Garden Of Poison

Despite her complete lack of involvement in the situation, when Lauren received Raylen’s glare, the demoness became nervous and replied, "All the servants were occupied with their work, and they wouldn’t have had access to any of the ingredients to summon anyone from the underworld."

However, Raylen’s glare wasn’t aimed at Lauren; it shifted and landed on Emily, who continued to breathe deeply.

It finally dawned on the head servant that it was the princess who had communicated with Hell, but at the same time, a frown creased her face. She inquired, "Who was the princess trying to contact in Hell?"

"I doubt she’s as close to the Devil as her grandmother," Raylen responded, deducing that it was a mistake on Emily’s part. He had cautioned her, and she had failed to listen. "The only demons from Hell she knows are back in her own home, the one that has broken her heart, and me."

Balor promptly informed its master, "Some of the lower-level demons appear to have managed to pass from the underworld into the Storm Kingdom. I have taken the necessary steps to close the portal for now."

As delicious as Emily’s blood tasted, Raylen was far from pleased with her negligence, and she was fortunate to be sleeping at the moment. He was peeved. Instead of informing them about the mistake she committed, she chose to wander around the castle.

Raylen ordered Lauren, "Take the remaining ingredients that the princess brought with her for the summoning ritual."

Lauren didn’t question Raylen, noting the abrupt shift in his demeanour to something colder and more aloof. She simply nodded and started gathering all the items that Emily had brought from home and had been using to communicate with her family. It might have seemed harsh, but she understood her master’s reasons far better than the princess she had met just five days ago.

"I will be heading out," Raylen announced before exiting the room.

Stepping out of the castle, Raylen started walking with the small creature trailing behind him in the pouring rain. The lanterns in front of the houses had been snuffed out, and some residents had brought theirs indoors to conserve precious oil. The landscape was periodically illuminated by flashes of lightning occurring in the sky, and when Raylen noticed a hurried movement in the shadows, the archdemon came to a halt.

"Keep a watchful eye on the spot where the portal was opened, Balor," Raylen ordered the imp, who gazed up at him. "The barrier has weakened since the intruder made their way in, and I don’t need any more uninvited guests coming through the portal."