Page 12 of Demon Lord's Proposal

Before he can respond, a crash echoes from the far side of the bar. I whirl around to see a pair of imps wrestling on the floor, their tiny claws leaving scorch marks on the wood.

"Enough!" I roar, striding over. The imps freeze, their eyes wide with terror. I grab each by the scruff of the neck, lifting them off the ground. "Take your squabble outside, or I'll use you both as ingredients in our next batch of hellbrew. Understood?"

They nod frantically, and I toss them towards the door. As they scurry out, I notice Sage watching the interaction with a mix of awe and amusement.

Returning to my observation post, I see her confidently handling a sudden rush of orders. Her movements are smooth now, almost graceful as she mixes drinks with preternatural speed. The patrons are crowding around her, clamoring for her unique creations.

A surge of pride wells up in my chest, catching me off guard. I quickly squash it down, reminding myself that she's just an employee – a useful one, but an employee nonetheless. Still, I can't deny the satisfaction I feel at seeing my impulsive decision pay off so well.

As the night wears on, I find myself increasingly distracted by thoughts of how to further develop her talents.

Perhaps some one-on-one training sessions in the alchemy lab downstairs? Or maybe I could send her on a mission to gather rare ingredients, testing her skills in the field?

The conflict between my growing appreciation for Sage and my usual gruff demeanor gnaws at me. I'm not used to feeling this... invested in an employee's success. It's unsettling.

As the last patrons stumble out and the staff begins cleaning up, I approach Sage. She looks up at me, a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration on her face.

"So," I grunt, crossing my arms. "How do you think you did tonight?"

Sage takes a deep breath before answering. "I think... I did okay? There's still a lot to learn, but I'm getting the hang of it."

I nod slowly. "You made some rookie mistakes early on," I say, watching her face fall slightly. "But," I continue, "you recovered well. And your innovative drinks... they show promise."

Her eyes widen in surprise at the compliment. "Thank you, sir. I really enjoyed creating new combinations."

"Don't let it go to your head," I warn. "This job is about more than just making fancy drinks. You need to be able to handle any situation that arises, keep the peace, and always, always keep the drinks flowing. Understood?"

Sage nods earnestly. "Yes, sir. I'll work on improving in all areas."

"See that you do," I say gruffly. "Report to me tomorrow before your shift. We'll discuss additional training."

As I turn to leave, Sage calls out. "Lord Deus?"

I pause, looking back at her. "What is it?"

She smiles softly. "Thank you for giving me this chance. I won't let you down."

For a moment, I'm caught off guard by the sincerity in her voice. I grunt in acknowledgment before quickly retreating to my office. “Just call me Dues.”

Closing the door behind me, I sink into my chair with a heavy sigh. The night's events play through my mind on repeat. Her quick learning, her innovative drinks, the way the patrons responded to her... it all points to a potential I hadn't fully anticipated.

I pull out a leather-bound notebook and begin jotting down ideas for her training regimen. Advanced alchemy techniques, combat mixology, the finer points of underworld politics and negotiation... The list grows longer as my excitement – a feeling I haven't experienced in centuries – builds.

But with that excitement comes a nagging sense of unease. Sage's rising influence could upset the delicate balance I've maintained in this realm. And these unfamiliar feelings of pride and protectiveness... they could cloud my judgment.

I slam the notebook shut, rubbing my temples. "She's just an employee," I mutter to myself. "A useful tool, nothing more."

But even as I say the words, I know they're not entirely true. Sage represents something new, a spark of change in my long, unchanging existence. And despite my misgivings, I find myself looking forward to seeing how she'll continue to surprise me.

With a final grunt of frustration, I stand and prepare to retire for the night. Tomorrow will bring new challenges, new opportunities. And with Sage's unexpected talents at my disposal, I can't help but feel that Slim's Last Chance – and perhaps the entire underworld – is on the brink of transformation.

As I extinguish the lights in my office, a small smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. For the first time in eons, I'm genuinely curious about what the future holds. And it's all because of one impulsive decision to hire a hexeblood alchemist.

"Well played, Sage," I murmur into the darkness. "Well played indeed."

7

SAGE

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