An eerie smile covered Rosa’s face.

Scarlett stared at the woman. Some instincts hidden deep down were screaming to run away, but her gaze was locked inside Rosa’s pitch-black eye sockets. They were like a void of nothingness, yet it felt as if they were hiding something terrible just beneath the surface.

Scarlett pulled herself out of whatever trance-like state they lured her into, and Rosa stepped forward with an almost unnatural grace. Scarlett had to stop herself from backing away.

“Oh, this is delightful~” a dangerously charming voice rang out from the woman. It sent shivers down Scarlett’s spine. “I had my suspicions…but you already knew I was here, didn’t you? How interesting. How quaint.”

There was a devouring sense of terror that bore down upon her as the woman approached, unlike anything she’d ever experienced. It pushed against all her mental defenses, and even with the entirety of her being rebelling against it, all her effort was needed just to maintain a mask of calm.

“Baroness Scarlett Hartford,” Rosa hummed. “You are an interesting one. It’s been quite entertaining, watching you frolic about with little dear Rosalina on your adventures. A pleasant diversion from my usual leisure.”

Scarlett grit her teeth. She had hoped it wouldn’t come to this anytime soon. This wasn’t a being one could frivolously deal with and hope for getting out unharmed. Even stuck in Rosa’s body, it was clear this being could end Scarlett in a heartbeat. And it wouldn’t hesitate to do so either. She couldn’t reveal even an ounce of weakness here. Showing confidence was vital.

“…Is that so?” she pressed out.

“Very much so. I especially enjoyed that forest you visited a while back. The Wandering Realm is ever so exciting. Even insignificant hovels like that.” Rosa stopped, then looked down at Shin’s still body, lying on top of the dead warg. “Oh? He doesn’t seem in good shape. Don’t you think he needs some help?”

Scarlett glanced down at the bloody and beaten Shin.

“Yes…” she said slowly. “But I suppose you would not care to be the one to lend it?”

Rosa placed a finger against her chin, a contemplative look on her face. “Ah, but our dear Rosalina is the one who’s obsessed with those healing songs of hers. It is oh so endearing, seeing all of her fruitless efforts. But I’m afraid you wouldn’t like the result if I were to help instead.”

“…I see.” How long did Shin have? Would the health potions even be enough? “I am certain Miss Hale could resolve this situation,” Scarlett said. “If you were to allow her to return.”

A short, chilling laugh left Rosa’s mouth. “No, I don’t think so. I haven’t quite had my fun yet, you see. And he still has a few minutes to enjoy what remains of his pitiful existence.”

Scarlett scowled as she studied the woman. It was doubtful she would let her give Shin health potions to buy more time. Judging from the atmosphere radiating from Rosa, even asking could mean death.

But letting Shin bleed out wasn’t an option either.

She had to deal with it in another way.

“I wonder…” Rosa stepped away from Shin and closer to Scarlett. “How did you know about me? Seldom can a human face me and remain this calm, even when in one of these dainty flesh-toys. What little secrets is that tiny head of yours hiding?”

Scarlett met her dark eyes. “…Surely you do not expect me to tell you?”

Rosa smiled. “No, that wouldn’t be very fun, would it? Besides, I can’t depart without leaving a gift for Rosalina.” The smile morphed into a frightening grin, and she started drifting around Scarlett. “I wonder what face she’ll make this time?”

Scarlett froze at the inexplicable picture that arose with those words, one which threatened to cause bile to rise into her mouth. A silent premonition, and a promise. One that bore no objection.

Still, Rosa wouldn’t be able to hurt her. If it came to it, Scarlett knew a surefire way to banish the being possessing the bard’s body. But that was only a temporary measure — one which she’d much rather save for the future.

However, what she knew rationally didn’t matter right now. Because this wasn’t a rational being, nor were the emotions it evoked. They were almost primal, in the way they tried to ignore her logic and threatened to cloud her thoughts. It was a testament to the original’s imperious personality that she was still standing right now.

Rosa stopped behind her, and Scarlett had to force herself not to turn around and look.

