"Thank you."
No one had ever seen what a devil's sincerity looked like. Even when devils showed similar emotions, it was a trick to secure contracts and souls... But now, Annan saw genuine gratitude in Beludona's devilish eyes.
"Friends are supposed to help each other." Annan said he had barely done anything. "But I'm curious. Is there anything special about the title of Outstanding Devil, or is it just an honor like my Champion Sorcerer title?"
"Devils are the only race in the Abyss with an ordered society... So reputation, as well as strength, plays a part in promotion."
In some ways, devil civilization had much in common with humanity's. Looking further back, devils had even had a hand in humanity's rise.
For example, many works from the early Saint Laurent Calendar featured a male protagonist who gained power after being tempted by a devil. In works by other races, especially elves, humans who sold their souls to devils appeared time and again.
More importantly, the Blood War between devils and demons had raged in the Abyss for tens of thousands of years with no end in sight. Every month, apprentice devils who failed to advance and lesser devils with no hope of promotion were sent to the front... If Beludona did not do everything she could to improve her standing, she would eventually be sent to the Planar Battlefield as cannon fodder.
So while helping her had taken little effort on Annan's part, it could decide Beludona's fate.
"Hurry back to Hell and accept your title," Annan urged with a smile.
Before leaving, Beludona warned the apprentice devil Claire and the others to follow Annan's lead. His orders were her orders.
Beludona gave Annan one last lingering look, then returned to Hell.
After Beludona left, Claire spoke up. "Why