His meaningful question was filled with a hint of mischief, as if he had no intention of giving a proper answer.

I decided to ask something else.

“Reed, how long do we have to stay here?”

I just wanted to get away from this crazy demon banquet.

“Do you want to go home?”

“Yeah. I don’t think my mental health will be able to handle this any longer.”

“Really? If your mental strength is weakened, you might become more prone to corruption.”

“......Let’s stop talking.”

I rested my chin on the side facing away from him, crossed my legs, and turned my head. Then I heard a low laugh from the side.

Even in the midst of all this, I found it annoying that it sounded so attractive, like the sound of a stringed instrument.

“I’m joking. I don’t intend to bother you.”

I felt a little better at the soothing tone. When I looked back at Reed, he asked me with a deep smile.

“What do you want, Aylet Rodelin?”

You can feel the arrogance of an absolute being who would do anything. In reality, he was /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ that kind of being in the demon world.

I said what I wanted without any reservations. I mixed some emotions into it.

“Just finish this damn banquet. Please.”

“.......”

"what's the matter?"

“I think it sounds good.”

“What did I just say?”

"huh."

“Shall I say that again?”

"huh."

I said this, thinking that he might be a little drunk too.

“Just finish this damn banquet.”

“Not that one, behind it.”

“Please.”

“Before that.”

"......please?"

“Yes, willingly.”

A handful of my hair, which was caught in his hand, was released only after receiving a kiss. I flinched belatedly at the action that was so natural.

What the heck, why is this kid acting so indifferently?

<Are you guys dating?>

“.......”

I thought it would be better to give such a difficult answer when I was a bit more lucid. So I exercised my right to remain silent for the time being.

At that moment, Reed looked straight ahead. Just as he felt as if he was waiting for someone, a conspicuous presence appeared in the direction of his gaze.

It was Infernos, a female archdemon with impressive dark blue hair that resembled madness.

She looked quite uncomfortable as her plans went awry in many ways. The demons flinched at the ominous atmosphere.

The sleepwalkers who had been loitering around the couch, eyeing the lead, also trembled and made way for me.

Infernos was unable to completely control his energy even in front of Reed. The light above his gleaming eyes shone sharply as expected.

“Oh, chaos and evil.”

The voice also rumbles eerily, as if echoing through an abyssal cave. It is a voice that would have made a low-ranking demon cover his ears.

“I have come to see you because I feel that I am inadequate in serving you. I apologize, but do you plan on choosing that sleepy horse today as well?”

“I think so.”

The sound of Inferno's teeth grinding could be heard all the way here.

“I guess when the Supreme Being loves and clings to something, it takes on a form similar to the affection of humans.”

That seems to be the devil's own curse.

“......Anyway, I don’t understand, but I’ll try to understand.”

“I don’t need your understanding, but let’s do it.”

“.......”

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“Your Majesty, may I ask you something?”

Inferinos nodded at me as Reed nodded his permission.

“It’s only a 477th-ranked dream horse. If you put it below, it might be okay, but if you keep it next to you like this, I don’t think it’s befitting of the rank of Chaos Evil.”

What are you saying now?

I almost laughed. The intention of the argument was obvious.

That's because you're the Demon King. You should have just been honest and said that you wanted to be by Reid's side...

“Maybe so.”

“......?”

Without realizing it, I turned my head towards Reed with a sharp noise.

[The 'Trial Skyscraper Architect' is surprised by an unexpected statement.]

[The Scales of Justice that Judges Souls glares in betrayal.]

<Aillet, did he just say he was going to get you down... ...?>

I guess my ears weren't hearing correctly.

Reed, who was staring at Infernos, looked relaxed, almost bored. His consistent indifference towards the demon somehow gave rise to trust.

Hey, there's no way Reed would say something like that. It's probably just to spite the arrogant Inferinos even more...

“You’re right, Rule Maker. Not below, but next to. Since this is a position where you can demand equality, I should be a little more respectful.”

“.......”

Is this a positive thing that can't be denied?

The back of my head was numb from the shock of being confirmed dead. At this point, I started to cry.

'Hey, Reid! I didn't see you like that!'

Infernos, who had been delighted by the advice he had received, was looking at me with a maniacal smile.

The wicked laughter of the sleepers that covered the musicians' performance also seemed to be directed at me.

My nerves were frayed.

[The 'Scales that judge the soul' says to slap him on the cheek.]

[The 'eye that watches over the chaos of all creation' scolds that violence is bad.]

