CHAPTER 189: THE CLASSIC

Sitting with Benoit Durant and discussing what they had seen were fellow actors; Josephine, among them, had her gaze stuck to Averie.

He was busy filling Hyerin’s ear with how full of saliva his mouth was because of the sponge padding.

The squishy sound of the soaking sponge that he imitated had the girl quivering in disgust.

By his own admission, it was a wonder how he had managed to keep the saliva pooling in his mouth from spilling out.

Through all that talk, Hyerin noticed something.

Her friend wasn’t as full of retorts and curses as before. It was a good thing, but she wondered how much of it was because of The Lady.

Margaux Delcour, who followed Josephine’s gaze, felt like she had witnessed something beyond acting.

’How has he done that at such a young age?’

The man had spent half a decade in Hell—gambling and improving his performances. In total, he had more than ninety years of experience.

Josephine’s thoughts weren’t much different. While there was awe and admiration, there was also a sense of defeat and an anxious thought.

’Could I ever replicate it?’

Another thought sparked, perhaps wanting to distract herself.

’If this is seen by every other actor of this world, what will happen?’

***

While everyone else was enjoying the scene, Min-Ha was in the makeup room.

She had helped dress Averie, and although she should’ve joined her team, she couldn’t take her eyes off the mirror.

’The way he looked at me... It’s like he couldn’t even recognize me.’

She lifted herself from the seat and made her way outside.

As much as she wanted to see what he was going to show, she was afraid. And for the first time, she didn’t want to spoil herself before a film was released.

’What’s with the mood?’

Some of the actors looked like they had lost their families. The crew looked nonplussed. The director, for some reason, had a rare smile on his face.

Yet, the one they all were stealing glances at was talking nonchalantly with his friend about something repulsive.

"What’s up?" Min-Ha looked at Hyerin. "What’s going on?"

"Well—"

Averie shook his head. "You don’t deserve to know. You hid yourself in the makeup room."

The girl knitted her brows together. "I felt danger, and so I did that."

"Danger?" Averie exaggerated a gasp. "From me?"

The girl narrowed her eyes; her suspicions seemed to be true.

"So, you did do something."

While she prodded the truth out of Hyerin, Averie turned to Ari, who had been silent so far.

"So... how was the flight?"

The girl looked at her lap. "It was smooth."

’Where’s all that confidence I heard over the phone?’

"Are you alright?"

She looked up. "Why?"

"Nothing..."

Averie thought it was natural for him to have nothing to say around her—since he hadn’t even recognized her when he first saw her—but it was rather concerning that she didn’t have anything to say after travelling all the way to France.

So, he did what any sensible man would do to break the ice.

"Do you like money?"

"What?"

"Do you like the green stuff? Cash? The dough?"

"I love money."

He took out some French francs from his wallet and handed them to her as if it was a universal currency.

"Don’t waste it, okay?"

That day, his cousin—who hadn’t shaken off the awe from his earlier performance—swore her eternal loyalty to the Hellion on Earth.

***

It was the slowest hour of the day for a small theatre in Los Angeles. It was a place well known for its showing of vintage and rare films.

It had only one screen, as was typical of theatres that prioritized love for films over financial profit.

And today, it was showing another old classic.

There weren’t many people in the theatre. But those few that had snuck in time to visit the showing were either the elderly or passionate students of filmmaking.

Yet there was one exception. On one of the backseats sat a man in his mid-thirties.

He wasn’t a student, nor was he trying to relive the days of his youth.

He was an actor, a popular one at that. Just like the others, he was enjoying the film, although he had to wear glasses and a hat to hide his identity.

’It would be so nice to have this place all for myself.’

In his younger years, he had not appreciated the freedom he had. No one bothered him in public back then, yet it had all changed so suddenly.

Nonetheless, he liked the movie. He loved it.

No part of it—acting, camerawork, lighting, sound, makeup—was as polished as the modern films.

Yet it had a charm. It had passion and soul—something he thought the modern films lacked.

