"Bael will never be loyal to you!" Huo Ling said with a frown.
Zariel nodded. "Of course. But as long as he can be useful, that is enough!"
"Loyalty is far too expensive for devils!"
"What lies between him and me is a political game, so even if he tortured me and devoured my power, he never intended to kill me!"
"But you, my dear Huo Ling!"
"You killed Bael. That was something I never expected. And... I have sensed it many times—your naked killing intent toward me!"
At that, Zariel fell silent and fixed Huo Ling with her beautiful eyes.
Huo Ling did not hide it. "You sensed correctly. There were indeed several times when I wanted to kill you."
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Zariel burst into laughter. "And now? It seems... you no longer want to kill me."
Huo Ling nodded. "That's right. I do not intend to kill you."
"Perhaps I will even let you go."
Zariel smiled until her eyes narrowed into slits. "What made you change your mind?"
"Let me guess... Asmodeus? Or the position of Archduke?"
Huo Ling nodded. "Both are correct. I want the position of Archduke of Avernus. I need an official investiture!"
"And His Majesty Asmodeus wants me to find you after you vanished!"
Zariel smiled. "This truly is good news—the best news I have heard in centuries!"
"Still, there is something I do not understand. Since you wanted to kill me, or continue imprisoning me, why do you now want to release me?"
"Just to obtain Avernus's official investiture from Asmodeus?"
"Is that worth it to you? Do you not already possess Avernus's authority?"
Huo Ling walked to Zariel's side and reached out to stroke her face. "I want to obtain all of Avernus more perfectly!"
"I want the official