S-Class Dungeon’s Mistress - Chapter 212

Chapter 212

Her face, which had been smiling sweetly, quickly turned cold.

The fact that the only king of this demon realm would treat his own escort in such a manner - even though she hadn't harbored great expectations, disgust still washed over her.

Rather than serving such a bastard, she might as well become the Demon King herself. Adelaide ground her teeth inwardly.

"...If it's a proposal, what exactly are you referring to?"

She desperately suppressed the contemptuous voice threatening to burst out. With Caladium and Lupinus both absent, she couldn't afford to cause any unnecessary commotion. Her best course of action would be to send Agapanthus away as quickly as possible.

"Why are you in such a rush? I've traveled such a long way to meet you, and you won't even offer me tea?"

"I apologize, but recently the economic situation in Greenville's dungeon hasn't been very good, so I'm afraid I don't have a seat or tea worthy of your status. If you had sent a message, I would have somehow prepared something. I'm sorry for the inadequate hospitality, and I don't wish to presume upon the time of such a noble personage. I hope to hear your purpose quickly."

Adelaide had learned from Lisianthus how to phrase impudent words politely. She might not be as skilled as her teacher, but this wasn't bad at all.

Proof of this was the skeleton standing beside her, mouth agape in admiration, wondering since when Adelaide could speak so well! To phrase a request to leave so elegantly!

She even subtly pointed out that the Demon King's palace had cut off support to Greenville under various pretexts. Compared to her past self, who confidently used the term "gold mortgage rights" without knowing what a mortgage was, this was truly tremendous progress.

Meanwhile, Agapanthus's eyebrows momentarily twisted at being treated like an unwelcome guest. The smile at the corner of his mouth gradually deepened.

"Well... then I suppose I have no choice."

His soft whisper made her involuntarily shiver. Adelaide stared at the Demon King, who was smiling with his eyes while she remained tense. Suddenly, Lisianthus's voice describing Agapanthus as an incredibly creepy fellow echoed in her mind.

"So let's get straight to the point. What I wanted to propose to you is―"

She was determined not to relax her guard no matter what he said. And she would firmly and quickly reject it!

However, the subsequent content was far too shocking to maintain her resolve.

"For you to marry to me."

"Ugh?"

She inadvertently made a strange sound, completely taken aback. Her pink pupils dilated so much they seemed about to pop out.

"Marriage?"

"Yes."

"Marriage with... you, my lord?"

She kept asking, hoping he would say she had misheard.

But contrary to her wishes, Agapanthus simply smiled and nodded. And to prevent her from asking again, he decisively stated:

"Of course I'm talking about marriage between you and me. You're surprised beyond measure. I understand, though."

Who wouldn't be shocked at the prospect of becoming this body's partner? Agapanthus added in a gentle voice.

His confidence was almost irritating, but he wasn't wrong. Marriage to the Demon King - any demon would be delighted by such a proposition. It was an opportunity for social advancement to the highest position in the demon realm, and Agapanthus was quite handsome besides.

However, for Adelaide, who already had three even more attractive men as lovers, the story was slightly different.

"My lord. How could I possibly..."

She awkwardly laughed while carefully selecting her words of refusal.

"As you know, my background isn't exactly distinguished."

"That's irrelevant. Who would dare discuss lineage for my chosen partner? If anyone does, I'll eliminate them immediately, so don't worry."

"...And I'm somewhat foolish."

"Right. Considering that, I don't plan on having children."

What the hell?

Adelaide clenched and unclenched her fist. The more he spoke, the more her chest bubbled with indignation. Agapanthus continued smiling, oblivious to her feelings.

"Naturally, you would consider marriage to me a great honor, but since I'm not such a mediocre man, I've prepared a gift. This should easily resolve your financial difficulties."

With a casual wave of his hand, massive treasure chests appeared before his escort. Each box was filled with sparkling jewels.

Seeing the glittering gold bars, Adelaide instinctively swallowed. Ah, no, she shouldn't. She bit her lip to regain her composure.

"Well, if you become my queen, you'd never have to worry about money for the rest of your life. Unlike the previous proposal, there would be no restrictions on dungeon management, so you could enjoy the freedom you desire."

What could be his purpose in making such an absurd proposal? Adelaide pondered while stealing glances at his snake-like face.

'No, wait. My current position is different from before.'

Upon reflection, the proposal wasn't as ridiculous as she initially felt. These days, she was called the 'savior of the demon realm' and received significant support from demon tribes. Moreover, among her associates were individuals capable of defeating Abaddon.

