"Is our time limited?" I gratefully looked at Lena who asked the question I didn't dare ask myself, being afraid of the life-threatening outcome. Fortunately, it turned out that peaceful communication was possible so long as we don't make wrong guesses.

"Technically, it's not." I didn't like answers that seemed to be positive at first glance but that usually hid even more problems than you initially imagined. "However, if I were you, I wouldn't waste your time, given that the representatives of three different forces are almost here."

That's unexpected. It would be nice to learn more details about that. Lena's question was formally connected to the riddle, but I wondered if Dorea would tell us things that had nothing to do with it. In any case, I had to act carefully as such questions could result in another punishment.

"Can they try to answer your question too?" It was pleasant to talk utter nonsense from time to time. Even Dorea laughed in response.

"Two beginner Chaosites, two slaves of the Abyss, and the one whose master thinks himself equal to the G.o.ds? I don't think that we can negotiate." The demoness paused and stared at me. "Are you trying to manipulate me to find out about the impending danger? I wouldn't recommend it, or it'll be the last thing you'll care about."

Her gentle tone made me flinch. However, I had already gotten what I needed. It was clear who these "slaves of the Abyss" were — Vlada and Igor. Dorea using "slave" to refer to them was hardly accidental. Their Marks were quite a distinct characteristic. It could be that the two made a mistake in planning their moves or that they were indeed exposed to evil against their will. But the main thing was that they managed to leave the camp and were on their way to here. Who were the Chaosites then? Strangers? Or... After the Mark of the Abyss had been added to Igor's geas, they became even more suspicious to me. I thought that a certain obligation came with a geas and that the person either fulfilled it or not. Having implemented it, they'd then receive the Mark or, in Vlada's case, increase its level. I bet that that thing also made them stronger, but that wasn't the point right now. There were two more people with geases in the camp. Petrovich and the redhead and I wouldn't be surprised if they could've gotten the Mark of the Abyss had they fulfilled the mandatory requirements. It seemed that Petrovich decided to hunt using live bait. That's why Vlada and Igor weren't stopped and rushed to the Forbidden City yet again. As for the latter one, it was obviously Osipov. Only his teacher, the Reaper, could imagine himself being equal to the G.o.ds. Of course, these were just my guesses, but I was willing to bet that they were right. The only question that was bothering me was how did all of them learn about this Sphere.

"I won't apologize for trying to survive." I didn't intend on beating around the bush anymore. But I was forced to… It seemed to me that soon, only brute force will be able to defend us. That's why I had to immediately think about how to divide our forces. "Wouldn't you have done the same if you were me? Or is the demon that's guarding the artifact of the Order the epitome of obedience?"

"So, you know what I'm guarding." Her harsh, penetrating voice gave me the shivers. I felt like it was pressing me into the ground. It turned out that I was right yet again. Maybe that was some kind of feature that came with Deception? Asking the right questions even when lacking information? Unlikely. There would've been some data about it in the logs.

"No," I answered honestly. I could only make guesses based on the Shadows' vulnerability. If I continue talking, she'll figure out that I don't know as much as she thinks I do. I have to make the best out of this situation.

"I told you to stop playing with me." This time, her outstretched hand squeezed my skull. It wasn't teleportation after all. My health dropped, and I felt blood running down my cheeks. "This is your last warning."

Dorea removed her hand, but her stare was still heavy.

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"If I solve your riddle, will you answer my questions?" Am I going too far, considering the recent events? Blood was still trickling down my face, and turning into some weird mask. It seemed that my own geas had a bad influence on me. I was trying to use a simplified version of it.

"Okay." So simple? Dorea herself didn't seem too happy about the upcoming guests. She was clearly trying to figure out if she could get rid of them with my help. Have I willingly walked into a trap?

"Elephant, that is my answer." I had planned to say "fate" at first. After the mistake with "death", nothing else came to mind. For some reason, I decided to check whether or not the demoness was going to use me. If I was wrong, I would be sent to my lovely swamp. But if I was right, she and I had a deal.

"So the elephant doesn't distinguish beggars from kings? Stings all sorts of creatures? Neither you nor me can avoid it? Why not," she smiled at me, demonstrating her hypnotizing, sharp smile. "I accept your answer."

If my weird answer was accepted, Dorea obviously wanted to use me in order to deal with the new guests. More precisely, to detain or misdirect them, taking into account my level and skills. She probably didn't believe that I could handle any of them on my own.

"Never doubted myself for a second."

Lena was stunned, clearly not understanding how come my answer was accepted. Seems that she didn't get that this riddle had no right answer.

"Now it's your turn to answer my questions and agree upon what we get in return."