Warlock Apprentice

Angel only asked one question, while Sanders and Greya each posed their own. Sanders focused on the Demon itself, whereas Greya hesitated on how to deal with Asaz.

The Demon’s answers were cunning, seemingly revealing a lot about himself, but all devoid of any key details.

The Demon was lukewarm and evasive when it came to Asaz.

Then it was the Demon’s turn to ask questions, still keen on understanding the relationship between Angel and Greerwu. However, this time, neither Angel nor Sanders said anything further.

All of the Demon’s answers were secrets kept close to the chest; though they could make guesses, this was hardly what one would call ”a question for an answer.”

The Demon could only depart with regret.

After the Demon left, Asaz still appeared nervous. Though he had told the truth, the fact that he offered sacrifices to the Demon was undeniable. He did not know what his fate would be, and even now as he turned to Sebastian for protection, he did not believe he could escape from an individual of Sanders’ caliber.

So, Asaz could only wait anxiously for Greya’s decision.

In the air of the great hall, silence spread. Yet, inside the Psychic Branch Ribbon, Angel and the others were having a lively discussion.

”How do you plan to handle Asaz now?” It was Sanders again who asked the question.

This time, Greya did not immediately speak of killing Asaz. Sanders was right; Asaz could be easily killed, but the Demon would not die. Having come to the Southern Domain, it could very well tempt other Gourmet Sorcerers to sacrifice to it.

And would the next Gourmet Sorcerer, like Asaz, be able to continuously resist the Demon with steadfast conviction? Greya herself did not believe so. Because the Gourmet World of the Southern Domain had no concept of sacrificing to Demons, they were very susceptible to Demonic temptation.

Greya dared not publicize the dire consequences of sacrificing to Demons at this moment, as this warning would not only reach the ears of Gourmet Sorcerers but other Wizards as well. Once it became known that sacrificing to Demons would bring disaster upon non-gourmet Wizards, it would likely intensify the Wizards’ Realm oppression of Gourmet Sorcerers.

Thus, they were now caught in a dilemma, uncertain whether to kill or not to kill.

”If you truly intend to kill, you must also destroy the Pattern Demon behind Asaz, or else endless troubles will follow,” Angel said.

Greya understood this principle, but more importantly, she wasn’t sure she could defeat the Pattern Demon even if it appeared.

”I need to think about how to deal with this.” Suddenly finding the situation tricky, Greya felt like she had caught herself in a difficult conundrum.

While Greya was deep in thought with a furrowed brow, Angel began chatting with Asaz in a composed manner.

Perhaps Angel’s voice carried a soothing Magic Power, or perhaps Asaz realized that Angel had spoken on his behalf several times, so he dared not, nor would he refuse, Angel’s initiative in starting a conversation.

Angel discussed simple matters such as Asaz’s life in Winsbills, his thoughts on Tubal, how he viewed Gourmet Sorcerers, and so on.

At first, Asaz didn’t grasp Angel’s intention, but as the conversation deepened, he came to understand that Angel was likely trying to analyze his character through his questions.

Even Greya had stopped her contemplation, quietly listening to the dialogue between Angel and Asaz.

Once Asaz grasped this, he became slightly nervous. He did not know if his answers would satisfy Angel, but he still judged based on his own values.

As time slowly passed by, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Angel’s eyes. Indeed, he wanted to infer Asaz’s value system, worldview, and principles through trivial matters.

So far, Asaz’s performance was quite commendable, even slightly resembling that of an Academy Faction White Wizard. However, he was clearly lacking some common knowledge about the Wizards’ Realm, which was normal, given that he was born in Winsbills. Although he had a mentor, he did not have extensive teaching time and leaned more towards the mainstream of Winsbills – the wandering Wizards.

After considering enough, Angel asked one final question: ”Was the incident with Kavoline your idea?”

Asaz, already on edge, was caught off guard by the question and took a while to come back to his senses: ”What happened with Kavoline?”

”You don’t know what happened with Kavoline?”

Asaz nodded: ”I only encountered her once during the Nova Contest; I have no other interactions with her.”

”Could it be that you’ve forgotten what you did to her in the arena?”

What did I do? Asaz looked completely baffled, and as he reflected on his own actions, it seemed he had truly done nothing wrong.

The puzzled expression on Asaz’s face made Angel and Greya exchange glances.

Asaz wasn’t feigning ignorance; he really didn’t know about Kavoline’s affair. It seemed that Angel’s earlier guess was correct; Kavoline was just unlucky to have stumbled into the Void while using the time-space witch’s garb, and Sebastian had taken action against her there.

With that, all suspicions on Asaz were cleared.

Greya looked at Asaz, seemingly having reached a decision: ”Wizards don’t concern themselves with good and evil, but they do care about their own interests. Sacrificing to demons might just be a different choice of allegiance. However, it’s very likely to harm the interests of wizards.”

”You shouldn’t forget the example of your mentor.”

Tubal became the target of everyone in the Northern Territory and had to flee to the Southern Domain. It was because sacrificing to demons interfered with other people’s cake.

”I don’t mind the path of sacrificing to demons, but once you choose to sacrifice to a demon, it’s very likely to harm the entire Gourmet World of the Southern Domain.”

Greya’s words were heavy, but they certainly were possible.

”So, when I brought you back today, don’t think you’re completely innocent. The moment you made your choice, you lost the right to sympathy. Because demons and humans have never been on the same path.”

At this point, Greya paused for a long time. What came next was clearly the decision on how to deal with Asaz, and whether he would live or die hinged on her next words.

Greya had said many harsh things before, which seemed to have sealed the outcome, leaving Asaz both desperate and at a loss, not even knowing how to retort... because although Greya’s words were harsh, they were also true.

Just when Asaz thought he might have been sentenced to death, Greya’s following words took an unexpected turn.

”...However, all that you’ve done was indeed a passive choice, and,” Greya pondered for a moment, ”I have seen your perseverance and your convictions.”

”Maintaining your own beliefs in the face of demonic temptation is also what I admire.”

”Considering this, I will not kill you; I’ll give you a chance.”

In the midst of Asaz’s nervousness, Greya offered him a choice.

”Either die now, or join my Barbie Restaurant and become my employee.”

Due to Asaz’s special circumstances, Greya did not dare to let him leave at will; after all, no one can predict the future, and Asaz might not be able to resist the temptation of demons.

Therefore, the best thing Greya could do was to keep Asaz by her side.

At least by her side, Greya could constantly monitor and observe Asaz’s situation. It could be considered a long-term research observation.

Asaz was completely stunned; he never expected Greya to offer such a choice.

Seeing Asaz silent, Greya thought he was somewhat reluctant and paused before adding: ”I know that people who have spent a long time in Winsbills like to pursue the so-called freedom. But the freedom they pursue is actually self-indulgence, not genuine freedom.”

”However, I can understand you. I won’t bind you forever. As long as you become my employee, I will provide you with the corresponding treatment. When I feel that your beliefs can absolutely not be swayed by the fair-weather promises of demons, I will give you back the freedom you want.”

”Are you willing?”

”Are you willing?”

When Greya repeated the question the second time, Asaz finally snapped back to reality, hastily nodding his head.

”I am willing!”

He was astounded because he had just realized that the person before him was none other than the legendary Diamond Barbie—Greya. His youthful dream was, in fact, to train at the Candy House and climb the ranks of the Barbie Restaurant. Only because of his involvement with sacrificing to demons, he dared not go to the Candy House.

And now, after twists and turns, when he thought he was about to plunge into the depths of death, his dream from his younger years had, in an unexpected way, been presented to him once again. How could he not be willing?