Playing With The Trickster

"How did you get here?" Sariah asked. Her expression gradually dimmed.

Never in her life had she thought that the person who'll find her true identity was also the one she put the utmost priority on.

At first, although his threat had reached the extremely dangerous criteria since this man is just a lone wanderer, the Hell Empire only gave orders not to mess with this man.

They couldn't afford to fight an enemy that could potentially kill many Demon Generals.

She attempted to suggest a secret subjugation. However, after a long day of consideration, the higher-ups eventually decided to just keep him in sight.

As long as this man is not an ally of the Harisan Empire, even if he's dangerous, he wouldn't risk his life fighting them.

This was supposed to be the plan. But then, a day after he met this man back at the mission hall, a shocking piece of news resounded in the Empire.

At that time, she was sitting at the front desk of the mission hall, doing her daily espionage life which was spying and sabotaging all potential enemies.

Even after hearing it tens of times, Sariah couldn't believe it.

This man destroyed a 2nd Class Empire. This feat shouldn't be a surprise considering how many times she had heard her superiors annihilating empires like they are mere dust.

However, Hans' record was absurdly unfathomable. Destroying an empire in just a day is a shocking record that she even felt the news was fake.

But, no matter how much she denied it, the proof was there. Several scouts from the 5 great empires, including the Hell Empire, investigated the area of the Baru Empire.

The sight they had seen was nothing but the scorched land of the previous rich empire. Molten rocks spewed out everywhere like a magma overflowing out of the volcano's mouth.

They haven't seen any living beings in a 500-mile radius. This confirmed that many people died in that incident including the Baru Empire's Emperor and the rest of the Royal family.

No matter how much power a person has, unless he's not on par with a Demon General, Sariah could take him down easily. Those on par with them might take time but she'll eventually win due to her superior bloodline.

However, her evaluation of this man immediately soared to the peak.

This man is not on par with them but rather, to the Demon Lord. That's a whole league above her and their variety of abilities could overturn an unfavorable situation into a favorable one.

Just thinking about them made her skin shudder. Unknowingly, cold sweats trickled down her delicate skin while her palms became wet due to the fear creeping into her bones.

'Hans.'

According to her latest investigation, this man was called Hans. No surname or any information was added that could identify his true identity.

Being mysterious and being unknown are two different concepts despite their similarities.

A mysterious person would pique her interest and curiosity. However, an unknown person is a horrifying being that could potentially be their greatest enemy.

Anyone fears the unknown. This includes Sariah herself.

Sariah stared at the man who already sat on the pile of gold bars. Her eyes have become wary in case Hans attacked her sneakily.

"I entered the door." Hans replied.

Hearing his nonchalant answer, Sariah clenched her fists. His answer actually makes sense and she's frustrated that she couldn't refute it.

Despite that, she didn't show any signs of annoyance or fear. She remained calm and collected while also analyzing any possible escape routes once all hell broke loose.

"What do you want from me?" Sariah asked once again.

Hans didn't show any trace of malice so she also kept her murderous intent from leaking. Since that's the case, then this guy wasn't here to kill her but rather, has another purpose.

"Hm… I have many things I want. That includes you… "

Sariah's eyes widened as she finally realized what this man came here for.

"Heh~, even if I die here, I won't give my body to you!"

In the Hell Empire, women are treated as a weakling and their only purpose is to give birth and take care of the child.

This was one of the reasons why she trained like madmen until her bones couldn't withstand the pain. She did all of this, just so she could prove that women aren't weak.

They have the grit to withstand problems on their own. They don't need to always rely upon others in doing things that everyone thought only men could do.

Now, this man was basically degrading her. This was an insult to all the blood she shed from her blade and the tears that withstood the humongous pressure of the battlefield.

"Why would I need your body though?" Hans tilted his head. After a few seconds, he realized, "Oh! You misunderstood! Although you're really pretty, you're actually not my type."

Looking at the confident smirk on Hans's lips, Sariah finally sighs in relief. For a moment, she really thought that Hans might be ogling her body.

The tension in the atmosphere gradually diminishes. Sariah withdrew her mana and sat back down at the chair which was glimmering with priceless gems.

As soon as she took a seat, she spoke.

"Fine, tell me what you want."

....

Hearing her words, Hans's smile widened even further. At first, he was surprised that Sariah was a spy from the Hell Empire. Her identity is not simple either as she was one of the Demon Generals of the Hell Empire.

He had read books about this particular empire. According to it, this place is the land of various races with demon types of blood like Demonic Dragons and Succubus.

Pure Demons reigned at the top as their bloodline could suppress anyone below their levels. He could smell the different scents on her body but he couldn't determine what race she was.

However, it was weak and not like the blood of Count Vlad which has a thick smell.

The Hell Empire is also famous for its troops, mainly the Demon Generals and the Demon Lords.

