Ryan completely ignored the lascivious intent behind Ophelia’s comment, maintaining a stony expression that didn’t reveal even a hint of the agitation he had experienced just minutes before.

He decided to respond in kind, returning the verbal jab with the ironic calmness he usually showed before his enemies.

"It would have been an honor, of course." Ryan crossed his arms, sizing up the demon queen from head to toe.

"But do you really think you can keep up with a conversation like that? It wouldn’t be easy for you. Even if you are a demon king."

Helen was the first to snap at Ryan’s response, her face still a little flushed but recovering her usual aggressiveness.

"Ryan! Don’t play along with this woman!" the warrior shouted while pointing her finger at Ophelia.

Mirian also intervened, albeit in a more subtle manner, letting out a sigh heavy with annoyance as she adjusted her gear.

"It seems Ryan is feeling especially generous with his invitations today, how careless of him," she commented with that double-edged smile.

Ophelia let out a genuine laugh, one that contained none of her previous malice but rather a sort of amusement at the audacity of the young man before her.

"Goodness, you are a very confident man, Ryan. Not many would dare to joke like that with someone who can wipe out this entire floor with a yawn."

’After all, I have five beautiful girls with me, it’s only normal that I’m not intimidated by these things,’ Ryan thought with a trace of pragmatism.

He knew his position was delicate, but showing fear would only give the white-haired woman more of an advantage.

"Anyway. I don’t have any intentions of having that kind of relationship with a demon king either, my hands are already quite full for today," Ryan stated, cutting the matter off at its roots.

Ophelia stopped laughing and looked around, observing the walls of the dungeon with a frown of disapproval.

"Whatever you say. But Ryan, aren’t you going to invite me inside?" Ophelia asked, pointing to the entrance of the dungeon house.

"It is highly discourteous to keep a lady out here in this dry dungeon climate. Do you have no manners at all?"

Ryan thought about it for a moment, weighing the risks. However, he ultimately gave up any unnecessary resistance; she had already made it clear through her actions and words that she had no intention of attacking them.

"Alicia." Ryan pronounced his assistant’s name in a firm but calm tone. She flinched slightly, and Ryan could notice a deep blush creeping up her neck to her ears.

It was obvious she still couldn’t hide her embarrassment over what had just happened between them in the bedroom.

"Y-yes, Your Majesty... your orders," Alicia replied, keeping her gaze fixed firmly on her own feet and avoiding the demon queen’s gaze at all costs.

Ryan paid no mind to her state and continued with his instructions.

"I want you to take Theo to the village as soon as we are inside the house. It’s not safe for a child to be present during these kinds of negotiations," Ryan ordered. Alicia nodded quickly, grateful to have a task that would distance her from the overwhelming presence of the intruders.

Ryan looked at Karol, gesturing for her to accompany the rest.

"Everyone inside. It’s time to talk business," Karol said, and the group moved toward the house, while Iris walked right behind Ophelia.

Once everyone had crossed through the door, Ryan stayed behind with Alicia and Theo for a second. He activated his mana and opened a small portal that connected directly to the entrance of the elven village.

"Go now, Alicia. Make sure Theo is comfortable, and don’t speak of this to anyone just yet."

She gave a hasty bow and crossed through the portal holding the boy’s hand, disappearing in a flash of blue light. Ryan closed the portal and let out a sigh, turning around to return to the main living room.

There, Ophelia and Iris awaited him, already sitting in complete comfort on the main sofa.

It wasn’t as if there were many chairs in that place, so the rest of the girls remained standing, maintaining a tense guard around the room. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Only Ryan and Karol sat down, facing the demon queen who looked for all the world like the rightful owner of the property.

"Alright, now that Alicia and the boy are gone, we can speak more comfortably," Ryan began, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Demon King Ophelia. Tell me once and for all how you plan to involve me in your plans, and I’m curious to know why you are interested in forming such a risky alliance."

Ophelia laughed a little, toying with one of her horns.

"Come on, Ryan, don’t be so formal with me now that we’re here. Just call me Ophelia; after all, we are going to be very close allies."

She crossed her legs with a fluid motion, letting her aura relax a bit to facilitate the flow of the conversation.

"As I already told you outside, my primary purpose is to finish off that annoying and ambitious demon king named Rigal once and for all."

Ryan intervened immediately, not letting her expand with unnecessary embellishments.

"You made that part clear. What I don’t understand is why you are choosing to move against him right now and, above all, why you need the help of a human of my rank to achieve it."

Ophelia looked at him curiously, analyzing his reaction. Her red eyes gleamed with a mixture of respect and scrutiny, realizing that Ryan did not trust her at all and was keeping his analytical guard at the highest possible level despite being seated.

"Let’s see... that’s because Rigal is an idiot, and he doesn’t care about allying with the church to destroy us. But that idiot is strong and well-resourced," Ophelia explained.

"He plans to invade the lands of Demon King Rohan in the near future. His goal is to eliminate one of his most important generals to weaken the border and expand his dominion."

Ophelia paused, looking at the girls who were listening intently. "Naturally, Demon King Rohan is not someone to be underestimated. He has very powerful people under his command, generals of hellish and abyssal levels. In addition, there are his own children."

Beatrice, who had remained in silence until that moment, intervened.

"I know Ryan’s party faced Solaris, and Lighter was also in that place, but they didn’t manage to find him."

"No, they are just babies compared to the real threat," Ophelia replied with a tone of voice that carried a deep seriousness.

"Out of his children, the ones who are nearly at the level of a Demon King and possess devastating strength would specifically be Aedan and Igniel."

The demon queen crossed her arms and let out a heavy sigh that made the air in the living room vibrate.

"Remember those names well, especially you, Ryan. Because if you ever cross paths with them, you’ll be in real trouble."