Chapter 138 138 – A Place To Cry

"So, there is a possibility that Lana stole the potion?" I flew into the cave while contacting Garthur after listening to his report.

"That's how it is, my lord…. Ugh!"

I heard a pretty loud thud from the call. "What happened, Garthur?"

"Forgive me, Sir Ritor." The minotaur was having trouble breathing and was clearly not talking to me. So, I switched to contacting Ritor, who I suspect was strangling Garthur.

"Stop it, Ritor." I tried to prevent him from doing anything further. Soon the minotaurs will be carrying out important missions. They have to be solid. "We have to do this with a cool head. I swear we'll find Lana."

The minotaur general was silent for a moment. "Yes, Your Highness."

I accelerated my flight and, not long after, arrived at the crowd in front of Lexi's residence.

Lexi rushed to me as soon as I landed. Sobbing, she spoke to me. "I'm sorry, my lord. I was careless, so I didn't notice that she had taken the potion. That's very dangerous. The potion has not been tested. We don't know what effect it will have…."

I tapped her on the shoulder, making her stop talking. "Your main task is to do research and heal us. So, it's not your fault."

After that, I walked to the four minotaurs–including Garthur–kneeling before Ritor. "These are the ones in Doc's lab?"

"Just Garthur and him." Ritor pointed at those two minotaurs. He seemed to be holding back anger. "And these other two, you better hear from them directly."

One of the minotaurs, with red fur, began to explain. "Maybe miss Lana overheard our conversation about her, my lord. We feel sorry for Sir Ritor who can't satisfy his lust…."

I kicked the minotaur in the face before he could finish his sentence. The women around me flinched, but the minotaurs seemed unfazed, even the one I just kicked. He hurriedly knelt again, though his mouth was dripping blood.

If this were just a matter of being careless, I wouldn't act harshly like this. However, chatter like that can cause big problems.

I have to send a strong message, so no one repeats something like this.

"So…." I pointed at the minotaur with gray fur. "You talk bad about Lana too?"

"Yes, my lord…."

And I kicked him too, forced him to fall.

"Take them to the cells!" I gave an order to the other minotaurs standing near Ritor. "I'll judge them later! Now we have a more pressing matter! We have to find Lana! All of you, split up!"

While the suspects are being led away and the others dispersed, I intend to contact the generals to deploy their troops.

However, Robyn approached me. "I did speak to her in the kitchen, my lord. And I may know her favorite place to be alone."

"I'm listening," I responded to her.

***

Lana walked between the tall rocks, looking around to ensure no one was there.

"I knew you'd be here. This place is where you usually cry, right?"

That voice made Lana flinch and look back. Her eyes widened when she found Robyn coming out of one of the boulders.

The short-blond-haired woman was out of breath as if she had been running.

"Stop!" Robyn hurriedly ran towards Lana, who was taking out the potion bottle from her sweater. "I'm not going to report you. So, relax."

Lana looked at Robyn's hand that was holding her arm.

"What?" Lana asked with a sharp look.

"I've given false information to those who are looking for you. So, they won't come here." Robyn explained. "That is a very big risk. So, I only want to ask for half of the potion."

Lana Gulped. "You want to become a demon too?"

"I've tried my best to play a role in Lord Vorn's campaign." Robyn hissed with determination. "However, he still didn't care about me."

Lana was silent for a moment. "You love Lord Vorn?"

"Yes, with me becoming a demon, maybe he will feel my presence."

"But, haven't you heard that Doc has also become Lord Vorn's lover? She is just an ordinary human…."

Robyn tightened her grip on Lana's arm, making Ritor's girlfriend grimace in pain.

"Doc is a genius, and I'm sure Lord Vorn is interested in her because of that. Meanwhile I…." Robyn's eyes began to well up with tears. "I am an ordinary woman who has nothing special. I can only do trivial things like cooking and sewing. So, I will use any possibility to attract his attention."

"Can you let me go first? It hurts." Lana felt even more pain because of Robyn's grip. "Okay, I'll split this potion."

Robyn released her grip, and Lana took the potion out of her sweater. The brown-haired woman carefully opened the potion bottle. Afraid Robyn would snatch it.

Then, she gulped down the potion slowly—a strong salty taste mixed with bitterness filled her mouth.

"I think that's enough." Robyn took the potion from Lana's mouth and drank it immediately.

Lana was going to protest because she hadn't consumed half of the potion yet, but no words could come out of her mouth.

After consuming the potion, Robyn wore a disgusted expression. "The taste is horrible…. Hey, I haven't felt anything in my body yet. How about you…."

Robyn's words were cut off because Lana's breath was now so ragged. Ritor's girlfriend staggered backward, and Robyn caught her before she fell.

"Hey, Lana! What happened!?" Robyn asked frantically.

Lana's breathing grew wilder, and her lips turned black. Then, she closed her eyes.

"Lana!" Robyn shook that woman's body. "Lana! Hold on!"

However, Lana did not respond. She was already unconscious.

Robyn looked around, panicking even more because they were away from the others.

If only she were a demon, she could establish long-distance communication with Lord Vorn.

"Damn it!" Robyn struggled to lift Lana's body onto her back. "Help!!!"

Not getting a response, she walked while continuing to scream for help.

"Please don't die." Robyn hissed at Lana, who was still passed out.

Lana was an important person for one of the generals. Robyn could not guess the consequences that would follow.