"How did you get two artefacts when your mission is simply to establish a transaction with Babille Family?" Ludmint frowned. "They use two artefacts in the assassination attempt?"
Chuckling, Iris wore the pitch-black ring and tossed the small golden box to Ludmint, who carefully caught it. "As predicted, Two-Fold Wind Order tried to assassinate Gantil and me. Two Master-Tier Assassins and three Official Assassins. One holy-type artefact, that box, and one darkness-type artefact, this ring."
"It’s illogical. Why did they use such a powerful composition to take you out?" Ludmint gripped the small golden box. "Their plan is meticulous too. That darkness-type artefact is for restriction, while this holy-type artefact is for suppression. A perfect combination against Monster Girls."
"They also have this." Iris raised her right hand, took out three poison-coated daggers from the Virtual Space Ring, and handed them to Ludmint. "Do you know what kind of exotic poison it is? One hit on the assassins and the purple dots grew and devoured their bodies. I have to cut away my infected part to be safe."
Ludmint carefully accepted the daggers. After casting a protective spell on her hands, she gently stroked the blades. The purple poison bubbled and corroded the magical barrier on her fingers. She raised her hand to her nose and sniffed it gently. It was a sweet fragrance that lingered in her chest.
"Heart Stirrer," Ludmint said. "This poison is an extract from a Heart Stirrer, one of the Mythical Creatures. Rumour has it that they can be found in the Pale Tempest Ocean. It seems the influence of Two-Fold Wind Order in Yilon Archipelago is deeper than we've imagined."
"How powerful is it?"
"Scarily potent. A drop of the Heart Stirring Poison will kill you. It'll intensify your emotions until you lose control of yourself. If the Heart Stirrers aren't nearby or don't accept you, the pent-up energy inside you will rupture. You'll explode; the scene will be quite gruesome."
"How scary." Iris glared at Ludmint. "Please don't exaggerate its effect. I got grazed by the daggers twice, but I'm still alive. There is nothing wrong with me."
Ludmint sighed. "It’s strange indeed. From my prior examination, it will be difficult for me to suppress the poison. You should've lost control and melted into a puddle already."
Iris scowled, but Ludmint maintained her surprise. She didn't lie, nor did she try to frighten Iris.
Is it because of my special body? Though a Slime Girl, I lack the Slime Core, and my consciousness spreads throughout my body. The Heart Stirring Poison can only infect that part of my consciousness. If I cut off the connection before it's too late, I won't go crazy.
Wait, is it because of the poison that I became bold and did it with Secain?
Iris glowed slightly pinker. "Maybe I'm luckier than most."
"Of course, you are. You have me as your lover; how is that not lucky?"
"And you have me gifting you these two artefacts. I think I'm on the losing end of the deal."
Ludmint faked coughing before turning serious. "I need more time to examine the ring, but I think I know this little box."
Iris perked up. "It must be something valuable."
"Precious, even." Ludmint played with the box. "Box of Conviction, a holy-type artefact of the Church of Knowledge. Its power is a counter to us Monster Girls. It can purify Corruption Power and suppress wicked thoughts."
"Fortunately, I've suffered from such attacks before. Otherwise, I might be in trouble."
"The secret behind your past is intriguing. May I ask for a hint?"
Iris giggled. "I'll tell you what I've done recently."
Ludmint leaned her head to Iris's. Iris also pressed herself to Ludmint, then recounted the event of visiting Gantil, fighting off the assassins, and then the surveillance of the powerful enemy. Though Iris didn't touch on the specific detail of the plan, especially about the lengthy session with Secain, the tale remained unbelievable.
"Ludmint, do you think Two-Fold Wind Order planned this?"
"Why didn't you tell me earlier!" Ludmint tightly hugged Iris, squeezing until Iris almost burst. "That's an Archbishop! Even if I were there, it wouldn't be easy for you and me to escape undetected."
"My secret plan worked well." Iris smiled. "I might not know much about the Eastern Continent, but I know a lot about survival, especially against overwhelming odds."
"You keep teasing but never tell." Ludmint puffed up her cheeks and turned away from Iris. "One day, I'll make you tell me. I’ll know everything about you, everything."
"I'll tell you when it's due time." Iris nuzzled Ludmint's shoulder. "In the meantime, can I request more rewards for bringing these daggers and artefacts?"
"Of course." Ludmint nodded. "Two-Fold Wind Order shouldn't have planned to use the Box of Conviction as a trap. It isn't worth it to assassinate a representative of the Court in exchange for losing two artefacts. You are truly unlucky and lucky at the same time."
"They try to harm us," Iris smirked. "Can the Court tolerate this?"
"They have done it this time. Instead of the usual conflict, they dared to harm our newest senior member, our beloved Iris! I'll consult Parmin and Morbi. We'll flatten one or two secret bases as a punishment."
"You're the best, Ludmint!"
As Iris and Ludmint chatted away, a few knocks interrupted their mundane moment. The door gently opened, revealing a lady in butler uniform. She held a medallion with her right hand, her left hand crossing behind her back.
"Speak," Ludmint said.
The lady bowed. "We've finished preparing the interrogation room."
Ludmint lightly nodded and turned to Iris. "Shall we?"
"I've been dying of curiosity. They wouldn't have risked so much just to assassinate me. There must be something we don't know."
Ludmint got up, took Iris's hand, and walked out of the room. The lady in the butler uniform quietly led the two deep into the section, where multiple Monster Girls in sleek black uniforms walked. When they saw Iris and Ludmint, they would stop to greet the two with the utmost respect, filled with admiration, adoration, affection, and more.
