Chapter 209 - Third Stop - Lust (2) (1/2)

Baal did his best to stall for an hour before they arrived at Lilith's castle. He told his coachman to take the shortest path to the castle and distracted Zero with a game while they were in town. Incubi and succubi filled the streets with no care about the visitors in town. They did as they wanted, tossing clothes around leaving them strewn on the streets with their bodies on full display while others opted for messy make-out sessions. Nowhere in town was safe for innocent eyes.

Zero was blissfully unaware of the growing tension in the carriage, too engrossed in the game of chess. Baal was such a good player. Despite his bored external appearance, Zero knew that the Demon Lord wasn't going to give him any chances or openings. That was the current gap between their experiences and Zero found it exciting. He wanted to challenge Baal again despite his six losses but they had arrived at the castle.

”Tonight, can we play again?” Zero asked and Baal pretended to consider.

”Please?”

”How many stories will you tell me?”

Zero paused and calculated. Baal found that crafty look adorable. Zero could never be a successful poker player with his intentions so clearly written on his face. Knowing his friend, Zero would try to push the numbers low like what Coux taught him. He would start off with one or two but Baal wasn't going to let him gain the initial advantage.

”Five or no deal,” he yawned.

Zero's jaw fell. Five? That was ridiculous! Baal didn't even demand so many stories back when Zero requested for Baal's help to sneeze a powerful illusion away. Then an idea came to him. Baal never mentioned what kind of stories he wanted, right? So far, Zero had always been telling Baal long stories and Baal would always let him. Only occasionally would the Demon Lord ask for details. This time, the teenager was determined to not give Baal so much to chew on. he could have five stories but Zero wasn't going to spill all the details for free. That should teach Baal not to be so greedy in future!

”Deal,” he told Baal calmly.

At once, the Demon Lord opened his eyes widely in attention. He wasn't expecting for Zero to agree to it without trying to lower down the rate. Then he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. No, that isn't right. Zero would never agree to it without some kind of trick. Ever since his secretary has been tutoring Zero, the young doctor had gotten sneakier. Mammon would've killed to have an apprentice as brilliant as Zero. Baal had to admit, Zero was learning. In fact, he was slightly threatened by how fast Zero's growth was.

”What's the catch? I demand five full stories and won't accept anything less than that.”

Zero smiled. ”Oh, I'm aware of that. I will deliver five full stories as you requested. No cliffhangers.”

Baal narrowed his eyes but couldn't probe further because Lilith swopped down and crooned at Zero.

”Come,” she urged with a blinding smile. ”We've prepared scented baths for both of you. Dinner will be ready in about an hour and your rooms are ready. Please let my servants know if you require anything, enjoy your stay in the Red Palace. We have a garden tour after this, you will see one of the rarest sights in the abyss. You can only find crystal flowers and trees here in the Lust domain.”

Zero's interest was captured almost at once. Crystal trees and flowers sounded fascinating. He nodded and followed Lilith inside. Baal shrugged. He wasn't too interested in the garden Lilith boasted about. Flowers were flowers and trees were trees. He didn't see anything special about them and would prefer to take a nap before dealing with Zero tonight.

Zero was overwhelmed by all the action. People were talking, bowing, guiding and helping him prepare for the bath. Maids and butlers were all over the place and everyone was very polite. Zero didn't know if this level of hospitality was common because he hadn't experienced much of it anywhere else. Unable to cope or react, Zero could only follow instructions and cope to the best of his abilities to leave everything to the maids including helping to undress him and choosing his clothes. Apart from choosing the scented oil he wanted for his bath, Lilith's servants took care of everything else efficiently.

By the time Zero was submerged in the comfortable lukewarm water, he wondered if the same happened for Baal. The water was milky and smelled pleasant enough to drink but something told Zero it was better if he didn't do that. He listened to that instinct and waited for Baal. The maids taught Zero something very interesting. Apparently in the domain of lust, enjoying the hot spring water must always be accompanied with a towel wrapped around his head with sheep horns on two sides. It helped keep the towel from falling off and for wet hair to get messy during the bath. Also, it was common for people to dip in the hot spring water naked.

”There is a special kind of friendship that can only be formed when two people bare their skin in front of each other,” was what the head maid told Zero. After hearing it, it was impossible for Zero to not want that kind of special friendship, especially with Baal.

”Why is Baal taking so long?” Zero asked himself and pouted. He sank lower into the water and blew bubbles into it out of boredom. To amuse himself, he started to hum different noises just to hear how it would sound like with the water's interference.

”I see that you're having fun without me,” Baal was amused to find Zero doing such childish things.

The young doctor spluttered in the water and choked on it when some got into his windpipe. ”Baal!” he perked up when the Demon Lord sank into the water beside him.

”Have you decided what kind of drinks you want to try after this? It's a custom here to drink flavoured milk after a soak in the springs.”

Zero thought long and hard. ”What would you recommend?”

Baal hummed. Usually, he would go for some kind of alcohol but he didn't want Zero touching any of that yet. ”I would recommend strawcherry milk.”

Zero spluttered. The thought of Mii as a milk flavour left a bad taste in his mouth. ”Is there anything else?”

Baal shrugged. ”Cocorice, banono, green lemon, sweet thorns are some of the more popular ones.”