"No, these berries are already dead, they don't feel pain, so it doesn't count as torture," Lancelot said, holding his forehead with one hand. "They taste better this way, try them and you'll know..."
"Hmm, indeed, things always taste better without the skin. By the way, these berries aren't dead, they contain a very rich life energy..." Tijana looked at the horrified expression on Lancelot's face, her face showing the triumph of a successful prank, "but it's true that they don't feel pain, so you're not wrong."
"I'm glad you like them," Lancelot sighed with relief. "Back to our earlier discussion, have you considered relying on mortals to enhance the strength of Twin Bridges Town? It's unlikely that we'd destructively turn on each other out of idleness, and with the wealth you've accumulated from arms trading, you should be able to sustain a large army's expenses..."
"Are you talking about hiring mercenaries? My treasury is indeed quite full, but do you know how expensive an army capable of resisting the Demon Legion would be? They would suck all your gold away like a Dimensional Hole, and the demons would probably wait until the day after you go bankrupt to attack..." Tijana stuck her sharp claw into the cup, threading several berries with ease, "Which wouldn't be much harder than me skewering these fruits."
"I'm not talking about mercenaries, but establishing a standing militia for Twin Bridges Town, just like your Demon Legion," Lancelot shook his head. "Before I go further, let me ask you a question. As the Lord of Twin Bridges Town, why are you willing to welcome those escaped slaves, mortals trapped in the Abyssal Plane, and demon residents uninterested in bloody battles? Why not pursue more territory, power, or chances to spread destruction and chaos like a typical Demon Lord?"
"Why should I tell you that? And what answer are you hoping to hear?" Tijana's tone rose gradually. "Do you think I'm someone like Elothysia, taking in those wretches out of kindness? Sorry to shatter your beautiful fantasy, but such people could never establish their own power in the Abyss. The reason I do it is simple: even after deducting their salaries, free people produce more than slaves!"
"So, you're not interested in torturing your mortal residents for fun, right?"
"Why would I do that?" the Succubus looked excited, "There's no benefit at all!"
"And that's the answer I wanted."
Lancelot suddenly laughed, a genuine smile, which made Tijana pause.
"I don't know if you realize it, but you seem to have no interest in deriving pleasure from others' pain, which means you're not quite as evil," Lancelot continued peeling the berries. "At least not as evil... Anyway, that's what Elothysia told me."
"So what?" Tijana narrowed her eyes, "What are you trying to say?"
"Relax, try this, it's fruit borne after roses wilt, it will make you prettier than any flower," Lancelot offered another berry, "I must admit, I'm quite curious about you, but I believe when the time is right, you'll tell me your reasons yourself. What I want to say now is that you should trust the mortal residents of Twin Bridges Town, let them take up weapons and armor, tell them about the threats this town faces, and make them responsible for defending their way of life in the upcoming battle."
"What nonsense are you talking?" Tijana's eyebrows arched high, "Why would they risk being killed to fight with demons? Even if Twin Bridges Town is captured, they won't be killed, those Dwarfs are valuable strategic resources..."
"But they will be enslaved and lose their freedom again," Lancelot reminded her. "As far as I know, most of the town's mortal residents have been enslaved before. To them, freedom is the most precious gift you could offer, and they would rather die than wear the shackles again."
Lancelot's words plunged Tijana into silence. The Succubus Lord was clearly pondering; the Human Knight had indeed provided a completely new perspective, and if the thousands of Dwarf residents of Twin Bridges Town could truly be utilized by her, that would indeed be a force to be reckoned with. The problem was how to make those stubborn and proud Dwarves truly follow her, instead of just seeing her as a greedy and stingy employer?
"I will consider what you have said," Tijana stood up. "It's getting late, and I have other matters to attend to…"
"Are you leaving?" Lancelot also stood up. "May I take a little more of your time?"
"Oh?" The Succubus Lord turned sharply. "Just a little while longer?"
"If you wish, you could stay a bit longer," Lancelot rose and walked to the door. "Please, follow me."
"Outside?" Tijana's voice carried a hint of reluctance. "Are you sure?"
"Ahem… I think you might have misunderstood," Lancelot opened the door. "I just wanted to show you this…"
Countless colors flooded into the room as the dreamlike garden suddenly appeared before them. The expression on the Succubus Lord's face instantly became exceptionally vivid, comparable to the astonishment of ordinary people seeing Bruto wear the Transformation Ring for the first time.
Lancelot politely made a gesture of invitation, and Tijana involuntarily walked forward, naturally linking her arm with that of the Human Knight.
"Remember what I told you earlier, about The Grand Garden at Melanthan?" Lancelot, with the standard courtesy of a knight, gently led her through the blooming flowers. "At that moment, I was thinking how wasteful it would be to enjoy such a beautiful scene all by myself."
"I have never seen such a sight…" the beautiful Succubus murmured in awe. "How did you do this?"
"A lot of flower seeds, the ability to make plants grow quickly, plus a Priest named Shuni," Lancelot's voice had a slight tremble. "I hope you like it…"
"Of course, I love it."
"Then, you can come more often to see it."
The Succubus suddenly stopped. Lancelot turned his head and saw Tijana looking at him, her eyes seemingly sparkling with a thousand Starlight Strikes. Meanwhile, behind a half-opened window on the third floor, in a mirror standing there, a very beautiful red-haired woman appeared. She smiled as she looked at the scene in the garden, her face breaking into a grin, her finger pointing gently downwards, and then she quickly disappeared.