Chapter 179
— …Why haven’t you been in touch for a while? I was worried.
“I’m fine. By the way, do you remember the human I left in your care?”
— The human who came through Jo and Hela?
“Yeah.”
Ashtel held back the urge to complain about how hard things had been and listened carefully.
— I remember. That one’s currently in Juvia’s territory.
“Oh, really? So he’s safe, right?”
— Yeah. No injuries. He’s fine.
“I want to get him back. Can you send him to me?”
— …Oh, yeah?
Carmen rustled briefly and then responded willingly not long after.
— I’ll send him back before dawn passes. That enough?
“Yeah, thanks.”
— Don’t mention it.
The conversation was surprisingly light.
Ashtel knew Carmen didn’t usually speak to her in such a casual tone during their communications.
‘No scolding at all?!’
No nagging or light reproach—uncharacteristic of Carmen.
This either meant Carmen had realized the person she was speaking with wasn’t Ashtel, or that she knew Ashtel’s current situation wasn’t good.
‘As expected. The sisters have noticed my crisis.’
Ashtel barely stopped a smile from creeping onto her lips and glanced back at Van.
A clear sense of relief was visible on his face.
“…In that case, you’ll have to stay in prison until Diar returns.”
“Got it. But at least let me see Payne one last time.”
“I’ll keep my promise.”
Having poured out her tearful plea to Roman to see Payne, he was able to mimic Ashtel convincingly.
Now, it was Ashtel’s turn.
“Well then, I’ll be going. I’m quite busy.”
That was the line Roman had suggested. It certainly sounded like a cocky mage.
Van nodded without suspicion.
“Thank you. I won’t inform the Duke about this matter.”
He must have meant Duke Panchest.
Good thing Roman had briefed her in advance.
But why hide it from the Duke? Ashtel gave Roman a questioning glance, but he just shook his head.
He seemed to be telling her to stop messing around and leave quickly.
‘Hmm, maybe because the Duke wants to find Payne first?’
All of Van’s actions were to discover Duvalkan’s location.
The first thing they questioned Ashtel about was Payne’s fate—there was no need to confirm further.
‘Then calling Roman was also Van’s independent decision.’
Having roughly grasped the situation, Ashtel nodded calmly and said her thanks.
“Understood. Then, good luck.”
“Yes.”
Only Van knew about Ashtel and Roman meeting. Unless Roman carelessly revealed something, no one would realize the nature of their relationship.
‘Payne and Duke Panchest.’
With this crucial information, Ashtel’s fortunate escape came to an end.
* * *
Finding Payne wasn’t difficult.
As soon as she moved to the village outskirts, she dispelled the transformation spell and followed the magic leading her forward.
However, Ashtel unexpectedly ran into a massive group of reinforcements.
“Sue! Look at me!”
“Oh, no. Sis Carmen?”
While Carmen examined her body,
“Are you okay, youngest? Are you hurt anywhere?!”
Matys, who had appeared after a long time, asked.
“Look at your face! What did those paladins do to you?”
“Our youngest, what happened? You were imprisoned, weren’t you?”
“Check. Injuries.”
Along with Hela, Moablon, and Jo had also come down to the human realm unexpectedly.
“Why are you all here?!”
“We came because we heard something happened to you.”
“Biche and Nluie are here too.”
Behind Moablon, a cold beauty waving her hand gently, and a small cotton-like doll floating like a tiny fairy, tilted their heads.
“Long time no see, Sue.”
“Suueee! Are you okay? Any injuries?”
“Oh my, Sis Biche and Sis Nluie too…”
In summary, eight of the twelve Asti sisters were now in the human world.
The domain of succubi and incubi.
Ruled by the great demon Sermedes and her sisters, their reputation was remarkable.
Beyond their powerful dignity, what stood out was the unusually strong affection among them—a bond that shone even brighter in Ashtel’s crisis.
‘I heard Carmen’s domain was noisy, so I came. What’s everyone doing here?’
‘Matys! Something terrible seems to have happened to Sue!’
‘What? To our youngest?!’
As each step drew her sisters closer, the commotion only grew.
Beatrice, who had come out to scold them for making noise, was no exception.
‘Biche, Sue seems to be caught by the temple. We need your help.’
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