The Incubus System Chapter 899. Commodity

The Incubus System Chapter 899. Commodity

"Glad you like it," Celia chimed in, her voice carrying a hint of relief as she watched me enjoy the meal she had prepared. But then, out of the blue, she dropped a bombshell. "I hope that will make you get rid of the bad idea about killing him,” she reminded me.

I almost choked on my mouthful of fried rice, caught off guard by her blunt remark. "Hey, I already said I was just joking," I protested, feeling a twinge of annoyance creeping in.

Celia didn't seem convinced by my defense. Instead, she offered me a dry smile and held my gaze steadily. "I know you probably would if you had to," she remarked, hitting the nail on the head with her astute observation.

‘Oops…’ Internally, I winced at her accuracy. It was like she could see right through me. But I tried to maintain my composure, refusing to let her see my discomfort. Instead of meeting her eyes, I pretended to be engrossed in whatever was playing on the TV screen, my expression carefully neutral. It was unsettling how well she seemed to understand the darker aspects of my nature, even when I tried to keep them hidden. But at the same time, her perceptiveness was a reminder of the bond we shared.

"Let's talk about something else, okay?" I interjected hastily, eager to steer the conversation away from the unsettling topic of killing. "I'm eating, we shouldn't talk about killing people," I added, hoping my feeble excuse would be enough to change the subject. I wasn't entirely convinced that Celia would buy it, but at least it was worth a shot.

To my relief, Foxy came to my rescue, shifting the focus with her innocent curiosity. "Since the mission has failed, does that mean you will release the angel to claim her power as soon as possible?" she inquired, her tone laced with genuine interest.

I seized the opportunity to redirect the conversation. "Yes," I affirmed, nodding in agreement. "I promised Mia to accompany her to the event at the palace. I think we will talk about it there," I announced, hoping to transition smoothly to a more palatable topic.

This time it was Red who answered me. “I don't understand, Your Highness. Why do you look like you're delaying to let the angel go? Isn't the sooner the better?” Red's question caught me off guard, and I found myself momentarily at a loss for words. With a puzzled expression, he voiced his confusion, questioning why I seemed hesitant to release the angel. His inquiry mirrored the sentiments of my other pets, who shared similar furrowed brows and perplexed expressions.

Setting down my spoon, I took a moment to gather my thoughts. It was true that their perspective was straightforward, rooted in the simplicity of their demon nature. In their eyes, the solution seemed clear-cut: if Puriel was to be freed, why delay?

But the situation was far more complex than they realized. While their instincts urged swift action, my own considerations were fraught with uncertainty and apprehension. The decision to release Puriel wasn't one to be made lightly; it carried weighty implications and potential consequences.

I sighed, grappling with the weight of their expectations and my own reservations. "It's not that simple," I began, struggling to articulate the complexities of the situation. "There are... other factors to consider," I explained, choosing my words carefully.

"That angel is the biggest commodity of a Kingdom," I began, trying to paint a picture for my pets. "Let's say the kingdom is like having the only oil mines in this world, while the rest of the world needs it. They monopolize it and can set the price according to what they want. They can sell the produce according to the quantity and price they want, but no one can complain since only SerpentRock Kingdom owns it."

I could see the gears turning in their heads as they processed my analogy. It was important for them to understand the value placed on beings like Puriel in the intricate web of politics and power.

Shadow's response echoed my own sentiments. "Sounds like a bunch of greedy people," he remarked, his tone tinged with disdain. It was a sentiment I couldn't entirely disagree with; the pursuit of power often led to unsavory practices and moral compromises.

Buni's question brought us back to the crux of the matter. "Wouldn't it be better if you freed the angel sooner?" she inquired once more, her curiosity evident in her voice.

I paused, considering her question carefully. "In an ideal world, yes," I replied. "But the situation is far more complicated than that. Releasing Puriel prematurely could have unintended consequences, potentially escalating tensions and sparking conflict."

"Trust me, I want nothing more than to see Puriel freed," I continued, addressing my pets with sincerity. "But it has to be done in a way that minimizes harm and maximizes the chances for a peaceful resolution. If I release her before the SerpentRock Kingdom prepares their economy, won't there be an economic crisis?" I reiterated, hoping to shed some light on my thought process. "That will trigger chaos. And I'm sure the kingdom won't just let Puriel go. They will chase her," I added, emphasizing the potential consequences of premature action.

Rave's question prompted me to reflect on my motivations. "So the problem is you are trying to protect the civilians from chaos?" he summarized, seeking clarity on my intentions.

I couldn't help but smile bitterly at his astute observation. "More or less," I admitted. "In war in the human world, the ones who get the worst impact are the weak ones. The ones who live at the bottom of society. And their numbers are very large. Me and Celia were one of them," I explained, drawing from my own experiences of hardship and adversity. It felt like just yesterday when Celia and I were struggling to survive in this unfair world, yet the memories seemed distant, as if belonging to another lifetime.