Chapter 742 Shadows Beneath

"For a demon of lust, she sure is respectful and tactful. Unlike these two, she seemed like the disciplined big sister." 

Ren elbowed her, and Desira giggled.

"I know that these two could be handful, but I hope that you would get along with them," Desira continued with another bow.

Lorelai couldn't help but comment again. "She really is so respectful. What a surprise to find someone like her in this hellhole."

Ren elbowed her once again.

Desira only laughed and said with a smile, "I know that a lot of demons and devils are tricksters, but there are demons and devils that are kind and respectful too."

"Is that right?" Lorelai didn't know what to say when she was caught with her stereotypes.

That was a first. Ren mused. 

"Anyway," Azazel interjected. "I need you to give back the corruption to me."

Desira's face turned serious, and she sighed while nodding in defeat. "Alright. I will trust you. Follow me then."

"Eh? It's not with you?" Vivi asked.

Desira explained, "Half of it is with me, and the other half I put in . . . another container."

"Eh? You can do that? I thought no items could be able to contain the corruption," Vivi asked, surprised.

Azazel only stared at Desira while Ren and Lorelai decided to observe for now.

"I have my ways," Desira said. "Anyway, you'll find out once we go to my lair. It's also the reason why the corruption hadn't gotten to me all this time."

"I see," Vivi was ecstatic, thinking that Desira might have found a way to contain the corruption and Azazel would be fine in the end! "You're really smart, Desira. If you really found a way to contain the corruption, then Azazel would really be safe, and the whole of Netherworld would be safe."

Desira only smiled. "You give me too much credit. I only thought of a way to slow down the corruption inside me until I know what to do with it. I hadn't been lazy all these years, you know."

"I . . . I wasn't lazing too!" Vivi defended. "I had been busy all these years trying to revive Azazel!" Her face then pouted. "But I guess that he really didn't need it, and I only made the situation worse in the Netherworld."

"It's not your fault, Vivi," Azazel said, patting her head. "It's the corruption inside you."

"Still . . ." Desira interjected, her voice carrying a hint of gravity. "The corruption only intensified our emotions and feelings, pushing us to pursue our heart's desires even if it meant harming others. It merely amplified what our hearts wants."

Ren observed Desira's serious expression, only to be caught off guard as she erupted into peals of laughter.

"At least, that's how it was in my case," Desira added between laughter.

Joining the conversation, Azazel and Vivi engaged in small talk, while Lorelai leaned in, whispering in Ren's ears, "Is it alright to leave Elena and Evie out there?"

Ren wasn't worried, and replied, "They're big girls now. They can take care of themselves."

Lorelai grinned mischievously. "Aren't you worried they might fight if you're not there?"

Ren glanced at the side with a deadpan expression, and mumbled, "I doubt it. They're probably making another dessert and discussing dresses, jewelry, and such."

Lorelai snickered. "Well, humans are like that too. In our country, noblemen could have as many wives as they liked. The wives sometimes get along and discuss girl stuff with their fellow wives, but most of the time, they fight to get the attention of the husband."

"Are you okay with that?" Ren inquired. "Your husband having many wives?"

Lorelai's face darkened. "Let him try, and he's dead meat."

Ren chuckled. "I suppose that's the fate of being a princess. Your duty is to maintain peace and relationships among your subjects and neighboring realms via marriage."

Lorelai vehemently shook her head. "No thank you. I'd rather throw away my title and become an adventurer than marry some noble and be a housewife." She stuck out her tongue in disgust.

"If the king hears this, he would be heartbroken," Ren teased.

"Let him be heartbroken. He has many children, so I'm sure I won't be a loss to him," Lorelai remarked nonchalantly.

Ren doubted that. If anything, Princess Lorelai held a significant place in the kingdom, perhaps even the most important. If she were to disappear, King Renais would undoubtedly turn the realm inside out in search of her.

After all, she ranked as the second strongest in the country, with the likelihood of becoming the first. King Renais wouldn't easily dismiss the potential loss of his successor.

It was also the reason why the king didn't tighten the reins on the princess, unlike with his other daughters. He understood Lorelai's stubborn nature. Rather than restricting her freedom, he allowed her to follow her own path and embark on adventures, fearing that his strict ways might drive her away.

Well, at least, that was the narrative Ren understood from their relationship.

While they talked, Desira led Azazel, Ren, Lorelai, and Vivi through a hidden passage, concealed behind an inconspicuous tapestry in private hall of the bar. 

The entrance revealed a dimly lit corridor that gradually descended, echoing with the hushed whispers of the shadows. 

As they walked forward, Lorelai couldn't help but question Desira, "Hey, if you're not affected by corruption as you claim to be, then why do so many demons in this place seem to have succumbed to their lust? Like that man before –– he wasn't himself, wanted to drown his sorrows in this bar to forget about his dead wife, and even hurled hurtful words at his son.

"That's not all; there are numerous creatures out there fixated solely on their own desires, oblivious to everything else. As the warlord of lust and desires, shouldn't you be concerned about it? Don't tell me you don't know, because you were right there when that happened with that man. This is your town, and if I've got my facts straight, you're even the mistress of that man.

"Sorry, but it appears to me like you're deepening the indulgence of this town and everyone who comes here. And according to you the corruption intensified what you want. So is this what your heart desires?"