"Hm, so you're saying you're the envoy who contacted us? And how exactly am I supposed to believe that?"
Thebas had ordered several demons to restrain Isabella until he was completely certain she was on their side.
"Didn't I already prove it? I'm here, aren't I? I could've run away. In fact, it was that ungrateful demon of yours who killed the others and wanted me to escape! I recorded everything with my device. It also works as a recorder if you want to check."
"And why didn't you say so sooner?"
"I was waiting for the right opportunity—specifically, for you to propose the exchange with Natasha. We'll catch them separately. Douglas is alone. This is our chance. I still have one teleport left."
Isabella smiled smugly, showing not the slightest trace of nervousness despite standing tied up in front of several demons.
"Very well. Let's say I believe you. But do you think my remaining men can handle the two of them? You and I should be enough to deal with Douglas, though I'll bring three more just to be safe."
At the moment, Thebas had seventeen demons under his command.
Thebas was a Duke-class demon, roughly equivalent to a level 60 hero.
Among them stood one demon unlike the others: a purple salamander-like creature with two curved horns, razor-sharp claws, and a lean body covered in wrinkled scales. He radiated a cold, emotionless aura, almost like a lifeless puppet. Still, Isabella could sense that he possessed the strength of a President-class demon.
The remaining demons were Knight-class, all around levels twenty to thirty.
"I don't know. That girl Natasha seems pretty strong. During the journey she defeated several harpies by herself. I think it'd be better if you sent that one with them. And you should take about three Knights with you to act as shields in case Douglas tries anything. But trust me, my plan is flawless. I'll teleport behind Douglas with you. I already know where he is. All you need is a single strike. If he tries to turn around, I'll immobilize him with my skill."
"So in the end, everything depends on me and my attack, huh? Hahaha... Don't underestimate me, girl. I may be a Duke, but I have my own techniques."
Thebas pulled his spear from the ground where it had been embedded. Isabella immediately noticed there was something unusual about the weapon.
It wasn't an ordinary spear.
Its power was immense. Focusing on its materials, she noticed tiny fragments of pink crystals embedded throughout its shaft.
Thebas smiled wickedly with a confidence that sent chills down Isabella's spine.
"So Dukes are this cunning? Then I don't even want to imagine what our superiors are like."
"You've never seen a King?"
"Huh? Of course not. Have you?"
"Well... I've stood before one once. You know, depending on our accomplishments, we can rise through the ranks. The Lord may grant us the Fruit, allowing us to level up instantly. Even a human like you could become a powerful demon. By the way... what did he promise you in return?"
Isabella fell silent for a brief moment, which immediately sparked suspicion in Thebas.
"Why do you want to know? Planning to kill me and claim the reward afterward?"
"Hahaha... Imagine that! I'd be the one getting killed. If he trusts you enough to send you here and arrange for us to meet the heroes on the same floor, then you're practically untouchable right now, Isabella."
"I know that. But I still don't trust demons."
She shrugged.
Thebas burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! But, my dear... you're a demon too now!"
"Don't compare me to you. I'm a beauty, got it?"
"A shame these Knights can no longer feel desire or excitement. Still... you truly are something."
Thebas slowly licked his lips with his thin tongue, green saliva dripping from the corners of his mouth.
Isabella responded with a look of utter disgust.
"I'm good. I don't get involved with men anymore."
"Hahaha. Don't worry. I have more important priorities right now. Speaking of which... I can feel the two of them getting close."
Thebas stood and looked toward the President-class demon.
"Demiagos, you're taking ten men after the two of them. They should be communicating with Douglas through Li-Xeng's ability, so send five ahead to confirm Natasha is coming. Then tell them the exchange will take place a few meters ahead. To convince Li-Xeng, I'll give you a vial containing Isabella's blood so he can 'track' her. Meanwhile... we'll eliminate the main hero."
Thebas folded his hands formally and turned toward Isabella with a sadistic grin.
"Fine. I'll cut myself."
Once her restraints were removed, Isabella drew her dagger, sliced her arm, and let her blood drip into the small vial Thebas handed her.
"Is this enough?"
