Chapter 185
Ashtel stepped out of the stable about an hour after her sisters had withdrawn.
“What’s this? Why are you out alone?”
Beatrice, who had been brainwashing every human visible outside, frowned and asked.
At her voice, the other sisters gathered around Ashtel.
“Where’s your human?”
“Did he pass out or something?”
“…No.”
She wanted to answer simply, but tears welled up as soon as she heard her sisters’ voices.
Ashtel pressed her lips tightly together and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, making Moablon’s expression grow serious.
“Who made our youngest cry?”
That human? No matter how much Ashtel liked him, the moment he displeased her, he was out.
Just as she was about to say she’d tear him apart organ by organ, Ashtel shook her head.
“No, I’m… I’m okay.”
“What nonsense. Look at my face.”
“Sue, what happened with that human?”
Hela and Carmen cupped Ashtel’s cheeks and pulled her towards them. She could have pushed them away, but instead, she quietly accepted their touch.
But rather than act spoiled, she answered calmly,
“I’m planning to send Payne back to the temple.”
“What?”
“Why?”
Both voices rose at once.
Ashtel glanced at Hela and Carmen and continued in a low voice,
“I don’t think he’d be happy staying by my side.”
“Nonsense.”
Before Ashtel could finish, Jo shook her head firmly. Matys agreed, clenching his fist.
“Yeah, youngest, think again. You could convince at least one human!”
Even without family support, Ashtel was a captivating human—or rather, demon. Among succubi, she was one of the most beautiful; how could any mere human refuse her?
Matys and the others muttered in agreement, adding their own remarks.
“That guy said he hated you? Ridiculous nonsense. Want me to handle him for you?”
“Yeah, Sue! Let’s show that human who’s boss!”
“Stay here. We’ll go inside.”
Moablon, Nluie, and Beatrice ground their teeth, ready to storm the stable.
Ashtel stopped them.
“It’s not like that! Don’t!”
As voices rose, the sisters froze and stared at Ashtel. She sniffled briefly and looked down weakly.
“I’ve already decided. I’m going to let Payne go.”
“Sue…”
“Sis, can you contact Roman? If we leave Payne here, more non-paladins will come.”
Before Carmen could answer, Ashtel added,
“He has to go safely to Mediale. That’s the last help I can offer.”
“…Alright.”
Since Ashtel began loving Payne, Carmen had repeatedly scolded her for loving a mere human. Yet she herself had devoted over ten years to a single human.
Knowing how much people could change, Carmen understood Ashtel’s unusual decision.
She nodded slowly, held back the other sisters, and approached Ashtel.
“I’ll respect your wish.”
“…Thank you.”
* * *
Once plans were made, things moved quickly.
The fainted merchants and maids were moved by the sisters, and Carmen tapped the communication device to call Roman.
They didn’t know what had happened after he escaped from Van, but thankfully, he seemed free from the underground prison.
“Roman will come and take your human.”
Then Carmen cautiously asked,
“Sue, this might be the last time.”
Payne was returning to Mediale. Ashtel understood what that meant.
Though not fully corrupted, Payne showed signs of corruption and had contact with a demon—surely the temple would suspect demonic involvement.
Security at Mediale would soon tighten considerably.
Knowing that holy water was a threat, Ashtel no longer planned to use disguise magic to approach.
The moment Payne entered Mediale, they probably wouldn’t meet again.
“Don’t you have anything else to say?”
Ashtel looked at the shadow flickering through the half-open stable door.
She had already spoken with Payne and promised to send him off; there was nothing left.
“No.”
But her heart ached as if it were tearing apart.
Fearing to face the pain, she leaned on Hela and Matys.
She wasn’t sure if this was the right choice, but it was definitely better for Payne.
* * *
After returning to the demon realm, Sermedes came to see her right away.
“Sue, why are you back so soon?”
They’d expected it to take at least a month to resolve Payne’s curse, so it was natural to be suspicious that she returned before 30 days had passed.
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