What... had that sound been?
Confusion flickered in Alice's eyes. Before she could think, she heard a piercing sound.
"Screech—"
Alice's attention was drawn over, and only then did she realize that, for some reason, the Demon Hound had dug its front claws firmly into On The Ground, Braking Sharply in the middle of its unfinished pounce.
The Demon Hound's claws carved a deep furrow into On The Ground. Its forward-leaning body nearly toppled over from the momentum, but no matter what, it barely managed to stop.
Then, before Alice and Evelyn could react, it turned and Ran Away. It moved so quickly as though some terrifying Monster were chasing it.
Alice climbed up from On The Ground in confusion and watched the Demon Hound leave.
She looked at Evelyn, who was still sitting On The Ground. Evelyn happened to meet her gaze and asked in a shaken voice, "What... was that just now?"
"...Go to the Church of Evernight and say you encountered a 'Devil,'" Alice said evenly, lowering her lashes after giving Evelyn a glance. "Someone will explain it to you."
"You're with the Church?" Evelyn asked.
Alice did not answer Evelyn's question. She walked over to Evelyn and, ignoring her flinching and trembling, touched her body to inspect her wounds—fortunately, they looked like nothing more than superficial injuries.
Alice looked up at Evelyn's expression, which was slightly calmer than before, and Pondered. "I used to be."
"Used to be?" Evelyn repeated, her eyes blank.
"Can you stand?" Alice did not answer Evelyn's question. She pushed herself up with one hand, then extended the other down to Evelyn.
After hesitating for a moment, Evelyn Gripped Alice's hand. Alice noticed that Evelyn's palm was clammy and cold; she had clearly been badly frightened.
Once Evelyn braced herself against the