Zariel's expression remained calm. Centuries of torment had changed her in many ways. She said, "Did you come here just to humiliate me?"
Huo Ling shook his head. "Of course not."
"Bael is already dead by my hand. And now, the Avernus Crown is in my possession!"
"I have put on the crown and become the Archduke of Avernus!"
"Now, I have only one confusion: how should I handle my relationship with you?"
Ripples stirred Zariel's calm heart.
She looked at Huo Ling and said, "Release me, or kill me."
Huo Ling gripped Zariel's face. "I did consider killing you, because that would be the simplest way to deal with this."
"But when I thought of our past relationship, and how you were, after all, my liege, I gave up on killing you."
"How about this? Think of a way to make me completely abandon the idea of killing you, and let me release you instead."
Huo Ling released the hand pinching Zariel's face, his bright gaze fixed on Zariel, who was still suspended from the torture rack.
Zariel gave a cold laugh. "Though I was in the underground prison cell, I still heard your declaration of war!"
"You said you had launched the war against the usurper Bael in order to rescue me!"
Huo Ling nodded. "Your ears are still as sharp as ever!"
"I did say that!"
"But... the past was the past, and the present is the present!"
"Before the war began and now, after I have thoroughly won it, are two completely different situations."
"And besides, look—I really did rescue you from Bael's hands, didn't I?"
Zariel sneered. "Yes!"
"You rescued me from Bael's hands, but with one turn of your hand, I fell into yours instead, didn't I?"
"What, do you also want some devil,