What was there even to say? The usually eloquent Demon Monarch found that he could not speak at all now, only staring at Gabriel in dumbfounded disbelief.
After a long while, Mephisto hesitantly picked up a cherry meant to accompany the wine from the table and lightly tossed it at Gabriel.
"Oh, that really hurt." Gabriel rolled her eyes, letting the cherry hit her forehead, bounce off, and roll away.
"You know, that felt pretty real." Mephisto looked somewhat surprised at the sight, but then slapped the sofa with both hands in frustration. "I truly never expected that a King of Devils like me would one day be harmed by a nightmare and fall into the Dreamscape without even noticing."
That was right, I had to be dreaming! And it was a Dreamscape painstakingly arranged by someone! Mephisto pressed a hand to his forehead, shaking his head with a sigh. "I must have overworked myself last night. My body can barely take it anymore. And then I must have gotten out of bed wrong this morning, which let the nightmare catch me."
Supporting himself on the sofa with both hands, Mephisto weakly stood up. He even reached behind himself and pounded his lower back twice, letting out a pained groan. "I really have been indulging myself too much lately. I'm all worn out." With that, he repeatedly waved at Gabriel while walking toward the door. "I can't go on. I need to head back and get some sleep to recover my energy, see if I can wake up. Make yourself at home..."
Smack! Thud! Oof! Gabriel walked straight over, grabbed Mephisto by the back of his collar as he tried to make his escape, and drove a knee into his stomach. Then she threw him back onto the sofa. "Did