The Possessed Evil Woman Wreaks Havoc - Chapter 15

The Duke and I glared fiercely at each other.

In the end, it was the Duke who backed down first. He sighed and spoke to me, “If this scandal spreads, both families will suffer. So, the Clement family has decided to cover it up. You won’t have to go to court. Instead, once the ball is over, you will visit the Marquisate yourself and ask for forgiveness.”

“As if I’d ever beg for forgiv—”

“You’ll also personally deliver the documents related to the diamond mine, which we’re offering as settlement.”

“—iveness. Yes, of course, I should beg for forgiveness if I’ve done wrong.”

The mention of a diamond mine made me quickly change my tone.

Diamonds only exist in the middle realm. I had only a few myself, but an entire mine? My demonic greed flared up.

‘I must get my hands on that mine no matter what.’

A plan to secretly divert the mine flashed through my mind. To make this plan work, first of all—

“Now that I think about it, it seems I really did do it.”

In contrast to my previous denial, I swiftly admitted guilt. The Duke’s expression remained unchanged, as if he had expected this all along.

“Isabella, this is the last time. If you cause trouble again, you will be expelled from the family.”

The Duke spoke of severing ties between father and daughter as if it were nothing. Isabella would have been hurt, but his words meant nothing to me.

Right now, my attention was solely on the diamond mine. I leisurely left the office and returned to my room.

Let’s sum up the situation. The Duke thinks Isabella tried to poison the marquis’s daughter. To cover it up, he’s willing to give up a diamond mine.

On the other hand, I don’t think Isabella is the culprit. If I can prove Isabella’s innocence—

With a few adjustments, I could easily make the diamond mine mine.

Of course, the Duke must not know. He should think that the diamond mine left his possession as a settlement.

A conclusion where everyone can be happy. The Duke will be under the illusion that he’s resolved the situation, and I’ll have the mine.

‘I need to find evidence that proves Isabella is innocent.’

Wait for me, diamond mine.

I smiled cheerfully.

***

‘Damn Demon Lords. Is strength everything? Is it really all that matters?!’

Sher clutched his head, trying to calm his frustration.

Yesterday, the sudden visit from the Lord of Contracts had been a disaster for Sher.

He sighed deeply. ‘Yes, strength is everything. At least in the Demon Realm.’

And Bella wasn’t just strong. Red hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to see right through you. Demons are inherently a beautiful species, but Bella stood out even among them.

Many demons had been captivated by her mysterious allure and tried to court her.

‘The problem is, she ruins everything as soon as she opens her mouth.’

Her speech was strange and unfitting for her aloof appearance. Her way of thinking was also unconventional—conversations with Bella often went off in unpredictable directions.

Sher didn’t dislike Bella. If he were to describe his feelings more precisely, he had a fondness for her. Despite her recklessness, Bella was merciful.

Sher recalled his first encounter with Bella. Back then, he had been caught and enslaved by another demon. He had been sent to sneak into Bella’s castle by his master but got caught.

“Please, spare me! Please!”

“Ha—crawl on all fours and bark like a dog. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be touched by your sincerity and let you live.”

Driven by his intense desire to survive, Sher barked with all his might.

Bella, seeing his act, wore an expression that said, ‘He’s really doing it?’ but spared his life.

Not only that, but when she heard how horribly Sher’s master had treated him, she left and returned the next day with the demon’s head at Sher’s feet.

Mercy rarely found in the Demon Realm. And sometimes, she showed great kindness. Of course, Bella had her cruel, sadistic side as well, but she never took a life unless someone crossed her line.

Once, Sher had asked her why she was so merciful. Bella had replied with an unreadable expression.

“Because I’m the reincarnation of an angel.”

An angel reincarnated as a demon? Sher couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of it. Regardless, Sher had benefitted greatly from Bella’s soft-heartedness. Perhaps that was why he felt a demonic fondness for her.

‘So I have to endure it. Even if Bella leaves me penniless for a while, I have to endure it.’

But no matter how much he tried to calm himself, it was hard to forget the 100 gold coins Bella had taken from him.

