Chapter 51: Beelzebub’s Shadow and the Long Road Home

The battle on the snowy plains had come to an end.

The result was an overwhelming victory.

All 1,526 dark elves who had fallen under the illusion had fought and annihilated each other.

Without even a moment to revel in her triumph, Lucy hurriedly left the scene.

She wanted to return to Hellatos immediately, but the distance was too great to use teleportation.

With no other choice, she moved towards a cave far from the battlefield.

However, inside the cave—someone was already there—seeking shelter from the snowfall.

The air inside was damp, carrying the scent of earth and old moss. Shadows danced along the jagged rock walls as dim light flickered from a torch. Sitting against the cold stone, barely visible in the gloom, was the same dark elf boy she had seen earlier at the training grounds.

The boy flinched in shock and swiftly drew the sword at his waist.

Thud.

Lucy effortlessly subdued him with her bare hands.

The boy struggled under her foot, his breath ragged, eyes darting in frantic resistance. But the sheer difference in strength made it futile.

“Tell me about the item you used and the person who gave it to you.”

The dark elf clamped his mouth shut.

In response, Lucy used her specialty—hypnosis magic.

[Hypnotic Incense.]

“I don’t know what the item was, but… I do know the name of the one who gave it to me.”

“Who?”

Under hypnosis, the dark elf boy’s lips moved against his will.

“Lord Beelzebub.”

Lucy’s eyes narrowed.

Beelzebub. The ruler of the northern forces. A fallen leader still grasping at power.

He had long fought against Satan for dominion over the Demon Continent, yet despite losing, he had survived.

“A loser of war… trying to kidnap me? Is this some kind of revenge?”

The dark elf’s lips parted, but before he could answer, his body began trembling violently. A sinister energy radiated from within him.

Flames erupted from his form, twisting into the shape of a figure—tall, imposing, and burning with an unnatural intensity.

Fwoosh!

“O daughter of Satan from the outside world.”

The humanoid flame spoke with a commanding voice that rumbled deep.

Lucy didn’t need confirmation. She already knew.

“Beelzebub?”

The one who had ordered her abduction. The one who now hijacked this boy’s body to speak to her.

“You will understand in time. Soon, our wish will come true.”

Fwoosh.

The flames vanished, leaving only blackened ash where the boy had been.

Lucy didn’t linger. She shot out of the cave, her instincts screaming at her to move.

Her location had been compromised. Pursuers would come.

[Fly.]

She soared into the sky, cutting through the icy winds.

Hours passed. Her mana reserves depleted, forcing her to descend. A city emerged in the distance, its lights glimmering against the backdrop of endless white.

She concealed herself with an invisibility spell and slipped inside.

It was an ordinary city—except for one thing.

All of its residents were dark elves.

Karamt.

The capital of the northern region.

The heart of enemy territory.

‘Great. Just what I needed.’

Lucy used illusion magic to blend in, her appearance shifting to that of a dark elf.

She moved through the streets, absorbing the surroundings. The market bustled with life, the scent of roasted meat and spices filling the air. Soldiers patrolled the roads, their gazes sharp, their presence a constant reminder of her precarious situation.

She needed a map.

A quick stop at a general store secured one. Then, she found an inn.

“A room, food, and hot water.”

“That’ll be 15 ket.”

“I already paid, didn’t I?”

The innkeeper blinked, then nodded, entranced by her spell. “Ah… right. My mistake.”

Lucy entered her room, set up tracking spells on the door and window, then let her exhausted body sink into the bed.

She slept for exactly four hours before a sharp sensation jolted her awake.

Soldiers.

They swarmed the streets outside, their armor clinking as they moved.

“The Daughter of Satan is somewhere in this city. Search every inch of it!”

Lucy exhaled slowly, already forming a plan.

Moments later, her door burst open.

The soldiers froze, their faces flushing in embarrassment.

Before them, a male and female dark elf were entangled in an intimate embrace.

Or so it appeared.

“Tch. It’s not here.”

Falling for the illusion, the soldiers retreated.

Lucy waited until the footsteps faded before slipping into deeper thought.

‘700 kilometers to Hellatos. Minimal resting points. Flying the entire way is impossible.’

She needed a new plan.

Teleportation.

If the dark elves had an item to bring her here, they had to have one to send her back.

A single lead: The Magic Council.

With no time to waste, Lucy approached the temple-like building in the upper district, its towering white walls glowing under the moonlight.

She adjusted her illusion and stepped inside.

Several dark elves in priestly robes turned to face her.

“Who are you?”

“A traveling magic scholar.”

“A scholar? Where did you study?”

“I lived in seclusion in the wilderness and taught myself magic.”

“A hermit mage, then? And what brings you to our council?”

“I recently discovered something fascinating about teleportation magic. I came here seeking related items to aid in my research.”

“Hoh…”

The priest scrutinized her carefully. After a long pause, he finally nodded.

“A scholar devoted to magic is always welcome here. Please, come inside.”

Lucy concealed her smirk.

‘Let’s see if they have what I need.’

If the Magic Council held a teleportation item, she would take it—by any means necessary.