S-Class Dungeon’s Mistress - Chapter 197

Chapter 197

On a night when a faintly glowing moon hung high in the sky, Adelaide, who had slept for about half a day, received important news from Lisianthus. To be precise, it was more like bad news.

“They really sent someone from the Demon King’s Castle?”

“Yes. It seems they’ve dispatched an investigator to verify the source of funds.”

“Good grief, I’ve already sent all the documents! How much more do they want to investigate?”

Adelaide grumbled, complaining that the demon who was the king of the demon realm was truly irritating.

“As I mentioned before, the investigation of the source is merely a pretext. They’re more likely trying to dig into everything about Greenville.”

“What are they trying to uncover about us?”

“Just rising to A-rank in a short time is threatening enough, and with Abaddon killed, they’ll be even more concerned. They’ll either find an appropriate reason for revenge for Abaddon’s death or try to draw us to their side by presenting an enticing condition.”

At the word “revenge,” she shuddered. The war was started by Uriel, and Abaddon had rushed in first before being killed! Though she felt wronged, she knew the notoriously cruel Demon King would hardly listen to such excuses.

“In the latter case, it might not be a bad path for Greenville,” Lisianthus added in a quiet voice.

Being on the same side as the Demon King wouldn’t be bad. Greenville would be guaranteed safety, and Adelaide would have an even better chance of advancement.

‘If only one thing were excluded.’

But this was premised on Lisianthus’s existence not being discovered.

If Agapanthus knew he was in Greenville, he certainly wouldn’t stay still. He would surely try to destroy Greenville just to drag him out, and by any means necessary, cut his throat.

‘Can I hide until the end?’

Lisianthus couldn’t be certain. No, he was more convinced that he couldn’t.

Once, he had been regarded as the strongest and worst demon king threatening the celestial and human realms, praised by everyone. Agapanthus had been one of his most ardent followers.

But now, times had changed. Lisianthus had withdrawn from the frontlines and settled in a quiet countryside, while Agapanthus, who had usurped his throne, had become stronger by crossing numerous boundaries. His reign had already surpassed Lisianthus’s, and clearly, many changes had occurred compared to the past.

Especially now that Abaddon was dead, the Demon King’s Castle’s attention was focused on Greenville, and he could no longer hide his existence through his powers alone. This meant the end was drawing near.

Lisianthus slowly raised his head to look at Adelaide. Every time her small, white face and delicate features filled his vision, a sense of regret welled up.

“Ugh, I really don’t want to get tangled up with the Demon King’s Castle.”

Adelaide pouted, unaware of what he was thinking. Lisianthus smiled at her behavior, constantly grumbling as if she had learned from Caladium. He just wanted to fully enjoy this moment.

And then the next morning.

The demons belonging to the first residence gathered early in the living room. They wanted to coordinate their stories before the investigator arrived.

“Lupin is a devil. Everyone understands that, right?”

“Of course! There can’t be a demon here who doesn’t know Lupinus is a devil!”

When Adelaide spoke in a serious voice, everyone nodded, telling her not to worry. In reality, they could no longer detect any human scent from Lupinus. Even Adelaide found it hazy, so unless someone was particularly strong, they wouldn’t be able to discern his true identity.

While the investigator coming today wouldn’t be as strong as Abaddon, they still decided to be cautious about what they might say.

But there was more than just verbal caution. Adelaide’s face, having received confirmation, quickly turned to one side. She stared intently at a demon and continued speaking.

“And you must be careful with your actions! We can’t let that investigator catch even a slight hint!”

Though she spoke as if advising everyone, in reality, her target was just one person. Adelaide emphasized again:

“Got it, Caladi?”

Recalling his previous behavior of hurling insults even at Abaddon, her anxiety was understandable. If Caladium were to harm the investigator out of displeasure, it would be problematic for the entire Greenville.

“Don’t get angry and rush at anyone!”

“You be careful, Adela.”

“Me? Oh, come on. Caladi, I’m a very, very demure demon! I don’t just rush at anyone!”

“But you rushed at me quite passionately?”

Caladium tilted his head with a smug expression.

The sudden suggestive content made the dungeon members express their embarrassment in different ways. The skeletons clicked their nonexistent tongues, saying kids these days are different, while the Durahan demons coughed awkwardly and looked elsewhere. Of course, Pia just smiled contentedly.

“Woof! Woof!”

Bell, who had transformed into a small puppy, barked to lighten the mood. Lupinus, standing with a severely contorted face, gestured toward the portal.

“He’s here.”

As he said, a presence could be felt approaching. Adelaide quickly exchanged glances with her dungeon members and stood in front of the portal, ready to receive their guest.

