Cannot Escape the Devil - Chapter 12. An Uninvited guest

Translated and Edited by Gigi 

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After the meal that day, Asaya, along with Leah, told Marshall all about what happened seven years ago. Marshall finally arranged the contents for Edwin, who was keeping tracks of all statements.

“The crime was treason. On that day, in the basement of the Lubedoa family, forbidden tools, forbidden books, and magic circles were found. The church presented the evidence to the judge, and the expulsion order was confirmed in the final trial. It seems that the trial was a bit rushed. The day after the capture, a closed trial proceeded immediately not only for the Lubedoa family, but also for all the vassal families. Two days later, they were escorted out of the wall at dawn.”

“Continue.”

“For treason against the church , public executions are common, but for some reason, an order of deportation outside the wall was finalized. Furthermore, there is only one surviving family of the vassal family, which is said to be the Schrandel family that produced the current Archbishop and Bishop of Adorasium.”

“Why?”

“It turned out that the whistleblower to the church was Tasion Schrandel, who now sits in the position of Archbishop.”

When Edwin listened to the story, there were some things that were a bit strange. He looked at the statement sheets over and over again tediously.

“It didn’t look like an incident that could be concealed by the church.”

“No one knew about the basement where the ritual of demon worship was held. Miss Asaya and Leah also testified that they did not even know the basement’s existence. In addition, as soon as the deportation order was finalized and the convoy outside the wall was  finished, the church massacred all the sinners .”

“Do you mean they were forced out the wall and got killed there?”

“Yes, it’s a little weird. I wonder why the church had to do such a hassle. As soon as the sinners were arrested, the entire Lubedoa’s mansion was burned before the sentence was confirmed. I think that was too extreme of a crime. A closed trial conducted by only a few church’s officials on the grave crime of treason, an order of deportation rather than public execution, and an ambitious early morning escort when everyone was asleep. And slaughter them outside the wall.The more I think about it, the more questions come to mind.”

“It was strange that they dealt with the felony of treason too quickly, and all of this was done without anyone knowing.”

Most of the monasteries and convents were located in deep mountains, so most were closed environments. Although it was the best environment to cover up and conceal something, the devil worship ritual must have been a pretty big issue. There were ot only one or two families involved, so was it possible to proceed quietly?

“Is this all? “

“Yes. In the case of Miss Asaya and Leah, it is said that a man named Gildardo, who was a friend and a colleague of Runeshard Lubedoa at that time, saved them. This man, too, has recently disappeared.”

“In the end, there was nothing for sure.”

“If the sin was framed, we should find out why the church had to destroy the Lubedoa family and many other vassal families, but neither Miss Asaya nor Leah knows about its deep innermost. I think we need to find other survivors, Runeshard Lubedoa.”

“There was nothing to be found, but it smelled bad. And at the center of it are Reibene Schrandel and Tasion Schrandel. This was definitely an interesting part.”

“If I do it well, I could give that nasty old man a proper punch.” Marshall said.

“I understand to some extent about the incomprehensible behaviors that Reibene Schrandel made in front of Miss Asaya.”

“The sinner who he thought was dead came back alive. Maybe he knows the secret of the day.”

Edwin thought this story might be as interesting as the stimulating stories that are popular on the streets. But it would make someone extremely anxious.  As soon as the tour was over, Reibene Schrandel would return to inform the church of Asaya’s existence.  Asaya also knew it, that’s why she had been talking nonsense about using herself. Edwin straightened the corner of his mouth. It was a beautiful smile, but Marshall shuddered as if it were goosebumps. Either that or not, Edwin ordered Marshall casually.

“Focusing on finding the whereabouts of Runeshard Lubedoa, as well as keeping track of survivors who may be living outside the wall.”

Nothing has changed since that day’s conversation. Edwin was still busy and spent most of his time outside. Even when he was in a mansion, he was more likely to handle his work in his private study.

They only saw each other when they slept and woke up in Edwin’s room.

In the meantime, Asaya’s anxiety that has been raging in her mind calmed a little. It was thanks to the conversation she had with Edwin that day. Was it because she felt that she wasn’t alone, or because she was relieved to have a partner with a common purpose? Asaya did not know. However, since that day, her mind has been a little relaxed.

“Marshall, I’m going to visit Leah and my mother today. We decided to go grocery shopping together.”

“Yes, go ahead. But you have to come back before 6 o’clock. Today, due to the change of the Duke’s dinner schedule, I think he’ll be home early.”

“Okay.”

‘’l will take you.”

At Marshall’s words, Asaya shook her head.

“No, it’s not far away, I will go alone. I want to take a look around the province as I go.”

Asaya’s words were about to end, and a servant suddenly approached Marshall as he tried to answer. It was a very serious expression.

“You have a visitor.”

“Visitor? There are no scheduled visitors today. Who is it?”

“He is .. .. Bishop Schrandel.”

A cold silence came to the unexpected appearance of a character.  Marshall was the first to examine Asaya’s complexion, revealing his displeasure.

“Send him back. Since the Duke is absent right now, tell him that he will have to make an appointment later.”

“He said he didn’t come to see Grand Duke Kabelheider.”

“Well?”

“That is .. he has come to visit the lady.”

Marshall’s face distorted. The rudeness that suddenly came without a notice in advance would be bad enough, but he came here to meet Asaya, not Edwin. How could he come up with such crazy ideas without being crazy? Asaya, too, was stunned by the situation. And at the same time, she was curious about Reibene’s sudden visit.

