https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-573-So-Adorable-I-Want-to-Eat-You-Up/12584881/
Chapter 572: Sybrian's Successful Merit-Deduction
Chapter 572: Sybrian's Successful Merit-Deduction
At dawn, the Demon Realm's palace was already aglow with a brilliant array of lights, their shadows intertwining.
Countless court servants and guards bustled about, making the final preparations for the upcoming visit of the Vampire envoy, Count Selgio.
The palace gates stood open, and the endless front plaza was covered with steps, the floating lights seemingly welcoming the noble Southern Vampire guest.
The construction of the plaza in front of the Nicalis Palace could be traced back thousands of years to when Nica Island and Lis Island were still connected, surrounded by the breath of hell, and the seawater had extinguished the lava, causing tectonic changes. It was only then that this place gradually became the prosperous new royal capital.
With the application of Demon magic and the tireless efforts of craftsmen, the natural undulating terrain not only supported the entire front plaza and the palace atop it but also showcased the unique architectural art and style of the Demon race.
After countless years of renovations and expansions, the plaza in front of the Nicalis Palace today had become the center of politics, culture, and power in the Demon Realm.
Numerous Demon reporters and aristocrats waited within the plaza, and the surrounding streets teemed with shadows eager to witness whether the Vampire detective would stir up a storm of blood and carnage in the Demon King's city of Nicalis.
"Your Highness, I know you have old grievances with the Vampires, but please be mindful of your identity."
In the center of the palace plaza stood Kaliyla, the Fallen Lord, her voice gentle as she reminded Sybrian.
"...Understood."
Wearing a silver crown symbolizing royal authority and a skirt of pale blue, shimmering like the brightest stars in the night sky, Sybrian replied with an assured and coldly beautiful expression.
Out of the corner of her eye, Sybrian could see that the Fallen Lord had her eyes closed, feigning disinterest in the proceedings. The Fallen Lord's face still resembled Tata's, making it difficult for Sybrian to truly dislike her.
It was too cunning of her to present herself in a form that was the most beloved by the other party.
After spending some time with the Fallen Lord, Sybrian understood that beneath her polite exterior, she was a tiger who would not tolerate questioning—a far cry from the genuine care Tata and the Ice Snow Witch had shown her.
The Fallen Lord was indeed protecting her, but it was different from the concern Tata and the Ice Snow Witch had offered.
To the Fallen Lord, she was merely a priceless and fragile doll.
However, the grudge the Fallen Lord referred to must be related to the incident sixteen years ago in this shadow world, where Sybrian had almost been killed by Vampires at the Lichten Castle on the border of the Southern Honing Empire.
As the sky turned into an eclipse, the spectacle in front of the Demon Realm's palace reached its peak.
The alternation of the sun and moon in the sky created a strange and spectacular sight, accompanied by an obscured sun that cast a deep purple hue across the heavens.
Just as all eyes were fixed on Princess Sybrian standing on the palace steps, a black demonic vehicle adorned with blood-red patterns and customized for Vampire nobles approached from the distant road.
It came to a stop in the plaza, eliciting a murmur of hushed discussions.
Today marked the princess's first public appearance, and she would fully display her capability in handling Demon Realm affairs.
Whether she was merely a scapegoat for the Fallen Lord or a young royal with a deep heritage and a shrewd mind would be revealed in how she confronted the Vampire detective, Count Selgio.
The pitch-black magical contraption slowly opened, and a tall male figure dressed in the nobility attire of the Southern Honing Empire stepped out, his foot on the pedal.
His appearance immediately captured everyone's attention.
This tall man with black hair, red eyes, and a slender build was undoubtedly the Vampire envoy, Count Selgio.
Following behind the count were uniformed Demon guards.
He glanced at the sky and quickly ascended the steps, wasting no time.
"Princess Sybrian, on behalf of the Vampires, I thank you for your generous hospitality."
Count Selgio bowed slightly to the princess as he reached the top of the stairs.
"Welcome, Count Selgio," Princess Sybrian replied, her face wearing an elegant smile, though her eyes held a scrutinizing gaze toward the visitor.
Sybrian despised Vampires.
Her father, Duke Miliya, had gone missing because of them, and the last time they had caused trouble, Tata had been injured in the South Vanatina territory.
She truly loathed them.
Yet, at this moment, she had to feign the demeanor of a dignified Demon princess, accommodating the Vampire envoy with a smile.
"Is there anything I can assist you with?" Sybrian asked politely.
She recalled the Ice Snow Witch's teachings about always maintaining composure as a spy, and so she played the part of a graceful princess, mirroring the witch's calm demeanor, unaffected by her inner emotions.
Of course, she was indeed a princess, so there was no pretense there.
"Your Highness only needs to provide assistance when I seek help and facilitate my investigations. Please refrain from involving yourself in other matters," Count Selgio requested with a subtle smile, his voice deep and magnetic.
