Upon learning of Serafall's arrival in the human world, Luo Shu naturally focused his attention on her:
"If Serafall has come here, where is she now?"
A Satan-Class being, no less than one of the Four Great Satans, Luo Shu estimated that even if Serafall didn't follow the Class system, she should at least merit a Demigod Rank evaluation.
And recruiting a Demigod into the Familia - the benefits that might come from the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System were something Luo Shu found rather enticing.
Given the Divine Pantheon's tendencies, where a million points were needed just to unlock a new function, recruiting a Demigod should surely bring some special rewards, right?
Of course, all this hinged on successfully recruiting Serafall, and the key to recruiting Serafall...
Luo Shu turned his gaze towards Ravel, his eyes carrying a hint of expectation.
Noticing Luo Shu's gaze, Ravel's expression stiffened slightly. She glanced at him, met those expectant eyes, opened her mouth as if to speak, but hesitated before finally saying with a hint of resignation:
"I'm terribly sorry, but Lord Ajuka didn't inform me of Lady Serafall's whereabouts. He only instructed me to wait patiently..."
These were Ajuka's exact words to Ravel.
After all, for the sake of a Satan's dignity, Ajuka obviously couldn't admit something as embarrassing as Serafall having gone missing.
Considering Serafall had already been briefed on the situation, Ajuka reasoned that no matter how erratically that woman behaved, she would inevitably contact the Hidden Management Department and Luo Shu. Thus, he saw no need to explain further to Ravel.
For Ravel, Ajuka's authority as a Satan carried significant weight. If he chose not to elaborate, she couldn't possibly press for details.
Yet the awkwardness lay in Ravel's inability to admit complete ignorance when questioned by Luo Shu.
Otherwise, wouldn't her role as intermediary between the two parties prove utterly useless?
Having navigated Europe's mystic side circles for several years, Ravel understood the importance of demonstrating one's value when dealing with higher-ranking individuals.
In her current passive and powerless position as liaison between the human world and the Underworld, Ravel was desperate to prove her worth to Luo Shu:
"However, although Lord Ajuka didn't disclose Lady Serafall's situation, he did have my family send over numerous materials."
"This includes the ingredients needed to produce Phoenix Tears as previously discussed. If all goes well, we should be able to produce five portions of Phoenix Tears by tomorrow."
Hearing this, Luo Shu showed mild surprise:
"Won't producing so much harm to you? Do you need nutritional supplements? Or perhaps there's something you'd like to eat?"
As he finished speaking, Luo Shu noticed Ravel had fallen silent, staring at him with astonishment.
"What? Is it strange for me to say such things?"
Luo Shu rubbed his chin with a somewhat suspicious expression:
"Whether from the perspective of sustainable development or protecting important resource producers, ensuring your safety is the priority, right?"
"Anyone who's ever gone hungry should know better than to consume all their food at once, no matter how foolish they are."
"No... that's not what I meant..." Ravel shook her head and said quietly, "I'm just... a little surprised."
She had originally thought that, as an invader from another world, even if she managed to survive for various reasons, she wouldn't receive particularly good treatment.
But now it seemed Luo Shu's attitude was far more amicable than she'd imagined...
At this thought, Ravel suddenly remembered Luo Shu's earlier statement about valuing people over bloodlines...
A handsome foreign leader falls in love with the enemy general sent to invade his homeland, captures her, then goes out of his way to comfort her and grant special privileges... suddenly it feels rather romantic...
[Though I'm quite happy to obtain Phoenix Tears this easily~]
[Why do I suddenly feel like President Ravel's expression has turned rather lovesick?]
Kotoko Iwanaga leaned against Luo Shu, secretly sending a message through the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System:
[I get the feeling you've hit President Ravel's G-spot, Luo Shu~]
[Though come to think of it, in her current childlike form, even if you wanted to do something, it wouldn't be possible, right? Can this form be undone?]
Receiving the message, Luo Shu glanced at Kotoko Iwanaga before turning back to Ravel:
"By the way, I'll have Kurumi come over later to remove the restrictions on your current body."
As he spoke, Luo Shu tilted his head to look at Mammon standing behind Ravel and asked:
"Miss Mammon, how significant would producing five portions of Phoenix Tears per day actually be?"
Hearing this, Mammon glanced at Ravel, who was now absentmindedly poking her fingers, paused, then explained:
"According to current Underworld research, adult phoenixes should produce no more than five portions per week."
"Considering Miss Ravel is still young, three portions per week would be more appropriate."
"Then three portions it is, though one will need to be delivered soon."
Luo Shu didn't explain what the urgently needed Phoenix Tears would be used for, instead discussing what they could be traded for:
"Given the effects of Phoenix Tears, I'll convert your production into equivalent points."
Raising his right hand to reveal his spatial ring, Luo Shu casually retrieved a contract before looking at Ravel:
"Since points are the Hidden Management Department's internal credit currency, I'll need you to sign a confidentiality agreement."
"Hmm?" Kotoko Iwanaga immediately understood the underlying scheme upon hearing this.
Was this an attempt to trick Ravel into signing a Familia contract first?
Though Luo Shu had used a roundabout explanation that bordered on deception, Kotoko Iwanaga found it quite understandable.
After all, she could tell from the system that Mammon wasn't qualified for a Familia. Moreover, she'd long noticed that Mammon and Ravel's relationship didn't resemble that of ordinary superiors and subordinates, but rather seemed more like colleagues.
Considering this, it wasn't difficult to deduce that the other party was working for the so-called Satan.
Given that, it was naturally necessary to keep Mammon in the dark about certain matters.
At this moment, Kotoko Iwanaga subtly focused her gaze on Mammon and cast a judgment of Illusion and Reality.
Mammon's figure rapidly began to whiten and fade, becoming like transparent mist.
Then, Kotoko used the system function to alert Luo Shu, signalling that he could be more overt with his actions.
Receiving the message, Luo Shu glanced at the blank, transparent figure behind Ravel before turning his attention to her:
"Do you have any objections to the contract, Ravel?"
Facing away from Mammon, Ravel clearly didn't notice the anomaly behind her as she took the contract without even skimming it, saying earnestly:
"I understand. This is a confidentiality contract, right?"
"Correct." Luo Shu smiled as he handed her a pen.
Under his watchful gaze, Ravel took the pen and signed her name on the scroll.