Bab 78: 78 — Madwoman

"Hmm… it does seem to be a democore," the elderly man remarked, adjusting his glasses as he scrutinized the piece of black steel in his hands.

"I thought so as well," Lucian responded, offering a nod of acknowledgement.

"But isn't it smaller than the ones we've encountered before?" Adrian interjected, raising a curious eyebrow.

"It's significantly smaller, yes. How did you know it was a democore, Your Highness?" the man inquired.

Lucian hesitated for a moment, then replied."

"I'm not entirely sure, but the moment I saw it, something told me it had to be connected to demons," his voice dropped to a near-whisper, as if speaking the thought aloud was almost too much.

He couldn't admit that what had triggered his suspicion was Cynthia's earlier words—when she mentioned seeing a demon. He had never witnessed one himself, yet something in her tone, or perhaps the conviction in her eyes, had stayed with him.