In truth, both parties were well aware of their positions, and it was clear that the more this princess tried to help, the more likely she was to make matters worse.
"I won't delay for long. Very soon, I will solve this case."
Count Selgio confidently raised his index finger, gesturing to the surrounding crowd of onlookers and adding to his statement.
His gesture seemed to be telling the culprit, whoever you are hiding among the spectators in Nicalis City, I will find you out shortly.
Such an aura heightened the tension in the atmosphere of the entire palace front plaza, causing even the demon residents watching the live broadcast on the magic screens to look up attentively at the bloodline detective, the center of attention.
"Then I wish you every success, Your Excellency."
Sybrian nodded, her hands clasped in front of her as she maintained a poised stance.
As a bloodline detective with a 100% crime-solving rate, Sybrian believed that the other party would not need too much time to find the culprit in Nicalis.
Once Detective Selgio completed his deduction and gathered all the evidence, the case would quickly proceed to the trial phase.
These were inevitable steps.
However, Sybrian had prepared multiple countermeasures the night before.
She had a way to thwart Count Selgio's efforts at every turn, and when the time came, Fallen Duke's subordinates would do their best to destroy the evidence. All she needed to do was stall Count Selgio in person, predict his actions and desires, and engage in a battle of wits to prevent him from solving the case too quickly.
And as a last resort, Lanchi had taught her how to respond if she was about to lose the upper hand in court.
A loud slam on the table would do the trick.
The judge would rule that the defendant was too emotionally agitated and needed a recess to regain their composure.
With the trial taking place in the Demon Realm, they would have more room to maneuver.
The reception ceremony continued solemnly in the artistically rich atmosphere of the palace front plaza, with ancient demon sculptures and magnificent flower beds lining the sides. Each flower blooming was a unique species native to the Demon Realm, emitting an enchanting fragrance in the dim light of the eclipse.
On the stone steps, the guards stood in formation, clad in silver and black armor, brandishing demon-mechanized weapons. Their armor was etched with majestic and solemn demon runes.
At the top of the stairs, Princess Sybrian and a group of demon nobles finally concluded their greetings with the vampire envoy, Count Selgio.
"May I begin my investigation now, Princess Sybrian?"
Count Selgio inquired.
Without the permission of the Demon Realm, the arbitrary use of bloodline abilities in the royal capital of Nicalis could potentially trigger the suppression of the city's defensive barrier.
"Of course."
Sybrian glanced at Fallen Duke and replied to Count Selgio.
"I ask that after I find the culprit, Princess, you cooperate fully with my investigation. Otherwise, if I cannot return to the Honing Empire and provide a reasonable report to our ancestors, it will become very troublesome."
Count Selgio fixed his gaze on Sybrian.
"Naturally."
Sybrian agreed.
"Mhm."
Count Selgio was pleased.
If they could capture a high-ranking demon culprit and solidify the evidence, the vampires would be able to force further concessions from the demons during the upcoming peace negotiations.
This time, his mission was not only to apprehend the murderer but also to attempt to weaken the demons' bargaining power at the negotiating table and show them that the royal family was subservient to the vampires.
This little princess was undoubtedly naive and inexperienced.
Too immature.
Count Selgio saw through her easily.
She might be naturally intelligent, but she lacked life experience and had not been tempered by the trials of life and death.
Later, no matter how unreasonable his demands were, he would force the princess to agree and lead her through a carefully orchestrated trial.
It didn't matter how long it took to catch the culprit; if the princess wanted to delay, he would let her, as everything was under his control. The critical aspect was that during this process, he would erode her dignity and make her understand the current standing of their Demon Realm relative to the vampires.
Count Selgio quietly mouthed a spell in the vampire language, activating his bloodline ability, [Blood Coordinates].
In the misty, early morning air of the palace front plaza, Detective Selgio's gaze quietly traversed the shadows, his blood-red eyes emitting a faint glow in the dim sky.
In this Demon King's City, the gathering place of the powerful demon nobles, filled with the aura of demonic power, every strand of magic was clearly visible to him.
Very soon, he would locate the culprit.
Whoever had a red light on their head was the murderer.
With the answer in hand, all that remained was a straightforward process of accusation.
As the spell concluded, a thread of red magic escaped from his gaze, floating like mist, and his eyes were veiled by a layer of scarlet.
""
Count Selgio's mind went blank, and he froze in place.
In that instant, he saw that most of the high-ranking demons in the entire Demon King's City had started to emit a strange red light!
And for some reason, those demons with the red lights above their heads seemed to be unconsciously swallowing as they looked at him.
That light resembled the color of solidified blood, both vivid and chilling, invoking an unprecedented sense of fear in Count Selgio's heart.
Just how much of Gregory's blood had been shed to create this color!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
