“Hello there, Morphis~”
Liya did not rise from the bed.
After a simple stretch, she leaned back with both hands propped on the bed in a lazy posture.
Then she crossed her legs and looked at everyone with a teasing gaze.
“Long time no see.”
Morphis closed her mouth and said nothing more.
In that instant, she recalled the scene where she and Philina had nearly been imprisoned by Liya.
Communicating with a Heavenly Oracle Envoy who had already fallen into demonification was meaningless from the start.
Simona explained.
“A few days ago I captured Liya, but I discovered that even the temple’s prison cannot completely confine her. On our side, aside from Saint Son Miss Olivia, no one else can keep watch over her. Until we find a better solution, I will be solely responsible for this matter.”
“With Olivia and me here, there won’t be any problems.” Simona looked at Philina and Morphis, her face showing clear determination. “You don’t need to be responsible for this. You can even treat it as if it doesn’t exist.”
At this moment, Gabriella was also examining the seal.
It was indeed very strong.
“I understand.”
The two nodded and agreed.
The magic array was not constructed from countless neat circles and symbols fitted together seamlessly.
Instead, it relied solely on magic circuits left behind by lingering mana.
This was a type of magic array distinct from the modern magic used by the priest corps.
It belonged to a field that modern magic technology had never touched.
Although it looked somewhat crude, Olivia’s special runes had enhanced it several times over, enough to render a king-class powerhouse incapable of fighting and completely at the mercy of others.
This special seal had been built in over a hundred layers.
In addition, there was a mithril cage enchanted with light-attribute magic that could greatly weaken a demon’s mana.
Although it had little effect on Liya, breaking through with raw physical strength was no simple matter either.
At the very least, the surface-level work had been done well.
However, Gabriella still felt somewhat helpless.
After all, Liya was not some demon general.
The positioning of the maid corps and the Royal Knight Order was not much different.
Her departure meant one less person in the inner palace.
What made Gabriella feel even more helpless was that she had actually started worrying about whether her stupid little sister could properly manage the maid affairs.
Recalling her little sister’s face when she first busied herself around, flustered yet extremely motivated, Gabriella could not help but smile.
Just treat it as giving Liya a vacation.
As expected of Her Majesty the Holy Queen.
She had actually brought Liya back.
Morphis stared into Liya’s eyes.
“If she turns back into a Heavenly Oracle Envoy, then we would no longer be enemies.”
“Almost none. Right now, do we still have any possibility of restoring her?”
Simona shook her head.
“Demonification is almost an irreversible process. All of this traces back to the birth of demons. It is said that this is an evil tree cultivated from the Evil God’s blood. After bearing fruit, it transformed into life. The Evil God controls [Shadow]. She can create loyal slaves for her own use. Therefore, to a certain extent, demonification is also a form of corruption by her power. Strictly speaking, Miss Liya’s body has already completely transformed, and so has her soul.”
Simona’s explanation carried no emotion whatsoever, as if Liya were truly her enemy.
“How rude.” Liya merely smiled.
Morphis looked at her with eyes full of regret.
She still vaguely remembered the scenes of Lady Liya operating divine puppets in battle on the front lines.
Now, Morphis was once again meeting those demonic vertical pupils.
For a moment, the complicated emotions in her heart were difficult to calm.
She said sorrowfully, “Do we really have to fight to the death?”
“Miss Morphis.” Liya’s voice became teasing. “As long as all of you become demons, the problem will be solved.”
“…Demon race.”
“That’s right. The final destination of Heavenly Oracle Envoys is to grow wings and horns and become demons.”
After Morphis finished speaking, she turned and left the basement.
Philina followed behind her.
Without lingering any further, everyone left the prison, walked out of the basement, and returned to the first-floor hall.
Gabriella, however, gave Liya one last deep look.
“That’s not how it is.”
The final destination of Heavenly Oracle Envoys is to become demons?
If it were the Gabriella from several months ago, she would definitely have thought this was Liya trying to bewitch Morphis.
But now, she felt that this sentence, to a certain extent, was fact.
All the Heavenly Oracle Envoys she had encountered so far gave her the feeling that their bodies were nothing more than “containers” for shadow.
It made Gabriella think of the memories she had once seen, yet she could not quite grasp the connection.
For a moment, Gabriella fell into deep thought again.
Isabella tugged on Gabriella’s arm, stopping her from continuing her speculation.
The two of them then followed Simona out of the basement.
These matters… I’ll find another chance to discuss them with them later.
After Morphis and Philina left, Simona found Gabriella and Isabella alone.
She nodded slightly, lifted her skirt, and curtsied, representing that her loyalty to the Demon King remained undiminished.
“Captain miss, Miss Silver-White Sword Empress, long time no see.”
Just like she had done in the inner palace, she greeted the two of them.
The only difference was that her tail and horns were both hidden.
“Miss Simona is very cute today as well.” Gabriella praised.
The latter also nodded slightly and returned a smile.
Simona then looked at Isabella. “Including that pitiful little bird?”
“Everything is proceeding according to plan.”
“Yes, she is already under our surveillance.”
“Mm~ That’s good.”
Isabella nodded.
The two exchanged several hints.
Although the information exchange was somewhat stiff, it at least would not be captured by Creis.
They spoke about a few more things, seemingly related to issues between the demon race and humans.
For example, the Demon King’s army had already retreated, and the human army had completely lost interest in the demon race.
Unfortunately, as the “patient,” the weakened Miss Silver-White Sword Empress could only watch the two of them engage in their “loud conspiracy” from the sidelines while sitting off to the side eating small cakes.
In addition, Gabriella also captured a rather important piece of information.
The Queen of Monastar had connections with the Flame Saint, and the identity of the Abyss Bishop did not seem to be human either.
However, because she herself was not participating in the plan and could not directly ask for the information she needed, Gabriella decided to find time later to sort through all this information again.
Perhaps then she could uncover the truth behind the awakening of that Heavenly Oracle Envoy.
Soon, Simona’s conversation with her came to an end and shifted into daily work arrangements.
Simona’s main responsibility was guarding Liya and helping Philina and the others with cleaning work.
Every day she would check three times—morning, noon, and evening—whether the seal was loosening, and take the opportunity to extract information from Liya.
Although it sounded complicated, Gabriella understood that this was simply the Holy Queen fulfilling her duties.