Wohard’s apology was not just words—he handed over the Spell Scrolls he had taken earlier.
Before, when he took the Spell Scrolls, Sovinia, whose soul was utterly that of a demon, felt she was being seen as weak and viciously provoked.
To the powerful Decapitator Nemesis, Sovinia was a bit surprised by his “submission.”
Although I am weak, I am clever. Even in the fields I despise most and am least skilled at, I can outwit a mere Hero. A dumb dog is still a dumb dog.
She thought this as she took the three Spell Scrolls, squatted back down, and began to ponder.
The air in the cave was sticky, mixed with the smell of sulfur and rot, and from afar, the bubbles bursting in the Slime Marsh made a “gudu” sound, like some dull heartbeat.
Thinking about slaughter is much easier than thinking up lies.
***
Not long after.
“It’s too difficult to rush in head-on,” Sovinia spoke, her voice crisp and echoing slightly in the pitch-black cavern, “Look, there are too many little Slimes, and that big one keeps splitting, like it’s laying eggs. If we just charge in, we’ll be overwhelmed for sure. So, we need to come up with a way for you to face it alone, without interference.”
Wohard nodded, letting out a muffled “Mm.” His gaze was still locked on the distant Slime King, as if he could burn through its body with his eyes and bring his comrades’ corpses back.
Sovinia sketched on the ground as she spoke: “I’ll go over and throw rocks at it to piss it off. Maybe it’ll crawl out of that sticky pit to chase me.”
Wohard didn’t turn his head as he said:
“What if the big one doesn’t fall for it, and its offspring come after you instead?”
“That’s easy, I’ll just have to give it something nasty.” Sovinia answered without hesitation, “I’ll blast its face with this ‘Greater Fireball Spell.’ If I can’t beat it, I have ‘Shadow Walk’ to pull back, and this ‘Forcefield Sphere’ can buy me some time. I won’t die.”
“Greater Fireball” was a term used by spellcasters. The “Forcefield Sphere” was a rather rare spell, monopolized by the Magical Academia Faction—a forbidden technique not taught outside their ranks. Illegally learning it would make one hunted by some factions of the Magical Academia.
A captured Elven Princess, not only knowing these spells but instantly thinking up such flexible tactics.
Wohard finally turned to look at her:
“You really know a lot, Miss Sovinia. This plan sounds good—pretty reliable.”
Foolish, you dumb dog, you really see me as some weak female elf?
“But, even if we lure it out, don’t think you can waltz up and have a one-on-one.” Sovinia said, “It’ll definitely have a bunch of sticky bodyguards with it.”
“I think so too.” Wohard said, “I have an idea myself, but I want to hear yours first.”
“Use your Divided Self.” Sovinia said it like it was common knowledge, “Find a dark corner to hide it, those Slimes are dumb—just smear some Slime Mucus from the dead ones on yourself, then find cover to hide your body.
“They use thermal vision and smell to find enemies.
“They definitely won’t notice. When I draw the big guy near your Divided Self, I’ll blast the little ones with a fireball—that’s the signal. You swap places with your Divided Self and ambush it.”
After finishing, she looked at Wohard, chin slightly raised, not realizing she was actually looking forward to surprising this Decapitator Nemesis once again.
“You said… Divided Self?” He repeated, voice emotionless, but those emerald eyes seemed to grow colder.
“Yes, Divided Self.” Sovinia nodded, not understanding his reaction, “You come with me to throw rocks too, for redundancy and backup.
“The fireball’s to draw its attention as a last resort—I still need it to clear out the riffraff.”
Wohard slowly shook his head, moving as if under immense pressure.
“Miss Sovinia, my question is… how did you know I can use Divided Self?”
The air froze instantly. Sovinia’s expression stiffened, cursing inwardly: This dumb dog is sharper than I thought—am I going to lose my head today?
Crap, her mind went blank.
For a powerhouse, details of their own abilities are top secrets. Especially something like “Divided Self,” a trump card that creates limitless tactical possibilities.
