“That maid is definitely connected to the demon race.”
Yvette’s voice was serious as she lightly tapped the armrest of the sofa, producing a soft tapping sound.
“So I suggest we take the initiative and eliminate her before she causes more trouble.”
Yvette smiled with a wicked, domineering expression and made a throat-slitting gesture.
That was undisguised killing intent.
Yelena didn’t look up. The Silver Flame Chef’s Blade spun once in her hand.
Another large slice of golden pineapple fell in response, neatly arranged on a white porcelain plate.
“A threat? No, she’s bait now.”
“I told you, don’t be impatient…”
Yelena pushed a small plate of cut pineapple across the table toward Yvette.
“However, we can first test the Hero to see how determined she is.”
…
Late at night, in the backyard of the cheap inn.
Aisha stood alone by the well, her platinum blonde hair wildly tossed by the wind.
She lowered her head, watching the moon in the well water shatter and reform, uncertain of what to do.
The image of Kate and the others losing their temper during the day, along with the series of events, swirled in her mind.
The anger of her teammates, Yelena’s help, Mira’s instigation, Yvette’s ridicule…
Scene after scene surfaced in her heart.
Who could she believe? Which path should she take?
As she was feeling unsettled, a breeze blew from the side.
Aisha heard a faint noise behind her, like clothes brushing against a wall.
Aisha whirled around but only saw dappled tree shadows.
But at that moment, a voice whispered right next to her ear.
“Hero, if you have time, may I have a word?”
Aisha stiffened and looked toward the source of the voice.
“You?! The one by Yelena’s side!”
Anna had appeared in the shadow behind her, like a ghost melded into the night.
“About your new maid.”
Anna’s voice carried no emotion, but it was like a sharp knife straight into Aisha’s deepest doubts.
“She is not human. She is very likely a demon.”
At this, Aisha spun around, her hand already tightly gripping the hilt of her sword.
The habits formed from long-term combat made every muscle in her body tense.
Staring at the person in the shadow behind her, she whispered, “What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said.”
Anna stepped out of the darkness, the moonlight sharply illuminating her cold facial features.
She didn’t pay much attention to Aisha’s tension, calmly stating the facts.
“In an environment like Lava Canyon, even if an ordinary person drank an Advanced Fire Resistance Potion, they couldn’t come out unscathed like she did.”
“The high temperatures there had no effect on her at all. Don’t you find that suspicious, Hero?”
Aisha didn’t speak; she was thinking.
She recalled the scene: Mira had only sweated symbolically.
In stark contrast to the rest of the team, who were drenched in sweat.
Anna didn’t give her much time to think and continued:
“When you were surrounded by Lava Hounds, she looked flustered and was in danger of being tackled several times, but at every critical moment, she used tiny movements to dodge lethal strikes.”
“That wasn’t luck; it was precisely calculated dodging. She’s hiding her true strength.”
Most importantly, Anna’s words finally revealed an unusual sharpness, piercing Aisha’s heart.
“Lady Yelena sensed the aura of the Abyss on her.”
The aura of the Abyss!
Those five words hit Aisha’s heart like a heavy bomb.
Serving as the Hero in the Holy See, she understood better than anyone what that meant.
“It can’t be… The Holy See checked her background… Her sister is Delilah, the Vice Chief Priest of the Holy See!…”
Aisha’s voice was dry; she felt even her own words were useless.
Anna said nothing, taking out a small silver badge from her bosom and handing it to her.
The badge was engraved with the symbol of Holy Light, emitting a gentle glow under the moonlight.
This was an Exorcism Badge blessed by the Holy See, highly repulsive to demonic beings.
“Find an opportunity to let her touch it and see how she reacts.”
Aisha’s breath caught.
Every accusation in Anna’s words corresponded to the indescribable discomfort in her heart.
After taking the badge, her hand was cold, but her heart burned with anxiety.
At that moment, a gentle voice came from the corner, accompanied by soft footsteps.
“Lady Aisha, the night is deep and damp. I have prepared a hot drink for you.”
Mira approached with a cup of hot cocoa, smiling.
“Oh, and this is… Miss Anna? What a coincidence.”
As she spoke, her beautiful purple eyes subtly swept over Aisha’s hand that was tightly gripping the badge.
At that moment, Aisha clearly saw deep in Mira’s eyes a fleeting, icy smile that only she could see.
It vanished quickly, yet seemed deliberately natural.
Aisha’s back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.
Anna nodded to Mira as a greeting, and the next moment she vanished into the darkness.
With Mira’s arrival, an invisible pressure settled over the small yard.
Aisha quietly slipped the badge into her sleeve and forced a smile. “Thank you, Mira. I’m a bit cold.”
When she returned to her room, she could barely breathe, the suffocating feeling was so intense.
Kate and Sylvia were both asleep, their breathing steady.
Aisha sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the hot cocoa Mira had brought, not touching it.
She decided to seriously test Mira.
“Mira, could you help me organize my equipment? Today’s battle was so chaotic that all my gear got mixed up.”
Aisha spoke, trying to keep her tone normal.
“Of course, Lady Aisha. It would be my honor to help you with that.” Mira agreed with a smile.
Aisha dumped a pile of items onto the table, including a spare set of chainmail, a few whetstones, and a small bag of gold coins.
The silver Exorcism Badge was also mixed in “casually.”
“Hand me those things.” Aisha pointed at the pile.
“Alright.”
Mira smiled and reached out, her slender, fair fingers gracefully gathering toward the pile.
Just as her fingers were about to touch the badge emitting a holy glow…
“Ah!”
Mira suddenly gasped, her wrist twisting as if she had lost strength.
With a clatter, all the items on the table fell to the floor, gold coins and whetstones rolling everywhere.
The important Church Emblem rolled under the bed to the farthest corner.
“I’m so sorry, Lady Aisha!” Mira immediately bent down, full of apology, her tone tinged with a bit of chagrin.
“Lately, I seem to be allergic to metal. My hands are so clumsy. How rude of me!”
Every movement and expression as she bowed was perfectly executed, with nothing seeming out of place.
Aisha looked at her without speaking, but her mood sank bit by bit.
Allergic?
A maid who tidies and polishes armor, swords, and such every day—allergic to metal? 😅