Volume 1, Chapter 52 – Negotiation

Just as Yisi had anticipated, Owen soon arrived at the manor, accompanied by the Holy Knight Commander and a large contingent of knights tasked with “escorting the hostage.” However, contrary to expectations, they did not depart immediately. Instead, Owen first urged the Holy Knight Commander to remain calm and wait outside, then proactively invited Yisi to make some preparations inside the manor.

Now, Yisi, Camilla, and Owen sat facing each other in the manor’s reception room.

The teacups on the table emitted faint wisps of steam, creating a sense of tranquility and calm that contrasted sharply with the heavy snowfall outside the window.

Holding her teacup with both hands, Yisi spoke in her usual haughty tone.

“Vice Archbishop Owen, is there something important you wish to discuss by inviting me at this moment? Let me make one thing clear—if we delay too long and my father loses his patience, flattening the Niru Diocese won’t be my fault.”

“Of course.”

Owen nodded with a smile, still dressed in his white priestly robes and hat adorned with golden trim. He deliberately gave Yisi a meaningful look, signaling for Camilla—an outsider—to leave.

Pretending not to notice, Yisi leisurely took a sip of the tea brewed from winterbloom. Though Camilla’s cooking skills were abysmal, she excelled at making tea. The sensation of the warm liquid flowing down her throat was so soothing it nearly drew a sigh of pleasure.

“Speak. Camilla is no outsider.”

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“This…”

Owen hesitated. What he was about to discuss was the matter of demonic possession—that Yisi was no longer Yisi. Only by revealing this could the subsequent negotiation proceed. However, if Camilla, as the second daughter of the Pescia family, learned the truth and informed Count Pescia, Yisi would lose her value as a bargaining chip, which would naturally disadvantage the Church.

Frowning in thought for a moment, Owen grew anxious. He placed his hands on the table and leaned forward slightly. As Yisi had said, the agreed-upon time for the hostage exchange with Count Pescia was before sunset. The journey from Niru City to the diocese’s border alone would take half a day. Delaying too long here could lead to disaster.

“Lady Pescia, what I am about to discuss concerns not only the Church and the Pescia territory but also your personal interests. If too many people learn of it, something you would not wish for may occur. I urge you to reconsider.”

“Onee-sama, I still have some luggage to pack. Please allow me to excuse myself for a moment.”

“…Very well.”

All necessary preparations had long been completed. Camilla’s excuse was clearly meant to ensure the following conversation could proceed without reservations. Yisi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—Camilla’s thoughtfulness made her feel somewhat inadequate.

With a creak of the wooden door, Camilla left the room.

Owen’s smile returned.

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“Time is short, so I’ll be direct. Miss Loiswell—if I may call you that—you are no longer the original Loiswell, are you?”

The moment he finished speaking, Owen steeled himself. There was no doubt the demon before him was stronger than him. If she believed his survival would hinder her, now would be the perfect time to assassinate him. To avoid this outcome, Owen added hastily, cold sweat running down his back.

“You need not worry. I’ve only shared this information with a few trusted associates. No unrelated parties are aware of it.”

This was a veiled warning—even if Yisi killed Owen here, his confidants would spread the truth. However, this was merely a tactic to protect himself. In reality, making deals with demons was a direct violation of holy doctrine. If others in the Church learned of this act, which would condemn him to eternal damnation, they would immediately mobilize the Holy Knights to eliminate Yisi. Thus, Owen had not revealed his discovery to anyone.

Just as Owen expected, Yisi did not immediately lash out to kill him. Instead, she remained composed, still holding her teacup.

“What exactly does the Vice Archbishop mean?”

“I suppose I may now address you as ‘Miss Demon’? To be honest, your unusual behavior initially did not lead me to suspect demonic possession. However, when I visited your manor yesterday afternoon and discovered you had secretly altered your appearance—even your race—I had no choice but to question your identity. Aside from the Goddess Ymir and demonic possession, no one can change from one race to another.

However, you must understand that I bear no ill will toward you as you are now. I represent the moderate faction of the Church. As long as the Church can achieve lasting peace, I will treat you the same, whether you are the original eldest daughter of the Count or the demon before me.”

Due to his nervousness, Owen spoke rapidly. Yisi could even feel the table trembling slightly from his shaking.

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But this fear was entirely unnecessary. Yisi had no intention of killing Owen. Initially, she thought Owen’s statement—”Loiswell is no longer Loiswell”—meant he had discovered that the soul of a modern person now inhabited the eldest daughter’s body. To her surprise, he was referring to her “second form awakening.” Even if this were exposed and reported to Count Pescia, it wouldn’t matter. To the blood clans, who did not worship the Goddess Ymir, she could easily explain it away with a few fabricated excuses.

After all, she had inherited the eldest daughter’s memories. No matter how Count Pescia questioned her, she could recall details from those memories. Moreover, the Count was unlikely to believe Owen in the first place.

More importantly, Yisi saw Owen’s discovery as an opportunity. She had been worrying about how to leverage the Church to live in the human world, and now Owen had presented her with the perfect chance. As he had said, no matter who stood before him, as long as they could bring peace to the Church, Owen would strike a deal with them.

Thus, Yisi had no intention of killing Owen. On the contrary, she wanted to cooperate with him as much as possible.

There was no need for secrecy. She clicked her tongue in feigned annoyance.

“Making a deal with a demon… As a member of the Church, such an act would condemn you to eternal damnation.”

“Compared to the peace of the entire Church, personal sacrifice is insignificant.”

Was this the mindset of a martyr?

Yisi couldn’t help but feel a twinge of admiration, though she maintained her cold expression.

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“What kind of deal do you propose? I hope the answer isn’t boring.”

Sensing that Yisi had no intention of killing him, Owen relaxed slightly. He then retrieved a small golden emblem from his pocket, intricately carved with a lifelike image of the goddess.

“It’s simple. Though I don’t know what plans you have by possessing the eldest daughter, one thing is certain—your abnormality will eventually be noticed by Count Pescia. If he discovers his daughter’s soul has been usurped, he will undoubtedly fall into grief and madness. Even for you, Miss Demon, being relentlessly hunted by the formidable Pescia territory would prove overwhelming.

So, if you’re willing, I can privately arrange certain conveniences for you. For example, after you are exchanged for the Archbishop, you may quietly return to the human world. This emblem will allow you to move freely within the Church’s domain and even receive assistance from local temples.

Of course, the condition is that you must neither reveal your identity as a demon nor expose yourself as a vampire. For someone who can change races, this shouldn’t be difficult, correct?”

Of course, it wasn’t difficult. In fact, it aligned perfectly with her own plans. Yisi felt as though she’d won the lottery.

Her initial idea had been to speak briefly with Count Pescia before leaving and secretly infiltrating human society. Owen’s offer was nothing short of a godsend. Were it not for her current persona, Yisi would have thanked him outright.

“And the price?”

“You must guarantee that you will never return to the Pescia territory.”