With the awareness that the demons they would find from then on could be hostile and dangerous, Yoichi, Enatsu, and Shioko kept on advance on horseback.

The Crimson Lotus' camp disappeared behind them, crossing the hill. Small wooden stakes that outlined the dirt road travelled until that time disappeared after the downhill, giving way to a plain of reddish earth, decidedly drier than the previous biome. ??

The tireless Ichiro strongly supported its knight without ever complaining or asking for anything in return.

"The evening is coming, and the horses need to rest and quench their thirst. We have to hurry up and reach the village," Shioko affirmed, breaking the silence of the sunset. In addition to the sound of Taya's hooves trampling on dry ground, that of crickets and other insects intonating their loud melodies echoed through the scarce vegetation.

Along the road from northeast to southwest, the rough sea swayed in the distance to the left of the three travelers. To the right, however, the mountains had gained ground compared to the previous plain: the traces of landslides falling from the steep slopes were clearly visible, with huge boulders with angular tips and tree trunks broken in half.

Although the view was not very reassuring, what really worried Yoichi was the absolute lack of people. No one, besides them, was visible in the distance.

Now I understand the real reason Shioko wants to take a break. Staying out overnight, away from the Crimson Lotus plantation, can be very dangerous, Yoichi pondered. He noticed unusual anxiety in the expression of the red-haired tamer.

Darkness began to embrace the south of Tentochu, which in that area looked like a place light years away from the beauty of Goldhaven. The horses' pace became less and less fast due to their joints tried by the journey.

Enatsu, contrary to his usual, had never complained, waiting patiently to reach his destination. Just as he was about to open his mouth, a dim light appeared to the east.

Beyond a hill with steep slopes opened the coastal stretch: right there, on that huge beach of greyish sand, a small village.

"There it is, that's Blackborough!" Shioko rejoiced, waving Taya's bridles. "Hii!" the horse neighed, inciting the other two to get in the slipstream.

Isolated from everything else, about twenty wooden huts with thatched roofs were built next to each other. Beyond the village, a crumbling marina housed three fishing boats. historical

The greyish sand interspersed with stretches covered with pebbles and other sediments carried by the action of sea waves and small tufts of wild plants popped up here and there.

The proximity to the sea alone contributed to making the temperature milder and the air more humid: the land breeze coming from the top of the mountains flowed gently into the valley and caressed the sea's surface, swinging the torches hanging from the village wooden walls.

Inside the houses, yellow lights glowed in the windows, witnessing life in that godforsaken place. Riding to the right side of the village, moving from the main trajectory, Shioko headed for the ancient ruins shrouded in darkness.

As she said, what remained of an old observation tower, including a small fort at its feet, stood imposingly near the coastline.

"We're almost there. That's where we're headed," she affirmed, leading her companions. Enatsu and Yoichi narrowed their eyes, preventing sand lifted from the horses' hooves from blinding them during the rush.

"All the people in the village seem to be in their huts... are we sure that none of them can host us for the night? We can offer them a silver coin or..."

"The people of that place are not as hospitable as you think. Trust me, you'd regret not reaching the tower," Shioko abruptly interrupted, breaking Enatsu's speech.

Yoichi did not comment, taking a final gander at the village. The moon illuminated the greyish beach that stretched for tens and tens of kilometres to the north and south.

When they entered the shadow of the observation tower, the three warriors stopped the horses. Raising her hand in a decisive gesture, Shioko ordered them to stay behind.

The red-haired tamer came down Taya's back, stroking its coat. After whispering something in its ear, she left the reins. The horse behaved like a true human being, standing still and waiting for its rider.

"What the hell is she doing? Why did she tell us to stop? It could be dangerous in there..." Yoichi asked Enatsu, witnessing the scene.

As Shioko silently approached the tower's half-destroyed entrance, a white light was released from her chest. She uttered the name of her Oracle in a low voice, summoning it.

The airstream soaked in the same light swirled through the sand, lifting it from the ground in an upward spiral. Two large rounded wings flapped in quick succession, waiting for the rest of the body to take shape: a pair of long blue antennae unrolled upwards, followed by a long, tapered body, similar to that of a butterfly.

The sunflower-yellow eyes of the Hotasagi shone in the darkness along with the demon's tail, which perfectly emulated that of a firefly. Shioko's winged Oracle was much bigger than Kenji and Sora, and its colourful wings gave it a breathtaking look.

"Amazing... I had never seen the evolution of a Hotasuka..." Enatsu commented, gasping. The butterfly demon shrugged off the sand, turning to Shioko and lighting up the area.

"It is Nobu. Wait here while we'll go check the tower", she ordered, without allowing her interlocutors to respond.

Within seconds, Shioko and Nobu entered the tower through a rift in its walls. The partial collapse of the structure, however, did not seem to compromise its stability.

The light emanating from the Hotasagi penetrated the fractures of the rocks and the broken windows, allowing Shioko to move nimbly inside. After about a minute, her voice rumbled, "all right, you can come in."

Without thinking twice, motionless in the middle of nowhere, Yoichi and Enatsu followed their companion's voice inside the observation tower.

The ceiling of the entrance was partially broken, and the staircase leading to the upper floors had collapsed at the bottom, forming a heap of bricks and wet wood.