***
“Very few people know the details of my Divided Self.” Wohard’s voice was terrifyingly calm. “Aside from my closest comrades and mentor, only one enemy knows. He was once my foe, Nightmare of Humanity, First Heavenly King under the Demon King—Kimi the Coldhearted.
“So, Miss Sovinia, would you satisfy my curiosity?”
Right.
A captured, amnesiac Elven Princess could never know.
The only explanation was that I am not an Elven Princess at all—I am the one who fought against the Hero.
Kimi the Coldhearted!
Sovinia’s ears shot up in terror.
Decapitation again!
Fear gripped her heart like an icy hand.
She could almost feel Wohard tightening his grip on his sword’s hilt. That scorched longsword, once drawn, could in an instant lop off her pretty elven head.
Honestly, though her body was frail, her head was quite pretty—at least not bad…
She was rather fond of wearing this head. She didn’t want to lose it.
Sovinia’s throat went dry as she desperately searched for a lie, but came up empty.
She stared into Wohard’s eyes, thinking that if she didn’t speak, her head would go flying the next moment.
In desperation, she blurted out:
“Um… Kimi the Coldhearted knows, so I know too, so—”
The words slipped out, and she instantly shut her mouth. What nonsense am I spouting! This is a confession without a fight!
However, the anticipated flash of a sword did not appear.
Wohard laughed, “So you’re Kimi the Coldhearted? Heh, now that’s interesting.”
Sovinia’s mind completely crashed. He saw through me? He actually saw through my disguise! Is he hiding his killing intent behind that laugh?
As expected of the Hero who cut off my head—before, I really underestimated you. This dumb dog is actually so clever!
She cranked her inner alarm to the highest setting, body ready to dodge and roll. But out of habit, her face remained cold and calm.
Wohard glanced at her face, then immediately suppressed his smile and said apologetically,
“I’m truly sorry, Miss Sovinia. I shouldn’t joke about your painful past. How could you be Kimi the Coldhearted? His disgusting, terrifying appearance would give anyone nightmares.”
Sovinia’s taut nerves suddenly relaxed.
Disgusting? Terrifying? What do you know about aesthetics! That’s the perfect union of power and slaughter! The most fashionable killing aesthetics! Look at that Skull Cloak, look at those Blessed Scales unfazed by swords and blades, full of strength and beauty!
She screamed internally.
Wohard, seeing her silent, became even more sincere, thinking she was still upset:
“So, Miss Sovinia, can you forgive me? And satisfy my curiosity—how did you know about my abilities?”
The question circled back again.
Sovinia deeply felt the “cleverness” and “persistence” of the man before her.
She couldn’t afford to spin off another ill-prepared lie.
So, she reached out again and took Wohard’s rough hand—he could smell the faint scent of pine needles on her.
***
Sovinia listened to his heart.
Wohard’s inner voice flooded her mind:
“How does she know? Did Kimi do something to her? Some rumors say demons can turn living things into War Maids, letting them share the caster’s knowledge… Good heavens, if that’s true, how much pain has she suffered…”
Ah, yes, yes, you’re smart—much smarter.
Sovinia let go of his hand and said directly,
“I… I don’t know… My mind is a mess… It’s just, sometimes, I just know things… It’s like, I’m a weapon? Yes, a weapon… If Kimi the Coldhearted knows, then I know too… I guess, that’s it…”
Her words were fragmented and illogical.
Yet Wohard nodded, finding it all so reasonable.
“Again, I’m sorry, Miss Sovinia. I shouldn’t have brought up your scars. Please forgive me for making you recall those bad memories. That demon—I’ve already cut off his head. He paid for his crimes.”
Heh, soon you’ll pay as well, dumb dog—or should I say, clever dog.
Sovinia let go of his hand, thinking this was only slightly easier than assassinating the Demon Queen.
“This plan is excellent, truly, just what I was thinking.” Wohard said, full of affirmation, “Let’s go with it. People really can’t be judged by their looks. You think just like I do, Miss Sovinia.”
Sovinia lowered her eyes, her long silver lashes hiding the mockery within.
Good, now it’s time for you to take the bait, dumb dog.