Previously on The Swordsman and the Daemon;

https://youtu.be/rqeSAb3DrHQ

Haruto trained for three years with the Dragon Guardians.

Seres and Haruto freed Velvet along with hundreds of daemons.

A Malak transformed into a dragon, by the work of Storious.

Seres almost got killed by the dragon, forcing Velvet to devour her.

And Haruto is reunited with the Sword of Flames, Rekka.

Saber has finally returned!

Back to the Story

After Haruto and Velvet escaped, along with Magilou and Rokurou.

A Few Hours Later

The storm had blown the boat off course and crashed on land somewhere.

Velvet regains her consciousness.

Velvet: Ugh... Laphi?

She then sees a little Malak boy healing both her and Haruto. Haruto's dragon scales, claws, and wings retract, turning him to appear human again.

???: AH!

Suddenly a daemon went after the kid. Velvet got up and defends him. She brought it down pretty quickly, then devoured it.

Magilou: My word, a daemon-muncher! You really are some sort of box of horrors, aren't you?

Rokurou: Sorry, if I had a weapon I would have helped, I promise.

Both Velvet and Haruto look at him.

Velvet: You're wearing one.

Rokurou: Hmm?

He then realize she was talking about 'Stormhowl'.

Rokurou: Oh nah, I can't use this. Sorry, long story.

Haruto: Okay...?

Velvet: And the child?

Magilou: The little brat? He went off that way.

Velvet: You two ought to be scamping off yourselves.

Haruto: We can take it from here.

Rokurou: My debt to you two is not yet repaid. Until it is, I will not leave your sides. Besides, I think this might come in handy anyway.

He shows them a map.

Haruto: A map? Was this left by the kid?

Velvet: Maybe...

Rokurou: Looks like we're in Northgand.

Velvet: Hmm. If we're to reach the capital in Midgand, we've got no choice but to patch up our ship.

Rokurou: What are your plans once we reach Loegres?

Haruto looks at Velvet. 

Velvet looks down.

Rokurou: Something worth breaking out of prison for, I guess.

Magliou: Ah-choo! Do you folks think we can find somewhere nice and warm and some food maybe?

Rokurou: According to the map, there's a town called Hellawes nearby. Can't promise much but we'll find food and a ship guild there.

Velvet: Alright then, on to Hellawes...

As soon as Velvet walked next to Haruto, she started sneezing and felt cold. Just like before when she was near him when her daemon arm disappeared.

Haruto: What's wrong, Velvet?

Velvet: I... I don't know...

She shivers.

Velvet: I feel cold all of sudden.

Inner Haruto: "She's cold all of a sudden?"

Haruto then removes his cloak.

Haruto: Here take this.

She looks at Haruto surprised.

Velvet: But... your part dragon... won't you get cold?

Haruto: I'll be fine. I was wearing a coat underneath anyways. Besides, I'd hate to see you freeze. Let's get to Hellawes, get you warmed up, and find the shipping guild.

Velvet blushes.

Velvet: Al-Alright.

Rokurou: Hmm, those two sure seem close. Wonder if they were in prison for so long.

Magilou: Hmm. A pair of star-cross lovers. One is trapped in prison and the other came heroically. Something like that maybe.

Rokurou: Probably.

The four make their way to Hellawes. Along the way, there were daemons and other monsters around to deal with.

As Haruto strikes down the last monster in front of him, Rokurou goes up to him.

Rokurou: Say, boy-

Haruto: Haruto...

Rokurou: Okay then Haruto... What is your history with that girl?

Haruto then sighs in defeat.

Haruto: As long as we have our duel on hold... I might as well tell you. She saved me... 

Rokurou: How so?

Haruto: Three years ago, I escaped from pirates and I was left for dead. She found me by the river and saved me.

Rokurou: So... since she saved you, you had to save her. Because-

Haruto: Because... I love her.

(Scene Change)

As they approach Hellawes, they noticed that there were Exorcist guards.

They took cover so they wouldn't see them.

Velvet: Exorcists.

Haruto: They're guarding the way in.

Magilou: Well, that's great. Word of the Prison break shouldn't have traveled this quick.

