Ch.21Meeting (1)
by fnovelpia
“Serphin Del Istria. Here, one must always confess the truth.”
In the solemn atmosphere, the black warlock began his interrogation.
He was a mad demon peering at sinners in the punishment chamber. Unlike ordinary warlocks who read fate in the stars, his interests were morbid. Discovering the greatest pain and fear one could experience in life—that was their reason for living and catharsis itself.
“If you speak falsehoods, there will be punishment. Do you agree?”
“……”
“Refusing to answer is also included in the punishment clause. I will ask once more. Serphin Del Istria. Do you agree?”
“…I agree.”
Serphin answered reluctantly.
She was pretending to be composed. She showed her determination not to bow before the demon before her, but her body was honest. She trembled, consumed by the fearsome aura the warlock emitted. It was a reaction flowing from the most primal part of her being. Still, befitting the daughter of a Grand Duke, she maintained her sanity and answered carefully.
“Then I shall ask. Did you bribe a court lady of the Demon King’s Castle to extract information from the castle?”
“I know nothing of this.”
“This time I will ask differently. Did you cast a spell on a court lady of the Demon King’s Castle to extract confidential information?”
“…I truly know nothing.”
“I hope you understand why this interrogator keeps asking the same question.”
The black-hooded warlock slowly circled around Serphin. An unpleasant aura spread around like fog.
“We already know, Serphin Del Istria. Countless testimonies about your actions have already been gathered.”
“…”
“Remember that if you continue to deny, only death awaits at the end. The castle does not tolerate treason.”
The warlock pressured Serphin. His voice was like a noose around her neck. He whispered incessantly from close proximity, constantly scratching at the truth hidden deep in her heart. Any other high-ranking demon would have already succumbed by this point, confessing everything while engulfed in the black mist.
But Serphin was different. As her soul was driven to the edge, she forcibly swallowed her fear. She raised her head and faced the warlock.
“I never contemplated treason. Please rest assured that there is absolutely nothing of the sort that the Regent is concerned about.”
She refused to yield. Unlike her involuntarily trembling body, her mind pushed back against the fiercely constricting pressure. As Serphin’s golden eyes gleamed, the black mist attempting to envelop her lost its power. Even the warlock seemed to witness this for the first time, taking a step back.
“This won’t be easy.”
The warlock confirmed that his magical power had no effect. The traditional interrogation method utilizing fear was only effective on Serphin initially; once she displayed her power as a high-ranking demon, it became ineffective. He even sensed something akin to enchantment. Feeling the danger, he reined in his power. Then, looking back, he asked Durin who was waiting behind the curtain.
“May I proceed to the next stage?”
“Permission granted. Proceed.”
“As you command, Your Excellency.”
The warlock looked at Serphin again. He smiled at her as she radiated her golden eyes.
“It would be best to prepare yourself mentally, as we’re going to delve deeper.”
“I hope my innocence will be quickly revealed.”
Serphin regained her composure. Once she started using her power, she completely overcame the pressure of the punishment chamber. It felt like she had returned to when she was dealing with the eastern nobles in the reception room.
Of course, it was only for a fleeting moment.
“Let’s see how long you can maintain that attitude.”
Snap!
The warlock snapped his fingers. Simultaneously, the firmly closed door of the punishment chamber opened, and a great commotion poured in.
“Y-Your Excellency! I am innocent! I truly know nothing! I’ve devoted my entire life to the castle, and you call it treason? No, it’s not true!”
It was a maid covered in blood. Her appearance was too pitiful. The succubus, who had always been the presentable face of the castle and kept herself neat, had become half-crazed, leaving Serphin speechless.
“Please. Please. Spare me. I want to live. I am truly clean.”
With half-limp fingers, she clutched the warlock’s robe. Her desperate voice intensely craved life.
“If you talk about that person, I’ll give you a chance.”
“What?”
“The reason you were lurking near the Regent’s office. Explain that.”
“Ah…”
The maid slowly turned her head. Serphin could face her. Life returned to the empty eyes of the succubus. She had seen a thread-like chance at life. She did not hesitate.
“I’ll tell you everything. I’ll tell you everything, so please…”
If she could speak, the maid would have told everything Serphin had instructed her to do. She needed to betray that woman immediately to escape this terrible punishment chamber and save her life. But the moment the succubus opened her mouth to the warlock, her voice disappeared. It was a bizarrely strange scene.
“Keck! Kugh!”
The confused maid touched her throat. No matter how hard she tried, no sound came out. She struggled to convey her intentions to the waiting warlock, but even that began to be blocked.
“Ugh, mmph! Ugh! Kuph!”
She stiffened as if someone was forcibly controlling her body. The maid knelt and placed her hands on her knees. Contrary to her tear-streaked face, it was a demure posture. It seemed like she was told to sit quietly and wait for death. She could barely glance at Serphin by rolling her eyes.
