SSS Demon King System: The Rise of a Dying Extra-Chapter 38: The Meeting. (3)

Sebastian nodded to Lloyd’s words, though Gueri didn’t look very comfortable with what they were proposing.

However, Sköll seemed very interested.

"Well, Gueri, it seems we have a common enemy; and as the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is a new ally," Lloyd spoke with enthusiasm and energy, though without showing too much.

Gueri looked away, feeling somewhat guilty, or rather a coward for hesitating to accept the deal.

However, he knew how terrifying their enemy was.

"But they’re too strong," the wolf-man said. "Our plan was to recover our people and flee, not fight."

"B-but..." Sköll looked at Gueri with confusion. "What if we can still save someone? Didn’t you say they attacked us to enter the temple? Then Mom and Hati must still be alive! We have to save them!"

Sköll’s gaze seemed almost a plea; however, though pained, Gueri didn’t yield.

"It was just a theory, besides, we’d only be giving them what they want if we go there," the beast-man replied.

"What do you mean?" Sköll asked with confusion.

Lloyd smiled maliciously, everything was going swimmingly.

"Tch... It’s the prophecy, you and your sister are the key to opening the temple, however, we can’t let what’s inside fall into the wrong hands, that’s our tribe’s mission," the beast-man confessed.

"Key? What are you talking about?" Sköll questioned with confusion.

"I understand, so you not only want to save your people, you also seek to keep them away from Sköll," Lloyd intervened.

Gueri nodded at Lloyd’s deduction.

"That’s right, that’s why we can’t make an alliance, it’s too risky," Gueri said.

Sköll was confused, her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.

"The truth is that," Lloyd began, it was time to make the final move, "you’re being too cowardly, Gueri. I understand, you’re just trying to save what little survived of your tribe, however, it’s very likely that will also harm others... like Hati."

Sköll felt a chill hearing that name.

She had been captured because of her.

"Most surely they’re not treating her well, after all they only need her alive, it doesn’t matter if she’s doing well. Now, also the rest of the beast-men who have been enslaved are going to have a bad time. We can’t waste a single second, acting with excessive prudence is dangerous. However, with Lucia and Daimon’s help, I’m sure you can recover your brothers quickly."

Gueri’s face lit up at those words, it was new hope.

Though it sounded too good to be true.

"They’re strong, yes, but if your enemy is stronger, be smarter than him. We have to make a plan, to finish off the Assassin Guild and recover what’s yours, we can’t let them get away with it," the boy affirmed agitatedly, leaning over the table.

His agitation was nothing more than another act to convince Gueri, but it was working.

Or at least it was making him doubt.

"Why would you do all this for us?" the wolf-man said, looking at Lloyd with distrust.

Lloyd didn’t hesitate with his response.

"Well, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, right? Besides, if I help you, I suppose I’ll count on you in the future, right?"

Lloyd smiled, there was something more he wanted, but he couldn’t say it just like that.

"However, Gueri is still right; for you I would face the entire Assassin Guild together, however, I can’t ensure victory if I don’t know their capabilities," the butler added.

Sebastian was being his accomplice, and he didn’t even have to tell him anything.

As always, that butler was incredible.

"So that’s how it is... Mmm," Lloyd stroked his chin. "We need something more, a card that tips the balance in our favor."

That was the most delicate moment of the plan, if Lloyd didn’t manage to convince them now, everything would go down the drain.

However, someone intervened.

"We must open the temple, and fulfill the prophecy," a voice then said.

Lloyd looked incredulously at Sköll. What had just happened?

Lloyd didn’t know it, but Sköll was surprised when she learned Lloyd had also lost someone at the hands of the guild assassins.

At first she believed he was just a rich kid who saw them as animals, however, he turned out to be very mature.

That child, who seemed even smaller than her, had accepted her apology and now offered them help.

Sköll knew that if it were the other way around, she wouldn’t have forgiven him for hitting her.

But it wasn’t just that, now Sebastian’s words were sadder: he never met his father, nor had friends, now he seemed much more lonely.

Sköll felt guilty and also indebted to him.

But there was something more.

"But chief, we’d be giving them exactly what they want!" Gueri exclaimed.

Sköll shook her head.

"That prophecy is the story Mom told Hati and me before going to sleep, right? If so, then it must be this. I think the fact that we met Lloyd is a sign of destiny, perhaps all the pieces are coming together," the girl affirmed with a confidence and maturity Gueri didn’t recognize.

Lloyd was perplexed, however, that wasn’t bad.

Sköll was drawing her own conclusions, arriving exactly at the conclusion Lloyd wanted.

He didn’t have to lift a finger, Sköll was going to give him what he wanted on a silver platter!

"Are you insinuating he’s the chosen one?" Gueri asked, perplexed.

"Yes, exactly, that’s what my instinct tells me," she said proudly while crossing her arms.

Though Lloyd suspected it was really his incubus part which made Sköll start to trust him.

"Maybe you’re right but what about the test? Isn’t it too difficult for a child?" Gueri questioned.

"I testify that if it’s about the young master, he’s capable of anything if he sets his mind to it," Sebastian said.

Lloyd had to restrain himself from jumping with happiness, everything was going as he wanted!

"See! He’s the one!" Sköll exclaimed even more convinced.

Lloyd cleared his throat, adopting a confused but jovial expression; like the one the original protagonist of the novel would put on in this situation.

"I’m not very sure if I understand what you’re saying, but if doing that ’test’ helps us finish off the Assassin Guild, I’ll do my best," the boy affirmed with an innocent but determined tone.

Upon saying those words, Sköll jumped from the armchair, catching Lloyd’s hands between hers.

"Really?!" she said with emotion, while her eyes shone with joy.

Lloyd nodded, which made the girl start cheering.

"Well, it seems we already have something in mind, though it will be better if Mr. Gueri first informs his people of the plan," the butler commented.

Gueri nodded.

"We’ll do that, see you later to plan everything better. Thanks for everything," the beast-man said while bowing in respect.

Sköll looked at him from the corner of her eye and clumsily imitated the movement.

"Well, see you," Lloyd said goodbye.

Then, Sköll had an idea.

"U-um, before we go," Sköll started speaking, though she felt embarrassed at that very moment. Her cheeks turned red while she continued stammering. "I’m sorry for what I said before, if you want, we can be friends."

Lloyd smiled at those words, with a kind expression.

"I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline your offer," Lloyd responded with a calm smile.

Gueri had to make a lot of effort to drag Sköll out of the room after this, since that rejection had reignited her hatred toward Lloyd.

However, Lloyd could only smile.

"You seem happier than usual, young master, it seems this meeting was productive for you," Sebastian commented calmly.

Lloyd nodded.

"It was great!"

The old man’s face lit up; Lloyd didn’t know it, but in reality, Sebastian really believed the boy was happy for having made a new friend.

And it wouldn’t be the last time Lloyd would be misinterpreted that way.