Chapter 91 91 – Pressure
<Silkdale city, mayor's office>
Karl sat in his workroom, facing an officer in a maroon uniform in front of him. The officer, just sitting down, took a deep breath.
"How is it, Sir Hector?" Karl opened the conversation with a big smile. "Did you enjoy your few days here?"
Hector stroked his thick mustache, then sighed. "Well, I find no sign of anyone worshiping Vorn here."
"Good then," Karl responded. "I am grateful that there are no worshipers of that wicked creature in my city."
Hector was silent as he studied Karl's face. "The thing is, some people reported the first appearance of the Vorn worshipers was here in this city. Some have even sold Vorn's attributes openly."
"I told you before, didn't I, sir?" Karl intertwined his fingers under his chin. "I've dealt with people like that. And I'm not too fond of half-measures. If they knew you were coming here, I would have arrested them so you could question them. Unfortunately, I've already 'eliminated' them."
"I see." Finally, Hector smiled. "Well, my comrades and I will return to the capital tomorrow. Hope you can keep up the good work in this city, Sir Karl."
Hector got up without waiting for Karl's answer, then left the room. Karl leaned back against the chair, and soon Charlia came in. The succubus was no longer wearing a maid outfit but a yellow dress.
"Why do I have to face such a troublesome person?" Karl took a deep breath. "I'm sure the officers who come to other cities must be stupid or at least easy to bribe. So, the other mayors don't bother hiding everything."
Charlia touched the mayor's shoulder. "Well, maybe it's some indirect appreciation from the government. Since you are such a great person, they thought they should send someone worthy."
Karl held his partner's hand. "At the very least, report this to lord Vorn."
***
[Vorn's POV]
"Thanks for the report, Charlia." While walking towards the cell block, I spoke to the succubus using the long-distance communication feature. "And convey my gratitude to Karl."
"Ah, Karl wanted to tell you one more thing, Your Majesty." Charlia then fell silent as if she was listening to the mayor's words. It was only a few seconds later that she continued. "Maybe the government hasn't sent any more troops because they're waiting for the Prophet."
I frowned. "I've read in the holy book. An army not led by Prophet will most likely lose against the demons. However, I think it is absurd for the kingdom to wait for the Prophet to come."
"It doesn't mean that the new Prophet hasn't come yet, Your Majesty. The person who was supposed to be the messenger of God was already in the Wisterium kingdom. However, the government of that country is still reluctant to send her here."
"Ah, it's because of the animosity between the Durcia kingdom and that country, right? If I'm not mistaken, they had a long conflict over an area that is said to produce Mythril metal." I added.
Charlia sighed. "Now the area is under the control of the Kingdom of Durcia, but it seems that the Wisterium nation still can't accept it."
"Well, that gives us plenty of time before the Wisteriums send their prophet." After I said that, Charlia said goodbye.
In addition to the news about the Prophet, I was bothered by the Durcia kingdom's government. They have sent many people to suppress my propaganda operations. Even some people were arrested for it.
It's not that I didn't do anything. I ordered my followers to worship me at home, without big gatherings and symbols. And I still send my 'missionaries' in the form of succubi, mares, and shapeshifters to the cities.
Yes, I must continue to expand my influence, no matter what, although I must admit that progress is slowing down. We have to be more vigilant and careful.
And about the Prophet…. Should I send agents to Wisterium?
I stopped in front of one of the cells, lining up Szur, standing with several other mares. The prisoners almost all flinched to see me, whether it was members of the shadow or the kingdom's troops.
"We can't extract important information from the members of the shadow organization, Your Majesty," Szur explained. "Even though we have broken their mind."
"So, they also don't know where the poison is made?" I spoke through gritted teeth, frustrated that the quest to heal Phisovia was still stagnant.
"I'm sorry, my lord." Szur gulped.
"This is not your fault." I turned and flew away from the place.
"You won't be able to bring down Durcia Kingdom, demons!"
I ignored the screams and accelerated my flight.
Instead of wailing, I'd rather do something else. Maybe I will go somewhere else to distract my mind.
I landed at the end of the cave, which was the location of the cave houses belonging to the humans. I purposely put them there so they could be close to the sun. Humans are different from demons, who can live underground for years without getting sick.
I approached one of the wooden doors attached to the cave wall. Behind the door are rooms for a residence. Yes, with that method, we only need to dig without making or buying too many building materials.
"Doc." I knocked on the door. "It's me."
Getting no answer, I knocked on the door again and called out to Lexi even louder. However, after doing it several times, I never got a response.
I feel so uncomfortable. It's already late afternoon, so I don't think Lexi is sleeping.
I gave a slight nudge to the door, and my strength instantly broke the lock.
"Doc?" I called that woman while entering the residence but still didn't get an answer.
I walked in the unfurnished cave. My eyes wandered in various directions looking for anything suspicious.
And finally, I got to the front of her research room. After knocking on the room door and still getting no reply, I said, "Doc, I'm in."
I opened the unlocked door.
My heart rate went up. Lexi was lying face down on the floor, motionless.
"Doc!" I approached her. "What happened!?"