vstars Chapter 77 Why did I have to provoke him?
Chapter 77 Why did I have to provoke him?
...Stop using the "mommy" meme!
You don't want to suddenly become a mother without pain in hell!
Besides, you were just doing your job. Are you suggesting that a hotel chef should watch the demons in the inn go hungry outside?!
It's true that you're not very famous, but at least you serve the royal family and sinner lords.
As a qualified innkeeper's chef, you absolutely cannot allow Angel to eat the staff meals in their sex dungeon, which are even worse than those eaten by black slaves who crossed the ocean!
"..."
"That's it."
Even though you've said everything you could in your mind, your facial expression doesn't actually change much.
Hesk did not miss the fleeting look of astonishment on the face of the sinner from the East.
He didn't have time to be shocked that you didn't know about this, because the guilt of his death many years ago crept up his spine as you lowered your head in silence.
...Wait a minute, could it be that I'm the first sinner to tell her this?
Hesker: "..."
Feeling as if he had said something unnecessary, the big cat maintained his wide-eyed expression, frozen in place.
The sinners in hell don't care whether they hurt the feelings of other sinners, after all, everyone is scum who are equal in every way.
In the ring of arrogance that binds sinners, the souls that have fallen into hell do not directly beat up other demons they dislike, mostly because they find it too troublesome.
...But Hesk has never seen a type like ■■■, who is completely out of place in hell in every sense, since he went to hell.
How exactly did I end up in hell?
Sometimes, even if the sinner doesn't mention it, other sinners will have these thoughts that they shouldn't have.
After all, you're in hell, so you're probably not a good person either.
He had been mingling in the cesspool of hell for years, and Hesk believed that he had seen through the disguises of all sinners in the Pride Ring.
He had indeed wondered if all of this was a facade. But as they spent more time together, Hesker surprisingly felt that having such thoughts was itself an offense to [the person in question].
Having said that, he then thought that it wasn't that he thought ■■■ was particularly good, it's just...
"By the way, where's Alastor?"
Just as Hesk was being tormented by his conscience because of ■■■'s silence and bowed head, the silent Eastern sinner suddenly raised his head with a calm expression and asked this question out of the blue.
"……who?"
It seemed like the first time Hesk had ever heard the inn's chef bring up a certain annoying guy on his own initiative, so he couldn't help but ask a question.
Why do you two seem like you don't know each other well?
You glanced at Hesker, whose face was filled with undisguised disgust, with a hint of surprise.
“I’m talking about our facilities manager, the great broadcasting devil, Alastor.”
You, who couldn't wait to reveal every single name of that ancestor, patiently added more titles.
“I have something I want to discuss with him, because you seemed to have a close relationship with him throughout the hotel, and I felt like I knew where he would be, so I…”
"...Stop! What the hell do you mean I have a deeper relationship with him!? Besides Niffler, who else in the inn would like this piece of shit? To be honest, I'd love for him..."
Hesk, whose scalp tingled from your few words, stopped you, looking displeased, from saying anything more.
"Hmm? You're probably hoping I'll do something?"
Just as Hesk was recklessly slandering Alastor, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind you.
A broadcast demon, materialized from your shadow, silently appeared behind you.
You could tell from the moment the big cat sinner froze that Alastor, who was showing signs of growing stronger behind him, was most likely now displaying a threatening... or angry expression.
While checking the aura, you discover that Alastor came from the direction of the study.
So this guy ran off to take refuge somewhere not far from the hall while Angel's collection of works was being displayed in the lobby?
It's a bit surprising that you didn't go through all the trouble of probing for Alastor's presence when you were looking for him, but instead chose to ask him directly.
You thought he went to the ogre town today.
Watching the broadcasting demon "confronting" Hesker, you slowly rise from your bar stool.
However, this guy is quite adept at catching thieves red-handed; he even overheard Hesker saying something bad about him behind the bar...
That old man really is vindictive.
When Alastor said, "Go on, I'm looking forward to seeing what our bartender has to say about me," you secretly rolled your eyes.
I don't know what you think, but Hesk, who fell silent very quickly, was speechless: "..."
"Very well! Now, Miss Chef, could you tell me what it is that you specifically want to discuss with me?"
Seeing Hesk's reaction, the broadcast demon grinned with an exaggerated smile, then poked its furry, frightening red head at you while you remained unmoved.
You heard the sound of the other person snapping their neck again—but then again, since they had stretched their entire head over your left side.
He always plays these annoying pranks for no reason; he's such a child who never grows up...
Without changing your expression, you subtly moved to the side.
