A few weeks went by after the incident with the guards that night. The rumours and gossip have also started to die down since then, which allows me to move more safely within the kingdom.

"I can finally put that gold to good use," I tell myself.

I head out of the crumbling and abandoned building. A humble homemade farm is growing crops off to the side. I started this farm a while ago to survive and lessen my need to go out stealing or buying food.

Despite a singular person living there, the area has weeds and is overgrown with nature's foliage. It was deliberately done to avoid drawing people's attention within the kingdom.

Grabbing my cloak, I set off to a nearby market to restock some necessary items.

Unfortunately, getting a job to earn money would be impossible. As seen by the guard's reaction, people will discard me as a demon and try to end my miserable life. That leads me to depend on the only thing I can do. That is stealing. If I had the option to not resort to it, I would, but life is unfair, and I have too many unanswered questions to die just yet.

Where did I come from?

What exactly am I?

Why do I not have memories of my past?

And last, why do I not have magical abilities?

If I truly am a demon, that would probably make me the most harmless demon in the history of this world.

Leaving the kingdom is also not an option. The hidden kingdom of Arcana, infamous for its high-quality demon-hunting assassins, was commissioned and stationed outside the barriers of this kingdom because of the ongoing demon rumours.

There is no doubt that it is my fault. Years of mistakes and learning to keep myself hidden have made my escape near impossible and drawn the attention of a third party.

Luckily, Arcana deals with demon matters outside the kingdom. The guards are responsible for protecting everything within the limits of the kingdom. Coping with the guards is way less risky than dealing with Arcana assassins qualified for demon hunting.

"I will admit, it is getting harder and harder to keep myself hidden from these people. My time is running out." I tell myself.

As I journeyed forth, my path wound its way past quaint homesteads, verdant fields tended by diligent farmers, and stretches of open land bathed in the soft light of the afternoon sun. Eventually, I reached the first defensive walls of the kingdom, where the comfortable abodes of the middle class stood.

A merchant passes by me. A man in his middle age is being pulled on a cart by a creature with six horse-like legs.

Quietly, I jump on the back of the cart and hide behind one of the containers, a fabric tarp covering me from sight.

The merchant makes his way to the gate, where a guard asks him for his permit. After approval, the cart resumes its movement, entering the first inner layer of the kingdom.

Success.

I've memorized the days when outside merchants came to the kingdom which had a good reputation, so their goods were not regularly inspected. It has certainly benefited me in the long run.

Timing my escape perfectly, I jump out of the cart swiftly without being spotted and immediately stay within the shadowed parts of the houses.

I take a deep breath and study my surroundings.

Before me lies a grand and spacious marble roadway, which serves as the primary route within the kingdom. Towering trees with expansive canopies dot the sides of the road, casting intermittent shadows upon the polished marble bricks below.

The kingdom itself is perched atop a mountain and comprises three distinct plateaus. The first plateau is home to a bustling array of houses and marketplaces and can be seen stretching out before me.

As the main road slopes upward in the distance, a second gate comes into view, marking the entrance to the kingdom's second plateau - a locale reserved for the upper crust of society.

Finally, the third plateau is dominated by the grandiose castle of the king himself. Gleaming white bricks and ornate gold accents shimmer in the light, almost overwhelming to the senses.

It is no wonder that the kingdom of Aelius is renowned for its beauty and thriving trade, drawing visitors from far and wide. It is where most merchants come to sell their goods. Thus, most information gets exchanged between all the kingdoms. Well, all except for Arcana.

Funny, the history books only mention four kingdoms, not five.

As I approach the blacksmith's shop, I feel the ground beneath my feet vibrates with every strike of the hammer. The wooden door, aged by years of use, creaks open, allowing a gust of heat and the smell of iron to rush out. The shop is dimly lit, with flickering flames dancing around the forge, casting shadows on the walls. 

The blacksmith stands next to the anvil, his muscular arms swinging the hammer with practised precision. His skin, rough from years of handling red-hot metal, bears the marks of his trade. He notices my presence and turns towards me, revealing a warm smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes.

"Well, I was wondering when I got to see my most prized customer!" the man says, scratching his beard.

"Cut the pleasantries I came to pay off the order I made a while ago," I say coldly.

"Yes, of course." The man replies, "However, I cannot help but be suspicious of you. You disappear for weeks when rumours of demons go around and only return once they die down. Neither have I seen your full face, despite you regularly returning to my shop."

"If you suspect me of being a demon, it's quite humorous. Why would a demon need weaponry imbued with magic cores?"

"I suppose that is true, hey. I can't imagine those creatures having to depend on something we created from them," the blacksmith muses.

"Then what is your secret, madam? Surely now you can exchange some information with me. I might even add a special item for you, free of charge." the man bribes.

So nosy, I guess I would be too.

I pondered the offer and deliberated on my response. The man eagerly waited for my reply.

"If you must know, I never once awakened. Therefore, I rely on imbued weaponry to survive." I reply. It is not a lie, just not the entire truth.

"Truly? That would explain your reoccurring visits and why you never bought a more permanent weapon. Most weapons you buy are for one-time use, such as smoke daggers. The core breaks once you use it. However, permanent weapons need the user to imbue them with magic to be used more than once. Which you do not have."

"Yes, exactly," I confirm.