Rokurou: Somehow I doubt they will let us walk in, looking the way we do.

Haruto: There's gotta be a-

He then saw something.

Haruto: Hey!

They all look to Haruto's right and they saw the kid.

Malak Kid: I-I apologize about earlier.

He brought out and puts the compass on the ground and runs off.

Haruto: Wonder where he's going.

Rokurou: You two okay with this? He could be working for the Exorcists.

Velvet: We'll follow him.

Magilou: Oh, is he your dessert?

Velvet: If necessary...

Rokurou: Some choice of lady you have...

Haruto: You have no idea.

(Scene Change)

They follow the trail the boy took.

It leads them along the coastline and into an underground cave.

Velvet: There's a ladder.

Haruto: I'll go up first... Take a look around.

Haruto climbs up, then opens the hatch, and looks around.

Haruto: It's clear.

They climb up.

Velvet: A storehouse?

Haruto sniffs.

Haruto: Does anybody smell that?

Magilou: It's Flamestone!

Rokurou: Flamestone?

Magilou: A rare mineral only found in Northgand. Also known as Melchioite. It can be used in making explosives or fuel if mixed correctly.

Velvet: Sounds interesting... if that's true.

Rokurou: Looks like the boy got away.

Haruto: Well, we're in the city now.

Rokurou: Alright, let's scout for the maritime guild. Whoever is in charge of these storehouses must be in the shipping trade and shipbuilding.

Velvet: And we could use a proper sailor if we can find one.

Rokurou: We should look for some weapons, too. If I'm to be of any use in a fight.

We got outside the storehouse and they were in the city of Hellawes. As they walk through the town we looked for a ship guild. Rokurou suddenly noticed a weapon shop and took off.

Velvet tugs on Haruto's coat, getting his attention.

Velvet: Um... Haruto.

Haruto: What is it, Velvet?

Velvet takes off Haruto's cloak and gave it back to him then looks away. Hiding her blush.

Velvet: Th-Thank you for letting me borrow your cloak.

Haruto: You're welcome. I'm just glad you weren't freezing while we were out there.

Both Haruto and Velvet look away from each other while blushing.

They got back on track and started looking for the shipping guild.

(Timeskip)

They looked around Hellawes, and we managed to find the shipping guild.

Now all they had to do was ask them to help fix their ship.

Meanwhile, Rokurou ran off to get himself a new weapon.

Haruto: Excuse me? Can you help us with something?

Guild Master: Damn that Dyle! What does he think he's doing? Trying to resist?

Guild Officer: We wouldn't be in this mess if he just died.

Velvet and Haruto look at each other.

Velvet: Excuse me, we need a ship repair.

The guild members finally turn to Haruto and Velvet.

Guild Master: Sorry, but we can't help you two.

Haruto: Uh? Why... What's going on? You guys are always in business.

???: Guild business is currently suspended.

Both Velvet and Haruto turn and saw someone they shouldn't get involved with, she also has two Malakine with her.

Teresa: By the order of Exorcist Teresa of the Abbey.

Guild Master: Lady Teresa, with all due respect this was Dyle's doing, why should we be punished?

Teresa: I am aware it was Dyle smuggling the flamestone. But the guild he was a part of, yours, shares the responsibility. This rule was set down by the Abbey to maintain order. Do you disagree?

Guild Master: No, we don't.

Teresa: We will capture, interrogate, and sentence Dyle. Once this is done, you will be free to continue your business.

She then turns to Velvet and noticed how she's dressed.

Teresa: You girl! Aren't you cold dressed like that?

Velvet: I-

She then sneezes.

Haruto then takes his cloak off and places it on Velvet.

Haruto: We just arrived from Southgand and I forgot to tell her about the cold weather here.

Velvet: Y-Yes. You should have mentioned it.

She then sneezed again.

Teresa: A young woman ought to keep herself warm.

Velvet: Thank you for your concern.

Teresa: You are quite the gentleman... giving your cloak to the lady.

Teresa then walks away. 

Magilou: My my. So this is how the Abbey flexes its muscles, hmm? Cruel, cruel world these days.

