Lewd System: Every Scream and Moan is EXP Chapter 425 : The Hellheart Trade

Nora turned around sharply. Her earlier confidence had been replaced by pure disbelief.

"Impossible... there is no way they have that kind of money. Lucy, verify that bid immediately. If they are serious about offering one hundred thousand then make them prove they can actually pay it."

Dianna immediately reached into her pocket and pulled out a ring. She held it up for them to see before speaking calmly.

"I would like to trade this instead of the one hundred thousand gold. I cannot put an exact value on it myself, but I am certain it is worth far more than that."

The moment Nora and Lucy saw the ring both of them fell silent. They recognized it instantly.

There was only one such ring in the entire world, and even attempting to create a replica was considered an unforgivable offense that could cost the offender their life.

This was not merely a priceless royal artifact. It was the wedding ring Ravana had personally given to the late Queen, Dianna’s mother.

The ring was unique because of the gemstone set within it, a stone rumored to grant its wearer extraordinary mental stability and emotional control.

Fear, panic, rage, grief, and anxiety still remained, but none could easily overwhelm the mind of its bearer. Yet even that was only one part of what made the ring so rare.

The gemstone had once belonged to one of the witches of the Nine Hells. After Ravana defeated her he reclaimed the ring rather than destroying it.

He later presented it to the late Queen as a wedding gift, turning an artifact from the Nine Hells into a cherished symbol of their marriage.

From that moment onward its value ceased to be measured in gold. It became a royal heirloom, a reminder of their marriage, and a memorial to the Queen herself.

Nora was the one who spoke in that shocking silence. "There is no way it’s real. That’s a replica. Anyone could tell."

Dianna simply placed the ring into Lucy’s hand. The moment Lucy touched it the air around the gemstone seemed to tremble.

The Hellheart glowed with a deep crimson aura, and the energy flowing through it was unmistakably genuine. No replica, no matter how perfectly crafted, could ever reproduce that presence.

Lucy spoke in shock. "It’s real... but how did you get it? No, wait. Did you steal it?"

Dianna answered without heat. "Does it really matter anymore? The one who gave the ring is dead, and so is the woman who received it. Whatever claim they once had over it died with them. Besides, its previous master is gone, so the Hellheart will simply recognize a new one. There shouldn’t be an issue."

Lucy still hesitated. "Perhaps not in that sense, but the ring still belongs to the royal family."

Dianna had a faint smile before she spoke. "Who said it will get out of the royal family? You’re looking at this from the wrong angle, Mrs. Lucy. I know you’re merely a pawn managing this place."

Lucy stiffened on realizing that she knew her boss was from the royal family, but Dianna continued calmly.

"Just think about it carefully. Imagine the gain you’ll receive from your master if you are the one who places this ring before him. I’m sure he would value the person who brought him such a treasure far more than you realize."

Lucy was stunned, but the meaning behind the woman’s words soon became clear. This could be the most profitable deal of her entire career.

She had never imagined that a human slave she had acquired for only twenty thousand Ranas would lead to an item worth more than one hundred thousand gold.

Of course the value would not go directly into her own hands, but the reward from her master, the brother of Dianna and the one who runs all these shady places, for presenting him with such a treasure could still be enormous.

And that was precisely the weakness Dianna had used against her to secure the deal.

Amane wanted to protest, but the fear in her chest stopped her from speaking. Dianna noticed and quietly whispered to her.

"Don’t you dare say it’s a precious memorial of my mother. It isn’t. Every time I see that ring all I remember is the corrupted world and the day she died. A memorial is supposed to preserve something you cherish. This thing only reminds me of what I lost."

Lucy spoke at last. "Very well. I consider this a suitable exchange for the one hundred thousand gold. The establishment accepts the ring, and we may proceed with the transfer."

Nora’s voice came out desperate. "Wait... I’m not finished yet."

The entire room turned toward her. She nervously bit at the skin of her thumb. From her face it was clear she had already lost, but she still spoke.

"Lucy, give me a few months. I promise I’ll arrange more than what she offered. Just don’t close the deal yet... give me time."

Lucy answered politely.

"I’m sorry, Madam, but I cannot do that. You are asking me to hold the sale for a future offer when another customer has already surpassed your current bid and is prepared to complete the purchase now. I have to honor the offer that is actually on the table. Also there is no guarantee that you will be able to manage this much sum, so I have no choice but to proceed with this transaction."

Nora grabbed the knees of Dianna while sobbing. "Please don’t do this. I need him more than you do. Just give me one chance to keep him."

Dianna looked down at her. "You may believe that, but you don’t know how much I need him."

She turned while freeing her leg.

"Well, forget it. But do remember this. Getting him back will be useless from here on, so try to find a better toy and forget this one."

-x-X-x-

That same night, after a new contract between Jax and Dianna was completed, Jax was brought into a palace. He was still trying to piece together his current situation.

One crucial detail he had learned from the slave house was that he had been brought there with celestial essence leaking from his body until it left him completely.

After examining him they discovered that his contract with his previous master had ended by force recently.

Otherwise it made no sense that a contract less person was still alive and able to breathe in Luminera.

They could only assume that his previous master had died or that something far more complicated had happened.

Jax was brought into the dining hall where Dianna was having her meal while questioning him. She calmly wiped her mouth before looking directly at him, with Amane standing nearby.

"So, you really don’t know anything about yourself?"

She didn’t wait for an answer before continuing.

"Whether you’re lying or telling the truth is irrelevant to me. I have no interest in digging into your past. What matters is simple. You have a task to complete, and that is all I expect from you."

She got up from the seat while a maid pulled back her chair. She then gestured for the maid to leave while she herself walked toward Jax.

"All you have to do is seduce my stepmother, the acting ruler of the Asuran kingdom, just like you did to that woman in the cell."