“…I suggest you forsake whatever vile thoughts you are envisaging. They would serve neither of us in our current situation.”

Rosa chuckled, and a hand brushed up against Scarlett’s hair. “Vile? I dare say that’s an apt description.” Scarlett locked up, readying herself for anything. But Rosa soon backed off, continuing to circle her. “What is it that has you so confident? Do you have someone protecting you? Could that perhaps be the source of all that knowledge you’ve so generously shown around?”

The woman paused, gaze roaming down towards Scarlett’s left hand. “I can smell traces of a deal once struck. Is that it? If so, I would be disappointed. It’d be naive of you to think it’ll be of any help now.” She waved her hand.

Scarlett stared as the shadow of a crest revealed itself on her skin.

“Nothing but a lowly demon.” Rosa’s voice had a hint of derision to it, but after a moment her eyes narrowed, the dark emptiness sucking in Scarlett’s gaze once more. It was as if she was trying to forcefully peer into her very being. “Or was that to hide another crest? Are you one of the others’ thralls?”

For a brief second, it felt as if Scarlett was forced out of her own body, unable to move or speak as the being observed her. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, she regained control of herself again. Like it had just been in her imagination.

“…I am no one’s thrall,” Scarlett said. “Nor will I ever be. The deal I struck then was a transactional affair, nothing more. I dismissed the demon when it attempted to renege on its end of the bargain.”

“Renege? Dismiss?” Rosa arched a brow. “I would either say that you’re completely oblivious to the nature of demons, or that you are far too familiar with it.”

“I will leave deciding which is true to you,” Scarlett answered, her attention wandering back to Shin. “You will have to excuse my impatience, but I am sure that you understand why I cannot allow this conversation to continue much longer.”

“Oh, now that is cute.” Rosa laughed. “You won’t allow it, you say? I can’t wait to hear what you’ll do about it.”

“That would depend… I presume you will not leave Miss Hale be simply because of my request?”

“No, I think not. I am quite fond of this one.”

“Then, perhaps we can come to an agreement.” Scarlett looked up at her, holding the being’s gaze. “In return for you leaving Miss Hale alone, I will refrain from revealing your involvement with Count Soames.”

“Oh?” Rosa gave her a curious look. “So you even know who I am? And about that little pawn of mine?” She leaned her head to the side. “True, it would be inconvenient if he were to be caught. But that won’t be an issue if I carve you up right here.”

Scarlett drew her lips together. The words were said in such a casual manner, but she could still feel the grisly intent behind them, clear as day. “Then I will have to disappoint. I always endeavour to prepare proper precautions, and this is no exception. My sudden absence would only work to expedite his downfall.”

That was mostly a lie. There were, in fact, several reasons for her not to act out against Count Soames. One was that she didn’t quite know how to without causing a mess.

“My, oh my. Quite the schemer.” Rosa leaned closer to her. “This only makes me want to get my hands on you even more. I love the arrogant ones.”

Scarlett held her expression neutral. “Do not waste more of my time. We both know you cannot afford to lose Count Soames yet.”

Rosa stopped a hairbreadth away from her face, gazing into her eyes. A snort left the woman’s mouth. “Oh, I do like you.” She spun around and stepped over to Shin, hands clasped behind her back as she tapped the young man’s body with her toe. “But that dull man’s death is far from enough to get me to leave this body. It is a one of a kind.” She smirked as she looked back at Scarlett. “But I’m sure you were already aware.”

“I presumed as much,” Scarlett said. “Then I propose a concession. I will swear not to reveal your involvement with Count Soames, nor infringe upon any matters of his that involve you. In exchange, you will retire whence you came for now, allowing Miss Hale to return so that she can heal Mister Thornthon.”

“You’d strike a deal just for that?”

“I would also ask that you swear not to cause any further dangerous disturbances. Both for me, and in my immediate surroundings or related to them. If you would agree to that, you would have my word that I will in no way try to interfere with you, nor your current connection with Miss Hale, for as long as the agreement stands.”

“How considerate,” Rosa said. “Yet, I can scarcely remember when the last time was that someone tried putting restrictions on me.”