With her device in hand, she quickly stopped the bleeding.
"Maybe. That kid is smart, isn't he? What if he gets suspicious and warns Douglas? That would put him on guard. After all... he can sense your presence."
"He can't if I activate my cloak's invisibility."
"Hahaha... You really are exceptional. So many tricks. You may not be physically powerful, but your abilities make up for it. I'd say that after Douglas, you're the most troublesome member of the group. Fortunately for us, you turned traitor."
"Don't think flattering me this much is going to make me spread my legs for you."
"Hahaha... Girl, don't think I fully trust you yet. Killing a traitor here doesn't prove much. So if you truly recorded everything with your device... let me see it."
"As you wish."
Isabella retrieved her weapon.
It was a technological device resembling a small keyboard, capable of granting her various "tricks."
The heroes' weapons had been inherited from the previous worlds they had traversed.
In Isabella's case, her original world was a dystopian technological future. There she had earned the title of High-Class Bard Mage. After accomplishing numerous feats, she received this device.
Besides enabling teleportation and immobilizing targets, it also functioned as an infinite recorder—as long as it remained powered on.
She pressed one of its buttons.
A translucent holographic screen materialized above the device, displaying the earlier recorded events. Although the footage was shaky and blurry, the audio was crystal clear, allowing Thebas to confirm that Ralf had indeed intended to betray him and that Isabella had stopped him.
"Hm... good. That gives me a little confirmation."
"A little confirmation?"
She frowned bitterly.
"Of course. You didn't think that alone would be enough, did you? Even if you truly are the traitor, we still can't underestimate the heroes."
Sensing Natasha and Li-Xeng approaching, Thebas sent the ten Knights and the President-class demon toward them.
"Go. And if you think you can't handle them, retreat. But Li-Xeng will obviously be paying attention. I know that boy can track every one of us—including Isabella. So to ensure he doesn't suspect she isn't accompanying the exchange... you'll need to bring him something."
Thebas looked coldly at Isabella, a faint smile curling the corner of his mouth.
"You want me to mutilate myself so they can take a piece of me back and make Li-Xeng believe I'm coming? Fine. But what about me here? He'll still be tracking me."
"You said yourself that once your cloak is activated, you'll become untraceable for a few moments, didn't you?"
Thebas smiled expectantly.
"Tch... You'll actually believe me if I do this? I guess there's no greater proof."
Without the slightest hesitation, Isabella drew her dagger and severed the little finger on her left hand.
She let out a brief cry.
Before too much blood could pour out, she activated one of her device's abilities to seal the wound, then wrapped it tightly with a strip of fabric torn from her skirt.
"Hahaha! Excellent! That certainly improves things. Take the woman's finger with you."
Thebas ordered the President-class demon, who picked up Isabella's severed finger.
"Naturally, our actions must be perfectly synchronized. The moment you meet Natasha's group, notify me immediately. As soon as they realize Isabella isn't with them, we'll move on Douglas. That way Li-Xeng won't have enough time to warn him. How long can you maintain your invisibility?"
Thebas asked as Isabella gritted her teeth against the pain.
"About five minutes."
"That'll be enough."
"But are you really certain you can kill Douglas in one strike?"
"Of course not. That's why you'll immobilize him first. You're quite useful, aren't you? Hahaha."
"You really intend to squeeze every one of my abilities dry. But if I use all of that, I'll run out of mana. If he survives, I won't be able to help."
"Don't worry. Who do you think I am, girl? In a one-on-one fight, I might be weaker than him... but I still have one final trump card."
Thebas smiled devilishly, and Isabella felt a chill run down her spine.
"You know there's a chance Douglas is expecting this. If your immobilization fails and he manages to defend himself, I'll use you as a hostage to ensure my escape. He wouldn't kill you before knowing whether you're truly a traitor or not. And that's why..."
Thebas produced a chain and shackled his wrist to Isabella's left wrist. A bluish glow flashed, and the metal locked into place like a sealed padlock.
"Hahaha... This way, he'll have no choice but to kill me to free you. But I'll make sure you die first. So if you try anything funny—or if there's even the slightest chance you aren't actually a traitor—you die."