The Regressed Demon Lord is Kind - Chapter 159
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Chapter 159

Chapter 159

In short, there was nothing for him to lose. Even though Midas was bursting with curiosity and interest, he purposefully put on an indifferent expression. It was a very easy task for him to separate his outer appearance from his inner feelings.

I expected this to be your response. Zich shrugged. He didnt seem surprised, as if he had expected Midas response.

He really isnt a normal swindler, Midas thought as he maintained a calm expression.

Zich raised both of his hands. Fine, its my loss. Im the one asking for a favor, so Ill tell you everything necessary.

Midas was surprised to hear Zich back down so easily. But Zich simply took the wine bottle in front of Midas and drank it directly. It enraged Midas to see Zich gulp down a bottle worth six months of a peasant familys living expenses like a barbarian. Still, he pushed down his anger and drank the wine in the glass he was holding.

Slam!

Zich roughly slammed down the wine bottle on the table. About half of its contents were gone.

This is some good wine! While licking the remains on his lips, Zich looked for the wine bottles logo. Pornine! Haa, you drink such an expensive wine! As expected of someone who drags around a golden carriage.

Didnt you have something to tell me? Even if Midas was withholding his rage, he couldnt prevent his speech from becoming rougher. His tone was sharp with displeasure.

Yeah, yeah, I got it. Whats the rush? Zich sliced a piece of cheese with his knife and talked as he chewed. As you guessed, I approached the elf thinking she possessed a treasure similar to the Lakes Tear, and I gradually gained her trust.

Midas jerked his chin for Zich to continue.

As you saw, the elf lady is extremely gullible. Not just gullible but completely clueless. But even this clueless lady was firm about protecting her treasure. Zich scowled as if this were the cause of his headache.

Midas mood brightened at the sight. There was nothing more joyful than seeing a person who annoyed you suffer.

With Zichs admission of defeat, Midas no longer put his guard up against him and asked, Didnt you think about taking the treasure by force? His head still spun trying to discern whether Zich was telling him the truth or not.

You know how strong elves are. My companions and I are on the strong side, but we didnt think we would be able to capture her if she ran away with all her might. And if she ran away, all our efforts would become a waste.

As Midas was imagining the moment, he let out a small laugh. So, is that why you returned to Tungel? Because there was no way you could retrieve it?

Its not that there was no way. I came to find another method.

Midas reached his hands out to the wine bottle and halted; he remembered that Zich had drunk from it with his lips touching the bottles top. He had no desire to drink that dirty wine and called for the waiter. Then he groaned, remembering that he had gotten rid of all the waiters to enjoy his meal in peace. Midas had no choice but to get up and get his own wine bottle and glass. He grimaced at the logo of the wine glass he got; it was a cheap one. Of course, though, it was expensive for plenty of other people.

All my precious ones are in the storehouse, he thought. But it was bothersome to go all the way there. Thus, Midas poured the wine into his glass and drank a sip of it. What happened to the treasure you guys said you would take back for the elf?

Why are you mentioning that? I didnt think you believed us.

Thats true. Midas adjusted his position again. It looked as if he didnt need more explanations. What is it that you want?

Money, Zich immediately answered and continued, Truthfully, the only reason why I went through all that trouble to get the elfs treasure was because of money. Im not really interested in the treasure itself.

How could a person like you leave a gold bar, though? Midas mentioned the time Zich had thrown a gold bar onto a stores counter.

I thought the elf could be listening to us from outside. Dont you know that elves have very keen ears? To keep her trust in me, I have to be very careful about things like that. I had to show her that Im not the type of person to act on my greed.

Midas thought Zich was a very thorough person. To retrieve something of a greater value in the future, Zich had given up the gold bar without hesitation. He was almost impressed with Zich as a swindler. And he is as dangerous, he thought.

Midas asked, What do I get from this?

The treasure that the elf has, Zich replied.

Whats the treasure?

But Zich, who had been talking normally until this point, suddenly withdrew his body as if he were creating distance between them. Sorry, but I already told you too much. I just want you to answer whether youre going to be part of this or not.

Didnt you say you would tell me everything?

I added the condition that I would only tell you things that are necessary.

I have a different opinion.

A war of nerves commenced amid a long silence. As if one side would lose if they took their eyes away from their opponent, they glared at each other strongly. But in the end, the one who raised his hands was Zich, who had more to lose from this exchange.

Its called the Earths Tear. I dont know what it is exactly, only that the elf really treasures it, Zich began.

Is there more information than that?

No.

Then its impossible for me to collaborate.

It cant be helped then. You dont want to be part of this even after I gave you all the information I could give. I should find another way. Zich seized the wine bottle in front of him and gulped the rest of the wine down. Be safe, Mr. Rich.

Wait. As Zich tried to get up with no lingering attachment, Midas stopped him. Whats your plan?

