"That actually brings me to another of my questions, do you have a magic to detect shapeshifted demons?"

Zachariah says "Not detect, no. We do have a magic that breaks shapeshifting."

"Uh, is it commonly used? On another front, how do people in this city view intelligent beasts?"

Zachariah says "Yes, even the city guards can cast it. As to your other question, I guess it depends on the beast. While we keep the nobles away from political power as much as we can, there are still some in the city. Some of them keep beasts as pets, although I don't know how intelligent they are. If you are talking about humanoid beasts, they are mostly kept as slaves, but the city does have laws to allow them to earn their freedom."

"Hm, that could definitely be a problem. Do you have someone who can cast the spell that you trust?"

Zachariah says "I can cast the spell. I was an adventurer when I was younger. Why?"

"Because I need to see if the spell affects me. You should probably close the door first though."

Zachariah says "Why would the spell affect you? Are you a demon?!"

"No, I am not a demon, but I am also not a human."

Zachariah gives me a confused look, but then he sticks his head out the door. Within seconds someone runs up to him and he starts issuing orders. I can overhear enough to tell he is talking about materials and a secure room.

Then he comes back in and closes the door before taking out a crystal. He touches the crystal to the wall and there is a bright flash of light that covers the room. When I use mana sight I can see that it protects against spying and can be used to restrain me.

Zachariah says "Alright, are you ready? Want to tell me what to expect if this works?"

"Alright, I'm ready, but I want to know about that crystal later. As for what to expect, I am similar in size and shape to a drake. Do you know what a drake is?"

Zachariah says "I've never seen one, but I've read about them."

"Alright, well all you really need to know is that I am fairly big. I am going to stand over here so I won't break anything. Go ahead whenever you are ready."

Zachariah chants a few words as he casts the spell, then a wave of mana surges out from him. When the wave hits me it forces me back to my natural form, which feels weird. Surprisingly, the wave also breaks Lin's disguise which I wasn't expecting.

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Zachariah stands there with his mouth hanging open, but his eyes are darting back and forth. It looks like he is having trouble deciding which one of us to stare at. When I try to return to human form the first attempt fails, but the second succeeds.

"Hm, that is certainly an interesting spell. I am really surprised that it was able to break Lin's disguise."

Lin says "It did? I didn't even notice! That explains why he is staring at me as well."

"Can you cast the spell again?"

Zachariah says "Sure."

This time, as he casts the spell, I focus on holding my human form, but it doesn't work. It does take a few seconds before the spell forces me into my normal form. This time I am able to feel what is going on, the spell acts like a dispel, just more targeted.

It also leaves a short lived residue on my skin which is what interfered with my shapeshift. I easily remove the residue and then I am able to shapeshift back without a problem. It seems to be an effective counter to all forms of shapeshifting and illusions.

"What is the range of the spell?"

Zachariah says "It depends on the strength of the caster, but the limit is about fifty feet."

"That's not bad. Can you teach us the spell?"

Zachariah says "Sure, but can I ask a question?"

"Sure."

Zachariah says "Why were you under an illusion, Lin?"

Lin says "To avoid trouble. Men see me and suddenly they don't understand the word no. It has caused us problems a few times."

Zachariah says "Ah, now I understand. That makes perfect sense."

"Thank you for not immediately running for the city guard."

Zachariah says "As you said, you are not a demon. I have run into enough demons to be sure of that. Although, please tell me you are not buying elves to eat."

"No, I am taking them and their people to my lands. There they will be free and protected."

Zachariah says "Your lands? Are you a noble?"

Lin says "Actually, he is a king. Once we are married, I will be his queen."

Zachariah says "Ah, my apologies, your majesty."

"No need for that, just continue to call me Ash. My kingdom is a long way from here. Currently, it isn't much bigger than this city."

Zachariah says "Alright, if that is what you want. Although, you could potentially have diplomatic status within the city. You would just need to reveal yourself to the adventurer's association."

"While I am sure there would be benefits to that, it would also probably be more hassle than I want to deal with."

Lin says "Ash is rather adverse to pomp and politics."

Zachariah says "I completely understand. However, if you trust me, I have a friend in the association. We should be able to introduce you and keep things quiet. Although, you would probably need to tell us where your kingdom is."

Lin says "Ash, I think you should do it. You mentioned you wanted to set up a trade route to here after we return, it would help if we set the foundations now."

"Other than the spell you showed us, does the association keep other magic related to demons?"

Zachariah says "Yes, all knowledge and magic relating to demons is kept in the association."

"Then I would need to deal with the association anyway. Alright, I will speak with your friend."

Zachariah says "Alright, I will send him a message and set up a meeting. In the meantime, the secure room should be prepared by now."

"Sounds good."

Zachariah touches his crystal to the wall, which removes the spell from the room. Then he opens the door and instructs the person waiting outside to guide us to the room. The person turns out to be a woman carrying a tray with three sets of materials on it.

She offers me the tray, but I just take the materials straight into my own ring. Then she leads us downstairs and into a basement room where fifteen elves are waiting. They look to be in pretty good shape, but they give me suspicious looks when I enter.