The faint glow in his eyes concealed a murderous intent so dense it made her entire body lock up.
Like a baby rabbit standing before a predator.
It was strange.
“Thirteen drops of blood from a creature tainted with poison.”
Why?
Why was that piece of information surfacing in her mind right now, of all times?
“Tainted with poison.”
The man in front of her could crush her throat with his bare hands at any moment.
“Blood.”
A bell rang in her head.
Ah.
Now she understood.
She finally knew why the magic circle had reacted to his blood.
Praying that her voice wouldn't shake, 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 denied it immediately.
His mouth claimed he was human, but his voice was far too rough.
Like a beast growling.
Liar.
Perhaps he read the disbelief in her eyes, because he repeated himself.
“I am human.”
This time, the beast—or perhaps the demon—did a slightly better imitation of one.
“That's why I told you not to injure me. I'm sorry for shoving you.”
The words tumbled from his mouth without order.
“Are you hurt anywhere? If you can walk, leave this room for now and... come back later. In an hour, perhaps. Whatever questions you have, let's discuss them then.”
“Oh?”
Idir smiled calmly.
“I'd rather not.”
“Your Grace. Please.”
Deyan squeezed his eyes shut and raked a hand through his hair.
He was clearly suppressing his anger, yet somehow managed to remain polite until the very end.
The contrast was almost comical.
“Can't we discuss this later?”
His voice sounded almost pleading.
“No.”
If she gave him time, he would find a way to disappear.
Of course, she had already secured a hostage in preparation for that possibility.
Still, the most efficient way to handle things was to finish them quickly.
Think, Idir Hubert.
Deyan's nosebleed had already stopped.
And the wound in his abdomen...
There's no blood.
It had been a grievous injury—serious enough to threaten his life.
She had even poked at 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 days.
An injury that severe healing within mere hours was nearly impossible.
If the victim were human.
The Immortal of Adorif.
Yes.
He really was immortal.
Not merely a title praising his strength.
He truly was—
As the realization settled in, an entirely unrelated question suddenly surfaced.
“How old are you?”
“...What?”
The killing intent twisting Deyan's features faltered for an instant.
“What kind of absurd question is that?”
“You don't seem human, so I thought I'd ask.”
“I am human.”
The immortal answered firmly.
His anger appeared to have cooled somewhat; his gaze was steadier than before.
“Then explain.”
Idir spoke as casually as if discussing the weather.
“Who you are. How those injuries healed so quickly.”
“This is...”
His lips, which looked ready to argue, shut tightly.
“See?”
Smiling sweetly, she approached him.
Slowly.
Carefully.
“You can't answer.”
“You'd be better off not knowing.”
“Hmm. Then perhaps I should report you to the Temple?”
Deyan remained silent.
She had clearly struck a nerve.
“Isn't that right, Sir Immortal?”
“Stop calling me that.”
And that was his response?
Of all things, he chose to complain about the nickname.
How cute.
His argument was barely better than a sulk.
“Let me make you an offer.”
She picked up the dagger lying nearby.
Squatting in front of him, she raised the blade.
“Thirteen drops of your blood. A nosebleed would be fine too.”
“...”
“Give me that, and I'll send you back to your homeland.”
His eyes moved between the blade and her face.
Judging whether she was serious.
“Of course, you don't actually have a choice.”
She smiled brightly.
“Right now, you're under arrest for illegal entry into my country.”
The final nail in the coffin.
“I'm sure you're aware that this could easily become a diplomatic incident.”
“...”
“Otherwise, why would you have been sneaking through that forest like a rat?”
“Let's put that away before we continue.”
At last, Deyan spoke.
Using a finger, he gently pushed the blade aside.
His nails...
A glance at his hand revealed thick calluses where fingernails should have been.
“Allow me to ask instead.”
His voice was measured.
“Why exactly do you want my blood?”
“It's a material for summoning a demon.”
“...A what?”
Deyan stared blankly.
“A demon-summoning ingredient. I've tested the blood of various creatures, but yours is the only one that reacted.”
She saw no reason to hide it.
“You threatened to report me to the Temple while attempting to summon a demon?”
“Oh? You noticed that?”
“Of course I did.”
Idir laughed merrily.
Deyan looked utterly dumbfounded.
Now he was staring at her as though she were some exotic species.
She met his gaze and shrugged.
“It doesn't matter whether you cooperate.”
The smile never left her face.
“I can always take it by force.”
The blade swept sideways.
Well, look at that.
She had expected him to block it with his hand.
Instead, the seasoned knight stepped back and seized her elbow.
“Give up.”
“Ow.”
In an instant, Deyan moved behind her, pinning her arm.
The dagger was naturally taken away as well.
“The moment I scream, the guards will rush in 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 cut or two.”
“I warned you.”
“What warning?”
Tilting her head back, she looked into his eyes.
The crimson tint that had once flickered within his hazel irises was already gone.
“The warning that you'd turn into a monster?”
“...”
His brows immediately furrowed.
Apparently he thought she was too perceptive.
Or perhaps he simply disliked her.
“Since you understand, stop doing reckless things.”
“I think you can survive losing thirteen drops of blood.”
“Then give up on summoning demons as well.”
For the first time, genuine irritation entered his voice.
“Do you have any idea what kind of disaster that could cause? Are you insane?”
She raised her free hand and lightly traced the sharp line of his jaw.
“Perhaps.”
Yes.
She was insane.
Giselle probably thought so too.
After all, what kind of ruler became obsessed with summoning demons for the sake of strengthening her nation?
“But try looking at it from my perspective, Sir Knight.”
The grip on her arm loosened slightly.
Feeling the pain in her shoulder ease, she continued.
“Every nation on this continent—including your homeland—is constantly waiting for an opportunity to devour the Grand Duchy of Plene.”
“...”
“We're trapped between great powers, never knowing when we'll be crushed beneath their feet. You know they call me the Shrimp Princess.”
“I have never used that insult.”
“Of course not. And my arm hurts.”
After a brief hesitation, Deyan released her.
Perhaps he believed disarming her was enough.
Too soft.
With her back turned to him, Idir rubbed her aching elbow and shoulder.
“Are you planning to make a wish to a demon?”
His low voice struck her back like a blade.
“To ask it to make the Grand Duchy of Plene stronger?”
“Foolish.”
His tone hardened.
“If you truly believe things will go according to your wishes, then you're an idiot—”
“No.”
Idir stood and dusted off her skirt.
Then she turned to face him directly.
“I'll ask for the power to take revenge.”
Her voice rang through the room.
“I want revenge against the person who murdered my mother.”
In exchange, she would offer the culprit's blood.
Their flesh.
And her own soul.
Wouldn't that be a profitable bargain for both demon and summoner?
“Take down Her Grace's body! Quickly!”
Whenever she closed her eyes, the scene remained vivid.
The body suspended from the ceiling by a thin rope.
Swaying gently.
Her father's broad back as he collapsed before the sight.
If madness was what it took to set everything right—
Then she would gladly dance in the flames of hell itself.
“You could never understand.”
Her voice grew quiet.
“Someone like you, who has always lived wielding a sword from the position of the strong.”
The emotions she could neither reject nor swallow had only grown larger with each passing year.
“We were so powerless...”
Her hands trembled.
“We couldn't even find the person who murdered the Grand Duchess.”