I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Cattleya Starlight Taken Hostage [1]

“Where is my daughter?!” Sina Asterion stormed into the Ocryphia Headmistress’s office which was also her mother’s office.

Behind a carved desk sat Isabel Asterion, composed despite the tempest entering her space. She exhaled a sigh, already anticipating her daughter’s anger.

“At the hands of the Demons,” Isabel said. “They’re demanding a ransom as I alread explained.”

Sina’s eyes flared. “And you’re just sitting there—calmly—behind your desk?!”

“The exchange will take place in a few hours,” Isabel replied. “What would you have me do until then? Pacing the room won’t hasten the process. Do you have the Holy Coins, or shall I—”

“We’re more than capable of gathering ten Holy Coins, Mother-in-law.”

Reynold Starlight entered the room following his wife His tall frame was impeccably completed with a tailored blue suit. His blond hair were neatly swept back, and his blue eyes carried maturity of a veteran Exorcist, one who bore the title of Supreme Rank—a rarity among their kind.

Though Reynold was usually the embodiment of calm, his demeanor now was frostier than usual.

“Our daughter’s life is at stake. Whether it’s ten Holy Coins or a hundred, I’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back,” Reynold said. “Just make sure to get her back.”

“You’re being discourteous, Reynold,” Isabel frowned.

“And why shouldn’t he be?” Sina intervened. “This is our daughter we’re talking about! Perhaps you don’t care, but we do!”

Isabel’s calm expression cracked, and she rose from her chair in indignation. “How dare you? Cattleya is my granddaughter!”

Sina leaned forward, her knuckles pressed into the polished surface of Isabel’s desk. “If you truly thought of her as your granddaughter, you wouldn’t be sitting here! You’d have already found her.”

“It’s precisely because she’s my granddaughter that I’m negotiating with Demons in this manner. A more aggressive approach might jeopardize her safety. My priority is ensuring Cattleya comes home unharmed.”

“Even before this, you shouldn’t have put Cattleya in such danger, Mother,” Sina said trembling in anger. “How could Demons infiltrate an Ocryphia Academy exam? You always bragged about it being the most prestigious academy. But its security is laughable—utterly disgraceful!”

Isabel’s expression darkened, but she maintained her composure. “One of our students was possessed, despite undergoing all the standard clearance checks. We’re investigating how it happened,” she explained. “How about you try keeping your calm? Patrick Cromwell also had his nephew taken hostage, yet he isn’t storming around yelling. How old are you, Sina?”

Sina’s eyes blazed at her mother’s reply. “You dare talk about a nephew when I’m speaking about my only child—my daughter?!”

“Sina, everything will be fine,” Isabel said, attempting to soothe her. “I promise we’ll bring Cattleya back unharmed.”

“You’d better hope so, Headmistress,” Reynold intervened. His piercing gaze met Isabel’s. “Because if anything happens to my daughter, I won’t hesitate to hold Ocryphia accountable. Not even you.”

Isabel didn’t reply.

Suddenly, the sleek watch on her wrist emitted a soft chime. Isabel glanced at it and stood abruptly.

“It’s time. Let’s go. Everything is prepared,” she said.

Sina followed closely, anxiety etched on her face. Reynold walked beside her, his hand resting lightly on her back in comfort.

“You should have gone straight to the site,” Isabel said, shaking her head as they descended the academy’s grand staircase.

“We wanted to ensure everything was in order,” Sina replied meaningfully.

Isabel frowned as they reached the teleportation circle. “What do you mean by that?”

Sina remained silent and Reynold offered no further explanation either.

Without another word, Isabel activated the circle. The glowing symbols beneath their feet pulsed with mana, and their surroundings blurred. In seconds, they reappeared in a vast expanse of rolling green fields on the outskirts of Ocryphia.

The area was eerily quiet, the usual activity of farmers absent. It was clear the location had been cleared for the day’s purpose.

Isabel scanned the field, her eyes taking in the assembled figures. She turned to verify her companions—Sina and Reynold stood behind her. But her gaze lingered on someone else who had joined them.

Patrick Cromwell had arrived, but he wasn’t alone.

Besides him stood a middle-aged man whose presence felt distinctly out of place. The man wore a pristine white priest’s robe, his slicked-back hair as snow-white as the garments he donned. His slit-like eyes held a soft, almost serene gaze as they landed on Isabel.

“It’s been a while, Isabel,” the man said with a gentle smile.

Isabel’s eyes widened in shock. “Willias? What are you doing here…?”

She turned to Patrick, suspicion in her gaze, but he immediately shook his head, silently denying any involvement. That left only one possibility.

“I called him,” Reynold Starlight said.

Isabel’s expression hardened, her eyes narrowing at the couple in reproach. “I thought I made it clear that this situation needed to be handled delicately. Bringing a Cardinal of the Holy Church no less, is a reckless decision. You’re endangering Cattleya’s life!”

