The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 80
“What’s so difficult about it? Is it your pride? Weren’t you willing to do anything for Joanna?”
Duchess Beth bit her lip hard.
She hesitated to nod, indicating it wasn’t just a matter of pride.
“You’re afraid of the King of Contrary Heaven, I see.”
“…You have no idea how terrifying he can be.”
“I do. But why are you so afraid?”
I provoked her.
“Isn’t the King of Contrary Heaven the closest to you? And yet, you can’t handle even this much?”
My words were not without basis.
Duchess Beth was closer to the King of Contrary Heaven’s ‘true identity’ than anyone, on a personal level.
“How do you know the true identity of the King of Contrary Heaven? Could it be that the Ecclesia family already has information about him?”
“It’s more surprising to think that you’d be unaware. The King of Contrary Heaven keeps an eye on Ecclesia, committing his deeds while maintaining a certain line.”
Duchess Beth had a complex look in her eyes.
“Aren’t you curious to see how lenient the King of Contrary Heaven might be towards you? After all, aren’t you one of his most favored individuals?”
“That’s a laughable story. He has not a shred of interest in me. Ours is merely a relationship of mutual benefit.”
“Then all the more reason to follow my suggestion. If it’s all calculative, what’s wrong with a little betrayal?”
“Ha! What nonsense.”
“Or, who knows? This might catch his interest for once. Anger is better than indifference, isn’t it?”
Duchess Beth looked incredulous.
But she didn’t raise her voice like before.
She seemed lost in thought at my words.
Considering the ‘real relationship’ between Duchess Beth and the King of Contrary Heaven, the idea that ‘anger is better than indifference’ wasn’t wrong.
“…If I follow your suggestion, will I really be able to obtain the Illumination Elixir?”
She was indicating her willingness to accept my proposal!
I nodded.
“Yes, it’s entirely possible.”
“Hmph! Only for Joanna’s sake, I’m reluctantly cooperating this time.”
“First, let’s correct that arrogant tone of yours.”
“…What?”
Oops.
Due to her past misdeeds, the Black Flame Dragon’s defiance was triggered.
A smug smile appeared as I blurted out,
“Aren’t I your master at this banquet? Show the proper attitude of serving your master.”
* * *
Two days had passed.
I enjoyed the banquet with Duchess Beth and the Massacrist Mage by my side.
To onlookers, I might seem I was in a flower garden surrounded by beautiful women, but
‘I’d rather have Hans or Lindon as partners here.’
“Ohoho. Master, here, have a cocktail. I made it especially for you.”
Sssss.
Duchess Beth, behind her mask, handed me a cocktail that seemed to be made with cursed blood, full of sinister energy.
And that wasn’t all.
“Hehe, Master~? Why don’t you put that filthy thing away and drink the juice I made for you? I specially made it for you, Master. It’s delicious~!”
Smiling brightly.
With a cheerfully seductive voice.
The Massacrist Mage was simply enjoying the situation.
As mentioned before, she wasn’t just a seeker of vengeance but a hedonistic killer.
Like a cat playing with a mouse before it kills, she had a cruel hobby of teasing her prey.
‘…Save me.’
I wanted to cry, but the strong charisma always maintained a dignified presence.
I accepted the services of the two women as if it were the most natural thing, drawing the attention of everyone in the banquet hall.
“The Witch of Cruelty serving him like that… That rabbit mask must really be the King of Contrary Heaven.”
“Why would the King of Contrary Heaven personally…?”
“We don’t know. The King of Contrary Heaven is a mysterious figure among the Ten Demons. No one knows his true identity.”
“There must be some intention behind it.”
“That seems likely. We can only hope not to get swept up in it.”
Everyone glanced around fearfully, but no one dared approach me.
Then, on the third night,
Just as the atmosphere began to slightly loosen, the jester mask appeared once again.
[Ahaha! Is everyone enjoying the banquet? To spice up the festivities, our Dark Auction has prepared a special event for you all!]
The attendees’ eyes shifted immediately.
Events at the Dark Auction were infamous.
For being horrific and despicable.
One could simply refuse to participate, but many choose to join each time.
Because the rewards were enormous.
[Did everyone find the auction satisfying? Unfortunately, I know some of you didn’t. In an auction, only one person can obtain what they desire. Even the winner might feel dissatisfied for having paid a price higher than anticipated. So, we’ve prepared this!]
The jester extended their hand.
[The resurrection match for the losers! Challenge the winning bidder to a duel, and if you win, you can take possession of the item they won!]
The jester continued, looking around at everyone.
[Of course, there has to be an advantage for the winning bidder to accept the challenge. Otherwise, no one would agree to it. If the winning bidder wins the duel, the loser pays the auction price. If money isn’t needed, our auction house will provide an item of the winner’s choosing, and the loser will pay for it. Or, the winner can simply demand compensation equivalent to the auction price directly from the loser.]
Whether to win and snatch the auctioned item or lose and pay a terrible price to the opponent.
Though it sounded relatively straightforward, the crux of the duel wasn’t about that.
[However, to ensure fairness, as the strongest might monopolize everything, we’ll add a rule. Before the duel starts, participants can make a deal with the demon we serve.]
