Chapter 167
Though it would have been wiser to pretend not to notice and run away, unfortunately, Ashtel’s mind was quite scattered.
‘That voice…’
It belonged to Van, a close friend of Duvalkan and the knight captain to whom the others showed obedience.
‘Ah! I knew he was higher rank since he slacked off more than the others!’
But Ashtel hadn’t paid much attention to exactly where he stood, since paladins were dangerous—and though Van was quite reckless—Ashtel didn’t want to draw attention from any humans except Payne.
‘What should I do?’
Unable to use transformation magic, she still appeared as Maid Sue.
At this point, only one option remained.
“U-uhm, you must be mistaken.”
Feign ignorance and run.
“That voice is…”
But she had underestimated human hearing.
Van seemed to sense her identity and reached out toward Ashtel.
Sensing danger, she quickly slipped into the crowd, but outrunning a paladin—especially a captain—was impossible.
‘Damn it!’
She’d lowered her voice and pulled her hood tight, yet he still recognized her.
‘Am I really that obvious?!’
Van followed her relentlessly.
Cornered, Ashtel vanished from sight and activated Carmen’s invisibility bracelet.
Disguising herself as a bat would have been better, but that light from transformation attracted attention. There was no choice.
As soon as her form turned transparent, Van appeared.
“…What?”
Despite her panting from the chase, Van’s breathing was steady, making Ashtel annoyed. She suppressed her presence and waited for him to leave.
‘Go quickly. Please go!’
If they’d been alone in a closed space, her magic would have been exposed, but this was a bustling marketplace full of people.
No one was behind Ashtel in the alley, but dozens chatted in the shops behind Van.
“I lost her…”
Relieved to see Van squint sharply and leave, Ashtel sighed.
Then suddenly—
“I know everything you’re doing.”
Click. A sharp sword blade slid before Ashtel’s invisible form.
Frozen stiff, she slowly turned her head.
Van, hair flowing, spoke firmly with confidence.
“Sue… or rather, a demon now.”
Ashtel’s eyes widened.
“Show yourself if you don’t want to die.”
There was a reason her sisters told her to avoid paladins.
Duvalkan was dull and foolish, but Van, his close friend, was not.
Ashtel swallowed hard and clenched her fists against the huge obstacle.
* * *
At that time, Payne had descended the mountain path relying solely on moonlight and had nearly reached the village.
‘Ahead…’
But after about ten minutes, his strength waned.
He nearly tumbled down slopes multiple times, his vision flickering as if underwater.
“Focus. This chance won’t come again.”
Payne swallowed roughly and breathed irregularly.
The tight collar was uncomfortable, but if he poured divine power into it, it would break quickly.
Every time his chest heaved, a dizzy spell hit. He felt he’d collapse soon, so he needed to meet someone before that.
Whether by Katzel’s will or fate, the village—lively with a late-night market—offered a chance to meet anyone quickly.
“Excuse me, can I ask you something?”
Except for Duvalkan, it was the first time in a while Payne had met a human.
Hoping this was the shortcut to the knights, he approached a small group—but their expressions shifted oddly upon seeing him.
“Is there a temple nearby?”
“Ah, yes… if you go a bit further, there’s the Merium Temple.”
Merium was a small temple under Medialle’s jurisdiction. Going there would make it easier to flee to Medialle.
Payne’s expression brightened, but the people whispered amongst themselves.
“What’s that around his neck?”
“Isn’t that a dog collar?”
“Why would he wear that?”
“His face is so red.”
Then Payne realized how suspicious he must look and touched his neck. Though his appearance was odd, he hadn’t noticed his flushed face. Was it due to the heat?
Biting his lip, he bowed his head and hurried away. But the more he walked, the heavier the gazes clung to him.
‘I wish I had a cloak…’
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.