Chapter 66: Dog Collar
zvZde“Darling.”Pen
NsCtQ8Sitri’s lips twitched.1wDlo
n0r“Have you gone crazy?”DmE2
ADqShe could not even maintain that fake smile she always showed.ti9hPiJ
gYBmnB“Do I look crazy?”2FLNY
hrOVT“What’s wrong? Did you go north and catch some stupid virus? Or because I called you darling, did you think I actually fell in love with you?”WTLdQl4
7mIThere were many humans who indulged in those kinds of delusions.KmDnt
CR0HSBut Perda was not one of them.t85KG
7UzPrecisely because of that, this was the first time Sitri felt so bewildered.Rot
ZcAv6u“I know your most fatal secret.”zaTIF
Y8tt“The only fatal thing about me is my charm.”pWwYAuZ
fPn03JThe bigger a secret is, the less it reveals itself.ZyuVR8
66ENAhThe more important a matter is, the more carefully it is handled.2VXlZd4
WQqAEIt was the same with demons.TtMYN
6rIcjEven they could not escape the rules of secrets.EkdE9
am7gnp“I heard a story.”vkfFx
6Oyx5A story from the distant future.JDtcluj
HPrs6Perda had gathered countless records in order to research magic.eR5zJU6
if3TAmong them were records about hell.Xr1F4x
mk0cA compilation that recounted the moments when the seven archdemons of hell were in danger.OOJKoxP
adfTheir greatest mistakes and weaknesses.gT9
CxFX6The demons called it the Devyromicon.3Z6223a
NbxOIt sounded like a forbidden book, but even humans could read it.Svvkkt
LRNOThe reason was simple.e1bDp
nauKsmIt was a display of pride.IyzKm5o
s8Vxb1uA declaration that they would never repeat the same mistakes.dwmo
GztMRNAnd at the same time, a trap for the arrogant.3xPK
MlsDR5RThose who tried to uncover the demons’ weaknesses by reading the Devyromicon ended up destroyed.Ek06
KiAkj0Always believing they would be different.kgS
BuXcBut Perda truly was different.Ir4
PXkHVQWhen he read that demonic story, fifteen years had already passed since then.Hndm
PdLrAnd what he was reciting now was something that occurred during that time.079q7TI
YEt“I heard a ridiculous story. One of the countless children born from the archdemon Sitri while she indulged in her pleasures stole her Life Vessel.”eFn5
9BhfEV“What are you talking about?”ZO9mG
oSkVSitri tilted her head.Srn8
O7Ub7“You don’t know?”blkl
yo5“Of course not. I have no idea what kind of nonsense you’re talking about, darling.”wes22
ZCLcw8TAs befitted a demon of seduction, she maintained a flawless appearance.T3L9lvx
aIGPerda calmly observed her face.kzxml
ozhdDWaiting for the instant that mask would break.VX4w
8V1Ggmf“Then I suppose I’ll have to hand Penelope over to the Magic Association.”0PaV
lBheQW9“The Magic Association…?”G9Sv
2eCi“You know better than anyone how much they hate demons. What do you think they’ll do if I hand over not just a demon, but one capable of revealing the weakness of the archdemon Sitri?”iFZHPj6
50P73Perda spoke almost as if singing.fcicY
arp1j05“They’ll examine Penelope’s body from top to bottom. It will take time, but eventually they’ll reach the truth. And then—”CDF
GJzloC8“That’s enough.”eIkSU
kcuIVXSitri interrupted him.fVN
3w5The atmosphere changed completely.TZOh2
GYCThe seductive feeling from before became as cold as thorns.n73n
UbISn“Who are you?”DXS
QaH6RaSitri’s mask broke.MUOtj5
aMxM0hw“What bastard told you that secret?”ph5sHe
sSXHer gaze was suffocating.7TUwFB
vWHIfWAs if she were trying to rip everything out from inside him.41slXb
eaLmDE“It doesn’t seem to have been my daughter. If that idiot had spoken or left clues, she would already be back in my hands.”ZRwyLY
GhMRepF“What if I discovered it on my own?”xiG2
kzI4Lo6“I don’t underestimate you. But I don’t overestimate you either. It’s impossible for a mere human to discover something even the archdemons do not know.”CA3EGD
oIW9“You’re not even calling me darling anymore. Are you desperate?”HZgAzG3
oXRRq“Yes. I’m desperate. So answer quickly if you don’t want to burn eternally in hell.”WawI
