The Possessed Evil Woman Wreaks Havoc - Chapter 55

The Duke stared at me silently.

“…You’ve changed a lot.”

Changed? I’d say the core had completely changed, yet he still hadn’t noticed. It was amusing in its own way.

Despite my thoughts, I maintained a composed expression. After all, my goal was to deepen our bond.

The Duke spoke again.

“When you were younger…”

What started as a light sentence trailed off, leaving it unfinished. His expression grew darker.

“…You were…”

The Duke couldn’t continue.

“It seems I was truly neglectful.”

Murmuring to himself, the Duke clenched his fists tightly. At that moment, the seal etched on my heart cracked a little further.

‘About one-tenth, perhaps?’

Adding up all the magic power I’d regained so far, I’d recovered about a third of my former strength. Thankfully, my body had grown accustomed to the power, so I wasn’t coughing up blood like before.

I smiled brightly at the Duke.

Perhaps we were finally building a closer relationship?

As I beamed, his expression hardened further, a pained look flashing across his face. Closing his eyes, he pinched his brow.

“I’d like to be alone now. Please leave.”

Weren’t we just having a heartwarming moment?

Why the sudden dismissal?

Humans truly were incomprehensible. Giving him a sharp glance, I rose from my seat.

Before I could leave, the Duke stopped me.

“Ah. The reason I called you today was to discuss your budget. I’ve instructed the butler to restore your original allowance. I’ve also transferred ownership of a few shops to you. See if you can manage them well.”

Hearing that, the corners of my mouth twitched.

I’d been planning to squeeze some funds out of the Duke, but here he was, offering them up willingly!

The atmosphere in the study seemed to grow warm again.

I had no experience managing shops, nor did I know how. Still, as a proud demon lord, I could certainly handle something so trivial.

Isabella, just wait. I’ll multiply your wealth several times over.

With a spring in my step, I walked to the door. Glancing back, I saw the Duke caressing the frame of a photo of his late wife.

***

Leaving the Duke’s study, I found Blackie waiting for me.

Kkamang, kkamang!

From the window in the hallway, the noise outside drifted in. Looking down, I saw Gabby still causing a ruckus with his wooden sword.

It was less a sparring match and more one-sided bullying. Seeing Gabby trip Kayden mid-duel made me chuckle.

“If he’d been born a demon, he’d have excelled.”

Kkamang!

Blackie nodded vigorously in agreement.

Well, it worked out for me. I’d planned to slip out of the estate, and with Gabby keeping Kayden occupied, I could leave with peace of mind…

I stopped by my room and told Jessie I’d be taking a nap and not to let anyone in. Before leaving, I turned to Blackie.

“Blackie, I need to go somewhere. Wait in the room, and I’ll be back soon.”

Kkamang!

Blackie protested vehemently.

“You stand out too much. Blackie, you… your size is a bit… big.”

…Kkamang…

“I’m not saying you’re fat—just that your impressive and majestic size makes you conspicuous in the middle realm.”

Blackie’s ears drooped. Just as guilt started to creep in, his body began to shrink. Moments later….

Meow!

A kitten-sized Blackie plopped onto the floor.

I clamped a hand over my mouth.

It was my first time discovering Blackie could adjust his size.

After the initial surprise, I found the tiny Blackie’s high-pitched meows utterly adorable.

“Alright, let’s go together.”

I tucked the now-small Blackie into my pocket and headed out.

***

Having visited before, I easily found the building housing Sher’s guild. As soon as I entered, I was directed to the basement.

Kicking the reception room door open, I stepped inside and announced loudly,

“I’m here!”

“…Lady Bella?”

Sher, seated at his desk reviewing documents, froze the moment he saw me. His face instantly stiffened.

Amused by his lack of enthusiasm, I grinned and greeted him.

“How have you been, Squeaker?”

“…Am I Squeaker?”

“Who else would it be?”

Given his reputation as the “King of Rats,” the nickname “Squeaker” was fitting. He should feel honored that I bestowed it upon him.

Making myself comfortable on the sofa, I watched as Sher set his papers aside and sat across from me.

“Squeaker… sigh. Fine, I’ll let it slide. It’s my fault for being weak.”

Sher sighed deeply before speaking again.

“Do you have any idea how shocked I was? Why on earth did you become a saintess?”

The entire empire knew by now. Surely Sher had heard.

“Doesn’t it send shivers down your spine? This must be the greatest blasphemy in the history of the demon realm.”

“All for such a trivial reason?”

With a solemn expression, I nodded.

Demons, after all, would go to great lengths for a chance to commit evil. Sher, being a fellow demon, should understand.

Instead, he shook his head.

“I suppose a lowly demon like myself can’t comprehend the thoughts of someone as noble as you.”

One of my eyebrows arched at his tone. Sensing my irritation, Sher quickly changed the subject.

“In any case, if you plan something like this again, let me know in advance. I am an information broker, after all. I could provide better intel in return.”

“How presumptuous.”

I smirked. His words sounded suspiciously like a proposal, and I found it amusing.

Though Sher’s boldness as a mere low-ranking demon was audacious, I decided to overlook it. There would be plenty of opportunities to extract information from him later.

Meow?

At that moment, Blackie crawled out of my pocket.

Sher rubbed his eyes with both hands before cautiously asking, “Is that… Blackie?”

Kkamang!

Blackie answered in my stead. He then waddled over to Sher and licked the exposed skin of his ankle, uncovered by his pants.

Ptooey!

Apparently displeased, Blackie spat immediately.

Well, Sher’s aura probably didn’t appeal to Blackie. If it had, Sher…

I stared at Blackie. Aware of my gaze, he feigned ignorance, looking away.

‘No.’

I mouthed silently to Blackie. He drooped his head, nodding reluctantly.

Unaware he’d nearly lost his ankle, Sher reached out to pet Blackie.

“Is this adorable creature really that infamous monster?”

Blackie responded by biting Sher’s hand hard.

Rubbing the bite mark, Sher muttered, “Feisty little thing.”

He seemed oblivious to how merciful Blackie had been. No need to enlighten him.

I got to the point of my visit.

“I need information on demon worshipers. Specifically, their hideouts.”

Isabella was said to be connected to demon worshipers, likely through them that she made her contract. They would know how to summon demons and have the necessary knowledge.

My plan was simple: locate the demon worshipers, engage in a “peaceful” conversation, identify the demon Isabella had contracted with, and retrieve her soul.

Perfect.

Except my plan hit a snag from the start.

“Um.”

Sher hesitated before replying, “I’m afraid I don’t know that….”

“……”

As I stared at him in silence, he scrambled to explain.

“They’re an incredibly secretive group. I’ve tried tracking their hideouts multiple times but always came up empty.”

“……”

It seemed I’d overestimated Sher’s abilities.

What now?

Seeking help from the temple to locate the demon worshipers was an option, but my “peaceful” methods couldn’t have witnesses.

Fortunately, Sher offered an alternative.

“Why not ask another demon lord for assistance?”

“Another demon lord?”

“Yes. I heard Lord Belial is currently enjoying himself in the middle realm.”

“Belial?”

“Yes, Lord Belial. He frequents the middle realm and knows a great deal. Perhaps more than me, an information broker.”

I nodded at Sher’s suggestion.

No other demon lord visited the middle realm as often as Belial. His many followers gave him considerable influence.

Still, Belial, of all demons.

The longevity of demon lords sometimes led to peculiar eccentricities. Belial was no exception.

Though I hadn’t been close to him, what little I’d observed of his antics over the centuries…

Ugh.

The thought alone made me gag.

Belial truly was an embarrassment to demonkind.