He recalled a film he had seen just recently.

’It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great.’

It was a movie that was very well praised, so he had some expectations. Yet he was left unimpressed.

’William is such a safe actor. He does roles that best suit him. Why doesn’t he want to get out of his comfort zone? It’s tedious to watch him repeat the same cliché.’

He hated actors like those.

An actor, to him, was an artist. It was an artist’s responsibility to deliver exquisite performances that would last with the audience. He wanted them to excite the people.

Yet many had failed in that simple task. Or rather, none cared anymore.

’They have their off-stage dramas to keep them relevant. A post online here, a photoshoot there, and everyone’s happy with the same old script.’

All those modern films were the same to him. It was like watching a pig dressed in regal attire.

Perhaps that’s why he sought the solace of such an old theatre.

He sighed and got up. It was better to leave before the others. He didn’t want to be recognized.

’I’m supposed to be a judge at this year’s Serenes Film Festival, right?’

That single invitation brought excitement to his boring life.

’Maybe, I will get to see something good.’

***

Sophie Moon had a smile carved across her face, one that would haunt all of her friends if they were to see it.

Episode 6 starts off with Sarah leaving to spend two days away as instructed by Asmodeus, as he is about to start something dangerous—he is going to take care of Leviathan.

She is clinging to Asmodeus as she mentions that she will call every night, to which he only nods.

But as her car picks up speed, there is a slight glimmer of longing in his eyes. He gestures to his subordinates to follow her and keep an eye on her from afar—to make sure harm does not come to her.

The rest of the episode is wholly dedicated to the three planning the process of Asmodeus’s execution.

Satan wants to barge into his house right away.

But Mammon persuades him against it. Not only would that be difficult and dangerous, but it would also require all their strength.

Gathering that kind of manpower would attract Lucifer’s attention, resulting in a three-against-four situation, which would be disadvantageous to them. He suggests ambushing Asmodeus.

However, before that, they needed to ensure that retaliation wouldn’t be immediate. They needed to break Lucifer’s camp’s unity.

Leviathan tells them about Beelzebub stealing from Belphegor. This pleases Mammon. It was the perfect weapon. Mammon sends Leviathan to the hospital, where Belphegor is helping Beelzebub check out.

Meanwhile, Asmodeus is raiding Leviathan’s house. He finds the prostitute tied to a bed with handcuffs. He rescues her. Her blond hair was haphazardly colored red.

She is clinging to him and obsessively talking about how Leviathan kept coming to her—talking about some woman named Sarah. This concerns Asmodeus. He puts the girl in the care of his mistresses and assigns some of his subordinates to safeguard them.

He sends some reinforcements to Sarah’s entourage. The rest are told to gather the full force of Asmodeus, and others are left behind to occupy Leviathan’s house so that no one would warn him.

He brings a handful to secure his own mansion.

As Beelzebub and Belphegor are leaving the hospital, Leviathan approaches them and informs Belphegor about Beelzebub embezzling funds from their restaurant.

This, combined with his brother’s attitude of dismissing him and emasculating him/being treated as an incapable fool who could be easily taken advantage of, Belphegor feels betrayed and argues with his brother. He leaves on his own.

Once in his uncleaned home, he walks by a TV that was always on, and healing and self-help books. He calls Lucifer and tells him about the betrayal. Lucifer’s response is mild.

"You knew, didn’t you?" Belphegor asks.

"Of course," comes the response.

This frustrates him even more. He switches off his mobile phone and goes to sleep. Leviathan returns to the two with good news.

From here on, they act according to Mammon’s plan. His henchmen kidnap the child of Asmodeus’s housekeeper and blackmail her to play along with their plan.

She spouts everything—Asmodeus’s habits, the layout of his mansion, and his indulgences.

"Ah, yes," Sophie muttered, nodding towards the raven watching her from atop the nearby building. "It’s Asmodeus, isn’t it?"

She was losing her sanity, yet those words were the most lucid yet.

"It’s always Asmodeus."