"I mean no disrespect to your choices, but I am merely human. I do not understand the will of the greater ones, such as yourself, in choosing a mere human."
"There is no disrespect taken, young one." Lucifer shook his head softly. "Mortal or immortal, human or ancient, his power, wisdom, or lifespan. They matter little to me and likely Mammon as well. What we seek are not things we can easily give him, but rather the understanding that stems from his own self.
Despite being a mere mortal human, he is capable of seeing past hypocrisy and desire. He is no psychopath and holds empathy close to his heart, capable of understanding emotions yet continuing his sinful actions. Such indifferent empathy fits the qualities to be an angel, one of my own…"
"But what if he isn't worthy of your investment? What if it's all wasted?"
"Then he is not worthy. If it is worth it or not, time will tell, and time is not something we lack. There is no wasting, young one..."
Lucifer trailed off towards the end of his sentence, seemingly wistful and in thought. Neither Cyril nor the old man interrupted his thinking, staying silent.
"I assume he invokes the old covenant."
"My Lord does indeed, Your Excellency. He knows that you have been deemed the least qualified to…
"He is aware that I have not chosen someone in many eons, yes?"
"Yes, Your Excellency. It is because he is aware that he is offering any price you desire. Please believe me when I say he holds nothing but admiration and respect for you." After speaking, the old man bowed his head once more.
Lucifer paused for a moment before smiling briefly. His smile fit his handsome face extremely well. It would have seemed as if an angel had descended to the court, if not for his blackened wings.
"Hahaha!" A small laugh broke from him as he shook his head. "I know he means no disrespect. I suppose that is merely his very being. He is truly greedy, that one. Without bounds."
"Does that mean…?"
"Yes. We will follow the old covenant. Mammon may have him." Lucifer leaned back on his white throne. "However, I will not take anything in return."
It seemed to take the old man a little while to comprehend the fallen angel's words, but he quickly prostrated himself again, continuously bowing his head.
As a man who was a successful con artist and fraudster throughout most of his life, it didn't take much for Cyril to understand the implications behind his words and their conversation.
While it was clear that Lucifer couldn't do anything about Mammon's request, it didn't mean he was simply taking it lying down either. Taking something in return would likely reduce the matter to a mere trade of interests, but not taking anything meant that Lucifer would not forget this.
It meant that such a matter would not happen again, otherwise Lucifer would then take it as disrespect.
Cyril didn't know what that disrespect implied, but seeing as he represented the sin of pride, the consequences were likely very dire. It showed in the old man's grovelling, and it showed in the coldness that he had momentarily felt earlier.
But Cyril couldn't be sure as a mere human. His mind was limited, and these were only his observations. It was clear to him that their relationships went deeper than he knew, as he sensed sincerity in the old man's words of Mammon deeply respecting Lucifer.
"You may go. I want no more mention of this matter. However," The fallen angel turned his gaze towards Cyril. It was one full of warmth, one he held towards the old man as well. "If you are ever capable of changing your mind, and do change your mind in coming under my wing, find Marquis Forneus and speak to him thusly. Surviving will show that you are capable. Finding him will prove your worth."
"…Yes." Cyril furrowed his brows as he gave a small nod.
"I see confusion in your eyes. Is something wrong?"
"I… is this it? I'm escaping punishment just like that? Eternal punishment?"
Even though it was happening before his eyes, Cyril couldn't quite believe it. Something that had been a source of adamant terror that had prevailed over not just him but many others in life was now going away from merely a few words.
"You do not have a choice, Cyril. Though if you truly wish to suffer for your sins, that can be arranged."
"No… well, that's not it."
It was one thing to be prepared for eternal damnation, but wanting it was something else entirely. Not going was the same as committing evil in his life despite knowing it was wrong. Now that the opportunity presented itself before his very eyes, how could he refuse?
"If that's not it, then let me fix your understanding. Life itself was your test up to this point, and your countless lives before it. Whether you deserve it or not is not for you to decide, Cyril, but us. On divine authority. Besides that, you have already proven your resolve before you had entered."
His words brought the middle-aged man's thoughts back to the gargoyle he had met earlier. If he were to put the two into context, then that meant everything until now was a test. One of which he had answered every question correctly.
"Besides, worthy or not, you are not escaping anything. Where you are headed, not many living people would consider it different from eternal torment itself. Know that failure means to burn. In torment."
To Cyril, those words meant that damnation was only a step away. Instinctively swallowing, he nodded his head.
"Now then." Lucifer leaned back into his seat, his gaze turning to the parchment paper in front of him.
"Sir Surrey, this way if you'd please."
From the blue portal in front of the leftmost throne came the old man's voice. He gestured towards the portal as he bowed his upper body slightly.
The throne that he was standing under, from what Cyril could see, was a simple one. It was made entirely of pure gold.
"…Alright."
To Cyril, it felt like his resolve was being washed away. But he was aware that the opportunity came once in a… in many lifetimes. Now was not the time to think about it.
Stepping off the stone podium, Cyril swiftly walked over towards the old man who was waiting for him to go through.
Turning around, he took one last look at the grand silver counsel table and the room. His gaze swept over the still unmoving black behemoth and the still sleeping beautiful man, before turning towards the elegant fallen angel reading in the middle of them. Meeting his eyes once more, Lucifer gave him a small nod.
He imprinted the scenery in his heart before turning towards the blue distortion, stepping through it without a hint of hesitation.