Marrying her would be advantageous for Agapanthus in many ways. He could eliminate potential risks and absorb her military strength and support base.

In other words, this was a highly strategic proposal. Completely unrelated to affection or genuine sentiment.

'I thought this Demon King was actually falling for me.'

Phew. Adelaide secretly sighed in relief, hidden from Agapanthus. If that had been the case, her life would have become even more complicated. Considering her fatal beauty, it wasn't an impossible scenario.

"So, what do you say?"

Agapanthus urged her response with a supremely confident voice. A proposal with no reason to refuse. Everyone from the Demon King's palace was certain of this.

But Adelaide once again defied his expectations.

"Though it's an overwhelmingly good offer... I will refuse."

"...What?"

This time, Agapanthus was the one who asked.

"I will refuse."

She reiterated with an awkward smile.

A heavy silence followed. Agapanthus stared at her with a terrifying expression, unable to believe it, while the escort members stood with treasure chests, mouths agape.

Soon, a chilling aura began emanating from the Demon King.

"...And why?"

There must be a reason for someone to dare refuse marriage to him, his gaze seemed to say.

"Well... I have lovers that I love. Though I'm grateful for your proposal, it would be difficult to marry while I have lovers."

As Adelaide explained with a hehe laugh, Agapanthus's face contorted dramatically. Using 'love' as an excuse? He knew she was foolish, but he never imagined it would be to this extent.

Moreover:

'Lovers?'

"Oh, yes. Three in total. My lovers."

No matter how much of a succubus she was, this was excessive! Agapanthus frowned as if looking at something dirty. She was far too vulgar to be by his refined side.

But leaving her alone would be too dangerous.

He narrowed his eyes, observing Adelaide. Her face seemed harmlessly naive, but the problem was the strategist beneath her. The one brilliant enough to make him, who never left the Demon King's palace, directly travel to Kronatan.

"Belphegor."

"Yes, my lord."

The demon who had maintained silence until now finally spoke.

So that's Belphegor! Adelaide shuddered slightly and cautiously glanced at him. He looked so blank that it was hard to believe he was a high-ranking demon. His gaze seemed unfocused, unclear where he was looking.

"Hand her this."

"Understood."

Belphegor slowly responded and began walking towards her.

What could he be trying to give me now? Whatever it is, my decision won't change.

Adelaide looked at Belphegor with a wry expression, thinking the Demon King was being persistently troublesome for not accepting her refusal. His movement was so slow it seemed it would take ages to reach her.

Impatient, she took a step forward. Whatever he was giving, she wanted to quickly check and refuse it.

But this was clearly a mistake. Distracted by the unexpected marriage commotion and Agapanthus's instruction to hand something over, she had let her guard down.

And by the time she realized the danger, Belphegor's hand was already about to touch her. Unlike his previous snail-like pace, his speed was incredibly fast, leaving her no chance to dodge.

'Oh no.'

Adelaide only now perceived the deep and eerie energy emanating from him.

Simultaneously, she recalled what Belphegor's ability was.

"Belphegor's ability is 'Annihilation'. He can completely erase someone's soul upon contact. It's the most wicked and powerful SS-class ability, so you must be extremely careful."

The despicable Agapanthus had ordered his subordinate to kill her, realizing he couldn't possess her. He even naturally acted as if he was about to hand something over.

She urgently tried to activate her ability to protect herself, but his hand was already too close, leaving insufficient time to concentrate her energy. She might avoid total annihilation, but she would definitely sustain serious injuries.

At the moment Adelaide was straining to summon her magic, a warm presence suddenly enveloped her shoulder.

"Step back."

A low, subdued voice whispered in her ear. Simultaneously, her face filled with shock. The situation she least desired had happened.

Lisianthus was standing beside her before she knew it.

Crackle!

When Belphegor's misguided hand touched Lisianthus's arm, sparks flew. Along with that, the ability that had long been concealing Lisianthus disappeared.

An S-class magical manipulation ability. Not only could it partially transform one's own energy, but it could also manipulate how others perceived one's form - making it ideal for concealing one's identity.

With Belphegor nullifying that ability, the magic returned to its original state, revealing Lisianthus's true form to the Demon King's group.

Belphegor's originally limp eyes rapidly expanded. In an instant, he repositioned himself to protect his lord.

And from between Agapanthus's lips, a trembling voice emerged:

"...My lord?"

Though whispered softly, everyone could hear it.

Lisianthus responded with a light, sardonic chuckle:

"Indeed. It's been a while, Agapanthus."

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