"So how will you pay? I presume by cash? Being the hero and a demon king should pay a lot, am I right?" At this point, I don't actually know how to get this information from him.
"Didn't you have a favor from me?" is what I was thinking, but I don't think that will work. But I can also threaten him.
"Words spread like wildfire, even in the deepest ocean and on the highest mountain." Huh, what is this guy talking about?
"With a few sentences from a lot of people, mankind will eventually believe that to be true. You've experienced this, haven't you?"
"What are you on about, Lucas?" Our eyes were locked on each other.
"I'm saying that even if I die, information will spread. I know what you're thinking, Esmond. I can read your face! I know that you want to hurt me!" This guy... He knows you can't stay in business if you can't even read your client's face.
I can't risk the world for information about a mere empire. I have underestimated Lucas too much; he is too much to handle at this point.
"Don't tell me... You don't have money, Esmond," he looked like he was about to laugh. Well, I guess I could laugh at myself as well.
"Well, there is one thing that you could do for me." Oh, looks like I've been given an opportunity. I'll take it as long as it's not some illegal stuff.
"If it's illegal, then I can't do it. You know that yourself, Lucas."
"It's not. I just want you to take my sister out on a date, that's all."
"I see... Wait, what!?" Dude wants his sister to get close to me. What the hell is he even thinking? Wait, he could've told his sister to extract information from me.
"You see, ever since you saved our family from those catastrophic events, every single night I told my sister the tales of your heroic adventures. Of course, some were exaggerated." This bastard. I'd like to punch him, but I need this information. I'll keep my fist to myself for now.
"And now let's say she's a fan of yours. She always hates it when people call you the demon king, but she can't do anything about it." And now I feel sorry as Lucas was continuing to tell the story of his sister's strange obsession, the door opened.
It was his sister, "Well, speak of the devil, my dearest sister. Come and meet your hero and introduce yourself!" This dude is really trying to get me to date his sister.
Her sister walked across the room and stood behind Lucas. She was like a graceful lady; her movements were refined. As she stood there, she looked at me and said, "Hello, Lord Esmond. I'm sorry for not knowing it was you." Her fun and charismatic face disappeared. Could it be? Does she have the same personality as Lucas?
"I don't mind. No one would recognize me either, even my own companion"
She stopped and changed her words, "companion? Is it a boy perhaps?"
"No, it's a girl."
I heard cracking sounds. Where are those coming from? "Ah, could you continue? I'd like to know your name first."
She smiled creepily. Ah, what the hell? Then her face became normal again. "My name is Cecilia, my Lord."
"Don't call me that. You shouldn't call the demon king your lord. That could get you in trouble. Being with a demon king could even get your head rolling on the floor."
"You're not the demon king! I'll call you whatever I want!"
"Cecil! Just trust Esmond. He just wants to protect you."
"Really!?" She jumped in excitement. Well, that's overdramatic. Just what did Lucas teach his own sister?
"So, will you take her out, Esmond, or will you forget about the deal?" I hate his cunning brain. It's just a date, right? There's no tying me in bed and harassing me, right? Ah, what the hell am I thinking?
I'm looking at the very innocent-looking young lady. Wait, isn't she a prostitute? Lucas just agreed with his sister being a prostitute. That's mad, yet I don't know the whole story, so I guess I should take this deal.
There's nothing bad for me to go out with his sister. It's kind of a win for me and a loss for them, doesn't it? But hey, it's free exclusive information, so I'll take it.
"Alright, as long as she does nothing weird, we can go on this damn date," Lucas smirked, and so did Cecilia, but the only person that didn't smile was me, and the reason is really obvious.
"Then tomorrow you will meet before lunch and head into the inner city. prepare some nice clothing, Esmond," he pats my back before going out the door.
And it was only me and Cecilia left in the room. I knew this was going to happen with that strategic nerd. In any case, I already planned questions and immediately left after those were answered.
"You're Cecilia, right?"
"That's right, but you can call me Cecil since it's the nickname my brother gave me."
"A beautiful name." I'm a bit embarrassed to ask this question, but it seems necessary. I don't want to break her trust, but here goes nothing.
I approached her directly with a serious tone, and she listened carefully.
"Is your brother Lucas forcing you to be a prostitute?" I said it. Okay, now please tell me Lucas didn't force you.
"Prostitute?" she had a confused look on her face, then she figured something out and burst into laughter.
"I'm not a prostitute, I just stay on the streets of the pleasure district to get rumors and information," heck, I didn't embarrass her, I embarrassed myself.
"Ah, then I'd like to apologize for my thoughts," a freak, my pride is completely destroyed.
"No, no, it's alright. Since I was dressed like one and even invited you to my house, I'm sure it's natural that you thought of me as one of them."
Well, thank the gods that she's understanding because if she wasn't, she would still be on the floor laughing at my face.
I'm glad that she's not a prostitute; she's just an ordinary kind maiden. "Then tomorrow I'll see you, right?"
"Yes, you will, and your jaws will drop when you see me, I promise!"
"Make sure to keep it," I laughed, and at their house, I bid Lucas a temporary farewell since we will meet each other again for business.
Then I went past the red light district, which was a hustle, but I quickly passed it after a few tries of calming down.
With that, I finally arrived back at the place where we will sleep. I knocked on the door, but no one answered; Gesine must be asleep.
I touched the door handle, and it was not locked, so I invited myself in until I saw Gesine in her nightdress sitting on the couch.
Is it time? I headed inside, not knowing what will happen next, but I'll leave fate to handle this.