“I believe the terms are fair, taking the current circumstances into consideration.”

“You would, wouldn’t you?” Rosa studied her for several seconds. “I suppose you’ve garnered enough of my interest to live a bit longer. It would be fun to see what other exploits you’ve got planned. I’ll agree to this little plea of yours, but only until the next time I can come out and play. I can’t very well let someone like you slip out of my hands.”

“If that is what it takes.”

Scarlett didn’t know exactly how much time that gave her, but in the game, Rosa’s possessions didn’t occur often. This should at least buy them a few months. And it was much better than wasting something as powerful as a demon’s name just to get them to leave temporarily. Next time, she could be more prepared.

“Then.” A vicious grin grew across Rosa’s face. “I believe we have a deal.”

Scarlett nodded. “It appears so.”

As the words left her mouth, a flare of pain shot out from her left hand, and she looked down to see smoke billowing out of her skin. She suppressed the desire to voice the pain as a dark purple crest, interlined with thorns, formed.

“I’ll keep my eyes on you,” a fading whisper echoed out across the room. “I’m sure our next meeting will be a much more momentous occasion.”

Scarlett raised her head as Rosa’s body fell with a thump. She hurried over to the woman, grabbing hold of her arms to prop her up. The bard seemed to rouse, looking up at Scarlett through tousled brown locks, the violet irises in her eyes having returned. Trails of sweat ran down her forehead.

“W-Who…” she mumbled, then her eyes widened as she frantically looked around. “W-What happened?!”

“I am not entirely certain.” Scarlett said. She glanced down at her hand, relieved to see that the crest had disappeared. “We succeeded in felling the warg, but its howl bound you under a spell. Shin was similarly affected; however, not to this degree.”

“You—” Rosa looked at her, a distraught and bewildered expression on her face. “T-That’s all?”

“It is.” Scarlett gave a short nod. “Now, I am afraid there is no time for you to gather yourself. Shin is in dire need of your help.”

Rosa turned. Her mouth opened as she saw Shin and the dead warg next to him. “Ittar’s light. What happened to him?!”

“He fought the warg, in order to protect you.”

A pained look passed over the bard’s eyes, and she pushed herself to her feet, scanning around for a moment. She darted off to where her klert lay a few steps away, picking it up and cranking the wheel at its base. A short set of notes sprang out from the instrument, covering Shin in a purple light. Scarlett watched on as the wounds on his shoulder and other parts of his body very slowly closed up, the blood drying around them. His state was severe enough that Rosa continued for several minutes, only stopping when she looked as if she was about to keel over.

“That’s as much as I can do,” Rosa let out in a mumble, stumbling over and leaning against the nearby cavern wall. She sank down on her behind, eyes closed as she stayed quiet for a while. “…I didn’t do anything weird while I was out, did I?” she eventually asked.

Scarlett had moved over to check on Shin when she looked at the woman. “…You did not, no.” She felt the presence of the invisible crest on her hand, a silent compulsion preventing her from saying too much. A mucky, vile feeler, grasping at her with sharp thorns. She might have been able to fight it, but she chose not to. “Is that something I should expect? Your earlier behaviour was unusual as well.”

“No, well… I was just curious. It’s true that I felt a bit out of sorts earlier, but I’m fine now.” Rosa smiled.

Scarlett eyed her. That was perhaps the fakest smile yet.

The silence returned as Rosa closed her eyes again. Scarlett tried to remove the warg from Shin, its upper body lying on top of one of his legs, but it was too heavy, and she herself felt like she could collapse if she tried any further. Eventually, she had to give up. It looked like he would survive for now, at least, and his pulse was stable.

She let him and the exhausted bard be for now, instead turning her attention to the set of stone doors on the far end of the room.

They had beaten their mini-boss. If the other group had made it and beaten the other mini-boss, the exit should be unlocked. Right now, the priority was meeting up with them. She walked over to the doors, slowly raising her hand and touching it to the handprint carved into the middle of the stone. A breath of relief left her when a click sounded out and the doors began sliding to the side.

Right. Now they only had the real boss remaining.