Participating in the Blood War, and Standing on the Front Line

Since [Otiluke's Weave Set] was a matching set, it was only natural that equipping it would grant additional set effects.

Equipping one piece granted an additional 1st-level spell slot.

Equipping two pieces granted an additional 2nd-level spell slot.

And so on. If Marvin gathered all four pieces of Otiluke's set, he would gain four additional spell slots, from 1st through 4th level.

Additionally, [Arcane Enhancement] would increase its effects by another 25%.

This set of wizard equipment was so powerful that Marvin naturally wanted all of it.

He had even made up his mind to get his hands on the fourth piece as well.

However, according to the agreement Marvin had previously reached with Miss Wuke, he could only choose two pieces.

Without Miss Wuke, who was well versed in devilish habits and the laws of the Nine Hells, Marvin alone could not draft a contract that would completely keep Ahli in check, squeeze every last bit of value out of her, and still be absolutely safe without leaving any loopholes.

"An agreement already made can't be broken just because of greed." Though reluctant, Marvin still gestured for her to go first. "Ladies first, Miss Zorana. Which piece of equipment do you want?"

In any case, given their relationship, he could always pay to buy a set piece from her later.

A rare magic item would greatly boost the combat power of a level 3 wizard like Marvin. But to the century-old Infennar Family, it was not some indispensable treasure.

Miss Wuke seemed to see Marvin's inner conflict. With a slightly teasing smile, she casually pointed at the cloak. "I'll take this one."

Marvin watched helplessly as the cloak floated into Miss Wuke's hand, then abruptly vanished. A sense of loss filled him, and he silently resolved to make money as soon as possible and buy the cloak back from her.

A rare magic item cost at least forty thousand gold coins.

Saving up that much money would not be easy.

Still, Marvin believed that with his skilled scroll-copying craft, his earning power would only grow as his strength increased.

Earning tens of thousands of gold coins was not an unattainable goal.

After that, he picked up the wizard's robe and boots and changed into them directly.

The Cambion woman watched as the two humans divided up her treasures, her face full of unwillingness. But she quickly put on a flattering, seductive smile.

"Mr. Wizard, I have now fulfilled every obligation stipulated in the contract. It is time for you to fulfill yours and return my freedom."

"No problem."

Marvin did not want to have much more to do with her either. Though he had her true name and held her completely in his grasp, unless absolutely necessary, he never wanted to use a devil's power.

"Come with me. I'll release the new toy you acquired, and then you'll be free."

Ahli followed behind them, carefully studying Marvin's back. Her red lips curled as she thought, You never know without comparing. Compared to him, Eruien really is a poor excuse for a toy.

If I had set my target of seduction on Marvin Rodhart from the beginning, that would have been the right choice.

If this human wizard signed a contract with me, he would surely become the most powerful, cunning, and evil warlock in the Nine Hells. I could advance in rank through him as well...

Forget it. Regret is useless. This time, I've completely lost to that fat, ugly bitch Mizora.

Amid the Cambion woman's elaborate inner thoughts, the two arrived at the room where Eruien was being held.

"Eruien, get up. Leave with your patron."

As soon as the stone chamber door opened, a stench of sweat mixed with urine rushed at them, forcing Marvin to hold his breath.

The once high-spirited "Mr. Hero" now lay on the floor with a despondent expression, covered in filth and looking utterly miserable.

Hearing that Ahli had arrived, he hurriedly got to his feet. When he saw Marvin standing shoulder to shoulder with his patron, confusion immediately filled his face. "Master, why are you with this guy?"

The mental blow Eruien had suffered was too great, leaving his memories fragmented. He only vaguely remembered that before he passed out, Marvin and the others had been fighting Ahli's devils.

After waking up, Eruien had no idea where he was. Only the three meals delivered through the crack in the door each day gave him any sense of time passing.

He did not know how things were going outside. He had only secretly hoped that the Cambion bitch who had seduced him into depravity and forced him into submission, along with those vile, filthy, despicable adventurers who were always coveting his harem, would perish together.

Then he could put this unbearable experience behind him and set sail anew.

But now, the sinister-looking wizard from the Goddess Body Fragrance Squad and his own patron had appeared before him completely unharmed.

And the latter was even acting as meek as a maid.

"What is going on?!" Eruien completely broke down, his furious voice carrying a trace of madness.

Marvin frowned slightly.

Ahli noticed his expression.

The cunning Cambion woman immediately came up with a plan.

Her true name was in Marvin's hands, and she was entirely at a disadvantage. Yet even the weak could turn the disadvantage of "weakness" into a unique advantage and seek profit from it.

Just as kittens and puppies could win affection and snacks from their owners by showing weakness and exposing their bellies.

Now was the perfect chance to use Eruien to please her new master.

She naturally hooked her arm through Marvin's, putting on a delicate, dependent manner as she sneered, "You'd better show some respect, toy. I am your patron, and this wizard is my master."

"What?"

It was as if Eruien had been struck by the 3rd-level spell [Lightning Bolt]. He stood frozen for a long while, then fell into complete hysteria.

"Unfair, unfair! I curse the gods! I was born noble, gifted beyond measure, with a boundless future ahead of me! Why must I suffer such injustice? I've already become a devil's prisoner, yet this despicable wizard can make a sulfur-stinking bitch like you submit to him?!"

"On your knees!"

Ahli's delicate brows shot up as infernal words sprang from her tongue, forming an edict of command.

Eruien immediately fell silent and dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Eruien, do you really think you are someone extraordinary? Your family and your talent are not worth mentioning before greater power.

"What is even more pathetic is that, as a mortal, your soul and character belong to a particularly inferior class.

"Forget comparing yourself to the wizard beside me—my beloved master. Even compared to the toy that bitch Mizora has taken in, you are vastly inferior.

"That young man from the Ravengard family yielded to a devil's temptation and became a warlock because he needed power to stop the Dragon Cult from summoning the five-colored dragon god Tiamat into the world and save his people.

"To devils, a noble soul like that is the most delicious and valuable. As for you, you are merely something that lost to its own desires, more vile than a Lemure!

"Only by serving me and pledging loyalty to me can your pathetic life gain even the slightest value. Do you understand?"

"I... I understand..."

Watching the Cambion woman manipulate Eruien so thoroughly, Marvin shook his head and asked, "What are you planning to do with him?"

"Send him to join the Blood War, and put him in the front row of the battle formation." Ahli's lovely face was ice-cold.

She had already decided to completely abandon this useless new toy.