Dungeon of Lust: Managing Otherworldly Beauties

Chapter 279: A Sensible Vice

Envy disappeared off into the nothingness, leaving only three left at the round table.

’I can’t even tattle on her to Wrath.’

Vale ran his hands through his hair and sank back in his throne.

"I have my thoughts, but what do you think she meant by ’fool the crystal’?"

Adephagia kept her eyes trained on where the green woman had disappeared, then said:

"Either she was being vague and interpretively lying, or the crystal doesn’t react to questions."

"Probably both."

He could test it right now, but there was no need.

Adephagia slowly dragged her eyes back to Vale, the orange glow like dancing embers lighting up her pale skin.

"Are you not going to leave? Or is there something you want from me?"

Vale exhaled, then grew a calm smile as he deactivated all of his Traits.

"It couldn’t hurt to know a little more about you before I go. Nor would it hurt you to know more about me, no?"

"I suppose you have a point. Wrath spent a long time detailing the happenings of Pandora and what he knew about the system and dungeon. But not even he was well versed on you or Envy."

Vale scratched his chin.

"Speaking of Wrath... why does he seem so cordial with you? Did you know one another back on Kaldora?"

Adephagia grew a bitter smile.

"Yes, I did. I knew him well. We were allies, even."

’Well, that makes me feel a little better...’

There was a reason she got preferential treatment!

Vale crossed his legs as he stretched a little, releasing some of the built-up tension from the earlier exchange.

"I have a few questions about Kaldora... would you mind answering them?"

"Not at all. Unlike the others, you seem to have a measure of rationality in your skull. Even if you are named after her. But, I do have some questions of my own I’d like to ask you in turn."

’Wait... she knew Lust?! I guess I have another question to ask...’

Vale smiled.

"I’ll answer as long as it isn’t too invasive. And feel free to take that same caution."

Silence hung in the air for a moment as Vale uncrossed, then recrossed his legs.

"Do you know anything about a man named Carver?"

Adephagia’s eyes brightened for a moment.

"I do. In fact, I know a lot about him. What’s the reason you’re asking about him? And where did you learn his name?"

’Ah... should I tell her?’

Vale began tapping the arm of his chair for a few breaths, then eventually made his decision...

’What’s the harm?’

"One of my Champions is looking for a man by that name, and seems certain he came here, to Pandora."

Adephagia went rigid, her hands falling to her side.

"Vale. Wrath had said you had a Demon Class Champion... by any chance is it someone who goes by ’Reaper of Knowledge’?"

Vale’s chin lifted, his eyes widening as well.

"Actually, yes."

"Oh, my... You... You have quite dangerous company— wait... You said you had an uncooperative Champion, didn’t you? Don’t tell me—"

"Figured that out, have you? It seems his reputation precedes him. Infamy, rather."

Adephagia chuckled wryly.

"I see. In that case, don’t take Wrath’s words to heart. Nobody can control that thing. Just be happy it can’t kill you. But, I’m a little concerned it is roaming with a Virtue. Do you know what that thing is planning?"

Vale almost felt inclined to defend Mias’ honor as an individual, but still wasn’t over his half betrayal.

"You think understanding him is possible? Either you’re an optimist or as crazy as him."

Adephagia shook her head, her eyes still plastered open.

"You may not know the true gravity of its presence here, but thanks to you I’m aware of it now. That, that is an invaluable bit of knowledge. I’ll have to be thorough in my countermeasures should he ever seek me out."

’Mias...’

Just what did that bastard do on Kaldora to garner such a reputation?

"Well, since we’re on the topic... do you know anything about Queen Salome?"

Adephagia paused again, then muttered:

"Oh? Queen Salome, not the Queen of Ruin? That means it wasn’t it who told you of her. Or anyone else... Either you summoned one of her followers, or... no way..."

Vale shook his head in awe.

"You seem to have quite the wit. Yes, she is one of my Champions as well. I was wondering what you know about her?"

Adephagia coughed out a weak laugh.

"Is this some sort of joke?"

"You mean that I summoned them? No, I have. Actually, let me ask it now so you can answer both... I’ve summoned Princess Ximena of the Crystal Owl Tribe. What do you know about her as well."

Adephagia seemed perplexed for a moment as she slouched a little.

’Ah, she didn’t go by her name at all, did she?’

Still, the spark of realization eventually hit her.

"You don’t mean you summoned the Ice Witch as well?! You poor, pitiful soul... the way you asked, I’ll assume they’re both alive. And if that’s true... how are you alive?"

Vale shrugged.

"I’ve learned of their past. And, I can admit, it’s a miracle they haven’t killed one another; however, they’ve come around to tolerating the others’ existence."

"Vale, a monster like the Ice Witch and Queen Salome don’t just ’come around.’"

’Queen Salome...?’

According to her logic she should have called her the Queen of Ruin.

’Was she a follower?’

That would be odd. For another Master of Vice to once have been a follower of his follower?

It simply sounded... wrong.

"Well, they have. I don’t know what else to say in that regard."

Adephagia scooted toward the table, then placed both her elbows on it.

"Holy hell... Envy. That poor woman. She’s picked a terrible fight. I doubt the Reaper of Knowledge will sit idly as well — and it travels with her weakness? Oh, that woman is in for a rude awakening."

A shocked expression sat on her face as she added:

"To answer your questions... I married the man she raised and joined her small brigade; fighting alongside her until my husband’s disappearance. There’s not much more to say about her than she’s a formidable warrior who hates the Scourge. And while I won’t say she’s heroic, she is valiant. As for the Ice Witch..."

Adephagia took a deep breath, then added:

"I have only heard tales, but those tales are enough to make my skin crawl. She’s killed thousands upon thousands, Scourge and human alike. A walking force of nature."