“!!”
[Ah, don’t worry. It’s not a perpetual contract, just a one-time deal specifically for this duel. You offer something precious to you in exchange for power to use in the duel!]
One person asked in a wary tone.
“What does ‘something precious’ mean exactly?”
[Well? That would differ from one participant to another, wouldn’t it?]
The jester mask chuckled.
[For example, in your case… how about the heart of your beloved daughter?]
“!!”
[Ahaha. There’s no fixed requirement. The more deeply precious the offering, the stronger the power you’ll receive!]
The room fell silent.
They had grasped the implication of the rule.
‘So malicious. Truly demonic.’
I frowned.
The banquet had been going on for three days, and by now, attendees had a general idea of who was who and what level of power they possessed.
To challenge someone to a duel?
‘It means they’ve made a deal with a demon that they believe can ensure their victory.’
But what about the opponent?
They’d have no choice but to make their own sacrifice to the demon.
Otherwise, they’d lose.
‘The challenger must also consider the likelihood of their opponent making a sacrifice to a demon. In the end, they might have to offer something even more dreadful.’
This psychological battle would repeat endlessly, leading to exponentially greater sacrifices to the demons.
‘One could simply ignore this event and not accept any challenges.’
But as mentioned earlier, many would participate in this event.
Such is the depth of greed.
[Let’s begin! Who will be the first challenger?]
“…I will. I challenge the one with the hooked nose mask.”
The challenger was a Level 6 junior knight.
On the other hand, the one with the hooked nose mask was a Level 6 senior mage.
Though both were Level 6, the gap between junior and senior was vast.
Originally, a junior Level 6 would have no chance of winning such a duel, but the outcome was the opposite.
The junior Level 6 challenger managed to behead the senior Level 6 mage.
‘It’s thanks to the terrible price the knight paid to the demon.’
Splat!
As blood splattered, the atmosphere heated up.
Countless challenges followed.
Victory or defeat didn’t depend on being strong or weak.
It was all about who offered the greater sacrifice to the demon.
‘Ugh. I really hate this.’
I grimaced in disgust, though hidden from view.
Of course, those dying and killing each other were all despicable villains deserving death.
But still, as someone who used to be an ordinary citizen, this spectacle didn’t sit well with me.
Then, ah.
I accidentally locked eyes with the Massacrist Mage.
“Hehe, do you pity them, Master? How merciful of you.”
She was testing me.
I’m in a position where I need to tame her.
I thought hard.
‘A standard response will only earn her disdain.’
“Yes, I do pity them.”
“Hmm.”
She seemed unimpressed.
But then.
“What does it matter to you what I feel about them?”
“!!”
“Pity is a privilege of the strong. It’s my prerogative to feel sorry for those worthless beings if I choose.”
“Even while planning to crush them?”
“That too is my prerogative as the strong one. Who can accuse me of hypocrisy?”
The Massacrist Mage’s gaze deepened.
It might have seemed like a trivial conversation, but not to her.
‘The philosophy of the strong. That’s central to the Massacrist Mage’s belief system.’
She believes her kin were victimized because they were weak.
Thus, she seeks strength to exterminate humans, adhering to the principle of the survival of the fittest.
“Hehe, you’re right. The world does bow to the will of the strong. I’ll keep your words in mind, Master.”
The Massacrist Mage showed an intrigued look.
Luckily, it didn’t seem like the wrong answer, but the way she looked at me became a bit more like viewing a tantalizing prey, sending a chill down my spine.
Meanwhile, Duchess Beth, who had overheard our conversation, snorted in amusement.
“What nonsense are you spouting? Are you some kind of crazy bastard?”
“You should show proper manners to your master.”
“Ohoho. Understooood, eeeagerly.”
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the dueling arena reached a peak.
Then, the highlight arrived.
[Thank you for your enthusiasm, everyone! Our Dark Auction couldn’t just stand by idly. We will offer a special prize: the ‘Auction Wish Ticket’!]
“!!”
[The final winner can request anything from our Dark Auction! We look forward to a fervent response!]
It was an incredible prize.
While one couldn’t forcibly take the item another had won, they could request treasures owned by the auction, making it irresistible to anyone.
Indeed, many eyes gleamed with renewed interest.
“I will step forward.”
“I cannot give up either.”
Those who had been sitting comfortably until now began to move.
Lv. 7 powerhouses engaged in duels in quick succession.
‘It’s rare to see even one Lv. 7 master outside, yet here they are, dueling.’
It was a rare sight, but I couldn’t enjoy the duels with ease.
Soon, I had to execute my ‘plan.’
Eventually, the final winner was decided,
[There! The victory goes to the one with the tiger mask! Any more challengers?!]
No one else came forward.
They had realized who was behind the tiger mask.
The Glutton Demon.
A Lv. 7 senior, a powerhouse close to the ‘Grandmaster’ level.
Not affiliated with any group but untouchable due to his formidable power.
[Alright, I will count to five! If there are any challengers, please come forward! One, two, three…!]
That moment,
A heavy voice echoed.
“I will challenge.”
“!!”
A deathly silence fell over the room.
The one who had just spoken was none other than ‘me.’
The operation was about to begin.