[The 'World-Building Word' then says that we should go for the Divine Descent.]

But Reed's story wasn't over yet.

“So what I’m saying is―”

What else were you going to say? That was when I opened my white eyes and crossed my arms.

“I think I’ll take this opportunity to find a companion who is more suitable for me.”

... ... What? Companion?

I was so surprised that my awkward posture was straightened out in an instant. Of course, I wasn't the only one.

“Oh, the companion of the Chaos Demon Lord? Are you serious?!”

“Oh my goodness! I am allowed to sit next to that Supreme Being?”

“Then you will be higher in rank than the Demon Kings?”

“Poetry is a rise in status!”

“So, who on earth are you going to take as your companion...?!”

The ripple effect of Reed's words was enormous.

Countless red eyes, shining like evil stars, focused on Reed, revealing mad desire.

He continued speaking calmly.

“First, let’s choose a candidate from among the 100 demons in order of rank. Then... I’ll think about it once the nominations are over.”

“......!”

The first one is ranked in order of grades, 100th place. It was good because it was simple and clear.

Since they were already demons crazy about hierarchy, their reaction was naturally heated.

“If I’m in the top 100, I can enter the harem of Chaos Evil?”

“I might give it a try since I only have to kill 521 in front of me......!”

“I’ll do anything to wear the cloak of Chaos Evil!”

Suddenly, a tidal wave of cheers rose up. This place, where excitement and madness reigned, seemed more like a battlefield than a banquet hall.

It was only then that I truly understood what Reed had come to do.

So that the trash cans are satisfied with the trash cans... ... .

'You were making them compete by putting their companions on the line!'

A prize that can be won because it is an absolute being that is subject to all kinds of desires, such as praise, admiration, respect, adoration, and submission.

Surprisingly, this worked in the demon world.

Reed smiled at Infernos.

“Rule Maker, by your power, make my proclamation effective throughout the entire Demon Realm. You have three days.”

“Oh, I understand!”

The mad banquet truly came to a close with Infernos willingly following orders. It was also the beginning of an event that would shake the underworld.

✠

After making his shocking declaration, Reed immediately took me out.

The outskirts of the garden, far enough away from the banquet hall, were filled with relatively normal plants. Reed and I stopped alone in the place where white asphodels were in full bloom.

He had done something so terrible. Naturally, I had a lot to say, but Reed took the lead.

The first thing he said when he looked back at me was...

“How is it? I think I can make it into the top 100.”

“.......”

“Are you not confident? Should I have set the candidacy criteria at 1,000th place?”

I was speechless when she calmly made the sound of her clothes bursting.

"hey......."

As I stood there, unable to hide my bewildered expression, Reed took a step closer and extended his hand.

As we walked across the garden, a petal seemed to have lost its way and landed on my hair. His fingertips gently swept it away.

He lowered his upper body and whispered in my ear. It was his usual soothing tone.

“I am serious, Aylet Rodelin. I have staked myself as a prize, and if you do not take me, it will be a disaster.”

“.......”

“I told you, I don’t want anyone else but you.”

“.......”

“You’ll do it, right?”

The voice whispering in my ear is nothing but the devil's seductive whisper.

At this point I really lost track of myself.

This time, it wasn't that I was particularly affectionate, but rather, I just felt annoyed and annoyed.

But why me?

“Haa....... I can’t live.”

It's a matter of not knowing if my heart is weak.

My voice, as I was beating him, seemed to have lost all its energy, and there was no hint of resentment in it. Reed was not one to miss this.

“Thank you. You are the only one.”

The air was filled with laughter that expressed pure joy. It was good to see that the plan was progressing smoothly.

Yeah, as long as you enjoy it... ... .

He gently grabbed my fingertips and we walked together along the garden path where clouds obscured the blue crescent moon.

✠

That night, I secretly tore at my pillow and cried in agony.

After I got out of the world of beauties and thought about it alone, I felt a sense of belated resentment and despair.

I could bear the humiliating situation of suddenly having to become a candidate for Reed's harem. The problem was that in order to compete for the rankings, I had to become corrupt as well.

'How do you do that corruption?'

I was really at a loss. They say leading is easy, but it wasn't easy for me at all, so I even felt like a weak student.

'What's easy about it!'

But a few days later.

[<System> Warning. Corruption.]

[<System> Warning. Corruption.]

[<System> Warning. Corruption.]

I tried it and it was really easy.