NOVPUBThe space of Antanas’s prison cell is not especially large, but because the walls are painted pure white, it creates an illusion of infinity.
The light is deflected from above onto three figures in a subtly complex dance of shadows and illumination.
The Great Love Poet appears relatively relaxed.
There’s no speech, but it’s as if an unspoken message is being conveyed.
Hyperion is utterly perplexed at this point.
Lanci looks at her with a sense of satisfaction, as though asking her: I’ve fulfilled your request, Antanas is now open to discussion.
"Rest assured, I’ll talk things out with you properly next."
Antanas nodded slightly, understanding the Great Love Poet’s intent and added.
"This..."
Hyperion needs a favour from Antanas, but it appears that Antanas needs Lanci, who in turn, listens to Hyperion.
Unknowingly, another hurdle has been bypassed.
"Miss Antanas, if you would come with us and assist us, please state your demands," Hyperion quickly said.
The atmosphere in the prison cell has subtly shifted from tension to some form of delicate balance.
"I...want assurance about Talia’s whereabouts; then I will go with you."
Antanas looked again at the Poet of Great Love without her mask, her expression was complicated.
"Can I... see your true form? Are you from the Demon Race?"
Theoretically, if she were a pure human, she shouldn’t naturally look so similar to Talia. At least, she should have some Demon Race lineage.
Most likely, she shares a similar illusion spell with Hyperion, capable of deceiving the Protoss Empire and infiltrating Herram Prison as a human.
"Yes."
Without much hesitation, Lanci dispelled [Great Lover Poet Transformation: Human], reverting to her original form - the Poet of Great Love with gray hair and a red dress.
Thedifference between her and Talia lied in their hairstyles and styles, along with the fact that the Poet of Great Love had blue eyes, while Talia’s were gold. At this moment, being controlled by Lanci, the atmosphere she brought about was very different from Talia’s.
"You...actually!"
At this moment, Antanas finally confirmed her suspicion - this demon must be related to Talia!
She could even feel the aura of the Demon Royal Family radiating from her.
The Poet of Great Love nodded, preparing to explain that this being was a creation directly from Talia’s hands, and account for how she was Talia’s sustainer.
"Are you Talia’s daughter? Is Talia okay?"
Antanas asked, her voice noticeably shaken, filled with worry and anticipation.
"...?"
The Poet of Great Love was caught off guard.
Why would this demon think that way?
"No, I am not her daughter, but she is doing well in the South Continent. You can be certain of that. The fact that I’m here is proof that she is alive and well."
Lanci answered.
He started to understand; after not meeting for a hundred years, it seemed that even the Great Demon Clan might not remember exactly what Talia looked like. When the Poet of Great Love appeared, their first reaction was that she was "similar", not "exactly the same".
"... That’s good, that’s good."
Antanas clutched her chest, as if years of despair and sorrow disappeared at that moment, replaced with joy and expectation. The nearly extinguished flame in her heart ignited once more.
Next, Antanas looked at the Great Love Poet again,
"But, why did you have to say that Talia isn’t your mother? Could it be she’s your grandmother? Great-grandmother? With so many generations between, how could you still look so alike?"
"..."
A reasonable conclusion, but it was incorrect.
"No, it’s not either of those, this creature is not a descendant of Talia."
The Great Love Poet pointed to his own body and patiently explained,
"Actually, this is an extremely lifelike summon, and my real body is at the other end of the imperial capital, Herram, controlling this body to talk to you."
The dealings between Lanci and the Great Demon Clan require complete honesty.
He genuinely wishes to seek the assistance of Antanas, and hopes to reunite her with Talia, without any intent to deceive Antanas on any matter.
"A summon? You think I, as a member of the prestigious Great Demon Clan, can’t distinguish between a summon and a living being? The magic of communication is blocked by Herram Prison; right now there is certainly no one controlling you. You don’t need to deny your relationship with Talia like this."
Antanas was quite perplexed.
"..."
Lanci didn’t expect that the traits of the Poet of Great Love could sometimes produce negative effects.
Looking from Antanas’ perspective, indeed, the Poet of Great Love looks no different from a living being, considering even the Herram Prison was fooled by it.
But now, he couldn’t give a demonstration of being an Immortal Body to Antanas, because after killing himself and re-summoning the Great Love Poet, the Great Love Poet would temporarily take control of the body.
Making the puppet body of the Great Love Poet commit suicide would anger it enormously.
He needs to negotiate with the Poet of Great Love properly to regain control. And he doesn’t know if the Poet of Great Love would suddenly cause trouble in the process.
Knowing the nature of the Poet of Great Love, it might describe everything in a more chaotic way.
"Anyway, I didn’t lie to you. When you know the truth, don’t feel like I’m fooling you."
In the end, Lanci could only helplessly shrug.
"Who is your father? Did he make Talia happy? How did he meet your mother? Is he good enough?"
Antanas seemed especially concerned about this right now, persistently questioning.
She now feels that this demon race woman who looks so much like Talia should be her daughter. But even she is unwilling to acknowledge Talia, is Talia truly living a good life?
"..."
Lanci did not know what to say,
"She isn’t married."
He just couldn’t understand why Antanas would rather believe that Talia is married than accept the fact that this is a summon?
"...!"
Antanas was dumbstruck and covered her mouth.
In her mind, she was able to connect many dots.
"..."
The Poet of Great Love held his forehead; he felt that Antanas’ thoughts were becoming increasingly off track, and now it seems like Talia has become pregnant before marriage.
Nothing more can be explained; this Antanas is a real drama queen.
Meanwhile, during the conversation between The Poet of Great Love and Antanas,
Hyperion on the side had been dazed for a long time.
"You... What on earth are you talking about?"
Hyperion felt like an outsider.
She probably could comprehend what the two were talking about, but completely unable to understand.
She had a hunch, but it was so absurd that she dare not believe it.
Why, after seeing the face of the Poet of Great Love, did Antanas decisively assert the Poet of Great Love as Talia’s daughter?
Doesn’t the Poet of Great Love look identical to Miss Tata?
Also, why is Lanci able to assertively talk about Talia with such certainty? As if they had known each other for a long time.
Could it be… the Miss Tata who has been accompanying her, is the Great Demon Clan member, her own birth mother’s sister, Talia?
