549 Highest Digi (1/2)

Meanwhile, as the Three Realms' fate was being decided by a single battle, within the Infernal Realm, Hell's Will still grumbled, unleashing relenting waves of Infernal Tribulations on Hell in retribution for its Law Enforcer's fall! But though the Devils occupying the Central Domain had long since grown accustomed to it, for those low-level demons, fiends, and humans, it was another story.

Of course, on this particular day, none cared for Hell's wrath. Projection mirrors stretched throughout the Infernal Realm, observing the mind-blowing battle tying the Profane Prince with those Firmament experts. Although they couldn't join the fun, Hell's deities were long prepared to watch it from afar.

Therefore, they'd not missed anything. Within the Central Domain's sovereign palace, the Overlord's former residence, Yvonne, Else, Gulistan, Krann, Elia and Helmut stared - through a Truth Projection screen - at Konrad's epic battle. Though none doubted Konrad's ability to squash his foes, at the end of the day, those were Supremes. If nothing else, the battle was a learning opportunity for them all. And should anything go awry, they stood ready to intervene.

But as the battle went on, and Konrad's superiority became evident, they all relaxed, ready to enjoy it to the end. However, as the battle reached a critical point, they felt a strange smell coming from the adjacent hall: The smell of cooking!

By itself, there was nothing wrong with that smell. However, the timing was entirely ridiculous. The location also didn't match. Worse, as the smell intensified, they couldn't feel the presence of the one driving this operation!

”Elia, Helmut, stay here. Else, Gulistan, stand ready. Krann, come with me.”

Yvonne ordered, and stood up, vanishing alongside Krann to appear in the adjacent room. Never did she expect that there, she would find a supremely handsome man with features 80% similar to Konrad's, dressed in an apron and marinating sliced chicken parts in an exotic sauce. On the side, a sauce and sides boiled, releasing the aroma that pulled Yvonne there.

”Tal-roth?”

Yvonne stammered the name, unable to believe her eyes. This time, even Krann was left slack-jawed, unable to fathom how and why the former Southern King of Hell, a stately Demon King, was turning their hall into a kitchen and cooking with rapt attention!

”Oh! Greetings, daughter-in-law. Apologies for the intrusion, I merely wished to give you all a surprise.”

Talroth began without shifting his focus from his cooking tasks. Krann and Yvonne both blinked in disbelief, not knowing how to process this scene.

”You...cook?”

Again, Yvonne stammered. Speaking as if the two words were the world's greatest absurdity. Talroth merely nodded in approval.

”But of course. I love cooking. Soothes the mind and liberates the heart. I used to cook for every single one of my consorts at least once a year. More depending on their rank. Asmodeus got four Talroth-made meals per year.

You'd be surprised by how their eyes sparkle as my hands go through the ingredients.”

Talroth replied in such a natural, relaxed tone that Yvonne almost believed herself in the wrong for thinking that beneath him.

”But you donated them all to your son...all to buy yourself time.”

She countered, obviously seeing through Talroth's previous move. And indeed, she was right.

”Ah, the necessities of plotting.”

Talroth didn't deny it. Why did he donate all his consorts except Asmodeus? For impression. By donating his consorts, by taking that humiliating steps, he was telling the world that he surrendered to Konrad's might and knew himself unable to challenge his will. However, going too far was as bad as not going far enough. If he truly gave them all up, Konrad would have been too suspicious of how the Demon King could so easily give up his prized possession.

Therefore, he had to keep Asmodeus, the one whose value eclipsed all the others combined, and through that tell Konrad, that there still was someone he couldn't give up. In truth, he couldn't care less.

An eternity of sexual dominion had long grown stale. Though hearing those women writhe under his hands still wrought some delight, as the years wore on, cooking became a stabler, more reliable source of mental relief.

A simple, appreciable routine. But knowing that in the future, even that would lose meaning, Talroth couldn't help but sigh.

Regaining her composure, Yvonne cast an intense gaze at Talroth.

”Why are you here?”

She directly asked, knowing that regardless of Talroth's purpose, it couldn't bring them any good.

”To pass time. The chapter of the Three Realms is approaching its end. And with it, so does my life. I wish for one last humane conversation before making my final move.”

Talroth replied, speaking with a sincerity that few could doubt. Yvonne did.

”That simple?”

”That simple. Tell me, daughter-in-law, what's the highest single digit?”

Talroth asked as he pushed the sliced meat parts into a self-made oven. Hearing this, Yvonne's face contorted in a frown. Clearly, the answer was nine. But if it were that simple, how could Talroth ask it? This wasn't about numerical digits at all. For an instant, Yvonne closed her eyes, reminiscing a discussion she had with Konrad many years ago.