Sevitis fished Su Ling out in the end.
Even when carried through that wall of fire, this dumb cow still slept like a log.
Luckily, she didn’t wake up midway.
If she had seen Sevitis’s true identity, Sevitis would have seriously considered whether she should really make a roast whole cow for tonight’s meal.
Inside the damp cave, the fire gradually subsided, and black smoke began to grow.
Sevitis dragged Su Ling toward the cave entrance.
Just before reaching the exit, she casually tossed the ox demon to the ground, planning to return to human form under the sunlight first, then come back to take her.
‘In fact, for a moment, I considered throwing this dumb cow back into the fire. The reason was simple: while leaning against me and dreaming, this girl had smacked her lips and suddenly blurted out,’
“It’s been so long since I was carried by Mom… but it’s a bit bony. Did she grow more muscle again…”
‘So in a fit of anger, I dropped her to the ground and switched to dragging her out.’
‘Maybe I should just throw her back and roast her? It’s not too late to silence her now, and I can justifiably keep all the magic cores for myself.’
Sevitis calculated with empty eyes.
Fortunately, the thick smoke hadn’t spread to the ground.
Su Ling continued to sleep soundly, carefree. Sevitis stared at her for a long moment, then finally let out a helpless sigh, turned, and walked out of the cave alone.
As the fire inside gradually died down, billowing smoke spread to the cave entrance.
Even though it was broad daylight outside, the passage was so thick with smoke that not a single ray of light could get through.
“Cough, cough…” Even with this powerful vampire body, Sevitis couldn’t handle the smoke and quickened her pace.
As she moved forward, the smoke finally began to thin, and a golden light gradually became clear.
“Phew—”
Sevitis couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. A long-lost sense of safety welled up in her heart.
‘Finally seeing sunlight. It seems even though my body has become a vampire, deep down I still retain that basic human longing for light.’
‘I have to get out and change back quickly. It’s getting late.’
“Moshi moshi~ Can you hear me?” The voice from outside the cave made Sevitis freeze mid-step.
‘Wait, why is the light talking?’
Before she could think further, the voice got closer:
“Is anyone in there?”
Then, the golden “light” before her not only grew more dazzling but also formed a human silhouette—clearly that of a girl.
‘At this point, if I still haven’t realized, I’d be no different from that dumb cow behind me.’
‘This damn thing isn’t sunlight at all! It’s that evil golden retriever in human skin!’
‘If this is a chance encounter in the exam hall, I would never believe it. That woman must have followed the scent specifically to catch me!’
‘Is she really a dog? I hid in this godforsaken place, and she still found me? And wasn’t there a barrier outside to block perception?’
‘No, now’s not the time to dwell on that. The priority is how to avoid her. I’m in my white-haired vampire form now. If that Saint Candidate catches me red-handed, I’ll probably be purified on the spot.’
‘Earlier in the forest, I could pass as lost, but this is Contar’s official exam hall. I’ll definitely be eliminated as a Demon Race spy with malicious intent!’
But before she could come up with a plan, the girl enveloped in golden light stepped into the cave.
A golden barrier kept the smoke at bay as she walked straight toward Sevitis.
“Sevi, are you having a barbecue party in there? Such a fun thing, and you didn’t call me!” The girl’s slightly reproachful voice echoed in the empty cave.
‘It’s over, over. Too late.’
‘The path ahead is blocked by this girl. Going back means a sea of fire. Could it be that I, the proud heir of Duke Adams, will have to die here in this disgraceful form today?’
Sevitis paced anxiously on the spot.
“Eh, who are you?” The golden-haired girl asked suspiciously, having seemed to notice a figure in the smoke ahead.
‘Can’t see me, can’t see me.’
In desperation, Sevitis turned decisively and quietly shuffled toward the corner.
She quickly brushed all her conspicuous waist-length white hair forward, messily covering her face.
‘No way! The smoke is thick, the light dim, and I’m covering my face. Even with perfect vision, she definitely won’t recognize me!’
“Ah, it’s you, you adorable little monster. Long time no see. Did you get lost again?” The golden figure walked right behind her and cheerfully greeted the back facing the wall.
“How did you recognize me?! Do you have a dog’s nose?!” Sevitis yanked the hair off her face and turned around with a look of utter shock.
“And isn’t there a barrier outside? How did you even sense my presence?!”
‘She now seriously suspected that this scheming woman had secretly planted a tracking spell on her when she wasn’t looking.’
“Oh my, so you can talk?” Eulalia’s eyes lit up. She leaned in closer, looking at Sevitis with hopeful expectation.
“Um… can you use that voice to call me ‘Big Sister’ just once? If you do, Big Sister will give you something tasty.”
“Is that really the point?!” Sevitis exposed her little fangs in exasperation. “Answer my question now! Don’t blame me if I get rough!”
‘The barrier outside definitely hasn’t failed. Otherwise, the commotion would have already attracted the examiner. Since the barrier is intact, the problem can only be this girl in front of me.’
‘Could it be… that woman’s perception is so abnormal she can ignore the barrier?’
Even after being yelled at like that, Eulalia wasn’t annoyed. She straightened up slightly and tapped her cheek with a finger, putting on a troubled pondering expression.
“Hmm~ Even if you ask me like that, I don’t know how to explain. If I had to say… I just followed my intuition and came here to find someone.”
“…”
Hearing this answer—even more frightening than “followed the scent”—Sevitis was covered in exasperation.
‘To be honest, I’d rather hear that the other used some tracking spell, even a high-level magic tool. At least I could try to counter those.’
‘But “intuition”… how am I supposed to defend against that? Other than eradicating this freak, I really can’t think of any other way.’
“Alright, I’ve answered your question. So as an exchange, shouldn’t you agree to Big Sister’s request?” Eulalia wore a lecherous grin as she stepped closer.
“Or, you can just let me hold you and pet you~ Mine at home is too shy and won’t let me touch her usually.”
Sevitis was so scared by her demeanor that her hair stood on end. She stepped back repeatedly with a look of disgust.
‘She has such a decent pure face, but now she reeks of perversion? What the hell did this girl experience in the Theocratic Nation over these five years?!’
“Make your decision quickly, cute little wildcat. After all… you don’t want the examiners outside to know you’re here, do you?”
Hearing that somewhat familiar line, Sevitis felt a chill.
‘No! If I don’t find a way to escape soon, I’ll definitely fall into that woman’s clutches today!’
‘But the outcome differs a bit from what I imagined earlier—going from “purified by holy light on the spot” to “used as a toy and played with until broken, then purified by holy light”!’
The golden barrier enveloped Sevitis as well. By now, she had retreated to the corner, her back pressed against the cold rock wall, shrunk there and trembling.
As Eulalia’s evil claws were about to land on her white hair, she suddenly remembered something and shouted:
“Wait! I have one more question!”
“Hm?” Eulalia paused and tilted her head slightly.
“That barrier outside… did you break it by force, or did you just walk in?”
“I just walked in.” Eulalia answered honestly.
“I see…” Sevitis slowly lowered her head, her bangs covering her expression.
“Finally given up on running?” Eulalia chuckled and reached out again. “Don’t be scared, Big Sister will be gentle~”
“Run? Kuku…”
Just as Eulalia’s fingertips were about to touch her, Sevitis snapped her head up.
She covered the right side of her face with one hand.
Through the gaps of her fingers, the pupil of that eye contracted and transformed into an eerie vertical slit, and a crimson light suddenly flared.
‘Escape my ass!’
‘Since the barrier is still up, people outside can’t sense what’s happening here. Then I’ll just go all out against her!’
“【Seven Sins Eye】!”