"It is indeed a rather important matter, but it might not be convenient to discuss it here. Let's go to my room to talk."
After maintaining a relatively polite distance from Alastor, you, who rarely refrained from arguing with him, spoke rather seriously.
"...?"
As you said that, the broadcasting demon, realizing you were serious, widened his eyes in surprise.
The crackling, chaotic sound of electricity lingered in the sinner lord's throat for quite some time before stopping, his reaction testifying to his current state of mind.
To be honest, Alastor thought you would avoid his deliberate advances as you always have.
But he was genuinely surprised when you invited him out.
"...Oh! So should I take that as an invitation?"
With a light and playful tone, Alastor appeared nimbly beside you as a shadow.
You notice that when you send the invitation to the broadcasting demon, even the shadow beside Wendigo seems to be filled with a certain eagerness.
Most people are curious about things that are unexpected and not malicious, even seasoned sinner lords.
At least Alastor is very curious now about what would make you take the initiative to discuss things with him.
"Yes, if that's what you think..."
"—However, I hope you won't bring your mean and calculating side when you enter my room, otherwise I'll have to ask you to leave through the window."
You did indeed have important matters to discuss with this intelligent man, but after walking up the stairs, you couldn't help but turn back and give Alastor this warning.
If he tries to outmaneuver you when discussing a collaborative project, your blood pressure will literally explode—damn it, why does the smartest demon you know have to be someone like Alastor?
Isn't there a demon in hell who is smarter than him, but whose personality is slightly better?
The thought of doing business with Alastor sends chills down your spine, making you feel like your future is bleak and your steps are unsteady.
"Although it really hurts me to say that... I still have to say, it is truly an honor for me to have the chef's appreciation."
That broadcasting devil, who seems even more eager than you, is probably feeling quite honored about something. You're so annoyed by his endless chatter...
Alastor, whose eyes were flashing red, seemed indifferent to your complicated feelings at this moment.
He didn't seem too upset; your invitation had pleased him enough to make him ignore the part of your warning that might have offended him.
After confirming your intentions and finding them to be as he expected, the slender male demon let out a series of chilling laughs and quickly appeared at the end of the second-floor staircase.
His shadow followed behind him, laughing sinisterly along with him.
Although Alastor, standing there, looks like an ordinary gentleman from Hell with an elegant and relaxed demeanor, you can sense from him a sense of danger that could lead to utter destruction if he were to slip and fall.
Even if a seasoned sinner lord does nothing, he can still give you a sense of strategic mastery—which is one of the reasons why you dislike talking to smart people.
When you listen to a learned old gentleman recount the glory of the United States' golden age, you can truly feel the vivid scenes through his emotionally charged and expressive broadcasting voice.
But when you're ready to sit down at the negotiating table with him, even before you open your mouth, you can feel an innate pressure.
Although in terms of strength, the Broadcast Demon is far inferior to you, his intellect is enough to make you describe him as "not to be underestimated".
As you obediently went upstairs, your mind was filled with countless thoughts.
"Da da."
Alastor tapped his cane lightly on the floor twice, straightened his collar, and then turned to look down at you.
After staring at the red demon standing there with a dangerous smile for a while, you suddenly regretted it, as if something had been severed...
"...Uh, is it too late for me to regret this now?"
As you approach Alastor and are suddenly taken by his arm without warning, you feel like you've aged at least fifty years prematurely, and inexplicably ask this question.
"Ha! You're joking, sweetheart."
Alastor, laughing heartily, glanced at you with a feigned look of surprise, then very unceremoniously put his arm around your shoulder and led you into your room.
He even thoughtfully closed the door for you with his foot.
"Believe me, there's nothing the Broadcasting Demon can't do! Even the all-powerful Chef, I'll definitely be the best deal you can make for the rest of your life!"
Immersed in a certain emotion, Wendigo closed his eyes in bliss and raised his cane high.
His confident tone made him sound like a top salesman.
You, feeling increasingly uneasy, think: "..."
No, how come we're almost in the second half of our lives?
Alastor's statement makes it sound like once you've made a deal with him, you'll become bound by fate...
As you listen to the heavy slam of the door and Alastor's boastful sales pitch, you turn to look at the sinner lord, whose mood is visibly good but is absolutely dangerous.
You stare at his eyes, which are slightly narrowed with pleasure, and his increasingly exaggerated smile, and you are speechless for a moment.
By the way, aren't you guys in your room now? There's something weird about this.
Having been unable to understand why you even considered making a deal with Alastor, you finally felt a sense of relief and liberation in your mind at this moment.