Dungeon of Lust: Managing Otherworldly Beauties

Chapter 188: Epistemic Reciprocity

Vale was no fool.

He wasn’t going to fall for the deception provided by Greed’s personable presence.

There was obviously something she wanted from him.

That ’something’ was still eluding him.

Perhaps it was simply his trust. An illusion to lull him into a false sense of security for future gains.

Perhaps she wanted Vale to pawn off Salome or Mias.

But...

If Greed could save Ximena...

Vale tried to hide his desperation as best he could as he asked:

"What would you seek in return?"

A quiet sound slipped past Greed’s lips, measured and pleased.

"Now you’re speaking my language..."

Greed cast a glance at Vale’s pink Dungeon Core, then once again called forth her replica throne and sat on it. She held out her arm for Vale to sit in his own throne.

Then, Mias made a chair of smoke and sat equidistant from them.

Vale adjusted his seat, then sat down and muttered "no" under his breath to dismiss the status screen.

Greed leaned back in her throne and said:

"One of my Champions possesses an excellent healing ability that can mend both soul and core, and another possesses a way to liquify formed Aether. Finally, I possess the power of polarity and can safely remove the spear. Together, we’d be able to save the girl with minor risk..."

Vale leaned forward and then said:

"But I assume it would take time, seeing as you have to call those Champions here if they’re not the two you brought. And, you’d have to either stay or make the journey again. So, I’d be paying for the service and time."

Greed chuckled.

"Correct. But also, even if I had the ability to heal and free her right here and now..."

Vale closed his eyes lightly and nodded.

"I understand."

Greed smiled and stored away her glasses

"Good, then let’s get started."

Vale sighed and opened his eyes.

"I’m sorry if this is curt, but I don’t have much that would interest you which I’m willing to part with. I believe you foresaw that much, so I assume you’d want something for the future?"

Greed waved her hand slightly, causing her bracelets to clink together.

"Astute observation. Yes, you could make a promise of payment or service in the future; however, what I want is knowledge."

Mias smirked and glanced at Vale.

Vale tilted his head slightly.

"Knowledge? What knowledge would I possess that you’d want?"

Greed

"Hmm... How about revealing what was said in the first meeting? Well, in the first meeting we were both there."

Mias studied Vale’s face with a look of confusion.

Vale scratched his cheek and looked off toward the exit.

’Huh? But you were—’

’Oh.’

Vale’s face paled and his body went rigid.

"I believe you know I can’t do that."

’Sloth would kill me!’

Greed covered her mouth and smiled. Her gaze grew sharp as a slight domineering force escaped and claimed dominion over the room.

"Such a pity. Well, if not that, then mind telling me what little Mias over here was doing hand in hand with a Hero of Virtue? And what is that half of him doing now?"

Both Mias and Vale froze.

Greed continued without remorse for their shock:

"On my way here, I sensed a Hero of Virtue and decided to investigate. Then I found her passed out and Mias tending to her. That’s when I learned he was your Champion."

Greed chuckled to herself, then crossed her legs, and continued:

"Greed manifests in many forms... Even though it may be a duty as a Vice to cull the Virtues when possible, my curiosity got the better of me. Runcal, my Champion and healer, healed the Virtue only to watch the two run off soon after."

Greed looked over at Mias, who scowled back, a serious look on his face.

The mischievous woman’s eyes filled with glee as she added:

"Once they began fleeing, I released my authority to try and stop them, but then they stumbled into the Lost Expanse and just disappeared..."

Vale remained frozen until Greed recalled the minor amount of aura she let leak out.

He was finally granted freedom of movement. Vale shook his arms out, then slowly said:

"And that information is enough payment for you to save her?"

Greed smiled as she relaxed and replied:

"It won’t cover the whole cost, but a good portion. But that portion’s size depends on what you tell me."

Vale leaned back in his throne and stretched his hands.

"Alright... Mias, tell her what she wants to know."

Mias, with impressive confidence, explained who Ophelia was.

He’d explained she was Kindness and they’d fought, and instead of killing her, half of Mias had fled with her.

He’d explained that she may possess knowledge he wanted, but didn’t know exactly how she came to possess it, but his curiosity led him down his path.

Mias had omitted any mention of the oracle, but if Greed asked, he’d have to answer. Though thankfully, her curiosity landed more on what had happened to the other half of Mias.

Greed had a certain ability that let her read people’s status and understand them. She’d known Mias could split.

Greed had asked:

"When I chased you, you and the girl suddenly vanished without a trace. I tried to follow, but I had no idea where you’d gone. What happened?"

Mias eventually answered her:

"Sadly, I’m trying to figure that one out as well... I’ve lost connection to that half, but I can tell it is still alive. I’ve concluded it walked into a trap of sorts, though I know not what kind."

Greed murmured to herself:

"Interesting..."

After a slight pause, a flicker of disappointment washed over her face. Greed said:

"That wasn’t as juicy a pit of knowledge as I thought it would be, so sadly it only covers about half the price."

Vale’s brows furrowed, and he clenched his fingers as he calmly asked:

"What else do you want?"

Greed’s eyes drifted to the smoky reaper with cupidity staining her glare.