Haruto: Velvet, are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Velvet nods. 

She then faces the Guild Master.

Velvet: If we catch this Dyle person, you can repair our ship, right?

Guild Master: Uhh sure... But be careful. He's a daemon. He's already killed a bunch of soldiers.

Guild Member: He's from a small village outside of the city. If you two are sure about getting him, start looking there.

Velvet: Alright, in the meantime, find us a good navigator.

Haruto: Okay... 

He turns to his allies.

Haruto: Let's go find Rokurou and update him on what we're doing.

(Scene Change)

They found Rokuro at the weapon shop. He got a new set of twin blades from thus shop.

They told him about the situation.

Rokurou: I see, so we're hunting a reptilian daemon named Dyle, are we?

Velvet nods her head.

Velvet: We'll check out his hometown first.

Magilou: Have fun kids.

Haruto: And you're not coming?

Magliou: I've got bigger fish to fry at the moment. I've got to track down my betrayer. Besides, if I stick around, I'm sure wouldn't wanna end up as someone's snack-

Haruto drew out Rekka and points it at Magilou. Velvet then makes him lower his sword.

Haruto's dragon half then calms down. But Velvet wasn't sure about Haruto's human half.

Velvet: My palate has standards. High standards.

Magilou: All the more reason for me to skedaddle, bye-bye.

Haruto: Mon... It's not like she was helping us anyways. 

He then feels a huge pain in his chest, causing him to grow scales and drop to his knees.

Velvet: Haruto!

She goes to his level.

Velvet: What's wrong?

Haruto: It's nothing... Ahhh!!!

His claws started growing.

Rokurou: What's going on? You sure your okay?

Haruto: I... fine... Aahhh!!!

Rokurou: Well, just in case, let's use that inn to rest for now before setting out.

They grab Haruto by his arm and placed them over their shoulders. They then went to the inn. 

(Scene Change)

They got a couple of rooms, one for each of them. Rokurou took Haruto to his room while Velvet opens the door for them.

Velvet takes off Haruto's cloak.

Rokurou helps Haruto take his coat and placed him on the bed.

Rokurou then left to his room and leave Velvet and Haruto alone.

Velvet: Take off your shirt! Let me see where it hurts!

Haruto: I'm not a kid, you know.

Velvet: Just take it off!

She then took his shirt off and saw the scars. They were the same scars from when they first met when she saved him. She then saw some new scars. Velvet was surprised that the new scars were the same shape as her claw. 

She looked at them very intensely, as if she remembered what she did.

Haruto: I guess I'm a terrible liar.

Velvet: Is that... from when I-

Haruto: Yeah, it's from that night.

She goes to him and touches the scars. As the scales try their best to cover them. Then tears started coming out of Velvet's eyes.

Velvet: I'm so sorry. I hurt you... and you had... to... to live with these scars. And now... I'm still hurting you.

Velvet struggles to hold back her tear. Haruto then grabs her hand and place on his cheek and places his hand on her cheek.

Velvet: I... I can feel. I can feel your warmth. 

Haruto: Like I said. Your still you. You're still the Velvet I remembered. Believe me... Laphi would say the same thing if he were here.

Haruto brought out his compass. Where it now has a picture of Laphi on it.

Velvet: Haruto...

She then wraps her arms around his shoulders and held him with a tight hug.

Haruto held Velvet gently.

Velvet: Thank you, Haruto.

Haruto: You're welcome, Velvet. Remember this... If you ever fall into despair... I will be your hope.

https://youtu.be/rqeSAb3DrHQ

At the Shipwreck

Ikkie investigates where Haruto has gone. When he uses a spell to track his footprints.

With Akamichi AKA Kenzan

Akamichi was camping in the forest, also tracking Haruto. He was eating his instant ramen.

(A/N: In the Sky Realm, technology is a hundred years more advanced than the Earth Realm's. So they do have instant ramen.)

Akamichi: I will find you, Saber. I can track your mudblood scent... and I will strike anyone in my way.

In the Northern Base

Sophia was teaching Allen magic. 

Nari was watching them from the balcony. She then feels more darkness every time a daemon dies.

To be continued...?