vJ3Sitri threatened him with her long nails.62Fk6
m9Q6rx“Don’t threaten me. Do you want to end up turned into a shit fly?”Dgo
MQHGNo9The demons of hell had rules.xH5
8WlAnd the higher a demon’s rank, the stricter they were.UfymXHL
kd1CRAscending was difficult.G5hzHvV
o2zZ3But falling only took an instant.1gLCW1
3z1eR1“Do you think I’m incapable of it?”Y3Q
CVfBcKqHer nails dug into Perda’s skin.mBnE2
WqV“You broke our deal. I asked you to hand Penelope over to me, and now you’re trying to use her to screw me over.”DTAJD
HwRCPPerda replied.Y9ZxLkB
VA4“You asked me to rescue Penelope. And I rescued her.”e9FS5jJ
Sd79P9A“No. I clearly asked you to hand her over to me. That is breaking the contract, regent.”ityOy
J81OiPerda let out a dry laugh.KwR
yDZmiVn“You broke it too.”tvtV0FP
y7zDD“What?”Kvq6L
fkL“You said all of us would return safely. But I couldn’t escape from that place. What do you have to say about that?”09mh023
ZoN4l7“Obviously you should have killed Penelope. Sending her back to hell would have been enough.”btsPQR
baJU1MH“And what if I didn’t know that? You made rescue the condition. And I rescued her alive and safe. The one who violated it was you.”t3Bo
ZMoM9“Are you planning to play with words?”p99
UZS9x0G“Isn’t that what you like most?”WLq
GFMjKMThe demons’ word games.AZp
R6vkY4wHow many people had been seduced and destroyed by them.3N5U
Y4gQakI“If it bothers you that much…”14A8bv7
xiKPerda crossed his legs and leaned back.IG3f2
DkdnvL“Then let’s go to trial.”7t0SlE
t4hdJqWhen contractual disputes occurred, they could be settled in the demon court.5Rebg
R14zoxSAnd Sitri would undoubtedly win.SntKHR
qyU6ch5But she could not take this to court.tFZZWpx
mrlBBecause if the words Life Vessel came to light—33m
vGbUGHer shame would be exposed before everyone.Lel
ANxZ1Sitri fell silent.egYsd
ue2DsmShe had been completely cornered.BBcRg
oG6FEAh“You said it yourself. If a demon is fitted with a proper collar, it can become an excellent dog.”FowPkJW
nChPerda smiled faintly.fAeAf86
Mnj8r78“I suppose demons can make good dogs too.”VFQ9
KiK5“Hahaha…”DsILW7
DmiSitri let out a laugh.H99sU
AtBFoF“Hahahahaha!!”EYcWqtX
b9yWShe burst into laughter.uMWD6ED
Rq2LQAs if she had lost her mind.dKit
1U0e5I“Do you know something, oppa?”DlMy8
02Unp“……Oppa?”32Qu
MfuV“Right now, you’re incredibly sexy.”i00t3
Nu0TYg6The atmosphere was different.cTPuvWK
C4iThis was no longer fake seduction.6g22Q
N6ai“So, what will you do?”T6Y
RmqcA“Fine, I’ll do it. It’s true that Abel Silverwind worked with me. Anything else?”sxAZ
OEYqQIShe moistened her lips with her tongue.pJNV3Y
jhrpzkMBreathing heavily, she said,bQF
CnRIk8“For you, I’d do anything, oppa.”OPei
f5FE5It was more unsettling than when she had turned cold.PJs0j
PwLIoRX“Stay away.”Acop0Af
B7VFCu“Hahaha, you’re so cold. Even that makes you attractive.”ndfYgqg
PHCHkM0Sitri obediently stepped back.E7gyT
b4kb“Then answer my question.”605Dy1W
cYwKti“What question?”tJUGO3T
D9A5iFo“The snitch who gave oppa information.”qvXjdBA
5BqUWho would tell him something like that?YPSWcf
9TG810Perda knew all of it because of the future.kBC72q
kzL4rVAnd there was no way to explain that.PRmRVJc
NU7Mgb0So he answered.7sqPl2
Sp8KY“Barbatos.”D34
jY5sRXOne of the seven demons of hell.xIa
JwE2ikaThe demon of shadows and conspiracies.nv4
FuIzMeThe demon who could have the greatest connection to Perda.3tzKcB5
tCLu“Barbatos… how curious. I didn’t expect to hear that name.”qID
az5oVHrSitri murmured those words.eb8
iqnKfKlShe did not seem to have found an answer.jcMySY
uwtK7NaBut she also did not care too much.0srzkfY
rS0Y“Then we’ll meet again, handsome oppa. Until then, take good care of that dog collar.”J7UU
Y3hAMuah.fWgo
3qt7With a kiss blown through the air, her figure disappeared completely.dZDO
X7cKw1Dawn arrived.RF7x
3tMN8ek***FZW9G
LUtPG“Kugh……”Tk1yN
dxCxH2The dark elf.ky0z
q9KWnahSince she had used emergency escape magic, only her body had been transported there.xdMs
