Crouching before Jaenera, Konrad lifted her chin while holding her gaze within his.

　　"Alas, a man of high aspirations doesn't delay important matters for a moment of pleasure. Were I not in a hurry, I would have surely invited you to -dinner.-"

　　Although she didn't grasp the meaning of "dinner" within Konrad's words, the tone backed with the mischievous look in his eyes made his lecherous intent relatively clear.

　　"Surely, it would be my honor to sit at your excellency's table and taste your -dishes.- A shame that I do not have the honor."

　　She replied with a blank, impa.s.sive face that gave no insight into her inner thoughts. Although they'd ingested the orchids, Konrad had yet to rewire them. Therefore, scant defiance remained.

　　His lips curled into a smile.

　　"I suppose you think whatever demonic ability I used on you cannot escape your factions' detection test. Therefore, as soon as you return, your elders can free you of my control.

　　I advise you to think again. Seek within your memory pool an answer to what I fed you."

　　Hearing this, Jaenera's eyes widened while fear shone in the eyes of all the others. Only Vozir remained impa.s.sible.

　　"Phantasm…a phantasm orchid?"

　　"Bingo. Merges with your flesh, blood, and soul. Seamless and untraceable tool of enslavement. Therefore, if you expect your trivial setups to be able to detect the change…you're bound to be disappointed. Well…unless you're hiding G.o.ds in your dungeons. Are you?"

　　Konrad replied while holding his hands on either side of his waist.

　　Rage and indignation flashed within Jaenera's eyes before she tapped in her self-control abilities to suppress them.

　　"Are you a phantasm lord, or a l.u.s.t embodiment? What is a demon of your caliber doing in a mortal world? Who summoned you?!"

　　"Phantasm lord and soon to be l.u.s.t embodiment. As for the rest…that's…a spoiler. Can't answer that.

　　"You're clever. I like. In the future, we will definitely have much to discuss."

　　The teasing tone within Konrad's words only served to aggravate Jaenera. His eyes then s.h.i.+fted toward Miraz, who floundered on his knees.

　　"Yo, cousin, why the gloom? Not happy to see me?"

　　Having browsed through the captives' memories, Konrad now knew all their statuses in detail. The realization that Miraz was another one of his cousins broadening his smile.