Though she had come here a few times already, Iris still hadn’t gotten used to the authority she wielded. She silently hid behind Ludmint and let her do the talking.
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"Lady Ludmint, Lady Iris, we've arrived." The lady in the butler uniform stepped to the side and pointed her hand forward. "The two captives are in the two separate rooms, each guarded by four Monster Girls, a pair inside, a pair in hiding."
"Iris, would you like to go in with me?" Ludmint said. "You won't need to do anything. We have an expert interrogator with us. Just treat it as a show."
"Is the interrogator going to interrogate the Master Assassin first?"
"We'll interrogate the other assassin first. We can’t interrogate the Master Assassin yet. Her injury is quite severe; you two are vicious."
"She is strong and ruthless. If we didn't do our best, the one getting captured and hung wouldn't be her. It would be me."
"You should be this ruthless in the bed too." Ludmint laughed as she touched her lips. "Or else I'll eat you up, and you'll be the one who gets captured and chained on the bed."
"I've decided: I'll be interrogating the Master Assassin myself."
"You know about the art of interrogation?" Ludmint couldn't hide her surprise. "You should tell Parmin about it. It's her speciality."
"You misunderstood me." Iris raised her hands to her side. "I don't know any physical interrogation method, but I have a couple of spells, specifically dream-diving spells."
"You want to immerse yourself in the Master Assassin’s sea of consciousness?" Ludmint contemplated for a few seconds. "It is too dangerous. You might get infected by her memory and emotions. If you can't resist it, you’ll go insane."
"I've learned a few things from a good friend of mine. She's the one who taught me these spells." That is a lie. I get them from imitating her appearance and thoughts. "I know how and what to do. You can rest assured."
"Still, can I be in the same room with you? I can save you if anything unexpected happens."
"You have to promise not to take advantage of me."
"Do I look like someone who would do that?" Ludmint pouted.
Iris solemnly nodded. "You not only look like one, but you also act like one."
"How can you be so mean!" Ludmint wearily shook her head. "If I were as you said, I would have already done you in all those nights you slept alone, soundly. Though your sleepy face and defenceless body are seductive, I have my principles."
I didn't even know you watched me sleep! Iris shivered. "Stop! Don't say anymore. I'll let you stay with me. I can't prevent you from doing it, so please be gentle."
"Thank you for the invitation," Ludmint smirked.
Which one is that response for? Iris sighed and looked around.
In front of her were two rooms. The left one was for the Master Assassin. The Monster Girls guarding it solemnly readied their spells in the case for any unexpected breakout. When Iris and Ludmint came near, they bowed then returned to their tense posture.
Iris nodded and walked past the guards, Ludmint following behind. Iris raised her right hand, where she donned a bracelet the shape of two intertwining snakes and a rose-shaped ring. She pressed her hand on the metallic door. The two accessories glowed in dark purple light, sending commands to the confinement formations.
A translucent barrier manifested, dispersed, and unlocked the door. Inside, the Master Assassin, stripped of her uniform and hidden weapons, knelt in the middle of the room. She wore a piece of thin brown fabric, which barely concealed her private parts. Though black metallic chains bound her wrists and ankles, they allowed her some freedom of movement.
Taking a deep breath, Iris stepped into the confinement. Ludmint followed her, relaxed, curious. She glanced around the room and nodded lightly. The hidden Monster Girls accepted her command and left the room.
"You can do whatever you want now," Ludmint said. "Only I, you, and the prisoner are in the room; nothing will leak out."
"I'm a little nervous," Iris said.
"With me here, nothing can harm you." Ludmint stepped closer to Iris. "If you're still anxious, I'll let you lie on my lap. You'll be in the safest place that way."
"I'll sleep on your lap when we get home." Iris giggled, then focused on the Master Assassin.
Though it had only been a few hours, the captured Master Assassin had grown feeble. Her previously ruthless and cold eyes were now muddled. She hung her head down, her body unmoving, her thoughts stagnant. At that moment, she resembled a beautiful corpse more than a human.
"I know you're still here," Iris said. "We've healed most of your injuries, but how come you look worse than before?"
The Master Assassin recognised Iris's voice; she raised her head, her gaze beaming with bloody killing intent before collapsing into despair and dullness. Tears welled in her eyes as she lowered her head, staring at the dark metallic floor.
"The one who helps me, she was once an assassin from Two-Fold Wind Order too." Iris studied the Master Assassin. "Even if you return, you will only face punishment. Why not come with us?”
The Master Assassin remained unwavering. She did not shift her posture nor attempt anything. Her silent protest overwhelmed Iris's words, turning them into fuel for her determination. She could die, but she would never betray the Order.
"Maybe I'll have to force you? Will you remain the same if I pluck your flower and turn you into one of us?" Iris reached out and caressed the Master Assassin's pale right cheek. "The Order must have done something to your body, right? If I taste your body, not only will you not turn, but I might also even suffer greatly."
The Master Assassin faintly smirked as if she were ridiculing Iris.
"Fortunately, I did not intend to taste your body. I intended to taste your mind."
As her words echoed, Iris tapped the Master Assassin's glabella. Ethereal symbols manifested on Iris's fingertips and assimilated into the Master Assassin. Drowsiness gushed inside her body, permeated her senses, and clouded her mind. She struggled, tensing, but her muscles refused to listen to her.
Gradually, she fell into a deep, peaceful slumber.