Soon, through a flickering blue light, a demon appeared.

“Good day.”

A man with his hair slicked back, wearing a neat suit. With glasses and a slightly weary expression, his face seemed oddly familiar.

“I am Jamie, a messenger from the Demon King’s Castle.”

Lawyer Jamie, the very demon who had guided her inheritance.

“This is the Greenville Dungeon—”

Jamie’s calm voice stopped mid-sentence. Not by his own will, but because someone had rushed to confirm his identity.

“You bastard!”

And that someone was, of course, Adelaide.

Crash! Adelaide and Jamie’s bodies tumbled across the floor. Adelaide, forgetting to use her powers, mercilessly grabbed and yanked his hair. Stunned by the sudden attack, Jamie could only scream.

The dungeon members stood with mouths agape, watching the fight. It was more of a one-sided beating, so they didn’t feel the need to intervene.

“Our truly demure master, indeed.”

Caladium clapped, saying it was very impressive. Adelaide was too busy yelling at Jamie to hear his sarcasm.

“Because of you…! Do you know how much I suffered?!”

“How is this my fault?!”

“You deceived me! You didn’t even tell me about the debt!”

“I didn’t deceive you! I simply didn’t mention it! Isn’t it naturally the responsibility of the individual to review documents? Must I explain everything?”

Surprisingly, Jamie remembered her. And he countered her argument with a lawyer’s logic.

Adelaide, not great with verbal sparring, could only huffs. Thinking about it, there was no reason for him, who wasn’t even her lawyer, to read the documents for her. But her pride was hurt.

“This guy can’t win with strength, so he’s using his brain sneakily?”

Caladium, possessing a brain similar to Adelaide’s, pointed at Jamie and grew angry. Telling him to stop chattering and compete fairly, his pathetic appearance made Lisianthus sigh softly.

“Adelaide.”

When Lisianthus’s hand touched her shoulder, Adelaide finally regained her senses. What have I done? She quickly hid the handful of hair she had pulled out and stepped back.

“How dare a messenger from the Demon King’s Castle…!”

“From what I hear, you were left to sign despite knowing you misunderstood, which seems to violate lawyer ethics, doesn’t it?”

This time, Jamie was at a loss for words. While Adelaide and Caladium looked at him in amazement, Lisianthus continued in a cold voice.

“Raising issues will only cause complications for you. Stop making unnecessary noise and just read the invitation.”

Invitation? Adelaide’s eyes widened at the unfamiliar word. Indeed, Jamie was holding an elaborately designed document. With its golden ribbon decoration, it indeed seemed to be an invitation.

“To the Greenville Dungeon of Chronotan. Its master, Adelaide, you are hereby invited to the Demon King’s Castle.”

Jamie, with a face full of discontent, chewed on his lips a few times before opening and reading the invitation.

Lisianthus is truly a genius. A linguistic magician! Adelaide gave him a thumbs up in her mind.

“I, Lord of Chaos Agapanthus, having highly praised the recent growth of the Greenville Dungeon, hereby invite its master to the Demon King’s Castle. Adelaide shall receive this honor with utmost gratitude.”

It was indeed an invitation to the Demon King’s Castle. Adelaide stood with her mouth agape in surprise, and this time, even Caladium maintained a stunned silence. The fact that someone who had lived so long was surprised suggested this was no ordinary occurrence.

“The date is tomorrow at seven in the evening. You may bring one companion as an advisor and escort.”

Adelaide pondered who she should take with her. But her deliberation was brief. Only one demon came to mind.

“Now that I’ve delivered the message, I’ll take my leave.”

“Already? What about the investigation?”

She regretted the question the moment she asked it. If he forgot, it would be good for her. Why did she have to remind him? Her conscience was too straight, problematic.

“Upon reviewing the previously submitted documents, the fund source appeared clear. As a result, we’ve decided to discontinue the source investigation.”

Hurray! Adelaide cheered internally. With both the invitation and the investigation being dropped, it seemed the Demon King’s Castle was trying to win over Greenville, just as Lisianthus said. She was already looking forward to what grand compensation they might promise.

After finishing his response, Jamie hurried to leave, clearly not wanting to stay a moment longer. As soon as he disappeared, the quiet Greenville became bustling.

“That’s the bastard! Good job, Adelaide!”

“Hmph, I should have thrown a bone right at his back.”

“By the way, ‘Lord of Chaos’? Isn’t that too funny?”

“We already have the Demon of Crimson Flames, so…”

Who said that last line? Caladium, who had been listening quietly, suddenly brightened his eyes.

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