Chapter 305: The Death of Solitär
Deep within the Magic Association tower, in an interrogation room layered with restrictive magic.
Solitär was bound tightly to a cold metal chair by several mana chains.
These chains not only restricted her movement but constantly emitted a holy aura, suppressing the mana within her body. Her human illusion could no longer be maintained, revealing her true form.
Flamme stood before her. Ela and Frieren stood slightly further back, watching her vigilantly. Although Solitär's desperate resistance in the previous battle had caused them considerable trouble, Flamme—armed with various powerful spells from Rhodes—had successfully captured her.
If not for Flamme's request to interrogate her, Ela would have killed this demon on the spot.
"Ariel... or rather, Solitär. Is that your true name?" Flamme's voice broke the silence. "What exactly is your purpose in disguising yourself and infiltrating the Magic Association?"
Solitär raised her head, forcing a stiff smile. "Purpose? Didn't I say it already, Lady Flamme? I just wanted to learn human magic. After all, your human magic system looks very interesting to me."
"Learn magic?" Flamme scoffed as if hearing the most ridiculous joke, her tone thick with disbelief. "Demon magic originates from innate talent. Its profundity and power far exceed the scope of current human understanding."
"If Master Rhodes hadn't analyzed and improved the basics a thousand years ago to make it universally applicable, humans would struggle to even get started. You, a high-ranking demon, would deign to learn human magic? Do you believe that lie yourself?"
Ela chimed in coldly, "Exactly! When did demons ever become so eager to learn? State your true purpose. Is it related to the northern battlefield?"
Frieren didn't speak, but she nodded vigorously.
How could there be a demon in this world more eager to learn than me?
Solitär shrugged, her tone retaining that infuriating casualness. "Believe it or not, I am telling the truth. Human creativity can sometimes bring surprises. I cannot find such surprises among demons at all."
"Can you demons even understand the concept of 'surprise'?" Flamme sneered.
"I am different from other demons. Besides, I consider myself a 'good' demon."
"A demon is a demon. There is no such thing as good or bad!" Frieren rebutted immediately.
In her view, cunning and evil existences like demons simply didn't possess goodness. Their malice was carved into their bones.
"If you don't believe me, I can't help it. But I truly haven't actively killed any humans... ah! Or elves."
Hearing Solitär say this, Flamme frowned. She was actually more concerned about something else.
"Besides, look at me. I maintain Disguise Magic every day. I look like a harmless demon. How could I be the evil existence you speak of?" Solitär said with a grin.
Ela was momentarily baffled.
She had never seen a demon with such rich expressions. Compared to her, Ela felt her own understanding of human emotions was lacking.
"How long have you lived?"
"Seven or eight hundred years, I think. I can't remember clearly."
Solitär considered herself quite strong, ranking within the top five of the entire Demon Race.
After all, the demons of the Mythical Era had been purged by the God-slayer Rhodes several times; basically none survived. The slightly stronger demons now were all born after the Mythical Era ended.
At Solitär's age, she was already considered an elder among them.
"Seven or eight hundred years..." Flamme muttered. "Tsk. Long-lived species are truly enviable."
The eternal life she racked her brains to pursue was effortless for these long-lived species.
"No need to envy, Lady Flamme. Have you not already mastered the method to become a long-lived species?"
Hearing Solitär say this, Flamme's heart clenched violently, but her face remained impassive.
She couldn't let Ela and Frieren pay too much attention to Carlo and the immortality magic, especially in front of this demon.
She pondered for a moment, then turned to Ela and Frieren. "Ela, Frieren, go check the interior of the Association first. Ensure there are no other demons. Leave this to me."
Ela looked at Flamme with some confusion but nodded. "Alright. We will go now."
Frieren looked thoughtfully at Flamme and Solitär, asked no questions, and followed Ela out of the interrogation room.
Soon, only Flamme and Solitär remained in the room.
Solitär let out a low chuckle. "Heh heh. It seems our respected Lady Flamme has some little secrets she doesn't want others to know. In such a hurry to send them away?"
Flamme walked up to Solitär, looking down at her. Ignoring the probe, she cut straight to the core issue. "Now, answer me! What exactly did you say to Carlo? And what did you do?"
"Me? To Carlo?" Solitär tilted her head, feigning thought. "Nothing much. Just as a helpful mage, I assisted him in perfecting the immortality magic. Oh, and incidentally gave him a tiny suggestion: switch the experimental material from frail humans to our demonic compatriots with their abundant life force."
"After all, make the best use of everything. And against demons, no method is too excessive, right? Even he agreed with this idea."
"What is your purpose in doing this?!" Flamme's voice carried suppressed rage. "Do you know the risks and uncertainties involved? What are you plotting by inciting Carlo to do this?!"
"Purpose?" Solitär laughed. The smile carried a non-human malice. "Just interest. I simply wanted to see what kind of risks were hidden within. That is all."
She paused, looking at Flamme teasingly. "Besides, in a sense, I am helping you, Lady Flamme. Aren't you also very interested in that magic? I helped you advance the research process. You should thank me. So, how about releasing me for the sake of that favor? I would be very grateful."
"Nonsense!" Flamme shouted sternly. "I would never use such evil methods. Your actions will only lead Carlo down an unimaginable path to the abyss."
"Evil?" Solitär sneered. "In the acquisition of power, is there any absolute justice or evil? As for what Carlo will become, I do not know either. Think what you want; every word I said is the truth."
Flamme stared deathly at Solitär, trying to find a trace of a lie in her eyes.
But the frank look in Solitär's eyes made Flamme realize this demon likely spoke her true thoughts. She had helped Carlo push this magic forward purely out of interest.
