The two of them waited for Baron Batchelor to regain consciousness.
The Cooking Classroom was so quiet it was terrifying, except for Baron Batchelor's occasional babbling.
After about a minute, Baron Batchelor's eyes finally regained a little clarity.
"Looks like he's awake. We can keep hammering him now."
Dekan gave the order, and Cornelia nodded.
Just as Cornelia was about to swing the hammer down, Baron Batchelor summoned all his strength and shouted incoherently, "Let me go! I... I'll do whate... you say!"
Those were the words Baron Batchelor had shouted with what little strength he had left.
What he meant was: Let me go. We can talk this out.
In every respect, he could no longer endure this torment, which had worn him down inside and out.
All he could do was pray that Dekan understood what he meant.
"sigh"
Dekan let out a deep sigh and put away Ruined Poet.
"Couldn't you have done that sooner? If we can talk this out calmly, who'd want to resort to violence?"
Baron Batchelor: "..."
He didn't dare comment on that, but his mind was full of swear words.
"You seemed like you wanted to kill me just now?"
Dekan asked again.
His voice was exceptionally calm. He propped his cheek up with one hand and looked at Baron Batchelor with a rather sly expression.
"No, no! I didn't!"
Baron Batchelor wailed.
The more composed Dekan seemed, the more terrified Baron Batchelor felt.
Batchel had never encountered a demon with such sinister methods.
After what he'd just experienced, Batchel even felt that death couldn't be much worse.
"I don't like demons who lie. I'll give you another five minutes of Ruined Poet recitals as a little thought education."
Dekan pursed his lips, seeming a little disappointed in Baron Batchelor, then waved the card in his hand as he spoke.
Baron Batchelor: "???"
Then what was he supposed to say? That he wanted to kill him? And get hit with the hammer again?
Though his mind was a jumble, he could only keep begging for mercy. "No! I'll never lie again!"
At that, Dekan held back from using the card—for now.
"Batchel, let's be honest with each other, okay? As long as you tell the truth, I won't make things difficult for you. But I also hope you'll say what I want to hear."
He stared at Batchel without moving his pupils. It was as if his gaze could see straight through the demon.
Baron Batchelor had already been filled with murderous intent toward Dekan.
Not only had he failed to kill Dekan, but he'd also been tortured by him. His hatred could only have grown stronger.
Even though Baron Batchelor was now terrified, the murderous intent in his heart couldn't possibly be erased.
"I was wrong!! I admit I wanted to kill you just now! But I don't dare anymore! I'll never even think of it again! I'll never lie again!!"
Baron Batchelor's voice was terribly piteous, with the faintest hint of a sob.
He didn't want to experience that kind of pain again, no matter how outrageous a demand the other party made.
He knew exactly what his situation was.
Right now, he was nothing but a crawling insect in the other party's hand.
Perhaps he had been from the very beginning.
He'd never had a chance to fight back against him, or even escape.
By the time he realized it, everything had already fallen under the other party's control.
"Batchel, since you admit you wanted to kill me, it wouldn't be unreasonable for me to kill you, right?"
"No, no..."
"Hmm?"
"It wouldn't be unreasonable!!"
Batchel shouted as if reporting to an officer.
Dekan gave a slight nod, and his expression softened a little.
"If you'd met another demon, you'd probably be dead by now. Good thing you met me. I've always been softhearted. I've always believed everyone has a beautiful soul, so I want to give you the chance to turn over a new leaf."
Dekan spoke in an increasingly gentle tone.
"...?"
Baron Batchelor stared blankly.
Cornelia nudged Baron Batchelor's head with the hammer.
The meaning was clear: Aren't you going to thank Dekan?
"Th-thank you!"
"No matter what, I won't kill you. I promise you, I swear it, so please don't worry!"
Dekan narrowed his eyes and gave him a warm, gentle smile.
It was as if the glaciers between him and Baron Batchelor had melted in an instant.
Like an angel, he reached out to Baron Batchelor from afar, as if offering him salvation.
Batchel felt his brain completely crash.
What was this act supposed to be?
Was this high-ranking demon really so kind?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible!
Could he be one of those legendary demons who didn't enjoy killing?
A demon who could completely control his urge to kill was far more terrifying than one fixated on his killing instincts!
That was a quality only the highest-ranking demons could possess!
Baron Batchelor felt even more afraid.
Still, it seemed he had a chance of being saved. A highest-ranking demon had no reason to lie.
His oath should be valid.
Just as Baron Batchelor had received Dekan's promise and was about to breathe a sigh of relief,
Dekan continued, "So, will you swear allegiance to me, or live in endless torment? Tell me your answer."
"...Huh?"
Baron Batchelor's emotions were on a roller coaster.
Was this what it meant to be alive?
Was killing him actually a kindness, by comparison?
Baron Batchelor looked at Dekan's smile, which sent chills through him, and felt the cold blunt weapon against his head.
For the first time, he understood what it meant to feel fear deep in his soul.
"I... I choose to submit to you..."
The noble and elegant Baron Batchelor finally gave in completely, trembling as he answered.
"Good."
Dekan sat in his chair, looking down at Baron Batchelor.
"Now, I'm going to tell you a secret. Listen carefully."
Then Dekan took a deep breath and said, completely seriously, "The truth is, I'm not a demon. I'm human."
"Impossible!! You're a demon! The demon among demons!"
Baron Batchelor shouted in alarm.
It was the most ridiculous joke he'd ever heard in his life.
"What? Say that again?"
Dekan raised an eyebrow, looking a little angry.
This was the first time a demon had called him a demon.
Dekan admitted that sometimes the cards he made could be a little Underworld, but that didn't mean they could judge him as a person!
"No, no, you're human! You're not a demon!"
Noticing Dekan's expression, Batchel hurriedly changed his answer, trying to salvage the situation.
"You're just humoring me. Don't think you can fool me about anything. You have to truly believe that I'm human."
Dekan's tone suggested that he really was getting a little angry.
This filled Baron Batchelor with terror.
Could Dekan read minds?
Baron Batchelor couldn't help wondering.
His mind raced.
He couldn't reach a conclusion right away, but he knew that even if he had to hypnotize himself, he had to go along with what Dekan wanted.
Dekan's demands were clear: He couldn't lie, but he also couldn't deny what Dekan said.
Baron Batchelor began desperately deceiving himself, until he finally shouted to Dekan with absolute conviction, "Yes, you're human!"
[Mission Objective 3: No more than 3 impostors whose human identities have been exposed. Current disguises intact: 5/6]
Watching the prompt change, Dekan nodded with satisfaction.
He couldn't read minds, but he could tell from the quest log whether Baron Batchelor truly believed he was human.
If a demon's thoughts could be manipulated, then next... hehehehe.
Dekan couldn't help laughing aloud.
Before you continue