Hell Inn: Rebirth - I Became a Chef in Hell

Chapter 128 What the Devil Thinks When He Doesn't Make Deals - S01 E05

……

……

So why did this guy come in? Is it because he thinks there's something he wants here?

After a jumble of worries running through your mind, you can't help but think this way.

Out of concern for your personal safety, you desperately want to know the answer to this question.

After all, you don't want to be outmaneuvered by the devils of the Western Hell after you've already tackled the big question of "Him"... that would be a bit embarrassing.

While you were racking your brains trying to figure it out, Alastor had already casually pushed aside the vegetation around you and squatted down.

He leaned the microphone against his shoulder, then struck a charming pose with his chin resting on his hand, like a young girl in love.

Wendigo just squats down next to you, staring at you with an amused and languid expression.

His eyelids drooped, his posture elegant and light.

■■■Did not notice the hint of doting and indulgence in the eyes of the sinner lord.

The unusually patient male demon seemed to be simply waiting for the shattered dragon girl in front of him to recover from her silence.

Although she seemed to be thinking about something, you can probably rest assured—because there was actually no change in her expression.

What...do you want?

After a long silence, knowing you couldn't remain in this passive stalemate, you sighed deeply and spoke wearily.

"This time I didn't think things through, but Broadcast Demon, I hope you won't go too far..."

"..."

"That's a really sad and questionable answer, sweetheart."

Alastor interrupted your reply when you asked that question.

His tone was so soft that you couldn't understand what he meant.

You sensed a strange disappointment in his tone, but his flippant manner and eerie smile made you involuntarily wary of his next move.

...You know your reply wasn't very polite, but it was the calmest thing you could say in this situation.

After all, you're worried that the unpredictable Alastor might suddenly attack you, and your tense body and nerves make it impossible for you to talk to him properly.

After replying to your comment, Alastor fell silent, seemingly waiting for your follow-up—but what could possibly be the point of a follow-up between you and him?

In your current state, what right do you have to sit at the negotiating table where Alastor has an overwhelming advantage?

"...If you want something, don't beat around the bush with me, it's pointless."

Seeing that Alastor was still as mysterious as ever, you, who dared not gamble on your relationship with Alastor at this time, pouted unhappily.

Because of your absolute disadvantage and your awareness of the danger posed by the broadcasting demon, you make no attempt to conceal your distrust.

"..."

"...Why did you say that?"

(why are you saying like that?)

Wendigo asked you this in a somewhat strange tone, his face showing confusion mixed with an indescribable oddity.

While you are surprised by the gentleman's "frank" question, you also see Alastor reveal a change in expression you have never seen before.

He first widened his eyes in surprise, then narrowed them.

You hear a faint rustling sound, a sign of displeasure, coming from his throat.

"...?"

Surprised by Alastor's performance, you raised an eyebrow, somewhat bewildered.

Unlike your expressionless face caused by various factors, the broadcast devil's smile always seemed to have been sewn onto his face by himself.

You keep thinking, if this is his way of making others fear him and not understand him, then you can only say that he did it perfectly.

Alastor's smile meant that most onlookers could only judge his emotions by looking at his eyes.

...But what most demons in Hell can see is the spinning of a clock in the eyes of the broadcasting demons, like a countdown to life.

You know perfectly well that Alastor is not happy right now, but his pupils have not turned into pointer shapes.

He frowned deeply, his eyebrows drooping slightly. But his gaze wasn't one of condescending mockery or sarcasm; rather, it seemed more like a mixture of incomprehension and confusion.

—But you don't understand why he makes that expression.

You feel that you are just reasonably suspicious of him.

You should know that constant suspicion and vigilance are the guarantee of your safety in living harmoniously with the tyrant in front of you.

"...Don't you think you shouldn't be asking that question?"

After letting out a deep sigh, you replied to him with a somewhat speechless tone.

You should know that Alastor has been scheming against you quite a bit.

But because you always expose him without hesitation, he has never succeeded, and he always openly admits that he is indeed plotting against you.

But you've never seen him show that expression before.

You always thought the Radio Demon wasn't someone who would be sad or emotionally hurt. Because the person he loved most was himself, and the person he cared about most was also himself.

Others' slander against him is considered tasteless, and their disrespect is considered ill-mannered. Fortunately, he is good at making everything he hates disappear or suffer a fate worse than death.

Due to his personality, Alastor might not care about the insults and contempt people hurled at him; to him, these might even be considered compliments and cheap amusement.

Alastor only cares about those he wants to care about, but the people he cares about will never outweigh his own importance.

If anyone betrays his trust and respect, you can imagine how quickly he can turn on you.

You see, a demon doesn't show kindness to anyone other than himself for no reason.