l9H“Damn it……”1tO9
YhxMLI8She had managed to find a place to hide, but she could not escape the cold.E0Q
JbL3y9hEven for an elf with great physical endurance, enduring a snow-covered mountain range was not easy.5TuUkw9
KDbThe freezing wind leaking in from the cave entrance constantly brushed against her consciousness.FJDLi7
VCL39Then she suddenly opened her eyes.LjnWbHc
2HDRJSomeone was coming.ydRwFmV
yd26x“Who goes there?”b8Xfa
WV71RThe only thing she held in her hand was a stone.Pbwfp
3L6SjnEven so, she threatened the intruder with a fierce expression.KBWYEBe
DuFWhat appeared from outside was a massive figure that covered half the cave entrance.hSx
fQktwJThe dark elf’s eyes could clearly make it out.VJmq6W
ovNsA0It had red eyes and sharp fangs.2Q3k
AeC“So this is where you were, Laboratory Director Linne.”F1WQe
0zeXT“……”GWE
5JcrUThe man slowly swept his gaze across Linne’s body.Ck9
dJ0OzQ“We received reports of a disturbance, but it seems all of it was true.”EthQDiY
abg5Igw“You demon bastards are damned hypocrites too. Are you another idiot who came to stare at an elf’s body?”e5APHd
D7Sox“Stop talking nonsense.”VYlPD
FBJs“If you know it’s nonsense, then give me clothes. At this rate I’ll freeze to death.”3FD
PFZDkmThe demon extended his hand.m98c
i0MfoDcThe massive reddish muscles protruding from his body were intimidating.gOsGr6
nQi“The journal and the samples first.”STJk3da
wpl“After seeing me like this, you still want those? Obviously they’re no longer with me.”4VuCx
1PlU28r“Then that means they are now in those people’s hands.”i09f85
j5QPh“Yes, I failed.”0WlD4
pFdpo“You know well the fate of those who fail, don’t you?”V3G
0BtYqGLinne growled.keqP
Y8jKR“So what? Are you going to execute me on the spot for failing?”0BAaqp
83e“You will be escorted as a prisoner from your position as laboratory director. After that, you will face trial.”GNcIGx2
uEs6“Then go ahead with your damned trial! All the research is in my head! I’m the only one who knows how to recreate those samples and continue the evolution of the True Demons!”uZpJU
tSyACYD“There are those among us who practice necromancy. Extracting what’s in your head won’t be difficult.”TR68t
xlZ3S0“Those idiots? Ha! How perfectly do you think those pseudo intellectuals can create anything by playing around with my mind? They’ll barely manage to make a few children’s toys before regretting it!”maNFc
Udq6TThe man simply watched her in silence.r3NP
508wN9Linne forced her mouth to move.NcIA
PMvKfbThe cold was so intense she felt she was going to freeze to death.zxpMI
akjKzq“When my race was being exterminated, you were the only ones who saved me. That day, you said this, didn’t you? That out of everyone, I was the only useful one. Are you going to execute the most competent person right here?”gEA
GRmSo6“……”SlRW
bMbcg7“So stop wasting time and give me those damned clothes.”bqJU
54b95RqThe man observed her for a moment before tossing her a coat.ctQt
qhYILXOLinne immediately put it on.I8j
dM3rhThe inside was warm thanks to thermal magic.1oNs
9rIbm“Was it Perda Valdrova who left your eye like that?”IppJ
oKX3Linne clenched her teeth and nodded.pp4
suV5dj6“I never imagined I would end up defeated by that brat.”4Vfxs
jCT“I heard he was more outstanding than an ordinary human. Even now his name is being mentioned in the Round Council.”y3YZa9
Moa9N“It’s not enough to say he’s better than an ordinary human. Even that description underestimates him.”O0lR
tEIOJr“Then how would you describe him?”20lKt
mcQLinne hugged the coat tightly.8MkFU5i
GP1ph“In all of history, something like him has never existed.”9a6zwz4
QOSEX“You’re afraid.”9QLl
uHioP7“I’m only speaking objectively. The moment he caught me off guard, I felt it.”CK55GB
Dg7After Lightning Bolt pierced through her eye, she remembered the image of Perda burned into her vision.Cgdp8
SvVz0uMA young man with gray hair.x8MK03P
