Demon Prince's Forsaken Bride-Chapter 57: Murder In The Inn (2)
’’Despite the differences between the two clans, humans and demons are familiar with each other’s ways to some extent. If spices and herbs can be smuggled from the human realm and brought here, then it is not difficult for folklores or songs to be passed around as well," Even though her words were vague but the implication in them was crystal clear. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
"That cannot be a human,’’ Azrael’s statement backed up her theory.
After the war, the barrier separating both realms have been perfected to an extent where one could not breach them. And no matter how skillful, a human would not be able to survive under the sensitive noses of demons for long. Even Lareina had a spell casted on her to retain her human scent.
While it was not impossible that a human had orchestrated this whole thing, it would require meticulous efforts and skills to execute such a plan effortlessly. And even if the said person succeeded in doing it, then why would they sing verses from the human realm to frame themselves?
At this moment, the crowd who had surrounded the stone well turned chaotic again.
’’My brother... My poor brother... Ahh...’’ The innkeeper stumbled back, hand clutching his chest as he looked grief stricken.
Azrael motioned with his fingers and following that, both his subordinates swiftly moved. When Lareina looked around, they seemed to have blended into the shadows to observe the crowd for any suspicious person.
Before she could think any further, an arm wrapped around her waist. Azrael guided her into the crowd with one arm on her waist while the other shielded her from the side.
When she looked up at him, she found a frown firmly etched between his brows. His lips curled down in displeasure with every step he took into the crowd. He obviously disliked it here and if not for his mission, he probably would not bother himself with all these people.
’’What happened here?"
Azrael’s question smoothly attracted a few gazes from some of the people in the crowd, ’’Brother, are you a traveller? Don’t you know about recent events?"
Azrael cupped his fist like a local and once again, Lareina realized that this man was surprisingly good at putting up a cover. His subordinates seemed to worry about their prince uselessly all the time.
’’We have come from the east and we are merely resting in Cracon for some time so pardon our cluelessness....’’ Azrael spoke smoothly.
And Lareina marvelled at how he managed to change his tone and language. The posh tone of royalty was gone and the way he spoke was no different from the locals.
’’Isn’t it those filthy creatures?’’ The innkeeper who was crying at the top of his lungs turned at this point.
When he moved, Lareina and Azrael finally caught a glimpse of the person who had been pulled up from the well.
Upon seeing the person, both of them exchanged a brief glance.
The corpse that was lying on the ground was none other than the local guide who had shown them around before leading them to this inn. And Lareina surmised that if the innkeeper’s cries from earlier were anything to go by, this local guide should be his brother. And that would make sense considering the guide walked them around quite some way to lead them to this inn out of all other inns. The brothers probably did their business together and they benefited from it mutually.
’’Those humans were defeated by our god of war so they have come up with new tricks to haunt us. Since their mortal forms could not end us, they have started dispatching these monstrous ghosts to haunt us!’’ The innkeeper burst into tears, ’’My brother... My poor brother had yet to marry...’’
The god of war was undoubtedly the man who was standing beside her. Lareina thought. And it once again dawned on her why the demon lord seemed to hate his capable son so much that he would send him to the jaws of death again and again. How could the ruler stand a subject whose fame surpassed his? When the commoners worshipped Azrael like this, it was bound to be thorn in the demon lord’s eyes.
’’It might not necessarily be the work of a ghost...’’
At Azrael’s words, a few gazes shot their way. Some of those gazes looked at them as if they were looking at fools.
But a few people kindly explained, ’’It is understandable that you don’t know the state of this town. From the past few months, anomalies have been occurring in this place. And not one but many of us, have witnessed the havoc these malevolent spirits have been causing.’’
Even the innkeeper looked at Azrael, still shaken by his brother’s death as he spoke, ’’A few months ago, this town was still making merry but now, many of the people have died. Some rich merchants moved away. And the few of us are left here to suffer. Neither can we leave our business to move, nor can we sleep at night without fear of being devoured by a vicious spirit before dawn...’’
Azrael remained quiet and from an outsider’s point of view, it would seem like he was sympathizing with the innkeeper’s heartfelt speech. But Lareina could almost hear the sound of his gears turning when she saw his thoughtful expression.
’’Why have you not raised this affair? And why have these ghosts not been exorcised yet...?"
The innkeeper hurriedly spoke, ’’The royal palace sent many people to deal with these pests but they were harmed...’’
’’Hah~ What many people, brother?" Another demon interrupted the innkeeper. As he spoke, his tone was laced with rage, ’’Those who have their toes dipped in the luxury of palace need not care for our blisters.’’
’’What do you mean, brother?" Azrael looked at the demon who had spoken.
...
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