Conflicting Interests and Plans of Disruption

Making my way back towards my companions, I arrive where they are seated. Cornelius seems to be engaged with Eli and Araam, as the others seem to be engaged in some sort of discussion.

"I did not know you enjoyed the spotlight so much, my friend." Ashmodai calls out toward me.

"What do you mean?" I ask him, confused by his statement.

"Slaughtering that entire street. It was quite an enjoyable show." He says whilst clapping. That succubus woman also seems quite pleased as she quickly joins in on the applause.

"Let's make our way back towards the Talvit estate. Staying here will only spark more interest for you." Ergilazz says, looking around at all the onlookers who seem to be watching us.

"Am I allowed to come, dear Ergillaz?" Sorzana asks him in a purposefully even more seductive tone than normal. Her hand caresses his naked chest as her head moves closer to his.

"Broth-" Tharnomath tries to speak, but Ergillaz quickly raises his hand to keep all of us quiet.

"You know how much I appreciate your company." He answers as he puts his hand on hers.

"But I'm rather busy, and I know what happens when I allow myself to desire things I can't have," Ergilazz says, his voice even colder than Tharnomath's. The palpable tension breaks as he pulls his hands away from her. We are all rather surprised by this colder, more calculated side of him.

'Well, he's clearly an archdevil, alright.' I think to myself, feeling the urge to flee.

Sorzana starts to laugh as she approaches him once more.

"There it is, we both know the outcome, yet we can't resist, isn't that so, my dear?" Sorzana responds, seemingly unshaken by his presence.

'And she's clearly the most powerful succubus in Lucille's Light, alright.' I think to myself, seeing how she's not even flinching while standing next to Ergillaz.

"...."

The silence that follows is so heavy that it feels like I'm being choked just watching this. The tension that was killed earlier returns as they look each other in the eyes, conflicting emotions clear to see. Sorzana steps back and decides to speak, which finally releases us from this torture.

"I'll even behave, how about that? I promise not to do anything that will hinder your plan. I'm just so bored, and you know as well as anyone that I don't like to keep things boring." She says, giving our almighty archdevil a wink at the end.

"I suppose so, but just so you know. I decide when you're crossing the line and if anything you do gets in my way." He says, walking towards her, putting his hand against her chin as he seems to be going in for a kiss.

"I'll destroy you." Ergillaz says their faces are incredibly close to each other. Both their eyes flicker as mana flows through these 2 powerful creatures at an abundant rate.

Only a clear smile appears on Sorzana's face as she chooses not to respond with words. Ergillaz seemingly accepts the silence as confirmation and walks towards the Talvit estate. Eli who seems to be confused at everything that just unfolded comes to me and grabs my hand. Feeling her small hands, I decided to quickly follow Ergillaz hoping for a calm night.

***

We arrive at the Talvit estate, where meals and rooms were already prepared for us. Idrilth stands there waiting as they were considered unnecessary for the trip to the arena. Eli's visibly excited as she clearly missed having Idrilth around. She looks at me as I give her a nod in response to her pleading eyes. She quickly makes her way over, excited to tell Idrilth about what happened today.

"Ashmodai, could you follow me for a moment?" I ask him, which clearly surprises him.

"Well of course my friend lead the way." He says, seemingly curious about what I could ask.

"Could I join you?" Cornelius asks, clearly irritated at the fact that he wasn't asked.

"Yes, it's nothing secretive, but out of context, it might raise a few eyebrows." I tell them in a calm tone. Seeing me not make a fuss about it, Ashmodai's excitement dies down.

Led to my personal chambers by one of the resident's butlers, I lock the door behind us so that no one barges in. The large room is majestic as the silver combined with marble walls are decorated with various frescoes. The frescoes seem to depict all seven sins in the form of their respective vessels. The king-sized bed has sheets of the highest quality, with what I assume an embroidery of Lucille's Light. The room also has its own bathroom and mini-library, which gives me the impression that it's only used by important guests.

"Ashmodai, how do you break a contract or pact?" I ask him, remembering the twins and that serpent demon.

"Are you thinking about breaking your deal with Ergillaz?" He asks in a surprised and shocked tone.

"No, I've met some people under an enslavement contract, and I just wonder if there's any way to undo it."

Ashmodai seems relieved to hear my response. Although I understand that Ergillaz is powerful, his relief seems to stem from something else.

'You seem to have been going around my back, haven't you? My oh, so dear friend.' I think as I notice his visible discomfort when he misunderstood my question. I take a quick glance towards Cornelius, who seems to be on the same wavelength as me.

'You might like to talk too much, but at the end of the day. You are the only one I'm certain of that will stay with me.' I realize the vast difference in trust I have between them.

"It depends on the caster or creator of the pact. If they are strong, then it will be harder or if they prepared the seal for a long time." He answers, seemingly intrigued by whom I mean.

"So how do you break it?" I ask, showing my clear impatience.

"You already possess the ritualistic knowledge to make your own conclusion. However, it normally depends on what they used to force the enslavement." He answers clearly, thinking hard about the subject.

"Very well, you can leave now. I want to get some rest." I announce to them. The two leave the room, agreeing with the sentiment that I should get some rest.

"Let's see just what happens." I say out loud, deciding not to think too much anymore.