The Possessed Evil Woman Wreaks Havoc - Chapter 114

Considering Isabella had made a contract with a demon, it wasn’t strange that she had shown an interest in demons from the beginning.

However.

I flipped through a few pages of the book. Its contents weren’t particularly favorable toward demons.

It was mostly filled with stories of humans whose lives had been ruined by demons.

Here and there were exorcism methods, but they seemed utterly ineffective—probably written by charlatans.

“This is the kind of book the temple would love.”

It was the perfect propaganda tool for demon vilification.

But hadn’t Nigel said earlier that owning this book alone could get someone burned at the stake by the temple?

Nigel explained further, “Sometimes, people get obsessed with that very vileness of demons. That’s exactly what past demon worshippers were like. The temple tries to prevent such information from spreading, so they suppress all demon-related materials as much as possible.”

“Ah.”

Hearing his explanation, I nodded, understanding the temple’s actions.

The other two books contained information about demons.

A quick skim showed that there was hardly any information about me.

That was only natural—I was a recently born demon, and I hadn’t set foot in the Middle Realm even once in the past five hundred years.

After briefly reviewing the books, I glanced back at the first one with a frown.

Reading a book like that would usually make someone hate demons, yet Isabella still went so far as to form a contract with one.

Should I say she was brave? Or just reckless?

I’ll need to reread these books carefully once I return to the duke’s residence.

Although my business at House Graham was done, I didn’t head straight back.

The timing was just right, so I ordered the carriage to Isabella’s café.

Upon arriving at the café, I went up to the fourth floor.

As I climbed the stairs, Nigel asked me, “So, who are we meeting here?”

“I’m meeting Sher.”

I was supposed to receive the results of the investigation I had ordered from Sher here.

I took a seat near the window and ordered one of each dessert sold at the café.

While waiting for the staff to bring the desserts, I spaced out and stared out the window.

Thinking about what had happened earlier at House Graham.

At that moment—

“Oh my, Saintess! Fancy seeing you here.”

A flirtatious voice rang out from the stairwell leading to our floor.

I immediately recognized whose voice it was.

“…Lia Green. What are you doing here?”

Normally, I’d have bluntly called her a brat, but when I turned my head, I noticed the child standing beside Belial.

Wasn’t that fluffy one the girl named Becky I met at the theater?

“I was just passing by and happened to see you, Saintess, so I thought I’d stop in,” Belial said with a radiant smile.

Of course, I didn’t believe a word of it.

I knew Belial far too well to think this was just a coincidence.

I shifted my gaze from Belial to the fluffball standing next to her.

Never mind why Belial had suddenly shown up here—

I asked the fluffball, “Fluffball, what are you doing here? And with her, no less.”

There was no way I could just stand by while a smart-looking child walked around with a fool like Belial.

What if Belial’s stupidity rubbed off on her?

Before the fluffball could answer, Belial did.

“Ah, Becky is my prized pupil.”

“Pupil?”

“I’m personally teaching her how to act.”

“Yes! Teacher is giving me acting lessons!” Becky shouted proudly.

I stifled a laugh.

I had no idea why Belial suddenly decided to take on a human child as her student.

Still, judging by Becky’s expression, she seemed genuinely pleased.

Well, even if Belial was known as a disgrace to the Demon Realm, she wouldn’t harm a child.

Besides, the fluffy kid looked so thrilled, like she might float away from happiness. It didn’t feel right to ruin that.

Just then, Becky stood on tiptoe and whispered softly to me, “I didn’t realize you were the Saintess back then. I’m sorry if I was rude.”

“Hmm. It’s fine. Just… keep staying bright and sharp like that.”

Don’t become a fool like Belial.

I swallowed the rest of what I was about to say.

“Yes! I’ll never forget the lesson you gave me back then, Saintess!”

Becky’s last words puzzled me.

When did I ever give that fluffball a lesson?

Still, I set the question aside.

Surely, I wouldn’t have taught the child anything strange.

Just then, I sensed faint magic from Belial’s hand.

That wasn’t Belial’s magic. And it felt… familiar.

As I finished assessing the situation, I flashed a smile at Belial. But my eyes held no warmth.

“Nigel, take Fluffball and feed her some snacks. I need to speak with Lia Green alone.”

Realizing Belial’s identity, Nigel followed my instruction without a word.

Once Nigel left with Becky, Belial slumped into the seat across from me.

We stared each other down in silence.

No—let me correct that. While I was glaring at Belial, he simply smiled at me.

Unable to grasp Belial’s true intent, I had to approach this carefully.

But knowing that didn’t mean my temper would listen to reason.

In the meantime, a server came and set desserts before us.

Belial, ever irritating, took a bite of the custard pudding I’d most looked forward to and made a blissful face.

“Oh my. How do humans make sweets this delicious?”

“That’s food too good to go into your mouth.”

“Our youngest is saying mean things again. You’ll wound this big sister’s heart.”

Belial winked playfully at me.

At that unbearable display, I couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Give me Sher.”

Belial responded with a beaming smile and snapped his fingers.

A wave of magic shimmered, and a small mouse appeared in his right hand.

It was Sher.

Squeak!

The moment Sher saw me, he let out a pitiful cry.

Belial gripped him tightly to prevent escape.

Sher gasped for air under the pressure, and I growled at the sight, scowling.

“Let Sher go. Now.”

“My, Bella, are you really speaking to your dear sister like that over a measly rat?”

“…Didn’t anyone teach you what happens when you touch what’s not yours?”

“Of course I was taught! But I thought it meant you were giving me attention.”

…Has he completely lost it?

I recoiled in horror at Belial’s radiant smile.

“I saw a random demon on the way here and caught him on a whim. Didn’t know he was a friend of yours.”

“Friend? Sher is my subordinate.”

“Then for a subordinate, this little rat sure seems preci—”

“Don’t even start.”

I cut Belial off quickly.

“Sher owes me a life debt. If anyone’s going to kill him, it’ll be me. If you so much as scratch him, even by accident, I’ll be extremely displeased.”

Squeak…

This time, Sher’s cry sounded different—almost teary.

“Ah, so our youngest’s toy? Then that changes things.”

Still smiling, Belial released Sher.

Sher darted toward me in a panic.

I caught him gently with both hands.

Squeak!

Seeing the look of emotion on Sher’s face, I smiled too and said, “Stay here for a moment.”

I dumped the tea from my cup onto the floor. Then, using magic, I dried the cup’s interior and placed it upside down on the table, trapping Sher inside.

Squeak! Squeak!

I could faintly hear Sher trying to say something from within the cup.

I cast a soundproof barrier around it. His voice fell silent.

Haah.

Just having Sher out of Belial’s grasp was enough to make me sigh with relief.

“What are you up to?” I asked Belial coldly.

Why had he suddenly shown up and picked a fight? I couldn’t understand it.

“Well, you weren’t coming to see me, so I had no choice but to come see you.”

Leaning his chin on one hand, Belial fluttered his lashes as he spoke.

On the surface, he looked like an astonishingly beautiful woman…

Ugh.

Knowing what he really was made me grimace and gag in disgust.