Chapter 81: The Unconventional Test

‘Lamia’s inner thoughts reached Wade’s ears, immediately followed by an overwhelming sense of frustration.

‘No.’

‘What?’

‘Coffee?’

‘No, no, no… this was merely a metaphor.’

‘It was like laying out ten sticks to teach a child to count from one to ten; just a simple analogy.’

However, Wade found himself unable to explain, or rather, unable to voice such an explanation.

After all, these were Lamia’s innermost thoughts, her words unspoken. How could he possibly voice them directly without revealing his ability to hear her mind?

Thus, Wade pressed his lips together, a knot of tension forming.

‘Ask quickly! Ask!’

‘Lamia, voice the question in your heart so I can give you an answer right away!’

‘I… I don’t actually like coffee; what I like is—’

Yet, as that thought surfaced, Wade instantly found himself less eager for Lamia to ask.

Because… a strange sense of shame washed over him, especially in such a public setting.

Though the surrounding crowd wasn’t large, and no one seemed to notice them, Lilith and Kaze were still present.

Surely those two demons weren’t waiting to witness his embarrassment?

Kaze, he wasn’t sure about; in his mind, he could label Kaze as an “honest man.”

But Lilith—that damned succubus—she was absolutely waiting to see this unfold! Without a doubt…

Wade could already discern that subtle smile playing on Lilith’s face.

She absolutely knew.

She absolutely knew what Lamia was thinking right now.

Lamia was currently tracing the rim of her coffee cup with a finger, her red eyes fixed on him, poised to speak yet holding back.

A slight furrow in her brow left him unsure if it was confusion or displeasure.

‘Ah, in any case, we—’

“Wade.”

Wade had intended to seize the initiative, thinking it best to simply end the conversation.

That so-called “emotional education” could be discussed between him and his wife behind closed doors, but Lamia chose that precise moment to open her mouth.

Normally, Lamia’s voice wasn’t particularly loud; she typically adopted a soft-spoken, “demure lady” persona for her image.

This time, however, Lamia’s voice carried an inviolable authority—the very aura of a Demon Lord, the presence of one standing alone before the gates of the Demon Lord’s castle.

“If coffee and I both fell into the water, who would you save?”

“…What?”

‘What?!’

Both verbally and mentally, a massive question mark appeared for Wade in that instant.

Evidently, the internal question mark was far more intense.

The “What?” from his lips was merely a subconscious “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that, what did you say?”

But the “What?!” in his mind was genuine astonishment.

“Coffee and you… fell into the water…?”

Observing Lamia’s earnest expression, Wade repeated her words, a hint of bewilderment in his tone.

“That’s right, Wade. If coffee and I fell into the water, who would you save?”

…

Wade’s lips tightened once more.

What a dreadful question, as rotten as dumplings mixed with ketchup left in an alley for three days, untouched even by dogs.

Was this also something that succubus taught her? To ask such questions?

As this thought crossed his mind, Wade instinctively glanced towards Lilith.

Sure enough, her eyes were narrowed again, like a mischievous cat that had just done something naughty.

Wade wasn’t sure if his gaze had given anything away, but he truly couldn’t help it.

Mainly because… why would she utter such words with such a solemn expression and tone?

The feeling was akin to wrapping a blood-stained greatsword in pink plush fabric and naming it “Kitty-Meow-Chirp-Cute-Little-Maiden Sword.”

But…

But…

…if coffee fell into the water, wouldn’t it just dissolve?

For some reason, Wade felt an irresistible urge to point this out, as if Lamia’s prolonged presence had started to affect his sanity.

And truly—wouldn’t coffee just dissolve in water? It would simply float away with the current; would it even need saving?

Upon hearing Wade’s unconventional response, Lamia first froze in surprise.

Then, she observed his seriously furrowed brow—indeed, Wade’s expression was utterly earnest, his eyebrows slightly creased, as if genuinely contemplating coffee dissolving in water.

“That’s right!”

Lamia exclaimed shortly after.

She, too, had realized that coffee could simply dissolve in water.

A tiny snicker escaped Lilith from the side, a sound as light as a breath.

Yet, Wade precisely caught that laugh, his gaze turning somewhat complex.

…

Kaze remained silent, truly living up to his “honest man” reputation.

He simply continued brewing coffee, seemingly passing the time with this trivial “experiment” out of idleness.

“Then—what if it’s something valuable? Like money?”

Since coffee might not be a viable option, Lamia changed her approach—not quite a change, but rather a new “test subject.”

“Gold coins? I’d still save you, after all, my family is quite wealthy.”

This was Wade’s undisguised boast of wealth, and it was the truth.

Wade had a stable job, a fixed salary, and social welfare benefits.

His salary was extremely generous, and his grandfather, the former Pope, was a significant backer.

If Wade wished, he could acquire anything without spending a single coin; everything would be charged to the church’s accounts.

Thus, money was truly an external matter to him; he was merely enjoying this life he had been given.

“Oh…”

Hearing Wade’s unhesitating reply, Lamia smiled, a clear delight in her expression.

Judging by her smile, she seemed genuinely happy.

After all, among demonkind, there was a common belief that humans loved money, some to an extreme, even resorting to unscrupulous means.

Hence, Lamia instinctively chose money as her test subject, though unfortunately, Wade had no shortage of it.

“Then… what if it were something else? Hmm… for example… like…”

However, Lamia still seemed unsatisfied, or perhaps, she was simply enjoying the game immensely.

‘That feeling of “Wade will definitely choose me!” unexpectedly brought her great joy.’

Wade also noticed this and decided to play along, as this, after all, counted as a positive “emotion.”

“Then, what if it’s something that, if lost, would lead to the loss of even more things?”

“For instance, your reputation, power, status, wealth, your face, and even potentially cause death or trigger far more terrifying consequences for you—if such a thing fell into the water with me, who would you save?”

“Huh?”

Hearing this, cold sweat began to trickle down Wade’s back.

“What…?”

Was this a choice between money or life?

What on earth had he thrown into the water to begin with?

“Alright—Wade!”

“Who will you save!”