Chapter 187
Everyone knew that since Ashtel, disguised as a human, was composed of the same cellular structure as them, even being drenched in holy water didn’t harm her.
But no matter how perfectly she maintained a human form, her essence remained that of a demon.
When she ingested the holy water filled with Katzel’s divine power, the very foundation of her demonic nature was shaken.
‘That must have hurt a lot.’
Hela thought, glancing at Ashtel, who was now loudly demanding an explanation beside Duvalkan.
When Hela first learned that a paladin had given holy water—well, more like poured it—on the precious youngest they had raised with such care, she had felt the urge to tear his insides out.
‘If it weren’t for Payne, I would’ve stormed Mediale with everyone by now.’
Her protective instincts over her sibling had grown so strong that she could no longer think rationally. She was seriously considering borrowing the power of Beatrice and Nluie to drag the culprit to the demon realm and subject him to endless torture for 666 days.
“Enough already. I don’t want to see any more humans near Payne getting torn apart.“
But Ashtel only rejected the idea with words like this.
She was also furious because of Van, but if he disappeared, Payne would only be tormented again by the memories.
She didn’t want to do anything that might harm Payne ever again.
“That’s why! Duval shouldn’t be here either!”
If she had already given up on revenge against a human from Mediale, what about Duvalkan? To Ashtel, he looked like a close friend to Payne.
It was clear he shouldn’t be left in the demon realm.
“Don’t worry! I’ll send him back in a week!”
“Just be grateful he’s not running off to find that knight, Van, or whatever his name is.”
Moablon and Beatrice replied in their usual calm voices.
With her sisters so stubborn, Ashtel was at a loss.
‘As long as he’s alive… maybe it’ll be okay?’
Her original agreement with Duvalkan was to erase his memories and send him back to Mediale.
Not having set a deadline was her mistake.
Ashtel looked at Duvalkan, then pictured Van’s and Payne’s faces in her mind.
But all those thoughts quickly sank into sadness. She shook her head and sighed.
“Fine. Do whatever you want, sisters.”
“Yay! He’s a toy now!”
“Sis Moa, make sure you don’t actually hurt him, okay?”
“Of course! Trust me!”
With that, she grabbed the struggling Duvalkan and flew off somewhere.
“Maid! Miss Maid!”
Only Duvalkan called out desperately for her, his swollen member twitching helplessly. He probably wouldn’t have any relief for a while.
Ashtel watched him with pity, then leaned against Sermedes’ shoulder.
“I just want to rest.”
“Of course.”
“Is it okay if I rest in your territory, sis?”
“Of course.”
Sermedes’ domain was the largest and most comfortable in the entire region.
It even housed the grand Asti tree.
Leaning against the tree’s trunk felt like being held in someone’s embrace—if she had to describe it in human terms, it was like returning to the womb.
So Ashtel, with her other sisters in tow, moved to another spot.
‘Van…’
But there was one who didn’t follow—Ashtel’s sixth sister, Liz.
She twirled her short caramel hair, lost in thought.
“You’re just going to let it go like that?”
As a demon, she honestly couldn’t stand by and do nothing.
It was their nature to repay any wrongs done to them.
Liz, the ruthless succubus, simply couldn’t understand why Ashtel was holding back their sisters.
With Sermedes stuck defending her own territory thanks to Ashtel, there was nothing stopping Liz.
So, without telling anyone, Liz quietly slipped out of the demon realm.
Passing through a dimensional gate, her steps were careful but fueled by the desire for her little sister’s revenge.
* * *
Somewhere in an underground prison, the sound of rain fell like sharp knives.
Payne lay on the hard bed, eyes squeezed shut, trying to regain his senses.
After Ashtel left, he’d come to his senses only to find, to his surprise, that a wizard named Roman had shown up to guide him to Van.
Van had been shocked to see Payne, but quickly took care of him. Still, he soon fell into despair, unable to learn what happened to Duvalkan after he was taken to the demon realm.
‘I passed my divine energy to Sir Duvalkan. If it worked, it would help him keep his mind intact, even in the demon realm.’
That gave Payne a bit of hope, but not much else.
Van immediately sent Payne back to Mediale to report to Prohmen about the situation.
But that’s when things started to spiral out of control.
“How are you feeling, Father Payne?”
The sound of metal echoed as the cardinal entered, and Payne frowned, raising his head.
The light from the lantern in the cardinal’s hand flickered, stabbing at Payne’s eyes, which had grown used to the dark.
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