I hope so, he come back again. I want to hear his voice again and what he always says 'Everything will be fine too'." Alice smiled.

Rusty was infected with her Aunt's smile. She could not blame it then. But where is John? Is it still alive? But even she, could not find an answer.

"Sorry Aunt, you became sad."

"It's Okay."

Meanwhile... Clemen was a little surprised when his older brother Constantine suddenly came to Orphen's house with his student Kief. Grimm and Victor were stopped from sparring. Orphen stopped them. Clemen approached his older brother.

"Is there a problem?" asked Clemen.

"Father left."

"Now?"

"He did the personal search of that devil again, he saw a clue and I think, he went to the place where the alleged devil attacked. But I doubt this one. Because after so many years, why now does it suddenly show up for no reason? I guess this is a trap..." Constantine began.

Clemen threw the cigarette he was smoking in the corner.

"And you think old man doesn't know that?"

Constantine took a deep breath.

"He knew, but he preferred to risk."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. He has been gone for a week and that is not normal. He is in danger. Here are the papers I got from his office."

Clemen took that and read the file there. There is also a picture. Orphen was silent. Until now he blames what happened to his older brother John. He secretly followed it when he was young... It has a mission with its teacher Edward Leigh. The devil saw him and used him as a hostage. The mission was ruined because of him. Until now, his teacher blames himself of what happened to his older brother but he is really the real culprit. He is the real guilty.

"Old man is in danger." Clemen just said.

Constantine sighed deeply.

"According to the information gathered by Kief, a stronghold was built by a strong demon in this area... This demon is King Paimon-one of Lucifer's most faithful disciples who was one of the Seven Prince of Hell and who took John back then." Constantine added.

Orphen took a deep breath.

"In that case, let's save your father. Let's go to that devil." he said.

Clemen smiled at it. After that, he turned to Victor and Grimm who were just listening intently.

"You two, get ready because we have a big mission. We will definitely get into a fight."

The two smiled at the same time.

"All right!" Victor replied.

It has been a long time since he was last fought. And if King Paimon is their opponent, war will definitely happen. Meanwhile, Grimm was silent. He knew Paimon was a very cruel demon. It is also cunning and deceptive. He took a deep breath, he still remembers... It used to call him a plague and it often kicked him literally. He clenched his fists tightly as he remembered the cruelty he had suffered here. He felt even more the hurtful words it conveys. It all stings in his brain. He was shocked to see that all those with him were already looking at him. Then he noticed that a thick mist had surrounded his body and that his surroundings were frozen. And he was unconscious with that.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help but get angry..." he apologized.

"It looks like that. Just reserve that anger in the fight." the language is Constantine.

"Yes."

It is understandable that Victor looked at his friend. He also has bad memories of that arrogant King Paimon. This is one of those who made his scars on his arms. He simply unbuttoned the sleeve of his jacket. There is a unique mark there that will set everything apart. An X. He is said to be one of the devils that needs to be erased. That King Paimon said.

"Grimm and I will erased you." his language was weak.

Meanwhile... Edward woke up from a nap. He was no longer surprised when he found the dark and dirty prison where he was. He looked at his hands, he was wearing a chain with a mark of darkness so he could not release a pentagram. He looked around and frowned when he saw the adjacent cell. There is also a confined person there. That alone is obviously a long time in prison. His clothes were torn and his whole body was dripping with dirt. The mark of the whip on his back was still fresh. His hair is long and dirty and messy. Its hands and feet are chained. The chains also include heavy balls. Obviously, they do not want to release the captive. It was just quiet as it sat in the corner. He could not see much of its face because its messy hair was hidden.

Edward heard footsteps approaching and it stopped opposite the other cell.

"How are you, John? Will you still be stubborn? How long will you fight me?"

John did not say a word and looked sharply at Paimon. While Edward was stunned by what he heard. Is this his student?! King Paimon approached him. He is tall and looks like a normal person. It has short blonde hair and grey eyes that look like snakes.