Chapter 173
“That.is.why!”
Right now, Ashtel was shaking her shoulders as she shouted,
“I have to go outside to use the communicator! Magic doesn’t work here, and I’m wearing a restraint collar!”
“If you give me the communicator, I’ll make the connection myself.”
“No, you don’t have magic. How do you expect to use a magical device?”
Demons are cruel and ruthless creatures, but they share one unusual trait—they have incredibly sharp instincts when in danger.
Usually spoiled and pampered, Ashtel assessed the situation shrewdly this time.
‘This guy is less compassionate than I thought.’
Though his expression was usually curt, she assumed he’d have some similarities to Duvalkan, his friend.
However, Van threatened her with holy water whenever she hesitated or tried to evade his questions.
Even a single drop inside her body would cause unbearable pain, so she was forced to comply.
‘But if I stay like this, he’ll kill me.’
She had to find a way to escape this guy.
The answer she came up with was simple: show her usefulness.
‘But if no one else can use the communicator except me, is it really okay to kill me?’
He’d undoubtedly exorcise her once he got the device, so would he really hand it over so easily?
Ashtel quickly proposed a deal to Van:
“I’ll let you contact Duvalkan. And I didn’t kill him. He’s fine!”
Honestly, she wasn’t sure how fine he really was.
As long as his head stayed attached, that should be good enough.
“We can’t raise magic here, so first we need to go outside…”
“No, that’s unnecessary.”
Van cut her off abruptly, as if he already had a plan.
“Your communicator can work independently. Just hand it over quietly.”
Ashtel narrowed her eyes.
Before questioning how he could use a magical device without magic, she guessed why he said that.
“Do you have a wizard?”
“I’m not obliged to answer.”
“Wow, a wizard in a holy nation. Amazing.”
“That’s not something you should say.”
Magic users weren’t entirely absent from the Roxa Empire.
With imperial permission, some could set foot here.
But how many wizards would dare come down to the temple’s underground prison?
Ashtel’s head pieced the puzzle together—she was after Payne, who was in a life-threatening situation.
“Last warning. If you don’t give me the communicator, I’ll search your body for the device.”
“Fine.”
“…What?”
“I’ll give you the communicator.”
She had heard about the legendary genius wizard who had been competing with Carmen for over ten years.
Ashtel decided to gamble.
“But you’ll have to teach that wizard how to use it. My sister made it, so it’s a bit complicated.”
Analyzing every angle like Carmen would only be possible for a smart demon like her.
Ashtel’s only option now was to feel out the situation and find an ally.
“But if you contact Duvalkan, I want to see Payne one last time.”
“…Is that your wish?”
“Yes.”
Demons don’t understand love. To succubi, humans are just prey.
Yet, humans still wish to share similar emotions with beings resembling them—giving and receiving influence.
Ashtel’s desperate last wish convinced Van enough to accept the deal.
He believed this was a reason arrogant and reckless succubi might bow her head once in a while.
“Understood.”
Van accepted Ashtel’s offer.
“I’ll bring the wizard. Take out the device.”
“Okay.”
Ashtel answered calmly.
As Van left the prison to find the wizard, Ashtel’s tension drained, her shoulders sagging.
‘Wow, I really almost died.’
Surrounded by sealed walls, her skin prickled with divine power, and a few drops of holy water still lingered inside her.
She curled up and took deep breaths to calm her boiling stomach.
Truthfully, she was still close to death.
It all depended on who Van would bring as the wizard.
‘Is this why people pray to God?’
Almost muttering “Katzel, oh Katzel” like Payne did, Ashtel bit her tongue.
What demon would search for Katzel, who had abandoned them?
Payne muttered Katzel so much in bed that Ashtel suspected he had some weird obsession.
But she shook herself and waited for Van.
She didn’t need God; she only had herself here.
“Ah, so I’m telling you, I can use magical devices just by looking at them.”
“Quietly follow me.”
“You really don’t understand, do you, knight?”
“This way.”
At the familiar voice, Ashtel lifted the corner of her mouth into a slight smile.
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