Chapter 390: Pandemonica's Leave of Absence
With their work piling up and other matters demanding their attention, Nakiri Mana and the others departed as soon as the meal concluded. Cerberus, however, remained firmly planted in her seat, continuing to feast. Ren rarely cooked the same dish twice, a fact that kept Cerberus's appetite perpetually ravenous—though, in truth, she would have devoured duplicates with equal gusto.
Nearby, Lucifer lounged on the sofa, scrolling through her phone without a hint of guilt. She had made her position clear: since her labor wasn't required, she had no intention of returning to Hell.
Pandemonica watched her, feeling a touch helpless. The Queen of Hell had become uncharacteristically willful, almost tsundere. Though Pandemonica herself knew little of love, she was beginning to understand its terrifying power. What else could transform the supreme sovereign of the underworld into… this?
If it wasn't terrifying, she wouldn't be so petulant.
If it wasn't terrifying, she wouldn't be so enthralled by food and games.
If it wasn't terrifying, she wouldn't be acting spoiled like a human girl.
If it wasn't terrifying, the words 'gentle'and'virtuous' would never come within a thousand miles of her.
Just a moment ago, Pandemonica had witnessed something utterly unbelievable. In a brief pause from her phone, Lucifer had risen, refilled Ren's teacup, stirred it just so, and placed it carefully before him. She had slipped into a comfortable domesticity, acting as if this was just another quiet afternoon back at their little shop. Cerberus's presence was a familiar constant, but Pandemonica's was subconsciously ignored, relegated to the background.
Pandemonica studied Lucifer, who would occasionally let out a strange, private smile before shoving her phone in Ren's face. If he didn't immediately look, she'd poke him. He'd let her pinch his cheek, his expression unchanging, but would eventually relent and look at whatever she was showing him.
If he smiled, Lucifer would nod with a smug expression that screamed, 'You know what's good for you.' If he didn't, she would huff, a perfect picture of tsundere indignation, only to sidle up to him again a moment later.
Pandemonica rubbed her forehead. It felt like a dream. If not for the rich aroma of food and the mellow fragrance of coffee still lingering on her palate, she would have been convinced she had dozed off and fallen into some ridiculous fantasy.
"Pfft! Esdeath is just too much!" Lucifer suddenly snorted with laughter.
Ren looked up from the notes he was reviewing. "Esdeath? What's she done now?"
"She went to conquer some indigenous tribe. Apparently, she told their prince to lick her boots, but the sight of him disgusted her so much she just froze him solid instead!"
Ren sighed. "In a way, that's Esdeath expressing her personality to its fullest. I wonder how much time has passed on her side…"
The question seemed to startle Lucifer. She thought for a moment. "Let me ask." She tapped away at her phone, resuming her chat. A minute later, she looked up. "Esdeath says it's been almost a year. She's been fighting nonstop, but…"
"But what?"
"She said she's hunting for her traitorous general. Wants to… do something to her. She was vague on the details, just said she'd give you a huge surprise when it's done."
Ren was taken aback for a second, then just shook his head without another word. He still couldn't quite grasp Esdeath's way of thinking. Much like her previous confession, it seemed to exist in a reality completely detached from his own.
"Lick her boots…"
A soft, almost melodic voice uttered the words nearby. A cold sweat prickled Lucifer's skin. In her daze, she had completely forgotten about Pandemonica. And this wasn't the tired secretary; this was the sadistic third persona. Who knew what thoughts were currently swirling in that mind?
Lucifer swallowed hard. "Uh… Pandy, what are you thinking?"
At some point, Pandemonica's horns had transformed. The two small, sharp points had grown into a pair of traditional, curling demon horns, like those of a ram. Lucifer had once explained that in Hell, the size of a demon's horns was a direct representation of their status and power. Justice, having stepped down from her position, was the notable exception. The horns Pandemonica now sported were a clear proof of her true standing—she was no mere underling. If Hell were a corporation, she would be a department head, a manager of considerable authority.
Pandemonica offered not a wicked grin, but an elegant, refined smile. "Nothing, my Queen. I was simply thinking that your Esdeath and I would get along splendidly."
"You… The two of you together would be a cataclysm!" Lucifer said, her voice strained with nervousness.
Pandemonica tilted her head, considering it. "By saying that, my Queen, you're forgetting Zdrada. I'm sure she would feel quite left out."
Lucifer slapped a hand over her face, groaning. The sudden tension was too much for Cerberus. With a final, massive mouthful of food, she shot up from her seat and scurried upstairs, vanishing from sight. Most of the time, Cerberus was remarkably shrewd, especially when it came to self-preservation. On that point, all three of her minds were in perfect, unwavering agreement.
Pandemonica's gaze then shifted, locking onto Ren. She stared intently for a long moment before an elegant, playful smile graced her lips. "My Queen, might we make a deal?"
Lucifer blinked, pointing at herself in confusion. "A demon making a deal with another demon? Pandy, you're just trying to make a demand! There's no possible return for me! The rewards from any contract you sign ultimately get funneled to my authority anyway!"
Pandemonica's smile widened. "Oh, but you'll be interested in this one, my Queen. In fact… I'm certain you'll agree to it."
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this… Fine, fine. What is it?"
Pandemonica rose gracefully from her seat. She walked over to Ren, who was still absorbed in his notes. To Lucifer's utter shock, she placed a hand on his shoulder, leaning against the back of his chair with the languid, possessive air of a monarch.
Before Lucifer could protest, Pandemonica spoke, her voice a silken whisper. "My Queen, I wish to be absent from work."
She looked down at Ren, who was now staring up at her, thoroughly confused. Maintaining her standard professional smile, she continued, "The terms of our deal are as follows: you will grant me a leave of absence. In return… I will keep your little secret."
Lucifer's expression darkened. "You said you wouldn't tell anyone!"
Pandemonica raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "My Queen, you of all people should know never to trust the word of a woman, especially a demoness. I never swore an oath, did I?"
Lucifer's mouth twitched. "Fine! I agree! But your duties are… unique! You know what I mean, don't you?!"
"I understand the principle. It's just that I have something I must attend to for a while."
"And what would that be?"
Pandemonica's gaze returned to Ren. Her voice dropped to an intimate murmur. "Lord Ren, may I stay here?"
"Hmm? I suppose so, but don't you have things to do?"
"I do," she confirmed smoothly. "I wish to study what makes the man my Queen loves so different from ordinary people. In other words, for the duration of my leave, I intend to study you, Lord Ren… and, by extension, this other world."
Lucifer's eye began to twitch. Why did that excuse sound so disturbingly familiar?
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