83 Outsmarted (1/2)
”This is the house the kid lives in?” I ask just to make sure.
”Yes, it is, Mr. Azazel.” Grey answers and we enter the house. As I take a good look at the house, the classiness of the entire structure, I can definitely picture him living here.
”Yeah, it probably is.” I say, ”This does sound like the type of house that Kaylith would want.”
”Mr. Azazel,” Grey asks, ”This might not be the best time to ask this but what is your relationship with Kaylith Glice?”
Well, that is a good question.
”I guess you can say we do favors for each other.” I say with a straight face, ”We are not exactly friends, but we aren't enemies either. We are just two people who help each other, with the guarantee that the favor we are doing the other will be returned someday.”
”I … see.” Grey stands surprised, ”I didn't know he has such a relationship with a high-class Demon like you.”
”Well, he does ... or did.” I say, ”To be honest, I doubt we will see each other ever again.”
”W-why is that?” A concern rises in his eyes.
”Our score's settled. Neither of us owes any favor to the other anymore. And the last time I talked to him, it didn't seem like he intend to keep it temporary.”
”You don't mean that …” he trails off, understandably.
”Yes, I do.” But I have to say the truth, no matter how harsh it may be for him, ”It seemed like he was ready to die.”
”B-but his plan – that whole thing about ending your race, that-”
”That plan of his, of getting a hell where he wouldn't suffer from torment, he thinks it will succeed. And maybe it will. Who knows?” I say as I open the door to the living room.
”If-if that is the case, why would he help you find Dues by sending us? That would be bad for his whole plan.” Grey asks with a confused expression.
”Well, to be honest, you haven't exactly been helping us find Dues ex machina.” I say.
”… what the hell are you talking about?” With a scowling expression, he says so to me.
”Wait now! I didn't mean to offend you. It's just the truth. If we hadn't been with you two, we would have already caught Dues ex machina.”
”Explain yourself, Azazel.” He looks at me angrily.
”No mister anymore?” I say with a mocking smile, ”Fine! If we hadn't gone to the hideout you took us to, what would we have done?”
He thinks for a second and says, ”You would have come here because getting to Roswaisa's only remains in this world would be closest to catching Dues in her tracks.”
”Right!” I exclaim with a smile. ”If we had done that, we would have been here before that bitch came.”
As soon as I say that, Grey's eyes turn to the carpet that has the pentagonal symbol used to summon Roswaisa drawn on it. And, from the lack of any mana in it, one can tell it has recently been drained of mana, i.e., Dues got what she wanted from here.
”…” Grey just stares at this whole mess in surprise. But seeing the smile on my face, he asks with a scowl.
”When did you figure this all out?”
”Exactly when I surmised, back in the car, that Dues would be coming either here or to Danny's place.” I answer.
”That's the reason you were so annoyed you ended up breaking the car's mechanism with your kick.”
Yes, that's true.
”So, what now? Now that you know you were played, what will you do?” Grey asks, ”Are you going to try and figure out Dues' next move?”
”Well, I doubt there is any next move.” I say with a sighing expression.