“…”
The Grand Duke’s daughter was staring intently at her. Her golden eyes gleamed more fiercely than ever beneath her expressionless face. The urgency she had barely concealed made her nibble her lower lip. Serphin was silently telling her:
Take it to your grave. I know nothing of this.
“I, I mean.”
“…”
“I, I mean.”
It was a scene where anyone could see third-party interference. But no testimony that could serve as evidence of guilt under the law came forth. Since no voice could be heard within the punishment chamber, nothing could be recorded with certainty. It existed only in the mind of the Chief Justice waiting to pass judgment behind the curtain.
“Hmm.”
The warlock quietly observed the scene before approaching the curtain. Covering his mouth with his hand, he asked:
“What should I do now?”
“That’s enough. Come out now.”
“As you command.”
The black-hooded warlock moved away. He left the two engaged in their battle of wills without any lingering attachment. This was because someone else was to enter in his place.
“You handle it better than I expected.”
Durin tore through the curtain and entered the punishment chamber. His voice, like scraping metal, changed the atmosphere. Both the struggling maid and Serphin looked at him simultaneously.
“Durin…”
Unlike the maid who froze, not knowing what to do, Serphin uttered his name. There was a small anger in it. With the fearsome warlock gone, only rage remained. The magic of domination whispered to her, inciting her to resent Durin who had reduced her to this state.
Having overexerted her mental strength, Serphin immediately succumbed to this. She glared at Durin.
“Aren’t you afraid of the consequences? You’ve just meddled with the daughter of the Eastern Grand Duke.”
“I was prepared to kill you if necessary.”
“Do you think my father will stand idle? The stability of the demon realm you so desperately desire—remember that from this moment on, it will become a dream you can never achieve.”
“We’ll see when I face the Grand Duke whether I’ll behead him or become his friend and clasp hands.”
“How ridiculous.”
Serphin frowned. Her golden eyes turned toward Durin. The energy that had consumed the maid was now directed at him.
The magic of domination began to rule her. The rough magical energy pounded against his black armor.
“I will never forget what happened today. I will remember every single moment you intimidated me.”
“Your life will become very uncomfortable. But before that, take a moment to rest.”
“Durin!”
Just as Serphin, unable to contain herself, was about to spring up from her seat, Durin’s hand reached her first. The Regent suppressed Serphin with powerful force. It was pure strength in the literal sense. He forced the Grand Duke’s daughter, who was wrapped in the power of domination, back down with sheer physical might.
“Eek!”
Unable to withstand it, Serphin trembled. She tried to shake off Durin somehow, but it was useless. When the red jealousy was added to this, even breathing became difficult.
“Now go to sleep.”
“Du, Du…”
“I have urgent matters to discuss with the Chief Justice.”
Thud.
As Durin pushed in his magical energy once more, the strength drained from Serphin’s grasp. Her body, which had been pushed to its limits by the magic of domination, could no longer endure. The young green-horned demon fell into a deep sleep. Having achieved what he wanted, Durin called for the Chief Justice.
“Matheus.”
“Speak, my lord.”
“What do you think of Istria’s daughter?”
That was what he was most curious about. Since the power Durin directly confronted wasn’t particularly strong, it was difficult for him to make a judgment.
In place of the Regent, Matheus examined the sleeping Serphin.
“She seems to have some awareness of her power. However, her ability to control it is still lacking. I have served numerous Demon Kings and witnessed various magical energies, but I’ve never seen such unrefined power.”
“So she discovered it herself. Should we assume it awakened after she arrived at the Demon King’s Castle as a hostage?”
“Further investigation is needed, but that can be presumed for now.”
“Let me confirm one last thing. In your view, does this child possess enough power to become a ruler?”
Matheus hesitated momentarily at Durin’s question. It was a crucial turning point that would determine the fate of the castle.
The old demon rose from his seat and followed Durin beyond the curtain of the punishment chamber.
“The foundation is somewhat established. Seeing that she can subdue lower demons at will, she can handle the power of domination beyond enchantment.”
He looked down at the maid who still couldn’t produce a voice. She appeared unable to keep up with the sudden shift in conversation after struggling with the traces of torture. Her wide-open eyes wandered, lost. Matheus peered into them.
“But not yet. The power of domination must govern even the minds of lesser beings. She doesn’t seem to have reached that level yet.”
“Beyond enchantment, but below the power of a king, I presume.”
“Precisely. That level of ability is quite comparable to what past Demon Kings possessed during their successor days. However, it seems she discovered it herself and doesn’t realize it’s the power of a king, merely thinking of it as a special ability she can control with her magic.”
“No need for additional comments, Matheus. Are you saying she passes?”
“If Your Excellency decides so, that’s what it will be.”
The Chief Justice delivered his verdict. He presented Durin with the choice of destiny.
“What will you do?”
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