I dont have to tell you anymore. You have to tell me if youre going to participate in our plan or not first. Zich laid down more pressure with his eyes, as if he wouldnt back off anymore.

Midas thought for a while. I need a couple more days to think about this.

Fine. If youre interested, send someone to me. Zich told Midas the address of his lodging. Make your decision before the Black Market Auction House opens. If you dont decide before that, Ill just accept that as your rejection.

I got it.

Zich really got up this time. But Zich stopped before he went out of the room. He hesitated for a while and then turned around to stare at Midas. I was just wondering

What?

Zich asked with a bit of a sheepish tone, ...if you could give me the gold bar you tried to give me last time.

Midas was stunned for a moment. But he soon burst into laughter and took out a gold bar from his pockets and threw it towards Zich. Seeing Zichs delighted expression, Midas laughed even harder.

* * *

Midas came back to his mansion. He filled the tub with hot water and immersed himself in it. Like his whole mansion, the tub was also made completely out of gold. From his bath, he felt as if all the stress and fatigue he had accumulated throughout the day was being released from his body. But rather than focusing on this feeling, Midas attention was on a different subject.

I can hear them. The gold bar that Midas had thrown to Zich was specially made by him. He grinned from ear to ear. It was so funny seeing him take it with such glee.

It was even funnier because Midas knew what he could do with his specially made gold. Midas focused his attention on the gold bar, and information about the gold bars surroundings poured into this mind.

My vision is blocked. Judging by that, it seemed as if Zich had put the gold bar inside some kind of box or bag. However, he hadnt put it in a magic box; if it were in a magic box, even he wont be able to connect to it.

I can hear their voices. Midas focused all his attention on the voices.

How was it?

The voice was from a female, but it wasnt from that elf. The speaker was probably that stunning woman who had been next to the swindler.

Well, I gave him my offer.

It was now the swindlers voice.

It looks like I listened to them at the perfect time, Midas thought.

They were definitely conversing about the swindlers meeting with him. Midas concentrated even harder on the voices.

How was his reaction?

He showed interest. We just have to see how he reacts now.

Do you think hell come over to us?

I dont know.

From the gold bar, Midas was able to clearly hear their conversation. If he waited just a moment longer, it seemed as if they would begin talking about the elfs treasure. And his prediction was right.

Damn it! I cant believe that the Earths Tear is just a useless piece of metal without the Lakes Tear!

Midas had just obtained top-level information; he couldnt repress his smile. Two stupid puppets were dancing around in his palms.

We worked so hard to steal the Earths Tear and its useless!

They already stole the Earths Tear. As expected of swindlers, they had tried to con him too. A malicious smile appeared on his face. He liked swindling people but hated anyone who tried to cheat him. I have to make them suffer at one point.

But this was going to be in the future. Right now, obtaining information was more important.

The Lakes Tear would probably be very expensive, right?

Of course. Even that Wips Midas seems to have his eyes on it. Its crazy to try competing with him for money.

Midas nodded in agreement. As he was someone who could make gold, no one could ever be wealthier than him.

At least he knows his place. For the first time, Midas was pleased by Zich. But that was all; it didnt make him change his mind about punishing Zich later on.

So we have to try everything we can to fulfill our plan. But dont worry. If my plan works, we can definitely get the Lakes Tear and also scrape some money off of Wips Midas.

Unfortunately for you swindler Midas held up the tubs water with his hands. Naturally, the water seeped between his fingers and flowed through the cracks. Thats never going to happen.

To Midas, the water seeping from his fingers looked like the blood that was going to come out of the swindler soon.

* * *

Hans and Snoc stood in the corner of the room and stared in amazement at the comedic play unfolding in front of them. A table was in the center of the room, and on top of it was a thick bag. The gold bar that Zich had gotten from Wips Midas was in the bag. Zich and Lyla sat across from each other with the table in between them and were conversing with each other.

Despite the subject matter being discussed and the tone of their voices, their faces were calm as possible. Lyla was inspecting and breaking apart the golems cores, and Zich was playing around with a piece of mithril by throwing it in the air and then catching it in one hand. Anyone could see that they werent having a serious conversation. However, they took turns saying their lines, and a conversationno, something similar to a conversationwas continuing between them.

Even though it sounded similar to a conversation, it wasnt a proper conversation. They were merely acting out the scripts they had prepared to trick Midas, who was now listening to their conversation. Zich and Lylas voice acting was on par with famous play-actors, and they performed like this even while doing different jobs.

Since Zich acted like a swindler from time to time, this was expected of him. However, it was shocking to find out that Lyla was also proficient at tricking people. While watching this bizarre play in front of them, Hans and Snoc had the same thought simultaneously.

They looked exactly like swindlersno, even more so, they resembled a husband and wife who worked together to swindle people.