CHAPTER 72: 72 WHAT DID YOU SAY? (1/4)

"What did you say?"

In the blazing depths of Hell, within the eerie bronze fortress, the Demon stared at the youth, whispering sweetly like honey:

"You, with noble blood flowing through your veins, meant to enjoy a noble fate, yet have suffered unjust treatment, young one."

"Are you angry about this?"

"Are you disappointed in this unjust world?"

The Demon’s voice was soft and alluring, continuously drilling into the youth’s ears like a sweet nectar slowly flowing into his heart.

Click.

The young Paladin squinted his eyes, silently placing his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist, cautiously saying: "What are you talking about? I don’t understand what you’re saying."

Though he didn’t express it, his wary posture revealed his tension and unease.

His soles slightly gripped the ground with more force, his center of gravity shifting downward a bit, his heartbeat quickened, and all his muscles tensed...

"Oh? Do you really not understand?"

Kreti observed these subtle reactions and laughed inwardly, speaking casually: "It’s just you and me here, there’s no need to hide your thoughts."

"No need to deny, no need to hide it, I can smell the bitterness of hatred entwined around you."

"That seductive fragrance!"

She licked her fiery red lips, seemingly pleased as she inhaled deeply with satisfaction: "Yes, it’s such pure malice, it’s truly captivating."

"Someone hates you, someone wishes to persecute you—or perhaps they’ve already taken action."

"Am I right?"

Kreti smiled confidently, looking down from her throne at the white-haired youth below with a continually changing expression.

"...Maybe."

"But those things are all in the past!"

The young Paladin, seeming unwilling to have this scar exposed, frowned angrily and said in a deep voice: "And it has nothing to do with you, you are just an evil prisoner kept here!"

"No, you’re wrong!"

The Demon immediately refuted, shaking her head: "This has a lot to do with me because... I can give you power."

"The power of revenge!"

"With this power, you can return those twisted fates to their proper paths!"

"Make those who once bullied you all kneel at your feet, at your mercy!"

She leisurely swirled the wine glass in her hand, letting the hot liquid inside sway, whispering while staring into the youth’s eyes: "Moreover, have those things really passed? Have you really let go?"

The youth’s pupils shrunk suddenly, his whole attitude becoming even more vigilant.

The Demon raised an eyebrow playfully, asking: "After all, if you truly let it go as you claim... then why do you know what I’m referring to?"

"I clearly said nothing."

Stop pretending, young one, you clearly remember it vividly in the depths of your heart~

Click... click!

The youth’s hand on the hilt of the sword trembled slightly, then he suddenly pressed it down forcefully.

He looked up suddenly, glaring at the Demon angrily, shouting: "Even if I haven’t forgotten, so what? Do you think you can deceive me!?"

"Do you think I don’t know what you’ve done? How many people you’ve beguiled? How many innocent lives you’ve ruined?"

"Do I need to remind you why you’re imprisoned here?"

Clang!

The longsword was unsheathed, the young Paladin resolutely pointing the blade at the Demon.

"Don’t try to deceive me anymore, it’s pointless!"

"I will never bow to you!"

Seeing the youth’s determined appearance, the Demon laughed happily.

"Hehe~"

She slowly rose from the throne, walking down the steps sensually, her fiery figure swaying with each step.

Kreti stood in front of the youth, asking softly:

"Really?"

Though the two appeared to face each other, they were actually divided by an insurmountable invisible barrier.

The Prison Warden can enter, but the prisoner cannot escape.

She leaned forward, pressing the sharp sword tip against her chest, needing only a slight force to pierce her chest, even her heart!

"Do you truly desire?"

"Do you want to truly live?"

Her purple eyes stared intently at the youth, who subconsciously lessened his grip, gently blowing a fragrant breeze.

"If there’s even the slightest unwillingness in your heart, you shouldn’t refuse me now."

The breeze full of charm swept past his face, causing the youth’s face to redden rapidly, making him subconsciously bend forward.

He bit his lip, glaring at the Demon, refusing to retreat a step, and then... he lowered his head, whispering faintly: "...What can you possibly offer me?"

"Hehe!"

Kreti laughed.

Her lips curled up, smiling joyfully, triumphantly.

Compared to his initial determination, the youth’s attitude had already softened.

He began to hesitate.

His resolve had wavered!

Willpower is powerful, capable of creating many miracles in critical moments.

But at the same time, willpower is also very fragile.

Willpower is like a dam resisting external chaos, able to withstand much in ordinary times, but once a breach occurs, it won’t be long before it collapses.

And now... a breach had already appeared!

"Then, it all depends on what you want?"

Kreti held back her excitement, smiling unhurriedly: "Unparalleled wisdom? Exceptional strength? Endless wealth?"

"Don’t worry about being discovered; as long as you don’t say anything, no one else in the world, but you and me, will ever know."

"And I’m trapped in this sunless place, unable to inform others at all."

She stared at the Paladin, knowing her manipulation was just one step away from success.

Just a little more!

"Tell me, what do you want me to offer you?"

Say it!

Speak your deepest desire!

Let me completely corrupt you!

With just one more step, you will become my total slave... hehe.

"..."

After a long silence, the young Paladin finally loosened his fist, exhaling deeply, weakly shaking his head.

"Sigh!"

He slowly lifted his head, facing the Demon with a solemn expression as he said:

"I want you... to face reality."

Demon: ?

"Ah? What did you say?"

The words held a sense of déjà vu, but this time they came from the Demon’s mouth.

She looked confusedly at the Paladin whose demeanor had changed drastically, suddenly feeling an ominous surge within.

Then, she saw the white-haired youth smirk dismissively, saying, bemused: "Come on, your tricks are really outdated."

"Ah???"