readsfreenovel Chapter 85 Radio Demon, are you willing to make a grand gamble with me?
Chapter 85 Radio Demon, are you willing to make a grand gamble with me?
...This guy is really stubborn! Is Alastor treating you like a fool?
“I’ve said from the moment we met that I will not trade my soul with you. If you continue to toy with me like this, I will…”
Perhaps because the broadcast demon's words were too easy and infuriating, you couldn't help but raise your voice, a rare hint of anger appearing on your face.
"Oh~ Hahaha! Who's teasing you? Of course, it's not what you think, sweetheart!"
Alastor, who had just interrupted you, shouted "Sweetheart" at you in an exaggerated and incredulous voice.
The cunning Wendigo casually put his arm around your shoulder and circled you lightly like a red fox.
"In the end, I just want you to raise the stakes... Although your soul is tempting to me, I'm not incapable of backing down. After all, I wouldn't force a clever and most worthwhile beauty in hell to do something like that; that's not gentlemanly!"
The demon with sharp fangs spoke to you excitedly, but then he quickly moved closer to your ear like a ghost and asked in a low voice:
"Have you ever worked as a bodyguard, my dear?"
……
"……you mean……?"
Listening to Alastor's words, you frowned, a vague suspicion forming in your mind, and pried off his hand that was resting on your shoulder.
"Very well! Now let me make my conditions clear."
Seeing that you didn't resist, the always composed Western gentleman slowly lowered his eyes and glanced at the microphone cane in his hand.
Fortunately, although Alastor looked frivolous, you could tell that his tone had changed.
"While assisting Miss's business, I hope that whenever I encounter any trouble, Miss [Name] can appear in time to solve those troublesome bugs for me—how about that? With Miss Chef's abilities, this small request sounds very fair and simple, right? After all, in this hell, I think there's basically no one who can defeat you."
With a single sentence, Alastor expressed all his thoughts, propped his cane on the ground, and rubbed his fingertips together with his eyes half-open.
He seemed determined to get what he wanted.
……
……
But damn it, does Alastor really think you're an idiot?
"...I disagree. Your statement that no one can defeat me is not true."
You rolled your eyes, barely suppressing the urge to swear, your displeasure evident in your tone.
"Do I need to remind you, Mr. Broadcasting Demon? I have no idea what kind of big trouble you'll get into with your terrible personality. Wouldn't it be more fitting to change what you just said to 'Even if you're faced with a death threat, you have to bite the bullet and go for it so I can get away unscathed'?"
You narrowed your eyes dangerously, having easily seen through Alastor's trap between the lines.
"Leaving aside how broad the definition of 'trouble' is, 'bodyguard' is just a euphemism. But if I agree to your request, how is that any different from selling my soul? Aren't we both dying for you in a crucial moment?"
The old gentleman's single sentence contained so many traps.
Out of some kind of anger at being disregarded, the sharp canines of the Eastern Sinner showed a hint of sharpness in her angry expression.
However, when you pointed out the hidden meaning in his words, Alastor merely raised one eyebrow with interest, remaining noncommittal about your statement.
Incredible.
Your eyes widened in anger.
What a thoroughly wicked person! He shows no mercy even to you, his companion in the inn!
You're so wrong! You actually had any expectations of Alastor! ...To think that Alastor would go easy on you is just plain stupid!
A feeling of disappointment wells up inside you.
If Alastor asks you to fight the mysterious demon who enslaves his soul—that person can even get Alastor to sign a soul pact. If you go up and fight him, you'll either die or be skinned alive... Seriously, does Alastor think you're a clown?
The female demon, no longer trying to conceal her expression, let out a long "Evil!" and then held her forehead with her right hand.
It's rare for someone to feel that only by making certain actions can they clearly express their feelings at this moment.
“Clever girl! But that’s a truly malicious guess. How could I possibly want a chef to die for me? I couldn’t bear to lose such a good and unique bodyguard like you, especially since you’re the best chef in all of hell!”
Upon seeing your performance, Alastor's mood visibly improved immediately. With lightning speed, he wrapped his arms around the waist of the Eastern sinner in front of him and then forcefully pulled him into his embrace.
Because of your anger, you failed to react to the broadcast demon's sudden outburst.
By the time you realize what's happening, you're already being held in the other person's arms like a plush toy.
Alastor pressed his face against yours, his scarlet eyes staring straight into yours.
You can see the childlike innocence and the joy in his eyes.
"...But I still have to remind you, darling, without this additional bet, I don't think I would need to continue this deal with you. After all, once I got involved, I couldn't even guarantee my own life."
Alastor, who seemed completely unconcerned about your thoughts, pushed you out of his arms like a balloon, then twirled his cane around before planting it on the ground.
The broadcasting demon, who had suddenly become the attacker throughout the transaction, tilted his head, his eyes filled with the familiar contempt and arrogance.
"Although I am a sinner who can be resurrected, I believe my life is still more valuable than most pitiful souls, isn't it? Death is a very undignified thing among sinner lords! You don't want me to become a laughing stock for everyone during my rise to power, do you?"
……
Alastor offered only one condition, which proves that there is no room for maneuver in this choice.
The good news is that once you agree to his conditions, your deal can be finalized.
The bad news is, you can't see what the end of Alastor's request to you is all about.
You have no choice but to accept the sinner lord's offer, even though you are only one step away from success... but you have your own bottom line.
