Chapter 66: Lance is Full of Positive Energy

Bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, the Demon King's Bestowed Restaurant was steeped in a golden, cozy radiance. A silver candelabra stood regally at the center of the table. Its flickering flames cast a bright sheen onto the surrounding tableware, while the orange-red light lent a dreamy, ethereal quality.

Dancing shadows played across the table, where a gold-rimmed tablecloth contrasted beautifully with the dark, rich texture of the tabletop itself. This created an atmosphere so warm and delightful it seemed to make all worries vanish.

Lance turned to Hyperion as he spoke, his voice radiating pure positivity. "Hyperion, look at that, I've successfully put a stop to the reckless waste of food."

Hyperion kept her head down, not daring to respond to him or even make a sound. She was terrified that if the Goddess decided to dock Lance's merit points, she might be implicated by association. After all, having been raised as a human in a human kingdom since childhood, she still harbored a deep desire to remain human!

Having dealt with the silver-haired demon who had violated the restaurant's hallowed rules, the manager hurried over to Lance with a look of concern. He hurriedly placed a warming Demon Kingdom medicinal liquor within Lance's reach and apologized sincerely, "I am terribly sorry for the unpleasant dining experience you endured here. We will do our utmost to provide satisfactory compensation."

Lance's fingertips trembled slightly as he picked up the glass. "No need... It wasn't your fault. Thank you very much."

After taking a sip, the sensation of freezing, as if he had been struggling through a snowstorm, finally began to subside. He took a deep breath and looked at the manager again. "Sir, regarding the dishes that the silver-haired customer ordered but never actually received, are the ingredients for them available now? And would it be possible for us to order some new dishes?"

Lance hadn't seen those two limited-edition dishes on the silver-haired demon's table earlier. Clearly, the demon had ordered them in advance, intending to savor them as the grand finale of the meal.

The manager leaned forward slightly and nodded. "Certainly."

Lance opened the menu, showed the manager the pages featuring the two limited-edition dishes, and said politely, "Then I'll have these two items."

The manager took the menu from Lance and bowed slightly to the two of them. "Not a problem. Also, in accordance with the restaurant's policy, we would like to offer you some compensation."

Lance looked at the manager, hesitated briefly, and then sighed. "I don't believe you bear any responsibility here. If there is any fault to be found, it lies with that fellow who recklessly wasted food and failed to cherish the exquisite dishes the chefs poured their hearts into creating."

His tone carried a mix of regret and resignation as he gazed at the silver-haired demon's corpse. "You shouldn't have to shoulder the burden of compensation. This restaurant brings me immense satisfaction. I love this place and simply want to see it thrive, that is all."

Upon hearing this, the manager fell silent for a moment before nodding in gratitude. Lance's soothing words had lifted his spirits and brought him a sense of profound comfort, stirring up feelings of pride and fulfillment.

As a restaurant that prioritized service quality and adhered to the highest standards, they naturally harbored some resentment toward customers who were overly fastidious, or, like the silver-haired demon, looked down on their efforts with an air of superiority.

The contrast between that demon and a customer like Lance, someone who understood the value of food and savored their dishes with genuine appreciation and gratitude, was stark.

Lance glanced at the motionless silver-haired demon lying on the floor and added, "However, every debt has a creditor. If possible, could you hand over that fellow's corpse to me? I'd like to bury him myself and perform a requiem for his soul."

What Lance truly wanted, of course, was the loot that would drop from the silver-haired demon. There was no telling what treasures, or how many credit coins, might be found on this hidden monster.

The restaurant manager had already noticed the Music Department badge on Lance's chest and quickly understood his intent. "Of course. I'll have it packed up for you right away."

He knew the Music Department possessed certain forbidden necromantic spells. Clearly, the silver-haired demon's corpse would serve as excellent material for such magic. He was more than happy to grant such a request. Having a faculty member take the body off their hands actually saved them the trouble of disposal.

"Sir, we will do our utmost to provide you with the best possible service during your meal, and we hope you have a satisfying experience." The manager bowed to Lance and then stepped aside.

***

The moments that followed flowed with an unusual, tranquil slowness. Inside the restaurant, soft music played, punctuated only by the occasional crisp clink of silverware. This mingled with the faint, appetizing aroma of the food drifting from the distant kitchen, creating an atmosphere of wondrous harmony.

Lance extended his fork toward the fresh vegetables and gently placed a small piece into his mouth after he said cheerfully, "Let's fill our bellies first. We can tally up our spoils of war later."

A look of genuine contentment and happiness flickered across his face. He had saved the restaurant's food from going to waste, and in return, they had rewarded him with a massive haul of loot. Furthermore, he had accomplished another good deed today.

Hyperion stole a glance at Lance. She had something she wanted to say, yet the words wouldn't come out. Finally, she said softly, "Lance... when we get back, let's go to the Goddess's temple together and offer up some prayers."

The niggling need to atone for her sins was bothering her, and she believed Lance needed it even more. A person really shouldn't make a habit of destroying their previously accumulated merit like that. If only for the sake of her missing father, she needed to accumulate some good karma. Perhaps then the Goddess would look upon her with favor.

Since childhood, Hyperion had heard that the Goddess loved all living beings equally, even demons. If a demon harbored kindness in their heart, she would grant them guidance and salvation.

"No problem... Although, saying something like that is a bit of a 'flag.'" Lance had suddenly realized the danger inherent in Hyperion's words.

Uttering lines that set up a future promise like that often meant that, in the logic of stories, one might never actually make it back to the real world. However, a thought then struck him. Wait, isn’t that actually a good thing? Could I really stay at Purgatory Corridor Academy and not have to go back?

Twelve hours was simply too short. How he wished he could truly spend an entire student career here!

Hyperion raised her head, watching the subtle shifts in Lance's expression. She sensed that his mind was racing about, but she couldn't decipher his thoughts.

She couldn't tell if this barrier between them existed because she didn't understand the human heart, or because she didn't understand the heart of a demon. After spending so much time with Lance, an actual human, Hyperion often felt confused, even prone to self-doubt.

She shook her head. The merit points had already been deducted. Given the situation, she might as well just eat.