But, their hierarchy is somewhat messed up. Due to this, Hans doesn't know how many Demon Generals are there and how strong they are in comparison to him.

Now, he met a Demon General. Hans could vaguely tell that her strength is somewhat lacking compared to his.

She's an S-class monster at most. However, she's a demon so her strength was not an ordinary S-class.

Even then, Hans wasn't concerned about it. Rather, he's worried that his alliance with them might be rejected.

Demons lack patience so without wasting time, Hans immediately went to the point.

"I followed your lackeys here after they stole the orb of miracle. I won the bid for it so I'm here to take it back…"

At that moment.

Hans smashed his fists in the air.

Baaaam—!

The space quivered and Hans grasped the invisible head of a creature. Pulling it out from his stealth, he stared at its horrifying face and then slammed it back to the ground.

Slam—!

The floor shattered and bits of gold bars flew from all sides. The monster twitched intensely. Fear enveloped his body as he struggled to resist the casual strikes.

Hans glared at the monster on the ground and grinned.

"Sorry, this pest has been following me since I entered here."

"I don't mind. You must have made a lot of enemies huh?"

"Well…" Hans held his chin as he recalled Aeron's outburst back at the auction house. He continued, "There's this frail guy… he's like you know, not a very good guy. Anyways, it seems like he sent a lackey here to follow me."

Although the auction had already ended, Hans did not forget Aeron. That guy was malicious from the start and it was not a surprise that he would send someone to take care of him.

However, the fact that Aeron knew that he left the auction house made him curious. It seemed like Aeron had a special eye.

"So can I get my item now?" Hans deviated the topic and asked.

[When did it become yours? You didn't even bid for it!]

Ignoring Plundy's annoying complaints, Hans raised his eyes at Sariah. This woman has been quiet and only spoke a few words.

Although he was not scared, he was worried that she might have been requesting reinforcements now.

At that moment, Sariah smiled.

"Of course, you can have it back. It was yours after all. I apologize for the mistake of my servants. You can rest assured that I will punish them for the mistake they committed." She stood up from her seat and bowed.

She threw the orb of miracle back at Hans which he also catches easily.

However, contrary to her expectation, Hans responded playfully.

"Oh, that thief! You don't have to punish him. I already saw him getting eaten. He's like 'help me master'— something like that. Haha… it's funny."

"Are you provoking me on purpose, Hans?"

"Yes."

"…"

"…"

Sariah wanted to burst into rage. But her instinct hurriedly kicked in and she suppressed the urge to fight.

She doesn't know what purpose Hans has but it's making her anxious knowing that one wrong move might cost her life.

After observing Hans for a while, she understood that this man is unfathomable. Even though he acted like a mischievous guy, the muscles on his left hand were always in tension.

Meaning, he is ready to draw his swords anytime. Not once did this man let his guard down.

'Damn it, if not for those useless thieves leading him here…'

It wouldn't have come to this.

However, it's too late for regrets.

"Actually, I came here to find an ally." Hans's gentle yet deep voice echoed in the room.

"Ally?" Sariah asked confusedly.

"Mm… I heard that the 4 great empires are having an alliance to take down the Harisan Empire." A trace of hesitation surfaces on Hans' face. Then, it gradually darkened as he continued, "I… actually have a grudge against the Harisan Empire as well."

"So, you want to find an ally to destroy them?" At this moment, even Sariah couldn't help but be interested in Hans.

This man seemed to have a story to tell.

'Maybe, a childhood traumatic event?'

According to the superiors, the reason why they have to destroy the Harisan Empire is because of the grudge between them since ancient times.

At its peak, the Harisan Empire suppressed the world and ruled above others. They became slaves and were forced into countless centuries of labor.

They are the true demons hiding in the angels' skin.

Looking at the man in front of her, she suddenly felt attached.

"My brother died when I was a kid. He was persecuted by the Harisan Empire because he stole a bronze coin from a noble. It was agonizing. Those people get to do what they want while we live in the soles of their shoes."

As she listened to Hans 'childhood memories', her eyes couldn't help but soften.

"I want revenge… I want to destroy this Empire that's why I have been training myself in hopes to destroy it myself but… no matter how much hard work I put in, it's not enough. That's why I have been finding alli—"

At that moment, Hans felt a warm skin embracing his body. His mouth quickly shut off as he glanced at the woman hugging him tightly.

"It's okay, Hans. Don't worry, we'll help you."

"Really?" Hans asked. His voice started to break.

"Mm… we'll do everything to take them down and end their hypocrisy." Sariah calmly comforted.

Without hesitation, Hans also embraced her in his arms. Her soft hair nudged into his shoulder and the scent of lilies tickled his nose.

"Thank you, Sariah."

"Mm…."

As the two hugged each other in silence, another entity watched their interaction.

[W-when….when the fuck did you have a brother, Hans?!]

At that moment, Hans 'teary eyes' sharpened. A smirk bloomed on his lips.

'Just now.'