Willias Rudiel chuckled softly, raising his hands in a placating gesture. “There’s no need to worry, Isabel—”

“Do not address me so informally,” Isabel snapped, glaring at him.

“My apologies,” Willias said smoothly, inclining his head slightly, though his smile didn’t vanish. “Reynold sought my assistance out of concern for his daughter. And how could I turn away? Cattleya Starlight, blessed by the Holy Pope himself, is too precious to be left at the mercy of vile Demons.”

The mention of the Pope’s blessing carried weight. When Cattleya was just five years old, she had been brought to the capital of the Holy Empire to receive the Pope’s personal blessing—a rare and sacred rite. Since then, the Starlight family’s ties to the Empire had grown strong, and Reynold hadn’t hesitated to leverage those connections when his daughter’s life was at stake.

“This is simply an additional measure,” Sina added, attempting to calm her mother. “A safeguard, in case the Demons break their word.”

Isabel’s frown deepened, clearly skeptical. While she respected the Pope and the Holy Church, her trust didn’t extend beyond spiritual matters. In political or strategic dealings, she viewed them with wary eyes.

But when it came to Cattleya… perhaps this was an exception.

Cattleya wasn’t just a child. She was a prodigy destined to become one of the strongest Exorcists in history. The Pope’s blessing marked her as a beacon of hope for the Holy Empire, a symbol of divine favor. Her success wouldn’t just be her own—it would bring prestige to the Pope and the Holy Church itself.

Isabel’s mind fought with conflicting thoughts, but she couldn’t deny the truth: Cattleya’s significance extended beyond their family.

“Very well,” Isabel said at last. “But remember, this is my granddaughter’s life. If your actions jeopardize her safety, there will be consequences—even for you, Willias.”

Willias inclined his head again, his smile softening. “You have my word, Isabel. I will ensure no harm comes to her. I am only here to make sure Cattleya is given back safe and sound.”

“Am I being a bit forgotten here? Shall I remind everyone that my nephew was also kidnapped?” Patrick Cromwell spoke up, his brows furrowed in irritation.

“Of course not, Lord Cromwell. My apologies,” Isabel replied swiftly, a hint of guilt in her voice. In her preoccupation with Cattleya’s safety, she had momentarily overlooked the other hostage.

“Lord Cromwell,” Reynold greeted with a curt nod.

“Lord Starlight,” Patrick acknowledged him coolly. “I trust we’ll be retrieving both our children.” His tone carried the right note of concern, but inwardly, he felt none.

The truth was, Patrick wasn’t worried about his ‘nephew’, Ivan, in the slightest. Earlier that morning, he had received a message from Ivan himself, cryptic but direct: “Play your role.”

Patrick didn’t fully understand what Ivan meant, but he intended to do as instructed. For now, he would perform the part of the worried uncle to perfection.

“Indeed. Let’s hope,” Sina said, her anxious nod catching Patrick’s attention.

He was mildly surprised. The Sina Asterion he’d known was a strong-willed scientist from Horizon, a woman who rarely showed a crack in her armor. But now, faced with her daughter’s plight, she was visibly shaken. Clearly, Cattleya meant the world to her.

“Are we certain this place is safe?” Patrick shifted the subject.

“It is,” Isabel assured him. “The Demons allowed us to choose the location for the exchange.”

“I’ve also conducted a thorough check. No traps have been set—at least, none directed at us,” he added with a twisted grin, making Isabel grimace.

“I must admit, it’s surprising. Of all things, the Demons are driven by money? Setting aside my nephew, they could achieve far greater gains by keeping someone with so much potential as Cattleya. Her value far exceeds the worth of Holy Coins,” Patrick wondered stroking his chin.

Holy Coins were immensely precious, symbols of wealth capable of purchasing almost anything. Yet even they paled in comparison to Cattleya’s worth—a prodigy blessed by the Pope himself.

“Lord Cromwell, please,” Isabel sighed, glancing at Sina, whose face had turned noticeably pale.

“Lord Cromwell raises an interesting point, nonetheless,” Willias said thoughtfully. “It is peculiar for such vile beings to prioritize material wealth over the corruption of pure souls.”

“There’s no predicting Demons,” Reynold intervened, his words aiming to reassure his wife. “They embody all that is vile in this world. Greed is simply another facet of their wickedness. It might explain why they took Lord Cromwell’s nephew as well.”

Sina relaxed slightly at her husband’s explanation, her grip on his arm loosening.

“Lord Willias,” Reynold called suddenly.

“I am aware,” Willias replied with a calm smile, though his posture subtly shifted. He was ready.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

The air itself seemed to ripple darkly.

They were coming.

The Demons.