Chapter 12: Diablo Strikes

Chapter 12: Diablo Strikes

“Please enjoy. Since these are just some rushed dishes, they are rather rough. I’m truly sorry for treating you both this way. Tomorrow, when we have enough time, I will ensure the chef prepares some delicious, exquisite dishes for you.”

“No, no, no! These are already very tasty dishes. I’ll be rude and dig in!”

Looking at the steaming steak, Aierjisi couldn’t resist the mouth-watering aroma that made her drool. She cut a small piece and popped it into her mouth.

“Mmm! This steak is absolutely delicious! I’ve never had such a tasty steak that melts in your mouth with this delicious sauce. How could such a steak exist in this world?”

As she savored the delightful flavor, Aierjisi couldn’t stop herself, cutting piece after piece into her mouth.

“If this pleases you, that’s the best outcome. Mr. Yake, you should dig in too.”

Noticing that Yake hadn’t started, Gaia smiled and urged him to eat quickly, otherwise that steak would become cold and lose its taste.

“Uh, thank you for preparing this steak for us.”

Yake also cut a small piece of steak and reluctantly put it in his mouth. For someone from a common family like him, steak was a luxury, something he might not even get to eat once in a year.

Half an hour later…

“Ah… I’m stuffed! I feel wonderful right now.”

After feasting, Aierjisi leaned back in her chair, patting her slightly bulging belly. To be able to feast after being hungry was pure bliss.

“If you’re satisfied, that’s perfect. Since you’ve both finished eating, let’s begin discussing the rescue of Ailin now.”

Gaia had the maids clear the table and led them back to the conference room.

“Regarding Ailin’s current whereabouts, we have been diligently sending people to search, but we still have no intel in this regard, so we’re helpless in this matter. Do either of you have any suggestions?”

To rescue Ailin, they needed to know where she was right now; otherwise, it was all just talk.

“I don’t have any intel on that either. I don’t even know where that Adrian People’s base is.”

Aierjisi spread her small hands, equally powerless in this aspect.

Those Adrian people moved through wormholes, and she really had no idea where their base was.

“Same here. Sorry, Mr. Gaia. I couldn’t be of help.”

Yake also had nothing to contribute regarding this matter.

“Hmm. Well, it was expected that you two wouldn’t have intel in this regard. It seems we can only continue waiting here for search intel.”

Though reluctant, Gaia had no choice but to wait for the informant to bring back new information. Hopefully, they could find out Ailin’s whereabouts soon.

“I think waiting here for intel is pointless. Why not lure them out instead?”

Aierjisi stood up, slapping the table as she shared her idea.

Since they had taken Ailin, their next target might be herself or that Phoenix. So, she could act as bait to draw them in, and while occupying their attention, others could use that wormhole to infiltrate their organization to search for Ailin and execute a rescue plan.

She’d learned this strategy from the City Lord. Since she was their target, there was nothing to fear. They would expose themselves when they aimed to attack her.

“That’s indeed a good strategy, but the issue is how to delay them. Their combat power is still much stronger than ours. Even if I fight alongside Ailin, that guy overwhelmed us.”

It was a good idea, but reality was harsh. To delay that incoming person, they needed equally powerful companions. But with Ailin, they weren’t even a match for that guy. Where could they find someone who could hold off their opponent?

“As for that… I’ve thought about it too. If it’s a head-on confrontation, we really stand no chance. But when did I say we needed to face that guy head-on? Lord Gaia, there are more ways to delay them than just facing them directly.”

“What do you mean, Miss Aierjisi?”

Gaia didn’t get her meaning yet, but Yake, as her partner, understood.

“You need to set a trap to hold them back, right?”

“Truly worthy of Yake! No wonder you’re my servant; you’ve already figured out my approach! That’s right, we need to set a trap to delay that guy.”

Aierjisi replied with a smile to Yake. If they wanted to delay the opponent, traps were arguably the most efficient method. Countless beasts had succumbed to traps throughout history, and humans too had fallen victim to their own traps many times.

“But what kind of trap should we set? Their strength is so formidable that I fear an ordinary trap wouldn’t hold them for long.”

Gaia highlighted a critical flaw, which was indeed the whole issue. The strength of Diablo was just too overwhelming. What kind of mindset could possibly subdue him? Aierjisi had never thought about that.

“Ugh. That’s true; an ordinary trap wouldn’t hold that guy down. After all, those Adrian people are absurdly strong. If only we had some intel on them!”

Aierjisi, too, found herself at a dead end. If only they could acquire intel on them and find out their weaknesses, they might figure something out.

“Lord Gaia, there’s a crisis!”

As the three of them in the conference room pondered over what to do, a Guard burst in, panic-stricken.

“What happened?”

Seeing the Guard’s expression, Gaia realized that something serious had occurred, but he had to remain calm.

“The guy who took Lady Ailin is back! He’s currently attacking the palace outside, and we’re about to hold him off!”

“What!”

Hearing that Diablo had returned, Gaia couldn’t stay composed any longer and decided to confront him.

“Don’t rush, Lord Gaia. I suspect he’s coming for me. I was just thinking about how to get intel on him when he conveniently showed up right now—it’s saved me a lot of hassle! I’d like to meet him. Can you gather some information on him while I fight? It would help us with setting the trap.”

Aierjisi grasped Gaia’s shoulder to calm him. She should go out and stall for time to let Gaia gather intel about the enemy.

“Alright, I understand. That guy is very strong, so be careful.”

Gaia looked at Aierjisi with concern. He feared losing this hard-won companion to the enemy.

“Don’t worry, I’m well aware. If it’s just about evading him for a while, I can handle it.”

Aierjisi confidently patted her flat chest. She was quite self-assured about her skills.