Chapter 16: Moving Into the Mansion

The subsequent tests did not produce any scenes as awe-inspiring as Qiaolin’s, but two others still managed to endure more than three rings.

Others might not have recognized them, but those two were Karl’s mercenaries, Rock Bear and Black Smoke.

Since Qiaolin had already taken one of the spots to stay in the mansion, Rock Bear proactively gave up after enduring just three rings to make their movements more convenient.

Thus, Black Smoke naturally earned the qualification to have dinner with Saloran.

After the testing assembly ended and they returned to Karl’s private secret room, the four were discussing their actions for the evening.

“Rock Bear’s physique is just too eye-catching. After weighing the options, I was the one to slip in first,” Black Smoke said with a laugh.

“Humph…”

Rock Bear let out a dissatisfied snort.

In truth, his mental power was inferior to Black Smoke’s.

If they really competed, he would have been the one unable to hold out first.

“So, are we still proceeding with the original plan?”

Snake Eye looked toward the deep-in-thought Karl.

This man had immense self-esteem; seeing someone far more talented than himself was the ultimate emotional roller coaster.

Fortunately, he was still Saloran’s disciple and sole heir!

For a brief moment, Karl had actually considered giving up on this assassination.

Given Saloran’s physical condition, he probably wouldn’t even survive another year.

As for that guy named Qiaolin, Karl still had no idea who he was.

Judging only by the strength shown during the test, the man was far stronger than Karl himself.

However, the friction between the Border Empire and the Barbarians was growing more serious by the day.

The outbreak of war was only a matter of time.

The enemy had always been wary of Saloran.

As long as he died, the Barbarians were confident they could break through the border and strike directly at the Royal Capital.

The Empire had already declined, but Karl’s pursuit of magic and power was limitless.

He couldn’t lose his place of refuge just because the Empire fell.

Therefore, the deal with the Barbarians was necessary.

He didn’t care who ruled this land; he only wanted to obtain Saloran’s knowledge sooner.

“Hehe, do you remember what I said during the day?”

Karl suddenly gave a strange smile.

The three mercenaries glanced at each other, looking puzzled.

“That guy named Qiaolin, who appeared out of nowhere, has already left a non-human impression in people’s minds. We can now assassinate my teacher without any worries. After all, the one who will ultimately strike — is that ‘Demon Race’ member.”

***

Later, at Saloran’s mansion.

Qiaolin showed the guards the crest Saloran had given him.

They immediately showed a respectful attitude and welcomed the two inside.

“There is still some time before dinner. How about I lead you two to a room to rest first?” said the waiter responsible for receiving Qiaolin and Gabriela.

“Then I’ll trouble you.”

Under the waiter’s guidance, the two walked through the corridor.

Midway, they ran into Karl, who was followed by a man and a woman who seemed to be candidates who had stood out during the testing assembly.

Karl walked past Qiaolin without any expression, his cold gaze falling on Qiaolin’s cheek.

Qiaolin couldn’t help but turn his face to look at the backs of the three.

“It feels like they have ill intentions.”

Gabriela also noticed Karl’s gaze and reminded Qiaolin via telepathy.

‘We’re the ones with “intentions,”‘ Qiaolin thought with a bitter smile, though he felt a faint premonition that tonight would not be peaceful.

A moment later, Qiaolin and Gabriela arrived at their room.

It had to be said that as the most prestigious Mage in the Empire, not only was Saloran’s mansion grand, but even a guest room inside was luxuriously decorated and fully furnished.

However, there seemed to be only one bed.

Qiaolin sighed when he saw the large bed, which was spacious enough for two people to lie down in any posture without feeling crowded.

He was about to see Gabriela’s reaction, but he didn’t expect her to pounce onto the bed first, letting the soft mattress envelop her delicate body.

“So soft, so comfortable… I really want to take this bed back to the Demon King’s Castle…” the girl said with a look of bliss.

Seeing this, Qiaolin couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy.

The Demon King’s Castle did not produce silk or cotton, nor did it have the technology to manufacture high-quality cloth.

Even if he used his abilities, he could only analyze and create coarse, low-quality linen.

For most of the Demon Race, having magic-filled Magic Crystals to enjoy was better than anything else.

However, a significant portion of the Demon Race, like Gabriela, possessed high intelligence and naturally had higher demands for their lifestyle.

Unfortunately, such people were too few in number.

Coupled with the indelible terrifying impression the Demon Race had left on other races, naturally, no one dared to do business with them.

Along the way, Gabriela had maintained an intense curiosity about many things.

It seemed she had stayed in the Demon King’s Castle for all these few hundred years.

Thinking about it carefully, Gabriela’s act of coming out to find him was quite a brave move.

Qiaolin suddenly felt that Gabriela wasn’t a Demon King, but some sort of “country bumpkin” demon from the mountains.

But then again… Qiaolin remembered the scene when he first met this demon girl —

In that deep mine, the girl’s wary and fierce eyes had flickered.

Countless Magic Crystal clusters that had been eaten clean were shattered all over the floor.

She had held a half-eaten Magic Crystal, looking like an injured young beast…

“Qiaolin, when are we going to eat?”

The girl’s call pulled the young man back to reality.

He looked at Gabriela, who was hugging a pillow and showing only her eyes.

Her long eyelashes fluttered continuously, seemingly expressing her request.

“That’s not up to me. It depends on the master of this mansion.”

After hearing this, Gabriela’s eyes dimmed a bit, looking somewhat disappointed.

“I told you that you could eat more at lunch. What? Were you afraid of eating me into poverty?”

Qiaolin sat on the edge of the bed and smiled at Gabriela.

“I’ve been spending your money this whole time, so I naturally… naturally feel a bit embarrassed.”

“You are the Demon King, after all. I have to serve you well. At worst, you can reimburse me when we get to the Demon King’s Castle. Even now, inside your Gluttony Space, I’m afraid there isn’t much money, right?”

Qiaolin’s words seemed to remind Gabriela.

She suddenly sat up and activated her magic power.

A crack appeared in the space beside her, and she reached her hand in, rummaging around.

After searching for a while, she simply stuck her whole upper body inside.

“Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?”

Qiaolin watched the girl’s constantly moving slender waist, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

“I’m looking for something valuable to compensate you.”

“Stop looking, come out quickly…”

*Poof!*

Before Qiaolin could finish, a small pair of black panties flew onto his face.

Just as he removed them, a piece of lingerie covered his eyes.

“Idiot!”

Qiaolin couldn’t help but curse.

As soon as he opened his mouth, a shoe actually flew in and stuffed itself into his mouth.

From the texture, it seemed to be a flip-flop.

Qiaolin went directly into action, grabbing Gabriela’s small waist and pulling her back with one tug.

The girl fell dazed into his arms, and Qiaolin also ended up lying on the bed due to the momentum.

“I think it’s time you cleaned out your Gluttony Space…”

Qiaolin complained. Gabriela turned her head and immediately saw her bra covering the man’s eyes.

Her face flushed crimson with embarrassment, and she hurriedly put all the clothes away.

“S-Sorry,” Gabriela said.

“I don’t usually keep so many things in the space. It’s just that since this trip might take a long time, I brought extra clothes.”

Listening to Gabriela’s defense, Qiaolin nodded understandingly.

For a moment, the room was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

The girl’s panicked expression was laid bare before Qiaolin.

The two were in a very strange posture.

At the very least, the last person to sit on top of Qiaolin on a bed was Saintess Tor.

“Also… can you get off me first? I’m starting to feel something.”

“Eek?!”