WSO 04

The faint glow in his eyes concealed a murderous intent so dense that it made her entire body stiffen, like a young rabbit placed before a predator.

It was strange.

“Thirteen drops of blood from a creature imbued with poison.”

Why was that piece of information surfacing in her mind right now, at this very moment?

“Imbued with poison.”

This was a situation where that man could seize her throat and snap it without warning.

“The blood of a creature.”

Jingle, jingle.

A warning bell rang in her head.

Ah, I see.

Now she understood why the magic circle had reacted to his blood.

Praying that her voice wouldn’t tremble, she spoke.

“You’re not human, are you?”

The demon she had wanted to meet so desperately had been standing right in front of her all along.

“I am human.”

Deyan immediately denied it.

His words claimed he was human, just like her, but his voice was far too rough—more beast than man.

Liar.

As if he had read the disbelief in her eyes, he repeated himself.

“I am human.”

This time the beast—or perhaps the demon—did a slightly better imitation of a person.

“That’s why I told you not to injure me. I apologize for pushing you.”

Deyan hurriedly rattled off his words.

“Are you hurt anywhere? If you can walk, please leave this room and come back later… in about an hour. Whatever questions you have, let’s discuss them afterward.”

“Oh? I don’t want to.”

Idir smiled as though completely at ease.

“Your Grace. Please!”

Deyan squeezed his eyes shut and ran a hand roughly through his hair.

He was clearly suppressing his anger, yet he maintained formal speech to the very end. The contrast was almost comical.

“Can’t I explain later?”

he pleaded.

“No. You can’t.”

If she gave him time, he would find some way to escape.

Of course, she had already secured a hostage just in case, but it was always most efficient to finish things quickly and cleanly.

Think, Idir Hubert.

Deyan’s nosebleed had already stopped.

And the wound on his abdomen…

It’s not bleeding.

It had been a severe injury—one serious enough to threaten his life.

She had even jabbed it with the heel of her shoe, yet not a single drop of blood had emerged.

Did it heal already?

Even a needle prick left a mark for two days.

An injury of that magnitude healing in just a few hours was practically impossible.

For a human, at least.

So Adorif’s Immortal really was immortal.

Yes.

The title wasn’t simply a metaphor for his strength.

He was genuinely…

As she realized the truth, a completely unrelated question suddenly popped into her head.

“How old are you?”

“…What?”

The killing intent twisting Deyan’s features faltered for a moment.

“What kind of ridiculous question is that?”

“You don’t seem human, so I figured I’d ask.”

“I am human.”

The immortal replied firmly.

His anger seemed to have calmed somewhat; his eyes looked more composed than before.

“Then explain.”

She demanded casually.

“Who exactly are you? And how did that injury heal so quickly?”

“That…”

The mouth that looked ready to argue immediately snapped shut.

“See?”

Smiling sweetly, she approached him slowly and carefully.

“You can’t answer.”

“You’d be better off not knowing.”

“Hmm. Then should I report you to the Temple?”

Deyan remained silent.

It seemed she had struck the bullseye.

“You don’t mind, right? Sir Immortal.”

“Don’t call me that.”

And that was the best complaint he could come up with.

Cute.

His argument skills were about on the level of a sulking child.

“Let me make you a proposal.”

She picked up the dagger lying nearby.

Squatting in front of him, she raised the blade.

“Thirteen drops of your blood. Even a nosebleed is fine.”

“…”

“If you give me that, I’ll send you back to your homeland.”

His eyes moved between the blade and her face.

He was clearly trying to determine whether she was serious.

“Of course, you don’t really have a choice. You’re currently under arrest for illegal entry.”

She smiled as she drove the point home.

“I’m sure you’re aware this could easily become an international issue.”

“…”

“Otherwise, why would you have been sneaking through that forest like a rat?”

“…Let’s put that thing away before we continue.”

At last, Deyan spoke and gently pushed the blade aside with his index finger.

His fingernails…

She glanced at his hand.

Where fingernails should have been, there was only thick callused skin.

“Let me ask you something. Why exactly do you want my blood?”

“It’s a material needed for summoning a demon.”

“A de… what?”

Deyan stared blankly.

“For a demon summoning ritual. I’ve tried the blood of many different creatures, but yours is the only one that reacted.”

She decided there was no point hiding it.

“You’re threatening to report me to the Temple even though you’re the one gathering sacrifices to summon a demon?”

“Oh my. You caught that?”

“Of course I did.”

She laughed brightly.

Deyan looked utterly dumbfounded.

Now he was staring at her as though she were the strange one.

Meeting his gaze, she shrugged.

“It doesn’t matter if you cooperate or not. I can just take it by force.”

The instant she spoke, she swung the blade sideways.

Well, look at that.

She had expected him to block it with his hand.

Instead, the seasoned knight stepped backward and grabbed her elbow.

“Give up.”

“Ow.”

In an instant, Deyan moved behind her and pinned her arm.

Naturally, the dagger was taken away as well.

“The moment I scream, the guards will come running and subdue you.”

“You’d be wise not to do that.”

“They’ll use force, obviously. And in the process, you’ll probably end up with a wound or two.”

“I warned you.”

“What warning?”

She tilted her head back to look into his eyes.

The crimson color that had flickered within his hazel irises had already vanished.

“The warning that you’d turn into a monster?”

“…”

The moment she teased him with the suggestion, his brows drew together.

Perhaps he thought she was too perceptive.

Or perhaps he simply didn’t like her.

“Since you understand, stop doing reckless things.”

“I think I can handle losing thirteen drops of blood.”

“Then give up on summoning demons too. Do you have any idea what kind of disaster that could cause? Have you lost your mind?”

Apparently her constant smiling was irritating him.

His tone became noticeably harsher.

Raising her free hand, she lightly traced the line of his perfectly shaped jaw.

“Maybe.”

Yes.

She was insane.

Giselle probably thought so too.

After all, what kind of ruler became obsessed with summoning demons in order to strengthen her country?

“But try looking at it from my perspective.”

The grip on her arm loosened slightly.

Feeling the pain in her shoulder ease, she continued.

“Every nation on the continent—including your homeland—is constantly looking for a chance to swallow the Grand Duchy of Plene.”

“…”

“We’re trapped between powerful nations, never knowing when we’ll be crushed. You know they call me the Shrimp Princess, don’t you?”

“I have never used such an insulting nickname for you.”

“Probably not. Also, my arm hurts.”

After a brief hesitation, Deyan released her.

Perhaps he thought it was safe now that he had taken her weapon.

Too soft-hearted.

Turning her back to him, she rubbed her aching elbow and shoulder.

“Are you planning to make a wish to a demon?” he asked.

His low voice struck her back like a blade.

“To make the Grand Duchy of Plene stronger?”

“How foolish. If you truly think things will go the way you want, then you’re an idiot—”

“No.”

She stood and brushed the dust from her dress.

Then she faced him directly.

“I’m going to ask for the power to take revenge.”

Her voice rang out clearly.

“I want revenge against the person who murdered my mother.”

In exchange, she would offer the culprit’s flesh and blood.

And her own soul.

“Wouldn’t that be a good deal for both the demon and me?”

“Take down Her Grace’s body! Hurry!”

Whenever she closed her eyes, the scene remained vivid.

The body hanging from the ceiling, swaying from a thin rope.

Her father’s broad back collapsing after seeing it.

If madness was what it took to set everything right, she would gladly dance within the flames of hell.

“Someone like you, who has always wielded a sword from the position of the strong, could never understand.”

The emotions she could neither reject nor swallow only grew larger with each passing year.

“We didn’t even have the power to find the person who murdered the Grand Duchess.”