NOVPUBThe bright lights of the Demon King’s Restaurant reflected on the high-quality black decor, showing off the elegantly set tables, comfortable chairs and exquisite cutlery. Every detail exuded luxury.
The lights danced in the corners of the floor tiles, bringing out the brilliance of the handcrafted ice, the sheen of the wine bottles, and the steam coming off the newly served dishes. Everything was made even more stunning under the refracted light.
"We value the honesty, integrity, and naturalness of our ingredients. If you have any feedback or suggestions, feel free not to hesitate to let us know."
The demon waiter elegantly placed the ordered dishes on the table in front of Lanci and Hyperion and said.
She gracefully set the dishes in front of Lanci and Hyperion just like a professional noble attendant, her movements steady and smooth.
One appetizer was fresh roast beef cut into small chunks, sprinkled with herbs, fried salt grass leaves, and transparent pear slices, then laid on thin black bread.
The other dish looked like thick slices of venison marinated with salt and black pepper, then pan-griddled until the outside was crispy and the inside tender. Black truffle slices were layered on the venison, emitting a rich aroma, served with a side of spiced snowflake and a cup of red wine sauce.
The final dessert was a round ball of black chocolate enclosing a layer of caramel cheesecake, sprinkled with sea salt for a layered texture. The crunchiness must have been irresistible, just use a spoon to gently tap open the chocolate ball, and smooth caramel sauce would spread out.
Due to the silverhair demon’s early order, Lanci and Hyperion couldn’t order more advanced dishes.
They had to settle for ordering a little common fare for now.
But the presentation in front of them was enough to feel the respect that the Demon King’s restaurant’s subsidiary in the academy has for food and customers.
Hyperion pondered over the dishes on the table, not sure about Lanci’s plans.
"Lanci, we can’t use summons here."
Hyperion reminded in a low voice.
Within this Demon King’s Restaurant, the rules resemble those of "no pets allowed", and no member of the Demon Race may call forth servitors or summons.
Without the Great Love Poet, a crucial weapon in Lanci’s arsenal, most of Lanci’s tactics wouldn’t work.
Even showing any form of instigation or causing a disturbance with words is forbidden in the restaurant. Even if Lanci wants to play mind games, he couldn’t do anything at the moment.
"Hyperion, we only need to respect the rules here. I want to make an educational film with the theme of advocating ’save grains for honor, waste is shameful’ for the audience watching the live broadcast in the human world."
Lanci’s words were filled with sincerity. He was not bothered by the Silver Hair Demon’s previously slightly targeted behavior. The only concern was that the Silver Hair Demon’s excessive luxury might influence the youth watching the live broadcast in the human world.
As members of the Civilization Example Team, they have to lead by example.
Deliver a positive and healthy value system and set a good precedent.
"You want too..."
A sense of foreboding welled up in Hyperion’s heart, but before she could finish, she noted that Lanci had already started.
For no apparent reason, Lanci’s complexion seemed somewhat worse.
"Manager."
Lanci raised his hand and gently called.
The manager briskly approached them with a world-weary stride. Compared to the tension-inducing Silver Hair Demon, Lanci and Hyperion were obviously easier to handle.
"Sorry, sir, I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable in my chest. Do you have any body-warming beverages here?"
Lanci looked at the manager, holding up his trembling hand with a glass in it.
His voice sounded pained and hoarse, like a wounded beast trying to conceal his ailments.
"Yes, we do. Please wait a moment."
After the manager nodded, he took the empty cup in Lanci’s hand and walked in the direction of the distant wine rack to prepare for his service as per Lanci’s request.
And then...
Lanci looked very much like a person with a physical and mental disability, his trembling hand holding utensils, eating and making whimpering sounds while eating.
If this were in the human kingdom, because these characteristics were too strong, they might sometimes attract the teasing of some ill-mannered children, such as mimicking disabled people.
This kind of behavior was exceptionally despicable.
But such tedious demons wouldn’t usually appear in Demon world’s high-end restaurant.
Elsewhere, at a long table on the other side of the restaurant.
The Silver Hair Demon glanced at Lanci, his lips curled in a look of disdain mixed with slight regret. He cast a brief look at Hyperion before shifting his gaze back to his own feast.
That Radiant Demon, frail and powerless, needing the pity and care of the demoness accompanying him, is but a pathetic bug that will never amount to anything within the Demon World even after graduation.
The red wine in the hand of the Silver Hair Demon gently tilted, the deep crimson liquid slowly flowing into the glass, like a thin red line. The impatient expression on his face gradually faded, replaced by a look of satisfied pleasure.
The existence of Lanci, to him, was nothing more than a mildly amusing joke, a fleeting incident.
Easily forgotten amidst the food he ate and the wine he drank.
The ambience of the restaurant returned to a state of calm, like a black treasure box where only small lights twinkled like diamonds.
The black tablecloth on the table held the cutleries and glass containers in place. Each table had a small menu, and most of the dining customers were either silent or spoke in hushed tones.
Outside the window was the nightscape of Purgatory City, the lights moving like stars shooting across the sky, with the aroma of Demon World’s dishes filling the air. The play of light and shadow conveyed an atmosphere of mystery and elegance.
Underneath this sequence.
Lanci took advantage of this unnoticed moment.
Silently, he healed the Silver Hair Demon a few times in secret.
Suddenly, the unexpected intense pain made the Silver Hair Demon, who was enjoying his meal elegantly, tremble, his face drastically changing as a wail escaped his lips.
Then, Lanci began to mimic the state of the Silver Hair Demon, raising his trembling spoon in sync with the Silver Hair Demon’s movements and groaning in the same rhythm.
"?"
The Silver Hair Demon noticed.
Lanci was passively-aggressively using magic on him, even deliberately mocking his state.
Initially, the Silver Hair Demon had decided to ignore Lanci, but he didn’t expect Lanci to pick a fight so recklessly.
Therefore, the consequences would be quite severe.
...
At this moment, the restaurant manager, who had just returned and witnessed all this, stood frozen.
He looked at the Silver Hair Demon, then at Lanci, both demons acting like cripples, their movements and voice almost in sync.
The manager suddenly rushed over to the Silver Hair Demon’s side with quick steps!
"Do not mock or mimic disabled demons!"
The manager scolded loudly. He slapped the Silver Hair Demon’s head, tilting his entire cranium.
Insults towards other customers were absolutely not allowed in this restaurant!
...
In the distance.
Lanci continued nonchalantly to tremble his hand, as though he hadn’t seen the Silver Hair Demon who had fallen to the ground in the distance. He was wholly focused on his meal, persisting despite his disability.
No matter how you looked at it, it seemed as if the Silver Hair Demon was the one mocking the truly disabled Lanci.
"Cherish our food, start with every little thing."
Lanci finally sighed in relief, murmuring this slogan to himself.
The public service announcement ends here.
"???"
Hyperion’s eyelids twitched.
In the end, she had underestimated how low this thing can go!