This sent a chill through Flamme.
But right now, she was more worried about Carlo's current situation.
That immortality magic was extremely dangerous to begin with. Adding the unknown variable of utilizing demonic life force made the future completely unpredictable.
Furthermore, the magical runes she had originally given Carlo included parts derived from the original scriptures of Holy Magic.
Whether it was the reproduced immortality magic itself or the original scripture runes mixed within, neither could be allowed to leak.
If utilized by those with ill intent, or if the research spiraled out of control, the consequences would be unthinkable.
She had to find Carlo as soon as possible and understand everything.
Flamme took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anxiety and unease in her heart.
Looking at the captured demon before her, although she wanted to end her with one strike, she worried Solitär held deeper plots she hadn't fully revealed.
Should she hand Solitär over to Master Rhodes? He would return soon anyway.
But the moment this thought arose, it was replaced by a stronger fear.
Because once Solitär was handed over to him, the fact that Flamme had secretly pushed the research of immortality magic—and even provided original Holy Scripture runes—could absolutely not be hidden.
At that time, how would her teacher look at her? Disappointment? Disgust?
Flamme dared not imagine that look.
Everything she did, her obsession with pursuing immortality... ultimately, wasn't it all to stay by her teacher's side longer?
If she were rejected by her teacher because of this, what meaning would all her efforts and struggles have?
She absolutely could not hand Solitär over to Master Rhodes.
She spoke slowly, her voice lowering. "Solitär, how about we make a deal?"
"A deal?" Surprise flashed in Solitär's eyes, quickly turning into interest. "If you can let me go, everything is negotiable. Even matters regarding the Demon King, I can tell you."
"Releasing you is impossible." Flamme denied it flatly. "You are too dangerous. Besides, Master Rhodes will handle the Demon King; I do not care about that."
"Then what is there to trade?" Solitär curled her lip.
Flamme stared into her eyes, speaking word by word. "The deal is: as long as you guarantee not to mention anything about the immortality magic or Carlo to Master Rhodes... I can guarantee you that I will do my best to plead with Master Rhodes not to kill you, but to seal you instead."
"Seal?!" Solitär froze, then burst into laughter as if hearing the biggest joke in the world. "Hahahaha! Flamme, are you an idiot?"
"A seal placed personally by the God-slayer Rhodes? I fear no one in this world can break it. How is that different from total annihilation? I probably wouldn't see the light of day until the end of the world!"
Solitär was indeed afraid of death, but she found a fate worse than death even more unacceptable.
After laughing, she carefully examined the ugly expression on Flamme's face, and the corners of her mouth curled into a smile.
"Wait... I think I understand something." Solitär dragged out her tone deliberately. "You are so nervous, willing to use such conditions to seal my mouth, trying every way to hide it. It seems... you really do not want that Rhodes to know about the immortality magic, do you?"
"Especially... you don't want him to know that his good disciple, Flamme, not only secretly pushed the research of this forbidden magic but even provided key magical runes, correct?"
"Your secret pursuit of immortality... it seems you do not want your revered teacher to know about it?"
Solitär's words caused Flamme's body to stiffen almost imperceptibly. Although she tried hard to control it, the fleeting panic in her eyes was precisely captured by the demon.
"Looks like I guessed right. So, there is more than one idiot wanting immortality!"
Hearing Solitär's words, Flamme clenched her fists. She stared deathly at Solitär, killing intent surging in her heart.
A deal... seemed unworkable.
In that case... let this guy disappear completely.
Kill her.
Right here, right now.
Then, immediately head to the northern battlefield and find Carlo.
Before he causes a greater disaster or leaks more secrets, resolve him along with the immortality magic and all related records.
Of course, not killing Carlo, but using the Memory Magic Master Rhodes created.
Although she wasn't very skilled with this magic, deleting a portion of a person's memory was achievable. That way, everything would be perfectly covered up.
Solitär dies, the magic disappears, Carlo forgets everything. All leads are thoroughly cut.
Even if Master Rhodes noticed some clues later, there would be no proof. It would be a done deal.
Time would wash everything away.
The more she thought about this idea, the more feasible it seemed. Her heart raced, and a cold killing intent rose, quickly drowning her previous hesitation.
Her eyes changed.
Blue mana began to gather silently around her body. No longer for intimidation or restraint, but carrying a pure intent to kill.
Solitär keenly sensed the change in Flamme's aura.
It was no longer the annoyance of having a secret exposed, but a more dangerous shift.
The smile on her face froze instantly.
She seemed to have gone too far and pushed someone over the edge.
She tried to struggle, but the suppression from the Holy Chains made her movements incredibly weak.
Flamme slowly raised her right hand. A magic circle began to revolve in her palm.
"Holy Lance."
Flamme whispered the name of the spell.
This was an offensive spell specifically designed to target demons. Once hit, even a Great Demon like Solitär would be annihilated directly, leaving no trace.
"Are you crazy?!" Solitär finally showed shock. "Kill me? Right here? Flamme, don't you want to know exactly what I did to Carlo? And how will you explain this to your Master Rhodes?"
"It doesn't matter anymore. Besides, haven't you already said it?" Flamme smiled. "Furthermore... 'A low-level demon infiltrated the Association, attempted to resist during interrogation, and was executed on the spot by me.' That explanation is sufficient."
Flamme hesitated no longer. Her arm moved slightly, and the light lance shot from her hand!
Solitär's eyes widened. Bound as she was, she had almost no possibility of resisting. Her body was pierced directly by the light lance.
Moreover, the lance shot straight into the stone wall behind her, emitting a violent explosion.
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