Besides, you're not like Ms. Rosie from the cannibal town or Mimz, whom Alastor knew before his death. You're just an ordinary innkeeper chef he met by chance during one of his entertainment projects, someone who's a little different from others.

Perhaps it's your decent skills and not-too-annoying personality that give you a place in Alastor's social circles...

But think about it, in the eyes of this ancient tyrannical lord, you are probably just a dispensable fellow.

"I think... there must be a reason why the great broadcasting demon would appear here out of nowhere, right?"

Lying in the flowerbed, you asked him this question in your usual indifferent voice.

"After all, the devils of hell wouldn't do anything that might harm their own interests..."

"especially you."

"Alastor".

"Do I need to explain why most sinners dare not approach my fire?"

"A sinner lord known for his caution and intelligence just walked in like that... Do you think that's normal?"

Because the question asked by the broadcast demon felt absurd, like a carnivore barging into your house and asking why you're not welcome, you almost laughed out of anger and couldn't help but ask him the same question.

Alastor is too difficult to understand; you can't trust him, so you would never gamble everything on such an unstable bomb.

Alastor: "..."

You caught a faint, deliberately concealed look of surprise on his face.

It's like an instinctive surprise that you would have such a thought.

Although the corners of his mouth did not droop, his smile froze.

That's the kind of expression that people subconsciously show when their good intentions are rejected.

Even if they become demons, even if they are always shrewd and cunning, the souls of humans in Alastor will still reveal their emotions.

Such subtle expressions are usually difficult to detect, let alone when the other person is a master at controlling their emotions.

But the ever-present, huge smile on the gentleman's face became a beacon that exposed him at this moment.

Because his lips were so obviously frozen, you could instantly sense the change in the broadcast demon's emotions.

……

But you just can't understand why he did this, you don't understand why he did this... Or is it that the broadcasting demon has become so terrifying that it can discipline its own instincts?

...Or is he just putting on an act for you...?

Because Alastor's reaction was so novel, you couldn't help but think that you had gone too far.

And precisely because he is Alastor, it's not impossible for you to think he's acting.

After all, you're even willing to admit that Alastor has reached a point in your mind where he's capable of almost anything except beating you and having a precarious mental state.

……

"...ho."

Just as you were thinking about random, random things, you suddenly heard a sound that sounded like a sigh.

—But in reality, it was just a long exhale mixed with the sound of electricity.

You thought the vengeful lord in front of you would retaliate against you for your slightly aggressive remarks... or say something sarcastic to mock you.

But Wendigo simply extended his hand to you.

Knowing the truth about the grudges between you and him, your first reaction is that he might tear out your tongue or gouge out your eyes.

But Alastor simply used his hand to tuck your messy long hair behind your ear; every little movement could be described as gentle and considerate.

His expression still carried a certain subtle charm and ease that you often see.

The demons in hell always give people this feeling: even a single glance from a demon can ignite the flames of desire and lust deep within the human heart.

But Alastor is different.

Although the Broadcast Demon always wore a smile and appeared gentle, refined, and easy to get along with, sinners within a hundred miles knew that he was a notorious tyrant.

Although he also possessed the gaze of demons, his gaze always carried a chilling, bloodthirsty, and dangerous quality.

You cannot and do not want to bear the burden of the broadcasting demon, which is full of scheming and morbid bias.

His gaze was like an invitation that existed only in imagination, or a sinister test.

His eyelids drooped lazily, and his pupils, which were always as thin as pinpoints, were now fixed on you with their round, red undersides, like a stray cat staring at its favorite canned food and toys, sending chills down your spine.

……

...But perhaps some people would prefer to describe the devil's gaze, which is not malicious, as the determined look of an extramarital lover.

It was an ambition restrained beneath a calm surface, deliberately disguised as cunning plunder, and also a kind of contempt for processes with predetermined outcomes.

After all, a demon would never stare at a soul for so long and without any reason if there were no deal involved.

However, due to her personality, she prefers to describe such an unhealthy and insecure gaze with adjectives that evoke a stronger sense of externality.

...while the old gentleman, who doesn't involve these things at all, may have simpler and more direct emotions.

While this could indeed be considered a unique preference of the Broadcast Demon, his gaze actually contained no love or lust whatsoever.

He was willing to waste so much time and even his emotions watching a fragmented life, simply because that life was [illegible].

……

"...So, after all that has happened...am I fortunate enough to learn the name of the lady from afar?"

After you had been silent for a very long time.

You hear Wendigo in front of you ask you this in a light, upturned tone.

The neurotic devil doesn't care about your offense, doesn't engage in any "negotiation" regarding conflicts of interest; he seems to have been reset, ignoring your presumptuous remarks made out of self-preservation.

He simply looked at you with a calm gaze, as if trying to see into the depths of your soul.

He looked at you as if he were the first time he compromised with you.