At that moment, the door opened abruptly, and Bella appeared. She didn’t even greet him and went straight to the point.

“Sher. I need information on the Clement family. Specifically, focus on poison. See if anyone from the Marquisate has recently purchased poison, and if so, what kind.”

“Hello, Lady Bella. It’s been a while—oh, wait, no, it hasn’t,” Sher spoke with unintended sarcasm, and Bella’s expression gradually turned sour.

Realizing his mistake, Sher quickly tried to amend his words. “When do you need it by?”

“The night of the imperial ball. By midnight.”

“The imperial ball is tomorrow. You want me to investigate all of that by midnight tomorrow?”

“Are you saying you can’t do it?” Bella asked with a benevolent smile.

Falling for that smile would be a grave mistake. It was the smile that meant if he dared say no, she’d twist his limbs in the wrong direction.

“No, of course. I always love pushing myself to my limits.”

“Then smile. Don’t make that face.”

Damn demon! But saying that aloud wouldn’t have any effect since she really was a demon.

Sher cursed inwardly and, with the most polite voice and attitude he could muster, spoke to her, “Um, Lady Bella? You know I’m an information broker, right? A demon whose job is to buy and sell information.”

“So?”

“The request you just made—could I get a fee for it…?”

Thanks to Bella, Sher’s purse was now empty. He didn’t intend to make a profit from Bella, but he hoped to get back at least some of what she’d taken from him.

“Ah, I see.”

Bella surprisingly agreed without argument. Sher waited for her to take out some gold coins.

Of course, it didn’t happen.

“I just paid you.”

“Pardon?”

“I paid with your life.”

Bella smiled slyly. Despite her being in a human body with most of her power sealed, the pressure emanating from her delicate face was overwhelming.

“I just spared you. The fee will be your life.”

“……”

No matter how merciful Bella was for a demon, she couldn’t completely hide her true nature. Sher, also a demon, shivered slightly at her wickedness.

After stating her request, Bella was about to leave when she seemed to remember something and turned back to Sher.

“Sher. Will you be alive a hundred years from now?”

It was an odd question, but Sher immediately understood her intent.

A demon’s lifespan depends on the amount of magic they possess. A high-ranking demon like Bella could easily live tens of thousands of years. But a lower-ranking demon like Sher could only live for a few hundred.

“Yes, I should be able to survive until then.”

Bella’s expression turned pensive as she spoke, “Return to the Demon Realm. I’ll speak to Lilith and find a suitable position for you.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I prefer the middle realm.”

Sher declined Bella’s offer. In the middle realm, he had power. Among the formidable demons of the Demon Realm, he was nothing.

Bella stared at him for a moment before speaking, “The middle realm will soon fall.”

“Pardon?”

He thought it was a joke, but Bella’s expression and tone were too serious.

“Why will it fall? Are you finally planning to conquer the middle realm, Lady Bella?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Even if I do nothing, the middle realm is destined for destruction.”

Bella paused briefly before continuing, “The seal on the Demon God is breaking. At most, it will hold for another hundred years.”

So that’s why she asked if I’d be alive a hundred years from now. Sher finally understood the intent behind her question.

Every demon knew how much the Demon God hated humans.

The Demon God was an unusual figure. Though he was the father of demons and was thought to be ruthless, he was actually quite gentle—by demonic standards.

However, for reasons unknown, he despised humans.

In the past, he tried to destroy the middle realm and was sealed away… If the Demon God returned—the middle realm truly might be doomed.

It was unfortunate, but it couldn’t be helped.

Living among humans in the middle realm had been enjoyable, but that was it. It was better to return to the Demon Realm than to remain in the middle realm and risk dying in the Demon God’s wrath.

“Thank you for telling me.” Sher bowed deeply to Bella for sharing such valuable information.

“It’s nothing. I just didn’t want to see my dear rat die.”

Jeez. The gratitude I felt is disappearing fast after that comment. But what could I do?

Being weak was a sin. Sher muttered to himself as he saw Bella off.