The corpse hit the ground with a heavy thud. Then the campfire flared explosively, and tens of thousands of coins came rushing out again, forming that Demon Face. It stared wide-eyed at Shade and the young witch:
"Look at you, killing your own companion."
But it was not condemning their actions:
"Actually, I can recycle corpses too. Corpses can be exchanged for coins."
Miss Higgins raised a hand, and the boy's corpse spontaneously combusted. Within seconds, it had burned into black charcoal:
"Though he tried to murder me, I will not give his corpse to a Demon. That is the difference between me, an elegant, noble, and perfect witch, and a lowly thing like him."
She did collect the boy's remaining two coins. She had originally wanted to split them with Shade, one each, but Shade waved them away:
"Consider it compensation for his attempt to murder you."
Miss Higgins snorted and did not refuse.
"If you will not give me his body, do you think I cannot take his soul? When he came back just now, he agreed to sell his soul to me!"
The laughing Demon suddenly inhaled. The boy's terrified soul appeared in the black mist, then flew uncontrollably toward that mouth made of coins.
Shade and Miss Higgins frowned at the same time. The Great Sin Chains shot out again and caught the soul by the ankle. Miss Higgins softly offered a prayer, and countless golden cross symbols flew from behind her, protecting Shade, Granny Miles, the boy's soul, and the witch herself.
Not allowing Demons to take away any soul was the consensus of all Ring Arcanists and witches. Even an enemy with whom one held a deep and bitter grudge should not become a Demon's prize after death. Good or evil had nothing to