By the time he spat out these words in disbelief, other demons around were gathering with intrigued eyes.
“No, I’ve heard demons enjoy gambling.”
At Beril’s words, the demons looked at each other. Even Decarabia was looking at her.
“True.”
Naberus also grinned, revealing his teeth.
The fact that demons enjoyed betting was well-known.
Although it was irrelevant for a demon as powerful as Beleth who could get everything they desired without gambling, it was a different story for the rest.
An opportunity to be swept up in intense desires was no different from a feast for them. Moreover, the higher the stakes, the more splendid the feast.
“So, let’s make a bet.”
There were no humans who gambled with demons.
Not to mention, there would be no clergy or saints who did so.
Naberus let out a derisive snort at her words.
“Are you serious?”
He didn’t seem to take her for someone who would spout nonsense. Naberus’s gaze suggested as much.
Beril nodded her head.
“Of course.”
She extended her hand.
“The subject of the bet?”
“I know a way to streamline demons’ mana supply.”
Naberus swallowed his derisive laugh. A human?
“…Impossible.”
“That’s the subject. From now on, I’ll issue commands for demons to obtain mana. If it turns out to be true when you follow my command, it’s my victory. If it’s false, it’s your victory.”
“What will you stake if you lose?”
Naberus asked as if he had already won. Who would not partake in the bet if the stakes were high?
“I will tell Beleth that it’s okay even if the demons do not follow my commands.”
He, too, being a demon, would not try to take away what the demons have earned as a penalty for the bet.
“So you won’t have to obey the commands of a weak human.”
“Oh….”
Indeed, that was an enticing proposition for the demons.
Demons’ gazes, boiling with interest, gathered a little more on Beril.
“And if you win?”
At Naberus’s words, Beril smiled.
“Both you, Naberus, and other demons should feel no reluctance to follow my commands, including the discourteous use of ‘you.'”
She slightly lifted her head and spoke.
“Demons determine their hierarchy with power, but I know it’s not only about power. Then,”
Beril suddenly turned to look at Ronobe, who had come close and was watching them.
“Veled, next in line, would lead the knights, wouldn’t he?”
“…….”
Naberus raised his eyebrows as if surprised by the statement. Just as I thought. Beril, gaining confidence, smiled.
“Demons are low on mana, so they must be seeking the most efficient way to utilize it.”
However, the fact that Naberus, ranked fourth, has drawn his sword indicates that power is not the only factor affecting the hierarchy.
For example….
“That means someone with a strategy, or someone who has accomplished something significant, could have a different rank, right?”
Her eyes sparkled.
“I plan to secure my position through the merits of this situation, alongside the position of Veled, the Archduke of Demons. What do you think?”
By then, Naberus had an expression of great interest. He was inherently inclined to enjoy betting as a demon.
Moreover, the stakes for this opportunity were not small.
The Archduke of Demons officially ranks higher than him. So, is that not why he is reluctantly showing respect to humans?
But what if she no longer needs to be humored?
That means not only will there be no need to kowtow to a disliked human, but it would also be possible to dismiss an official superior—a sort of guilty pleasure.
If it were a legitimate bet, even Veled would have no choice. That’s the rule among demons.
He couldn’t help but salivate.
“Very well.”
It was when Naberus hastily agreed to the bet. Beril’s words were not yet finished.
“—However, the bet will only be valid if Sir Naberus fully commits to following my orders.”
You’ll be at a disadvantage if you deliberately fail to execute my orders, right?
At her words, Naberus raised his eyebrows.
“Demons, at the very least, are sincere in betting.”
His reaction was as if his pride had been hurt.
“Moreover, it solves our issue. Even if it wasn’t a bet, it must be done if it’s the truth.”
Beril nodded at his words.
“Alright, I trust you.”
“But are you confident?”
Naberus couldn’t contain the emerging smile on his lips as he asked.
“If you lose the bet, your life in Vain will be very miserable.”
“I don’t think I will lose.”
Beril answered immediately.
Usually, she would have lacked confidence. At the least, she wouldn’t have considered putting forth something small and precious that she had.
Because having little meant that anything she held was valuable.
But this time was different.
She was someone who had seen the future.
“Then I shall give the command.”
She pointed westward, where Yuvar was.
“Yuvar, go to the location I’m specifying and bring back the Masinju.”
Clearly, Yuvar had called the item Masinju.
“Did you say Masinju?”
Upon hearing this, Naberus’s expression changed peculiarly.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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