In the prison, the Paladin extended an invitation to the Demon.
Co!
Hold my hand!
Join in a gamble against the will of the world!
Using my purity as a wager, to bet on whether you are evil or not.
"..."
In Flora's eyes, Herbert seed to have gone mad.
This is indeed a gamble.
And it is a gamble where the stakes differ vastly from the potential rewards.
If I am indeed evil, then after receiving my blessing, Herbert would also fall.
Then, his entire life would be ruined.
He could no longer hold the position of Prison Warden, and might even be sent to the stake by the monks of the Monastery.
But if, as Herbert claid, I am not evil… it would prove only that point.
Other than that, Herbert gains nothing.
Why are you taking such a risk?
Flora didn't speak, but her eyes and expression revealed all her thoughts.
Why?
Why would you do this?
Why would you go to such lengths for ?
Is it worth it?
Is all of this really worth it?
And seeing her expression, Herbert beca even more convinced, he laughed joyfully and raised an eyebrow, asking:
"Don't you find this interesting?"
"Wouldn't you like to make a gamble with ?"
The Demon fell silent.
At this mont, she even felt a bit… scared.
A gambler.
During her travels in the Mortal Realm, Flora had seen too many gamblers, understanding their thoughts.
Those people were willing to give everything for greater riches.
Family, friends, property, health, destiny…
All of it could be wagered.
They sold off their belongings like mad people, investing everything just to gain more wealth at that instant.
And she had seen too many of their ultimate ends.
Nine out of ten of them ended up getting what they deserved.
When unable to repay their debts, their families were destroyed, they were thrown into common graves after being maid, or they beca sacrifices in evil rituals...
But the young man before her…
No, he was not a gambler.
He was crazier than the greediest of gamblers.
Because he gained no expected benefit from it at all.
He was rely enjoying this mont of madness, savoring the thrill between victory and defeat.
Life or death.
A step to paradise, a step to the abyss.
But this madness differed from his kin.
Demons crave slaughter and death.
Whether it be inflicted upon others or themselves, such madness brings them joy.
But Herbert was different.
He did not crave death, neither for others nor himself.
From Herbert, Flora felt no fear, only excitent and happiness.
Perhaps, just as he said.
Interesting, isn't it?
"You..."
Flora raised her head, her smile strained and dry.
"Aren't you afraid?"
Though she only felt confidence from Herbert, she hesitated.
"Afraid?"
Herbert blinked and smiled:
"I am also human, there is fear, but it's not fear of failure."
"I believe in you."
"What I fear is that you don't even have the courage to try."
He looked at the petite Demon, his smile sunny and radiant, and asked, "Do you choose to be a coward forever? Or a hero for a mont?"
"The choice is yours to make."
He extended his hand in front of the Demon, softly saying:
"There is only one chance, a unique one."
"If you give it up this ti, I will not give you a second chance."
This was not a threat, nor was it ant to pressure Flora intentionally.
This was Herbert's choice.
If she couldn't decide, there wouldn't be a need for another chance in the future.
He detested indecisiveness the most.
Having said this, Herbert did not continue to urge, instead quietly watching Flora.
The Demon furrowed her brow, closing her eyes to think.
She thought of many things.
Of waking in the Abyss, of sensing the absence of her kin's differences.
Of how she crawled from the Abyss step by step, of all she encountered in the Mortal Realm.
In her long life, had she ever t soone like this?
Has there ever been anyone who could compare to the young man before her?
… No.
Though she had seen many legendary figures, whose skills and experiences were astonishing.
So had imnse power, so with extraordinary charm, so with enviable wealth…
But none could compare to the boy's temperant at this mont.
He appeared calm as the moon but upon closer inspection was as fiery as the roaring sun.
Fierce as fire.
Even she, a Demon who never felt heat, found it hard to bear.
In truth, even Herbert hadn't realized, how he instinctively avoided people like Valentina, fiery as the sun, yet in other eyes, he shone bright as a scorching sun.
Perhaps this was what he learned from Valentina.
Finally, after a brief contemplation, Flora slowly opened her eyes.
Staring into Herbert's light grey smiling eyes, she took a deep breath, then said: "Don't regret this."
Hearing this, Herbert flashed a radiant smile.
"Haha, I won't regret it."
He knew, Flora had finally made her decision.
She had decided to gamble with him!
Herbert reached to grasp Flora's hand, but only caught air.
Hmm?
Just as Herbert was about to wonder if she had second thoughts, the small hand that dodged grasped his wrist abruptly.
Pulled him forward powerfully!
Hmm!!?
Herbert was no match for the physically robust Legendary Demon, and previously relied on the lack of resistance to gain a slight edge.
But now, caught off guard by the attack, he had no power to resist and was yanked forward.
Stumbling forward, he fell into Flora's arms.
Before his eyes went dark, crashing into a full embrace.
Surprisingly though, Herbert didn't feel like he hit a wall.
Instead, it felt as if he fell into a rather soft embrace.
What is this?
Herbert heard a seductive voice, recognizable as Flora's yet with a different tinge.
"Prideful son of man, your madness makes even Demons tremble."
Flora shook her head with admiration, then gently stroked the hair of the boy in her arms, whispering:
"Then let my madness strive to catch up with yours."
"My master, allow to bless you."
She said:
"Please accept this…"
"Kiss from the Abyss."
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