Chapter 169
To put it bluntly, Ashtel was not okay.
“I knew it was you after all.”
In the end, she was caught by Van.
‘This is serious…!’
She considered shedding her disguise and fleeing in her demon form, but remembering the knights of Medialle scouring Singria for Payne, she dropped the idea.
Transforming into another small creature wasn’t an option either.
When she was a yellow bird, she had lost consciousness even when small children threw stones at her. Shapeshifting into a living being other than a demon meant sacrificing many powers.
More importantly, despite him being human, Van had honed his senses so finely that she couldn’t counter Van’s perception of her presence even if she turned invisible.
Only when her body was injured did Ashtel tearfully lift the invisibility.
Pulling back her hood, her fresh brown hair revealed itself, and Van subdued her expressionless.
‘Frustrating! I’ll make sure to run the next time he’s off guard!’
Her resolve was short-lived. Ashtel was immediately taken to a temple under Medialle’s control—Merium or Marium—wearing a magic-restricting collar around her neck.
‘Ugh!’
She regretted not struggling wildly when first captured.
Whether or not a paladin was nearby, she should have made a scene. Even if battered, she might have found a way to escape.
‘I need to get back to Payne.’
As she anxiously gripped the metal device around her neck, Van appeared from the shadows of the underground prison.
“Where did Father Payne and Diar go?”
“…Who’s Diar?”
“Diar Duvalkan. The knight who went missing after visiting your place.”
“Oh.”
Come to think of it, she vaguely recalled the name Diar, but had only memorized ‘Duval…’ and didn’t know the full name.
Quickly wiping her gloomy expression away, she fluttered her lashes in a pitiful act.
“Sir, I really don’t know anything.”
“Nonsense. And you used magic so well.”
“That was just a magic tool…”
“Unlicensed magical tools are banned in the Roxa Empire. Shall we check?”
“Tch.”
Since when was there such a law?
Humans loved making bothersome rules to bind themselves.
‘Anyway, it means I can’t even use magic tools.’
Ashtel sighed.
Could she escape if she let go of the transformation? At least she wouldn’t revert to demon form while wearing the magical collar.
The device seemed to suppress and control magical energy.
‘My transformation magic is perfect. Any test would prove I’m human.’
Her shapeshifting was a special power from being born as a fruit of the Asti tree.
She could maintain consciousness while changing into another life form, use the alternate body as if it were her own, and communicate smoothly with others of that species.
Truly a flawless disguise.
Divine power tests might shock her mentally as a demon, but wouldn’t break the transformation.
“I suspected you were a demon already. Don’t waste time—tell us where they are.”
“I really don’t know. By the way, Sir, are you always this temperamental? You were so quiet before.”
Indeed, Van’s true nature was unexpected.
When beside Duvalkan, he had acted calm and reserved, but now he spat out orders and brandished his sword.
‘I doubt he’ll release me even if I stay in human form. How did he guess I’m a demon?’
Was it the magic she used in the temple that gave her away? Or maybe Duvalkan hinted about Payne and the mysterious succubus.
Grumbling and pretending not to know as she gauged Van’s mood, he suddenly narrowed his eyes and swung his sword.
“Yikes?!”
The blade grazed Ashtel’s cheek, leaving a long slash. A silky strand of her brown curls fell.
‘Damn that guy…!’
He was terrifyingly threatening.
“Demonic tricks won’t fool me. I know you’re disguised by magic. Confess where Diar… Duvalkan is.”
Ashtel bit her lip and looked up at Van. His face was dark and sour.
Still handsome, but clearly exhausted from sleepless nights. Could it be that he’d been searching nonstop since Duvalkan disappeared?
‘If they were close friends, that would make sense.’
Having lost his dearest friend, he likely took charge and sped things up.
Is that why Payne was branded a fugitive?
Ashtel realized she needed more than silence to clear up her doubts.
“…Why is Father Payne wanted?”
“Tell me where Duvalkan is.”
“If you answer my question first, I’ll tell you.”
“…”
Van’s hard expression softened, and he slowly lowered his sword.
“So you really are a demon.”
This time she didn’t deny it. Trembling, Ashtel clasped her hands and looked up at Van.
“I heard the temple’s searching for Payne, but why make him a wanted man?”
“…I don’t know.”
“If you don’t talk, I won’t either.”
“Do you think you have a choice?”
Van stepped closer.
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