l7eDPwsBlue eyes impossible to read.Nsws
MLEhO7And within those blue eyes, she sensed something familiar.xkj6
9W8a“That bastard is a lunatic who has fought stronger mages over and over again.”OYM
1xAThe eyes of a monster hunter.HziaWTu
AuNSomeone who compensated for a lack of power with technique and crushed enemies by seeing several moves ahead.4Jj
92sFIn those eyes, Linne understood that she had lost.KMHLL5
uuGJYdThat was why she abandoned the fight and used the emergency escape scroll.sPBmc
GzpThe man looked outside.jUgiK
LoUTWxThe snowstorm that had been raging violently was beginning to calm down.IOwT
tqzRiv“It’s time to move.”idP9Z
qSQlbkThe man stood up.r3zL
SGplhBut Linne hesitated.Jlt8xQ
KsuLdt0“Is there no way to avoid my punishment?”s4E
hpK“You already know the answer, don’t you?”w20c3y
KfK5r0The man answered coldly.n5Nl6x
nKSHs“Just pray that your evaluation of him as a lunatic carries enough weight before the council.”RRNVXaH
8b33DDemons were all the same.fpHLZ
FdZtGw3They had no emotions.aUk
HPFs7C6No guilt.znb9kYw
J7OruSkThey only calculated the value of a life.ktzct
9S2“The only thing I can do is prove how useful I am.”aw0rm
0BZJLinne hugged the coat around herself.h6CWeyb
n1ue‘I will survive.’0mR
gfqJb0Survival.yXV17
69AUkThat was the oath she had made from the day she touched Godwin’s blood.XhGMI
ALWk***KZz
ybw4The peaceful central-eastern region of the continent of Serdes.UQRd9
vRBOHThe Rosnova territory was also prospering peacefully.tiOKj
Ab3L1sCThe family head, Eremvalt Rosnova, had already retired due to age, but his two sons successfully maintained the family line.t1RQ7qc
MTTpQAnd then, a bomb fell upon that house.HW1H
fxh1oIvNot literally a catapult or cannon.IlewV
S9FiXk9No.2BnoDn
cV8AIn fact, that would have been much better.DPd
ynhcF“Hello, family head. You know who I am, right?”OAoh
mPQ1Standing before Eremvalt was a young girl.F52
QhhiWith a childish voice, she spoke in an openly disrespectful manner.zck7bpV
mI0GDC9Normally, Eremvalt would have exploded in rage, shouting that an insolent girl should not speak to him that way.KEKf
uLCBut…o8Iv9Pj
RAxU“Yes. I know you very well.”NsxIa94
oS5JNweHe did not dare.prsc
0bY7UBecause he knew what he was seeing was not the whole truth.mQqCaBv
ckT6wThe little girl before him far surpassed his own age.zsGx7
i5nVcKj“Oh? Aren’t you the great guide of mages, Lady Erdes?”QAW
nfTa“Oh, come on. No need to flatter me like that. I already know you people call me the little beautiful lunatic behind my back.”tTJR
EeK0T9oIt was a difficult reaction to deal with.rTkiV
eDFnkHBecause she really was a lunatic.3fcBK
UUctWrBut not exactly a “little beautiful” one.tTWghWp
Bjk“What brings you to such a humble place?”EXWC
dADnEremvalt wanted to know her purpose.LXFtgW
YJCUErdes was like a storm.VttNU
GL5Dbl1She appeared suddenly, destroyed everything, and then disappeared.9ZKv
UUq78Depending on the case, even an entire family could cease to exist.jki3si
IT0OrnqEremvalt’s family could be next.Or9
wpg“It’s nothing important. I didn’t come to turn this place into a disaster, so you can relax.”mNu
ORmBQlv“Y-yes. Of course I wasn’t worried about that.”dvE6FzF
oSCgt“Although depending on how this conversation goes, maybe I will.”45mue
MR8XEremvalt swallowed hard.o5Vbpt
ioNelhHe had ended up in front of a true lunatic.l5LZgE7
kXZJWhen Erdes moved one finger, a map floated out from inside her clothes and landed on the table.EuzssBl
BFx“What do you think this is?”0oIQ5
yvZ“A… map?”h306p
KIFbSEv“Exactly. A map engraved on magical paper. In our Magic Tower, we use this to observe the flow of mana.”StIt
jm7u9vAfter that brief explanation, she pointed at a spot with her little staff.lsc
Wzb“And what do you think this is?”NJeVXPD
85u“Judging by the mark… it seems to be Count Consilus’s castle.”0DO2d
MJzPwIp“Correct. And this point here?”hqJMgW
nDGl“Hmm… some northern mountain?”dE7HQ
