I made an offer so sweet it would be hard for anyone not to bite.
"Though I'm nothing more than a worthless parasite, I owe Diamond a great debt from the past," I said with practiced sincerity. "I'll gladly lend you my help. Besides, I've already seen the saintess at the royal court."
Joe—
the young gargoyle master who had only just stepped into the human world, completely ignorant of its customs, traps, and lies—froze.
"…You've seen the saintess?" he asked, eyes widening.
I nodded, expression calm, voice steady.
"Of course. I've lived among humans for a long time. Arranging a meeting place isn't difficult."
I extended my hand toward him.
A handshake.
And hidden beneath it—
a fraudulent contract, carefully layered, its clauses wrapped in goodwill and half-truths.
"Is that really true?!" Joe exclaimed.
His reaction was almost painful to watch.
Like a traveler who had stumbled upon a lantern in endless darkness, his face lit up, bright and unguarded.