"However, why do you hide your face and not seek medical help? It is unheard of for someone not to have awakened." The man continues to pry.

"I'd rather not disclose more information to you." I halt the questioning.

"Very well... I guess that is all I deserve to know. Thank you for sharing." The man says, I give him the gold I stole, and he turns and grabs a box from the shelves where orders are held and gives the box to me. It has a bit of weight to it.

"As promised, I'll throw in a little extra good for you," the man says while handing me a second, smaller box.

It is too small and lightweight to hold a combat item. A feeling stirs within me: excitement and curiosity for the item in the box.

a Present?

This must be the feeling children feel when they receive a gift from their parents.

"Thank you," I say stoically, trying not to reveal the excitement in my voice.

As I walked out of the shop, I felt the weight of the two boxes in my hand. I decided to take a shortcut through a dark alleyway to get to my destination. When I opened the first box I had ordered, I was greeted by a long steel dagger. 

It seemed like a very ordinary weapon, devoid of any magical powers or enchantments. However, it was a rare sight to see such items sold in shops or carried around. The blade was sharp, and the hilt was wrapped in leather, providing a good grip.

 I inspected it closely, making sure it was in top condition. The dagger felt sturdy and well-balanced, and I knew it would come in handy in many situations. Therefore, I had to order one from the blacksmith after I had lost my previous one to an owl that mistook it for a silver snake.

Stupid owl.

Next to the regular dagger are three tiny balls. More specifically, smoke balls. Upon impact, they burst into clouds of smoke. Effective for escaping situations like guards and such.

My eyes turn to the second box.

What could you be?

 Upon opening the box, I curiously took out the silver necklace with a purple core attached to it. a teleportation necklace that can be used to teleport the user when they are in danger. This is also a one-time-use item, but certainly a useful one.

I smile, and even though this item will break after use, I'll still cherish it. It was my first gift, after all.

A sudden commotion disrupts my thoughts, and I turn my head towards the main street. Curiously, I peeked around the wall of the alleyway to see what was causing all the commotion. I grab the dagger and the smoke balls and tuck them safely into my pocket as I head my way closer towards the noise.

A crowd formed all along the sides of the white main street. Many men are whispering under their breaths, and the young women swoon at the subject of this disturbance.

Struggling to make out what is going on, I stand on a nearby pile of boxes to get a better view.

As I gaze down the street, I notice a striking figure approaching a magnificent obsidian horse. The man's hair is expertly slicked back, and his chiselled features enhance his already handsome visage. His attire is that of nobility, with black and gold embellishments accentuating his regal ensemble. Despite the crowd's interest, he appears indifferent to their attention, exuding an air of cool detachment. This is a man of stone-cold composure.

His head turns, and his eyes lock with mine. His eyes are like a raging fire, yet shrouded in darkness and void, empty of any emotion. Fear grips my throat, and my legs start to shake. Instinct starts to take over as I stumble down the boxes and make a dash for it, away from the crowd and people.

Out of breath, I crash into another shadowed part of the building, trying to stay hidden from possible eyes. His eyes flash into my mind, and my body starts to shiver once more. I am not sure why, but my body is screaming at me to stay away from that man at all costs.

Alerted, I hear people's whispers. Turning my head to the window next to me, I can see people in the shop. It is a floral shop, and two women seem to be talking.

"My goodness, did you see that man? I did not expect the Duke Prince of Arcana to be so handsome," one woman remarks.

"I know, right? This is the first time he came to see the King, yes? The demon situation must be getting out of hand within the kingdom."

"Yes, apparently, with the annual contest coming around, the King decided to pay Arcana extra to protect the civilians and the participants. The whole kingdom will be under watch, both inside and outside. Something Arcana does not usually do."

Fuck me.

In a hurry, I quickly walk towards the entrance gate of the first inner walls. As I approach, I notice the Prince Duke on the main road heading towards the second entrance. Everyone seems to be preoccupied, including the guards. The streets are abuzz with rumours about the enigmatic Duke. I decide to take advantage of the distraction and make a swift escape through the main gate.

I rush back home without being seen by anyone and crash into the wooden door of the abandoned building. I lay there, trying to focus on my breathing and calm myself down. I can feel my heart beating out of my chest.

What do I do?

I have no hope of hiding here during the upcoming contest. The Arcana assassins will be present throughout the entire kingdom, making it impossible to escape or enter without being killed. Furthermore, the contest will attract warriors from all over the kingdoms, especially since the Prince Duke himself will be present! Nobody will want to miss the chance to see the infamous and elusive duke of this hidden kingdom.

Think! How do I survive this?

Wait, Arcana is here to protect the civilians and the participants? It is risky, but maybe joining the contest could increase my chances of survival. I doubt they would suspect a demon to take part in the contests, right?

Every year the contest is held at the kingdom. I usually take those opportunities to steal the equipment of the participants so I know how the contests are usually laid out as well.

If I remember correctly the contest usually consists of a total of three rounds, and the King also provides housing to the participants who pass the second round. That should allow me to hide within the castle walls, completely away from prying eyes outside.

It's risky, but it is the best I can come up with.

The second problem is how to survive this contest. It is like asking an owl to hunt a shark in the deep ocean. The best I can do is prepare myself with magical equipment to survive the first and second rounds. I do not need to win; I only need to stay hidden long enough till the contest is over.

This is going to be a difficult one to get out of.