"...First of all, Broadcast Demon, regarding your request, I can agree to the final condition of ensuring your safety, but I also have my bottom line. If you do not agree, I will not force you to accept my deal."
Willing to compromise, but unwilling to retreat to square one, you pursed your lips and then said in a helpless tone, as if in resignation.
Faced with what seemed to be pushed to its limit, Alastor merely squinted and let out a short, sharp noise.
He tapped his cane lightly with his fingers, as if acquiescing to your request.
"First, I will not fight to the death or be maimed for you, including living a life worse than death."
"Second, I have the right to refuse to fight when faced with any situation that endangers my life or is complicated."
"Third, you must guarantee that the side I am fighting against will not involve any person or thing that I know or care about."
"Fourth, you cannot deceive me into fighting for you. Although I may refuse to fight, I will take you with me when we flee the scene—in short, as long as I am alive, I will get you out of danger."
"If you can agree to these conditions, I will do as you wish... and also wager my own power at the table."
Even as you reluctantly utter those last words, though you've laid out all your concerns, you still feel uneasy.
The conditions proposed by Alastor are undoubtedly dangerous.
Faced with the cunning and terrifying sinner lord before you, you wish you could buckle yourself up in place—but when you finally agree to let him throw you out too, you still feel your heart bleeding.
...Although if Alastor makes a deal with you, it would be tantamount to selling himself out, and you two would likely suffer misfortune together to some extent, you simply can't outsmart him when it comes to maximizing profits.
You stare at Alastor, who seems to be calculating the pros and cons in his mind, making him appear somewhat silent.
—Or perhaps the clever person had already thought all this through, and was just using his meaningful silence to trick you into reacting?
Based on your "trust" in Alastor's intelligence, you think the latter is more likely.
It's true that partnering with Alastor carries significant risks, but you're willing to take that risk so that you can be of help in the future.
...But you really are something else, you actually will become a community of fate with Alastor for a very long time to come!
Or is he actually deliberately trying to make you two a community of shared destiny? The conditions Alastor proposed seem like ideas he'd had for a long time, and now, you've even proactively provided him with a breakthrough.
While what you're thinking is probably the truth, you haven't completely fallen into his trap, after all, you're in a win-win situation now...
……
But you still feel very unhappy that Alastor got his way!
Okay! You're just being petty!
You absolutely hate clever people who are good at waiting and calculating.
Because Alastor knows your ultimate goal, but you don't know the circumstances under which Alastor will use you to protect him!
Feeling a surge of anger welling up inside, you glanced at your toes with some annoyance.
Yes, you are good at waiting, and Alastor, who is also a hunter, is naturally good at waiting as well.
You chose to unite the unknown with him into a shared destiny, while the broadcasting demon knew you would back down and chose to accept your invitation.
"It's a disheartening warning... but I think that's fair enough for now!"
Alastor, clearly regretting that you had downplayed his ideas, closed his eyes, shrugged, and then walked briskly towards you.
Wendigo's high heels tapped on your wooden floor, the cheerful, crisp "tap-tap" echoing through your room.
Looking at the red-clad gentleman before him, whose expression remained as composed as ever, the Eastern sinner, surprised that the other party had actually agreed to the conditions he had attached, widened his eyes in astonishment.
But the surprise on your face didn't last long.
"This is an equal and mutually beneficial transaction."
"You, as an aid to my industry, contribute your wisdom, helping me evade both open and covert attacks while enjoying the glory. In return, I will do my best to ensure your safety and provide you with a perfect stepping stone."
With your hands behind your back, you look at the sinner lord before you with the calmest expression you can muster, your posture upright and your tone serious.
Your emphasis on this deal is obvious.
"...Of course! My dear Miss Chef, I think this is just a very simple and straightforward transaction!"
Completely unlike your meticulousness and seriousness, Alastor, who seemed to have merely agreed to participate in a certain attraction at the amusement park, gave a physically meaningful, crescent-shaped smile.
An exaggerated sound effect of a slot machine winning a big prize, along with waves of cheers from the crowd, emanated from his microphone and throat.
You have no doubt that the broadcasting demon will even set off a triangular party firework in the room to celebrate your successful deal... but cleaning up the firework debris is a hassle, and even though you have magic, you'd rather he didn't do it.
This isn't a gamble between you and Alastor; it's a gamble between you and Alastor and the future.
—It's unbelievable that from now on, the clever broadcasting demon has become your comrade-in-arms in the same trench.
"So... Great broadcasting demon, are you willing to make a grand gamble with me?"
As the story neared its end, the Eastern sinner, whose expression had never changed despite Alastor's mockery, lowered her hand, a confident smile of certainty about the future appearing on her face.
She seemed unaware that her tone and expression carried an ambiguous quality that was difficult for others to detect.
The Eastern Sinner's words were so unrestrained that Alastor inexplicably felt an irresistible personal charm emanating from the female demon before him.
"...What else can I say? Of course, it's 'I do,' darling."
The sinner lord, who had raised his head and looked down at his opponent with a certain condescension, let out a few soft laughs.
……
Why would he use "I do" at a time like this?
It's not like I'm proposing.
You frowned.
Clearly unable to voice this question, you suppressed the twitching corner of your mouth before reaching out your hand to the deep red Wendigo in front of you.
"……make a deal?"
"make a deal."