sKZ“More specifically.”vsOI
HSsrb7“That… is Silverwind territory.”TqTbz
djO“Exactly! What a relief. If you had been as idiotic as our Blue, I might have gotten a little angry.”WIFh
SvKnExShe smiled sweetly as she lowered the staff.vqxTA
tKvp“And what do you think it means that I pointed out those two places?”3ppmYS2
7XD1“Eh? Well… that is…”2QcObC
B2wcEremvalt lowered his gaze to the map.oYQ
4xw1f4He could not raise his head.hTtaj
LfozSBAThat subtle smile.Mr5jzuh
cg0QWhat shone in her eyes.cNEZ
6gb1XHuHe did not have the courage to face it directly.lgC
Zt01Wh“I’m sorry. With my dull head, I cannot understand…”eiF
3My4r“Well, it doesn’t matter. You’re not even a mage, so how could you understand? Besides, unlike Blue, at least you know you’re an idiot, right?”fkoiR
hOq1LHzEremvalt understood that until just moments ago, death had been standing right behind him.CZ8
Gq6xswEvery word.Wlgh
mLG0Every action.9UII
izPEvery wrong decision and he would die.ZGopU
diILKWhy?tw6KNS
hBgKuWhy did he feel that so clearly?HJm3K
kMrX4hVThe reason was simple.zue
apr“Bending Bridge magic was activated here. A Bending Bridge connected to hell.”mFyrp
qBr14VBlack magic.Xu5
KuRtZeHer hatred for black magic was famous.YN5uO
wZXS6“Is that so?”ADAagn
BO412“But I don’t think Count Consilus was the one who used it.”uqeCSWj
IbR“T-then…”GAcIbXw
dHIuX“Think a little harder. If it wasn’t Count Consilus, who could it have been? One of his relatives? One of his children? Or perhaps… someone above him?”MXw
Zapvj“Someone… above him…?”wKJmzL
u5ELp8Then everything began to fall into place.1y1iZ
8oXoThat was why that lunatic mage had come specifically to seek out a knight family like his.EhuRq
FjwWAzQ“Perda…”uXYcE9a
NNFeThe third son he had abandoned.ndMM
jMAAll of this was happening because of him.lA6y
1CM“There are traces showing that the Regent of Valdrova had contact with demons.”EA5Cc
sK0XY7pErdes Roton.JPb
PnsNAHe knew perfectly well the level of hatred she felt toward black magic.bsFw
6dfAnyone connected to black magic faced, at minimum, the extermination of their entire family.RUj
fgmThat meant the complete destruction of House Rosnova.BgTh9
esWG“P-please, forgive me!”4mpiPd
yVPe0iEremvalt dropped to his knees.hTwrJI
NXUShThe emblem of that proud family of knights was crushed against the floor.C95
1shm“I swear I have nothing to do with that bastard! Since the day he left this house, we’ve been complete strangers! We haven’t even contacted each other!”Zr6k1rt
CGDHe desperately rubbed his hands together while begging for his life.SKXnSVW
rrJpcErdes continued smiling as she watched him.t1a
VkjKSp“I know. It’s obvious that a mere little knight like you wasn’t involved.”W0a
4c5OShe spoke as though she understood.kvHiS
kW4dBut that did not reassure Eremvalt.Ycpa
x2MhCyqThere was no mercy in that woman’s anger.O14M
WvNThat fact alone was enough to exterminate the entire Rosnova family.txXqJch
AblzHowever, today she had no intention of doing so.ths
DNrB103“So speak.”5FYKcES
o8EOsuShe desired only one thing.wHVqMZ
9qOFYiAnd that one thing was far too great.IlRZ
l2nJ“Tell me about this Perda.”KBd4qKS
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationThus bitch is here again every time I read her name it made so angry why not this bitch stay put why she poking nose in someone else business 😒.
Recargas
MortalEssa é doente mental
ReadNova
MortalFrom Erdes’s perspective, she is not really wrong, like she fought in the demon war, thus her hatred for black magic or anything demon related is obvious. And then Perda’s sudden growth and his usage of black magic would seem suspicious to the people in this timeline, it’s not like she could guess that Perda is a 9th circle mage who returned to past, her actions are obvious without knowing about Perda’s truth, even if they are frustrating to read
Ernatio Degaldo (Ernatio D)
MortalI hope this dumb arch mages gets wrecked by Perda. 🙁