Black feathers, red eyes—on the Western Continent, where doves signified peace and tranquility, this one now looked as evil as an undead creature. Its scarlet eyes stared fixedly at Arthur, and Ais Te, seated nearby, even felt that the damned pigeon was sneering.
Threads of ice crystals emerged around her, and the surrounding temperature plummeted. Ais Te had no choice but to use magic to protect herself, barely managing to feel a little safer. Through this pigeon, she sensed that somewhere nearby, on the other side, an immensely powerful being was observing her and Arthur.
That utterly unrestrained, lofty gaze seemed intent on piercing through her body and entrails. Ais Te felt cold all over.
A strange pattern of silver-blue frost appeared between Ais Te's brows. A vast, ancient aura enveloped her body, cutting off the black pigeon's prying gaze. The black pigeon chuckled. "Interesting. The bloodline of the legendary Deep Blue Demon King? Why didn't the Church send the direct heir of the Silver Iris Family to the stake? You are descendants of the Deep Blue Demon King!"
The black pigeon's words could even be taken as a curse. Ais Te did not respond, merely fixing it with an icy stare.
Shaking its head lightly, the black pigeon looked at Arthur, who was likewise chilled to the bone, and sneered. "Well? Have you made up your mind? Give me enough compensation, and I'll sell you those people's whereabouts. Prince Arthur, it's a very good deal. After all, they may very well be your enemies!"
Arthur drew a deep breath. Golden ripples of divine power, like blazing flames, gradually rose from his body. Majestic, grim, cold, and merciless, the divine power of punishment spread outward like a tsunami. With its aid, Arthur resisted the chill in the black pigeon's eyes—the