“He came here to see me? “

Asaya remembered Reibene, who was a very cautious man. He never did anything to get the pod caught. He was a person who always hid himself thoroughly even when meeting someone outside. He also was a man more ambitious than anyone else.

He was a man who was crazy about his reputation, image, and everything. As a man with an excellent talent for deceiving others, Asaya and her family were all deceived. It was not a sensible move for such a man to come here. Did his personality change too after 7 years?

“Lady Lubedoa has a schedule right now, so tell him to go back.

“No, I will meet him.”

Marshall was puzzled by Asaya’s unexpected answer.

“The lady doesn’t have to forcibly meet the man.”

After what happened last time with Reibene, Marshall couldn’t understand why she, barely regaining stability, would meet the man.

“I just want to talk. I wonder what on earth did he come here to say and why he is doing something out of his character? Would you mind? “

“OK. We’re going to bump into him more in the future anyway.”

Asaya knew the problem won’t be solved if she kept hiding and avoiding Reibene. She has to get used to this situation.

“I will take you to the reception room. Wendy, give me some tea.”

“Okay.”

Marshall guided Asaya to the reception room. Not long afterwards, Reibene entered. In the meantime, Wendy the maid put down the hot tea on the table and left the room.

Reibene looked around for a while. There was an awkward silence between the two.  However, there was no dreadful tension like before. Asaya lifted the cup and drank the tea slowly. At Asaya’s relaxed-looking attitude, Reibene stopped looking around the room  and crossed his legs with a smirk.

“Good life.”

Like the first time they met, his voice was full of sarcasm. His gaze that slowly glanced up and down Asaya filled with contempt.  Asaya did not avoid his eyes. Rather, she felt puzzled. Was he a man who expresses his feelings so openly?

“That ridiculous scandal seems to be true. Seeing you living comfortably in a place like this. I can’t say that I am not surprised a little.”

Reibene laughed openly and lifted the teacup. Then he tasted the tea and said calmly.

“Of course a noble born woman like you can’t  stand rolling in a dirty place for long. I see your complexion is better than before being kicked out. Well, it must be. Living in such a large and luxurious mansion, what you received in exchange for the favor of a handsome and powerful man is something I would not dare to imagine. No wonder you have a good complexion.”

Asaya laughed as  she stared at Reibene who was sneaking with low-key words.

‘’This must be what a child originally looks like. But what did I expect?”

Asaya felt like she was being killed after confirming that all of her memories with Reibene were nothing but ugly lies. A beautiful man who was just nice and respected by everyone had never existed from the beginning. The more she thought back on his words, the more funny it got.  Asaya did exchange her life for the favor of a powerful man…. But did Reibene waste his time coming here  just to pour out these low key words at her? Asaya was stunned, but replied in a quiet and calm voice.

“What can I do to live? I realized that my pride didn’t feed me. I was convinced of this realization when I saw the world where a man who had been under my feet got what he wanted”.

At Asaya’s words, Reibenne got angry.

“Under your feet?!”

“No? You were from Adonis Monastery, you can’t deny that the Schrandel family, who once lived under the Lubedoa family and received our support.

“It’s funny to talk about the prestige of the family that has no name left behind. Now it’s just an ugly family that has disappeared from the world.”

“The name has disappeared, but the lineage remains. You knew that that’s why you came all the way here to see me.”

Reiben’s face was horribly distorted by Asaya’s answer with a smiling face.

“Smile? You’ve always been mesmerizing others with that smile. You lowly woman, was that the way you used to survive in that dump?

The growling voice was very threatening, but Asaya thought it was funny rather than scary. The man who took everything from the woman who had nothing left, was in a fit of rage. He was a man with the title of the leader, but no dignity was found anywhere. Was this what it feels like to see a child wearing an unsuitable adult’s clothes? Asaya looked at him silently and peacefully smiled.

“Are you afraid of me?”

“Afraid of Asaya Lubedoa? You must be joking. Do you still see me as the servant who served you?”

“When did I ever treat you as a servant? I see your sense of damage is still there. Is it true that you are not afraid? Then why do you care if I’m dead or alive? I am just a powerless woman who had nothing left.”

“Sinners deserve to die. You are a sinner who was supposed to be dead so how could I not care as I am a Bishop.”

“Okay, so are you going to kill me here? Or would you report and arrest this sinner who was found alive? If you could, you would have done it already. I know you couldn’t reveal that I was a sinner even in front of so many people because not just you but the church will get into trouble when the incident comes to the surface.”

Reibene shut his mouth.  Asaya was accurately pointing out what he was most troubled with.

“If the public knows that I am a sinner, the case will rise above the surface. At the end of the day, it was the Grand Duke Kabelheider who took me away. Even the church wouldn’t be able to touch me easily and you can’t do anything about it. Is that why you got frustrated and came here? What were you trying to say? Have you prepared a threat to save my life if I quietly leave this place?”

Asaya was not discouraged. She deliberately behaved more confidently and cleverly scratched his nerves. In fact, her speech was effective. Reibene was outright unpleasant. His harsh breathing and grimly distorted face showed his anger intact. But that didn’t last long. He wasn’t just the one who was just being beaten easily. This kind of conversation was more experienced on the part of him than on Asaya. Regaining his composure, Reibene pleasantly smiled.

“I really want to ask. Do you think that man will protect you forever? Don’t you think you are just a replacement that can be thrown away at any time? What is the lack of  the Grand Duke, so  that he will have you forever?  There is no eternal love. People say you are in love with the Grand Duke but how long will that last?

No, is it true that Grand Duke Kabelheider really loves you in the first place? Don’t you think he just loves your power of Hebeia instead?”