Cecilia stepped out of the courtyard, and on the streets, the passing demons immediately fixed their gazes on this human.
Many demons didn’t recognize the Saintess, but they had all heard the rumor about the Lord of the Succubi taking in a human Saintess.
So, when they saw her, sneering expressions spread across their faces.
After all, the Central Saintess of the human church was not comparable to those ordinary Saintesses.
The demons had been at war with humans for so many years, and they had captured countless ordinary Saintesses, but never once had a Central Saintess been brought into the Demon Realm.
Now, the Demon Lord Veiya had brought a Central Saintess into the demon world, which to them was a sign of human weakness.
“Is this the Central Saintess from back then? She looks so delicate and tender… Is she the one causing us trouble on the front lines?”
“Hmph, no matter how difficult she was, she’s still running to our Demon Lord now, isn’t she? Let me tell you, these people are no pushovers. If it weren’t for Demon Lord Veiya herself stepping in, she’d probably still be causing a ruckus on the front lines.”
“Look, she’s looking at me. Is she going to kill me?”
“Honestly, this Saintess isn’t bad-looking at all.”
Voices buzzed around Cecilia’s ears, demons openly discussing everything about her, even speculating about what had happened between her and Veiya.
But Cecilia had no mood to refute or care about their words.
Her mind was occupied with worry over Via’s situation.
Fortunately, although the demons were talking, none dared to approach her closely.
They knew very well that this Saintess was quite powerful; no one wanted to invite bad luck. Moreover…
No matter what, the Saintess now belonged to the Lord of the Succubi.
The Demon Lord’s subordinates wouldn’t dare make a move recklessly.
***
Inside the cage formed from plants, the Dark Elf Lord, Muli, was on the verge of collapse.
The strange Mark on her lower abdomen continued to glow steadily.
Her pretty face was drenched in sweat, her body burning as if searching for some kind of release.
In this state, she couldn’t even perform basic plant control, let alone fight back.
“Miss Muli, why stop here?”
Via smiled as she controlled the Mark, and every time she infused magical energy into it, Muli’s eyes involuntarily widened, her entire body trembling instinctively.
“Despicable and shameless… If you have the guts, just kill me…”
A beautifully cruel plea.
Though not exactly pleading, Via understood that, in a way, Muli was begging for a quick end.
“No. The Demon King himself has decreed that Demon Lords must not slay each other internally,” Via invoked the law.
“Muli, hold on a little longer. Try your best. Maybe if you push harder, you can break the Mark I placed on you.”
Truth be told, Via hadn’t expected the Mark to be this effective.
Succubi magic was rarely used by her, and this particular Mark was never used before.
Muli was her first test subject.
Now, Muli deeply regretted it.
She was running out of strength.
“Ah, I just remembered—these rude flowers in this garden must be under your control,” Via stepped forward, her palm gently pressing on Muli’s back, sliding down along her spine.
“I’ve stayed long enough. How about considering letting me go?”
“I… if I let you go, please stop quickly…”
“Don’t break your word.”
Via temporarily ceased the Mark’s effect.
The strange sensations on Muli’s body gradually faded.
Her flushed face returned to normal as she nervously stood up, then raised her hand.
The surrounding plants immediately retreated, returning to their original calm and peaceful state.
“You may leave now.”
“You won’t hold me accountable for my disrespect towards the Demon King?”
Via’s smile turned a little brazen.
“…That debt, I’ll settle it sooner or later…”
“Hm?”
Via narrowed her eyes, giving Muli a dangerous look.
Her gaze lingered briefly between her legs.
Sensing the ill intent, Muli quickly clutched her skirt tightly.
“I…I mean, sometimes different voices are normal.”
It wasn’t that she was disloyal to the Demon King, but she was afraid that if she kept being toyed with by the Succubus in front of her, she might end up completely obedient.
“Oh, by the way, since you’re here, how do the other Demon Lords feel about me taking in the Saintess?”
Since she was already here, Via wasn’t going to waste the trip.
She needed to know how the demons internally viewed her and Cecilia.
Although the Demon King had allowed Cecilia’s presence, it didn’t mean all demons accepted it.
If the various Demon Lords disapproved, future matters might become inconvenient.
“The vast majority disapprove. Only two Demon Lords have no extra objections to your actions. Veiya, what you did this time was truly reckless.”
Muli, firmly grasped by Via, seemed more herself now—her pretentious elegance and calm gone, replaced by a concise but resentful expression.
“Honestly, having a Saintess surrender to the demons should be a good thing. Why is everyone so gloomy about it?”
Veiya’s tone was teasing.
She knew very well what these guys were thinking—as the Lord of the Succubi, Via had once been human and was the most unaccepted among the Demon Lords.
They generally didn’t trust her.
Her subordinates didn’t have many valuable people either.
Now, a human Saintess appeared in the demon world, clearly only following Via.
Undoubtedly, this would greatly increase Via’s influence among the thirteen Demon Lords.
“No one ever told you that you’re really annoying?”
“What did you say?”
Via smiled faintly, the light in her hand flaring up again.
“No, I said nothing.”
The humiliated Dark Elf had no choice but to endure.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Via turned to leave but suddenly looked up at the plants lurking under the eaves nearby.
“Don’t think I won’t see through your little tricks. You’ve been looking for a chance to get rid of me, haven’t you?”
Those plants were obviously arranged in advance by Muli.
If Via left like this, they would immediately attack her—an attack that would be fatal.
“N-no, that’s not what it is. Please let me explain!”
“No, no, no, Muli, I don’t have time for your explanations. You said Dark Elves hold grudges, well, I do too,” Via waved calmly and said, “As a punishment, you get the Mark fully activated all day today. Hold on, don’t lose control and become a breeding ground~ Or else the reputation of the Dark Elf Lord will be completely ruined.”
“Via, f*ck you!”
Facing the Dark Elf’s desperate curse, Via remained unmoved.
No matter what, the other had already taken a grudge today, so she might as well be the villain to the end.